Churches Planting Churches

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Published on September 19, 2017

Fundamental Matters has released the promotional video for the new magazine, featuring the topic of church planting.  It's worth seeing!

Announcing "Fundamental Matters" Magazine

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Published on August 31, 2017

We are announcing the upcoming publication of our new magazine, Fundamental Matters.  This magazine is a ministry to pastors, in particular, but will be of interest to anyone concerned about important issues in their church.  Each issue of the magazine will focus on a specific topic, with articles approaching it from different perspectives.

The topic for our first issue, due out in November 2017, is "Church Planting."  Other topics for 2018 will include "Effectively using the Internet for ministry" and "Reaching Youth," among others.

We will send this magazine to pastors free-of-charge.  Others are encouraged to subscribe for $12 for one year (4 quarterly issues).  If you are a pastor, you may still use the paid subscription as a way to support this project.

Pastors who wish to be sure that they are on our free distribution list, please contact us. (If you are in our church directory, then you are on the list).  We plan to mail printed copies to about 3,000 and electronic copies to about 4000 others.

For ad rates, please see more information.

Gratitude Forsaken

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Published on August 18, 2017

I was made to think, today.

I had finished a graveside service over in Madison and was driving home in pouring rain across a little country road. There was a couple walking along the road in the direction I was going. I had seen them walking that same road, a little further up, on my way to the service earlier in the morning.

I never stop for hitchhikers unless they are somebody I know. It's just not a safe thing to do these days. If you don't know who you are picking up, then you don't know what their moral compass is (or if they even have one), whether they are high, or what their intentions are.

But, I stopped this morning for this couple in the rain. I asked them if they needed a ride. They were so grateful as they climbed into the Jeep.

They were a younger couple. Well, late 20's or early 30's -- that's "younger" to me now. He looked like someone who had done physical labor at some time, looking at his hands and his build. She was pregnant.

Living and Loving Again: Life After Abuse, by Pastor Don Woodard

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Published on June 27, 2017

Pastor Woodward's latest book, Living and Loving Again: Life After Abuse, fills a critical void for pastors and counselors -- and the victims themselves -- who are dealing with people that are victims of abuse. It is a powerful tool in the counselor's toolbox and a lifeline for victims.

In our independent Baptist circles, we tend to be really good at "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression." And, in 21st century America, we need to be good at that.

However, we tend to not be so good at the grace, patience, meekness, and lovingkindness that is necessary in helping an abuse victim not only heal, but learn to live and love again. Sometimes, it almost seems as if those traits are counted as weakness. Yet, they are biblical and necessary when helping somebody who has come from an abusive background.

Living and Loving Again helps fill that gap, making it possible for any preacher, any counselor, to help victims by giving them this book, or reading it themselves and using its Bible-based information as a basis for counseling sessions.

Pastor's Help Fund: Filling a need for a rural Pastor

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Published on December 22, 2016

We are trying to help a "small church" preacher this week.

This preacher and his wife, and older couple, took a rural church here in Maine a couple years ago. If you are in Maine, you probably know them. They are KJV, fundamental, independent Baptists.

Within the last 30 days, they have moved from an apartment where they had no heat for 4 weeks and had to use an electric heater to heat just one room which they sat, ate, and slept in. Last year, they were without heat at the same apartment for two months before the landlord took care of it. They are still paying on an enormous electric bill from that episode.

They are now in their new place and are financially very tight. They can only put in 50 gallons of heating oil at a time, and ran out once during this last cold snap. It's hit 20 below zero twice already this year.

They have stayed faithful through all of this trial.

My desire is to get them "over the hump" by helping them out with their heating situation this winter. My goal is to raise $1,000 for them to help heat their home this winter. With the extra expenses they have had this year, I know this will be a big blessing to them.

If you would like to help out, you can give toward the fund on-line using the form below. Everything we receive through this will go directly to the Pastor and his wife. Our ministry will keep nothing of it. Giving on-line will help us get the funds to them immediately

Pastor loses home and church to arson

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Published on October 15, 2016

[relayed through Victory Baptist Press]

Bro. Randall Boatner, his wife Sandy and Faith Baptist Church of Lambert, Mississippi have been the victims of arson. They have suffered nearly a complete loss in two separate, deliberate fires. 

On June 18, 2016, a fire was set in the Boatner’s car. The pastor’s car was under the carport of the parsonage. Between the fire and the smoke, the parsonage and its contents were wrecked. Then, on Wednesday night October 19, while Bro. Randall and Mrs. Sandy were away preaching another fire was set and the church was a total loss.

The pastor was living in the church; so, much of what was salvaged from the first fire was burned along with the building. The church does have insurance on the church building and the parsonage. However, there is no insurance to cover the loss of their personal contents. Mrs. Boatner has been dealing with leukemia for the past two years, and these good people have accrued financial difficulty. Our church, with the help of some fellow brethren, have already begun to raise money for this need.

The devil is real, and he still hates the gospel. As I heard a wise preacher say, “When the snake comes out, he bites the man kindling the fire.” Bro. Randall is just trying
to kindle a fire for our Lord, and that made him a target. If you can help, please send funds to,

Bethany Independent Baptist Church
4112 Hubbard Rd.
Courtland, MS  38620.

Please designate funds for preacher Randall Boatner, but by all means pray!