BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION - MEMBERSHIP MEETING
ZOOM Conference, Online
January 13, 2024



Those present: Chairman Rev John Wongler, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Treasurer Rev Kevin Horath, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Rev Josh Powell, Rev Phil Frye, Chairman Emeritus Rev Don Horath, Emeritus Member Rev Don Matthews, Provisional Board Member Rev Jerry VanRonk, Provisional Board Member Rev Scott Branam, Rev David Shafer, Rev Caleb Holbrook, Rev Tom Sullivan, Rev Steve Mills, Rev Adrianna Bradley, Rev Steven Bishop, Rev Hannah Bishop, Rev Ed Herald, Rev Jarrod Herald, Rev Elizabeth Herald, Rev Rachel Herald.

Chairman Wongler called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Rev Kevin Horath led in prayer. Rev Wongler mentioned the Scripture from Isaiah 43:18 which reminds us to “remember not the former things” referring to a great year in 2023 but for us to look to do more in 2024.

Secretary Matthews was asked to read the minutes from the October 4, 2023 Annual Membership Meeting at Hillside Bethel Tabernacle, Decatur, IL. After a summary of the major items of the minutes, and since everyone had previously reviewed the minutes from that meeting, Rev Kevin Horath moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Rev Frye seconded the motion and all approved.

Missions Secretary Rev David Matthews was called upon to present the Missions report. He reported that total giving to missions for the year was $12,861 and the BFMF balance was $2,350. He also briefed that fourteen missions were being supported. He encouraged everyone to use Bethel Missions to support the many missionaries that we have established and supported for many years. Rev Frye moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Holbrook seconded the motion and all approved.

Treasurer Horath was asked to review the financial report for 2023. The balance at the start of the year was $17,283. Income received for the year was $192,545 including $100,000 that was donated and raised for Bethel Conference Center repairs and renovations. Expenditures for the year were $111,318. Major expenditures included $13,478 for Senior Youth Conference with $40,404 received, $7,934 for Junior Conference with $16,501 received, $63,258 for Remodel/Repairs and $12,506 for utilities. With previous retained earnings of $39,744 added, the balance at the end of the year was $121,000. Costs for all the roofs at the Conference Center came to $59,000. Rev Horath stated that remaining costs for remodeling the All Weather Dorm include $49,787 for the upper floor and $42,438 for the downstairs which should leave a general cash balance of $30,000 to begin work for both camp programs this year. Rev Frye moved that the report be accepted, Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Wongler briefed plans for the 2024 Junior Youth Conference, June 24-27. The theme will be “ASAP – Always Stop and Pray,” and theme Scripture will be Ephesians 6:18. Price for registration will be $150 per camper, $75 for workers and pastors and $25 per day for day visitors, like last year. He also stated that Rick Teepen with Snakes Alive Ministry will be the featured speaker again this year at Junior Conference. Further details for Junior Youth Conference will be discussed at Spring Conference.
ACTION: Rev Wongler will brief the board and membership on plans for Junior Youth Conference at the Spring Conference in March.

Rev Josh Powell briefed plans for the 2024 Senior Youth Conference, July 8-12. The theme will be “Seek First.” Price for registration will be $180 per camper, $90 for workers and pastors and $60 per day for day visitors. Rev Powell stated that more details would be presented at the Spring Conference. He also requested the possible construction of a new basketball court to be used in future youth conferences.
ACTION: Rev Smith and Rev Josh and Rhonda Powell will make more detailed presentations for the Senior Youth Conference at the Spring Conference.

Chairman Wongler mentioned that the no information was available for the upcoming Spring BMA Conference. He stated that he will coordinate with Rev Smith of Crosby Church and provide more information to the membership on times and dates as soon as possible.
ACTION: Chairman Wongler will coordinate available information on the upcoming Spring Conference and relay it to the membership as soon as possible.

Chairman Wongler mentioned that we did not currently have a host for the 2024 Fall Conference. Rev Ed Herald and Jarrod Herald said that they were possibly interested in hosting the Fall Conference at the newly rebuilt Victory Christian Center in Bloomington, IL, with possible dates of October 14-16. Further information on those plans will be discussed at the Spring Conference.
ACTION: Revs Ed and Jarrod Herald will brief the membership on plans for the Fall Conference at this year’s Spring Conference.

Rev Kevin Horath briefed the membership that he had discovered a previously purchased memorial plaque available to have names of previous pastors added and displayed next to the current plaque at Bethel Conference Center. He will coordinate those names for adding. He also briefed everyone on progress with the web site platform for the BMA on Sub Splash. He mentioned the availability of registering for our camp programs there. He suggested that pastors continue to collect for their groups and forward individual checks to the treasurer for all campers from each of their churches but encouraged all to complete individual registrations on the website platform if possible. He will coordinate for those registrations to be available on Sub Splash.
ACTION: Rev Kevin Horath will coordinate the production and availability of registrations for both Youth Conferences on the current BMA website to be used for this year’s conferences.

Chairman Wongler concluded the meeting with prayer for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our activities through the year. No other business coming before the membership, the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews Chairman Wongler called the meeting to order reading from Psalm 42. Rev Long led in prayer.

Secretary Matthews was asked to read the minutes from the October 6, 2022 Annual Membership Meeting at Full Gospel Evangelistic Center, Lincoln. After a summary of the major items of the minutes, and since everyone had previously reviewed the minutes from that meeting, Rev Kevin Horath moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Treasurer Horath was asked to review the financial report for 2022. The balance at the start of the year was $9,578. Income received for the year was $56,670 and expenditures were $57,522. The balance at the end of the year was $17,283 which included a one-time $10,000 donation that had been made. Major expenditures included $15,490 for Senior Youth Conference, $12,677 for Junior Conference and $6,540 for Remodel/Repairs. Rev Matthews moved that the report be accepted, Rev Greene seconded the motion and all approved.

Foreign Missions Secretary Rev Jose Rodriguez was called upon to present the Missions report. He reported that giving to missions through this quarter was $5,495 and the bank balance was $13,291. He also briefed that twelve missions were being supported. Total giving for missions in 2022 was $21,292. Rev Matthews moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Josh Powell briefed plans for the 2023 Senior Youth Conference, July 10-14. The theme will be “Trending…Making Jesus Famous.” Rev Powell stated that more details would be presented at the Spring Conference.
ACTION ITEM: Rev Smith and Rev Josh and Rhonda Powell will make more detailed presentations for the Senior Youth Conference at the Spring Conference.

Chairman Wongler briefed plans for the 2023 Junior Youth Conference, June 26-29. The theme will be “Rock Solid,” and theme Scripture will be Psalm 95:1. He discussed concerns about security at Junior Conference and stressed the need for pastors to ensure thorough background checks of all their visiting workers and counselors. He stated that dress code for girl’s shorts length will be fingertip, as directed in all the public school dress codes where they will attend. Price for registration will be $150 per camper like last year. Further details for Junior Youth Conference will be discussed at Spring Conference.
ACTION: Rev Wongler will brief the board and membership on plans for Junior Youth Conference at the Spring Conference in March.

Chairman Wongler mentioned that the 2023 Fall Conference is scheduled to be held at Victory Christian Center in Bloomington, IL some time in October. Dates and details will be provided at the Spring Conference.

Rev Kevin Horath briefed the membership on progress toward completing the web site platform for the BMA on Sub Splash. He briefed that the shell is in place and details are being added. More will be briefed at the Spring Conference.

Rev Matthews briefed the membership on the upcoming Spring Conference, March 29-April 1 at Bethel Youth Camp and Conference Center. The theme is “Writng Words,” an emphasis on the literary efforts and writing of books, pamphlets and literature in the ministry by many of our pastors and ministers. The theme verse is Job 19:23. He went through the schedule which is available with many other details on the website at www.BMAMinistries.com and encouraged everyone to view and make plans to attend. He added that we hope that the conference will have a homecoming feel to it, noted that we expect to use all the sleeping facilities at camp and asked everyone to make plans to attend. There will also be work days on camp facilities Friday and Saturday morning.

Chairman Wongler led a discussion on numerous work needs at the Conference Center, specifically dormitory roofs, roof on shelter #3, lake shelter completion, tabernacle repairs, painting and cleanup. He asked that everyone attend the work days at Spring Conference.

Rev Rodriguez mentioned the idea of increasing membership dues for BMA members. All were reminded that current dues are now due and asked everyone to pay them promptly. No other business coming before the membership, Rev Greene moved that the meeting be adjourned. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews