WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

August 27, 2026

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FBC Dora Welcomes New Pastor Kevin Williams

On Sunday evening, August 23, 2026 First Dora voted to call Kevin Williams as their next pastor.  When asked what his effective date was, Kevin said they gave him the key to the church that evening so he guessed it was effective then!

Kevin and his wife, Isabella, have been married two years and are both from Houston, Texas.  They currently live and work on Cannon Air Force Base.  Kevin has been in active duty with the U.S. Air Force for nine years. He is actively pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He previously served as a Sunday school teacher and worship team drummer at Central Baptist Church.

Kevin provided the following statement about his call to Dora: "This church is made up of good, faithful people in a warm, welcoming community. I believe this church is ready to grow, God willing.

"I aim to put God at the center of all parts of worship and life. I believe in expositional teaching, remaining faithful to God’s Word by taking it in its correct context. My heart is for the pulpit in the local church, not the debate stage at a conference. I prioritize unity of believers and cooperation between churches."
 

He also stated the he enjoys music, playing drums, reading books, studying history and geography, traveling the world, and good company with good people."

We welcome Kevin and Isabella to their ministry at Dora and thank Ron Jarman who has been serving as Interim Pastor.

Join the movement that has helped 10 million people find financial peace. Come join a group at Central Baptist, Clovis every Wednesday from 6-7 pm.beginning September 2.  Sessions go through December 16, 2026.

There is a $80.00 fee per person/couple. Scholarships may be available to help with the cost.

For more information please contact BJ Brooks or Jarin Smith at Central Baptist (575-762-4727).

Notes From Our

Director of Missions

We are just a couple of weeks away from our Fall Pastor's Retreat with Dr. Richard Blackaby.  Parkland  Baptist is hosting us for this time of fellowship and encouragement on Saturday, September 12.  As of Monday, August 24, we have 20 folks registered for the event.  If you have not registered yet, please go ahead and sign up so we can begin preparing for lunch. Dr. Blackaby sent a video sharing his excitement about being with us.  Here is the link to see the video:

Retreat Video

Our Area Missionary from BCNM, Mario Navarro, will be there to translate for our Spanish-speaking pastors.  We have door prizes and other fun things planned.  Some pastors are bringing a key leader or person in their church they are encouraging to understand a call to church ministry.  Take a few moments to register for the retreat today!

Retreat Registration

Recently I visited with a pastor who has 14 people excited about joining Baptists from all over New Mexico in Roswell on September 26 for the One Day Mission Trip.  There will be ministry activities for everyone in the church.  The leaders of this ministry are praying for 2,026 people to join together to share the Gospel through a variety of ministry projects on that one day.  Bonnie and I will be there and we are looking forward to seeing you.  Use this link to register for One Day in Roswell:

One Day Registration in English; Spanish registration 

One Day Events and FAQ in English; Spanish version

We are blessed that several of our Tri-Area Association churches are or will be welcoming new pastors soon. 

* FBC Santa Rosa called Matt Montoya to be their pastor back in July.

* In August FBC Portales called Dylan Panteline as their new pastor. He will begin serving there soon.

* The new pastor at FBC Logan is Cody Brown, who will be beginning his new ministry there soon.

* This past Sunday FBC Dora called Kevin Williams to serve at their congregation. He has begun serving there already.

* Also this past Sunday Central Baptist in Clovis called a new pastor. We will be sharing his name soon after he announces this decision in his congregation.

We still have a few churches seeking a pastor, so please pray for them. 

As we prepare to welcome these new men into our association, here are some ways you can bless them as they join our fellowship:

* Begin PRAYING for these men and their families as they make these transitions.  We all know how difficult this process is, and the best thing we can do is to be lifting them up in prayer.  Pray for their families as they move.  Pray for the churches that they are leaving behind, and for understanding and patience as they leave.  Pray for them to find their new homes and settle children in new schools.  Pray for new wisdom and peace as they seek to establish new relationships, develop the Lord's vision for their new congregations, and get started in a new ministry.

* Take the time to WRITE a note or text to let them know you are praying for them and their families.  

* When you meet them make certain you SHARE your name and contact information, and be patient as they learn yours.  We just have to learn a few new names with them, but they have MANY names and faces to remember. 

* Be sure to ENCOURAGE them to be involved in the ministries of the Association.  Invite them to our next Pastors/Wives fellowship or the Blackaby retreat. Better yet, tell them you will buy their dinner at the fellowship.

All of us know how difficult these times of transition are.  Let's join together to make it easier on these families by welcoming them into the Association.

I shared with you last week about the opportunity we have to purchase a truck for use with our Disaster Recovery Ministry and also in local churches as they need. As of Wednesday afternoon we have received $43,100 from individuals and churches in the Tri-Area Baptist Association. This is an amazing provision from the Lord.  If you or your church would like to participate in this project, send your check made out to the association and note "Ministry Truck" in the memo line.  If you have any questions, contact me, Rusty Kenyon, Jim Peabody or Jim Hogg.  

Bonnie and I were blessed to be at First Baptist Logan this past Sunday and it was a joy to preach there.  As near as I can tell, I have preached now in 18 of our Association churches, and I have led worship in a couple more.  Adding the churches we have just visited on a Sunday or Wednesday we have been in 26 of our 40 churches in the 15 weeks I have been serving with you.  I have covered over 6,000 miles in this time.  Bonnie and I are so blessed to be serving with you, and I hope to be in all our churches before the Annual Meeting in October. Please don't hesitate to call me if I can help you and your church in any way.

Grateful to be serving!

Damon

Damon's preaching schedule for the coming weeks:

August 30:  FBC Fort Sumner

September 6:  GracePointe Portales

September 13: Causey Baptist Church

You are invited to spend the evening of October 16 celebrating community, listening to testimonies, engaging in worship and fellowshipping over a fajita dinner at the first Lighthouse Mission Freedom Ranch Banquet.  The banquet will be held at Central Baptist Church, 2501 N Norris St, Clovis, NM.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6 p.m.  There is a $10 fee.  Click this LINK to register your attendance.

JOIN OUR PRAYER TEAM

If you would like to join our Tri-Area Prayer Team, text your first and last name to Elaine at 575-714-7788. She will pass along prayer needs that are submitted by our churches via a text to the team..

The Christian Challenge ministry at ENMU has replaced free lunches with some other opportunities to interact with students and to partner with our churches. Churches can help with any of these that you would like by just having some folks attend and/or by letting your great cooks provide us with food on the food events!

Here are some plans, God willing!

• We will have worship at 8 PM on Thursdays. If a church wants to bring snacks at 7:30, we would love to let as many students know about that as we can! We hope for 30.

• We don’t have a date yet, but we’d like to have a red carpet banquet event for international students.

• Finally, we would like to make a directory of Bible studies available to ENMU students. Please confirm to me all of the Bible studies that college students might be welcome to, and whether they are for men, women, or both.

Thanks for supporting us!  We’re the luckiest Campus ministry around for sure!

Dag Sewell 

Campus Director

As our thoughts turn to fall, we begin preparing for the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home Fall Food Drive.  You can see a list of the items they are requesting from our association above.  As always, you may provide a financial donation by clicking this LINK.

PRAY FOR MISSIONARIES WITH

NEW MEXICO TIES

Would you like to receive monthly updates from IMB missionaries with NM ties? Emily Taigaafi prepares the WMU prayer update newsletter. You can sign up to receive the newsletter by clicking on this LINK.

Click HERE to check out the Good Books section of our website. We also have a Spanish version called Buenos Libros which you can check out by clicking HERE.

The Book of the Week is What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps (and What Really Hurts) by Nancy Guthrie. It is listed under the Counseling tab of the  Good Books section on our website.

We want to say or do something that helps our grieving friend. But what?

When someone we know is grieving, we want to help. But sometimes we stay away or stay silent, afraid that we will do or say the wrong thing, that we will hurt instead of help.

In this straightforward and practical book, Nancy Guthrie provides us with the insight we need to confidently interact with grieving people. Drawing upon the input of hundreds of grieving people, as well as her own experience of grief, Nancy offers specifics on what to say and what not to say, and what to do and what to avoid. Tackling touchy topics like talking about heaven, navigating interactions on social media, and more, this book will equip readers to support those who are grieving with wisdom and love.

• Filled with practical examples from grieving people who have been helped (and hurt) during their loss
• Author has firsthand experience with grieving and being consoled after losing two of her own children
• Author is known as an expert when it comes to dealing with grief because of her connection with GriefShare, Respite Retreats, and books she has written, including Holding On to Hope and Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow
• Perfect for counselors and pastors looking for a resource to give to those who want to help grieving friends or loved ones

CLICK if you want to purchase this resource from Amazon.com .  It may be available through other sources as well.

Ministerial Staff Searches

Submit a résumé and cover letter by sending it to the following address:

Iglesia Bautista Belen
Senior Pastor Position
820 N. Reid
PO Box 2046
Clovis, New Mexico  88102

Central Baptist Church

Central is seeking their next Worship Pastor and Student Pastor.  Learn more about applying for these positions HERE.  You can mail application/résumé to:

Central Baptist Church

Worship Pastor Position

Youth Pastor Position

2501 N Norris

Clovis NM  88101

First Hispanic Baptist Church - Tucumcari

Senor Pastor Search - Bi-lingual and Bi-vocational

PO BX 972

Tucumcari, NM  88401

Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales, is seeking a parttime Children’s Director. Duties include planning and supervising the Children’s Sunday School Department, and supervising Wednesday evening activities for children. Must consider this a ministry rather than a job!  Contact ebc@yucca.net or phone at 575-356-8275 for information and/or an application.

First Baptist Albuquerque is seeking a youth/families pastor.  Contact Pastor Steven Ball at 214-541-4640 for additional information.

June FINANCIAL REPORT

                    Beginning June 1   $70,678.33

                    Receipts                   11,872.47  

                    Disbursals                 11,245.42

                    Balance June 30     $71,305.38

Please make any checks you send payable to the Tri-Area Baptist Association and mail them to 1100 W. Mañana Blvd, Clovis NM  88101

IMPORTANT DATES

Have an event coming up at your church? Email us at tri.area.baptist.association@gmail.com or
send us a text message at 575-714-7788.

September 2026

7th - Ft Sumner-area ministerial fellowship - noon

10th - Portales-area ministerial fellowship - 6:30 pm - Calvary

10-12th - NM Baptist Disaster Relief Celebration - FBC Ruidoso

12th - Pastor Retreat with Richard Blackaby - Parkland               8:30 a.m.

17th - Clovis-area ministerial fellowship - 6:30 pm - Juanitos

23rd - See You At The Pole

26th - One Day Mission

28th - Tucumcari-area ministerial fellowship - 6:30 pm - La Cita

October 2026

4th - Aguirre family Commissioning Service - FBC Portales - 5:30 pm

18-24 - Week of Prayer for Association

19 - 20 - BCNM Annual Meeting - Eastern Hills                            Albuquerque

24th - Tri-Area Association Meeting - FBC Melrose - 4:00             p.m.

Got a question about any of the above events? Call Elaine at 575-714-7788.

PRAY FOR NEEDS
IN OUR ASSOCIATION

New or updated requests appear below in bold type.

Pray for the potential mission work in Honduras.

Pray for potential Kenya mission trip.

Pray for Ronna Jordan and the ministry to provide water wells in Kenya.

Pray for the potential new ministry between Oklahoma Baptist University and the prison at Santa Rosa.

Pray for Foundations of Faith Dairy Ministry.

Pray for our pastorless churches: Iglesia Bautista Belen in Clovis, First Hispanic Tucumcari, and GracePointe Portales.  FBC Portales, FBC Logan, and Central Clovis have called their next pastors but they will not be in place until in October.  

Pray for the Christian Challenge ministry at Eastern.

Pray for all our pastors and other ministerial staff and leaders.

Pray for Joel Castro and his wife, Sara, from Honduras, that they might be able to secure the necessary visas to come to the U.S.

Pray for Carlos Cervantes and his wife, Adrianna, from Mexico, that they might be able to secure the necessary visas to come to the U.S.

Helpful Links

Click HERE to go to their website.

Copyright © 2019 Tri-Area Baptist Association, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: 1100 W. Mañana  Clovis, NM 88101

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