MINUTES
of the
THE COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCHES
OF CALIFORNIA
Held with the
FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
East & G St., Oakdale, California
April 5th and 6th, 1955
Next Meeting to be held with
The First Missionary Baptist Church
Hale & Brokaw, Corcoran, California
March 27th & 38th, 1956
OFFICERS
Moderator — Allen Adkins, P. O. Box 159, Armona, Calif.
Ass’t. Moderator — Olen Johnson, 3250 Spencer, Oroville, Calif.
Clerk — Martin Canavan, 6323 E. Bigelow, Long Beach 11, Calif.
Ass’t. Clerk — Bedford Andrews, Rt. 1, Box 1140, Ceres, Calif.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT
Preamble
With faith in God, and unquestioning, acceptance of the Bible
as the Word of God, and sole rule of our faith and practice, we offer
to all Missionary Baptist Churches of Christ the following Articles of
Agreement.
ARTICLE I
Name
The Cooperative Association of Missionary Baptist Churches
of California.
ARTICLE II
Object
The object of this Association is to encourage co-operation and
Christian activity among the churches, to promote interest in and encourage
Missions on a New Testament basis among all people, to stimulate interest
in Christian literature, general benevolence, and Christian education and
to provide a medium through which the churches may co-operate in these
enterprises.
ARTICLE III
Members
Section No. 1—This association shall be composed of Missionary
Baptist Churches as defined in article number thirteen of the declaration of
faith in J. M. Pendleton’s church manual.
Section No. 2—The annual or called sessions of this Association
3
shall be held by messengers elected by the churches composing
said Association.
Section No. 3—Each church co-operating in this Association
is entitled to three messengers who are members of the church they
represent. They are to bring letters showing their election by the church,
which letters should give a report of their past year.
Section No. 4—We recommend to all Scriptural New Testament
churches, desiring to co-operate with us for the purpose designated
in Article two of these Articles of Agreement, express their desire by
presenting evidence of their origin, faith, and practice; and, we further
recommend, that any church refusing, or failing to continue in the faith
and practice designated by them, will not be considered seated in the
messenger body.
ARTICLE IV
Doctrinal Statue
This Association shall recognize the freedom of speech as
essential to the highest achievements in its work. It shall stand or fall on
its own conformity to truth. It shall exercise no ecclesiastical authority but
it shall by every precaution recognize the sovereignty of every individual
church. It shall also encourage on the part of churches and Messengers the
greatest possible freedom of expression in discussing matters pertaining to
its work, and in the preeminence of missions and evangelism in the work
of the churches.
ARTICLE V
Powers
The powers of this Association shall be limited to the execution
according to teachings of the New Testament of the will of the churches
composing it; and the Association, in annual sessions shall elect such
officers as are necessary for its deliberation work, and appoint such
committees as are needed, and transact other business as may be directed
by the churches.
4
ARTICLE VI
Officers
Section No. 1—It will be the duty of the messengers annually
to elect from among their members a Moderator, Assistant Moderator
and such Clerks and other Officers as may be needed or directed by the
churches composing this association.
Section No. 2—In all votes of this Association a majority of
votes cast shall decide questions; except in cases of change or amendment
in the Articles of Agreement. In such cases a two-thirds majority will be
required.
ARTICLE VII
Missionaries
Section No. 1—Annually the Messengers shall recommend to
the churches from among the church endorsed missionaries such number
as they deem wise for co-operative support.
Section No. 2—The Messengers shall recommend such salaries
as is compatible with the strength of the Churches, and the needs of the
Missionaries.
ARTICLE VIII
Funds
Section No. 1—All funds of this Association shall be raised by
voluntary donations secured purely upon the merits and the cause: in the
interest of which appeals are made for gifts; provided this is not to prevent
the use of any income or any property that may be acquired by donation or
purchase.
5
Section No. 2—The Treasurer of this Association shall hold
all funds received between sessions of this Association subject to the
designation of the sending Church or Churches.
ARTICLE IX
Meetings
The annual meeting of the Church Messengers shall be at
such time and place as the assembled Messengers may appoint.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1.
Reading of Letters.
2.
Seating of messengers.
3.
Reception of New Churches.
4.
Election of officers.
5.
Inviting of Brethren of like faith to sit in council.
6.
Appointment of committees.
7.
Christian education report.
8.
Missionaries reports.
9.
Treasurer reports.
10.
Reports of Committees.
11.
Miscellaneous business.
12.
Closing exercises and adjournment.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Antioch—First Missionary—Drake and G Sts.
Pastor—M. F. Downing, 2219 Alpha Way, Antioch, Calif.
Clerk—Henry Hiebert, 527 Drake, Antioch, Calif,
Armona—First Missionary—Railroad Ave.
Pastor—A. T, Adkins, P. O. Box 159, Armona, Calif.
Clerk—Jean Ellis, 104 No. White, Hanford, Calif.
Bakersfield—Emmanuel—1004 Southgate Drive
Pastor—Lee Wright, 1604 Southgate Drive, Bakersfield, Calif.
Clerk—Deloyce Powers, 51 Wainwright Drive, Bakersfield, Calif.
Ceres—First Missionary.—Central Ave.
6
Pastor—H. Travis Hubbard,
1621 Morgan Rd„ Modesto, Calif-
Clerk—Nellie Lucas, Box 746, Ceres, Calif.
Chualar—Landmark—
Pastor—Wayne Ross, 1036 Acosta St., Salinas, Calif.
Clerk—Izaddia Subia, 497 Carol Dr., Salinas, Calif.
Coalinga—First Missionary—6th and Glenn Sts.
Pastor—Bedford Andrews, Rt. 1, Box 1140, Ceres, Calif.
Clerk—Bertice Jacobs, 620 College, Coalinga, Calif,
Corcoran—First Missionary—Hale and Brokaw
Pastor—Maynard Beckler, 1315 Patterson, Corcoran, Ca!if.
Clerk—Lorene King, 914 Estes, Corcoran, Calif.
Dinuba—First Missionary—South College Ave.
Pastor—Harold Cole, Rt. 2, Box 368, Dinuba, Calif.
Clerk—Allie Keeling, Rt. 1, Box 274, Orosi, Calif.
Dominguez—First Baptist—2679 E. Carson, Long Beach 10
Pastor—Martin Canavan, 6323 E. Bigelow, Long Beach 11, Calif.
Clerk—Ethel Williams, 616 Lagoon, Wilmington, Calif.
Easton—First Missionary—151 E. Fantz
Pastor—Roy Bell—Herndon, Calif.
Clerk—Jeanette Benbrook, 191 E. Fantz, Fresno, Calif.
Exeter—First Missionary—Quince and Palm
Pastor—none at present
Clerk—Leola Dillon, 309 So. Quince, Exeter, Calif.
Florin—Cypress Missionary
Pastor—Henry Nance, Rt. 1, Box 1061, Florin, Calif.
Clerk—Alma Joslin
Freedom—Landmark
Pastor—Charles Jameson
Clerk—Juanita Taylor, Box 72, Aptos, Calif.
Fresno—McKinley—McKinley and Katy Lane
7
Pastor—George James, 2052 Katy Lane, Fresno, Calif.
Clerk—Mary McCaskill—1822 W. Dudley, Fresno, Calif.
Fresno—Zion—4677 E. Harvey
Pastor—Leroy Nixon, 4677 E. Harvey, Fresno
Clerk—Mildred Williams
Keyes—New Hope
Pastor—Connie Wright, P. O. Box 379, Keyes, Calif.
Clerk—Lucille Cunningham, P. O. Box 105, Keyes, Calif.
McFarland—First Missionary
Pastor—Lee Collum, 765 3rd McFarland, Calif.
Clerk—Mrs. Autrey Lee Beene, Rt. 1, Box 430
Modesto—First Missionary
Pastor—Dwight Patterson, 1212 Avalon, Modesto, Calif.
Clerk—Melba Wright, P. O. Box 071, Riverbank, Calif.
Oakdale—First Missionary—East and G St.
Pastor—Wayne Easlon, 241 So. Fifth, Oakdale, Calif.
Clerk—Ethel Hanna—Rt. 3, Box 1718, Oakdale, Calif.
Oroville—First Missionary—3250 Spencer Ave.
Pastor—Olen Johnson, 3250 Spencer, Oroville, Calif.
Clerk—T. J. Robertson, 2467 A St., Oroville, Calif.
Porterville—East Date St.
Pastor-
Clerk—Thelma Davidson, 3085 Tucker, Porterville, Calif.
Porterville—West Putnam, 1905 West Putnam
Pastor—Floyd Jordan, 214 N. Newcomb, Porterville, Calif.
Clerk—Rosie Jordan, 214 N. Newcomb, Porterville, Calif.
Ridgecrest—First Missionary
Pastor—J. L. Hawkins, 436 Wilson St., Ridgecrest, Calif.
Clerk—Teena Wilkie, 128 A. Independence, China Lake, Calif.
Riverbank—First Missionary—Sixth and Sierra
8
Pastor—Monroe Patterson, Box 627, Riverbank, Calif.
Clerk—Zetta Jetton, Box 547, Riverbank, Calif.
Sacramento—No. Landmark-—2041 Wyda Way
Pastor—J. F. Stevens, 2155 Whippoorwill Lane, Sacramento
21, Calif.
Clerk—Altee Shirley, 2115 Wyda Way, Sacramento 21, Calif.
Salinas—First Missionary—Towt & Garner
Pastor-
Clerk—Flora Cooper, 522 Green St., Salinas, Calif.
Sanger—Shiloh—142]
“J” St
Pastor—A. C. Russell, 1417 J St., Sanger, Calif.
Clerk—Amanda Smith, 2240 Elm St., Sanger, Calif.
Stockton—Mt. Olive, 1752 So. B St.
Pastor—F. C. Creel, 2706 So. B St., Stockton, Calif.
Clerk—Gertrude Martin,
1638 S. Adelbert, Stockton, Calif.
Sunnyvale—First Missionary
Pastor—Ernest Bennett
Clerk—Zella Harmon, 322 Jerome St., San Jose, Calif.
Van Nuys—First Missionary—14541 Slyvan St.
Pastor—C. C. Middleton, 7502 Woodley, Van Nuys, Calif.
Clerk—Thelma Middleton, 7502 Weedley, Van Nuys, Calif.
Wasco—Central Missionary—1600 Third St.
Pastor—Jess Crawford, 1610 Third St., Wasco. Calif.
Clerk—Minta Tiner
MESSENGERS
Antioch—L. D. Perdue, Gene Stone, A. H. McGee
Armona—Allen Adkins. Marie Adkins, Bro. Keester
Bakersfield—Lee Wright, Mary Wright, Truman Wright
Ceres—Travis Hubbard, M. B. Hubbard, Robert Skaggs
9
STATISTICAL
MEMBERSHIP
CHURCHES
GAIN
LOSS
Antioch
138
15
49
12
76
10
4
200
Armona
131
23
11
9
43
16
6
1
151
Bakersfield
115
21
8
29
36
25
2
81
Ceres
73
9
37
46
14
4
1
107
Chualar
23
2
3
5
4
6
18
Coalinga
16
6
11
3
20
8
28
Corcoran
304
31
11
42
26
3
317
Dinuba
63
12
2
14
3
5
69
Easton
193
4
18
22
95
46
84
Exeter
62
8
8
7
3
60
Florin
11
2
2
4
9
Freedom
48
25
6
7
1
71
Fresno (McKinley)
48
9
2
2
13
6
7
48
Fresno (Zion)
87
34
20
1
55
4
7
131
Keyes
25
4
13
17
8
34
McFarland
46
20
4
2
26
6
5
61
Modesto
132
15
15
2
4
141
Oakdale
59
2
9
11
10
60
Oroville
57
11
16
1
28
13
1
70
Porterville (E. Date)
32
15
19
2
36
9
5
54
Porterville (W. Putnam)
74
4
12
16
14
1
76
Ridgecrest
83
12
14
2
28
5
6
2
98
Riverbank
116
8
5
1
14
5
28
97
Sacramento
95
20
37
10
66
22
5
1
134
Salinas
37
7
13
1
21
15
43
San Francisco
160
21
2
4
27
3
44
1
139
Sanger
29
1
10
2
13
9
33
Stockton
39
11
8
2
21
13
5
42
Sunnyvale
44
1
3
4
9
6
33
Van Nuys
23
6
11
17
5
4
31
Wasco
130
4
16
20
12
1
137
—9—
REPORT
EXPENDITURES
TOTAL
9,033.85
3950.00
108.03
2767.00
140.00
1645.84
788.00
334.98
8,232.23
3942.65
177.63
1830.54
143.32
2027.92
545.22
110.17
64.30
1079.19
178.42
862.06
152.55
15.00
5,121.97
2923.00
133.61
11542.00
93.21
940.02
475.15
2325.97
18,098.81
3064.70
380.00
172.43
316.59
147.00
28.35
1,388.51
474.14
2,613.06
1385.00
8.05
700.42
131.25
337.74
123.75
50.50
9,829.88
2675.23
2969.02
854.20
2686.43
1525.00
120.00
35.56
965.56
92.44
227.57
243.50
3,855.46
2219.85
856.79
1037.60
436.75
6,044.67
3731.87
98.52
356.24
14.00
335.65
132.63
7.51
1,863.79
929.23
438.68
22.87
622.00
77.80
38.01
4,219.66
1830.00
325.00
1500.00
40.00
1058.00
466.66
12.00
1487.83
130.01
57.50
136.70
3,130.31
1364.48
921.61
39.13
225.31
235.17
55.21
3,224.67
1637.36
816.46
81.17
170.00
137.21
54.82
1,370.30
595.00
2,853.40
2287.81
51.21
222.09
158.07
77.14
56.42
7,940.82
2650.00
1040.21
2151.94
611.01
207.34
850.97
423.75
13.18
634.45
74.56
111.78
137.85
2,216.77
1243.97
8.20
856.72
116.65
407.45
205.08
3,214.88
1635.00
62.00
205.00
165.00
153.34
76.67
2,627.01
1980.00
5,509.01
2240.22
45.34
2051.76
178.42
701.69
291.58
1,867.97
1121.67
50.00
17.56
92.10
583.98
199.65
706.32
930.76
418.90
3,860.98
2805.00
281.70
120.68
119.31
183.55
5,066.28
2550.00
78.51
312.16
51.00
135.93
338.13
117.26
2,907.64
1854.07
6,338.69
2980.83
1386.00
388.07
1195.09
363.50
2,339.26
1794.50
33.22
55.50
222.57
138.23
87.74
10.00
538.65
187.21
121.14
27.50
1,856.37
971.33
564.10
574.72
739.20
164.64
80.13
3,712.16
1590.00
55.48
1099.93
286.01
10.00
1,476.52
6,193.67
3380.00
1679.95
180.00
291.00
462.00
—10—
Chular—by letter
Coalinga—Bedford Andrews, L. Denison, Maries Rainwater
Corcoran—Maynard Beckler, Cecil Beckler, L. S. Cotton
Dinuba—Harold Cole
Dominguez—Martin Canavan, Dorothy Canavan
Easton—G. L. Pettigrew, W. W. York, R. W Bell
Exeter—by letter
Florin—Henry Nance
Freedom—Carl Burns, C. B. White, Edward Anderson
Fresno (McKinley)—T. A. McCaskill, Gordon Richwine, Roy Harness
Fresno (Zion)— Leroy Nixon, Evelyn Smith, Mattie Gire
Keyes—Connie Wright, Vadis Cavitt, Betty Wright
McFarland—Don Bowen, Kenneth Beene, Mentus Hampton
Modesto—Jesse Wright, Melba Wright, Ewvis Patterson
Oakdale—Wayne Easlon, L. M. Branch, Joseph Graham
Oroville—Olen Johnson, Bro. Pay, Peter Gross
Porterville
(East Date St.)—Travis Hanna, Sister Hanna
Porterville (West Putnam)—J. T. Duncan, Dave Chaney, Julian Patterson
Ridgecrest—Jessie Hawkins, Elmer McClatchey, Teena Wilkie
Riverbank—Monroe Patterson, Lee Hooper, Francis Jackson
Sacramento—J. F. Stevens, Altee Shirley, Ruth Martin
Salinas—Charles James, Jerry Gattis
Sanger—Austin Russell, Herman Branson, P. H. Fultner
Stockton—Clifford Creel, Johnnie Leach, Jewel Ghan
Sunnyvale—by letter
Van Nuys—C. C. Middleton, R. N. Morgan
Wasco—Jerrel Hasman, Jess Crawford, Cora Corcoran
Monday night 7:30 P. M.
A large congregation met in Oakdale for the Pre-association
meeting and elected Bro. Olen Johnson, pastor of the Oroville Church,
to be the speaker. After a lively song service Bro. Johnson delivered a
wonderful message that was enjoyed by all.
9:30 A. M.
We met in the Oakdale church. Led in singing of Standing on the
Promises by Bro. Clifford Creel. Eld. Allen Adkins led in prayer. Song
“Bringing in the Sheaves.” Bro. Olen Johnson introduced
12
Bro. Pay who had been elected to bring the devotional. Bro. Pay read from
Romans 1:1-7 bringing some wonderful thoughts to our minds concerning
the work of the churches. Our moderator, Bro. C. C. Middleton, asked the
host pastor to bring the welcome address. Eld. Wayne Easlon spoke, and
his words made each of us feel welcome. Bro. Monroe Patterson spoke in
response for the messengers.
Motion and second that the letters be read giving the church,
messengers, alternates, totals of the statistics, pastor and clerk. Motion
carried.
Reading clerks were appointed. Bro. Doug Perdue and Bro.
Harold Cole were so named. Letters from churches were read.
Motion and sec. that messengers named in the letters bo seated.
Motion carried.
Letter read from Cypress church. Motion and sec. that the
messengers be received. Motion carried.
Election of officers now the order of business.
Nominations for moderator were Olen Johnson, Allen Adkins,
Leroy Nixon, Bedford Andrews, Wayne Easlon.
Motion that second high vote determine the assistant moderator.
Motion carried. Bro. Allen Adkins elected moderator and Bro. Olen
Johnson assistant moderator.
Bro. Adkins took the chair.
Nominations for clerk were Martin Canavan, Douglas Perdue,
Bedford Andrews. Motion and sec. that nominations close. Motion carried.
Bro. Canavan elected. Nominations for assistant clerk were Bedford
Andrews, Douglas Perdue, C. C. Middleton, Don Bowen, voting resulted
in Eld. Bedford Andrews being elected.
Recessed for five minutes.
Met back with the singing of Blessed Assurance and prayer led
by Bro. Maynard Beckler.
Bro. C. C. Middleton took the stand to preach the annual message.
Bro. Middleton read Rev. 21:4 and 7:17, Isa. 25:8 and chose as his subject
“No tears in Heaven.” A soul-stirring message was greately enjoyed by all.
Bro. Wayne Easlon gave to Bro. Middleton the hand of appreciation for
the messengers.
Bro. Olen Johnson read the committees as appointed by the chair.
Various announcements were made by the brethren.
Motion and sec. that we adjourn until
1:30 P. M. Motion
13
carried.
Dismissed in prayer by Dr. Travis Hubbard.
Met at 1:30 with singing led by Eld. Lee Wright. Prayer by Eld.
Jesse Hawkins.
Letter of the East Date St. church read. Motion and second that
the messengers be seated. Motion carried.
Committee reports called for. Eld. Travis Hubbard read the
report On Christian Education. Motion and sec that the report be adopted.
Discussed by Travis Hubbard, Maynard Beckler, Bro. Drachenburg, Bro.
Pay, Connie Wright, M. B. Hubbard, Travis Hanna, L. M. Branch, Gordon
Richwine, Olen Johnson. Question called for, and report adopted.
Missionary reports called for. Bro. C. C. Middleton read his
report. Motion and sec that the report be adopted. Spoken to by C. C.
Middleton, report adopted.
Home mission report read by Eld. L. D. Perdue. Motion and
sec that the report be adopted. Spoken to by L, D. Perdue, Lee Wright,
Maynard Beckler, Olen Johnson, Gordon Richwine, Henry Nance, Harold
Cole, M. M. Pike, Monroe Patterson, Connie Wright.
Recessed for
10 minutes.
Met back with singing led by Travis Hubbard. Report further
spoken to by Austin Russell, Robert Morgan, Don Bowen, M. B. Hubbard,
Allen Adkins. Question called for. Report adopted.
Order of business now the recommendation of a missionary.
A motion made and sec that Bro. Burel Burnes be recommended
for state missionary. Spoken to by L, M. Branch, motion unanimously
carried.
Motion and sec that we recommend to the churches a salary of
$300 per month. Spoken to by Robert Skaggs, motion carried unanimously.
Motion and sec that we take an offering for Eld. C. C. Middle-
ton. Motion carried. Offering taken; amount was $50.90.
Nominations for a devotional leader were M. M. Pike, Connie
Wright. Bro. Pike was elected.
Nominations for the evening message were Jess Crawford,
Travis Hanna, M. F. Downing, Martin Canavan, Burel Burns; Bro. Martin
Canavan was elected. Motion and sec that the vote
14
be made unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion and sec that we adjourn until 7 P. M. Motion carried.
Dismissed in prayer by Maynard Beckler.
Tues. 7:00 P. M.
Met again with singing led by Wayne Easlon. Prayer led by M. B.
Hubbard.
Bro. Pike having been selected to bring the devotional, was
introduced by the moderator. Bro. Pike spoke on the subject “Building for
God.” He read the following scriptures: Gen. 1:1, Mk. 1:2, Matt. 16:18,
Eph. 2:20, I Cor. 3:10, II, Amos 7, and brought a fine message.
After singing a fine song Bro. Martin Canavan was introduced
to bring the evening message. Reading from II Cor. 5 he spoke with
conviction on the Judgment seat of Christ. At the proposition several
came forward desiring a closer walk with Christ. Bro. Gordon Richwine
announced a desire to do mission work.
Nomination for a devotional leader for Wed. morning—Bro.
Richwine and Bro. Connie Wright. Bro. Richwine elected.
To preach sermon—Nominations: M, F. Downing, Maynard
Beckler, Doug Perdue. Bro. Beckler elected.
Brother Burns expressed a desire not to be the missionary at
the present time. Motion by Jess Crawford and second by Lee Wright to
accept his declinement.
Motion and sec. to ammend Articles of Agreement—allowing
messengers to nominate missionaries from floor but that missionary must
be endorsed by his Church before taking up the work.
Motion and sec. to amend Articles of Agreement—allowing
Motion carried.
Mission offering taken amounting to $20.95. Motion and sec.
to adjourn till 9:30 Wed. A. M.
Wed. 9:30 A. M.
Met with singing led by Eld. Clifford Creel. Eld. George Walton
led in prayer. The moderator introduced Eld. Gordon Richwinc who had
been elected to lead the morning devotional. Bro. Richwine read Heb. 1:1-
10 and brought a God-honoring message.
Order of business now the motion that was tabled. Motion spoken
to by Jess Crawford, Lee Wright, R. N. Morgan, Bro. Pay,
15
L. M. Branch, C. C. Middleton. H. T. Hubbard. Lee Wright.
Substitute motion and sec we recommend that when Brother
Richwine obtains church endorsement he will stand recommended for
cooperative support. Motion ruled out of order. Original motion again the
order of business, discussed by Jess Crawford.
Substitute motion and sec thai we consider this change until the
next annual session. Discussed L. M. Branch. Motion carried.
Motion and sec that we recommend Eld. L. D. Perdue for
State Missionary. Discussed by Connie Wright, C. C. Middleton, M. M.
Pike, L. D. Perdue, M. B. Hubbard, Wayne Easlon. Monroe Patterson.
Unanimously carried.
Singing of “Oh Can we Say” led by Eld. Hall, Prayer by Bro.
Olen Johnson.
Bro. Maynard Beckler took the stand and read Matt. 27:27-37.
After prayer Bro. Beckler spoke on “Why did Jesus die?” A message that
exalted Christ was ably delivered.
Motion and sec that we continue with business.
Eld. Wayne Easlon read the foreign mission report.
Motion and sec that the report be adopted. Spoken to by Wayne
Easlon, R. N. Morgan, Bro. Pay, Olen Johnson. Report adopted.
Eld. Clifford Creel read the Christian Literature report.
Motion and sec that the report be adopted. Spoken to by Clifford
Creel, Lee Wright, report adopted.
Eld. Austin Russell read the report of the Resolutions Committee.
Motion and sec that the report be adopted. Report adopted.
Treasurer’s report read motion and sec to adopt the report. Report
adopted.
Motion and sec that the clerk be paid $75. Motion carried.
Invitation for the next meeting called for. None being heard
motion and sec made that the first church to notify the clerk of such an
invitation that the association meet with them. Carried.
Motion and sec that we thank the entertaining church and take an
offering for them. Carried.
Nominations for preaching the annual sermon were, Henry Nance,
Bedford Andrews, Leroy Nixon, T. Hubbard, Bro. Bedford Andrews was
elected.
Motion and sec that Bro. Henry Nance be the alternate.
16
Motion and sec that we adjourn until the week before Easter next
year.
Motion carried. Bro. Skaggs dismissed this meeting in prayer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education Report
We your committee on Christian Education, submit this report
with a prayer in our hearts that it may awaken us to our urgent need of a
greater study of God’s Word, and especially of the importance of a trained
ministry.
It is our belief that Christian Education is a work of the church.
Every church should be a school for educating God’s children. Matt.
28:19-20. We realize, however, that a local church cannot properly educate
God’s ministers without cooperation from sister churches.
Therefore, this committee, recommends the Western Baptist
Institute of Ceres for continued cooperative support.
We further recommend that each church consider conducting a
daily vacation Bible school.
Prayerfully submitted,
H. T. Hubbard
M. Beckler
M. B. Hubbard
Connie Wright
Home Mission Report
We your committee on home missions beg to submit the following
report. By home missions we mean missionary work within the State of
California. Realizing the greatness of this field, as for population greater
than the three states of Okla., Ark., Texas, and whereas the state is divided
into local Asso. the Northern, Central Valley and Southern, and having or
contemplating a local missionary and realizing that many of our churches
are small and being confronted with all these things, we recognize the need
of a state work and recommend the Asso. support one State Missionary.
C. C. Middleton
Jess Crawford
Henry Nance
L. D. Perdue
17
Christian Literature
We, your committee on Christian Literature recommend that this
State Association of Missionary Baptist churches reaffirm our faith in the
Bible as the foundation of all literature.
We further recommend for use in the Sunday schools, and Baptist
training courses, the material printed and published by the American Baptist
Association and realizing the power and good of local church bulletins, we
further recommend that the churches consider the sponsorship of a State wide
paper published in the interest of the churches composing the Association.
Humbly submitted by
Clifford Creel
John Stevens
Charles Jamison
Lee Wright
ANNUAL STATE MISSION REPORT
To the messengers of the churches of the California Cooperative
Association when convened at Oakdale April 4, 1955 Christian greetings:
This State is a great mission field which provides ample opportunities for all
of our churches to do an extensive work in the field of State Missions. I am
sincerely grateful to all churches which compose this Association for your
faithful and cooperative support through the Associational year that is just
closing. Such support has made my work possible.
During the closing associational year I have traveled about forty
thousand miles in the interest of the work; assisted in the organization of
two New Testament churches; visited with 28 different churches in the state;
preached a total of 153 sermons, taught a daily Bible class at the Huntington
Lake Bible Conference; attended one dedication service, and the opening of
the Institute at Ceres; assisted in two ordination services, and in the forming
of a new Association, two church organizations, and various youth rallies
including the State Rally which was held at Salinas.
That all things may be done decently and in order I tender the
following financial report for your consideration and approval:
As you can see by a study of the foregoing report I received support
from 30 of the 35 churches which represented in our last messenger meeting
in Long Beach a year ago, which is a total of about 86 percent. As I close this
report I desire to thank all churches, Youth Rallies, and individuals who have
contributed to my support for the past year.
Your missionary
C. C. Middleton
18
STATE MISSIONS FINANCIAL REPORT
Armona
$172.90
McFarland
61.22
Bakersfield (E)
122.17
Modesto
51.80
Bakersfield (N.H.)
20.86
N. Sacramento
129.08
Bodfish
40.00
N. Youth R.
46.21
Ceres
228.69
Oakdale
87.28
Coalinga
73.05
Ojai
23.07
Corcoran
281.12
Porterville (E.D.)
124.09
C.V. Assoc.
17.48
Porterville (W.P.)
144.65
C.V. Singing
10.00
Ridgecrest
432.94
C.V. Rally
27.01
Riverbank
94.30
C.A.V. Assoc.
10.36
Salinas
90.75
Dinuba
61.11
Sanger
143.36
Dominguez
74.00
South Gate
90.78
Easton
43.44
Stockton
7.50
Freedom
71.53
Sunnyvale
140.92
Fresno (KcK)
222.36
S.D. Youth R.
10.03
Fresno (Z)
56.76
Van Nuys
286.01
Gonzales
10.00
State Assoc. (Oakdale)
50.90
Keyes
5.00
Total
$3,563.13
Resolution Report
Due to the fact that our churches have manifested their desire to
cooperate in the work of the Lord, we your committee recommend that the
messengers strive to maintain the desire for such cooperation and due to
the fact of the burden placed upon the entertaining church we recommend
that the churches composing this association send offerings to help the
entertaining church.
Austin Russell
Gordon Richwine
Monroe Patterson
19
FOREIGN MISSIONS
We recommend to churches of this Association for support those
Foreign Missionaries who are endorsed by the Churches of the American
Baptist Assn.
Realizing that the missionaries are first called of God and then
sent out by their home churches and are looking for their support from the
churches, we also recommend that we take regular offering for them.
These can be sent to the Sec. Treasurer, A, L, Patterson, 214 E.
Broad St., Texarkana, Ark.-Tex.
Prayerfully submitted,
Wayne Easlon, J. L. Hawkins
TREASURERS REPORT
Ridgecrest
5.00
Riverbank
10.15
Minute Fund and Clerk Hire
N. Sacramento
10.00
Antioch
5.00
Salinas
15.00
Armona
14.00
Sanger
7.50
Bakersfield
15.00
Stockton
10.00
Ceres
10.00
Sunnyvale
7.50
Chualar
5.00
Van Nuys
10.00
Coalinga
5.00
Wasco
10.00
Corcoran
10.00
Total
226.92
Dinuba
6.00
Easton
5.00
Entertainment
Exeter
1.21
Cypress
10.00
Oroville
10.00
Freedom
7.50
Sunnyvale
5.00
Fresno (KcK)
10.00
Bakersville
5.00
Fresno (Z)
10.00
Total
20.00
Keyes
5.00
Paid Out
McFarland
15.00
Entertaining church
20.00
Modesto
5.25
Clerk hire
75.00
Oakland
5.00
Total paid out
95.00
Oroville
5.00
Balance from 1954
1.42
Porterville (E.D.)
10.00
Bal. on hand
153.34
Porterville (W.P.)
15.46