The Green Bay Packers under the leadership of one of the greatest coaches in professional football, Vince Lombardi, became America's team. Their drive to achieve, their enthusiasm, and their undaunted desire to win allowed them to become one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Bart Starr was their quarterback at that time and he still holds many NFL records today. Several of those records were then broken by Brett Favre who recently retired after seventeen years of quarterbacking for the Packers. He is considered one of the greatest football players to ever play the game.

What made the Packers so successful…even in a bad season? I believe it all goes back to their infamous ‘Coach Lombardi'. It was Coach Lombardi who coined the term ‘Game Plan'. The game plan could have many variables. It would be altered, somewhat, depending on the availability of healthy players, condition of the field, weather conditions, the opposing team and many other factors. Sticking to the GAME PLAN was a key to the success of Lombardi's Packer team. There were very few times when Vince Lombardi was forced to change his game plan. He always had a reason for that change and was often criticized at the moment, but in the end, he proved to be right.

I have often thought about the success of the Green Bay Packers over such a long period of time. I have been forced to look back over my own ministry and evaluate the successes, as well as the failures. The successes were almost always achieved after a game plan was in place and executed accordingly. Yes, there were times when adjustments had to be made, pride had to be abandoned and more counsel had to be sought. But the ultimate objective was eventually accomplished and God got the Glory.

I well remember some real ‘faux pas' that were made when I did not have a game plan. It's easy to go off on your own, to hurdle a few caution signs, fail to yield the right-of-way, or run a few stop signs…only to end up on a dead end road with a balloon full of ‘hot air' and to have accomplished absolutely nothing.

Being called into ministry, be it on the mission field, or as a pastor, youth pastor, school teacher or some other type of full-time ministry, it's good to have a game plan. Game plans may need to be altered along the way, but the ultimate objective should never change. Opposition will come in many forms and most often by those with whom we are familiar. We have to stay focused, stick to our game plan, stay on the offence, and never lose sight of that eventual goal of fulfilling the Will of God in our lives.

When CAMP BIMI began in 1993, we had a game plan. Our objective was to INFORM, INFLUENCE and INSPIRE individuals to give their lives to the Lord for a lifetime of commitment in missions. It was also to develop a sound missions curriculum that would be recognized for credits in Christian colleges. In 1994, we took our first SMART team to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In 1995, we expanded CAMP BIMI by adding CAMP BIMI II advanced classes…a request from various alumni who felt there was so much more to learn. That was also the year BIMI got their new property. We sent newsletters to our alumni from the very beginning, but it was an alumnus who suggested it be named ‘ENCOURAGER'. Hence, the first edition of the ENCOURAGER was born. It has been upgraded to a magazine format, yet with the same objective to do what its' name suggests… to ENCOURAGE you to follow through in fulfilling God's Will in your lives. In 1996, we added workshops and additional missionary staff. 1997 produced our first Reunion Week! Your idea! And it has been happening every five years since. In 2000, we added an extra week to accommodate all new first time applicants. In 2003, we added CB III classes for those attending Reunion Week who had completed their courses. We dedicated the new dorms built to house missionaries and CAMP BIMI students. Alumni began assisting in 2004. CAMP BIMI Prayer Loop started small but has grown to reach literally thousands around the world over the past five years. Major miracles and answers to prayer have been a thrill to witness. Fifteen years have flown by—almost 700 individuals have walked through CAMP BIMI doors and many have trained on-field with grueling, but profitable, reality SMART trips. We praise the Lord for all those now serving as missionaries, in full time service, and as wonderful Christian laymen and women! The game plan has achieved more than we could have ever dreamed. Our purpose on this side of the equation: to multiply the missionary force and to prevent casualties and missionary drop-outs…and THAT has been accomplished.

Do you remember the ‘file folder' that I use quite often at the end of CAMP BIMI? In that folder are the names of those who have resigned from B.I.M.I. Some are because of illness or retirement, but the majority of the names in the folder are those who either had no game plan or who failed to stick to their game plan.

If I were on Lombardi's Green Bay Packers team, I believe I would have stayed in the game regardless of the injuries or tiredness that I felt. I would want to be a part of Lombardi's Super Bowl championship team and enjoy the ‘pat on the back' by Coach.

We are all part of a greater team. Our Coach is fair and just. HE will supply all our needs. HE will equip us with the necessary armor for the impending battles that we will face. HE will give us grace for every trial. HE will forgive us when we fail. HE will keep us on track when our tendency is to sit on the bench or get lost in the hapless crowd. His ultimate game plan is for us to finish our course with joy. Then HE will say to us "Well done thou good and faithful servant …" II Tim. 4:6-8 The GAME PLAN is to choose players who are ready to enlist…prepared, in shape, and sitting on the edge of the bench…eager to hear the Coach give the orders: "Another soldier has fallen. Go take his place." Will you join the ranks of other CB alumni who have done so? It is NEVER too late.

Praying for Each of You Always,

Coach's Assistant

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CAMP BIMI and SMART have made a great difference in my life. Attending Camp BIMI allowed me to hear first hand what missionaries go through, and what is needed for them to adapt to their field. It allowed me the opportunity to be around veteran missionaries to hear of valuable lessons the Lord has taught them. My SMART trip to Nicaragua and Costa Rica opened my eyes to the needs of this world, and the need for people to go and tell others of Christ. It allowed me to work alongside missionaries in their day-to-day work; seeing the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.

Because of CAMP BIMI and SMART, I believe I have been given valuable tools to aid me as I serve the Lord. One of the things I remember is about learning to adapt to the culture. I believe this has helped me to realize that each place the Lord has allowed me to serve is different, and while it might not be like what I am used to, I need to be willing to adapt. People need to know that Jesus loves them, and they will never listen if I am constantly comparing this place to what I did back home. CAMP BIMI has and still makes a difference in my life through their constant support and prayers, for which I am so thankful!

Michelle Alcock

Missionary Wife to Newfoundland Return to Top

Why We are Having the Time of Our Lives on Deputation

By Micah Colbert - Missionary to Ghana, West Africa

Perhaps the most dreaded aspect of missions is the formidable task of deputation. For many, the thought of living out of a suitcase for possibly three or more years, traveling to churches all over the country trying to raise financial support, and saying "hi" to everybody but not really knowing anybody, can be a nightmare! Unfortunately, some may dread the deputation process so much that they decide to forsake the call to ‘spend and be spent' for the Gospel's sake in a land where God's Glory is not known to preach the Word in a ‘chapel of ease.' Deputation, however, does not have to be a dread. In fact, it can be an incredible delight!

Before Debbie and I began deputation, my pastor, Dr. Andy Counterman, and a close Missionary friend challenged my thinking with a dramatically different approach to deputation. Instead of going to a church for one service, or even one Sunday, Pastor encouraged us to make ourselves available to stay at a church for an entire week to serve wherever we could in the ministry. Not only would churches get to know us more intimately, but we also could have the joy of personally influencing the lives of many through a host of various ministry opportunities during the weekdays. The Lord seems to have greatly blessed this ministry philosophy. We have been on the road for about seven months. Currently, we have 70% of our needed monthly support. On average, I preach about 4 times in each church that I am in (a high of seven in one week near Philly). We have had the opportunity of doing teen evangelistic rallies, Bible studies (both ladies' and men's), evangelistic outreaches, VBS (we will be involved in seven this summer), door-to-door, Gospel chalk talks, children's meetings, hospital visits, teen spiritual development seminars, and a host of other ministry related things. The joy of building strong relationships with the pastors and various families of our supporting churches has been deeply enriching! We have been humbled to see the Lord use us as we have sought to minister NOW, not just later. It is also a joy to correspond with many, especially young people, who have a heart for our Lord and for His mission field. I don't think that Debbie and I would be enjoying the "hi and goodbye" method of deputation that unfortunately has become the norm. To be in the ministry NOW; to be serving NOW; to be evangelizing, edifying, preaching, discipling, and teaching NOW - this brings great joy, not dread, to deputation, opening up ministry doors that have blown us away. Return to Top

When Dr. Sisk encouraged me to attend CAMP BIMI, I had no idea what to expect or how God would change me through the experience. Once CAMP BIMI I classes began, I knew that I would be back the next year. The atmosphere of seriousness about God's Will and spiritual encouragement refreshed me and gave me a renewed desire to serve the Lord whole-heartedly. During CAMP BIMI II, God clearly showed me that He wanted me to serve Him on the mission field. As I have followed that calling, God has continued to use others from CAMP BIMI to help me find direction and to encourage me. Attending CAMP BIMI literally changed my life by showing me the next step in God's Will. Now I'm on deputation to raise my support so I can serve the Lord in Spain. Julie Smith - Spain Return to Top

CAMP BIMI and the Prayer Loop have had a major role in my ministries in Uganda today. In 1998, I first saw the BIMI Uganda video while at CAMP BIMI I. I remember how the Lord touched my heart and started to plant the seed for my future. At that time, land in Soroti had just been given by the government for a future orphanage project. It wasn't until the end of 2004 that I saw the need for teachers on the CB Prayer Loop for that orphanage that was now a present reality. The Lord worked quickly in my life to let me know that Uganda was His Will for me, and after being approved by BIMI in June of 2005, I arrived on the field four weeks later (seven years after I first learned of the ministries here)! I am so thankful for the Lord's direction as my one year ‘short-term' time has now reached its' three year mark! To God be the Glory! Pam Wieler - Uganda

SUBJECT: Letter of Appreciation

1. This letter is to express my gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Baughman for their tremendous work with the CAMP BIMI and SMART ministries. I have known the Baughman family since I was a college freshman at Northland Baptist Bible College. Over the last 14 years of knowing the Baughmans, I consider not only as close friends, but also as advisors, mentors, neighbors, and a second set of parents. Dr. Baughman even sat on my ordination council in 2003. I have attended Camp BIMI I and II, a SMART trip to Europe and a reunion week, all of which have impacted my life greatly.

2. As an Air Force Chaplain, I serve in a rather unique mission field. Attending CAMP BIMI and SMART helped me clearly define God's direction for my life. I learned that even though I was willing to be a missionary overseas in a more ‘traditional' missionary mode, being open to serve where God wanted was most important. I was saved in 1993 and it was at CAMP BIMI in 1996 that I dedicated myself to God to pursue missions. Two years later at CAMP BIMI II, I ‘surrendered' to serve as military chaplain. The SMART trip in between was life changing.

3. I want to thank the Baughmans for their lifetime of sacrificial service on behalf of others. They have practiced both the Biblical and Air Force Core Values of Integrity first, Service Before Self and Excellence in all they do. If you have ever considered the Biblical mandate for missions, please consider attending CAMP BIMI. This one week investment could literally change your life forever.

CLIFFORD L. JONES, Ch, Capt USAF

Office of the Wing Chaplain

I attended CAMP BIMI I 2000. I was surrendered to God's Will, especially in the area of missions, believing that Russia was where I would end up. I attended CAMP BIMI II the next year and it was during this week that God began giving me clear and undeniable direction for my life. I have always appreciated the stated goal of the Baughmans..."Helping us to know and affirm God's Desire for our lives." It was in an unusual way that God worked in my heart through time spent in His Word during our daily scheduled Quiet Times. Through the first chapter of Jeremiah, God spoke to my heart about education…about teaching our youth that God has ordained a purpose for their lives, before they were even born. He impressed upon me that, though they be only children, they can have a part in sharing the Gospel and in doing mission work. He also spoke to me about changing the direction of my education to the college I would eventually graduate from; one that was more focused on ministering. CAMP BIMI was the atmosphere and focus that I had lacked at college. It allowed me to focus on HIM and to be surrounded by those who were like minded.

Although the results were different than I had imagined, there is no doubt in my mind that God used CAMP BIMI in my life in a dramatic way. My husband and I remain open to the Lord's Will in the area of missions. He knows what the future holds.

Jennifer Fargnoli Bailey – Christian School Teacher – Newport, TN

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Scot C & Katie Daku -  AMERICAN SAMOA
Paul J & Wendy Daku Jr -  FIJI ISLANDS
James & Dawn Daley -  INDONESIA