In 1995, Baptist International Missions, Inc., purchased 80 acres of beautiful property just outside Chattanooga and across from Harrison Bay State Park. The property located at 8614 Harrison Bay Road extends to the top of the mountain. There were a few strategic buildings. A very large building in the valley has been renovated and is our new World Missions Center. God answered prayer in the acquisition of this wonderful location for our worldwide mission complex. It was truly a gift from God.

As the ministry of BIMI continues to expand, the tools and facilities needed to make the mission functional must also increase. In 1993, through the leading of the Lord and the encouragement of BIMI leadership, Gerry and Diane Baughman began CAMP BIMI and SMART ministries to train young people and couples considering missions full-time. Presently, 76 percent of the campers are pursuing missions as a result of these ministries. Missionary Enrichment Week was born out of Dr. Ed Gibson’s burden to encourage our furloughing missionaries. Each summer BIMI hosts a week of rest and relaxation taylored specifically to the needs of missionary families. Recently, a Church Planting Seminar developed by Dr. Pat Creed and Dr. John Bailes for all new missionaries was added. The need of lodging for the Action Committee meetings, Candidate School, Executive Board meetings and missionary families on their way to “wherever” necessitated additional housing facilities.

The first project, under the guidance and work of Gerry Baughman, allowed us to take an old gym on the property and renovate it into a beautiful and functional auditorium complete with balcony, nursery and bathrooms. The building includes a game room, snack and gift shop, office, guest’s room and storage area. It has been named the Lee Roberson Mission Auditorium. This project is debt free, thanks to financial gifts and donated labor. We were able to move into this beautiful facility at a cost of $92,000.

The Hudson Taylor Lodge, begun in the fall of 2001, took a year and a half to build. The lodge was also built with volunteer labor. Churches like Fostoria Baptist Church in Fostoria, Michigan, New Hope Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, and a host of men and women, plus six young men from a carpenter’s class from Bob Jones University gave of their time and skills.

This facility can house 36 to 48 people comfortably on the first floor. It contains six large rooms with walk-in closets, showers and bathroom facilities. One room is completely handicap accessible. Each room is decorated to represent a different continent where our missionaries serve around the world. The lobby and fully-equipped kitchen provide an area to relax, share stories with friends and check e-mail. The laundry room completes the first floor. The 2,000 square foot second floor is yet to be completed.

The lodge was appraised for $350,000, but the actual cost was $175,000, which included all furnishings, decorations and the exterior landscaping. Only $32,000 is needed to complete this facility, which will eventually contain an apartment for volunteer workers and a large all-purpose room for overflow during CAMP BIMI, Missionary Enrichment Week and Candidate School. If you would like to have a part in this, donations can be designated to Account 950 - Lodge.

The staff and missionaries of BIMI are deeply indebted to each of you, as individuals and churches, who have given financially and have volunteered to hold the hammer or cook the meals. Without you, this work could not have been accomplished. Only eternity will reveal the value of your investments in these needed facilities. To God be the Glory!