CEO’s Report - October 2024

BSSC CEO’s October 1, 2024 PR Report:

The Apostle Paul, in writing to the church at Philippi, expressed his appreciation of the church members, as he wrote, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3). As October neared in Texarkana, we were under pressure to finish many things by October 1st. The folks working at Bogard Press and Baptist Bookstore got the job done as the great folks that they are. I am so blessed to work with them, and so I say a BIG THANKS to all of them.

Among the physical things recently done is the remodeling of the employee bathrooms. They are so much nicer now and we are thankful that God blessed us to be able to do this project. Also, our traveling vehicle had 230,000 miles on it and needed a new $2,200.00 front end put under it, so it was time to replace it. God blessed so that we were able to purchase another vehicle for traveling to events on behalf of the ministry.

The Baptist Sunday School Committee came to town for a Fall meeting October 1st and 2nd. It is always a blessing to visit with these brethren, share with them about the ministry, and receive their counsel on future matters.

Publications are presently on schedule. The 2025 VBS materials are for sale at this time with customers already purchasing those materials, and especially the VBS kits. Now is a good time for a church VBS leader to get a kit and begin planning for next summer’s VBS. The theme is “Timeless” and will be a very useful and easy program for a church to use.

Most folks know that the eastern seaports in the United States are shut down due to striking employees. Much of our paper comes through those ports on the Atlantic coast. With the seaports shut down, the paper supply shuts off and without paper, we can’t print. Therefore, the port strike certainly can affect us. Upon hearing of the strike, we immediately began securing paper from our vendors. Spending over $200,000.00 on paper, we are stocked up on our main paper for use until August of 2025. The ministry uses almost $300,000.00 of paper per year. A similar shortage of paper occurred during the Covid experience, but God has always helped us through these difficult times.

Fall is about here, and I am looking forward to visiting some of the associational events. If you are in Texarkana, please come visit. If I can be of any service to you, please ask. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

J. A. Crain