Well before the phrase Great Commission Resurgence was coined, the Kentucky Baptist Convention was about the process of refocusing its objectives and goals to develop better ways of strengthening local churches for the task of fulfilling the Great Commission. A special Mission Study Committee was appointed by the convention president in 2002 which led to the development of a five-year plan that was slated to run from 2004- 2009. Through “Kentucky Baptists Connect,” churches, the Mission Board staff and the agencies, institutions and auxiliary of the Convention have been working toward achieving specific measurable objectives in evangelism, missions, leader training, networking and strengthening churches.

The original Kentucky Baptists Connect effort officially closed out with the end of the Convention’s fiscal year this past  Monday but work on objectives and goals related to a three-year extension began Sept. 1. Kentucky Baptists Connect was extended for reasons on both ends of the spectrum. On one end,  the process of achieving many of the goals helped reveal additional needs, opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed. On the other end, some important goals have not yet been reached and it was deemed appropriate to maintain the momentum and keep striving for the mark.

Here’s a news story from the KBC about the extension of Kentucky Baptists Connect:

Kentucky Baptists Connect Extension Underway

LOUISVILLE – Following the conclusion of the original Kentucky Baptists Connect strategic emphasis on Aug. 31, Kentucky Baptists are now working toward ministry goals outlined in the plan’s extension, Kentucky Baptists Connect ’09-’12.

The Connect emphasis originally began in 2004 as a five-year strategic plan for evangelism and ministry support across Kentucky. Previously scheduled to conclude in 2009, the KBC’s Mission Board approved the extension in December in order to reach goals yet to be fulfilled and address new opportunities. Connect ’09-’12 began on Sept. 1 and will run through Aug. 31, 2012.

“One of the strong values for the Kentucky Baptists Connect emphasis is that it gives direction and priorities for the KBC staff based on objectives and goals that have been developed in a thoughtful, researched and prayerful process to assist local churches,” said Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Bill Mackey.

The Connect strategy was developed as a plan to guide the work of all Kentucky Baptist churches, supported by the work and leadership of the KBC’s Mission Board staff.

“The effort has born great fruit in the form of changed lives, healthier churches, new ministries begun and new churches started,” said Mackey.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the first five years, Mackey noted that “most goals have been reached except the baptism goals. This has been a disappointment, but I am grateful that we had a big goal, 25,000 baptisms per year, that only God could have enabled us to reach.”

The 2004-2009 Connect emphasis outlined 16 goals relating to five objectives: evangelism, missions, leader training, networking, and strengthen churches. Final reporting on the original objectives will be available early in 2010.

While some goals from the 2004-2009 plan are again reflected in the extension, Mackey said the new plan incorporates additional ministry areas. The 2009-2012 plan outlines 22 new goals relating to three streamlined objectives: developing leaders, strengthening churches and reaching people.

Goals being carried over from the original plan include baptisms, discipleship and assimilation, church planting, evangelistic ministries, networking, new Sunday school and small group units, and online resources.

Additional goals outlined in the extension plan expand the focus to include youth and campus student ministry, stewardship, visionary leadership, prayer, congregational relationships, missions involvement and disaster relief.

“The most effective goals from the current plan were refined for continuation, and new goals were developed based on research and needs that have surfaced,” said Mackey.

The extension was based on recommendations from the Mission Advisory Committee, a group comprised of Kentucky Baptists who are providing guidance for the Connect emphasis until Jan. 1, 2010. Earlier this year, KBC President John Mark Toby appointed new Mission Advisory Committee to maintain the same function throughout the three-year extension, Sept. 1, 2009-Aug. 31, 2012.

While the Connect ’09-’12 emphasis officially began on Sept. 1, a more formal launch will take place at the KBC annual meeting on Nov. 10 in Elizabethtown, he said.

“The big focus at the annual meeting will be “Find it Here,” which is a part of “God’s Plan for Sharing,” a 10-year evangelism emphasis from the North American Mission Board. “God’s Plan for Sharing” has been written into Kentucky Baptists Connect ’09-’12 as the primary evangelism strategy,” said Mackey.

“Find it Here” will be the primary emphasis the first year for Kentucky Baptists Connect ’09-’12,” he said. “The effort is providing an opportunity for churches to mobilize people to reach all age groups at Easter, when people are most open to spiritual conversation and church attendance.”

“Find it Here” will include prayerwalking and follow-up efforts, which also relate to the new Connect goals.

Another important resource to help Kentucky Baptists fulfill the Connect goals will be introduced at the annual meeting, said Mackey. The resource will “enable churches to survey their needs in 12 key areas and utilize a “Ministry Toolbox” that has potential objectives and projects with action steps.”

KBC staff will provide leadership in executing each Connect goal and measuring progress, but Connect will continue to rely on the ministries and outreach efforts of local KBC churches, said Mackey.

Connect ’09-‘12 also reaffirms partnerships between Kentucky Baptists and Kentucky Baptist entities, continues to acknowledge the major impact factors stated in the original plan, and authorizes Mackey to lead in implementing the emphasis.

A detailed list of the Connect ’09-’12 goals can be accessed from the KBC by calling 502-489-3578 or 866-489-3578 (toll free in KY). More information about Kentucky Baptists Connect can be found at www.kybaptist.org/kbc.

The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of more than 2,400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, Ky. including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more.  For more information, visit www.kybaptist.org.

Here are some of the documents related to Kentucky Baptists Connect:

• Mission Study Committee Report – 2003
• Kentucky Baptists Connect Progress Report – Nov. 2008
• Kentucky Baptists Connect Extension – December 2009