Another year, another set of meetings. Whether it's BCA, your annual state convention, or various other gatherings, none of us suffer from lack of meetings. I read this week that if you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings." I'm not sure if that's the case, but in Baptist life "meetings r us" is definitely a way of life.

This year, instead of coming to Nashville and leaving with your suitcase full of souvenirs and BCA goodies, please consider leaving your mark on the lives of some local children by participating in this year's mission project.

Cool Springs Christian Ministries is a ministry of the Clearview Baptist Church in Franklin Tennessee. They provide a variety of assistance for area residents including counseling, senior citizen services, and tutoring/mentoring for elementary age students. They are in need of some basic supplies for use with their Kids Club which meets after school each day. Some of the needed supplies and quantities include:

• Back packs - 18
• Folders - 6 boxes
• Stickers (used to reward good work) - 24 dozen
• Dry erase markers and erasers - 12 packs
• Play money (to practice buying items and making change) - 6 packs
• Clocks with moving hands for telling time - 3
• Educational games that can help with basic math and reading skills - 6

If you're planning to attend this year's meeting, please select one of the items listed above and bring it with you. Even better, enlist others in your office in this effort. For example, if you're coming from Georgia, everyone in your office could provide some dry erase markers, a group from Colorado could bring boxes of folders, etc. If you would, let me know which item(s) you're bringing so we can keep a running list of what is being supplied. Send your email to jkyle@sbc.net, and we'll post updates on the BCA website.

Even if you're unable to attend the BCA workshop, please consider helping with this effort. You can leave your mark on some of Music City's most deserving children, even if you can't make the meeting.

Thank you in advance for your generous participation in this project.