About the Southeast Area

Baptist churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas have been cooperating to build the kingdom for nearly 150 years. This particular group of churches began in Kansas and participated in forming the Kansas Baptist Convention in the late 1800's.

Eventually the American Baptist Churches in the Southeast corner of Kansas began to reach out to Oklahoma and Arkansas. This helped the Kansas Baptist Convention transition into its present form, the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region.

There are aproximately 40 churches that participate with this family of churches although only 35 are formally connected to the Central Region. We are a community that is open to all who are called to commit themselves in sacrificial mission to build the kingdom of God. The churches of the Southeast Area are Biblically oriented. While diversity is appreciated the bounds of orthodox Biblical understanding are observed. We do not seek uniformity, but unity is encouraged.

The churches that participate with us include Native American churches, Hispanic churches, African American churches and Anglo churches. What we share in common is the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and we all identify ourselves as children of the King.

The Interim Area Minister

Rev. Dan Cole has been called to serve as the Area Minister for the Southeast Area.  Dan was serving in a multi-staff church at Moline, IL as their senior pastor the deliberate choice to become an American Baptist with his ordination recognized by ABC in 1976.   Dan has also served as a career missionary in South Africa.

Dan and his wife, Lucille, will make their home in Collinsville, OK.

The Executive Secretary

Mrs. Lorene Brannin is the Executive Secretary of the Southeast Area. She is a gifted administrator with a passion to see the churches in the Area excel. She is married to Chester and they have three children. Her adress is 1111 Sunset Dr., Oswego, KS. 67356-9347. Her e-mail is lbrannin@embarqmail.com . Her phone number is  620-795-2421.

The Associate Area Ministers

The Southeast Area is committed to providing the best care and mentoring possible for pastors in the Area. At the present time, there is only one serving on the Area Ministry Team as Associate Area Ministers to help accomplish that committment.

Mr. Joe Ketcher, Iola, KS.   Joe can be contacted at 620-365-6838 or by e-mail:  pastorjoe@aceks.com

Other Area Ministry Team Members

The Area Ministry team is also served by Mary Bruner and Joyce Scott who is the Area reporter.

Mary lives in Uniontown. KS. with her husband Charles. Her phone number is                  620-756-4447.

Joyce lives in Scammon, KS. with her husband Maurice. Her phone number is                620-896-8613.

Area Committees

There are several committees that operate in the Southeast Area.

The Executive Committee is chaired by the Area Moderator, Kim Drum. It oversees the formal activity of the Area structure. This is a large committee of 32 people representing the Area churches, the Central Region and the National General Board. It is made up of people from within the Area and it is the committee that brings the business to the Area Annual Meeting in September.

The New Church Planting Committee is chaired by Mr. Craven of Coffeyville, KS and Mrs. Patti Horner of Tulsa, OK. With two successful church plants in the last twelve years and two current church plants with plans for a third just beginning, this is a very active committee. It is resourced by Rev. Adriana Chaney from the Central Region office.

The Youth Committee is chaired by Ms. Lucinda Stanley of Chanute, KS. It arranges three major events every year for the youth in the Area. This gives churches with small youth groups an opportunity to bring their youth to a quality event that lifts up Jesus Christ and provides youth with Christian fellowship. In addition to these three events, the Region provides an event for Jr. High and an event for Sr. High youth each year.

The Area Committee on Ministry is chaired by the Region's Minister's Council Representative from the Area. This year that is Mr. Gary Wall from Parsons and Mr. Joe Ketcher of Iola. The Committe on Ministry oversees the School of Ministry, encourages pastoral development resources and connects with the Region Council on Ministry which helps new pastors through the ordination or recognition of ordination processes. The Minister's Council covenant groups are a function of this committee. The Regional resource person for this committee is Rev. John Williams.

The Evangelism Committee is chaired by Rev. James Hargett of Pittsburg, KS. This committee seeks to encourage productive outreach throughout the Area.

The Mission Committee is committed to forming covenant groups of churches to engage the mission of the local church. This Committee is currently without a Chair.  In addition, this committee plans to work with American Baptist International Ministries to form Mission Partner Teams to support missions overseas. At the present there is not a Regional resource person for this committee.