North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
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Dr. Buck with the Lord
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Recap Ladies’ Retreat
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Berean DL Buildings
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Virginia Hawaiian Pizza
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Marshall Installs Pastor
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Directory Update
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Recap Men’s Meeting
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Calendar April 7-8: PBBC Board on Campus April 11-12: National Youth Conference at PBBC May 2: PBBC Commencement Concert May 3: PBBC Commencement
Volume II, Issue 4
April 1, 2008
Pillsbury Prayer Update By: Dr. Robert Crane, President I was doing some thinking recently while waiting for a meeting to start. It was a meeting in which I did not particularly agree with the group on several issues. I suggest that we call these "cultures." Yet, in the family of believers who orbit around a particular mission, theology or culture, there are some great believers. Thus my thinking began a trail which I will share with you today. I consider myself to be a part of a culture which identifies itself as Funda mentalist (describes my loyalty to scripture), Dispensational (describes my theological persuasion), and Baptist (describes my polity). Within various cultures I perceive that: 1. People bunch up. Very few stand alone. God made us that way and gave us local churches in which to fellowship with those of like theological persuasion. 2. There are very few people
who do not have a group "identification" or "orbit." Lone Rangers exist only in fiction. In real life they are outcasts rather than heroes. 3. The groups to which I am exposed by necessity and by reading are: Liberal, Calvinist , Ana-Baptist, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Political, Baptist, Fundamental, Dispensational, Educational, Evangelical 4. These groups tend to mix and blend and form new subgroups which are not always internally consistent. 5. Within each group there are strata of spiritual quality. A. Genuinely spiritual people who want to glorify God in their culture and evangelize beyond their culture. B. Nominal followers who profess loyalty to the group, but will follow any attractive leader
within their culture. C. "Liberals" who are loyal to the position of the group but redefine terms in order to free themselves from spiritual discipline or responsibility. So what do I want to see produced at Pillsbury College 1. Young people who will be loyal leaders in their cultures, but will have the vision to evangelize beyond their culture. Continued, page 4
May 19-20: PBBC Board on Campus
Be a BAPTIST BOOSTER for Our MBA FAMILY CAMP
June 23-24: MBA Annual Meeting at Willmar
A twenty-five dollar ($25) donation toward MBA Family Camp will make you a Baptist Booster. What IS a Baptist Booster, anyway? It is someone who gives $25 to help with expenses of our Family Camp-which this year is August 4-8, at Woman Lake, Longville MN. This is not a new program, as most of you know, but it has not
August 4-8: MBA Family Camp
been used for the Family Camp recently. Family camp has great spiritual benefits. It is a week of building friendships across the state with folks from sister churches. In addition we want to strengthen our local churches and the testimony of the MBA. The stronger the MBA is, the more churches we can start, as
we labor together for the glory of God. You can help with these purposes: Be a Baptist Booster. Make your check payable to the MBA and send it to: Pastor Lenard Huebscher, 12525 75th Street North, Stillwater MN 55082. Thanks! And, God bless you.
Special Notice for this year’s MBA Family Camp > We need a lifeguard for the week. > For families of 5 or more, Dad’s eat FREE for the week.
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr., Interim State Missionary I am sensing real excitement in the MBA in several ways. As Interim State Missionary, I was privileged to attend MBA Executive Committee and Full Board, Pillsbury Full Board Meetings and several local churches in March. There is a healthy desire for fellowship and cooperation among Minnesota Baptists. I attended the following. March 3 - attended the MBA Board Meeting. March 8 - gave a report at
the Twin City Association Meeting. March 9 - reported on God's blessings in the MBA, and preached at the Missions Conference at Grace Baptist, Stillwater, Pastor Lenard Huebscher. March 16 - gave the greeting from the MBA at the Installation service for Pastor Greg Linscott at First Baptist, Marshall, MN. March 26 - at the invitation of Pastor Dennis Campbell
I preached at the Wednesday evening service for Granite City Baptist in St. Cloud. March 27 - attended the Pastor's Day program at Central Seminary. March 28-29 - attended this year's Men For Christ Rally at Fourth Baptist Church. If I can serve your church please let me know at the address or phone in the listing on page 4 of the Update.
Dr. Raymond Buck at home with the Lord Dr. C. Raymond Buck went to be with his Lord February 29, 2008, at age 83. He suffered a stroke on January 26. A Memorial Service was held at B e r e a n Baptist Church, Brooklyn Park where he, and his wife, Cath-
erine, were members, Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m.. Dr. Buck served as president of Baptist Mid-Missions from 1983-1989. He served on the mission field of Africa and pastured several churches in the United States. Most recently, he was on the faculty of Central Baptist Seminary in Plymouth, MN, until he retired. He kept very active in local church ministry, until his stroke. Dr. Gary Anderson, current president of Baptist MidMissions and Dr. Kevin Bauder, president of Central
Baptist Seminary, paid tribute to Dr. Buck during the service. Dr. Cary Flinck, pastor of Berean Baptist, gave the message from God’s Word. There were over 275 people in attendance at the service. We are going to miss this godly servant of the Lord. Dr. Buck leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Catherine, sons, Charles, Richard, and daughters, Cheryl and Tina. Thank you, Dr. Buck, for your faithful example and passion for God’s work and Word!
Recap of 2008 Ladies Retreat The Ladies’ Spring Retreat was held on Pillsbury College campus March 14-15.The theme of “Heritage of Faithfulness” was reiterated over and over again as we saw the lives of Ann Judson and Harriet Bishop portrayed in monologues. Carolyn Van Loh put together a power point presentation on the History of the Minnesota Baptist Association and the men and women who so profoundly influenced what we as an association are today. Truly, great is God’s faithfulness to us!
Often during the weekend, we were challenged to be faithful to God in different areas of our lives: at home, at church, in the community, and in our own personal lives. Mixed in with that was the wonderful times of fellowship (in the gym, at the ice cream social…and for some, into the wee hours of the night!), fun, and times of getting to know others from various churches. Thank God for this weekend of blessing Suzanne Rogers, 2008 President
~Next Year ~ The 2008 version of Ladies' Retreat was a great blessing as we reflected on the godly heritage we have. It is with much anticipation we look forward to the coming year and the opportunity to gather once again and be refreshed. It is so important that we encourage one another in our walk with the Lord. Please pray that God will lead in the planning. We are looking forward to seeing you at Ladies' Retreat 2009. Deb Boldt, 2009 President
Volume II, Issue 4
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Berean Baptist, DL loses Buildings By: Pastor Timothy Riley Yes we have lost our church and parsonage but not in an unplanned act. We moved from our buildings on Lake Ave. and demolished them in an agreement with Becker County. We will sell the vacant property to the County with the closing slated for April 11. Please pray for us that the closing will go smoothly. We are currently meeting in a store
front on Hwy 10 East. We have seen the Lord's hand in many things in this project, from the timing, the workers needed, and the finances. It will be interesting to see how the Lord provides in the planning and building of our new building. One answer to prayer is the new families attending during this move. On another note, our assistant Pastor, Mike Fors-
berg has taken the call to Pastor a Baptist church in Elkton, S.D. We have greatly appreciated Pastor Forsberg in the past 6 months, he has been a great help in the move of the parsonage and the church and has lightened Pastor Riley’s load in preaching on Sunday evenings. Pray with us that the Lord will greatly use Pastor Forsberg and his wife Lynn in Elkton.
Grace Baptist Virginia Hawaiian Pizza Party By: Pastor Todd Williamson On March 16 Grace Baptist began a ministry for the children in the area around the church with the Hawaiian theme and pizza. During the week two students from Pillsbury came to help with the ministry and passed out flyers to the homes around the church area. On Saturday another group of three people came from the church in Zumbro Falls to help with the ministry.
We passed out about 300 flyers. We did not know how many to expect. We had been praying that we would have 50. We left everything in God’s hands; He was the only one that knew who was going to come. We were excited to have 7 kids in attendance. Please pray that we can continue to make contact with our neighborhood as we plan these monthly activities.
Linscott Installed at Marshall By: Karen Goblirsch First Baptist Church, Marshall, MN was delighted to host an Installation Service for their new pastor, Greg Linscott, on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Greg and his wife, Jennifer, come to us from a pastorate in the state of Maine and are graduates of Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA. Jennifer home schools their children Abby (9), Katie (8), Dori (5) and Reggie (1). There were about 100 in attendance which included visitors from the SW Association and other area churches. Greetings from the MBA were given by Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr., scripture read by Pastor Timothy Barr of First Baptist Church, Adrian, MN and a music ministry by Pastor Greg and Jennifer.
A challenge was given to the pastor by Pastor Chris Humburg, Altoona Regular Baptist Church, Altoona, IA to preach the word and nourish the flock in ministry, instruction and protection. A challenge was given to the congregation by Pastor Todd Mitchell, First Baptist Church, Granite Falls, MN to follow the shepherd and feast on his in-
struction. The benediction was given by Pastor David Rogers, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Willmar, MN. Following the service those in attendance enjoyed a time of refreshment and fellowship.
MBA Directory Update Information The following information has been forwarded to the NSU so you can update your MBA directory. The information on the MBA website has also been updated to include this new information. Silver Bay Baptist, Silver Bay Service schedule update: Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Faith Baptist, St. Paul Pastor Suarez' fbcstpaul.org
email:
Grace Baptist, Stillwater Pastor Huebscher's scher315300@gmail.com
email:
pastors@
lghueb-
Normandale Baptist, Pastor Raichert's email: chuck.raichert@normandalebaptist.org
Presorted Std. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 225 Osseo, MN
A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION PO Box 527 Willmar, MN 56201-0527
We’re on the web! http:www.mbaoc.org
MBA Contacts Minnesota Baptist Association Dr. Julian Suarez, President Faith Baptist Church 1365 Westminster St. St. Paul, MN 55130 (651) 771-5567 pastors@frontiernet.net Interim State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, St. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078
Pillsbury Prayer Update, continued from page 1 2. Young people who will think biblically so as to be able to see godly men in other cultures whom they appreciate, but will not follow into the cultural error. Perhaps I am asking for separation without isolation. 3. What I am asking for is an educational passion that separates conviction from
preference that sees spiritual quality in some of those with whom we disagree theologically, that sees the carnal, shallow, and vain among some of those with whom we agree theologically, and who knows how to deal with truth and error in a firm but gracious manner.
In short, I have too often been like a Paul with John Mark when I should have been like a Barnabas with John Mark. What good is a lifetime of labor if we cannot teach our students to do better than we did? Please do not forget to pray for us here at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College.
rjfsr4@juno.com MBA Office Minnesota Baptist Association PO Box 527 Willmar, MN 56201-0527 Send Contributions to: Mr. Brian Veth, MBA Treasurer c/o Coon Rapids Baptist Church 11164 Hanson Blvd. Coon Rapids, MN 55433 Send Update Articles and Pictures to: drjfjr@comcast.net Or North Star Update Editor 315 S. Payne St. New Ulm, MN 56073
Recap of 2008 Men’s Advance This year's MBA Men's Advance was a blessing! For those unasble to attend, you missed some great challenges from Evangelist Keven Brownfield on being men of Focus, Prayer, and Purity. As usual, the other activities were great:
pizza and ice cream, basketball, fellowshipping with old friends, and watching the Pillsbury Comets obliterate the "Wolf Pack" from Oak Hills! We are already planning next year's Advance with a tentative date set for February
6-7. There will be some new activities and we are currently taking suggestions. Email your ideas to Chaplain Tim Sherman at tsherman26@yahoo.com or to Pastor Tim Barr at adrianbap@iw.net. We hope to see you there next year!