North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Deckerts at Pine Island
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Granite City Baptist
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MBA Ladies Fellowship
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Flincks Commissioned
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New Pastor at First, Morris
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Orval Byrd with the Lord
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Calendar January 12: 10 a.m., MBA Executive Committee Noon, MBA Full Board January 19: 11 a.m., PBBC Full Board on Campus February 6-7: State Men’s Fellowship at Prior Lake March 20-21: State Ladies Fellowship at GBC, Owatonna
Volume III, Issue 1
January 2009
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr., MBA Interim State Missionary
As you read this, we have embarked upon the New Year. The calendar of 2008 closed with some political and economic issues that would seem to give a shaky “jump start” to a brand new year. Please note the word "seem". We are not a people that pin our hopes on current events. We believe that nothing escapes the scrutiny of our God, and no event or circumstance is outside His control. Therefore, as your
Interim State Missionary, let me encourage us all to continue our journey in 2009 with confidence, hope, and a future full of the goals that God wants us to achieve. Once again, examine the power in 1 John 3:1-3, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
State Men’s Fellowship, 2009
shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we Continued page 4
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North Star Update
Wayne and Ruth Deckert back in Minnesota Ministering in Creation Science and Christian Bioethics By: Pastor Tim Graham, Cornerstone Baptist, Pine Island
The y ear 2008 brought Wayne and Ruth Deckert back to Minne-
sota. Many of us know Wayne as our science teacher at Pillsbury from years past and Ruth as our book store manager who sold us textbooks. After over 40 years of teaching at the collegiate level, most recently at Clearwater Christian College, Wayne has retired and begun to minister in the areas of creation science and Christian bioethics. Wayne has an upcoming series of meetings at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Pine Island, Minnesota. He will be conducting a Creation
Events at Granite City Baptist, St. Cloud Granite City Baptist Church had an exciting December. There were a good number of visitors for the Academy Fall Program on December 14, with a positive response to the play, Mourning at Moorcroft by Denise Busenitz. The Lord continued to bless with new visitors for the Sundayschool Christmas Program and the cantata, Rejoice Believers! We look forward to January 25
with two baptisms scheduled to date. Also, the students are preparing for the Patriotic Program at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 22. You are invited to come for the uplifting vocal/instrumental music, and the Fred Passmore play, “The Wrap Group.�
Theology Conference at Cornerstone beginning Sunday morning January 18, continuing that evening, and again on Sunday evenings, February 1 and 8, 2009. If you would like to have Wayne and Ruth minister in your church for a series of meetings, they are available and would love to serve. Please call them at their Rochester home. Their telephone number is (507) 288-5402 or you can reach them by e-mail at wdeckert@juno.com.
Volume III, Issue 1
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MBA Ladies at Grace Baptist, Owatonna This Year By: Deb Boldt, Ladies Fellowship President
The MBA Ladies Retreat this year will be at Grace Baptist Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. The changes at Pillsbury College have made it necessary for this change in location and will definitely take us out of our "Comfort Zone." Mrs. Ruth Huffman will be our keynote speaker. She is
the wife of Pillsbury's President, Dr. Greg Huffman, and has spoken to ladies across the country. You will not want to miss this great time of spiritual refreshment and fellowship. Registration will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 20 with the evening session beginning at 7:30 p.m. The sessions
and workshops will begin on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. ending in midafternoon. Information about lodging at local hotels will be provided. The ladies of Grace Baptist are excited to be able to host this meeting. We hope to see you all there.
Flincks Commissioned at Berean Baptist, Brooklyn Park Berean Baptist Church of Brooklyn Park held a commissioning service for David & Kristi Flinck on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Speakers for the service included Prof. Neal Cushman, Director of Missions at Northland Baptist Bible College, who gave the charge to the candidates; Rev. Terry Thompson, Director of the Gospel Mission of
South America, who gave the charge to the church; and Dr. Cary Flinck, pastor of Berean Baptist Church, who gave the commissioning message. There were approximately 110 in attendance from supporting churches, family, and friends. The Flincks will be serving in a church planting ministry in Chile with Gospel Mission of South
New Pastor at Morris First Baptist Church of Morris has called a new pastor. Pastor Elmer Cox is from Paris, Illinois.
America. David and Kristi’s departure date for their first term in Chile is January 12, 2009.
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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@fbcstpaul.org Interim State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, St. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com
Fellowship Foundations, continued from page 1 shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.� Due to some surgery, my activities were somewhat curtailed in December. However, I had the
great privilege of attending the Pillsbury Board Meeting, and the Christmas at Pillsbury Concert and events on December 5 and 6. On Sunday, December 7, I preached and led the Sunday School at my home church, Coon
Rapids Baptist. Rhoda and I wish for you an exciting year in 2009, looking for His Return.
MBA Office contact@mbaoc.org 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 North Star Update Editor 315 S. Payne St. New Ulm, MN 56073 (507) 354-3323
Pastor Orval Byrd With The Lord Rev. Orval Byrd went to be with his Lord October 25, 2008. He pastored the First Baptist Churches of Luverne and New Ulm, Minnesota. He was very active in the early years of the Minnesota Baptist Association,
as well as Pillsbury College. He went on to pastor churches in Olney, Illinois as well as Indianapolis, Indiana. After his retirement he became active at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis. His wife, Edith, con-
tinues to be a faithful member there and resides at 10110 Broadway, Indianapolis, IN 46280.