North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Volume III, Issue 2
Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
2
Coon Rapids Anniversary
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Grace Baptist Virginia
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1st Person: State Men’s Meeting
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Agape International Dinner at FBC, New Ulm
3
MBA Family Camp
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Calendar March 20-21: State Ladies Retreat at Grace Baptist, Owatonna May 18: Next scheduled meeting of the PBBC Board of Trustees
February 20, 2009
Spring Ladies Retreat, March 20-21, Grace Baptist, Owatonna "We certainly are out of our ‘Comfort Zone’ this year. What a blessing to have Grace Baptist open their arms and welcome us in. I am confident that this will be a great meeting that your ladies will really enjoy. The speakers and fellowship are certain to be a blessing to them." (from Letter to Pastor's Wives, by Deb Boldt) The information is now on the MBA website (www.mbaoc.org). There is a separate heading for the Ladies Fellowship on the Home Page as well as a link to the Ladies Fellowship from the Coming Events Category. The schedule for the weekend and a list of motels can be found on the MBA website. Also, check the information that is on the MBA Facebook page. Registration begins at 6 p.m., Friday. Retreat ends at 3:45p.m., Saturday. The workshops for this year are:
Comfort - Care for the Caregiver, by Bev Snow. Opportunist Opportunities for Soul Winning & How to Do It, by Mary Campbell. Mentor - How to Start and Lead a Bible Study, by Heather Brower. Fellowshipper How to Get to Know So meo n e Be yo n d Their Sunday Face, by Vera Smetak. Optimist - The Best is Yet to Come (Bible study in Philippians), by Allyson Burggraff. Reality Check I’m a Woman, Now What? by Nicole Boldt. Thoughtfulness How Do I Reach Out of My Own Little World, by Carol Goetz.
June 22: Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Baptist Association
Notes Of Interest: • •
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Here is a correction for the MBA directory. Under the listing for First Baptist of St. Francis, Rev. Jim Snow’s cell phone number should be (763) 516-5924. If you are registered on Facebook, the MBA has a page there that has some interesting options. Among them, the audio from the State Men’s Meeting is accessible there. It is also accessible from the MBA website (http://www.mbaoc.org), and in the audio archives on the website of Prior Lake Baptist Church (http:// www.priorlakebaptist.org). We regret that there will be no Spring Pastors & Wives fellowship this year. Preparations are in progress for next year’s event.
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert It should be sufficient that God's Word tells us to love one another continually, but we have entered into the month that reminds us that cards, candies, and corsages will help us to convey our love to certain recipients. That's all right -- I need reminding quite often. Speaking of love, my wife, Rhoda, and I do love visiting. On January 3 we were privileged to attend the Commissioning Service for missionaries David and Kristi Flinck held by Berean Baptist Church, Brooklyn Park. Dr. Cary Flinck
J. Fuller, Sr., Interim State Missionary
(Nancy) is the church’s pastor. On January 11, we visited Cornerstone Baptist Church, Elk River. Pastor Gordon Langdon (Joyce) and the congregation were once again very gracious to us, and I was allowed some time to present the MBA emphasis on Church planting and financial help. As an ex-officio member, I attended the MBA Executive Committee and Full Board meetings held at Coon Rapids Baptist on January 12. Pastor Will Peterson (Sharon) hosted
the meeting, which was chaired by MBA President, Julian Suarez. Again as ex-officio, I attended the meeting of the Pillsbury Board of Trustees on campus on January 19. Important topics were considered and difficult decisions were made. On January 25, we were privileged to visit two churches. In the morning we were blessed by the Sunday school teaching and the preaching of Pastor Matthew Fennell (Tonya) at Continued on page 4
Coon Rapids Baptist Celebrates 45th Anniversary By: Brian Members, former members, and friends came together February 1 to commemorate the beginning of Coon Rapids Baptist Church fortyfive years ago. The
day was observed in the morning service in a message from Pastor Will Peterson, a pot-luck noon dinner, and a special afternoon service with a message from Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. who served us as pastor for twenty-five years. In that service he reviewed the history of
Veth
the church, the blessings and accomplishments, and reminded us from Philippians 3:12-14 that the best advantage of the past is to direct us in a greater measure to look forward.
News from Grace Baptist, Virginia By: Pastor Greetings from Grace Baptist Church! The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to minister the Word of God here on the Iron Range for the past three years. This past Sunday, January 25, was three years since the first time I had the privileged to begin ministering the Word of God hear in Virginia. Since March 2008 we have been having a monthly youth
activity for the neighborhood teens. Since that time we have had 24 different teens come to these activities. Each month we have had one new teen come to these activities. The last two months one of the teens has been bringing his parents. We are excited that God has opened this ministry for us to have with these kids. In November we served a Thanksgiving meal for these kids and their families. We also invited the church family so they could get to know these kids. We had 15 at this activity and two of the kids
Todd Williamson
brought their families. This year we are focusing on the theme of “20/20 Vision.” We are encouraging our church to go through this year with our eyes open as Adam and Eve had there eyes opened (Genesis 3:7). Also to have our eyes open to the opportunities around us to spread the world to those around us (John 4:35) Prayer Requests: Shepherd Family, Kathy and Judy (visitors needing salvation), Children’s Ministry, Continued Outreach in the town of Virginia.
Volume III, Issue 2
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1st Person: The 2009 MBA Men’s Fellowship By: Pastor This was my first time ever attending the MBA Men’s Fellowship. I was pleased with the structure and content of the two days. The time with the men was refreshing and the topic was very relevant. We are in a time when the truth needs to be proclaimed. How we understand God’s truth and apply it to our lives and ministry is very important? Before this two day conference I had an exhausting week in ministry. In a way I felt as if my going to this event would not be worth the time as I felt I had
other pressing issues to address. I came away from the two days refreshed and refocused. Dr. Bauder set the stage on Friday night for the topic and this generated healthy discussion that I believe all of the participants appreciated. I enjoyed the pastors that participated in the panel discussions. Many times conferences and events are structured around one special speaker. I thought it was very helpful to hear from several men regarding the manner in which we apply God’s word. It also challenged me to
Daniel Lowe
know God’s word better since I didn’t really know where to go for all the answers. This fellowship was helpful for me to get to know other brothers in Christ as well as grow in my walk with the Lord. The weekend helped me to have more confidence in God’s word and it is something I have taken with me in my daily walk with the Lord. If you didn’t go this year maybe you should attend next year because you missed out on a great event! I’m glad I went!
Agape International Dinner at First Baptist, New Ulm Saturday, February 14, the fellowship of First Baptist Church enjoyed an evening of good food and challenge from around the world. The director of the event contacted missionaries, asking for recipes for specific parts of the dinner, as well as information on their ministries. The first course was represented by an appetizer from Mexico. This part of the evening focused on Shawn and Penny Clapp, working with MexicanContinued on page 4
MBA Family Camp, August 3-7 Miracle Bible Camp on Woman Lake, Longville Minnesota Speaker: Evangelist Paul Crow Workshops – Recreation Nursery - Children's Sessions Fun - Fellowship - Inspiration for the family Good News! Prices are the same as last year. Make your reservation for $50.00, which will apply to your lodging and meals. Include your lodging choice with your reservation: Camp Site with or without elec-
tric, Camp Cabin, Half Dorm, and RV hook-ups. Motels in Longville are giving us a good deal on reservations there. You can register now. Flyers are coming soon. Send your registrations to Pastor Lenard Huebscher, 12525 75th Street North, Stillwater MN 55082, or call (651) 439-0231. E-mail lenardhuebscher@aol.com See the camp fee structure on page 4.
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
Family Camp Fee Structure, from page 3 Half dorm: $25/night Cabin: $25/night Campsite w/o Electricity: $10/night Campsite w/Electricity: $15/night
Per meal costs: 4-12yrs 13yrs & up Breakfast $3.00 $4.50 Lunch $4.00 $5.50 Dinner $4.50 $6.50
Interim State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, St. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com 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
Fellowship Foundations, continued from page 2 First Baptist, Blooming Prairie. We rejoiced in noting folks who had been in one of our ministries 35-40 years ago now active in that church. In the evening we attended First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, led by Pastor Joe Haynes (Cathy). We have many friends there. In both churches I was given time to review some directions by
our State Association regarding church planting, and its church financial aid program. We closed the month on January 31 participating in the ordination council for Pastor Doug Roman (Julie), Bible Baptist Church, Elk River. It was a great experience, and I was pleased to meet Pastor Roman's father who came from
California for the occasion. The council recommended that the church proceed with the ordination process. If I can be of assistance to you or your church, please contact me.
FBC New Ulm Agape Dinner, continued from page 3 Americans in Utah. The second course was from South Africa and Kevin and Sarah Zakariasen. The main course was from Spain, featuring Larry and Jane Parks. Finally, the dessert
was from Sweden, highlighting Jake and Elizabeth Delich. The requests from each missionary were presented by one of the men from the church who then led the group in
prayer. By the end of the evening, we had enjoyed a good dinner and good fellowship, and had learned and prayed about some of the concerns and needs of our missionaries.