North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
Volume III, Issue 6
August 19, 2009
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An Observation from the Historical Vista Boards and Officers
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Report to MBA
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Harvest Fields
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Calendar September 8: MBA Trustee Meeting; 10 am, Executive Committee; Noon, Full Board; Annual Meeting Program Committee October 12-13: Central Seminary Fall Conferences October 12: 1:30 pm, PBBC Board of Trustees, at Central Seminary February 19-20, 2010; State Men’s Fellowship, First Baptist, Baxter March 19-20, Ladies’ Retreat, Grace Baptist, Owatonna
By: Dr. (Editor: Dr. Suarez is Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in St. Paul. This article is, in substance, a message he preached at the MBA annual meeting this summer, at Fourth Baptist in Plymouth. Dr. Suarez stepped down from the presidency, and Pastor Gerald Stephens has succeeded him.)
From Twitter to zippers, much has transpired since the founding of the Minnesota Baptist Association. If one counts a generation as 70 years, as some do, then we are still in the beginning of the 3rd age of the MBA. If one counts a generation as 20 years, as some do, then we are in the middle of the 8th generation. No matter how you perceive it, the MBA has already laid down a rich, long history. There are four distinctive elements in our articles of incorporation detailing the purpose of the MBA. In summation, they are, to encourage active cooperation among Baptist churches, to encourage tangible assistance to local Baptist churches, to encourage our churches to avoid
Julian Suarez, Past President of the MBA
the natural tendencies towards compromise and worldliness, and to encourage local churches to the prayerful and financial support of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. The “Four Pillars” of the MBA (as we have colloquially come to call them) have guided us in our thinking about both our past and our future. We exist to start new Baptist Churches here in Minnesota. We exist to encourage existing Baptist churches here in Minnesota. We exist to affect, in word and deed, Baptist Christians here in Minnesota. And lastly, we exist to educate Believers here in Minnesota. But at the severe risk of being, at first, misunderstood, allow me to make a salient historical observation. It is true that Pillsbury has existed, as an educational institution (in one form or another), for most of the MBA’s history. Yet, for over 2/3rd’s of its life, the MBA was
not known for having a Baptist Bible College within its ministry. With great self-evidence, we mourn its current demise and would love to have it once again (and legally, we still do). Yet, despite the current heartbreak of losing Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, it has not, it does not, and it cannot define us. Continued on page 4
MBA Elected and Appointed Committees for 2009-2010 MBA Executive Committee (MBA Officers, page 2) Steve Brower Robert Fuller, Jr Will Peterson
Finance Committee Brian Veth, Chairman Jim Martin David Whiteford Wayne Newhouse Randy Quiring Gerald Stephens
MBA Annual Meeting Committee Will Peterson, chairman Jeremy Stephens Shad Vork Gerald Stephens Brian Veth
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Your articles in each Issue of the North Star Update are a blessing to us for even being Interim State Missionary does not provide visits to all of our churches in the Association. As my wife, Rhoda, and I travel about the State we encourage distribution of the Updates to each member family of each church, and then trust the members will read and enjoy the information about other churches in the MBA. Summer in Minnesota tried to get by without really being summer. Although the air is heating up now, the rain has kept things pretty and green. We enjoyed our visits and ministering opportunities. July 12 – En route to Lake Benton for their dedication service, we attended the Sunday School and morning service at Harvest Baptist Church, Redwood Falls. Pastor Larry Smetak (Vera) allowed me time to present the MBA burden for new churches. We enjoy visit-
Robert J. Fuller, Sr., Interim State Missionary ing that church when we can. That afternoon we were privileged to share in the Dedication Service for an addition to the facilities of First Baptist, Lake Benton. Pastor Mark Fish (Darlene) and the church people presented a great program. Those attending, including area pastors and friends from both Minnesota and neighboring states, enjoyed wonderful fellowship as well as a great afternoon time of refreshment. August 3-7 – We were able to attend the 2009 MBA FAMILY CAMP at Woman Lake. Although we were not able to be there all week, we did attend Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Camp organizer Pastor Len Huebscher (Betty) allowed us some time to present the MBA. The program and preaching were outstanding with several volunteering to provide special music numbers and activities. Evangelist Paul Crow (Sarah) spiritually and energetically delivered God’s
Word at the evening Services very effectively. Try to put the MBA Family Camp on your schedule next summer. August 9 – It was my privilege to provide Sunday School teaching and preach the Morning Service at Shepherd’s Fold Baptist, Hutchinson. Pastor Lance Ketchum (Patty) was away ministering in a church in Wisconsin. We always enjoy visiting Shepherd’s Fold as the folks there are very receptive and friendly. August 11 – I attended the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College held in the facilities of Fourth Baptist Church, Pastor Matt Morrell (Kim). Much was accomplished in behalf of the School. Other opportunities in August will be reported in the next North Star Update. If we can be of service to you and /or your church, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Elected Boards of Trustees and Officers Minnesota Baptist Association 2010 Gerald Fisher Joe Haynes Lenard Huebscher Matt Morrell Will Peterson Larry Smetak David Van Loh 2011 Ben Peterson Robert Fuller, Jr. Michael Verway Jeremy Stephens Roger Edmonds Lee Ormiston Greg Linscott
Cary Flinck Jim Martin (MPLS) Tim Barr Officers: Gerald Stephens, President Richard Jensen, Vice President Dave Rogers, Secretary Brian Veth, Treasurer
Pillsbury College 2010
Loren Bjokne Steve Brower Jim Gunderson Marlon Mielke Matt Olmstead *Tom Trumbull
2012 Kevin Bauder Mark Fish Doug Roman Steve Brower
Baptist
2011 Robert Fuller, Jr Len Huebscher Jim Martin (Atty)
Bible
David Grotzke Julian Suarez Dennis Fitzgerald 2012 Dave Rogers Rob Adams Matt Morrell Ron Gotzman Jim Snow Gerald Stephens Chairman: Robert Fuller, Jr. Vice-Chair: Gerald Stephens Secretary: Marlon Mielke Treasurer: Jim Gunderson (*NOTE: Brother Tom Trumbull has since resigned from the college trustees. That vacancy will be cared for next summer.)
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Volume III, Issue 6
A Report from the Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Chairman of the Board to the Messengers of the Minnesota Baptist Association of Churches Presented by: Dr. (The following is the text of a report given to the MBA messengers by the Chairman of the Board of PBBC. Dr. Fuller is also pastor of First Baptist Church, New Ulm.)
Since last we met as an association, a great deal has happened at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. I wish to give a brief explanation of this past year. As we approached last fall the prospects of a large enough student body in the fall looked good, though we were under no illusions that the school would not still be small and cash would not still be in short supply. However, as we entered August it began to be apparent that our projections were not in line with the realities of our enrollment. The sagging economy seemed to be keeping students at home, or in less expensive institutions. Having contracts in place, we decided to go ahead and open for the fall, and see what could be done regarding our cash shortfall, which we knew at the time to be critical. As the fall semester progressed, each attempt to keep PBBC viable evaporated. In October it became obvious that
there was no way we could maintain the school for the second semester. We knew that we were still responsible for the contracts to our people, but the extra costs that would have been imposed just to stay open made it very clear that we could not go forward. So, the decision was made to suspend academic operations as of the close of school after the first semester. We worked with our students to get them into other institutions as seamlessly as possible. We praise the Lord for the schools that came forward to help our seniors graduate on time this past spring. The students were gathered together for graduation at Faith Baptist Church in St. Paul, on May 24. It has not been as easy meeting our obligations to our contracted faculty and staff. Gifts have been coming in, and they have helped. It remains our determination to meet these obligations at the earliest possible opportunity. We ask for your prayers for our faculty and staff. Some of them have been living in very tight circumstances. They have all been gracious in the face of these
Robert J. Fuller, Jr., Chairman of the Board
circumstances. We are currently in the process of negotiations for selling the Owatonna campus. Other than that, we have nothing that we can report on those negotiations. We also ask for prayer on behalf of the board of trustees as the negotiations for the sale of the campus continue. The next meeting of the full board is in August, but there is in place an entity of the board which can handle all matters that come up during the interim. The Lord's timing and plan is always the best, and we trust in that as we continue to move forward.
Harvest Fields Promised to be White, Redwood Falls Sunday June 28 was a wonderful reminder of the faithfulness of God. After many months of setbacks, folks moving or some who stopped coming, we looked forward to a special missionary service with Lee and Janelle Peterson. They have been serving in Zambia and recently moved to South Africa. The evening began with a picnic fellowship, and then slides were shown of their outreach in ministry, Bible Institute, and personal home studies.
We were blessed as the message from Matthew 9 told how Matthew held a banquet to reach out to those who were in need of Him. Lee said he felt the leading of the Lord to include more of a salvation emphasis. We were glad to minister to 46 that night (7 were new people, and 14 had visited before). Actually, 5 or more people were with us 9 years ago, stopped coming, but are more interested now. What a blessing
to have people stay afterward and chat, encourage others, and have questions answered. Our people gave a wonderful love gift of over $500. Pray for follow-up and home studies with six families. Pray for health needs of Jack, Kathy, Donna, William, Barb, and Carol. Pray for children’s meetings in the park and the August VBS rally. Pray for new baptisms and members.
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A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION PO Box 527 Willmar, MN 56201-0527
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MBA Contacts Minnesota Baptist Association Rev. Gerald Stephens, President
Historical Vista, continued from page 1
Community Baptist Church PO Box 212 New Prague, MN 56071 (952) 758-3287 pastor@npcbc.org Interim State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com MBA Office
We lost our college. We still have our local churches. Whether the MBA will be known for another Bible college is for future history to tell. Whether the MBA will plant more Baptist churches in Minnesota is for us to embrace now. One hundred-fifty years of history is worth celebrating; the future is worth more.
We began that future when we rewrote the constitution and by-laws. Now we can claim the fruit. Some may ask, “What are we without Pillsbury?” My response is, “Still the same, only with more motivation… and perhaps, more clarity.” Where once there were four pillars, now there are three. And it is those first three that pro-
vide a stable tri-pod of ministry that we are to be about: Churches, Churches, Churches. We, the messengers of the MBA, gathered together in Plymouth in June to remember the past, as we should. I am happy to report that I firmly believe the messengers are also whole heartedly embracing the future…as we must!
contact@mbaoc.org Minnesota Baptist Association PO Box 527
Updated Information: Sand Creek Baptist, Jordan
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
Church address: 100 Hope Ave, Jordan, MN 55352 Mailing address: 795 Herbert St., Jordan, MN 55352 Phone (952) 913-8198 Email: sandcreek@frontiernet.net Website: www.sandcreekbaptist.org Pastor: Daniel Lowe