North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
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First Person: State Men’s Retreat, Eng
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Family Baptist
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State Men’s. Stephens
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Spring Valley, 150th
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Granite City Baptist Academy
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Calendar October 19: 11:30—2 p.m., TC Ladies @ Lighthouse Baptist December 2: 6 p.m., Pastor & Staff and Wives Christmas Banquet @ Lighthouse Baptist April 4,5: Spring Ladies Retreat April 21-22: Pastors’ & Wives’ Retreat @ FBC Baxter June 28: MBA Annual Meeting @ Prior Lake Baptist
Volume 7, Issue 5
October 3, 2013
Epilogue From: Phil
Johnson, MBA State Men’s Main Speaker
This past September 13th and 14th the men of the MBA, and many visitors from other churches in Minnesota and around the country met together at Fourth Baptist Church for about 24 hours of fellowship and encouragement. The main speaker for the meeting was Phil Johnson, director of Grace to You. We asked Phil to send a final challenge. He kindly sent us his Epilogue. (editor)
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17) "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." (Romans 6:6-7) "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9) "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." (John 5:18) Those verses teach that for a true Christian, sin is a defeated enemy. Sin has no more rightful dominion over us. We are no longer enslaved to it. The principle of sin is not the driving principle of
our lives anymore. We are not under the dominion of the devil. The bondage of evil has been broken. Scripture uses very positive and triumphant language to describe Christ's victory over sin and the Christian's participation in that victory.
And yet, it is the universal experience of every individual believer, that we do still struggle with sin. We are still frustrated by it. We still feel its power in our lives. We are engaged in perpetual warfare against sin. It is a difficult battle to wage. And it often feels as if we are losing the fight. There's no instant cure. There is no magic bullet. It's a process that requires diligence, strength, persistence, and above all, the power of the Holy Spirit. Continued page 4
State Men’s Wrap-Up By: Greg Linscott, Pastor, First Baptist Marshall, Men’s Fellowship President
August 21-24: Family Camp @ Lighthouse Baptist September 19-20: State Men’s Retreat @ First Calvary, Inver Grove Heights
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The 2013 Men’s Fellowship was held at Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, on September 13-14. The featured speaker was Phil Johnson, Executive Director of Grace to You. The theme for the weekend, “Guard Your Heart,” taken from Proverbs 4:23, challenged the men to be actively engaged in
pursuing holiness in our behavior and thought life. Pastor Joel Albright of First Baptist, St. Francis, led the musical worship. Workshops were presented by Pastor Kraig Keck of Chisago Lakes Baptist Church, and Missionary David Flinck. With input from pastors across the Association, several adjustments were made to improve the quality of the event. The changes seemed to have been well-received, as 2013’s
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert
Though summer opportunities to preach were down, I still had opportunities to visit churches and encourage and greet friends. Many of our
churches are being able to have Assistant Pastors who can supply in their own churches, and pastors are training qualified laymen who are willing to develop teaching/preaching skills. Those local church opportunities are spiritually healthy when they are possible. My opportunities since the last UPDATE have been – July 21 – I was privileged to preach at Preston First Baptist, Pastor Geno Pyse (Michelle). It is always a blessing to Rhoda and I to be with the folks there.
Fuller, Sr., State Missionary
July 22 thru 30. During this time, we visited the widows of my two brothers, one in Lafayette, Indiana, and the other in Chattanooga, Tennessee. August 11 – We enjoyed preaching at First Baptist, Spring Valley, Pastor Joe Haynes (Cathy). Over the years since Pastor Haynes has been there, we have been privileged to make many friends. August 29 – I attended the Planning Committee Meeting, chaired by Dr. Kevin Bauder. Many important decisions were accomplished, but
everything for the MBA Annual Meeting is not completely in place as yet. September 1 – We visited the services of Oakdale First Baptist, Pastor Richard Jensen. The church had just completed a series of evangelistic meetings, with encouraging results. September 5 – On this Thursday evening, we attended Faith Baptist, St. Paul, Pastor Julian Suarez (Kathy) for their evangelistic meeting. We enjoyed the preaching and the fellowship with all there. Continued page 4
State Men’s, First Person By: Dennis Eng, Trinity Baptist Fellowship, Pine City Those who understand the importance of preaching to the inner man can appreciate the approach of Phil Johnson. By his thorough exposition of Scripture, he addressed the issues of the heart every man faces in his leisure time, teaching how God’s Word and Spirit make real change in the life. Any non-Christians attending understood that their first step of obedience was giving their heart away to Christ. The rest of us left the meeting with new determination to apply Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigi-
lance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Joel Albright led the singing with passion, using theologically significant hymns new and old to assist the assembly in expressing heartfelt gratitude and adoration to our
great God and Savior. The arrangements and accompaniment of Josh Bauder were greatly appreciated, whose skill and expression in music further enhanced a weekend of joyful worship.
“As For Me and My House …” By: Susan Your friends at Family Baptist Church would like to help you reach out to the Muslims in your area. Minnesota has 150,000 Muslims living all over the state. We have the largest population of Somalis outside of the country of Somalia! We can give you ideas for entertaining Muslims in your home and church. We can give
tours to the mosque and Somali mall…it’s like stepping into an African bazaar for a total cross-cultural experience and the Muslims are pleased when we take the initiative to visit them. We are available for speaking to small or large groups to include extensive outreach training or merely covering the high or low
Hanks Mowen, Family Baptist Church, MPLS. points…depending on your perspective. Let us know how we may help you, David and Susan Mowen, members and staff, Family Baptist Church, DavidEMowen@gmail.com; Susan.Hanks.Mowen@gmail.c om. Family Baptist Church also has other resources available: how to start and provide
a f o o d s h e l f (Annie@OLivingHope.org), counseling by the lay person (JWHime@aol.com, job9teen25@comcast.net ), how to reach out in your local j a i l o r p r i s o n (David.Whiteford@GoodNews Jail.org).
Volume 7, Issue 5
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State Men’s Retreat—A Challenge to Guard the Heart By: Gerald Stephens, The annual State Men's Retreat took place on Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th at Fourth Baptist Church. Mr. Phil Johnson, the executive director of "Grace To You", challenged each of us to guard our hearts because the heart is where our life, thoughts, and actions originate. His Biblical insights and practical illustrations reminded us that our time on this earth to
serve our Savior is short and that we must daily surrender our hearts to serve Him. Missionary David Flinck, (Missionary to Chile) presented a workshop on "Intentionally Impacting Men Within and Without the Local Church" and Pastor Kraig Keck (Pastor of Chisago Lakes Baptist Church) presented a workshop on "Why You Should Battle Your Lusts". A panel discussion on
Friday evening addressing how we can help each other and our church families guard their hearts was challenging to all. Along with the spiritual challenges a great time of fellowship was enjoyed during the refreshment times as new friendships were made and old friendships renewed. I trust that you will start planning now to attend next year's retreat which will be held at First Calvary Baptist
President of the MBA Church in Inver Grove Heights. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Michael Harding, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Troy, Michigan. The theme will be - "THE SEARCH FOR MEANING" May God help us to GUARD OUR HEARTS!!! 1 Peter 3:15
150th Anniversary at First Baptist Spring Valley church service was on September 6, 1863. A long-time member, Erma Werth, was given a plaque in recognition of her 53 years of service in teaching Sunday School. Several of her former students were present to be a part of the recognition and be in a picture with Erma. At least 20 individuals coming from First Baptist Church have gone into full-time service. One is Lillian Payne. She and her daughter, Susan, were able to attend the 2-day event. The celebration continued on Sunday with a Worship Service during which the church heard greetings from former pastor, Chuck Amel, and MBA State Missionary Pastor Robert Fuller, Sr. Several memories - but at the conclusion there was praise that
First Baptist Church of Spring Valley is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. The theme for the celebration, “150 Years of God’s Faithfulness Moving Us Forward”, was highlighted in several events. The festivities began with the church having a float in the local parade. Approximately 1500 postcards were distributed inviting the community to an open house and giving them the plan of salvation. On Saturday, September 7th, an open house/luncheon was held where several former members were in attendance. A slide show highlighting the last 150 years was presented in the afternoon along with a reading from the first book of records on the church (1863). It was noted that the first
God’s Word was held as the standard for 150 years. Pastor Tobe Bolles, who grew up in First Baptist Church, preached the morning service from Psalm 103 recalling the benefits of God. A delicious fellowship luncheon concluded the events with many enjoying the open "mic" time of recalling memories of their days at First Baptist Church and praising God for the impact the church had on their lives.
Granite City Baptist Academy International Recognition By: Linda The educational challenge of the 21st century has motivated Granite City Baptist Academy, a ministry of Granite City Baptist Church, to uphold their standard of excellence that has earned them MODEL status. Using the individualized
Schill, Secretary to the Pastor, Granite City Baptist, St. Cloud
Bible-based curriculum of Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.), the Academy focuses on Christian character training and outstanding academic accomplishments by its students, and also demonstrates a continuing commitment to state-of-the-art, com-
puter-enhanced education. This past year, the average student’s grade in all subject areas was 96.31. Many students completed well over one year’s standard academic expectations. GCBA believes that their school’s achievement is attrib-
uted in part to community commitment to maintain an atmosphere where a school such as GCBA can effectively educate our youth today for tomorrow’s achievements.
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 Rev. Gerald Stephens, President Community Baptist Church PO Box 212 New Prague, MN 56071 (952) 758-3287 pastor@npcbc.org State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. 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
Epilogue, from page 1 That's because sin is like a terrorist. It has lost the war already. It is a defeated foe. It has been stripped of its right to rule. But it's not dead yet. And it hasn't given up the fight. So it attacks us secretly, and subtly, by ambushing us when we don't expect it. It wants to pretend the outcome of the war is unde-
cided, even though evil has already suffered a decisive, irreversible defeat. Our own corrupt flesh—the principle of sin that remains in us—wages war against us like a guerilla, from a position of stealth and harassment. It can do significant damage, but if you are a genuine believer, sin will never
gain ultimate mastery over you. Meanwhile, it is our job as Christians to wage battle against indwelling sin ruthlessly. We cannot pacify the fleshly principle. We are not merely supposed to placate it or negotiate with it or compromise with it. It is a deadly enemy that must be met with deadly force,
State Men’s, from page 1 attendance was 176, over 100 more men than we had the previous year. One attendee shared: “This was the most worthwhile Men's Retreat that I have ever attended. Men of all ages (I'm 67) could relate to Phil Johnson's messages, and grow from his consistent scrip-
ture-based teaching.” The sessions were recorded, and one can hear or download the Session and Workshop audio by visiting http://www.mbaoc.net/men/ audio-sessions. Next year’s event is scheduled for September 19-20, 2014, and will be
hosted by First Calvary Baptist Church in Inver Grove Heights. Dr. Michael Harding of First Baptist Church, Troy, MI, will draw from the book of Ecclesiastes as he addresses “The Search for Meaning.” We hope you will join us!
Foundations, from page 2 September 8 – At the Invitation of Pastor Haynes of First Baptist, Spring Valley, we attended and participated in the Observance of the 150th Anni-
versary of that local church. It was a great blessing and challenging to experience the review of 150 years. Another report can be found elsewhere
in the UPDATE. If I can be of help or service to your church, please contact me.