North Star Update, Vol. IV, Iss. 6

North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations

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2010 State Men’s Fellowship

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MBA Men’s Retreat 1st Person, Brian Boldt

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First Calvary, Summer

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New Pulpit Supply

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MBA Men’s Retreat, 1st Person , Josh Stephens

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Calendar December 13: 6 p.m., Pastors’ & Wives’ Christmas Banquet, Prior Lake Baptist. Contact the church for more information.

March 18-19, 2011: MBA State Ladies Retreat at Camp Friendship. Information coming to your church.

April 4-5, 2011: MBA State Pastor’s & Wives’ Fellowship in Baxter.

June 24-25, 2011: MBA Annual Meeting at St. Francis.

Volume IV, Issue 6

October 1, 2010

Think Outside the Goal Posts Dr. Larry Smetak, Highland Park Baptist, St. James Prep football gets into high gear as we now enter the fall months.

The local squad was coming off its best season ever; better yet it was returning a strong group of veterans. Naturally everyone had high expectations for the team. They would open the season against a squad that was average at best.

It was a great turnout that night, but to the dismay of the home crowd, it started out worse than a disaster. Good passes were tossed right at receivers, but most were dropped; running plays were stopped at the line of scrimmage; the quarterback was chased mercilessly. He had thrown two interceptions and there had been a fumble near the goal line.

At half time the score was a mere 8 - 0. Opening the third quarter, their only good drive had brought the score briefly to 8 - 6. Another interception and it shifted quickly to 15 - 6. The

fourth quarter was settling down to a defensive struggle. It was now under six minutes, then five. A midfield fumble and the home team got the ball back. It all began to settle into their minds—“We must score.” "We want a score" was the chant. But that would still make it merely 15 - 14 at best. The guys were playing hard, but the loss was going to be hard to take; it would be their first loss in 15 games. Every play used up more precious time. The coach had to make a hard decision. "Guys, this is likely the last time we get the ball. Will you trust me?" The clock was showing barely 4 minutes.

The time out ended, and the next pass fell incomplete. However, they were on their opponent's twenty yard line. Immediately the coach called for the field goal team to go in.

Shocked, the crowd booed loudly. "How dumb is our coach!" The kick was good. The

score was 15 - 9. The team stood on the sidelines. "Coach, what happens now? We really do not get the game plan." The coach smiled. "OK guys, it is all up to you now! Can you recover the onside kick? Do you really want to recover the onside kick? Only you can do this, or even want to do this. Do you understand you need to recover the onside kick?

Winning the game is all in your hands now, do you see that?"

Sensing the coach's plan and shocked, the opposing team lined up a bit too quickly. The kick took a bounce. Can you imagine the smile on the player dashing back to the coach, screaming, "We got it!" "But guys,” the coach cautioned, “it still is not over. There is very little time left (three minutes, then two). Go out and win one for your school." A long pass is the play he called. It was his Continued on page 4

Immanuel Baptist, Westbrook hosts Dr. Charles R. Sanders Immanuel Baptist in Westbrook hosted a series of meetings with Dr. Charles R. Sanders, Boulder, Colorado, September 12-17. Sanders and his wife have been in evangelism for over thirty years; he has also conducted numerous Holy Land tours.

A special feature of Sand-

ers' ministry is taking congregations on a photo tour of the Holy Land. He shows pictures from a segment of the tour each service.

Sanders' messages challenged Immanuel Baptist members to evaluate their Christian lives.

Visitors from the community attended most services, and they heard the Gospel clearly pre-

sented. Several decisions were made for rededication and assurance of salvation.

On Thursday morning, the ladies invited Mrs. Sanders to speak at their regular monthly meeting. Using her life as an example, she spoke about the kind of lady she didn't want to be.

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North Star Update

Fellowship Foundations Rev. Robert J. Fuller, Sr. MBA Interim State Missionary Years ago, in Indiana, they referred to the month of August as the “Dog Days” of summer. I am not sure why! Now with all the laws we seldom see a dog outside all alone. Personally, I like it this way. However, it also means that summer is fleeting by. My opportunities of service in August were – August 1st & 8th – At Cor-

nerstone Baptist, Willmar. The great privilege for Pastor Dave Rogers (Suzanne) to visit and minister God’s Word in the Philippines provided my opportunity to pulpit supply for the Morning and Evening Services for this Sunday and the 8th. My wife and I have made many friends at Cornerstone in this ministry (ISM), and also over

the years. We were invited and really enjoyed eating and fellowship with the Wagar family, and, as well, at the Willman home.

August 9th – I attended as ex-officio member, the meeting of the Pillsbury Board Finance Continued on page 4

2010 State Men’s Fellowship, Camp Friendship This year the MBA Men met at Camp Friendship near Annandale, MN. Fifty-five men attended the meeting held on September 17-18. The officers for the next year are Rev. Greg Linscott (pres.), Bernie Boldt (v-pres.), and Rev. Doug Roman (treas.).

MBA Men First Person Report, Brian Boldt, Owatonna Brian Boldt, Grace Baptist Church, Owatonna The surroundings were new for the MBA Men’s Fellowship as we met on the grounds of Camp Friendship near Annandale, Minnesota. We were very comfortable as we settled in for a time together full of good preaching and activities. We were blessed with wonderful weather and the facilities were both adequate and beautiful on the shore of Clearwater Lake. The food that was provided in the dining hall was delicious.

Dr. Tom Zempel was

the keynote speaker and challenged the nearly sixty men in attendance on “Christ-like Communication in the Christian Home.” We were given many things to apply to our lives and our homes.

Missionary Kevin Zakariasen and Dr. Bob Fuller Jr. spoke during the breakaway sessions. Their topics centered around helpful tips on building positive relationships and sharing Bible stories with our kids.

Everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy the new accommodations for the 2010 MBA Men’s Fellowship.

We hope to see you there next year.

Volume IV, Issue 6

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Inner City Summer Bible Time Chris Juvinall, Asst. Pastor First Calvary Baptist, Inver Grove Heights In July of this year, the senior high teens from First Calvary Baptist Church (Inver Grove Heights, MN) traveled to an inner-city neighborhood in Chicago to assist Pastor Bill Branks. Pastor Bill leads the River North Baptist Church and the congregation has recently opened a ministry called the Harbor House...a store-front ministry designed to spread the gospel to boys and girls in the area. This summer, we had the blessing of being able to do some canvassing for RNBC and then run their first ever Summer Bible Time in an attempt to jump-start this unique children's ministry. We praise the Lord for the opportunity to minister

to over 22 boys and girls during our week of service. God allowed us the great privilege of hearing 9 of these children profess Jesus Christ as their only hope for salvation! Please pray for their Pastor Bill Branks, the congregation at RNBC, as well as the ongoing evangelism efforts of the Harbor House ministry.

Available for Pulpit Supply The following men are available for pulpit supply in our churches. They are both retired, veteran pastors.

Rev. Donn Kittle 2385 1st Ave. NE Owatonna, MN 55060 (507) 451-1895 dkittle@gmail.com

Rev. Lenard Huebscher 12525 75th St. N Stillwater, 55082 (651) 503-9695 lenardhuebscher@aol.com

MBA First Person Report , Josh Stephens, New Prague The Men’s Fall fellowship was held at Camp Friendship in Annandale, Minnesota. The retreat has usually been hosted by different churches within the association, but this year the committee moved the location to Camp Friendship near St. Cloud, MN. The camp is in a beautiful location on the shores of Clearwater Lake and has nicely kept grounds and facilities for retreats such as these.

The facilities provided the opportunity for each group coming from different churches to stay together in one larger cabin instead of being separated into

different locations. This provided great fellowship as our men sat around the living room area of the cabin to pray, discuss the message, and enjoy each other’s company.

Dr. Tom Zempel delivered messages centered on “Christlike Communication in the Home.” The messages encouraged men to be the kind of communicators that would be pleasing to our Lord and bring oneness to our marriages/ families by following the principles outlined in Ephesians 4.

The challenges and fellowship were worth the weekend and in

the words of one of our former MBA state missionaries, “a good time was had by all.”

If you did not get a chance to attend this year’s fellowship, I would encourage you to consider putting t h i s event o n your calen dar for n ext year.

Error The Update erroneously named Pastor Gerald Fisher as elected at the MBA annual meeting. We apologize for the error.

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

Foundations, from page 2

Rev. Gerald Stephens, President 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

Committee in Owatonna.

August 12 – I again had the privilege of attending as an ex-officio member the functioning Planting and Watering Committee of the MBA, chaired by Pastor Doug Roman.

Our meeting was held in the facilities of the 4th Baptist

Church, Plymouth. Great progress was achieved in revamping our Planting and Watering program for our Association.

August 29 – At the invitation of the deacons at Coon Rapids Baptist, I supplied the pulpit for the morning service

and Sunday School. Upon his retirement, Pastor Peterson (Sharon) had concluded his ministry the day before, and was moved to Lake Crystal by church members and members of the Peterson’s families.

If I can be of help or service to you, please contact me.

(763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com MBA Office

Outside the Goal Posts, from page 1

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

decoy to keep the defense off guard. Then, a series of short passes were completed, all to the sidelines. The coach merely reminded the team, "Guys, this may be the last play of the game. It is all up to you to make it happen." The quarterback took the snap and ran laterally, then delivered a quick drop-pass over the line. Yes! A score! An extra point and victory was claimed! Remember, it

was both the plan and the team's execution of the plays that brought them there. Good job, coach!

Pastors and churches all around us had very busy summer programs with VBS, camps, church sing times, fair booths, and other ministries. But what can be done in the fall months ahead?

What is being planned? Do you have a Bible Conference com-

ing, a missionary or Harvest Festival? What literature drops can be made, home studies begun, contact made with new residents, outreach to that minority sector near you? What are you really praying God will do - bless or use your group involvement? Will it be some athletic outreach? Are you considering His plan? Are you ready to serve the Lord OUTSIDE THE GOAL POSTS?