North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
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Pastors’ & Wives’ 1st Person
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Pastor Hanson Retires
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Pastor Kittle Interim at GBC Owatonna
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Pastor’s & Wives’ 1st Person
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Family Camp Poster
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Calendar June 24-25: MBA Annual Meeting at First Baptist, St. Francis Friday, 2:00 p.m.: MBA Executive Committee 4:00 p.m.: MBA Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.: Registration 6:30 p.m.: Program Saturday 4:00 p.m.: Home August 11-13, Family Camp sponsored by Lighthouse Baptist in Cottage Grove, MN. September 16-17: State Men’s Fellowship
Please pray for the sale of the Owatonna campus.
Volume V, Issue 3
June 10, 2011
MBA Pastors’ & Wives Fellowship—2011 The consensus of those attending was that this spring’s MBA Pastors’ & Wives’ retreat was a great success. Here is an article from Dave & Cindy Grotzke. Dave is the pastor of the host Church this year, First Baptist Church, Baxter, MN. Two First Person articles are included in this issue.
The MBA Pastors’ and Wives’ Retreat was held April 4th & 5th at First Baptist Church in Baxter. It was an encouraging time of renewing friendships, catching up on families and the various churches in MN. Kevin Zakariasen spoke several times and challenged all of us to consider a short-term missions trip and gave us an update on Africa. In the evening we listened to the beginning session of “Amazing Grace” by Dr. David Jeremiah. A time of group singing, hasty quartets and testimonies completed the time. There was a session of sharing ideas and we were all challenged to see how we could better serve and reach
others for Christ. During break times there were rousing games of gaucho golf, washer golf, ping-pong and air hockey. Kevin Zak and Loren Bjokne are great challengers! The women participated in the games, but also had special things just for them. The kitchen crew provided fabulous meals and treated all of us like royalty. One of the exciting parts was seeing the packed cars of the pastors as they left the Retreat. This was due to the generosity of the women of 1st Baptist who made wonderful gift bags and the church giving boxes of baked goods and food from their food shelf. We thank God for the opportunity to serve and to encourage others. The year 2012 will see us all together in Baxter. Please watch for the date and make plans to attend. The church is already making plans to expand the program to build up those in attendance.
Missionary to South Africa Kevin Zakariasen was the featured speaker.
Family Camp at Lighthouse Baptist in August The people of Lighthouse Baptist Church will be hosting a family camp this summer. It will be held on the church property in Cottage Grove, MN. The dates are August 11 through 13. The camp program begins at 6 pm Thursday evening. Its final assembly will be at 4 pm, Saturday.
Several forms and documents were emailed to the churches of the MBA on March 24. They include a tentative schedule, a collection of photos of the facilities that will host the camp, a promotional flyer, and a registration form. We will include more pictures of the facilities in the next
issue of the Update. For more information contact Lighthouse Baptist Church at 651) 459-6974 or lighthousebc9979 @ usfamily.net.
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations by Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. ISM I am presenting a somewhat shorter report in this issue due to the extension of time for the last. The editor notified me that he has several articles to publish, and therefore intends to “get out” the new issue of Update. I don’t want to be held too highly as a weather prognosticator, but I think at this writing that nice weather has arrived! My report includes – May 1 - Walworth Baptist, Ulen. I was asked by Pastor Ben Carpenter (Kim) to present at the Sunday School hour an
update report on the MBA recent activities, and happenings concerning the sale of Pillsbury College campus. Also, pastor asked me to preach in the A.M. Service. Afterward, Kim had prepared a delicious lunch for Rhoda and I and their family. We were greatly impressed and blessed by the progress of that assembly of the church, and that the facilities have been remodeled with the addition of their new auditorium. Sunday evening we visited the service of Berean Baptist, Detroit Lakes. Pastor Tim Riley
(Kim) allowed me time to report on the MBA, and events regarding Pillsbury College. Rhoda and I experienced great fellowship with the folks there. Following the Service we enjoyed a time of fellowship and food at the home of pastor and Kim. We were privileged to attend Berean at the dedication of their new facility before, and were again blessed with what God gave to them! I might add that we experienced what we trust was the last blizzard for this season on this trip north. Cont. pg. 4
Pastors’ & Wives’ 1st Person Pastor Joe & Cathy Haynes, First Baptist, Spring Valley Relaxation, renewed friendships and revitalizing our ministry was the theme for us at the Pastors’ & Wives’ Retreat hosted by Pastor D a ve a nd C ind y Grotzke and their church family. We so enjoyed the opportunity to escape our daily responsibilities to visit with other pastors &
wives from the state. It is always a blessing to “catch up” on family news and hear of their ministries. Of course, being in Minnesota, food and fellowship always go together, and the crew at First Baptist guaranteed that as we fared sumptuously on delicious food. Through the programming we were challenged in our own ministry to focus on outreach
opportunities in our community. The highlight for us was very likely the singspiration on Monday evening as we gathered in the auditorium sang praises together and rejoiced in God’s goodness … complete with the Baptist Baxter Band! We are eagerly anticipating the relaxation, renewed friendships and revitalization at next year’s retreat. See you there!
Pastor Ron Hanson Announces Retirement After 32 years in the ministry, Pastor Ron Hanson, First Baptist Church, Preston, MN, announced his resignation and plans for retirement to the congregation on Sunday, March 27. Pastor Hanson’s last Sunday will be May 29. The Hansons plan to retire in Madelia where they will be close to two of their four daughters and six of their 13 grandchildren
It was while they were attending Walworth Baptist Church in northern Minnesota, that God called Ron from the classroom (he was a sixth grade teacher in Mahnomen) to the pulpit. After nine years of teaching, he entered Central seminary and graduated with his Master of Divinity degree in 1979. While attending Central, his wife Rachel taught English at Fourth Baptist Christian Day School. After graduation Pastor Hanson accepted a call to Calvary Baptist Church in Sheldon, Iowa. They were there for
nearly four years. God then led the Hansons back to northern Minnesota where he pastored the Berean Baptist Church in Bagley for five years. His last two churches were First Baptist Church of Madelia (11 years) and First Baptist Church of Preston where he has served for the past 12 years. Looking back over his ministry, Pastor Hanson remarked that the advice Sam Telloyan gave him right before going to Sheldon has served him well over the years: Have a tough hide, but a soft heart. “The biggest blessing of my Cont. pg. 4
Volume V, Issue 3
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Pastor Donn Kittle Interim at Grace Baptist, Owatonna
On March 13, Rev. Donn Kittle began serving as the interim pastor at Grace Baptist Church of Owatonna. He served as pastor of the church for 15 years prior to his retirement on January 1, 2007. He and his wife, Shirley, have continued to live in Owatonna since retirement. The church is doing well and progress is being made in the search for a new pastor.
Correction In our last issue of the Update we incorrectly identified the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Faribault. His name is Pastor Dan Mead, not Meet. We apologize to Brother Mead, and to Pastor DePenning, at whose installation Bro. Mead spoke.
Pastor’s & Wives 1st Person, Revived, Refreshed, and Readied Pastor Bart & Carol Goetz, Calvary Baptist, Pengilly It was just another conference or was it? I received another conference letter in the mail. I was thinking I’m tired of conferences that fail in two areas. First, they won’t deal with the issues I’m dealing with as a pastor, nor the issues my wife is dealing with in ministry. Second, neither my wife nor I are asked to contribute our ministry experience and knowledge to meet other’s needs. As I started to throw it away, I sensed, God wanted us to go to
this conference. We arrived with grace waiting for us at every corner. It began with the hotel fit for a king. After settling in we went over to the church and were greeted with free books and a gift bag. As a Pastor I love to read, but these books would meet a need for the summer ministry at our church, and the gift bag contained useful items including a gas card (perfect for our babysitter). Then we were greeted and asked to participate
not just in games, but to share our ministry experience in order to help and encourage others in the ministry. All the messages hit home. The food was excellent, and this was only the first day. Grace continued to flow from our Lord with morning laughs in fellowship while enCont. pg. 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 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
Fellowship Foundations from page 2 May 15 – Sandcreek Baptist, Jordan, Pastor Dan Lowe (Deborah). I was scheduled to participate in the 5th Anniversary Services for that great relatively new congregation. We regretted missing this blessing, but on the Friday before, I
entered our local hospital having some breathing problems. It was discovered that my pulse rate was quite low, and that day my doctor installed a pacemaker to assist my heart. All was very successful, and I went home on Saturday. On behalf of
myself, and the Minnesota Baptist Association I did communicate with the church by e-mail for that great occasion. If I can be of any help or service to you or your church, please contact me.
Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com
Hanson Retirement from page 2
MBA Office contact@mbaoc.org Minnesota Baptist Association PO Box 527 Willmar, MN 56201-0527 Send Contributions to:
ministry was the privilege of preaching God’s Word,” Pastor Hanson added. It is always a temptation for an older pastor to offer ad-
vice to a younger servant of the Lord. So, when asked what he would say to a younger pastor, Ron echoed again the advice given him so many years ago
by Professor Telloyan: Don’t get upset if someone looks at you cross-eyed. Just love the people.
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
State P&W 1st Person, Goetz from page 3 joying a full, hot breakfast at the hotel. When we arrived at the church that morning we were handed boxes to fill up with bread, food, and diapers. Once again another ministry
need met to bring home items for our people. More excellent fellowship and messages came throughout the day. We left refreshed, revived, and ready to face the challenges ahead.
God is good. The next time the MBA Pastors’ and Wives’ Conference flyer comes in the mail, don’t turn grace away - embrace it.