North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
2
2012 Family Camp Info
2
State Ladies Info
3
Calendar March 30: Men for Christ rally at Fourth Baptist Church, Theme: God & Caesar April 2-3: Pastors’ & Wives’ Retreat at First Baptist Church, Baxter, MN. April 18: State Seniors (55 and older) Dinner & Singspiration at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Cottage Grove. 11:30 A.M.; $5. April 20-21: State Ladies Fellowship at Camp Friendship.
Volume VI, Issue 1
March 1, 2012
Is This An Open Door? By: Greg
Linscott
In the October 31, 2011 edition of the NSU, I reported on the opportunity to minister to the S’Gaw Karen believers relocating to Marshall. Since that writing, the Lord has been opening further opportunities to minister to these brothers in Christ. In February, Marshall accepted the first two Karen believers into membership. Ger Kler and Hser Eh are a young, recently married couple whose love for Jesus is evident, as is their commitment to honor and obey Him with their lives. Their ministry experience includes teaching children in Sunday school and singing in choirs. In addition, they have experience in classroom teaching. A young Karen man has also filled a vacant custodial position for the church. Say Thar Htoo, a high school senior, has attended here with his parents since August 2010, and both he
and his family have demonstrated faithfulness in church ministries here in Marshall as they are able. It is good to be able to find ways where we can serve together for the benefit of the local church and the cause of Christ. We are working to involve Karen in the regular worship services of the church. A vocal ensemble sang a Karen translation of “Silent Night” at our recent Christmas Eve service, and a passage from Luke 2 was also read aloud in their language. We are seeking to provide more frequent opportunities for these believers to use their
skills and abilities to exhort other believers and exalt their Savior. As our relationship continues to strengthen, we have asked our friends how we as a local congregation could best help and serve them as they adjust to their new home. One suggestion that came out of this was a desire for further Bible training. A group of pastors from the SW part of the state met in January to talk about what it would take to realize such an opportunity. Out of that meeting, it has been decided that a pilot class will be offered, Continued on page 4
6th Annual Parent-Teen Conference By: Chris What a blessing it was to have Dr. Les Ollila for the 6th annual Parent-Teen Conference this past January at First Calvary Baptist Church (Inver Grove Heights). Dr. O and several area pastors challenged around 200 attendees to "Add to Our Faith" (2 Peter 1). It was a blessing to have ministry teams from Continued on page 3
Juvinal
Page 2
North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Do you remember all the worry and consternation that plagued some in our society when we moved from the 20th to the 21st century? “Computers might not adjust, bank records won’t report inaccurately, and chaos will result!” NOT SO! Everything survived and with little problem. The one stable fact at all times is that God’s plan will always survive. Alarming things come and go, changes happen, but “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” That means simply, ‘KEEP ON
We would love to invite you and your church family to join us for our 2nd annual Family Camp. Last year we had a wonderful time - we hope you can join us this year. If you are interested in a power point that includes photographs from last years event, please contact us. We'd love for you to show your congregation the fun that awaits them! In Christ. Lighthouse Baptist Church 9979 80th Street S Cottage Grove, MN 55016 651-459-6974
J. Fuller, Sr., State Missionary
KEEPING ON!” As I have the privilege of observing, that is my joy regarding you and the churches of the Minnesota Baptist Association. Through the busy holiday season, I yet had opportunities to visit and fellowship with some of our churches. December 18 – At the invitation of Pastor Roger Louks (Sherrie) I was privileged to supply the pulpit at Rockford Baptist as the pastor was called away on a family need. I was not only permitted to preach and teach, but also
report on the MBA and Pillsbury campus sale progress. Our friends at Rockford are always a blessing to Rhoda and me. December 25 – Taking a Sunday for family we visited the New Ulm Fullers. Although we did not get to visit any services, we enjoyed the visit with family. January 1 – Pastor Dave Rogers (Suzanne) took a short vacation and allowed me the opportunity to teach Sunday school and preach the morning Continued on page 4
Volume VI, Issue 1
Page 3
Camp Friendship 10509 108th St., NW Annandale, MN 55302 Send prayer requests by March 30 to: Sarah Stephens office@southviewbaptist.net or call 952.594.5501. Send 2011 reading reports and tally by March 15th to: Bev Snow 22956 St. Francis Blvd. St. Francis, MN 55070 Send all registration forms to: Dana Stephens 300 5th St. SW. New Prague, MN 56071 Registrations postmarked after March 30 will cost an additional $10. Final date to receive registrations is April 13. Check-in: 1:00—2:00 p.m. at DeGross Center and 5:00—5:30 p.m. at the Dining Hall.
Inside Story Headline
Parent-Teen continued from front page This story can fit 75-125 words. Northland, Maranatha, and Bob pictures or JonesSelecting serving with us for the graphics isIfanyou important part of weekend. would like to adding content to yourregarding newsletreceive information ter. year's conference, please next Think about article contact Pastor Chrisyour Juvinall at and ask yourself if the picture cjuvinall@1stcalvary.com. The supports or enhances the mesdate for next year’s conference sage you’re trying to convey. is January 25-26, 2013. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context. Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your
newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols. Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.
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 MBA State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com MBA Office
Fellowship Foundations, from page 2 service at Cornerstone Baptist, Willmar. Pastor Rogers does a great work in the church, and as well, many necessary tasks as Secretary for the MBA. We renewed many friendships at the church. Sundays, January 15 and 29 – I was invited by the deacons of our home church, Coon Rapids Baptist, to supply the pulpit, since our regular Sunday
Pulpit Supply, Dr. Dan Brown, was away. The church is waiting on the Lord to provide pastoral leadership, and requests your continued prayers for that need. If you have recommendations, contact Brian Veth, Chairman of the Pulpit Committee. January 30 – I attended the Meetings of the Executive Committee and Full Board of
Trustees of the MBA hosted by Community Baptist, New Prague. We had great fellowship and cooperation in the Meetings. At this Session, the Executive Committee decided to remove the term (Interim) from the position I am privileged to hold. If I can be of any help or assistance to you or your church, please contact me.
contact@mbaoc.org Minnesota Baptist Association PO Box 527 Willmar, MN 56201-0527
Open Door, from page 1
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
to see if a more rounded Bible Institute program might be viable. The initial offering will be taught by Pastor Dwight DePenning of Redwood Falls, formerly on the Bible faculty at Pillsbury College. Pastor Dwight will teach a class incorporating some basic principles of Bibliology.
Please continue to pray for the work here in Marshall. The obstacles we face are real- not only language and cultural barriers, but ascertaining the differences in doctrinal emphases they have had in their background and training. The political situation in their homeland is such that these people will be
making permanent homes here in the USA. It is our hope that by passing on what we have learned to “faithful men,” we might have a larger impact on establishing a solid foundation for many believers in this ethnic group.