North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
2
Next Town Outreach
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Pastors’ & Wives; 1st Person
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Everyone a Counselor
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Pulpit Supply
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P & W 1st Person
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Flash News
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Calendar June 22-23: MBA Annual Meeting at Community Baptist Church, New Prague. August 9-11: MBA Family Camp at Lighthouse Baptist Church, in Cottage Grove.
Volume VI, Issue 2
April 22, 2012
Did You Know? By: Doug
Roman, Planting & Watering Committee Chairman
Did you know that there are at least five MBA churches that are currently led by the same man who planted the church? Pastor Lenard Huebscher (Pastor Emeritus), Grace Baptist Church, Stillwater. Started October 1976. Grace Baptist was a church plant out of First Baptist, Oakdale. Pastor Loren Bjokne, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Cottage Grove. Started June/ July 1986. Lighthouse Baptist was a church plant out of Faith Baptist, St. Paul. Pastor Lee Ormiston, Family Baptist Church, Minneapolis. Chartered June 22, 1997. Family Baptist was a church plant out of Fourth Baptist, Plymouth.
Pastor Daniel Lowe, Sand Creek Baptist, Jordan. Started May 2006. Sand Creek Baptist was a church plant out of Prior Lake Baptist, Prior Lake. Pastor Doug Roman, Bible Baptist, Otsego. Started October 2006. Bible Baptist was a church plant out of Fourth Baptist, Plymouth. This list reflects a dynamic New Testament syne r g y : churches planting churches. This list also makes me wonder what it might look like in the next year
Rev. Rodney Benson With The Lord Rev. Rodney Benson was called to His Lord this past Tuesday, April 10, 2012. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 14, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Westbrook. Brother Benson served his Lord in many ways, and many places. Whether as a Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Teacher, Music Director,
or while helping churches with Pulpit Supply, he demonstrated a great love for Christ and His Church. He was loved and will be remembered by many. Please pray for his family as they deal with the loss of a father and husband.
or the next five years. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see more churches started in our state? A church planting movement begins with one prayer warrior, several burdens, a group of bold believers, and like-minded churches who unite around the cause of starting churches. When you give to the MBA you are contributing toward church planting (see graph below). As churches and church members, let’s dream big, pray ambitiously, and remember that we serve a great God!
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert What a difference 24 hours makes. As I look out my office window while preparing this Fellowship Report it is Monday, March 26. For the past week we all have enjoyed some unseasonably mild weather. The beautiful weather was continuing at Preston yesterday morning, Sunday, but then it began to change. I was expecting the change we have today. But, better weather is coming again. Since the previous report
in the March 1st UPDATE, the Lord has permitted several opportunities for fellowship and service. February 12: On our way to visit in New Ulm and Mankato, we attended the Sunday school and morning service at Faith Baptist, St. Paul, Pastor Julian Suarez (Kathy). It was a blessing to renew fellowship with the folks at that fine church. March 3: I was invited to attend and give a State Association Report at the Annual
Next Town Outreach for GBC Virginia By: Pastor Grace Baptist Church Virginia would like to enlist the help of the sister churches of the MBA. The help that is needed is to have a group of people from our sister churches to help with reaching the people of the Queen Cities. We would like to invite you to come and assist in the passing out of flyers and making contacts for Grace Baptist. The date of this Next Town Outreach would be
Todd Williamson
May 19. We would be meeting at the church at 10:00 and going out into the city of Mountain Iron to pass out the information about our church. At the close of the day we will be providing a lunch for those that have given of their time to come and assist with this outreach. If you have any question please email me or call and I would be happy to answer any of those questions.
Pastors’ & Wives’ 1st Person By: Sherri Nicholson, Cottage nd
rd
April 2 and 3 First Baptist of Baxter hosted a Pastors and wives event. Pastor & Mrs. Grotzke went out of their way to create an atmosphere of relaxation and reflection. They encouraged all of us to cultivate a deeper marriage relationship. They showered each pastor and his wife with thoughtful gifts. The ladies enjoyed a relaxing massage. Everyone enjoyed the gourmet food. There were the usual casual games and crafts that
Grove
we have come to anticipate from the church in Baxter. The ladies learned to make flowers out of their husband’s retired ties; while the men played through a competitive ping pong tournament. Throughout the retreat Pastors and wives were awarded beautifully crafted birdhouses, and Mrs. Grotzke enjoyed sharing M&M’s at every moment. (I saw her stuffing Mrs. Johnson’s, and Mrs. Bjokne’s purses for their journeys’ home.)
J. Fuller, Sr., State Missionary Report at Calvary Baptist, St. Peter, Pastor Dave Johnson (Leah). Having assisted that congregation from 1996 through 1998 while they waited on the Lord to provide a full-time pastor, it was a blessing to see our friends there once again. You are encouraged to be in prayer for Leah and Bro. Johnson. She is in a health care facility in Wisconsin.
Meeting of the Twin-City Association. The meeting was hosted by Berean Baptist, Brooklyn Center, Pastor Cary Flinck (Nancy). The Association Moderator, Pastor Loren Bjokne (LaVonne) had prepared an exciting and interesting meeting which included a message from prospective church planter, Steven Gilbertson. His vision is a church plant in a suburb of the Twin Cities area. March 18: I visited and gave my State Missionary
Continued on page 4
Pastor’s & Wives’ Wrap-up By: Dave We just finished the MBA Pastors and Wives’ Retreat and now we have lots to muse about, pray about and be grateful for. It is such a rewarding time to spend with others who are in the same life’s calling as you are and understand you. They are
& Cindy Grotzke
willing to rejoice with you, joke with you, cry and pray with you. Our thanks to a wonderful church family who realize that the little pebble of work they do, ripples out to affect the lives of many. We hope that you can join us next year. Watch for the dates!
Volume VI, Issue 2
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Everyone Is A Counselor By: Jerome Do you believe that God has called you to counsel your sisters and brothers in Christ? If you are thinking, "but I'm not a counselor!" please consider the following. According to the Apostle Paul, this ministry to help others to grow and change is God's plan for every Christian. "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another" (Romans 15:14). "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). If you are a parent, spouse, sister, brother or friend you are a counselor. When someone comes to us
Pulpit Supply
with a problem, we say the Bible has answers for life and godliness and that change is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. We want to be encouraging and compassionate, share Scripture and pray with them. But then what? Many Christians feel unprepared or lack confidence to come alongside another who might be struggling in a difficult situation or with a life-dominating sin. We may interpret the heartbreaking events or merely unpleasant inconveniences of life through the lens of the Bible or through our own myopic perspective. Perhaps we ourselves do not know how to accomplish lasting change in the way we think, feel and respond. What does the Bible teach about changing stubborn habits? How do we evaluate or examine our motives? Is it possible we need a
more robust "biblical toolbox" to effectively help others? Desiring to train fellowbelievers to become more effective counselor/mentors, the Biblical Counseling ministry of Family Baptist Church developed a counseling study/discussion group about ten years ago. One of the first participants was our dear friend, Anne Kittleson, who is now in heaven with her Savior. She wrote this in the Urban Initiative Biblical Counseling Newsletter January 2008: “I have been under solid Bible teaching and preaching as a Christian for almost 58 years. Still, the exposition and application of Scripture in the counseling study group have prepared me to understand the truth deeper and more clearly. I am able to be a greater encouragement to others because I learned how to under-
Michael Loomis 907 Sunray Ct. Sartell, MN 56377 (320) 761-5558 (cell) meloomis@q.com Brother Loomis is a graduate of BBC in Springfield, Missouri. He is a member of Granite City Baptist Church, and has been recommended by his pastor, Bro. Dennis Campbell.
stand people better. When difficult situations arise, I find that I am able to be more intentional in the way I think and respond because of the biblical counseling training.” Learn more about counseling study group on church website : fa mil ybapti stchurch.org.
Pastors’ & Wives’ First Person By: Larry
The following have requested addition to the list men available for pulpit supply.
& Karen Hime
We found the Pastors’ & Wives’ Retreat to be the BEST OF THE BEST - great time away to relax, to recharge, to place perspective on real ministry and to be with pastor friends. This year's Pastors’ and Wives’ Retreat was a welcome time out. We came eager to see friends and just chat. We were blessed to see how the Lord was working in sister churches, to pray for one another, to hear of many active church members, and to continue faithful for the Lord. Our looking to share what was best would, of course, just be so thankful for
& Vera Smetak, St. James
the Brainerd Church in hosting all of this. The food by the ladies was excellent, times were held for very timely needed topics, their band and school participation was very good. Time was set for sharing in the marriage session, and later in the ministry sharing opportunities. The church people had many gifts we treasure. As you HONOR God's servants, we pray in return you are honored and blessed in many new ways. So a big THANK YOU from the Smetak's. We were encouraged by the testimony of Max Day and the way God is using him in new
ways. Not many dry eyes, but God keep your hand on him. We have been to many of these. If you think they are not worthwhile, are too far, cost too much etc., stop and count the cost of what you may have missed. It is not a selfish time, even Jesus went away into a mountain - so "Come apart with us, or you may come apart." Join us next year.
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 contact@mbaoc.org Minnesota Baptist Association
Fellowship Foundations from page 2 March 25: It was my privilege to teach Sunday school and preach the in the morning service at First Baptist, Preston, Pastor Geno Pyse (Michelle). Bro. Pyse was away on a family trip and had graciously invited me to supply the pulpit ministry. We greatly appreciate the friendship and enthusiasm of the congregation. Rhoda and I enjoyed a delicious noon meal with Gene and Carol Yenter, and their son, Larry.
April 2,3 – Rhoda and I were privileged to attend the Pastors’ and Wives’ fellowship hosted by First Baptist, Baxter, pastor Dave Grotzke and his wife Cindy. It was almost overwhelming to think of the planning and preparation the great folks at the church did for the comfort and supply of those attending. I am sure that each were challenged and helped as the group of attendees shared blessings, recounted successes
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
Flash News Bible Baptist Church of Otsego, MN will be hosting a Missions Conference May 2021, 2012. Dr. Hantz Bernard of Bibles International will be speaking as well as another missionary family. Contact Pastor Doug Roman if you need more information.
Pastor Doug Roman Bible Baptist Church 15670 90th St. NE Otsego, MN 55330 (763) 241-9856 bible-baptistchurch.org
and failures, and the multitude of emotions that were common to all. The special attendance of Pastor Max Day and his wife recounting the experiences in their lives since his accident in November was a challenge to all. Make plans now to attend the Fellowship next year which is now planned to be at Baxter once again. As always, if I can be of any assistance or help to you or your church, please contact me.