North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue:
Volume VI, Issue 5
Fellowship Foundations
2
MBA Men’s Retreat, First-Person
2
Faces of Anger
Prophecy Conference
3
New Pastor at Coon Rapids
3
The Bible speaks of righteous anger and sinful anger. Only a very small percentage of our anger is righteous. We tend to minimize and label our sinful anger as hurt, irritation, impatience, resentment, frustration, or exasperation, while we may easily recognize the evils of bitterness, rage or violence. Anger is more than a feeling or an internal disruption. It is an active response that involves our emotions, desires, perceptions, motives and beliefs. Anger has many "faces" with a wide spectrum of internal and outward responses.
Calendar October 19: MBA Executive Committee at Cornerstone Baptist in Willmar. 3 p.m. October 20: Fall Twin Cities Ladies Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. January 21: MBA Trustees meetings: 12:00 p.m. Executive Committee; 3:00 p.m. Full Board
Sue is disappointed by a friend whom she is now avoiding, "I'm not angry, I'm just hurt".
Tom's co-worker is lazy, leaving work undone for Tom to finish. "I am really frustrated, but I don't know what to do about it."
Joe comes home to a living
October 17, 2012
room full of unfolded laundry and toys and in exasperation, he tells his wife, "I worked hard today, and I come home to this! The house is a mess! What did you do all day?"
Mary's husband is a good provider, but watches sports all evening and becomes upset if he is interrupted, "can't a man even relax in his own home?" Mary retreats to the bedroom, "he doesn't care about me, I wish I had a husband who.........." Sam swears under his breath at the crazy driver in front of him. These are common situations, upsetting themes that we tend to share with one another. But, are we equipped to help our friend, co-worker, sister or brother to process their anger and handle the challenges biblically? Are you prepared to help others? Ask yourself, "How am I doing? Is it my personal goal to become more like Christ? Do I interpret my difficulties through the lens of who God is and who
This is the first of three parts of an article from the newsletter Urban Initiative Biblical Counseling. The Initiative is a ministry of Family Baptist Church of Minneapolis. This articles is from the AprilJune 2012 issue of the newsletter. Anyone wishing to be placed on their email list may contact them at jwhime@aol.com. Phone: h: 612522-1854 c: 612-281-9932. The counselors in this ministry are Jerry and Karen Hime, and Jim and Peggy Murschel. Back issues of the newsletter m a y b e found at : www.familybaptistchurch.org.
I am?" We speak and sing the phrase, "by His grace and for His glory". In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul reminds us of this truth: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by
Harvest Baptist, Redwood Falls, Soccer Camp A youth mission team from Liberty Baptist Church of Eden Prairie came to Redwood Falls to put on a mini soccer camp for Harvest Baptist Church, August 9-11. The thirteen teen coaches and their leaders, Pastor Seth and Crystal Grotzke, taught basic soccer skills, ran drills and scrimmages as well as presented the gospel through Bible les-
sons. Parents were encouraged to stay and watch allowing members of the church to build bridges with new families. “The team was a real boost to our minisContinued on page 3
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Recently I overheard someone say, “Where did the days of September go?” The summer of 2012 is behind us, and we might like to have a few more days to prepare for the winter ahead. It should remind us of Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” My opportunities to serve and, as much as possible, to keep in touch with our churches since the last UPDATE included the following
opportunities. September 2 – At the gracious invitation of Pastor Bart Goetz (Carol), First Baptist, Pengilly, I reported on the MBA, and also taught the Sunday School hour and preached in the morning service. A time of fellowship at their “Baptist Buffet” was certainly a blessing. We have many friends at Pengilly, and always come away with a strawberry-rhubarb pie for later enjoyment. September 9 – My wife
J. Fuller, Sr., State Missionary
and I visited the services at First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, Pastor Joe Haynes (Cathy). We were able to reacquaint ourselves with their guest speaker, Rev. Roger Cooper, recently retired from the church in Fruita, CO. Rev. Cooper’s mother is a member of the church at Spring Valley. Bro. Cooper worked with us as the church in Waseca, MN was being established. September 23 – We journeyed to Marshall, First Bap-
tist, Pastor Greg Linscott (Jennifer) to fellowship with the good folks there. Pastor allowed me the time to report on the ministry of the MBA, even though he had a full and wonderful program. We had lunch with Pastor’s family and another family, and were very blessed with our visit there. For the evening of September 23, after traveling back to New Ulm for some Continued page 4
MBA Men’s Fellowship—First Person By: Justin I had the opportunity this September to attend the MBA Men's Fellowship at Camp Friendship in Annandale, MN for the first time. I've heard good things about the Women's retreat from my wife, Bekka, but I wasn't sure what to expect fro m the Men's get together. My expectations, however, were exceeded. The fellowship was great. The food was fantastic. The lodging was fun. The scenery was refreshing. But most importantly, the Word was challenging. This year Dave Doran, President of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, shared the Word with us. In three different sessions, from the book of Proverbs, he shared the importance of the fear of
the Lord, reminded us to be the husbands we ought to be, and emphasized the hypocrisy of talking the talk and not walking the walk in our Christian walk and service. I plan on attending next year’s Men's Fellowship. The time there is short, but it rejuvenated and refreshed my relationship with God. One thing that I certainly took home with me was the challenge of prioritizing my time with my local Church. The things that prevent me from being in the fellowship should be very few. I would like to encourage men throughout the MBA to join us next year. I can assure you, it is worth your time.
Nelson, First Baptist, New Ulm
Volume VI, Issue 5
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Prophecy Conference at First Baptist, Baxter First Baptist Church, Brainerd, was able to hold a Prophecy Conference the end of July. The church leadership was hesitant to hold special meetings during the summer, but we saw God bless with learning and attendance. Aaron Braaten, International Board of Jewish Missions & USA Director of Project Nehemiah, coordinated the meetings. The special speakers were very insightful and challenging in their presentations. Aaron Braaten spoke on the Feasts and the coordination to
today’s events. Tim Munger, Friends of Israel, was the keynote speaker and spoke on Israel, Iran, the New World Order and Future Shock. Tom Ebert spoke on The Final Conflict: How it all ends in Armageddon and Mark Oshman, International Board of Jewish Missions , spoke on Israel in the Latter Days; The Savior’s View from Olivet. Everyone attending the morning workshops and the evening sessions all said they learned so much and were even more excited for Christ’s
return and His plan for believers. The overall challenge was to always review “prophecy” that it lines up with the grid of the Bible and the teachings there.
Coon Rapids Calls New Pastor The Coon Rapids Baptist Church is rejoicing in the call and acceptance of Pastor Nathan Huston as its Senior Pastor. Pastor Huston had the privilege of being born into a Christian home. At the age of four, he trusted Christ as his personal Savior, and his own relationship with the Lord began. From an early age, he enjoyed preaching and publically surrendered to God’s call during his high school years. He prepared for pas-
toral ministry at Ambassador Baptist College, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Nathan married his wife Marijoice in 2002. They had known each other since sixth grade – going to school and church and, eventually, even college together. Marijoice earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred music. God has Continued page 4
Anger, continued from page 1 the Spirit of the Lord." Do we respond out of this noble calling when we interact with friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors who may irritate us? When a fellow believer demonstrates a pattern of anger, do we seek to help out of compassion and a desire to help him or her to become more like Christ? We all have opportuni-
ties for eternally significant interactions in the routines of daily life. Our one-another ministry must impact real life issues in the course of everyday life, not just in the counseling room. Creative and compassionate discipleship ministry occurs anywhere and everywhere.
Redwood Falls, from page 1 tries,” explained Harvest Baptist Pastor Dwight DePenning. “We do not have personnel to put on such a program ourselves but the team allowed us to reach out to our community in a noticeable way. While the number of campers reached may not seem great to some churches, when we generally have three kids in
our Sunday school, having 17 at camp was a great success percentage-wise.” “Having Seth and Crystal volunteer to come and help us was also special, as they were former students of mine at Pillsbury,” added DePenning. “Investing in good people pays good dividends.”
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 rest, we drove to Calvary Baptist, St. Peter, Pastor Dave Johnson (Leah). We were asked to give a report on the MBA, and then to preach in the evening message. We enjoyed seeing old friends. Pastor Johnson’s wife is in a care facility in
Watertown, WI. Pray for them and for the church outreach in St. Peter. October 2 – I attended a great meeting of the Planting and Watering New Church Committee, chaired by Pastor Doug Roman. Much was ac-
Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com
Coon Rapids Calls Pastor, from page 3
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
blessed them with five energetic children – Titus, Silas, Amos, Lois, and Moses. From 2003 until 2012, Pastor Huston served in north central Pennsylvania as an assistant/youth pastor. God richly blessed in the spiritual growth of young lives, increasing the youth ministry, and greatly maturing him in his own ministry. Pastor Huston is eager to see people love the Lord with all of their hearts and serve Him
with all of their lives. He desires to see God fulfill His promise in Ephesians 3:20 – to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think – in Coon Rapids Baptist Church. We wish to thank the churches of the MBA that have faithfully prayed for us during the time we were without a pastor.
complished in preparation to report to the MBA Board Executive Committee at its meeting in January at Community Baptist Church in New Prague. If I can be of service to you or your church, please contact me.