North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
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MBA Annual, 1st Person
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GCBA Students Compete
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Lake Benton Addition
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Redwood Falls Mother & Daughter Tea
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Grace Baptist, Virginia
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Calendar August 11: 10 a.m., PBBC Board at Central Seminary August 30– September 2: Special meetings at Rockford Baptist September 8: 10 a.m. MBA Executive Committee; 1 p.m. Full Board; Meeting at Community Baptist, New Prague.
Volume III, Issue 5
July 7, 2009
Annual Meeting Election Update The MBA annual meeting has come and gone. Those attending were blessed by some great preaching, and wonderful fellowship. It was also a blessing to remember the heritage of the MBA in an historical presentation by Carolyn Van Loh. There will be more said about the meeting in other articles in this and the next issue of the Update. The following were elected to office by the messengers this year. MBA Officers: Gerald Stephens, President, 2012 V. Richard Jensen, VicePresident, 2010 MBA Trustee Class of 2012 Kevin Bauder Mark Fish Doug Roman Steve Brower Cary Flinck Jim Martin Tim Barr
PBBC Trustee Class of 2012 David Rogers Rob Adams Matthew Morrell Ron Gotzman James Snow Gerald Stephens Left to Right: Out-going President, Dr. Julian Suarez; Pastor Reed Owens, Hinckley; Pastor Daniel Lowe, Jordan.
Several new pastors in the state were introduced or announced at the meeting: Andrew Burgraff, Grace Baptist, Owatonna David Johnson, Calvary Baptist, St. Peter Roger Louks, Rockford Baptist, Rockford Reed Owens, Faith Baptist, Hinckley Unable to attend and unannounced at the meeting: Kraig Krek, Chisago Lakes Baptist, Chisago City The messengers also officially welcomed Sand Creek Baptist of Jordan into the fellowship. The pastor at Sand Creek is Daniel Lowe.
Rockford Baptist to Hold Revival Meetings By: Pastor Rockford Baptist Church of Rockford, MN, will be holding revival meetings with Evangelist Bob Bisconti August 30 through September 2. The Monday and Tuesday night meetings will
start at 6:30 PM. Rockford Baptist is located at 8810 Elm Street (Co. Rd. 33) Rockford, MN, phone number (763) 477-5120.
Roger Louks
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Robert
Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr., ISM
June gave us entrance into a wonderful Minnesota Summer. The weather has been conducive to travel, making our visits to churches even more enjoyable. Vacations and side trips, for our church families, will probably take their toll of church attendances, but traveling can bring about a blessing to another congregation as you visit other towns and cities. During June my wife, Rhoda, and I were privileged to attend the following churches or events. June 6 — On Saturday
J. Fuller, Sr. Interim State Missionary, MBA
evening, we met Pastor Todd Williamson, Grace Baptist, Virginia, for fellowship and supper at Hibbing. Thank the Lord for Pastor Todd’s Faithfulness to that Work. June 7 – Calvary Baptist, Pengilly. I was asked to be pulpit supply and update information of our MBA at this great church while Pastor Bart Goetz (Carol) were traveling south. For us it was an introduction to their afternoon meal titled, “BAPTIST BUFFET”. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the folks at this church.
June 14 – Calvary Baptist, Winona. Pastor Adam Burge (Cheryl) invited us to the 70th anniversary of the church. We attended Sunday School and the Morning Service conducted by their evangelist, Dr. Bud Bierman. It was my privilege to give an MBA greeting and report, and to share a portion of God’s Word during the afternoon fellowship meal. As a side privilege to the day, we stopped by First Baptist, Spring Valley, for the eveContinued on page 4
1st Person Report from the Annual Meeting By: Rachel
Dr. Chuck Phelps
As I sat in the 150th Annual Meeting of the MBA, my mind silently took a trip down Memory Lane. It was the summer of 1973, and through the mentoring of Pastor Dan Todd we headed for Koronis and a week that would forever change our lives. As Lutherans, we had never heard preaching like we did that week. It seemed each pastor spoke from the very heart of
God, which shouldn't have been surprising since the messages were based on the Word of God. Pastor Donn Kittle was the evangelist that week, and he literally preached us out of the Lutheran church with messages that both challenged and convicted us. Although there have been many changes in the MBA over the past 36 years, one thing has not changed: my heart was again challenged as I listened to the messages of Dr. Phelps,
Hanson, Preston, MN who spoke from his heart and God's Word. I have been a pastor's wife for 30 years, and I know how vital it is for both my husband and me to be refreshed and reminded of the awesome responsibility that is ours in sharing the gospel with the lost. We weren't disappointed. In this world of rapid changes, it is reassuring to know that the legacy of the MBA has not changed for those who will come after us should the Lord tarry many more years.
Granite City Baptist Academy Students at Convention By: Dennis Campbell, Pastor Granite City Baptist Academy had seven students attend the Accelerated Christian Education International Student Convention May 24-28th at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg MO. There were 2,500 students from almost every state in the USA and 17 foreign counties. Our students did very well with Raymond Lauer taking first in preaching (ages 13-15), Jonathan Moeller taking 3rd in
woodcarving, Emily Moeller taking 3rd in the girls’ 1600meter run, the small instrumental ensemble taking 3rd, Nicholas Lauer taking 5th in the Boys’ 800-meter run, the boys’ relay team taking 5th in the 1600 meter relay, Raymond Lauer taking 5th in the high jump, Jonathan Moeller taking 5th in a brass solo, and Jonathan Moeller taking 6th in preaching, ages 16 & up.
Volume III, Issue 5
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First Baptist, Lake Benton Addition First Baptist Church of Lake Benton dedicated their new addition on July 12th at 2 PM. The Lord has blessed us with this new portion of our church. This attractive addition is 18’ by 90’ and includes a new foyer, entryway, Pastor’s office, a marvelous nursery, new Sunday School room for our Clay Club and junior church and a much needed stor-
age space. We also extended our parking area. Many other areas of the church building have been remodeled. The nursery was the endeavor of two of our ladies who painted the four walls and ceiling in a Noah’s Ark theme. There are at least 60 pairs of animals. Everyone worked hard to see this addition completed.
Redwood Falls Mother & Daughter Tea By: Vera “The Fruit of the Spirit” was the theme for the moms and gals get together at Harvest Baptist Saturday afternoon May 9th. The tables were decorated to emphasize this theme. Cakes with fruit toppings and fancy sandwiches made for a delightful tea. We appreciate all the work our ladies did in decorating, preparing food, and inviting others as 26 attended. The program consisted of special songs and poems. We had fun using the names of
different fruit in songs and games. Our guest speaker, Jacque Fuller (along with her special puppet friend), spoke on the “Fruit of the Spirit.” Her daughter Bekka as well ministered with music. We had good comments from our guests. One young gal said she had never been inside a church before and was excited to come to something like this and bring her baby daughter. Pray for several of our folks with medical needs:
Smetak
Kathy Helmer, Pat Edmonds (recovering from knee surgery), and older shut-ins. Pray for summer youth groups to minister among children here in the parks, salvation decisions and decisions for baptism. Praise the Lord for His daily blessings and stable church finances, and for several new people who have started coming.
Grace Baptist Hosts 3rd Annual Iron Range Good Friday Service By: Pastor Grace Baptist had the privilege this year of being the host church for the Good Friday Service. This is an event that we have been having with some of the churches on the Iron Range to promote fellowship amongst the churches. The theme this year was “The People at the Cross.” We looked at five different people that were at the cross during the crucifixion. We heard messages on Peter, the two thieves, the Centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, and John. The Pastors of the five churches were each given 10-12 minutes to speak on the
person that they had chosen. The Pastors and churches participating were Pastor Bart Goetz (Calvary Baptist Pengilly), Pastor Greg Stevens (First Baptist Hibbing), Pastor Nathan Lobb (Lakeland Baptist Gilbert), and Pastor Jim Rockensock (Lakeview Baptist Orr), and myself. We had 103 people in attendance. It was great to see the auditorium full for the service. If your church is looking for a mission opportunity for your youth group or any other group in your church we are looking for some help with our
Todd Williamson
VBS for the summer. We are looking at the last week of July. If you would be able to help with this opportunity let me know.
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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 Community Baptist Church 500 County Road 37 New Prague, MN 56071 (952) 758-4687 pastor@npcbc.org Interim State Missionary Rev. Robert Fuller, St. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com 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
Fellowship Foundations, continued from page 2 ning. Pastor Joe Haynes (Cathy) and the church were hosting Missionary Roberto Coelho (Patricia), and we were blessed with their report in the Evening Service. June 19 (Friday) – As an ex-officio member, I attended the Meeting of the MBA Finance Committee at the Office of Wayne Newhouse. We appreciate the work these men do in behalf of the MBA. June 22 (Monday) – I attended the meeting of the MBA Full Board of Trustees at 8:00a.m., and then the 150th
Meeting of the Minnesota Baptist Association throughout the day. The Meeting was hosted by Fourth Baptist Church, Pastor Matt Morrell (Kim). As ISM, I presented my Annual Report. In addition to the regular meeting agenda, President Julian Suarez invited the Chairman of the Pillsbury Board of Trustees, Dr. Robert Fuller, Jr., to present a report to the churches concerning the progress at the College. June 28 – First Baptist Church, New Ulm. Pastor Bob
Fuller, Jr. and his wife Jacque were on a short vacation to visit their son and daughter-in-law, Rob and Heidi Fuller, in Kansas. I was asked to supply the pulpit for the morning service and teach the adult Bible study in the pastor’s absence. I also gave a report and update for the MBA. We were hosted to a wonderful lunch at the home of Justin and Bekka Nelson. As always, if I can be of any service to you or you church, please contact me.