North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue:
Volume III, Issue 8
November 2009
Fellowship Foundations
2
To God Be The Glory! Spring Valley Dedicates New Building
Bolles Ministry
2
Nantkes Volunteer
2
Parent-Teen Conference
3
Missions at Stillwater
3
FBC Brainerd
3
“To God Be the Glory” was the theme for First Baptist Church of Spring Valley as an Open House/Dedication Service was held on Saturday, November 7th. Many community members, friends, and pastors of fellowshipping churches were present to celebrate the occasion with the church family. Lyman Richter, chairman of the building committee, recalled the process of God’s leading and provision in the new facility, recognizing the builders present at the service. The mayor of Spring Valley, along with other city government officials were recognized and thanked for their part in assisting
the church in obtaining a new building. Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr., represented the MBA and congratulated the church on their new facility. Curly Werth, pastor of First Baptist Church in Stewartville, was the special speaker for the day. Having grown up in First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, and benefiting from its solid teaching and preaching, Pastor Werth encouraged the church to continue on in steadfastness of teaching and preaching the Word of God. The theme continued on in a pictorial presentation of the building of the church. Pastor Joe Haynes concluded the service with a prayer of dedication for the congrega-
tion to remain faithful in their service to God. On Sunday, the celebration continued as the church observed its annual Harvest Service. Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. presented a challenge to the church and its leadership to e s t ab li s h th e ms e l v e s o n “wisdom”, “understanding”, and “knowledge” from Proverbs 24:3,4. Stewardship was the topic of Pastor Haynes’ challenge as he encouraged the congregation to have corporate stewardship as well as individual stewardship. Following the morning service, everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Pastor Curly Werth First Baptist, Stewartville
Rev. Robert Fuller Interim State Missionary, MBA
Pastor Joe Haynes First Baptist, Spring Valley
Calendar January 11: 10 a.m., MBA Executive Committee; 1 p.m., Full Board April 19-20: MBA Pastors & Wives Fellowship in New Ulm June 25-26: MBA Annual Meeting, Coon Rapids
Fall Blessings in Redwood Falls Our late summer and fall activities have included the following events. Liberty Baptist of Eden Prairie sent a youth missions team to minister with children in the parks. Seth Grotzke and 10 youth did over an hour of visitation and then held a rally
with our youth. After an overnight stay they spent most of Saturday doing two more rallies. What we really liked was the counsel time, one on one, with our kids. It was a thrill to see these sessions presenting the Gospel in discussion and question times, to guide youth
to make decisions. About 35 attended and a few parents looked on. On September 13 we were able to enjoy a day of music. Dave Wagner of Pillager Continued on page 4
Page 2
North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Since the last North Star Update, (October 1, 2009), we have all been busy with ministerial duties, and the onset of the fall months has not seen a real let-up. In this report I will pick up from the previous issue with what the Lord has enabled us to do. September 24-28: We were privileged to visit our grandson, Chris Haynes, his wife Emily, and daughter Abby in Kent Washington. Chris is Music Minister at Galilee Baptist Church where we attended while there.
J. Fuller, Sr. Interim State Missionary
October 4: We visited Chisago Lakes Baptist Church, Pastor Kraig Keck (Laura). We enjoyed Sunday School Morning Service, and a gracious introduction as MBA Interim State Missionary by pastor Keck. We enjoyed meeting again with some old friends October 10: I participated in the ordination council for James Anderson (Marisa) to the gospel ministry held at Bible Baptist, Otsego, Pastor Doug Roman (Julie). October 12: I attended, as an ex-officio member, the Pills-
bury Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees meeting. The Meeting was held at Central Seminary. October 14: In the absence of Pastor Will Peterson (Sharon) I had the privilege of conducting the Prayer and Bible time at our home church, Coon Rapids Baptist. October 18: Attended the Sunday School and Morning Service at West River Road Baptist, Pastor Lloyd Lunde (Becky). Pastor Lunde allowed Continued on page 4
Tobe and Sophie Bolles Enter New Ministry Toby and Sophie Bolles embark on a new ministry AT various services throughout the summer, First Baptist Church of Brainerd/Baxter has enjoyed the music ministry of the Bolles. Most of us knew Toby could preach, but it wasn’t until re-
cently that he began to play the guitar for Sophie and then to join her in singing. If you would be interested in having them come to your church for a program, preaching, or special music on a Sunday, call First Baptist Church, Baxter,
at (218) 829-5767. They are going to be scheduling these opportunities beginning April 2010. They have been a blessing to the church her, and they will be a blessing to your church as well.
Nantkes Volunteer at Missionary Acres Grayson and Myra Nantkes, members of Immanuel Baptist of Westbrook, have committed themselves as volunteers at Missionary Acres (MA), a Baptist Mid-Mission retirement community near Silva in southeastern Missouri. They had volunteered several times for work projects on Pillsbury campus, so when those doors closed last December, they wanted another volunteer ministry. Jack Cribbs, a Pillsbury employee who now works for Missionary Acres, encouraged them to visit the more than 100-acre facility. After a survey visit, they were convinced that they had found the place God
had for them to minister. The Nantkes are crop famers, so they plan to live on the grounds of M.A. when there is no field work. “If I’m not busy farming, I want to be down there as much as I can,” said Grayson. “It’s nice not to have livestock.” This fall’s late crop harvest, however, will delay their return to MA. Grayson works in grounds maintenance, building construction, and other places where he
is needed, while Myra helps out wherever she can. Before the Nantkes left in late August to set up their home at MA, Immanuel Baptist held a commissioning service and dedicated them to the Lord’s
Volume III, Issue 8
Page 3
Parent-Teen Conference at First Calvary, January 29-30 Parents and teenagers are invited to come together for the fourth annual Parent-Teen Conference at First Calvary Baptist Church on January 29-30, 2010. The keynote speaker, Mr. Rand Hummel (Assistant Director of The Wilds Christian Camp in Brevard, NC) will be addressing issues surrounding the topic
Living Pure in an Impure World. The conference includes 4 main sessions, 2 workshops, a conference notebook, a continental breakfast, and more. Preregistration is required. For more information, to receive a brochure, or to register for the event, please contact Assistant Pastor, Chris Juvinall at:
First Calvary Baptist Church 5495 South Robert Trail Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55077 651.451.6487 cjuvinall@1stcalvary.com www.1stcalvary.com
Missions at Grace Baptist, Stillwater By: Pastor Grace Baptist Church of Stillwater observed a Missions Emphasis Month in October. One of the missionary couples was David and Susan Mowen. The Mowens shared their burden throughout the day on Sunday, October 11. The church enjoyed good Bible preaching related to Muslim ministry, an informative and practical session on what Muslims believe, insights into how to reach Muslims with the Gospel, and some good interaction with the Mowens over a fellowship meal. The church was introduced to David and Susan on two previous occasions. The first was in early April when the Seniors Ministry met the Mowens in Minneapolis and toured the Somali marketplace. This was a great opportunity to see how this couple is building bridges in the Muslim community. The Mowens make a point to be in the middle of the Somali/Muslim culture in order to establish relationships and open
the door to share Christ. The second occasion was when Susan spoke at the Mother/ Daughter banquet in late April. Those two encounters helped the people to give them a warm reception this past month. One obstacle they face in communicating their ministry to churches is that many churches are not sure what to think about ministry to Muslims. Also, although they are actively sharing the gospel and planting seeds, their work is not directly involved in planting churches. A third obstacle is that churches generally support foreign missions more readily than home missions. Fourth, they are not as young as they used to be, and it seems easier for younger missionaries to rally support. Incidentally, David and Susan have persevered in Muslim ministry for over 30 years. The Mowens are based out of Family Baptist Church in North Minneapolis. They live at The Kittleson Oasis Center, in the midst of a bustling Somali
Shad Vork
community. The Center is a place where Somalis can find practical help (e.g. ESL) and Gospel hope.
Their presentation was very helpful to our church family, especially with the growing Muslim population and the need to reach them. If you would like to contact the Mowens, they can be reached at (612) 807-0928 or TheMowens@OasisCenterMpls .com.
First Baptist Brainerd Needs ... First Baptist Church in Brainerd/Baxter is in need of a couple of things...if anyone has either one and is willing to donate it or sell it cheap...let us know! A fold up lunch table w/ attached seats (for school) A smaller size piano in great condition
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
Fellowship Foundations, continued from page 2
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, St. 1549 118th Lane NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448
me some time to present the work of the Minnesota Baptist Association. November 7 – 8: We were invited to participate in the Dedication Saturday and Sunday of the new auditorium and education wing of First Baptist, Spring Valley, Pastor Joe
Haynes (Cathy). We were excited to see this advancement of the congregation in this excellent new facility. November 11-21: I was with my wife, Rhoda, and caring for her as she underwent surgery for a total replacement of her left shoulder, and result-
ing recovery. She will have a series of therapy sessions to regain the use of her arm. She is progressing as well as can be expected. Thank you for your prayers – then and now. If I can be of any help or service to you or your church, please contact me.
(763) 568-4078 rjfsr4@juno.com MBA Office contact@mbaoc.org Minnesota Baptist Association
Redwood Falls, continued from page 1
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
(Brainerd) and Dwight Weniger of Lakeville came to sing the old hymns, share testimonies and have a time of fellowship. Nearly 40 attended—many from the community. It was great to get reacquainted again. Our fall Bible Conference was with Dan Mielke Oct. 1114. It was a very cold, rainy
time (and snow fell the night before). Dan was a Pillsbury student who came for a time on extension, has since married Christa. The have a baby son, Marcus. We have seen Dan develop into a top notch evangelistic speaker, who is very clear, and shares Bible truth concisely. About 30 were here
on Sunday and 20 visitors came during that week. He took time on two nights to enjoy some fun with our teens. If you need a good youthful voice to minister, he will challenge youth and older saint alike. Our folks enjoyed their duets and fellowship and ministry among us.