North Star Update A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Inside This Issue: Fellowship Foundations
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Foundation Brass Concert
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Friends Over the Years
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MBA Annual Meeting
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Ladies Fellowship Scholarships
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Calendar June 25, 2 pm. MBA Executive Committee meeting
Volume IV, Issue 4
June 4, 2010
Annual Pastors’ & Wives’ Fellowship Several couples met together for the annual Pastors’ & Wives’ Fellowship this past April 19-20. It was held at First
Baptist Church, New Ulm, and welcomed Brother Ross Crowe as special speaker. Thanks to Dave & Cindi Grotzke from
First Baptist Church in Brainerd for these First Person accounts.
First Person: Cindi Grotzke As we drove south, through the awakening of Spring in the farmlands, our minds were turning to the challenge of the Pastors and Wives Retreat. As the special meetings began, our hearts were inspired to keep on where God has put us. In a special meeting of the wives, we were able to discuss and share what has and has not worked for
us. One of the tips was given of having “Be Encouraged” cards available for church members to use to encourage someone. We promptly copied those at our church and they are now available for use. Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the house-
hold of faith.” P & W Retreat allows those in attendance to be encouraged and one of the churches to provide a ministry to often weary workers. Our thanks goes to the church in New Ulm for their generous spirits in providing a restful time for us.
June 25, 4 pm. MBA Full Board meeting June 25-26, MBA Annual Meeting at Coon Rapids Baptist Church August 2-7, MBA Family Camp at Miracle Bible Camp, Woman Lake, Longview, MN
First Person: Dave Grotzke The Pastors and Wives Retreat was just what I needed this year. It began with a three hour road trip with my wife, Cindy. Sometimes just driving out of town can clear the mind and provide freedom from the routine and a fresh look at things. While we traveled we made lists of things we wanted to work on together and made plans for future months. At New Ulm we enjoyed great hospitality from the church family there and fellowship with other pastors. In the break-out
sessions with the men, I was able to get advice, counsel and encouragement for those sensitive situations from others in the ministry. I needed to hear the humorous stories that others shared and pray with other men who face similar struggles in their churches. Evangelist Ross Crowe brought us the loving firmness of God’s Word. His messages were on encouragement to continue to fight the good fight, and a challenge to stretch my study of God’s creation. I left the
meetings determined that nothing is of greater importance to me then to continue to have God’s blessing on my life. Thank you Evangelist Crowe for helping me focus on priorities. So my summary of the retreat can be seen in five words: freedom, fun, fellowship, firmness and focus. Thank you Pastor and Mrs. Fuller for hosting this time for us. I encourage all pastors to attend next year and Minnesota churches to encourage them to do so.
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North Star Update
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Your Interim State Missionary (ISM) has again found our churches happy and busy serving the Lord in their locales. Committees of the MBA have been caring for their responsibilities, and the future holds great promise for the ongoing work of our fellowship. Since the last Update, my privileges have included – April 10th – Saturday. I attended the Southwest Association Meeting held at Cornerstone Baptist, Willmar, Pastor Dave Rogers (Suzanne). I reported on the MBA, and shared a panel time with Dr. Dan Brown, chaired by Pastor Rogers. We enjoyed wonderful
Fuller, Sr. MBA Interim State Missionary
fellowship, and the cooperation exhibited by the churches. April 11th – Sunday. I presented the MBA, and provided pulpit supply at Harvest Baptist, Redwood Falls. Bro. Don Diehl is serving as interim pastor while the church seeks a new pastor. Bro. Don was away for the Sunday. Sadly, as we were about to begin Sunday School, we were advised of the home-going that morning of Bro. Diehl’s mother, who lived in Redwood Falls. After the services, and a carry-in lunch, I met with the church pulpit committee to assist in their search for a pastor. April 14 – Wednesday. As an ex-officio member, I met
with the appointed New Church Committee chaired by Pastor Doug Roman. The meeting was held at the Bible Baptist, Otsego. Pastor Roman (Julie) has a great facility there, and the meeting was very profitable preparing for the MBA Annual Meeting, June 25 and 26. April 19,20 – Monday/ Tuesday. My wife, Rhoda, and I attended the Annual Pastors’ & Wives’ overnight hosted by First Baptist, New Ulm, Pastor Robert Fuller, Jr. (Jacqueline). The guest preacher was Evang. Ross Crowe. The gathering was a great blessing. Continued on page 4
Foundation Brass Concert Tour The editor was afforded the opportunity to attend a concert by the Foundation Brass of Bob Jones University. The specific concert attended was at Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn Park. Several other Twin City churches and schools also hosted concerts by the Foundation Brass during the same concert tour. The concert was marked by exceptional professionalism in their musical performance,
moving arrangements of great hymns, and challenging encouragement of spoken word by the musicians. In every way, the concert was both musically fulfilling and spiritually uplifting. The churches that hosted the Brass for this tour are to be commended for this opportunity. The ensemble was used by the Spirit to encourage many people.
Friends Over The Years By: Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. Monday, May 17th, was the date, and The Outback was the restaurant, for a get-together of four couples who were married students at the same time at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College during the glorious 1960’s. Pictured are Duane and Roberta Clapp, Gil and Pat Seddon, Bob and Rhoda Fuller, and Doug and Marie McLachlan.
Volume IV, Issue 4
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MBA Annual Meetings with Dr. John Hartog, III By: Pastor Will Peterson, Coon Rapids Baptist Church
Coon Rapids Baptist Church is looking forward to having the messengers of the churches as their guests at the MBA Annual Meeting. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 25. Dr. John Hartog III, chief academic officer of Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary, will present his first message at 7:00 p.m.. After the Friday night service, all will gather in the Activity Center for a build-your-ownsundae fellowship. Saturday, June 26, will begin at 9:30 a.m.. Dr. Hartog will preach two more times. There will be business sessions and fellowship times throughout the day. The meetings should be finished at 4:00 p.m.. The $6.00 registration fee will include lunch. Be sure to be at Coon Rapids, June 25-26, 2010.
Ladies Fellowship Scholarships The MBA State Ladies Fellowship awards yearly scholarships to young women attending Christian colleges. Recently the MBA approved guidelines to help in the awarding of those scholarships. The MBA has authorized awarding scholarships to young people
attending three regional colleges or seminaries: Northland International University, Maranatha Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary, and Central Seminary of Minneapolis. Guidelines are being determined regarding the gen-
eral criteria to be met to be eligible for the scholarships for the Ladies Fellowship. Pastors of the churches of the MBA will be receiving a communication from the leadership of the Ladies Fellowship regarding these criteria.
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, 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 May 2nd – Sunday. We attended the a.m. service at First Baptist, Spring Valley, Pastor Joe Haynes (Cathy). Pastor allowed me time to present an update regarding the MBA. In the evening, we journeyed to Otsego to Bible Baptist, where Pastor Roman permitted time for my comments regarding the MBA, The folks at both churches were quite responsive and open to our Minnesota Baptist Association work. May 8th – Saturday. We attended the Graduation Ceremonies at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Joe Haynes, Spring Valley, was
among those receiving graduation degrees. May 13th – Thursday. I attended a morning meeting of the Church Planting Committee again meeting at Otsego. In the evening, we attended the performance of the Foundation Brass Ensemble from Bob Jones University, hosted by Berean Baptist, pastor Cary Flinck (Nancy). Wonderful spiritual entertainment. May 17th – Monday. As reported elsewhere in this Update issue, we enjoyed great fellowship with former Pillsbury College classmates at a luncheon get-together. May 30th – Sunday. In the absence of the pastor of our
home church, Pastor Will Peterson (Sharon), and at his request, I preached in the a.m. service, and conducted the combined Sunday School class. In the evening, at the invitation of Pastor Steve Brower (Heather), we presented an MBA update, and preached the Bible message in the service at First Baptist Church, St. Francis. Once again, we were able to renew with old friends, and meet new ones. That church and pastor are a great blessing. June is shaping up to hold several opportunities. If we can be of help or service to you or your church, please contact me.