North Grand River Baptist Association 1108 N Main

Trenton, MO 64683 Ministry Assistant

Fax: 660.359.0200 Debbie Dickinson

E-Mail: ngrmission@sbcglobal.net

Telephone – 660.359.3897 BSU Interim Director

Web Page– northgrandriverbaptist.com Christina Boatright

North Grand River Baptist Association

The Encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Volume 41, Number 2

February, 2017

“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.”“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.”“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.”“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.” Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18----20202020

North Grand River Baptist Association’s Purpose- “To mutually and prayerfully support, encourage and challenge one another as churches to exalt Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to edify and equip His disciples to serve him and one another, and to evangelize those who have yet to come to know Him personally.” Matthew 28:19-20

Alpha

Edinburg

Gallatin

Galt

Jamesport

Laredo

Lineville

Medicine Valley

Mercer

Modena

Princeton

Ravanna

Rural Dale

Salem

Shelburne

Spickard*

Tenth Street

Trenton First

Union

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February 9 Bobbie Helton 12 Peggy Dennis 20 Ron McPherson 21 Debbie Dickinson 24 Doug Crawford

New at the Bookstore!

“Detours” by Tony Evans

“Summer on Sunset Ridge” By Sharlene MacLaren

“Amish Wanderer” by Laura Hilton

“Smuggling Light” by Esther Chang with Eugene Bach

“Through the Eyes of Hope” by Lacey Bu-chanan with Bethany Jett

“Love is Better Than Wine” by Herbert Lockyer (Learning to love from the Song of Solomon)

“Cosmic Initiative” by Jack R. Taylor

“Unmasking the Accuser” by Kynan Bridges

SPECIAL PURCHASE BIBLES

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KJV Hardcover- $8.50

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NKJV Jesus Calling Devotional Bible Hardcover- $15.00 (SRP- $39.99)

Burgundy Leathersoft- $20.00 (SRP- $69.99)

NIV Devotional Bible- $10.00 Hardcover- (SRP- $34.99)

Executive Board Meeting Rescheduled Monday, February 6- 7:00 pm

Due to very dense fog on January 16th the NGR Executive Board Meeting was re-scheduled to meet on Monday, February 6th, at 7:00 pm. On the agenda: 1. Nominating Committee Recommenda-

tions 2. Permission forms for those attending

Mission trips under the age of 18. 3. Christina Boatright’s Salary

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-

NGR VBS Fair Clinic

Monday, April 3, 2017

6:30 pm

Trenton First Baptist

Church

NGR Director:

Dianna Crawford There will be no Men’s Prayer Breakfast this month. Please continue to pray

about a Brotherhood Director for our association.

Pastors Prayer & Fellowship Time

at Pizza Hut 2nd Monday

of each month

2017 Great Commission Conference

(formerly the MBC Evangelism Conference)

Theme: Transform Where: Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 2210 W Republic Road, Springfield, MO 65807. When: Feb. 23-25, 2017 What: Biblical preaching and teaching, and corporate worship; training / equipping; networking/relationship-building; story sharing; celebration of God’s work among us to make disciples, multiply churches, and develop leaders.

Cost: There is no cost to participate. The registration fee is provided by your faithful giving to Missouri missions through the Cooperative Program.

Church Giving Church Service Times

December 2016 Reports

Monthly Inc.

BSU Inc. SS AM PM Weds.

Alpha $ 176.41 $ 25.00 9:30 10:30 6:30 7:00

Edinburg 10:00 11:00 6:00 7:00

Gallatin $ 571.24 $ 50.00 9:30 10:40 6:00 7:00

Galt 10:00 11:00 6:00 7:00

Jamesport $ 50.00 $ 50.00 9:45 10:45 7:00 7:00

Laredo $ 230.00 $ 50.00 9:30 10:30 6:30 6:00

Lineville $ 154.02 $ 25.00 9:45 10:45 6:00 6:00

M. Valley 9:30 10:30 6:00

Mercer $ 171.10 $ 25.00 9:30 10:30 6:30 6:30

Modena 10:00 10:40 6:00 6:00

Princeton $ 374.03 $ 80.00 9:40 10:40 7:00 6:00

Ravanna $ 277.13 $ 118.77 9:30 10:45

Rural Dale $ 850.24 $ 75.00 9:45 10:45 5:00 6:00

Salem $ 110.44 $ 25.00 10:00 11:00 6:00

Shelburne $ 468.69 $ 75.00 10:00 10:55 6:00 6:30

Spickard $ 25.00 9:30 10:30

Tenth St. $1,793.43 $ 298.91 9:30 10:30 6:00 7:00

Trenton FB $2,785.86 $ 278.59 9:30 10:40 6:00 6:00

Union 10:00 11:00 6:00 6:00

Total $8,037.59 $1,176.27 Join any of these churches in worship

Chilli, FBC $ 45.00

Gilman BC $ 200.00

Milan FBC $ 141.06

Zion $ 50.00 December 2016 NGR Account

Beginning Balance $37,632.42 Income $15,952.55 Total $53,584.97 Expenses $12,358.72 Ending Balance $41,226.25

Line Items in General Checking Designated Funds $18,069.28 General Fund $23,156.97

NGR October—December 2016 (Includes designated funds)

Income $47,349.43 Expenses $34,711.39 Difference $12,638.04

Seminary Checking $144.21 Seminary Savings $2,307.12

Benevolent Savings $784.52

NGR Savings $463.57

BSU– December– Income to Expense Beginning Balance $7,917.43 Income $1,612.33 Total $9,529.76 Expenses $1,479.83 Ending Balance $8,049.93 General BSU Fund $7,796.05 Designated BSU Fund $253.78

It’s hard to believe February is on us already. When we think of February we often think Valentine’s Day, but I think of Groundhog Day. So, when you put the two together you come up with being grounded in love. In the middle of Paul’s sentence in Ephesians 3:14-19 you see in verse 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being

rooted and grounded in love,. 1st of all Paul wants that Christ may dwell in our hearts. According to Webster dwell means “ to live as a resident; to keep the attention di-rected. Jesus said in John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world can-not receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Our Lord and Savior will reside in the ones that abide in Him spiritually just as the He said that He would. He promises to reside in every true believer! So as He dwells in our heart He must also have our attention di-rected toward Him. Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. We cannot conform with the world and be transformed in Him. It all comes on the faith you put in Jesus as you seek for His will be done. As He dwells in your heart and mind then this will put your faith into action. In Mark 10 we have the story of the blind Bartimaeus, 1st of all blind Bartimaeus ask Jesus to heal him. 2nd Jesus ask Him to "Come." 3rd blind Bartimaeus got up and came. 4th he told Jesus that he wanted his sight. And Jesus answered him in verse 52. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. We must be in action and seeking to receive the sights that Jesus wants us to do. Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumci-sion availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love,. It is not the deeds we do or our success’s. Faith in Jesus brings us roots and grounding in the love God has for us. Dwight L. Moody said “Faith makes all things possible... love makes all things easy.” Through this we find the joy and riches of His Glory which strengthens the working of the Holy Spirit not just in ourselves but in our family of God. By knowing this, we can come into the love of Christ and know the fullness of God’s will and purpose in our lives. Let Christ dwell in your heart that you are rooted and grounded in His love. Pastor of Union Coon Creek Baptist Church

Doug Crawford

Each month we will have an article from a pastor in our association on this page during the transition time of our association.

Gallatin- FBC will serve the BSU Luncheon on Wednesday, February 8, Crockpot Pizza, green beans, dessert and fruit is on the menu.. The Outreach Committee will be collecting boxes of

Little Debbie snacks (Valentine ones would be great) to make a basket for the firemen in order to show our appreciation for their hard work. We will be collecting them now through Febru-ary 12. We will be having a Valentine Dinner on Satur-day, February 18 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. To make your reservations, please con-tact: Micah or Whitney Sidebottom Keenagers Y’all come for some great food and fellowship at our noon luncheon on Thursday, February 2nd. We get to have ham and beans since our meeting last month was cancelled and we missed out. Yay! See you there! Men's Bible Study is each Tuesday night at 7 pm. Pioneer Club and JOY Youth meet each Wednesday evening at 5:30 for the evening meal, and have Bible Study from 6 to 7:30 pm. JOY Youth also meets on Sunday evenings at 6 pm

Love Packages Love Packages began in 1975, when a gentle-man by the name of Steven Schmidt had a bur-den about all the Christian literature that could be used by many people around the world. He did some research and began to send out literature. Today there is a large warehouse in Bloomington, Illinois. They sent out 843 tons of literature last year that will reach over 60 million people. David and Belinda Hogan will be taking a mission team there February 27 & 28th and would love to take unused Christian literature, i.e. Bibles, old VBS materials, devotion books, old Sunday School literature, Christian novels, etc. You may contact David or Belinda, Trenton FBC or the association office.

Princeton- We have started a new Adult Bi-ble Study group they meet each Tuesday Night and the attendance keeps growing. A new women's Adult Bible Study has been formed and meets each Thursday at 1 PM at the church. Pastor Abner is doing a Sunday Night Bible Study for this quarter about Prayer. The ladies of the church are doing new mission cal led Sewing Seeds, they sew different items and are sent to the children of A f r i c a , a s p a r t o f l e a r n i n g about Jesus and salvation. They are giving items to local people in our communities as well. Our Team Kids and Youth are back from their breaks f rom schoo l . They meet each Wednesday Night, with a light meal and Bible Study while learning about Jesus. Have a Blessed day with the Lord and rejoice in what he has and is doing for you.

Medicine Valley Community Ministry- We had scheduled a Children’s Christmas pageant for the early portion of the Sunday morning ser-vices on December 18. Services were can-celled here as well as elsewhere that day due to weather conditions and impassable roads.

On the following Sunday, Christmas Day, we used a somewhat abbreviated version of the Christmas pageant with only four children pre-sent due to family Christmas events and sick-nesses. In spite of the problems and handicaps it was still a moving and inspirational event as we celebrated together the coming of the Savior into the world.

Shelburne Baptist has now assumed the role of “Mother Church” to this mission. They have been one of the most ardent supporters of these ministries since our founding, providing regular prayer support, financial assistance, help with building needs, construction of a handicap ac-cess ramp, Vacation Bible School leaders, Advi-sory Council participation and people to assist with the food ministry.

We are ever so grateful for their support and of all others who continue to see the value of these ministries.

While we await the sale of the parsonage at Newtown financial support by additional churches and individuals is greatly needed.

We thank God for all his provision and trust He will, thru his people, continue to meet our every need. We pray his blessing on all who support this “Mission In Your Own Backyard”.

Volunteers Needed!

Medicine Valley Community Ministry needs vol-unteers to help with the preparation and distri-bution of the Food Pantry Ministry

February dates to help with

food distribution at Medicine Valley Community

Ministry February 14th– Prepare Boxes

at Newtown Baptist Chapel– 9 am to noon

February 16th– Food Distribution

February 20, 2017 The Mission Center will be closed

THIS COLD WORLD NEEDSTHIS COLD WORLD NEEDSTHIS COLD WORLD NEEDSTHIS COLD WORLD NEEDS

WARMWARMWARMWARM----HEARTED CHRISTIANSHEARTED CHRISTIANSHEARTED CHRISTIANSHEARTED CHRISTIANS

2017 Missions Celebration and

Annual Meeting

First Baptist Church, Lebanon, MO

April 7-8, 2017

Costs: Early Bird Registration: $30 -Before March 24, 2017

Registration Fee: $40 Friday Only: $25 Saturday Only: $20 Students (Grade 7-College): $10 Saturday “To Go Lunch”: $6/person (turkey/cheese hoagie, chips, apple, cookie, bottled water)

Registrations are transferable, not refundable.

Events Include: Missionary Speakers, Breakout Sessions. WMU Age Level Training, Praise and Worship, On-site Bookstore, Missions Exhibit Hall, Madge Truex Fund Offering, Silent Auction Baskets (Alberta Gilpin Fund)

Free childcare available by reserving a place for your children with Angie Hurd. Contact Angie Hurd at abhurd@swbell.net or call Angie at 314-540-2983.

Hello my fellow laborers, This semester has been fantastic so far with many students coming throughout the week to hear the gospel, and encourage each other for Jesus.

We have many things coming down the pike for this semester including the collegiate portion of the Great Commission Conference. If anyone is interested in helping with a students fee please contact me. We have Spring Break Mission trip in Springfield, Mo, working with Go61 ministry that helps in ending human trafficking I could use some student scholarships; food like cereal, milk, cheese, bread, lunch meats, veggies (canned and fresh). If interested in helping please con-tact me. Also the Canada mission trip if interested in going or donating please call me at 660-635-0089. I thank you for all your support thus far and look forward to all God is doing this semester!

Christina Boatright Interim BSU Director

WMU Focus Week/Valentine’s Day

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Also, let’s remember WMU Focus Week– February 12th-19th in our churches and mis-sion groups. Our Director, Shelly Sims, returns from a missions trip to Haiti on February 4th. We

look forward to hearing about her trip in the near future. (Perhaps our March program.) Ladies, our February 14th program and luncheon will be during WMU Focus Week. It will also be on Valentine’s Day! We will be filling Cups of Appreciation with a Valentine theme for Tax Prepa-ration Businesses. Items needed will be packets of gum, hot chocolate, coffee, tea bags, hard candies, small candy bars and snack bars. We will plan for approximately 25-30 cups. The December 20th program was very interesting with Allan Brock, Director of Missions from Linn-Livingston Association and others sharing about their mission trip to Nicaragua. Our January 17th meeting was few in number, but we were blessed to have Carolyn Houts visit our group. She is planning to visit us at the February program. We discussed the Cups of Appre-ciation Project for February and had a special prayer time for our nation and its leaders. Virginia also led our devotional and time of prayer for our missionaries.

Bev Martin

YOUTH NEWSYOUTH NEWSYOUTH NEWSYOUTH NEWS A few of us met on 1/12/17 to start planning a youth event for the community. Our idea was to have a Christian talent show with cash prizes. I contacted a friend who has done this type of event before. She said Trenton has a talent show planned and another fundraiser in March; which is when we had planned to have ours, so I have stopped organizing this and in need of ideas for an event the first weekend of March. I ask that YOU help bring the community to-gether with the love of Jesus. I also gave out dates for churches to put on their calendar for nation wide events. These are great to play off of because so much has already been done, you just have to join in. - 30 Hour Famine -February 24-25 and April 28 and 29. See you at the Pole- September 27th. Fields of Faith- October 11. Please let me know if you want to get together and plan a group gathering for these events. If our churches are not willing to work together, why would the worldly people want to? Thank you,

Vanessa Hamilton NGR Youth Director

WMU promotes missional living through our organizations:

Mission Friends (girls and boys, birth through kindergarten)

Girls in Action (girls, grades 1–6)

Royal Ambassadors (boys, grades 1–6)

Children in Action (girls and boys, grades 1–6) myMISSION (collegiate and young women)

Acteens (girls, grades 7–12) Women on Mission (women)

Challengers (boys, grades 7–12) Adults on Mission (women and men)

Youth on Mission (girls and boys, grades 7–12)

Focus on WMU 2017

Focus on WMU, February 13–19, is the perfect time to introduce or reintroduce your church mem-bers to what WMU is and how they can get radically involved in God’s mission.

WMU is holistic discipleship. From preschoolers to adults, we provide relevant resources to learn about and pray for missions, as well as opportunities to apply knowledge and passion through giv-ing, serving, and supporting missions.