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Official newsletter of the Minnesota Baptist Association- August 5, 2010
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the state of Minnesota. The
MBA adopted the new program
under the old name, Planting and
Watering. The Planting and
Watering committee, a commit-
tee of the Board of Trustees, was
named by President Stephens
and ratified by the full board.
They are: Rev. Doug Roman
(chair), Rev. Loren Bjokne, Rev.
Daniel Lowe, Rev. Richard Jen-
sen, Rev. Steve Brower, Rev.
Matt Morrell, and Rev. David
White.
In addition to conducting
the business of the Association,
the messengers also elected the
new class of the Board of Trus-
tees for Pillsbury Baptist Bible
College. The PBBC Board class
of 2013: Rev. Marlon Mielke,
Rev. Steve Brower, Rev. Loren
Bjokne, Brother Jim Gunderson,
Rev. Matthew Olmstead, and
Brother Brian Veth. The board
met and elected their officers:
Dr. Robert Fuller, Jr., Chairman;
Rev. Gerald Stephens, Vice
Chairman; Rev. Marlon Mielke,
Secretary; and Brother Jim Gun-
derson, Treasurer.
The churches of the Minne-
sota Baptist Association met
together through their messen-
gers at Coon Rapids Baptist
Church, Coon Rapids, MN, June
25-26, 2010. The main speaker
for the event was John Hartog,
III. Dr. Hartog is pastor of Faith
Baptist Church in Cambridge,
IA, and provost of Faith Baptist
Theological Seminary in An-
keny, IA. Brother Hartog’s chal-
lenges to the assembled messen-
gers were taken from the second
letter of the Apostle Paul to the
believers in Corinth. All of these
messages are available for lis-
tening or download on the MBA
website, www.mbaoc.org.
One of the purposes of the
annual meeting is to elect those
who will represent the MBA
throughout the next year, and
years to come. The officers of
the Association will be the same
as last year: Rev. Gerald
Stephens, President; Rev. Rich-
ard Jensen, Vice President; Rev.
David Rogers, Secretary; and
Mr. Brian Veth, Treasurer. Rev.
Robert Fuller, Sr. is the Interim
State Missionary.
The following were elected
to serve on the 2010 Class of the
Board of Trustees of the Asso-
ciation: Pastor Gerald Fisher,
Pastor Joe Haynes, Pastor David
Grotzke, Pastor Matt Morrell,
Pastor Bart Goetz, Pastor Larry
Smetak, Mr. Dave Van Loh,
Pastor Dave White.
This year a new push has
begun for planting churches in
2010 MBA Annual Meeting Report
A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
August 9, 2010 Volume IV, Issue 5
North Star Update
Calendar
September 17-18: MBA
State Men’s Fellow-
ship, Camp Friendship
in Annandale.
September 17 or 18: MBA
Executive Committee
and Board of Trustees
Meeting. Time to be
announced.
June 24-25, 2011: MBA
Annual Meeting at
First Baptist Church,
St. Francis, MN.
Fellowship Foundations 2
Williamson Ordination 2
Ladies Scholarship 2
Lakeview Baptist Build-
ing Dedication 3
MBA Ladies Retreat 3
First, Adrian in Parade 3
Inside This Issue:
What is nicer then spring
and summer in wonderful Min-
nesota? We think we have the
best here in our State. If you
don’t agree, please do not an-
swer my opening question!
June began with some
great opportunities to represent
our State Association, and we
list them as follows.
June 6 – We journeyed
north to Grace Baptist, Vir-
ginia, Pastor Todd Williamson,
for the Sunday School and
Morning Services. Pastor Todd
is having a great ministry there.
He allowed me some time to
give an update on the Associa-
tion work.
That afternoon we trav-
elled north to Lakeview Baptist
in Orr for their 4 p.m. new
building Dedication Service. It
was a blessing to see around
200 friends and members in
attendance. Pastor Jim Rocken-
sock (Melba) invited the pastors
there to the front of the audito-
rium where he requested that I
lead in the Dedication Prayer.
They have a wonderful new
facility with a parking area
where the original building
stood. The congregation sup-
plied refreshments after the
service.
June 13 – I was invited to
supply the pulpit for Sunday
School and Morning Service at
Pengilly, Calvary Baptist. Pas-
tor Bart Goetz (Carol) were
away for the funeral of his
mother. Although the reason for
our being there was not a happy
one, we enjoyed the fellowship
of our great friends there, and
their Baptist “Buffet”!
June 22 – I attended a
meeting of the Church Planting
Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. MBA Interim State Missionary
Page 2 North Star Update
Grace Baptist, Virginia Ordains
Pastor Williamson
tion service began about 2:30
P.M. Pastor Todd Williamson's
mother sang a solo, and then
Pastor Gerald Stephens brought
the charge to the congregation
from 2 Corinthians chapter 8.
Pastor Bart W. Goetz brought
the challenge to Pastor Wil-
liamson from 2 Timothy. Af-
terward the pastors from around
the state and deacons of Grace
Baptist Church laid hands upon
Pastor Williamson in praise and
joyful worship of prayer invok-
ing God’s blessing upon him.
Grace Baptist Church
wants to extend its heartfelt
thanks to all those who partici-
pated and joined in the ordina-
tion.
Grace Baptist Church
called an ordination council for
the ordination of Pastor Todd
Williamson.
On July 10th ten Baptist
Pastors from around the state
met in order to grill Pastor Wil-
liamson concerning his doc-
trinal beliefs. He was bom-
barded with a steady stream of
questions for three hours.
Around 12:40 p.m. Grace Bap-
tist Church and their visitors
went to lunch while the Ordina-
tion Council went to prayer to
seek God’s guidance and wis-
dom. The council voted unani-
mously to advise Grace Baptist
Church to proceed with the
ordination of Pastor Todd Wil-
liamson. Then the council went
to lunch. While a delicious
dinner of turkey, stuffing,
mashed potatoes and gravy was
served to the pastors, Grace
Baptist Church convened a
business meeting and voted to
ordain Pastor Todd Williamson.
After all had eaten and
enjoyed a time of fellowship,
Grace Baptist Church's ordina-
Continued on page 4
On Sunday, June 6 an
overflow assembly of about 160
met at Lakeview Baptist
Church in Orr, MN for the dedi-
cation service of the church’s
new building. People from Orr,
Ray, Gilbert, Virginia, and
across Minnesota were present
to witness what God was doing
through the people in Orr.
Starting at 4 pm, Pastor
Jim Rockensock began the
service with prayer. The
“Faithful Men” quartet from
north of the Twin Cities pro-
vided an enjoyable concert of
Bible-centered songs, humor,
and encouragement. The con-
cert was well received and all
present were built up by the
group’s ministry.
The dedication message
was delivered by Pastor Derek
Claypool of Faith Baptist
Church, Bemidji. The message
challenged each one to see their
life and relationships as links in
a chain to accomplish the
Lord’s work.
During the service Pastor
Rockensock acknowledged the
help and resources made avail-
able for the construction of the
new facility.
Just prior to the conclusion
of the service, ten pastors came
forward, led by Rev. Robert
Fuller, Sr., the MBA Interim
State Missionary, thanksgiving
was given for God’s many
blessings upon the church.
Everyone enjoyed a won-
derful time of fellowship and an
excellent meal at the end of the
afternoon.
“To God be the glory;
great things He hath done.”
parade. We also passed out
candy to the children who
waited eagerly along the parade
route. For our secondary goal,
we desired to build a stronger
relationship between our con-
gregation and our town. The
warm reception that we re-
ceived from many of the people
reminded us of the importance
of community involvement.
Blending these two goals
was of the highest importance.
Door to door tract distribution
is not viewed favorably in our
First Baptist Church in
Adrian participated in our
town's parade on July 17th. Our
goal was twofold. First and
foremost, we desired to share
the gospel with people in our
town and gain new contacts
within the community. We were
blessed to learn about a tract
from Kids4Truth that was being
discounted. This ministry gra-
ciously sent our church 1000 of
these tracts for the price of
shipping. We were able to give
out over 300 of them during the
small town but when this same
Lakeview Baptist, Orr Dedicates New Building
First Baptist Adrian in Local Parade
MBA State Ladies Retreat Final
“Through the Roof,” learning
from the early ministry of Je-
sus; “Under the Palace Roof,”
living under pressure and tough
circumstances; and “Above the
Roof,” viewing life from a
heavenly perspective. There
were five workshops where the
leaders taught us how to study
the Bible, how to help our
spouses, how to help our
friends, how to help in our
churches, and how to teach our
children to love Jesus.
The “Grace Baptist Crew”
graciously served our snacks
and lunch. There were times
where we laughed and times
where we cried. Most of all, the
Ladies Retreat was a time to
focus on God and what He
alone can do for us as ladies
who desire to serve Him.
Plans are underway for
next year’s retreat which will be
held at Camp Friendship in
Annandale, Minnesota. You
won’t want to miss it.
There were 230 ladies who
gathered on March 19-20, at
Grace Baptist Church in Owa-
tonna, for the MBA Ladies
Retreat. It was a wonderful time
of fellowship and spiritual re-
freshment as we opened God’s
Word and considered the im-
portance of being the kind of
friend God would have us be to
reach the unsaved and encour-
age our sisters in Christ.
Mrs. Colene Price was the
keynote speaker. She shared
things with us that were
Page 3 Volume IV, Issue 5
Continued on page 4
Ladies Scholar-
ship Program
Coming!
The MBA ladies have
instituted a college scholar-
ship program for young
women of MBA churches.
The application is available
on the MBA website.
ing for all needs in their very
attractive facilities.
As we entered into July,
my visits to churches were
interrupted somewhat by our
family reunion in Indiana.
July 8 – While in the Indi-
anapolis area, some of our great
friends in Eagledale arranged a
reception supper for us. About
25 of our dear friends from the
60’s came to greet us. I was
privileged to share what God
had done in our lives, and is
doing now as we serve the
churches of the MBA.
July 18 – We took occa-
sion to visit Grace Baptist, Still-
water, Pastor Shad Vork
(Elizabeth), for the Sunday
School and Morning Service. I
Committee of the MBA at 4th
Baptist, Plymouth, chaired by
Pastor Doug Roman. They have
done an exemplary job for our
Association in putting together
a challenging plan for Church
Planting in our State.
This they presented to the
MBA Annual Meeting on the
25th and 26th.
June 25,26 – My wife and
I attended the 151st Annual
Meeting of our State Associa-
tion, hosted at Coon Rapids,
Pastor Will Peterson (Sharon).
The meetings, (Executive Com-
mittee, Full Board, and the
Annual Meeting of the messen-
gers) were very forward look-
ing. The folks at Coon Rapids
did a wonderful job in provid-
was introduced as the Interim
Missionary, and called upon to
give the closing prayer. Again,
it was a delightful visit with
that thriving church.
July 31 – I participated as
the Interim State Missionary in
the Ordination Council for Pas-
tor Steve Brower (Heather) at
First Baptist, St. Francis. Pastor
Brower did an excellent Doc-
trinal Presentation, and the
Council voted unanimously to
recommend that the church
proceed with the Ordination.
So we enter August. If I
can be of service or help to you
or your church, please contact
me.
Fellowship Foundations, continued from page 2
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
Interim State Missionary
Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr.
1549 118th Lane NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
(763) 568-4078
MBA Office
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:
North Star Update Editor
315 S. Payne St.
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 354-3323
Adrian Parade, continued from page 3
activity was combined with a
community project, the people
regularly thanked us for the
material and promptly began
reading it. As a pastor, I am
thankful for the special effort
that many of our members ex-
pended in purchasing candy and
Bible tracts, stamping them
with our church name, and
handing them out in our town
parade. We are planning to
continue our mass-evangelism
outreach over the coming
month in two of the county fairs
that are in our area. We would
covet your prayers.
