A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

November 2009 Volume III, Issue 8

North Star Update

Fall Blessings in Redwood Falls

with our youth. After an over-

night stay they spent most of

Saturday doing two more ral-

lies. 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

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

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

Fellowship Foundations 2

Bolles Ministry 2

Nantkes Volunteer 2

Parent-Teen Conference 3

Missions at Stillwater 3

FBC Brainerd 3

Inside This Issue:

tion to remain faithful in their

service to God.

On Sunday, the celebration

continued as the church ob-

served its annual Harvest Ser-

vice. Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr.

presented a challenge to the

church and its leadership to

es tab l i sh themselves on

“wisdom”, “understanding”, and

“knowledge” from Proverbs

24:3,4. Stewardship was the

topic of Pastor Haynes’ chal-

lenge as he encouraged the con-

gregation to have corporate

stewardship as well as individual

stewardship. Following the

morning service, everyone en-

joyed a wonderful meal.

“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, Novem-

ber 7th. Many community mem-

bers, friends, and pastors of

fellowshipping churches were

present to celebrate the occasion

with the church family.

Lyman Richter, chairman

of the building committee, re-

called the process of God’s lead-

ing and provision in the new

facility, recognizing the builders

present at the service. The

mayor of Spring Valley, along

with other city government offi-

cials were recognized and

thanked for their part in assisting

the church in obtaining a new

building. Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr.,

represented the MBA and con-

gratulated the church on their

new facility. Curly Werth, pastor

of First Baptist Church in Stew-

artville, 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 stead-

fastness of teaching and preach-

ing the Word of God. The theme

continued on in a pictorial pres-

entation of the building of the

church. Pastor Joe Haynes con-

cluded the service with a prayer

of dedication for the congrega-

To God Be The Glory! Spring Valley Dedicates New Building

Pastor Curly Werth First Baptist, Stewartville

Pastor Joe Haynes First Baptist, Spring Valley

Rev. Robert Fuller Interim State Missionary, MBA

Continued on page 4

Since the last North Star

Update, (October 1, 2009), we

have all been busy with minis-

terial 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 Bap-

tist Church where we attended

while there.

October 4: We visited

Chisago Lakes Baptist Church,

Pastor Kraig Keck (Laura). We

enjoyed Sunday School Morn-

ing 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

Fellowship Foundations By: Rev. Robert J. Fuller, Sr. Interim State Missionary

Page 2 North Star Update

Continued on page 4

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 farm-

ing, 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, how-

ever, will delay their return to

MA.

Grayson works in grounds

maintenance, building construc-

tion, and other places where he

Grayson and Myra Nant-

kes, members of Immanuel

Baptist of Westbrook, have

committed themselves as volun-

teers at Missionary Acres

(MA), a Baptist Mid-Mission

retirement community near

Silva in southeastern Missouri.

They had volunteered several

times for work projects on Pills-

bury campus, so when those

doors closed last December,

they wanted another volunteer

ministry. Jack Cribbs, a Pills-

bury employee who now works

for Missionary Acres, encour-

aged them to visit the more than

100-acre facility. After a survey

visit, they were convinced that

they had found the place God

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

Nantkes Volunteer at Missionary Acres

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.

Parents and teenagers are

invited to come together for the

fourth annual Parent-Teen Con-

ference 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 address-

ing issues surrounding the topic

Living Pure in an Impure

World. The conference includes

4 main sessions, 2 workshops, a

conference notebook, a conti-

nental breakfast, and more. Pre-

registration 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

Parent-Teen Conference at First Calvary, January 29-30

Missions at Grace Baptist, Stillwater By: Pastor Shad Vork

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 shar-

ing the gospel and planting

seeds, their work is not directly

involved in planting churches.

A third obstacle is that churches

generally support foreign mis-

sions 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

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 fam-

ily, 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

( 6 1 2 ) 8 0 7 - 0 9 2 8 o r

TheMowens@OasisCenterMpls

.com.

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 bur-

den throughout the day on Sun-

day, October 11. The church

enjoyed good Bible preaching

related to Muslim ministry, an

informative and practical ses-

sion on what Muslims believe,

insights into how to reach Mus-

lims 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 commu-

nity. The Mowens make a point

to be in the middle of the So-

mali/Muslim culture in order to

establish relationships and open

Page 3 Volume III, Issue 8

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

Haynes (Cathy). We were ex-

cited to see this advancement of

the congregation in this excel-

lent new facility.

November 11-21: I was

with my wife, Rhoda, and car-

ing for her as she underwent

surgery for a total replacement

of her left shoulder, and result-

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 Sun-

day of the new auditorium and

education wing of First Baptist,

Spring Valley, Pastor Joe

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.

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

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

Redwood Falls, continued from page 1

(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. 11-

14. 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 evan-

gelistic 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 fellow-

ship and ministry among us.