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Official newsletter of the Minnesota Baptist Association- December 31, 2009
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dent, I say, and willing rather to
be absent from the body, and to
be present with the Lord.”
I trust that together we will
be able to continue to spread the
glorious gospel of our Savior
throughout the state of Minne-
sota and that we will encourage
one another as the time contin-
ues to get shorter until the return
of our Savior.
May God’s blessings be
upon you and your Families!
Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a
child is born, unto us a son is
given: and the government shall
be upon his shoulder: and his
name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, the mighty God, the
Everlasting Father, the Prince
of Peace.”
Greetings in the name of
our wonderful Lord, Jesus
Christ. I trust that this Christmas
will bring joy to each and every
one within our Minnesota Bap-
tist family. As I rejoice in the
birth of our wonderful Savior I
know that His presence will give
us strength and will keep us
faithful as we draw near to his
soon return.
I just returned two days ago
from a difficult trip to Florida
where I experienced the home
going of my father. God’s grace
is sufficient for every trial and
His strength is evident as I pre-
pare for the funeral celebration
in a few days. I am resting on
the promises of God’s Word
which clearly declares in 2 Co-
rinthian 5:8 – “We are confi-
Christmas Greeting From: Pastor Gerald Stephens, President, Minnesota Baptist Association
Fellowship Foundations at Year’s End By: Rev. Robert Fuller, Sr. Interim State Missionary
We are rapidly closing out
December, and by virtue of that,
the year 2009. We have looked
for the Lord’s return, but while
we have waited, we all have had
a great year in Him.
Likely this Issue of the
Update will not reach you before
Christmas. Our confidence is in
the fact that you had a joyous
Christmas.
As 2010 approaches we all
should plan a full year to serve
our Lord. We will apply Romans
8:28, and then do our utmost to
make every incident bring Glory
to God! If Jesus should return
before the year concludes, we
will be with Him, and what we
leave behind will be of no con-
A PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
December 31, 2009 Volume III, Issue 9
North Star Update
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
Foundations, continued 2
Information Update 2
Inside This Issue:
Home Going of Mr. Sam Stephens
Mr. Sam Stephens went to
be with his Savior on Thursday,
December 17, while in the hos-
pital in Largo, Florida. He was
saved just one year ago after
living a life with a head knowl-
edge but no heart knowledge of
salvation. He humbly accepted
Jesus as His Savior and began
sharing his new found faith with
his family and friends. He will
be missed by his family and his
many friends at Calvary Baptist
Church in Pengilly, Minnesota.
Continued on page 2
Merry Christmas from the NSU Editor By: Pastor Bob Fuller, Jr.
As editor, I spend my time
putting the Update together. I
don’t often write my own piece
(unless I am writing for First
Baptist, New Ulm). However, I
would like to take this opportu-
nity to thank all the local church
contacts that have submitted
articles for publication. Also,
thanks to those officers and
special contributors who have
written special pieces from time
to time.
I am looking forward to a
great year serving the Lord to-
gether with you.
May you have a Merry
Christmas, and may you find joy
in serving Him in 2010.
in our fellowship - desiring to
know more about Baptist belief
and doctrine. Later in Decem-
ber, we met personally for a
great time of discussion.
For Wednesday, December
2, I was invited to present the
Wednesday evening Bible
Study at Berean Baptist, Brook-
lyn Park. Dr. Cary Flinck
(Nancy) journeyed to South
Dakota to attend a funeral in the
family of one of his members.
Berean Baptist is a dear
neighboring church to us, and
to be there is always a blessing.
I also brought a short update on
the MBA.
Sunday, December 13
found us at our home church,
Coon Rapids Baptist. I was
sequence.
My opportunities to serve
and represent the MBA since
the last report have included the
following:
On Sunday, November 29,
we were at First Baptist, New
Ulm. Dr. Robert Fuller, Jr., and
Jacqueline (Jacque) took the
thanksgiving Season occasion
to visit their son, Rob, and his
wife, Heidi along with their two
boys. Pastor Fuller invited me
to present the MBA, and preach
in the Morning Service as well
as lead the Adult Sunday
School. My wife and I appreci-
ated the opportunity to see
again our many friends there.
Monday, November 30, I
was contacted by a pastor - not
asked by Pastor Will Peterson
(Sharon) to preach and teach for
all Services while he and his
wife were away for 4 days. I
gave a short update on the
MBA, as well.
As for the days ahead, on
December 27 we will be at
Immanuel Baptist, Westbrook,
and on January 3, we will be at
Rockford Baptist, Rockford. A
report on these, and others, will
be in the next Update. One final
note - Rhoda is recovering
nicely from her shoulder re-
placement surgery. Thank you
for your prayers. If I can be of
any service to you or your
church, please contact me.
Fellowship Foundations, continued from page 1
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, St.
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
Data Update for Larry & Vera Smetak Dr. Larry Smetak has accepted the pastorate at Highland Park Baptist in St. James. He and his wife,
Vera, will begin their ministry December 31. They will be moving as the weather allows. Their new
mailing address will be PO Box 245, St. James, MN, 56081-2045. The house phone is (507) 375-4025,
and their cell phone is (507) 640-1531. Their email is [email protected]. We will publish more infor-
mation as it is available.
