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October A Monthly Publication of the Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists 2011

October – Pastor Appreciation Month

Clergy Appreciation Month(CAM) is a special time eachOctober that congregations setaside to honor pastors and theirfamilies for their hard work,commitment and sacrificialdedication. As CAM celebrates its18th year, Focus on the Family israising awareness of the manychallenges today’s pastors face andproviding free resources andcreative ideas to help parishionersrecognize their church leaders.

Today’s busy, fast-paced lifepresents more challenges than everfor pastors and their families.Pastors do more than preach aninspiring sermon on Sundays;behind the scenes pastors alsoserve as marriage therapists,caregivers, mediators, griefcounselors and weddingcoordinators – all while balancingthe needs of their own families andmarriages. These demands havecontributed to an overwhelmingnumber of pastors experiencinga significant stress-related crisis atleast once in their ministry.

CAM helps counter the stress thatso many pastors and their familiesexperience by giving churches anopportunity to honor and celebratetheir pastors. Showing clergygratitude not only boosts theirindividual morale but also helpskeep them effective in theirchurches and communities.

“Clergy Appreciation Monthrecognizes the call of God in thelives of men, women and couplesto full-time Christian service,” saidH.B. London, Jr., vice president ofPastoral Ministries at Focus on theFamily. “It is to call to theattention of the American publicthe contribution their spiritualleaders make in our society. Ourworld would be a much darkerplace if it were not for theirfaithfulness and Christ likeexample.”

If you would like to learn moreabout Clergy Appreciation Monthor download a free planning guidefor honoring your pastor and theirfamily in October, visithttp://www.parsonage.org/cam/index.cfm.

The following is taken from theGeorgia Promotional Bulletin andsubmitted by a Georgia Free WillBaptist pastor:

A little history of how such amonth came into practice: In theAugust 1981 issue of Contactmagazine [at that time the officialmagazine of the NationalAssociation of Free Will Baptists],the idea was given of a day tohonor the pastor. The suggesteddate was the second Sunday inSeptember. In 1993, Focus on theFamily began to endorse a day tohonor the pastors.

Churches may want to dosomething to honor their pastor,but are not sure of what to do.Here are a few suggestions thatmight get those creative juicesflowing: Set aside a day to honoryour pastor sometime during themonth of October. Take up a special loveoffering. Have several families signUp to take the pastor and hisfamily out for lunch on the

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Sunday’s during the appreciationmonth, or at other times during themonth. Provide lunch for the pastorat the church on the Sunday youobserve the day. Most churches know thevarious things that interest theirpastor. It might be golf, hunting,fishing, etc. Purchase somethingfor him in the hobby he enjoys. Maybe your pastor needs anew suit. Purchase a set of tires orseveral gas cards. Have different people to sendcards or gift certificates during themonth. Give him an extra week ofvacation. Give him a gift certificate to aBookstore, or golf course, or forhunting/fishing equipment, etc. Give him a few days at yourtime-share or resort home. Set up a leafless tree that canbe decorated with a variety ofsmall gifts for your pastor’sfamily. Send the pastor and his wife toa Bed and Breakfast for a coupleof nights.The Key: To have a successfulPastor Appreciation Day, have akey person in charge of taking careof some of these arrangements.This time of appreciation willcertainly make a big difference inthe life and ministry of yourpastor.

Thank you in advance for whatyou will do for your pastor duringPastor Appreciation Month. Pleaseshare with The Menorah what youdid for your pastor’s family duringthe month of October.

Welcome!

I would like to announce that ourchurch (Trinity Praise & Worship)voted on Sept. 25, 2011 to change

to Free Will Baptist. Our newname is “Midtown Free WillBaptist Church”. We are anindependent Free Will BaptistChurch for the present time. Ourlocation is 10700 Monroe St.Taylor, Michigan 48180. Pray forus. Pastor Milford Byrd (734) 635-5444

From OurMichigan

Missionaries…

From the Johnsons inSpain…

Dear Michigan friends,

We're halfway through ourstateside assignment now. We canhardly believe that it's been threemonths since we left Spain. Threemonths since we've eaten someyummy paella or manchegocheese. Three months since we’vetalked with our friends andcontacts over coffee. Three monthssince we've worshipped with theAlpedrete believers. Three LONGmonths!

We have three months left to visitsupporting churches. Three monthsto share about the ministry inchurches, ladies' groups, andvarious events. Three months tobuy supplies (and goodies!) to takeback to Spain. Three months ofquality time with our families.Three SHORT months!

However you look at it (long orshort), we are learning to becontent wherever God puts us.Thanks for making sure that eachmonth we are in Spain or in theStates, we are covered by yourprayers!

Tim, Kristi, Alejandro, and Ana

From the Riggs inFrance…

Dear Friends,Just a note to give a brief updateand share some prayer requestswith you.

The last few weeks since beingback in the States have been a blur,but through it all we are beginningto get settled into at least somekind of routine. Laura & Johannahave both enrolled at Free WillBaptist Bible College in Nashvilleand seem content with their newlives and program of study for thissemester. (and Dad is making itthrough somehow!) While helpingthem to get settled into school Iwas also able to be in a number ofchurches in the area. Becky hasbeen extremely busy giving help toher mother in Michigan. Hermother is 90, had broken twovertebrae and was in considerablepain. She is doing better now, butstill needs someone to be with her.Our schedule of services is fillingup and we sincerely look forwardto the opportunities to visit manyof you and share about the work inFrance. It really is a joy to havethis time to visit supportingchurches and hopefully be used ofthe Lord to promote the cause ofChrist around the world. Pleasedon't hesitate to contact us if you'dlike for us to come to your area!Pray, too, for the financial needs ofall of our missionaries.International Missions is stillfacing a very severe financialshortage and we need your helpnow more than ever. Even thoughthe economy continues to suffer,may the Lord give us a renewedvision and passion for the needs ofthe world. Time is short! Thanksso much for your prayers andsupport!

Steve & Becky

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Please pray:* Laura and Johanna at BibleCollege in Nashville* Becky’s Mom, and Becky as shecares for her* Financial needs of InternationalMissions* Church in Châteaubriant duringour absence* Board of FWB InternationalMissions as they seek a newGeneral Director

Hillsdale College toHost 2011 Theological

Symposium

NASHVILLE, TN—The 2011Theological Symposium will meetOctober 17-18 on the campus ofHillsdale Free Will Baptist Collegein Moore, Oklahoma. Thesymposium begins at 6:00 p.m. onMonday, October 17, and will endat 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October18.

The symposium will be a timefor presentation of papers andlively discussion of importantissues facing the church today.This year’s program features ninepapers, four of which focus onspecific areas of JonathanEdwards’s theology: sin anddepravity, atonement andjustification, perseverance, anddivine foreknowledge and humanfreedom. The Commission plans topublish the papers in a book.

For more information on thesymposium, contact Leroy Forlines(leroyf@fwbbc.edu) or MattPinson (president@fwbbc.edu).

Enrollment ClimbsNASHVILLE, TN—Free WillBaptist Bible College enrolled 290

students from 24 states and fiveforeign countries for the 2011 fallsemester, according to ProvostGreg Ketteman. This marks thefirst time since the onset of therecession that enrollment hasincreased at FWBBC. Newstudents on campus jumped 17%from 62 to 73. Overall on-campusenrollment rose almost 4% from206 to 213, while dormitorystudents increased 3.3% to 155.Enrollment statistics indicate adiverse student body with a widerange of academic interests.

Dr. Ketteman said, “We’re offto a great start this fall as studentsfrom across the United States andaround the world enroll atFWBBC. What’s even moreamazing is that even with a roller-coaster economy, parents by faithcontinue sending their sons anddaughters to us for a Bible-basededucation. We thank God for thestudents He brings to ourcampus—it’s the next generationof pastors and church leaders,missionaries, psychologists,musicians, business entrepreneurs,and more. We’ve graduated almost300 students in five years, and thisgroup of young adults will soonjoin them.”

At press time September 20, thecollege reported 155 dormitorystudents, 58 commuter students, 17Adult Degree Program students,and 60 Online/Lifetime Learningstudents. Officials set the fallsemester 2011 full-time studentequivalency at 224. One-third ofthe students are enrolled inministry-related fields.By classes, they include 57seniors, 37 juniors, 67sophomores, 80 freshmen, 48 non-degree/part-time students, and onespecial student. There are 134women and 156 men in the studentbody. Enrollment personnel werepleased that in spite of a harsheconomic climate, dormitory

students increased slightly and thenumber of graduating seniors rosealmost 30 percent.

“Enrollment for our OnlineDegree and Adult DegreePrograms will continue throughmid-semester,” Dr. Ketteman said.“We are still enrolling newstudents in both programs, sinceenrollment takes place throughoutthe fall term due to each programhaving multiple modules. Weproject a total enrollment of 300students for the fall term.”

There are fifteen [15] studentsenrolled from Michigan – the thirdhighest enrollment from any state,trailing only Arkansas with 16 andTennessee with 95.

President Matt Pinson said,“This is such a special time of yearfor us as new students and upperclassmen roll onto campus andmake the college their home.We’re also excited aboutrelocating the college as potentialbuyers inquire about purchasingour current campus, and theproposed name change vote to“Welch College” at the 2012 FreeWill Baptist national conventiondraws nearer. Our expandingacademic programs in pre-nursingand science, and ourOnline/Lifetime Learning outreachkeep us focused on the educationalneeds of our denominationalconstituency.”

Here are three ways to contactFree Will Baptist Bible College formore information: Call 800-76-FWBBC, emailrecruit@fwbbc.edu, or visit thecollege’s website atwww.FWBBC.edu.

FWBBC Rises in U.S.News & World Report’sTop College Rankings

NASHVILLE, TN—Free WillBaptist Bible College receivednotification that the institution

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ranks 35th among “Best RegionalColleges” (South Region) in U.S.News & World Report’s 2012edition of America’s Best Collegesguidebook. The numerical rankingof 35th in the 2012 South Regionindicates a rise of almost 20 placesabove the 2011 edition ranking of54th. This year’s higher rankingwas driven by excellentfaculty/student ratios, higher peerassessment scores, and strongalumni giving. Highlights ofcollege rankings will be publishedin the September 20, 2011, issue ofU.S. News.

President Matt Pinson said,“We are so pleased that FWBBC isnot only ranked again amongAmerica’s best colleges but ismoving up in the rankings. Thisrespected national study confirmsthat the college’s academicprograms are recognized by thebroader academic community aswell as our supporters. It’s alsoanother reminder to prospectivestudents and their parents thatFWBBC remains a top qualityinstitution of higher learning thatdelivers on their educationalinvestment.”

The “Best Regional Colleges”category where FWBBC is rankedincludes 371 institutions that focuson undergraduate education andoffer a range of degree programs inthe liberal arts, and in professionalfields such as business, nursing,and education. Colleges in thiscategory are ranked within fourgeographic regions: North, South,Midwest, and West.

U.S. News rankings offeropportunity to judge the relativequality of institutions based onwidely accepted indicators ofexcellence: peer assessment,graduation and retention rates,faculty resources, studentselectivity, financial resources,alumni giving, and more.

FWBBC received especially highmarks in four strategic areas—percent of classes with under 20students (92%), student/facultyratio (10/1), freshman retentionrate (65%), and graduation rate(48%).

Provost Greg Ketteman said,“I’m delighted to share the goodnews that for the fifth timeFWBBC has been included in U.S.News’ list of best colleges. Alongwith the college’s accreditationreaffirmation this summer, this is atestimony to the hard work ourfaculty and staff pour into thecollege. Their commitment toexcellence is paying off in nationalrecognition among professionaleducators that FWBBC provides arigorous collegiate academicsetting for serious students. I’mhonored to be part of the FWBBCteam, and I hope every Free WillBaptist student will look atFWBBC first when considering acollege.”

More information is availableabout the rankings andmethodology in the annualAmerica’s Best Collegesguidebook at:www.usnews.com/collegemeth.

IM Ambassadors Gather,Set WMO Goal for 2012

Antioch, TN— Ambassadors forFree Will Baptist InternationalMissions gathered September 12-13 to celebrate the success of theambassador program, discuss the2011 World Missions Offering(WMO), and plan WMO initiativesfor 2012.

During a celebratory dinner onSeptember 12, Interim Director ofDevelopment Sam McVayhonored Mark Price, Jimmy

Aldridge, and Tom Hughes, five-year veterans of the ambassadorprogram.

At the time of the session, FreeWill Baptists had given $476,800for overseas evangelistic effortsthrough the 2011 WMO. “This isthe second largest WMO inhistory,” exulted one ambassador.“Even in the midst of a recession,Free Will Baptist people haveproven faithful!” As ambassadorsdiscussed the program andmethods for increasingparticipation, they expressedsurprise and disappointment thatless than 500 of the 2,400 FreeWill Baptist churches in thedenomination actually participatein the annual WMO. “That mustchange. We need to involve morechurches,” one gentlemanchallenged. At the conclusion ofthe meeting, the ambassadorsvoted to set the 2012 WMO goal at$650,000. “Perhaps even moresignificant,” said Kiley Hawkins,IM’s development manager, “wasthe determination these menexpressed to involve morechurches.” The ambassadors set agoal to motivate 650 churches toparticipate in the WMO in 2012.

McVay stated, “This was myfirst time to be involved so closelywith the ambassadors. These menand women dedicated their lives tothe cause of global evangelism andtheir influence continues to makean incredible impact, inspiringpeople to make sure every woman,man, and child has an opportunityto hear the gospel. We are blessedto have this team leading ourWMO effort.“

The 2012 ambassador team isJimmy and Janie Aldridge(Alabama and Mississippi), Earnieand Jean Deeds (Oklahoma),Galen and Barbara Dunbar (SouthCarolina), Tom and Nancy Hughes(Arizona, California, Colorado,Idaho, New Mexico, and

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Northwest District), Mark and Deanna Price (Ohio),Norman and Bessie Richards (Kentucky), David andPat Shores (Illinois), Henry and Virginia VanKluyve (North Carolina and Tennessee), Earl and Debbie White(West Virginia), and Rodney and Mary Yerby(Alabama).

Financial ReportMichigan State Association of Free Will

Baptists

General Fund....................................$ 14,559.87Income......................................................... 3,218.16Balance after receipts ...............................$ 17,818.03

Expenditures.....................................$ 13,241.07Honorariums...................................$ 3,500.00Conference Expense ..........................2,041.97Church Registration...........................4,200.00Grand Rapids Trust Fund...................2,475.00Menorah ...............................................339.56Miscellaneous.........................................25.40National Hotel Reservation ...................161.59REMA....................................................50.00Refund..................................................300.00Supplies..................................................27.55Website ................................................120.00

Balance, 7/31/2011..............................$ 4,576.96

Promotional Office ........................(-) $ 3,623.54No Activity

Michigan Missions..............................$ 6,194.26Income – MI Church Planting ........................... 88.61Balance after receipts ...............................$ 6,282.87*

Expenditures .................................................. $ 0.00(*) Mi Church Planting Reserve .................$ 1,371.46

Youth Fund..............................................$ 64.13Income [Camper Fees] ................................18,146.00Balance after receipts ...............................$ 18,210.13

Expenditures.....................................$ 13,969.11Honorariums...................................$ 1,100.00Camp Rental......................................7,850.00Food/Kitchen.....................................2,348.86Prizes/Gifts........................................1,628.25Travel...................................................700.00Miscellaneous.......................................342.00

Balance, 7/31/2011..............................$ 4,241.02

Christian Education ...........................$ 5,492.55

Master’s Men ......................................$ 1,424.83

Minister’s Retreat Fund ...............(-) $ 3,560.95Income ............................................................650.00

Balance, 7/31/2011 .........................(-) $ 2,910.95

Funds Received and DistributedFellowship District............................$ 21,493.11

State Association............................ $ 1,108.00National Together Way Plan ................ 756.00International Missions ....................... 6,655.90Home Missions ............................... 11,100.21Other Ministries ................................ 1,873.00

Liberty District .................................$ 11,052.85State Association............................... $ 438.05National Together Way Plan ................ 325.84International Missions ....................... 6,606.11Home Missions ................................. 1,927.85Other Ministries ................................ 1,755.00

Metropolitan District ........................... $ 0.00

New Hope District .................................$ 500.42

West Michigan District ......................$ 1,900.00International Missions ....................... $ 900.00Home Missions ................................. 1,000.00

Wolverine District ............................$ 16,594.87State Association............................... $ 782.00National Together Way Plan ................ 322.36International Missions ....................... 6,714.95Home Missions ................................. 5,538.29Other Ministries ................................ 3,237.27

Other Ministries ...................................$ ,902.77Alabama Children’s Home ................ $ 539.50South Carolina Children’s Home....... 1,515.20FWB Family Ministries..................... 2,743.50Free Will Baptist Bible College............ 856.33Southeastern FWB College .................... 59.33Free Will Baptist Executive Office ....... 200.00MI Church Planting................................ 88.61Church Registration ............................. 200.00Grand Rapids 2015............................... 700.00

Men’s Retreat – January 29-31, 2012Youth Haven Ranch, Rives Junction, MI

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Greetings from Pastor Lumbreras

Hey brothers and sisters, I hope each one of you isdoing great. This is Pastor Rigo Lumbreras, I thinkall of you still remember me. We are doing great,growing in the Lord. I’m working as a Pastor atPrimeara Iglesia Bautista Resurreccion in Los AngelesCa. God has blessed my life with a loving church and alot of friends.

We have had different kinds of programs in the pastmonths, all of them have been a great success; thankthe Lord. We had "the women’s tea," 110 ladies cameto the service. Some of them accepted the Lord. Alsowe had Youth camp where 36 people attended. Alsosome weeks ago we had 9 people getting baptized.

God has given us tremendous workers, goodteachers and good deacons. I thank the Lord for theopportunity he gives us to preach the Gospel. Pleasepray for us, that we continue reaching people for Hisglory. At the past years I and my family had a verydifficult time. Especially me with my back problem. Istill suffer chronic pain, but the Lord has shown methat with his grace you can keep moving forward.

We pray for you and God bless you.Pastor Rigoberto Lumbreras. If you come to California,visit us:Iglesia Bautista Libre Resurrección4062 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Landale, CA. 90260

We have missed a few newsletters. We’ve been verybusy, beginning in July with the National Convention,followed closely by the National Golf and Softballtournaments, then the Ridge Church RestorationProject, followed closely by my annual trip to Haiti.Well I think you can understand. The Lord has beenvery good to us with safety and success. We aregearing up for a trip to California for a CMIConference next month in Fresno at CaliforniaChristian College.

Most of our churches celebrate Pastor AppreciationMonth in October. A strong pastor leader is vitallyimportant to a successful men's ministry in the church,and a strong men's ministry can be a great help to apastor.

Here are some ideas you may want to consider to show

your appreciation to your pastor. Wash his car inside

and out, mow his yard, send him and his spouse on a

weekend out, take him hunting or fishing, take him to a

ballgame, change the oil in his car, or give him a gift

certificate somewhere. Find other suggestions on our

website: www.fwbmastersmen.org

Please continue to pray for and support Master’s Men

as we work to help our churches help their men.

- - - Ken

Former missionary to Africa and Georgia pastor Paul

Creech died Thursday morning, September 15 as a

result of a four year struggle with cancer. Please pray

for his wife, Rhoda, and their four children as well as

the congregation of the White Oaks Free Will Baptist

Church in Macon. Paul is also the brother of WNAC's

Executive Director Elizabeth Hodges.

Two Marriage Enrichment ConferencesOffer Couples a Weekend Away

Master's Men and WNAC invite couples to a weekendof retreat and renewal. Two dates in two differentlocations.February 17-19 at the Doubletree Hotel inChattanooga, TN and March 23-25 at the Grand PlazaHotel in Branson, MO. Both weekends will follow thesame format and feature Brother Joe Grizzle asspeaker.

Cost for the conference is $300 per couple and includesregistration, all program fees, two nights lodging andthe Saturday night banquet.

For more information call 877-767-8039 or email -masters@nafwb.org

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Do you know Michigan’s preamble tothe Constitution?Written in 1908: We, the people of the State ofMichigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings offreedom, establish this Constitution.

Shiloh Free Will BaptistChurch Celebrates 50 Years

Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church

The Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church @ 2020Scotten Avenue in Detroit celebrated 50 years on May29, 2011. The Lord really blessed in our service. Wehad over 200 people come back to worship the Lordwith us and help us celebrate. We all have so manyprecious memories.

Brother Jimmy Collins, a member of the churchsince 1970, was in charge of the special service thatday. He really did a good job. Bro. Jimmy has servedthe Lord, at Shiloh, with all four pastors. He sure hadsome "good stories" to tell. Great job Brother Jimmy!Sister Mildred Fields, a charter member, is still atShiloh. She is the only charter member that has been atShiloh the entire fifty years. She has been such ablessing to all of us throughout the years. She is such asweet and humble soul.

We have had four pastors at Shiloh during thesefifty years: Rev. Lincoln Varney (founding pastor),Rev. Billy E. Brown, Rev. Danny F. Tackett and Rev.Earl A. Plemmons (our current pastor). All four pastorswere able to attend the service. That was such a greatblessing to have them all there. Bro. Varney was our

special speaker. And he also sang a song "Just a RoseWill Do". And guess what, it was his 88th birthday.Our special singers at the service were all previousmembers who had come back to worship with us. Ourfirst group included: Sis. Pam Douglas, Sis. JeanneBurton, Bro. Steve Hensley & Bro. Dennis Curtis(current member). The second group was from Bro.Varney’s family: Sis. Stephanie Varney-Lawson andhusband - Bill, and Sis. Naomi Varney-Garrett &husband - Bill. Next Bro. Tom Stoots sang and thenBro. Orville Johnson, both were accompanied on thepiano by Sis. Irma Hensley-Stoots. They all did such agreat job. The Lord truly blessed us during this specialservice.

Founding pastor, Rev. Lincoln Varney

Some of our previous members also participated inhelping us with the service. Sis. Pam Douglas playedthe piano. Bro. Tom Stoots played the bass guitar andBro. Orville Johnson played the guitar. Bro. Charles(Bub) Stiltner and Justin Curtis were ushers. Bro. SteveHensley, Bro. James (Bub) Hensley and Bro. AngeloBrown helped with the parking. Kristina Hensley-Jonespassed out our special bulletins for that day.

Four Pastors: Rev. Lincoln Varney, Rev. Billy E.Brown, Rev. Danny F. Tackett & Rev. Earl A.

Plemmons

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Michigan Free Will Baptist Menorah4166 Maplewood Meadows AvenueGrand Blanc, Michigan 48439

Bro. Jimmy Collins (in charge of service) & Sis. MildredFields, only charter member still at Shiloh

We had a luncheon at the UAW Local 22 Hallimmediately following the service. It was such a greattime of fellowship, seeing our old friends and ourprevious members. Several people sang praises to theLord at the hall. And the food was really good.We just had a great time. It was such a "Wonderful"day. Everyone that we have talked to said it was just a"great time". Just imagine what heaven will be like!

Coming in 2012

Men’s Retreat – January 29-31Youth Haven Ranch

Rives Junction, Michigan

Michigan Women Active for ChristAnnual Meeting

Central Free Will Baptist ChurchApril 21

Michigan State Associationof Free Will Baptists

Golf TournamentThe Fortress

May 17, 9:00 a.m.

Michigan State AssociationOf Free Will Baptists

Zehnder’s of FrankenmuthMay 18-19

Michigan Youth ConferenceZehnder’s of Frankenmuth

May 18-19

Fall Minister’s RetreatHillsdale CollegeSeptember 9-11

Michigan Women Active for ChristRetreat

Holiday Inn French QuartersPerrysburg, OhioSeptember 21-22

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