THE RECORD REH

OBOTH

REHOBOTH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

Volume XXXVII October, 2014, Number 8

The Chinese Government has been “ramping up” its persecution of Christians, according to recent news reports. In one city, Wenzhou, sometimes called “the Jerusalem of China” because of its high concentration of Christians, Communist Party authorities have demolished scores of Churches and forcibly removed more than 300 Church Crosses. Chinese Church leaders say it is the worst “anti-Christian crackdown” in decades. Many believers defending their Churches have

been beaten and dragged off to jail. What’s striking, though, is despite the government’s best efforts, the Christian faith is growing in China. In a just a few years, China will have more Christians than Communist Party members, which stood at 85 million at the last count. And, in just 15 years, China could overtake the U.S. as the country with the largest Christian population in the world! In China, there is no real “religious liberty” like we know and enjoy here in America. Yet, God keeps blessing and the Church in China is growing! Praise the Lord! Here’s how this especially relates to us and the difference YOU can make……on Sunday afternoon/evening, November 2, our Association will host Attorney Jeff Mateer of the Liberty Legal Institute founded by Kelly Shackleford, a foremost constitutional attorney in America. At 4:15 pm until supper time around 5:15 pm, Jeff will speak and answer questions regarding religious liberty in our schools and how Superintendants, Principals, and Administrators can operate within the law, but support the constitutional rights for Christian students and teachers. Wouldn’t you like to protect these freedoms for our children and youth? Wouldn’t you like to support School leaders in doing the right things? Then, personally encourage and invite your School Leaders and School Boards to attend this special session which will be part of our Annual Meeting at FBC, SS!!! If you supply us the contact information, we will be glad to send them a personal letter of invitation as well. Give them a “heads up” and tell them it’s coming!!! Let’s be grateful for the freedoms and liberty we have here in America beginning with our Schools!!! Do your part, and make a difference! THANK YOU! Bro. Kent Pate

at First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs

Theme: Religious Liberty

Guest: Jeff Mateer Constitutional Attorney with Liberty Legal Institute

(Special Session for School Superintendants,

Boards, and Administration)

Jeff Mateer, Esq., is General Counsel for Liberty Institute. Mr.

Mateer joined Liberty Institute in 2010, after 19 years in

private litigation practice. He now oversees and directs

Liberty Institute’s legal team. He specializes in religious

liberty matters, including free exercise, free speech, and

public acknowledgment of religion cases.

Mr. Mateer has represented clients ranging from large

international organizations to local businesses, schools,

ministries, churches and individuals in complex federal and

state court actions involving religious liberty, civil rights,

employment, property and business matters. In private

practice, his clients included the National Collegiate Athletic

Association (NCAA), Citigroup, CNA, ConAgra Foods,

former officers and directors of EDS, Ford Motor Company,

Pilgrim’s Pride and PNC Bank. He has tried numerous jury

and bench trials in both federal and state courts, and has

successfully argued before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of

Appeals and Texas appellate courts.

In addition to having received an A-V rating by Martindale-

Hubbell, Mr. Mateer has been honored as a Texas Rising Star

and Texas Super Lawyer. He received his undergraduate

education at Dickinson College, where he graduated with

honors in 1987, and his legal education at Southern Methodist

University, where he graduated with honors in 1990. While in

law school, he served as an Editor of the Law Review. He is

licensed to practice law by the state of Texas and is admitted

to practice before all Texas State and Federal District Courts

and the 2nd, 5th and 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

To the men from First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs

who came out and made much needed repairs to the

RBA Office!

February 22 – 24, 2015

at FBC, Sulphur Springs

(In Lieu of the Annual Evangelism Rally)

Speaker: David Dykes Worship: Mike Parks

BGCT 2014 ANNUAL MEETING

November 16-18

at the Waco Convention Center ~ Waco, Texas Scripture:

Whoever says, “I abide in Him’, ought to walk just as He

walked. 1 John 2:6 nrsv

The Importance of the Annual Church Profile

The ACP is a historical record for your church. The information is printed in the association annual minutes book.

The ACP allows your church to be listed in the BGCT or SBTC annuals, which is one item that helps your church to send messengers.

The IRS checks the convention annuals to prove that a church is entitled to tax-exempt status.

Please turn them in as soon as possible.

Please call 903-885-2868 or stop by the Association office if you

have any questions or need help completing the ACP.

New Life Baptist Church, Cooper

SUNDAY, OCT 5TH - 8TH

WITH MALCOM ELLIS EVANGELIST

CHAD AND MELAINA FERRELL AND

THE NEW LIFE WORSHIP TEAM

SUNDAY MORNING 10:45; SUNDAY EVENING 6:00 PM

MONDAY - WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM

Senior Adult Evening

Saturday, November 8 ~ 5:30 - 7 pm

Dinner and Program

Purley Gates Retreat Center

Special Guest: "Dr. Henry Pepper"

Church News If your church has a special event or information you’d like to share in the

newsletter, please email info@rehobothonline.org or call the office, 903-885-2868. The Newsletter deadline is the 15th of each month.

The Record IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY REHOBOTH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 1139 INDUSTRIAL DR. E. SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 75482-3326

PHONE; 903-885-2868 FAX 903-885-3506 EMAIL: info@rehobothonline.org WEB ADDRESS: www.rehobothonline.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

KENT PATE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ELOY GONZALEZ, DIRECTOR OF HISPANIC MINISTRIES

SHELLY HUFF, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Friday 8:30AM - 2:30PM

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 160

Sulphur Springs, TX

Mission Statement

The mission of Rehoboth Baptist Association is to offer leading edge assistance in creating healthy New Testament churches that honor

Jesus Christ by their very existence.

Changed lives through ChristChanged lives through ChristChanged lives through ChristChanged lives through Christ----centered churchescentered churchescentered churchescentered churches

Please be in prayer for our:

Pastorless Churches Enloe FBC, Cumby FBC, Mt. Vernon—Hispanic Work FBC, Yantis Hilltop

Mt. Olive

First Baptist Church, Yantis

Family Focus Revival

Guest: Larry Rice

Oct 5-8,2014

Isaiah 65:24

6:30 p.m. each night

Posey Baptist Church on the completion of your building

project for the new Worship Auditorium, Fellowship Hall,

and Sunday School Classrooms!

Dedication Service

Sunday, October 5th @ 10:30 a.m.

For more information call Posey @ 903-945-2910

FALL WOMEN’S RETREATFALL WOMEN’S RETREATFALL WOMEN’S RETREATFALL WOMEN’S RETREAT

Saturday October 11, 2014 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon Free Admission

Love offering will be received.

Guest Speaker: Teresa Richenberger teresarichenberger.com

Sulphur River Cowboy Church

1935 CR 1060 NW, Hagansport, TX For more information contact: For more information contact: For more information contact: For more information contact: Charlotte Key @ (903) 305Charlotte Key @ (903) 305Charlotte Key @ (903) 305Charlotte Key @ (903) 305----1294129412941294