The Michigan Free Will Baptist. Menorah. The Active Rouge Free Will Baptist Church

Transcription

1 The Michigan Free Will Baptist Menorah August The Monthly Publication of the Michigan Free Will Baptist State Association 2014 The Active Rouge Free Will Baptist Church LANSING State Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) welcomed Rev. Danny Slater to provide the invocation for the opening of the Senate session Tuesday. Rev. Slater is the Pastor at Rouge Free Will Baptist Church in Wyandotte, where he has served his congregation since It was a privilege to welcome Rev. Slater to the Senate floor today, where he reminded us of the great responsibility that we have as lawmakers in this chamber, Hopgood said. I hope that the words in his message will guide our efforts as we work diligently to make a better Michigan for future generations. The Voice of Truth Drama Team Performs How awesome it was to hear reports and see the pictures as God changed the lives of our young ones. The Voice Of Truth Drama Team performed on Wednesday Night as many of our Church Family made the drive to Romeo, MI to worship with and support our kids. What a great night! The High Seas was the theme for Vacation Bible School held July 7-11 from 6:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Eddie and Donna Rakes along with a cast of characters highlighted a wonderful week of music, worship and kids. There was a Church Picnic at Elizabeth Park in Trenton Saturday, July 12, and the VBS entered a float in the Wyandotte 4 th of July Parade. Bro. Michael Gabbard gave us a detailed, well thought out and spirit filled devotion on Faith, at our June Master s Men Meeting. Great Job, Michael! There will be no July meeting for the Master s Men as we will be together during VBS and the Church Picnic. However, we want to pause to say a Great Big. Thank You, to the ladies of our Church. Not only is it a joy to work with you wonderful women of our local WAC through- out the year on several joint projects, but now they have hosted a Breakfast for our men on Saturday June 28th, And even though this date has passed by the time this newsletter comes out in print, we are grateful and humbled by the generosity and kindness of our Ladies of Rouge Church. You are and have always been a blessing to the Master s Men. May God Bless our Church and our Pastor, to the Glory of God the Father.

2 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 2 How Does God Make Men? By Charlie Baughman So, what is wrong with me? I professed faith in Christ long ago. I ve prayed, as I ve been told, I have been faithful, as I was instructed, and everything will work out! The problem is, nothing has worked out! I find this to be all too common in the lives of men today. As Christian author Patrick Morley points out, These men have been enlisted and were issued a weapon they ve never learned how to clean and shoot. These men are not bad, just confused. Let s face it! Men today are under severe attack. A counter-christian pop culture ridicules men in general and Christian men in particular. The battle line against biblical manhood is clearly drawn and fiercely contested. As a result, legions of men struggle to sustain what they started and finish the race. So, what about you? Are you one of those guys who feel like there is another guy inside you who desperately wants to get out? Maybe your faith is being tested to the breaking point. Maybe you ve been down so long you feel God has abandoned you. Maybe you thought God was going to use you, but now you feel like you ve been sidelined. Maybe you feel inadequate for your roles in life. Maybe you re in a tough situation and see no way out. Maybe you are not genuinely content with who you are and what to do. Maybe you feel like giving up. Maybe you find it difficult to let go of the cares of this world. Is one of these or all of these describing you? If so, I ve got some great news for you. It can be wrapped up in one sentence, a sentence that completely describes my own life: Because God is good, your life will not turn out the way you planned. That s because God has a better plan. A much better plan. So what is this plan and how can you apply God s plan to your own life? God s plan has been written for centuries as relevant, time tested lessons and preserved for us in the Bible. It records stories about men who discovered and sustained the passion of their faith. They became the men God created them to be. So can you and me. It is shocking how many of these stories just sit and gather dust. It seems as though we are afraid to tell men. Following Christ is harder than it looks and takes longer than expected. But God does have a plan, and it comes packed with real answers and genuine hope. In the months ahead, along with the Word of God and author Patrick Morley, we will look into 10 stories of the most well-known men in the Bible. We will watch as the Hand of God shapes them, and leads them, and makes them into the men He had always planned for them to become. He wants you and I to become as one of those men. We will discover together how God mobilized these men. What were the obstacles they faced? What held them back? How did God release them from their fears? What was their part? As we go through the lives of these men we will come face to face with the gritty truth that can release and sustain the passion of our faith. These, in the end, are not just 10 amazing stories but one big story yours! You always knew one day you would be called upon to take your place in the battlefront. This is that call. We cannot, we must not, and by God s grace we will not fail. If this is what you want, come back in August. I have some guys I want you to meet. HOW DOES GOD MAKE MEN? HHOOWW DDOOEESS GGOODD MMAAKKEE MMEENN?? HOW DOES GOD MAKE MEN? Used with Permission from the Rouge Master s Men Newsletter Charlie Baughman and Dan Baker are the Directors of this Active Master s Men Chapter

3 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 3 The Tim Johnson Report Dear Michigan friends, As we type this letter, we are driving down Interstate 94, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Michigan. These last few weeks have been filled with visiting churches here and spending time with people who are very close to our hearts. Today we are beginning our journey to the National Association of Free Will Baptists in Fort Worth, Texas. When school starts, we will be going to South Carolina, where we will live until Christmas. Here s where we will be in Michigan over the next few months Saturday, August 2: Liberty Association meeting Sunday, August 3: (AM) Fifteen Mile Baptist Church Sunday, August 3: (PM) Central FWB Church Sunday, August 10 (AM & PM): North Warren FWB Church Wednesday, August 13: Crossroads FWB Church MIWAC retreat in Holland, MI (September 18-20) Saturday, November 1: Liberty Association meeting Saturday, November 1: Women s Event with the Fellowship District WAC Sunday, November 2 (AM): Riverside Fellowship FWB Church At this point, we only have a few open services for our time in Michigan. Please contact us if you d like for us to come and share with your church! Tim and Kristi Johnson Dear Friends in Michigan, Update from the Riggs in France Yesterday Becky and I helped Jean-Charles & Magali stack wood. Now there's a great introduction to a missionary newsletter, right? And you may be thinking, "So this is why we give of our hard-earned money to send missionaries to countries like France? So they can help people stack wood?! I mean, what does stacking wood have to do with ministry?" Well, obviously there is much more than that, but yesterday's experience was another reminder to me that of all the things we do in ministry, nothing is more important or valuable than spending time with people. And, often, it is in the ordinary situations of life that we have the best opportunities to be a witness for Christ. Jean-Charles & Magali, you may remember, are the couple who first invited us to begin a church in Châteaubriant. They continue to be an inspiration to us by their faithfulness and passion to seeing a church established in their town. Part of the ministry that took place yesterday was just being present in their lives to let them know they are important to us and they are important to God. In our small church family there is also an elderly widow who began attending just a couple of months ago. I am ashamed to admit that one of my first thoughts when Madame Dubois starting coming was; "Gee, this is great. Now I get to spend time visiting with an elderly widow, and I sure don't see how that's going to help our church grow". (Please don't be too quick to judge me about that until you have lived a little of the pressure missionaries feel when constantly asked, "How many people do you have in your church?") Yesterday, while carrying wood, I thought about Jean-Charles & Magali, and Madame Dubois. I thought about Anna, a lady that Becky helps every week with groceries and visits of encouragement. I thought, too, about a Scottish friend I have made here. He suffers from Parkinson s' disease but admirably keeps fighting on. He's alone in the hospital right now and someone needs to visit him, so I guess that's me. And I thought about Tatiana, a Russian lady Becky sees every week when she helps her son with English lessons. (Becky just keeps quiet and tries to change the subject each time Tatiana wants to "talk" about Putin and the Ukraine!) I thought about these people and others that God has brought into our lives. Jean-Charles' parents and one of his brothers were also there helping to carry wood, along with a friend by the name of Christophe. As we worked, we talked, we

4 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 4 laughed, we discussed and sometimes disagreed. I asked questions about French culture that I still don't really know even after 30 years of trying! (Man, the French can be exasperating!) I don't know how much was accomplished yesterday in terms of "ministry", but I suspect much more than we might imagine. Bridges were built. Friendships were made. Relationships were strengthened. Trust and confidence were established. Discussions about life and essential beliefs were shared. Thoughts about Christian beliefs were sown, and who knows how the Holy Spirit may take those seeds and bring growth? Yes, sometimes the best ministry opportunities come through the ordinary situations of life. Please keep praying for these and others that God has brought into our lives. As the apostle Paul once wrote, please pray that the light will shine in (their) hearts... that they may see "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ". (1 Cor. 4.6) Thank you so much for giving to make it possible for us and others to share this Gospel in areas where so many still need to hear. Steve & Becky Riggs Châteaubriant, France Coming Events August 2: Liberty District Association, New Covenant Free Will Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. August 2: West Michigan District Association, South Haven Community Church, 9:30 a.m. September 12: Wolverine District Association, Sawyer Free Will Baptist Church, 5:30 p.m. September 13: New Hope District Association, Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. September 14-16: Minister s Retreat, Hillsdale Dow Leadership Center September 18-20: Michigan Women Active for Christ Retreat, Double Tree Hotel, Holland, Michigan Randall House to release Surviving Culture by Dr. Edward E Moody (Nashville, TN) On July 22, 2014 Randall House and author/speaker Dr. Edward E. Moody will release Surviving Culture: When Character and Your World Collide. Readers of Surviving Culture will comprehend that young people today are faced with many challenges that attempt to lure them away from the truth of Scripture and their foundation of faith. Dr. Moody shares strong advice on the need to be prepared and make wise decisions to navigate the culture of today. He supports his points with relevant facts and current statistics. the workforce. Surviving Culture identifies cultural challenges that Daniel faced in the court of ancient Babylon and shows how they correlate with some of the same trials teens face today. Living in a corrupt culture, Daniel and his companions faced unbelievable pressure to compromise their faith. They not only survived but thrived and had a real impact on the world around them. Dr. Moody shares how young people today can do the same. This book will equip teens with tools needed to influence culture and share their faith whether they are entering college or Topics include: Excellent tools for youth group study, lists of resources for a variety of topics relating to cultural issues, and valuable information for the students entering college or the workforce. About the Author: Edward E. Moody has been a counselor educator at North Carolina Central University since He is a Professor of Counselor Education, and Chair of the Department of Allied Professions. Moody also serves as pastor at Tippett s Chapel in Clayton, NC. As a minister he has helped people with a variety of difficulties, and as a psychological consultant he has counseled troubled youth. He has a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in counselor education, an M.A. from Middle Tennessee State University in clinical psychology, and a B.A. from Welch College in pastoral training.

5 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 5 He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in NC as well as a Licensed Health Services Provider-Psychological Associate. He is the author of First Aid for Emotional Hurts series. Dr. Moody has also published several articles in scholastic journals and serves as a workshop leader for various events within the Christian community and counseling community. He and his wife, Lynne, live in North Carolina, along with their two children. Contact: Lena Wooten, Director of Marketing (615) ; lena.wooten@randallhouse.com D6 Dallas September D6 Louisville October 2-3 Minister s Retreat Family Ministry is not a fad it is God s original design from Genesis to Paul s epistles. The influence of parents in their kids lives surpasses all others, and the church can shape how this occurs. Deuteronomy 6 (D6) reveals how parents remind their kids of God s presence, power, and provision in every aspect of life. The D6 Conference provides a place to develop your strategy for generational discipleship. September Hillsdale College, 22 E. Galloway, Hillsdale, Michigan Speaker: Dr. Doug Earls Pastor, Calvary Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Buffalo, Missouri Reservations: Rev. Gene Norris, 4166 Maplewood Meadows Avenue, Grand Blanc, Michigan gnorris4166@gmail.com; telephone: (586) Church Bus for Sale The Central Free Will Baptist Church has a bus for sale. It is a 24 passenger bus on a Ford E350 chassis; body is Startrans, Senator; low mileage [57,000]; 7.71-V8, gas engine; automatic transmission. Several key repairs/maintenance in last year includes: new tires less than 2,000 miles; new stabilizers/shocks; new internal electoral motor; rebuilt AC. This bus is very clean, and Central Church is the original owner. Contact the church at centraltrm@gmail.com or call (248) In the Christian life we must lose to gain; we must give to obtain; we must be humble to be exalted; we must be least to be greatest; we must die to live. An old-timer is one who remembers when a babysitter was called Mother. Many American homes nowadays seem to be on three shifts. Father is on the night shift, mother is on the day shift, and the children shift for themselves.

6 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH 4166 Maplewood Meadows Avenue Grand Blanc, Michigan th Anniversary Celebration August 3, 10:30 a.m. Faith Free Will Baptist Church Romeo Plank Road, Ray, Michigan Keynote Speaker: Rev. Roger Cooper Former pastor and current pastor of 111 Fellowship, Cookeville, Tennessee Pastor: Rev. Ron Meadows Telephone: The church will provide the special singing and lunch will be served at the conclusion of the service. If you have been affiliated in any way with the church over the years, or if you would just like to join in the celebration, we would love for you to join in the celebration. The history of the church will be shared by picture and word and each attendee will receive a memento to commemorate the occasion.

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