From your m issionary page 2 W enona calls pastor page 3 More church news page 3 Gibbs releases 9 th book page 3 Newsbriefs page 4 Calendar page 4 John W aters guest at Ministers Fellowship page 5 Moldolva trip pics page 5 Fam ily Fun Day At The Speedway page 6 Open Hearts Thrift Store shares Jesus with community in various ways Two and half years ago Liberty Baptist Church began the Open Heart Thrift Store. Since then eight more churches have joined Liberty in loving their community through this ministry. Director Pam Garrett (bottom left photo) says that God has blessed Open Hearts way beyond expectations. Through generous donations of clothing, household items, home decor, books, music and other items, people may purchase things they need for very little money thus in itself filling a great need for some families. The money generated by the sales is then poured back into the community through such projects as providing car seats for children, stretchers for the EMS and child immunizations, just to name a few. This ministry also provides great opportunities for sharing the Gospel and praying with people. Pam, Lelia Mangano (top right), Gail and Tommy Swain (top left) and other volunteers work tirelessly to make this ministry work, but they could use some more help. Consider how your church could help and give Pam a call today (478-244-8623). Store hours are Mondays 9am 12pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10am 1pm. The store is located at 1404 Union Street, Vienna.
Page 2 From your missionary Let me begin my article by saying how much I appreciate the prayers for the mission team as we traveled to Moldova and the Ukraine. God really worked in a mighty way. We had seventeen on our team Gary Leutzinger and we divided into four teams and ministered in four locations. My team ministered for a few days in Moldolva and then spent the last few days in Ukraine. We saw over 130 people pray to receive Christ. There were many non-believers in the services and many barriers were broken down. I believe with all of the teams ministering in the four different locations, there were hundreds of individuals who prayed to receive Christ. I appreciate those who financially and prayerfully supported this mission effort! Please pray for the pastors as they disciple the new believers. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this mission endeavor!! p.m. and end around 7:00 p.m. We have several things lined up that will hopefully attract many unchurched people a car show, activities for children, door prizes, free food, and entertainment by Chris McDaniel. Bro. Chris is a former member of the Confederate Railroad, an American country rock band. He was transformed by the Gospel in 2000 and has been proclaiming the good news of Jesus through music ever since. We will also be hearing from Evangelist Bill Saye. Bro. Bill was a member of the Mafia. After he was convicted of firstdegree murder, he went to prison where he gave his life to Christ. He served a short prison sentence and began preaching the Gospel. God has used him to reach thousands. As I am writing this article, I am in the process of trying to secure a member of the Georgia Bulldog football team to come and share a testimony. I am sending a promotional DVD to all of our churches that will have all of the information regarding this event. We need every church to support this evangelistic endeavor. We need individuals who will invite their unchurched friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this event. We will be asking several churches to have cooking teams to prepare the hamburgers and hotdogs. Volunteers are needed to help with the children play area. We are also asking churches to designate the second Sunday in April to have a Love Offering to help with the expenses of this event. Most importantly, we need our churches to bathe this effort in prayer! th On April 27 we will have a big evangelistic event at the Watermelon Capital Speedway. We are hosting a Family Day for the people in our counties. The purpose of this event is to reach families with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The event will begin at 5:00 This is a great opportunity for our churches to unite together to reach the lost in our communities. I am thanking God right now for how He is going to bring hundreds of lost people to the Speedway and for those who will be born into the Kingdom!!! Pressing On Toward the Goal! Bro. Gary
Page 3 Church news Five churches receive special recognition certificates from Georgia Baptist Convention Pinecrest Church recorded the highest number of baptisms in our association in 2012. Northern Heights Church was the leading church in HBA in 2012 in ratio of baptisms per resident members. Cordele First Church was the leading contributor to the Cooperative Program in HBA in 2012. Harmony Church was the leading contributor percentage wise to the Cooperative Program of HBA churches in 2012. Smyrna Church was the leading contributor to the Cooperative Program per resident member in 2012 in HBA. Wenona Church calls Ronnie Duncan as pastor Wenona Church has called Ronnie Duncan as pastor. He most recenty was associate pastor at Sisters Baptist Church in Sandersville. Ronnie grew up in Warner Robins, GA and has served churches in Georgia, Mississippi and Pennsylvania. He is married to Jill and has three children, Morgan, Noah, and Lily. Good news from March revivals Pleasant Grove Church reported nine baptisms, one new member by church letter, seven rededications and 20 additional professions of faith from witnessing in the community as a result of their recent revival services. Hatley Church reported great attendance at their revival services as well as one profession of faith and several rededications. Harmony Church begins women s Bible study April 4 Harmony Church will begin a women s Bible study on April 4 using Beth Moore s David: Seeking A Heart Like His. Contact Patti Martin for more information. Local author releases new book In a few days, Nancy Gibbs will be releasing her newest book, When Our Money Fails God Prevails. On April 3, Adams Drug Store, 408 East th 16 Avenue, Cordele will host a book signing. This is Nancy s ninth published book. Nancy is married to Roy Gibbs, pastor of Pleasant Grove Church.
Page 4 NEWSBRIEFS Please pray for these Associational Missionary Gary Leutzinger Lauralyn & Troy Drew Happi Keenan Bo Patrick Kenneth Tukes Nominating committee as they seek people for associational leadership positions for next year Unity in our churches and unity among our churches Upcoming associational and church events All our churches and particularly those without pastors Acorn Pond, Arabi, Mars Hill, Morningside, Oakfield, Pinehurst, Rock Hill, Warwick First. Clarkston mission trip postponed The mission trip to Clarkston scheduled for April 4-6 has been postponed. Hopefully, it will be rescheduled some time later in the year. Opportunities coming up Houston Baptist Association events are printed in bold type. HBC is an abbreviation for Houston Baptist Center. Apr. 7 Apr. 8 Apr. 14 Southern Baptist Convention Seminaries Sunday Minister s Fellowship, HBC, 10:30am Cooperative Program Sunday Apr. 14-19 Baptist Doctrine Study (see page 5) Apr. 19-20 Apr. 21 Apr. 27 May 1 May 5 May 6 GA Baptist Women s Spring Event, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain Life Commitment Sunday Family Day at Watermelon Speedway, 5-7pm National Day of Prayer Senior Adult Sunday Men s Ministries Fish Fry, Veterans State Park Mission trip opportunity in July The mission trip to the West Virginia area is scheduled for July 20-26 this year. More details will be forthcoming. April 2 April 4 April 7 April 13 April 16 Dwain Newsome Renee James Ron Foster Melanie Smith Pat Foster Why should our church support our association? An association gives churches an opportunity to work together on local projects, thus helping each other to accomplish common mission responsibilities. An association teaches and encourages churches to work cooperatively to carry out local mission projects. THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Churches working together to accept the Acts 1:8 challenge.
Page 5 John Waters will be guest at April Ministers Fellowship Georgia Baptist Convention President John Waters will be the program guest at the April 8 Ministers Fellowship at 10:30 a.m. at Houston Baptist Center. Lunch will be catered after the meeting so if you are coming (and surely you are!), let us know. 2013 doctrinal study focuses on the ways of God The Ways of God: How God Reveals Himself Before a Watching World by Henry T. Blackaby and Roy T. Edgemon is the 2013 Doctrine Study. This 6-session Bible study for adults that gives believers greater insight into God's nature and provides guidance for aligning their lives with His ways. God's ways are different from our ways. So if we want God to work through us, we first need to understand His nature and His ways. This careful study of His sovereignty, love, holiness, and other aspects of His nature presents clear statements about the relationship between God's ways and the impact this understanding will have on a believer's life. This study features: Interactive activities applying and responding to what God is teaching Improved small-group experience Guides participants to consider the ways and nature of God and respond to Him appropriately This study is available from Lifeway. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 Pictures above are from the March Moldova Mission Trip. To see more pictures go to http://www.houstonbaptist.org/photos2013.html.
Page 6 Houston Herald is published m onthly by Houston Baptist Association. Send news and/or com m ents to P O Box 1274, Cordele, GA 31010, em ail to secretary@ houstonbaptist.org or call 229-273-4127. ^ Hous on Baptist Association 2116 Hwy 41 ^ P O Box 1274 ^ Cordele, GA 31010 www.houstonbaptist.org 229-273-4127 (phone); 229-273-0626 (fax) Associational Missionary: Gary Leutzinger a.m @ houstonbaptist.org NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 35 VIENNA GA 31092 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED