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EDITOR'S NOTE
 Did you make a new year's resolution? I heard recently that 88% of resolutions will be broken in the new year. Many of those life-changing decisions have already been discarded. Vows to change bad habits and begin good habits can be difficult to maintain. While our promises concerning our behavior are often broken, how thankful I am that God's promises are always sure and steadfast (1 Co 1:20). He is not slack, or slow, in fulfilling His promises (2 Pe 3:9). He has not, nor will He ever, break any of His commitments. His promises provide enough incentive for us to be holy (2 Co 7:1). I trust the coming year will give you plenty of opportunities to reflect on His "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Pe 1:4). "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25).
Our family would like to thank those of you who shared greetings and gifts during the Christmas season. We love you all dearly and we are grateful for the role that each one plays in our state fellowship.
Be sure to forward this newsletter along to your friends by clicking "Forward to Friend" below.
(If you got this as a result of a friend forwarding this newsletter to you, and you'd like to be added to our list for future newsletters, please send your request to me, Darrell Friar, at marbc@juno.com.)
SAUK CENTRE GETS NEW PASTOR
 Faith Baptist Church in Sauk Centre, MN has welcomed a new pastor! Joe DiVietro and his family began their ministry on December 7, 2014. They follow in the footsteps of Ron Hemsworth and family, who were at Faith Baptist for over twenty years and have recently moved on to the mission field. The Hemsworths officially began deputation as missionaries for Baptist Mid-Missions to Missionary Acres in Silva, MO.
Pastor Joe comes to Faith Baptist by way of First Baptist Church of Wilson, KS. He was the senior pastor there for almost seven years. Previous to that, he spent six years as an associate/youth pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, under Pastor Robert Glover.
Pastor Joe and his wife Kristi have two children, Kennedy (5) and Jaclyn (19 months). They have bought a house in Sauk Centre and are getting settled. They are excited to see what God has for them in 2015 and beyond. Please join us as we pray for the family at Faith Baptist Church and their transition into a new year with new leadership. God has great things in store and they are ready to go and grow!
ASSISTANT TO THE PASTOR IN MARSHALL
 First Baptist Church of Marshall has extended a unanimous call to Zac Patke to serve as an Assistant to the Pastor. It will be the first time in the congregation’s nearly 70 year history that the church has had more than one staff member. Zac is a graduate of Faith Baptist Bible College. He is married to Hannah (Kolar). They have two sons, Daniel and Noah.
Zac brings experience and skills that can be used by the Lord for the building of His church. His education includes a stint in Baptist Mid-Mission’s Arriba! program, as well as time spent overseas in ESL ministry. The cross-cultural experience, coupled with teaching ministries to children and youth in local church settings, should prove to be an advantage in the multi-ethnic context of the Marshall congregation.
“Through this search process, the Patkes have demonstrated zeal, humility, and a willingness to extend themselves for the benefit of God’s people,” says Pastor Greg Linscott. “First Baptist is thankful for the clarity of God’s direction, and we look forward to working together for God’s glory in the days that lie ahead.”
NORTHERN MEN'S RETREAT
 Camp Shamineau is located near Motley. The featured speaker is Dr. Shane Belden, pastor of Berean Baptist Church in International Falls. Dr. Belden grew up in a commercial fishing family and recently returned from a Nova Scotia excursion on his family's boat. He will be sharing video and testimony of danger on the high seas as part of his messages entitled, "Men in Danger."
Brochures will be coming to churches soon. This retreat is designed for men and boys ages 13+.
TALENTS FOR CHRIST
Talents for Christ is a contest whereby teens can earn college scholarships for quality performances in several different categories. A packet of information was sent to Regular Baptist churches early in January. Be sure to carefully read the information in the packet.
This year's contest will be held at Faith Baptist Church in Hermantown on March 21. Note that all registrations are to be sent to and run through the GARBC Resource Center. Registration deadline is March 5.
Any questions concerning TFC should be directed to Pastor Logan Friess. More information on the national competition can be seen HERE.
CHURCH PLANTING UPDATE
 The Steve Gilbertson family has now been in Woodbury for three years. This past year they held a Vacation Bible School, met area residents through the Woodbury Days Parade, and saw 50 people at their Fall festival.
Resurrection Baptist Church has averaged 20-30 people on Sunday mornings throughout the year. Two people professed Christ this year and one person was baptized. Pray that those who have been touched by this ministry will become more involved.
BASS LAKE NEWS
Camp brochures are at the printer and should be delivered to the churches around February 1.
WE'RE HIRING! Pray with us as we recruit a maintenance worker, a Teen Staff Supervisor (TSS) and full-time counselors. College trips are planned for Faith Baptist Bible College (Feb 4-5), Maranatha Baptist University (Feb 10-11) and Clearwater Christian College (Feb 23-24). Applications for these positions are available online.
We are still in need of funds for our Shekels for Seven Projects campaign. Seven projects needing $250k are slotted to begin this spring. Currently we have $52k. Your help is appreciated. Send your gift to the camp with a memo of "Shekels for 7 Projects."
JOIN US IN DC!
 Plans are nearly finished for our trip to Washington DC. We are targeting the end of October for this memorable excursion. Plans include transportation by bus to the nation's capital, touring the many sights, a trip to Gettysburg, and a trip to Mt. Vernon. Other surprises on the trip will be included in the brochure which is set to come out within the next month.
MARBC FINANCES (1/13/15)
General Fund: $1,383.64
Burden Bearers: $3,871.55
Northern Fellowship: $1,744.38
Church Planting: $34,018.03
CHRISTIAN BUSINESS FOR SALE
Due to health concerns, a Christian couple near Rochester is seeking to sell their organic vegetable truck farm business. They own 1¼ acres with a 26’/96’ high tunnel and water well on the property with the option to rent another ¾ acre and large machine shed. This couple has sold at a large farmers’ market in Rochester for nearly 20 years and has an established clientele. Option to buy bees and beekeeping equipment, cultured mushroom logs and machinery. Contact Richard at 507-696-7922 or 507-867-4527. |
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FRIENDLY REMINDERS
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Send us your news and pictures! Please note that there is no deadline to send us your news. Once you have some news, send it our way and we will include it in the next newsletter.
PASTORAL TRANSITIONS
MARSHALL: Zac Patke as Assistant to the Pastor of First Baptist Church.
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2015 BASS LAKE SCHEDULE
May 4: Camp Corporation Meeting
May 15-16: Work Weekend
May 25: Memorial Day Rally
June 8-12: Staff Training
June 14-19: Rental Group
June 22-27: Family Camp
July 4-5: Counselor Training
July 6-11: Junior Camp
July 13-18: Jr. High Camp
July 20-25: Sr. High Camp
August 2-7: Rental Group
TBA: Young Adult's Retreat
TBA: Ladies' Retreat (late August)
TBA: Men's Retreat (September)
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