(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 dfriar@marbc.org.)
MARBC MEETING IS OCTOBER 2-4 IN HIBBING
Pastor David Strope (Ankeny Baptist Church, Ankeny, IA.) will be our featured speaker as we focus on the theme of global missions ("Authentic Ministry in an Alien Age"). Workshop leaders will include Pastor Tim Barr (Kansas City, MO.) and Representative Darrell Friar. Mrs. Barr will also be addressing ladies in special sessions designed for them. First Baptist in Hibbing will be serving as our host.
Churches and individuals are encouraged to help us with expenses by bringing gifts with them to the meeting. We want to thank you in advance for your generosity in this matter.
The host church will be providing an evening meal on Monday evening (October 2). Please let the church know that you will be attending (218-929-1594 or firstbaptisthibbing@gmail.com).
SCHEDULE: MONDAY
5:00 Supper at the Church
7:00 Evening Service (Strope)
TUESDAY
8:15 Prayer
9:00 Business Session
10:45 General Session (Strope)
12:00 Lunch (Ladies Luncheon at the church)
1:30 Workshop: Darrell Friar
2:45 Workshop: Tim Barr
7:00 Evening Service (Strope)
WEDNESDAY
8:15 Prayer
9:00 Representative's Hour (Friar)
10:30 General Session (Strope)
PARKER'S PRAIRIE RECOGNITION COUNCIL
First Baptist Church is applying to join the MARBC and the MBA (Minnesota Baptist Association). A recognition council was held on July 29. Several men from both fellowships were in attendance. The council looked over the church's documents and questioned the host pastor Christopher Watson. After convening for a time of executive session, the council voted their approval to encourage the church's partnership in the associations mentioned above. A vote on this church will be held at our MARBC annual meeting on October 3 at First Baptist Church in Hibbing.
YOUTH FALL OUT RETREAT
The Fall Out Retreat will be held at Camp JIM (near Brainerd) on October 19-21. The retreat will begin at Camp JIM at 4:00 pm on Thursday, and we will conclude events at 11:00 am on Saturday.
This retreat is an opportunity for teens to “Fall Out” of life's pressures and refocus their intentions for this school year. This year's theme is “Following Jesus." The speaker will be Pastor Dan Newton. Dan is the youth pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Brainerd.
You can GO HERE for more information and to register for the event. Please note that registration will close down on Friday, October 13.
NORTHERN FALL LADIES' RETREAT
The northern ladies will be meeting on October6-7 at First Baptist Church in Baxter. At the time of this writing, details and schedule are not available to the editor, but you can request more information from Mrs. Rebecca King (kingexpress7@gmail.com).
BUS TRIP REVIEW
Forty-seven riders made a six-day trip to Kentucky and back. Venues included the Air Force Museum (Dayton, OH.), the Creation Museum (Petersburg, KY.), the Ark Encounter (Williamstown, KY.), and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum (West Branch, IA.).
The Air Force Museum included many pioneer aircraft and a history of aviation. The group saw a 3-D film on aircraft carriers which depicted the engineering marvel of being an airstrip on the sea. Aircraft representing many wars and conflicts were on display. A section of the museum included presidential aircraft which visitors could climb on board. We even walked through the plane which Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president (and also carried the body of fallen president John F. Kennedy).
Although the weather was rainy, it did not dampen the group's enthusiasm in visiting the Creation Museum. The self-guided tour allowed us access to the displays, several films, workshops and a planetarium show "Created Cosmos." Of course, many secured items in the museum's gift shop.
"It's bigger than you imagined!" is the slogan for the Ark Encounter and that is an apt description. As one walks through the three level, 510' long structure, Noah's story is retold through exhibits and videos. There is much evidence to meet any skeptic's concerns. The property also features a small zoo and camel rides (at least one from our group went on a ride!).
Our generation does not now much of the presidency of Herbert Hoover. This stop allowed us to review his work as a humanitarian, politician and diplomat. The West Branch property allowed visits to the home in which he was born (just two rooms!), the Quaker meeting place, his schoolhouse and the grave site.
Several positive comments were heard concerning the bus ride itself. There was much fellowship, videos, devotions and singing.
Interested in joining us next year? Right now we are planning a trip in October 2018 to Washington D.C. Although we visited this area in 2015, we plan to see some sites that were not on our itinerary on the previous trip.
BASS LAKE CAMPING NEWS
The ministry at Bass Lake is expanding with all sorts of building upgrades. The girl's showers have been renovated to allow for expansion, private changing stalls with the showers and some new counter space. (In fact one camper proclaimed that the camp has nicer showers than what she had at her home!) A new office has been constructed as well as a three-season meeting area known as the Pavilion. The canteen did not get finished for our use this year (we sold items through the Pavilion this year), but the majority of the work has been finished on that building and it should be ready for us next summer. Future plans also include a staff shower house to be constructed before opening up next season.
The summer ministry is over and by the time you read this, the camp will be preparing the grounds for the winter. A review of the summer reveals that our rental groups were up in attendance while our camping program (family camp and youth camps) was down. This brings about a financial hardship, but we are confident God will continue to provide for our needs.
Despite the drop in attendance, the camp saw an increase in the number of professed spiritual decisions. God is still moving hearts in the work of Christian camping!
New items at camp included a lakeside "lily pad" (pictured), foot golf, a revamped mini-golf, many picnic tables and several pieces of athletic equipment.
Be sure to place the 2018 dates into your calendar. Those dates are at the end of this newsletter.
CHURCH NEWS
No church news was received for this issue of the MBM.