North Grand River Baptist Association

The Encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Volume 34, Number 4

April, 2009

“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.”“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.”“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.”“Churches working together to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.” Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18----20202020

Alpha

Edinburg

Gallatin

Galt

Jameson*

Jamesport

Laredo

Lineville*

Medicine Valley

Mercer

Milan Hispanic

Modena

Princeton

Ravanna*

Rural Dale

Salem

Shelburne

Spickard

Tenth Street

Trenton First

Union

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North Grand River Baptist Association 1108 N Main Director of Missions

Trenton, MO 64683 Rev. E.J. Barnes

Fax: 660.359.0200 Ministry Assistant

E-Mail: ngrmission@sbcglobal.net Debbie Dickinson

BSU Telephone– 660.359.0200 BSU Director

DOM’s Office– 660.359.3365 Telephone – 660.359.3897 Diann Barnes

Web Page– northgrandriverbaptist.com

North Grand River Baptist Association’s Purpose- “To mutually and prayerfully support, encourage and challenge one another as churches to exalt Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to edify and equip His disciples to serve him and one another, and to evangelize those who have yet to come to know Him personally.” Matthew 28:19-20

North Grand River VBS Clinic

April 6, 2009

Trenton First Baptist Church

6:30-8:30 pm

Conference LeadersConference LeadersConference LeadersConference Leaders

Preschool—K Ann Schreffler 1st & 2nd grade Michelle Skinner 3rd & 4th grade Joyce Trask 5th & 6th grade Belinda Hogan Youth Nathan Kottwitz Adult Bro. Jean Osborn Pastors Bro. E.J. Barnes Directors Kayla Michael & Carol Leeper Crafts Christine Ward Missions Judy Vyrostek Recreation Scott Betz Music Mandi Ripple

Evelyn Trickel is in charge of the snacks. Childcare will be provided.

Youth CampYouth CampYouth CampYouth Camp–––– June 22 June 22 June 22 June 22----26, 200926, 200926, 200926, 2009 Children’s CampChildren’s CampChildren’s CampChildren’s Camp–––– August 3 August 3 August 3 August 3----7, 20097, 20097, 20097, 2009

Theme- “NO Neutrals”

“He who is not with me is against me.” Luke 11:23

April

4 Brad and Sherry Walker 5 Nellie Osborn 11 Kathy Thomas

Personal Money Management Workshop May 19, 2009 6:30 pm

Princeton First Baptist Church

Spencer Hutson from MBC Will be the workshop leader

In the midst of our financial economy, you will not want to miss this conference to help each family with their personal finances.

RSVP by May 15th 660-359-3897

RevivalRevivalRevivalRevival

First Baptist Church– Princeton

April 26-29

Evangelist– Wesley Hammond

Missouri Baptist Convention

175th Year Celebration

Apri l 25, 2009

10:00 am

Providence Baptist Church

12206 North Stark Avenue

(Northwest of Liberty)

Keynote Speaker:

Rev. Jim Shaver

At the Bookstore Christian Computer Games Sale- $8.00 (Have received good comments on these games)

All books on sale for 10% off lowest price April 13-24th

Check out new listening CD’s and DVD’s

New assortment of boxed cards.

Baseball hats on stock and can order

Boxed Graduation Cards

Revival Fires Rally

First Baptist Church, Gallatin

April 5, 2009

Rev. Steve Dennis– Speaker

From My Heart to YoursFrom My Heart to YoursFrom My Heart to YoursFrom My Heart to Yours

“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His coun-tenance was like lightening, and His clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen…’” Matthew 28: 2-61 (NKJV)

It’s that time of the year again when we, the children of God, accentuate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in special ways. Easter Sunday is special to me because it was on an Easter Sunday when my dad committed his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Needless to say, this event was the turning point for our family. I cannot imagine what my life would be like now had not my dad hum-bled himself and consecrated himself to be a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ. I hope Easter is special to you also. Just think if there had been no Easter Sunday there would not be..

E E E E te rna l L i fe

A A A A bundant L i fe

S S S S anct i f ied L i fe

T T T T r iumphant L i fe

E E E E xa l ted L i fe

R R R R esurrec ted L i fe With out Easter we would miss out on LIFE. We know, serve, and love the LIVING LORD. What a privilege and joy! May all our church buildings be full of people who will all ultimately worship Jesus Christ as the RESSURECTION and the LIFE! For his Glory-

E.J. Barnes Seminary Checking $191.62 Seminary Savings $2,027.74 Benevolent Savings $1,128.55 Belarus $2,756.35

BSU– February– Income to Expense Beginning Balance $3,184.57 Income $1,403.10 Total $4,587.67 Expenses $1,078.01 Ending Balance $3,509.66

Half Rock (Providence Baptist Church) Accepting bids on Half Rock (Providence) Baptist Church. Open House is April 18, 2009, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the church building. (Directions- take Hwy 65 N to Hwy B (Spickard), going east- turn north on Hwy Y, turn east on Hwy JJ, going approximately 5 miles). Sealed bids are to be submitted to the North Grand River Association Office, 1108 Main, Trenton, MO. 64683, by April 30, 2009. Bids will be opened at 4:30 pm. Trustee’s reserve the right to accept or reject bids. Property comes with nearly new furnace and AC, Rural water hookup and clear title.

February Reports

Monthly Inc.

BSU Inc. SS MW EW DT WMU

Bapt. Men

Youth Kids

Ministry Bapt. Ltr/

Other

Alpha $ 232.41 18 24 15

Edinburg $ 502.76 $ 29.57 54 82 48 8 11

Gallatin $ 570.20 $ 50.00 94 124 31 7 48

Galt 26 35

Jameson $ 424.00 8 10

Jamesport $ 25.00 32 48 25

Laredo $ 139.00 $ 25.00 27 46 10 7 6 5

Lineville $ 285.70 $ 57.14 31 36 30 20

M. Valley $ 35.85 $ 25.00 12 12

Mercer $ 237.00 $ 25.00 36 61 20 6 4

Modena $ 58.36 11 7

Princeton $ 928.57 $ 50.00 127 198 55 23 25 2

Ravanna $ 168.95 12 12 8 9

Rural Dale $1,196.20 $ 100.00 75 7 1 1

Salem $ 109.44 23 27 10

Shelburne $ 599.19 $ 50.00 39 52 30 27 10 2

Spickard $ 37.00 12 20

Tenth St. $ 647.35 $ 107.90 80 157 43 30 6 10 44

Trenton FB $1,322.96 $ 220.49 112 161 27 66

Union $ 239.25 $ 100.00 55 98 27 55

Total $7,759.19 $ 840.10 873 1214 386 135 69 38 192 3 3

Chilli, FBC $ 43.00

MBC $ 460.00 February Account Records Beginning Balance $19,456.33 Income $12,956.72 Total $32,413.05 Expenses $10,906.68 Ending Balance $21,506.37

Line Items in General Checking Designated $6,632.86 General Fund $14,873.57 Balance $21,506.43

NGR Oct. thru Feb. Income to Expense Income $65,070.83 Expenses $65,067.34 Difference $3.49

Medicine Valley- We have shown the movie “Fireproof” twice during the past month. First, at the Baptist Chapel at Newtown and a week later at the Community Center in Hum-phreys. The latter was preceded by extensive visitation in the areas of Humphreys and Reger, in the villages

and throughout the surrounding countryside. In our visitation of homes in those communities we have come across some 12 to 15 families who have indicted they would (or might) be interested in participating in a series of home Bible Studies, and perhaps in the possible future development of regular preaching services leading to establishment of a mission or church in the area. Only time will tell how many of these might actually become involved when we attempt to begin studies. The prayers of God’s people are critical at this state of our en-deavors. We would love to see groups from other churches do prayer walks in this area and make this mission endeavor a part of your regular prayer meetings and the daily prayer life of your people. Over the next couple of months we expect to be meeting with pastors and members of the other Baptist church’s surrounding the Humphreys/Reger area to make plans for another Evangelistic Cru-sade in August. Much good has come from last year’s cru-sade. Much more work is to be done, and much greater prayer burden exercised to lift up the peo-ple and their needs to the throne of God. We are continually grateful for the support of those churches and individuals who continue to see the importance of this mission in their own backyard. May we in all humility say thank you to all who have and who continue to support us, both finan-cially and in your prayers. May God’s blessing continue upon you and yours.

Galt– The youth prepared and served a meal for the Sweetheart’s banquet on February 15th. There were 13 couples attending. February 16th we delivered bags of cookies to 130 plus households in the town.

Lineville- The Lord has really been blessing our small church here in Lineville. Our chil-dren’s Sunday School classes are really begin-ning to grow. Several who attend our Wednes-day night youth program, have now began to attend Sunday School. It is exciting to see and hear all of the children now in church. It is sign of growth.

We are experiencing a larger attendance on Sunday mornings. We are seeing former mem-bers and visitors beginning to come back and worship with us. Three former members who are on the non-active list have now been put on active list. This is also a sign of growth.

Cody McHargue is serving as youth leader on Sunday and is doing a wonderful job with them. They have attended a Christian rock concert, and are making more plans to do things to-gether.

We are making headway with our building pro-ject. We are adding on a new fellowship hall and are excitedly waiting for ground breaking day on Easter Sunday. We have teams and individuals from Missouri and Iowa as well as teams from Louisiana and Virginia who will be coming in to help build throughout the summer. God has been opening the doors that are nec-essary to get a project of this size and magni-tude off the ground. We are currently raising money for the project.

We are also working out the details for an up-coming revival in our church, plus we are begin-ning to make plans for this summer’s Vacation Bible School.

This is certainly an exciting and busy time for all of us here at Lineville Baptist as we carry out God’s plans for our church.

RA CONGRESS If your church does not have a Royal Ambas-sador program, this event would still be of in-terest to your boys in grades 1-6. The Con-gress event is scheduled for April 10-11, 2009 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia and offers a variety of interesting and fun ac-tivities for the boys. Some of the many field events are archery, campcraft rodeo, RA rac-ers, riflery, soccer, softball throw, football punt pass and kick, and basketball hotshot. The boys can also compete in track events and enter their craft projects in Project Hall. The Congress will also highlight a mission fair where the boys will have a fun time meeting missionaries and learning about their work in ways that are interesting and fun. Our special guests will be Real Encounter. They will bring Christ’s message through their biking expertise. Upon receipt of your regis-tration, you will receive confirmation and a Congress manual which details the activities. The manual is also available on our website (http://www.mobaptist.org, from there go to missions, then men’s missions & ministry, then scroll down to events). You may call 1-800-736-6227 ext. 631 with questions.

M-Counter “Called to Love”

April 17-18, 2009

First Baptist Church, Lebanon

Guest Speakers:

Wanda Lee and Judith Edwards

Missionaries- Break-out Sessions

See your WMU Director or call the office for more information. You can register

online at www.mobaptist.ort/wmu_wmandm

Coming Events

Bud & Barbara Lee Concert May 1, 2009

Trenton First Baptist Church

Pastor’s Wives Brunch May 2, 2009

Barbara Lee– Guest Speaker

Bud & Barbara Lee Concert May 3, 2009

Princeton FBC– AM Worship Service Ridgeway Baptist– Evening Service

National Day of Prayer

May 7, 2009

World Changers in Trenton June 20-26, 2009

BLOCK TRAILER

The Block Trailer has been redone and every-thing now has an organized place. Reservations have already started– if you are wanting to use the Block Trailer, please call the Mission Center and make your reservations now. There are so many possibilities the trailer can be used as a mission and evangelism event such as: a VBS event, Block Party, Children or youth event, mis-sion fair, all church BBQ, etc. Items in the trailer include a popcorn machine, sno-cone machine, BBQ grill and several games.

“Why do you seek the living among he dead? He is not here, but is risen! “

Luke 24: 5-7

Easter B lessings! What an exciting month! We will be celebrating Easter; the death, burial, and resurrec-tion of our Lord. Also, this month, April 17th and 18th will be M-Counter, our annual WMU/Women’s Ministry Meeting in Lebanon, Missouri. So much to look forward to! We also received a wonderful blessing at our March St. Patrick’s Day Program and Prayer Luncheon with guest speaker, Vince Blubaugh, NAMB/MBC Church Planter Strategist. He shared with us what the Annie Armstrong Offering means to his work. We

were glad to have several men join us for our program and prayer luncheon, and we hope they re-ceived as much of a blessing as we did. At our April Program and Prayer Luncheon we will hear a report from Belinda Hogan and any others who are able to attend M-Counter. WMU Council members will also have a short meeting right after lunch to discuss some ideas for future plans and goals. Ladies, it’s not too early to begin promoting the National Day of Prayer in our WOM’s and churches. At this time our country desperately needs prayer! If your church or community doesn’t have a Na-tional Day of Prayer Program, there will be one on Thursday, May 7th, at the Grundy County Court-house in Trenton at 12:15 pm. Perhaps this is the time to help begin one in your church or commu-nity. At our May Days Prayer Luncheon, May 19th, we’ll meet at the Mission Center at 10:30 am and go out prayerwalking (or prayerdriving, for those who would have trouble walking). Let’s have a sand-wich/salad luncheon when we return. Hope you can come and join us. Have a blessed Easter! What a perfect time to reach out to those around us with the true meaning of Easter.

Bev Martin

MBC-Collegiate Ministry at NCMC

Last week, March 13-17, the BSU Collegiate ministry hosted a local mission’s project for Young Women ages 12-24 years, at 10th Street Baptist Church. 31 young women, mothers, and friends attended the first night, and 14 young women and 11 mothers participated in the Promise Cere-mony the last night of the conference. I would like to give a very special thank you to 10th Street Baptist church for allowing us to use their facilities each night to host the conference. Another thank you goes to each night’s conferences leaders: Monday night, Keri Gott and her manicurist Debbie for teaching the girls the proper way to care for their nails; Iva Gail for sharing with the girls how valuable they are in Christ Jesus. Tuesday night, Doris Ferguson, Mary Kay Consultant, shared with the girls the proper way to care for their complexions, and Paula Sue Green shared how to have a pure heart. She also shared with the girls how NOT to be a stumbling block to young men with our outward dress. Wednesday night, Michelle Ray gave the girls pointers on what young men are looking for in a young woman and how to adorn our outward appearance in a way that would be fashionable and appropriate. Peggy Smith talked with the young women about how to have a pure body inwardly that would be pleasing to our Lord Jesus. Thursday night, Barbara Rogers blessed the girls with tips and tricks for hair styles, and we also got to do hand waxing. Thank you, Barbara. My hands are still soft from the experience. Michelle Stark shared about the characteris-tics of a godly man. Then the last night, Friday, Christabell Appiah, Kara Arthaud, and Ann Schref-fler shared their personal testimonies and hosted a very beautiful Promise Ceremony for the young women to covenant with Jesus Christ to make HIM #1 man in their lives. I want to thank Ann, Christabell, and Kara for all their hard work before the conference and their consistent loyal participation each night during the conference. Thank you, ladies. Your support and prayers made all the difference. Now my prayer is that Jesus will take all his Words that were spo-ken and burn them deep into the hearts of those who attended. Help me pray for our young women in this culture, who choose to do things God’s way instead of the world’s way. It’s not easy to walk in His Word bearing the scoffing and ridicule the world heaps on your head, for not agreeing with their view. The host churches for Wednesday lunches have really been a sweet blessing to the campus stu-dents. The meals have been great, and the devotions have been encouraging, and students have been responding with comments like, “I had no idea that this existed.” “It has really been a blessing for me to get a good hot meal once a week. Most days I don’t even get a chance to eat, or am broke.” We had 3 brand new students even this past Wednesday, the first after Spring Break. I was a little concerned thinking there might not be too many students because of the break. But God blessed beyond my comprehension and we served 65 lunches, March 18, with Modena, Salem, and Spickard churches hosting the meal and Steve Dennis sharing the devotion. Thank you NGRBA church family. We still have April 15 open for a host church. If any of you would like to get blessed again or haven’t had the opportunity to be a blessing call the office and let Debbie know you would like to help us with this date. There’s only 7 more weeks of school left to minister to our mission field of campus students. Please keep praying that we will make use of every moment God gives us to tell them about Jesus. HE IS WORTHY TO RECEIVE THE REWARD of HIS SACRIFICE!!!

Diann

Shelburne- A good time was had by all at a re-cent bowling event in Chillicothe. One person coming by letter during March. Bro. Brad and Sherry attended the Rekindle the Flame Confer-ence in Cameron. Our Easter Sunrise Service - 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8:00 a.m., Sunday School - 9:00 a.m., Worship Service 10:00 a.m. (the Easter music program is then). No evening service. Our church will go Easter caroling April 5.

Spickard- The area churches in Spickard will have a Good Friday Service at Spickard United Methodist Church at 7:00 pm. Our church will have a breakfast at 8:00 am on Easter morning and the worship and program to follow at 9:00 am.

Tenth Street- We will be hosting Dr. Ron Logan a Herbalist Nutritionist on April 18th. Dr. Logan speaks about foods and how they can af-fect our body, foods that can help with cancer and many other pieces of information. Everyone is invited.

Trenton First- We started a Diabetic Support Group on March 4th. This group will be led by Bro. Jean Osborn, meeting on the first Wednes-day of each month at 5:30.

Each Sunday we have been promoting the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for our NAMB mission-aries. March 29th is kite Sunday for the children. The kites will have the name of a missionary or MK on each kite to remind them to pray for a mis-sionary or MK. The first meeting of Girlfriends in February was a huge success. The March meet-ing was the 26th.

We will be hosing the Association VBS Clinic on April 6th, and the Ladies Pre-Easter breakfast on April 8th.

We will have an early Worship service on Easter at 8:00 am, with a breakfast to follow at 8:30. Sunday School and morning worship will be at regular times.

Princeton- We had a Valentine fellowship and dinner for adults and youth on February 14. Baby Pictures were put on a tree and eve-ryone tried to identify who it was. Several Games were played and enjoyed by all.

On April 10, Good Friday we will be showing a movie entitled "The Passion" at 7:00 p.m. Bring finger foods to share after the movie. Games will be played for the younger children downstairs. Sunrise Services will be held on Sunday morning April 12 at 6:30a.m. Afterwards, Breakfast will be served by the Re-lay For Life Team. Our revival will be held on April 26 through April 29 with Evangelist Wesley Hammond.

Salem- March-18 we served the BSU luncheon along with Spickard and Modena Baptist churches.

March 20-21, 5 girls attended the Grand Oaks Retreat from our church along with their Sun-day School teacher. March 22, Daffodil Sun-day, we honored those who have had cancer either as survivors, or who have lost their bat-tle. March 22, we will have the Sunnyview worship service at 2:00 pm.

March 29th we will be having someone form the Gideon's come and share with us, during our worship service.

April- 5th, at 2:30 pm, Revival Fires Rally at Gallatin FBC, Bro. Steve Dennis will be bringing the message.

On April-12th, Easter Sunday, we will have a breakfast at 9:00 am, prepared by the men of the church, followed by an egg hunt for the chil-dren. During the Worship Service at 10:30 am, we will be observing the Lords Supper during that time.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 BSU

Luncheon

11-12:45

Mercer

2 Seminary

Extension*

7:00 pm

3 4

5 Revival

Fires

Rally– 2:30

Gallatin

FBC

6 VBS

Training

6:30

Trenton

First

7 8 BSU

Luncheon

11-12:45

Tenth Street

9 Seminary

Extension*

7:00 pm

10 Good Friday

Mission

Center

Closed

11

12 13 14 Executive

Board

Reports

Due

15 BSU

Luncheon

11-12:45

(OPEN)

16 Seminary

Extension*

7:00 pm

17 Encourager

Articles

Due

18 Men’s

Breakfast

Galt– 8 am

19 20 Executive

Board

Meeting*

7:00 pm

21 Women’s

Prayer

Luncheon*

22 BSU

Luncheon

11-12:45

Princeton

23 Seminary

Extension*

7:00 pm

24 25

26 Cooperative

Program

Sunday

27 28 29 BSU

Luncheon

11-12:45

Highview

30 Seminary

Extension*

7:00 pm

April 2009

GA Retreat -Grand Oaks

RA Congress– Sedalia

WMU Annual Meeting

Lebanon