Houston Herald
March 2018
A publication of
 Houston Baptist Association
40 churches in Crisp, Dooly and Worth Counties working to reach our world for Christ.
From your Missionary
“The Houston Baptist Association exists to engage churches in effective ministry individually and cooperatively”.
This is our current mission statement for our Association. I believe it says exactly why we exist and is also why I am so passionate about encouraging our churches to accomplish this mission. The association is only as strong as the churches want to make it. I trust that our churches still understand that the association is a way that churches can work together to have an impact on the lost in our communities and in other places God uses us. I am concerned about a few things and we need to pray about how we can continue being an association that is unified in our mission in order that more lives will be reached with the Gospel. Here are a few things you can pray about and hopefully help with:
• The Vision statement for the Association states that we would collectively baptize and disciple 300 people annually for the next three years. Our reported baptisms from the 2017 ACR were 62. I am mentioning this because it should cause each of us to be concerned that we are not reaching enough people with the Gospel. If every church baptized 7 people annually, that would mean that we have seen 280 people saved, baptized and being discipled. I understand that I am mentioning numbers, but each number represents a soul that is important to God. Please pray that God will give us more compassion for the lost. I am praying that daily in my own life and I trust that we will make it a priority in our lives and our churches to share the Gospel so that people hear the good news that Jesus saves, and they don’t have to spend eternity in hell. 

• The contributions to the Association according to the 2017 financial statement have decreased. We are adjusting our budget and some of those adjustments are already in progress. I am praying that God will help give us guidance as to how to make those adjustments and that our churches will possibly look at ways of increasing their giving. Please pray how your church or even some individuals who can do so, may give more so that we are able to continue with the funding that is needed for the ministry of the Association.

I am praying that this information will help you to know the status of our association, so we can join together by praying and asking God to help us to be more committed to what He has called us to do. Every church in this association is vital and by joining together, we can be a strong and mighty Army that will cause the enemy to tremble because we are being faithful to God’s mission of reaching the lost. I love each church of this association and even though we have some concerns to pray about, I have had a renewed passion in serving this association. May we unite more than ever before so that we can stomp out the darkness that is all around us!

Bro. Gary


VBS CLINIC
ALBANY
March 10 @ 7:30 am - 12:30 pm

Price Varies – $15.00, $20.00 and $25.00 per person
This event is for Pastors, Association Missionaries, VBS Directors and every VBS leader. At the Clinic conferees will enjoy a continental breakfast, a tour of all the rooms, Worship Rally, snacks and two special interest classes. It’s a great time to put final touches on your game plan for VBS 18!
Pastor's Roundtable
Wednesday March 21 10:00 am
Houston Baptist Center
Men's Ministries will be having a Fish Fry
March 26 @ Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Meal starts at 6:30
All men are encouraged to invite lost men.
MINISTRY SAFE 2018 AMERICUS
March 20 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
MinistrySafe Church Safety Training equips church staff members with awareness, tools and strategies to help protect children from sexual abuse in ministry contexts.
This training is vital for full-time and bi-vocational pastors, executive pastors, student ministers, children’s ministers and lay leaders.
March 4 - March 11
Week of Prayer for North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.
The Transitional Pastor Training is available to any Southern Baptist Minister that is interested in training to be a transitional pastor and lead a church through a time of adjustment. This training builds on the knowledge a minister already has and focuses on this transitional time. Included in the cost are all the materials, breaks, and three meals. Lodging is not included but we can provide you with a list of hotels that are located close to the church. You will be responsible for making your own arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns please refer to the contact information below.
Church
News


Hatley Church will be having Revival beginning March 11 at the 11:00 am service and continuing at the 6:00 pm evening service as well as Monday- Wednesday at 7:00 pm with Guest Speaker Tom Stephens.
Vienna First Church has called Mr. Ridge Grinstead as Associate Pastor of Music and Students. His first Sunday will be March 11, 2018.
Please pray for

■Asssociational Missionary Gary Leutzinger
■Church planters Drew and Shannon Cunningham, Santa Cruz Area, California
■Church planters Adam and Ashley Sewell, Pittsburgh Area, Pennsylvania
■Buford Calhoun
■Mary Linda and Warren Hall
■Janet and John Pate
■Merle Sheffield; Lauralyn & Troy Drew
■Pregnancy Care Center–Crisp, Dooly, Wilcox
■Lost and unchurched people
■Revival in HBA churches
■Unity in our churches and unity among our churches
■Churches without pastors: Bakerfield, Cordele First, Dooling, Lakeshore, Northern Heights, Penia, Omar Heights
■TV ministries of Cordele First, Omar Heights, and Pinecrest churches 
■All the events and activities mentioned in this newsletter

Church positions available

Ebenezer Church is seeking a full time worship leader.Contact Bubba Smith at smithscouting@yahoo.com.

Northern Heights Church is seeking a full time pastor. Send resumes to Brett Sinyard, 124 Ray Road, Cordele 31015.

Smyrna Church is seeking a part-time minister of music. Contact Linda White at 229-268-6792.

Unadilla First Church is seeking a bi-vocational youth director send resumes to: parflin@gmail.com. Unadilla first is also looking for a pianist. Call 478-627-3615.
 
Northside Baptist Church, Sylvester is seeking a full-time minister of music. Contact Gay at 229-776-6253
Opportunities coming up

Houston Baptist Association events are printed in bold. HBC is an abbreviation for Houston Baptist Center.

Tuesdays Men’s Prayer
Breakfast 8am, HBC

March 4-10 Youth Week

March 4-11 Week of Prayer for North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.

March 13 Ministers/Wives and Deacon Chairmen/Wives Banquet 6:30 pm, Penia Church


March 18 Substance Abuse Prevention Sunday

March 20 Ministry Team Training 6:00 pm, HBC

March 21 Pastors Roundtable 10:00 am, HBC

March 22 Pittsburg Mission Trip informational meeting 7:00, HBC

March 26 Men's Fish Fry 6:30 pm, Pleasant Grove
Birthdays and Anniversaries

March 7 Shawn McNulty
March 8 Jasmine McNulty
March 11 Morgan Duncan
March 11 Kelly & Shawn McNulty
March 28 Sara Jones
March 29 Lisa Chalk
March 29 James McBurrows
March 30 Aidan Price

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BLOOD DRIVES
Cordele Community Clubhouse
March 13, 2018  
1:00 PM- 06:00 PM

Fire Ant Festival
Ashburn, GA
March 24, 2018 
09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Winshape Camps for Communities in Cordele
June 11-15, 2018. Monday - Thursday is 8:00am-5:00pm, and Friday is 8:00am-Noon. The camp is $214 and will be hosted at FBC Cordele (137 Kelly Road). promotional pricing will be offered during the first week of registration which opens March 4, 2018. Children must be in 1st-9th grades to register. Volunteers are welcomed from all churches. All adult volunteers will undergo background screening. Students that have completed 10th grade and up can also volunteer. Register to volunteer at   winshapecamps.org/volunteer  or contact FBC Cordele for more information.
GEORGIA BAPTIST WOMEN’S SPRING EVENT
April 13 - April 14
An experience for women of all ages featuring inspiring worship, relevant conferences, missions challenge and fun with friends!
$139 includes three meals, all general sessions and conferences (hotel not included).
Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, Stone Mountain
Partner with Lifetouch to create a no cost, updateable directory for your leadership, staff and families and start 2018 with new tools to help your church stay connected.
Be a Church Host or Volunteer in times of disaster!