Houston Herald
February 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
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Go in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

I have had the opportunity to speak and preach in a few of our churches on the text from Phil. 3. As we have already begun this new year it, is important for us as Christians to get rid of some things in our lives that keep us from being effective as a Christian witness and experiencing the abundant Christian life. There are three areas of our lives we often hold on to from year to year and those things are past resentments, worry, and failure. We cannot be all that God wants us to be if we are holding a grudge against a fellow believer. The Bible tells us to forgive and love another. The Bible also tells us not to worry because worry is a sin. When we worry, we are basically saying we don’t trust God to handle our problems. God loves us even when we fail Him and we should not allow failure to keep us from moving forward and serving God. Paul tells us that he was forgetting what lies behind and it would behoove us as Christians to do the same thing. He also said that he was reaching forward to what lies ahead. My friend, if we continue living in the past, we will miss out on what God has for us today and even tomorrow. I know that personally, I am reaching forward and looking to what God has in store for the churches of our association. I have a renewed passion and energy for serving as your missionary and I know that God wants to do some amazing things this year. I encourage every church to continue to support the efforts of the association and be sensitive to the Holy Spirits leading in being involved in what we accomplish together for the Kingdom. Every church is vital to fulfilling the Great Commission and we need to encourage each other and help each other accomplish this great task. May we follow Paul’s example and forget the past and move forward to achieving all that God want to do in and through our lives and our churches!

Bro. Gary

Members from Ebenezer, Penia, and Arabi are participating in Moldova-Ukraine Mission Trip February 21 through March 2, 2018.
This trip marks the 25 th  Anniversary of missions to Moldova and later to Ukraine, with the first trip occurring in 1993 which was just two years after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

Houston Baptist Association churches have been participating since 1999. Working through these mission teams, God has used them to spark revival in northern Moldova and western Ukraine, with the result that 1000's have prayed to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Also, many new churches have been started and existing churches have been strengthened. Pastor Peter Mikhalchuk of Moldova organizes and coordinates the logistics there. He has stated that these mission teams have encouraged their churches to become more mission minded for their region and the world! Pastor Ray Burnette organized these trips and participated in them for several years before his graduation to heaven.

Aubrey Wynn from Arabi; Stacy Posey and Rob Underwood from Penia; and Greg Sims, Fred, Sara and Korbin Jones from Ebenezer are part of the Houston Baptist members on this 16 person team. Also, Ray Sullivan and his two sons (Collin, Granger) will be part of the team. The other team members come from the Cairo area, the Rome area, and Alabama.

Pray for the team , for a mighty harvest and that our Lord will be glorified.
Wild Game Supper
February 22, 2018
Baker Baptist Church
Rentz, Ga. 

I would like to challenge each and every man, young man, and boy to attend this tremendous event with our Brotherhood.

There is no cost and we can car pool together.........all they ask us to do is bring lost men with us!!
Many expensive door prizes will be given away.

The exciting thing about this ministry is its from a small church, it has gone from approximately 44 men to 1200 men attending, and most importantly.......it has brought their church membership and Sunday School attendance from 150 to 450 weekly.

These men will also be coming to put on a presentation to our Brotherhood in the near future so we can start our own event.

Please consider attending this event.....it will certainly be an investment in the future of our churches!!

Dewey Mitchell
229-425-3336 Cell
UPCOMING
SONS OF JUBAL
CONCERTS


A worship concert presented by the Sons of Jubal: a praise and proclamation ministry of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. A free will love offering will be taken during the concerts. This offering goes directly toward the mission projects of the Sons of Jubal.

MABLETON
February 1 @ 7:00 pm FREE
561 Veterans Memorial Hwy SE 

MOULTRIE
February 15 @ 7:00 pm
Venue
400 S Main St 
GREENSBORO
February 8 @ 7:00 pm Free
1971 S Main St 
SOUTH GEORGIA HISPANIC CHURCH GROWTH AND MISSIONS CONFERENCE
February 3 @ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
The South Georgia Hispanic Church Growth and Missions Conference is an annual conference, where Hispanic congregations from South and Central Georgia gather for a time of equipping and fellowship.
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for children (0-11)
 Venue
400 S Main St 
Moultrie, GA 31768 
Kids Ministry Summit is an annual event for Kid Ministers across our state. The purpose of the Summit is to provide an opportunity to network and build relationships with other Kid Ministers across our state and to provide training. This event includes large group sessions, roundtable discussion, and fellowship.
Cost: $55.00 before January 1, 2018 and $70.00 after January 1, 2018 (Please note that lodging is not included)
Georgia Baptist Women
FOCUS ON WMU WEEK
February 12 -19
 The purpose of Focus on WMU is to feature the missions activities of church members who are involved in what WMU provides. WMU is simply the channel through which God can and does work.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DAY
February 17
Children’s Ministry Day is a day set aside by National WMU to encourage leaders and parents to get children in grades 1-6 involved in missions. Plan to do something in your local community.

VBS JUMPSTART
This event is for Pastors & Key VBS leadership. At the Jumpstart, VBS leaders will begin to make a game plan and be motivated to have an All-Star VBS ’18!
No Registration – Free Event!

WARNER ROBINS
February 13 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Central Baptist Church
ALBANY
February 15 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sherwood Baptist Church


PASTORS DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Church
News

Harmony Church recognized Edith Peavy of Unadilla on November 12th for achieving 50 years of perfect attendance in Sunday School. She was inspired by her nephew Lamar Dupree who had a 6 year pin when he passed away in 1968.

Sunday School Superintendent Royce Cross presented Edith with her 50 year pin.

2018 South Georgia Men's Training Conference was held in Cordele on Saturday January 27th at Northern Heights Baptist Church.
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
■ Moldova- Ukraine mission team
■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.

Vienna First Church is seeking a bivocational youth minister. Send resumes to viennafbc@gmail.com. Also, VFBC continues to seek a pianist for Sunday AM worship and weekly choir practice.
 
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

Feb. 3 Hispanic Growth and Missions Conference

Feb. 12 Church Security Training 7:00 pm, HBC

Feb. 12-19 Focus on WMU week

Feb.13 VBS Jumpstart Warner Robins

Feb. 15 VBS Jumpstart Albany 

Feb. 17 Childrens Ministry Day

Feb. 20 55+ Leadership Conference, Macon

Feb.24 Children’s Missions Extravaganza
Birthdays and Anniversaries

February 8 Teresa Ward
February 17 Virginia Evans
February 19 Betty Smith
February 22 Lisa & Richard Chalk
February 24 Noah Duncan
February 27 Tim Price

BLOOD DRIVES
Cordele Community Clubhouse
Feb 20, 2018  
1:00 PM- 06:00 PM

Crisp Regional Hospital 
February 22, 2018
10:00 AM - 04:30 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.
Cordele 
1st Annual Watermelon
Senior Olympic Games 
March 24th, 2018  
Participants must be 50 years of age or older to register and compete. The entry fee for one event will be $15.00, and $5.00 for each additional event. You may pick up your registration pac at the Rec Department. Any registration after Feb. 15 is subject to a late fee.
The Children’s Missions Extravaganza is a one-day event for children in grades 1-6 and their leaders. Children from around the state will gather at Bethany Baptist in Bolingbroke for a time of worship, equipping, and missions experience as they go out into the surrounding communities to share Jesus and serve others.
$20 per person, includes lunch and all ministries supplies for the day
55+ LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
MACON
February 20 @ 8:30 am - 8:30 pm
Statewide Training Event for Senior Adult Leadership is for those who lead, teach, and minister to seniors. Come to learn, fellowship, and be entertained. Workshops will focus on leadership, missions, evangelism, spiritual renewal, and senior adult choir.
Pre-Registration – $35.00, $40.00, and $45.00 At the Door
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!