Volume 2, Issue 5 | May 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last month we remembered the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a yearly time when we are reminded of our sin and the horrible suffering Jesus had to go through so we all could be forgiven of that sin. We also celebrated His resurrection and the defeat of the power of sin, the defeat over death and the hope that is guaranteed to all those who turn their lives over to the Lord. What a huge victory that Jesus came back to life, thus giving us new purpose and meaning in life. I hope you are revived and refreshed by this promise from our Lord.

Knowing that Christ is alive and very much involved with our lives reminds me of an incident that happened not long ago. Each Friday I do chaplain visits and ministry at the nursing home in Cotulla. As I was visiting with one of the CNAs, she was sharing with me the struggles she was going through: a single mom, raising 2 kids, going to school and working a fulltime job. When she was not working, she would visit one of our Baptist churches where she lived. But she hated missing church when she had to work. I listened to her share her heart. After some time, I asked her if she prayed for God’s help when she was so overwhelmed. She had not. I encouraged her to do so: go to the Lord and just simply ask Him for help. I shared Matthew 11:28 where the Lord said “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  She said she would do that. I then concluded the visit by praying for her.

A few weeks later as I made my chaplain visits, I saw her again. We visited briefly, then as I was leaving she called to me. Looking back to her, I heard her say: “It works.” With a smile on her face, she had sought the Lord when she needed help, and He answered. My heart rejoiced to hear how God had responded to her need.

I like the words of the hymn that say:
“I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.”

As you go through life, Jesus is always there at your side when you are going through overwhelming times and He will help when you call on Him. Don’t hesitate to call on Him, because He lives, we know “It works.”

Your Fellow Servant,
Bro. Loren
Upcoming Events
May 2019
1st - South Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting
2nd - National Day of Prayer
2nd - East Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meetings
3rd-6th - FRBA Ladies' Retreat (HEB Foundation Camp)
7th - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm
6th-8th - SBTC Church Administrative Assistant's
Retreat (San Marcos)
12th - Mother's Day
21st - FRBA Executive Board Meeting
9:30am – Fellowship
10:00am – Business Meeting
21st - 1:00-2:30pm - Jehovah's Witnesses Seminar
with Keith Walker
23rd - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
27th - Memorial Day - FRBA OFFICE CLOSED

June 2019
4th - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm
5th - South Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting
6th - East Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting
11th-12th - SBC Annual Meeting (Birmingham, AL)
16th - Father’s Day
17th-20th - Area Kid’s Camp (Alto Frio)
24th-28th - GA, Acteen & RA Camp (Alto Frio)
27th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
28th-29th - MannaFest 2019 (more details below)
Joys of motherhood
• A hug for no reason.
• Belly laughs.
• The light-bulb moment when your child understands
something you’ve been trying to teach them.
• Smiles and giggles.
• Mud pies.
• Arms raised in the air after a big accomplishment.
• Hearing Scripture and prayer from your child’s lips.
• Quiet moments on the couch.
• Reading aloud together.
• A family meal filled with conversation and laughter.
• Watching your child be kind to another.
• Recognizing a moment you’d like to freeze in time.
• A child’s look of surprise and joy.
• A quiet conversation that heals a wounded heart.
• The words “I love you” — and a sticky kiss.
—Unknown
COMING SOON!!
The National Observance will begin at 6:30 p.m. CST and conclude at 8:30 pm CST on Thursday, May 2, 2018. You can find a link for the live feed at NationalDayOfPrayer.org .
Pass the word...it's gonna be a great opportunity to get to know folks...
On Saturday, May 4th , Black Creek Baptist Church will be hosting a community bar-b-cue supper with all the trimmings, including homemade ice cream! Table and chairs will be provided under a big tent!

The fun starts at 5:30pm. Come join us!
Save This Date!!
On Saturday, September 21 , FBC Pleasanton will be one of over 225 host locations for DYM's National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training . You can join over 10,000 volunteers across the nation as we watch 8 TED-style training videos with discussion breaks, prizes, giveaways and more. The videos will be on a variety of topics with 8 different youth ministry experts such as "The Heart of a Volunteer" with Doug Fields,  "What All Kids Need From A Caring Volunteer" with Chap Clark, "Helping Parents Win" with Kara Powell and others. The whole list of topics can be found at trainmyvolunteers.com
 
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR FRBA CHURCHES: When you register at www.trainmyvolunteers.com , be sure to use the promo code BEOURGUESTPLEASANTON and the cost will be $5 per person instead of the normal $99 per church. If you have any other questions or need help registering, contact Brian Avery at 940-329-8258 or youthpastor@fbcpleasanton.org .
Around the Association
CONGRATULATIONS to Belen Baptist Church in Dilley recently
celebrated their 60-year anniversary!
Click HERE for more pictures.
CONGRATULATIONS to Julie Morse (Moore Baptist Church) on earning her
Certificate of Christian Ministry! Way to go Julie!!
Youth and adults from FBC Pleasanton joined over 500 other students for
this year's Pre-Easter Retreat at Alto Frio
The theme for the weekend was TRUTH as we focus on
the truth of the Bible and how we can count on it.
It was a beautiful morning for Encinal Community Church's Easter Sunrise Service!
Faith Baptist C hurch - Devine had a great service on resurrection Easter Sunday. They started with breakfast at 8:30am, Sunday School, a skit performed by youth, worship, sermon, a Pinata and egg hunt. Bro Tommy Garza and the youth of the church presented a skit that made people aware of the struggles our youth face today - suicide, drugs, alcohol, etc.  
A group of 13 women from FBC Cotulla attended the Woman of Grace Retreat at Alto Frio . Not only did they experience great fellowship, but each made new friends from around Texas. The Spiritual Warfare theme used a Ephesians 6 to teach the women how to be victorious over their spiritual battles. What an amazing blessing was received by all in attendance.
VBS Clinic

71 VBS workers representing 13 churches were present for last weekend's VBS Clinic!

We'd like to send a BIG THANK YOU to FBC Charlotte
for hosting this important annual event once again.

We are also asking all our FRBA churches to notify our office
of the dates and times of their upcoming VBS events.

We will be supporting you and praying for you
as you carry out these wonderful evangelistic events.

Click HERE for more pictures!
Love in Action
More than 20 men from FBC Carrizo Springs' Men's Ministry recently joined together to re-roof a local home. Their hard work resulted in some good fellowship, sore muscles and some new metal roofing skills! They truly put Galatians 6:10 into action!
Click HERE for more pictures!
FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY
This Bible study and many more are available
through our resource library!

Listen, Love, Repeat:
Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World
by Karen Ehman
(6-session DVD study)

Click here to download one of our checkout forms. Then just complete it and
bring it by the office to borrow a Bible study to meet your needs.

We’re also accepting donations of used DVD Bible study kits.
If you or your church have some that you are no longer using, we’d love
to have them here to share with other churches in our Association.
Frio River Baptist Association | Phone: 830-334-2061 | Fax: 830-334-3025 | Email | Website