News you can use...from Frio River Baptist Association

Volume 1, Issue 3 | May 2018

Sorry for the delay this month!

We'll be back on our regular newsletter schedule next month!

May 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Prayer has been on my mind lately. I heard a man in church one time say that God spoke to him about praying all the time. Paul reminds us in Thessalonians to “Pray continually” (I Thes. 5:17). Have you been doing that: talking to the Lord throughout the day? In most of Paul’s letters, he mentions how he prays for the believers and thanks God for them. Prayer was a big part of his life.

Prayer is not just about asking God for something. Prayer is worshipping God. It is spending time with Him in His presence. It is getting to know Him and what He wants of your life. Prayer is intercession for others. Prayer is a way to defeat the devil's messing with you. Samuel Chadwick once said: “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, and trembles when we pray.” Prayer is not so much about changing others as it is about changing you. You are indeed victorious in your life when you pray.

I have been part of a group of pastors here in Frio River Baptist Association who (for the past 7 years) have met once a month to fellowship over a breakfast taco, share and pray together. That group of pastors is from the southern part of our association. What a blessing those times have been. As your new DOM, I would like to start another prayer group of pastors in our northern sector. I am drawing up a map of these churches and will be sharing that with the pastors and soon hope to see this come to pass.

As Christians, prayer should dominate our life. Without prayer, we are neglecting a major part of fulfilling God’s Kingdom work. Let’s continue to be in the habit of praying all the time and for each other, and watch God do some amazing things. Always keep in mind that God loves to hear from you.

Yours in Christ,

Loren G. Fast

Upcoming Events

May 2018

13th - Mother's Day

15th - FRBA Executive Board Meeting

9:30am - Fellowship Time

10:00am - Business Meeting

16th-22nd - LB VACATION

20th-27th - Week of Prayer for Associational

Missions

28th - Memorial Day (FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)

June 2018

5 - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

6 - West Zone Pastor’s Prayer

Meeting (Laredo, TX)

(more details coming soon)

10-16 - Mission Devine

11-14 - Area Kid’s Camp

(Alto Frio)

12-13 - SBC Annual Meeting

(Kay Bailey Hutchison

Convention Center - Dallas, TX)

17 -Father’s Day

22-23 - MannaFest 2018 (see below for details)

25-29 - GA, Acteen & RA Camp (Alto Frio)

Around the Association

Looks like the children of FBC LaCoste enjoyed their recent Easter egg hunt!

Exciting things are happening at

Connection Church NYC

Easter egg hunt!

Baptism

Larry Mayberry recently visited us at the Association office to give us an update on things in NYC.

Lead Pastor Daniel McGhee & Family

Church Starter Larry Mayberry & Family

Encinal Community Church ...always actively serving their community.

Puppet practice!

Teen Bible Study

Our annual VBS Clinic was hosted by FBC Charlotte on April 28th. 68 participants, representing 12 churches were in attendance. A big THANK YOU to FBC Charlotte for hosting us again!!!

Operation Christian Love

by Beth Ann Brundrett

As the heat increased, the need for the A/C in the King building project also increased. Thanks to a volunteer, the unit, duct work and all parts were acquired at cost and below! Another volunteer donated the funds to cover the cost. Volunteers from several towns in Texas assisted in the installation. Duct work was built and installed. The Lord provided once again as the needs appeared.

The addition to Bethesda, the home for the handicapped in Piedras Negras, is nearly completed. Four new bedrooms with bath facilities are all finished with the exception of the flooring. Jesus touched the hearts of many from several different ministries across Texas and other areas to help raise the necessary funds. A special thank you to Sister Ursla Herrera for coordinating this project.

Mano de Dios construction has restarted. This soup kitchen feeds about 5,000 meals a month, has a medical testing outreach (with the Hungry Kids International Ministry of the Bob King ministries) once a month, distributes clothing and food bags, as well as constantly teaching of Christ and His love to the children, their families and the elderly. This much needed addition to the mostly open air ministry is desperately needed.

On Friday afternoon, Aril 27th, Mano de Dios celebrated the Day of the Child. What a blessing to be a part of that. Several from OCL, local volunteers and the Frio River Baptist Association attended. OCL furnished new knit shirts and khaki pants for distribution. The King ministry held a medical testing outreach. The youth from the Banda ministry Periodista church sang. It was so exciting to see how God led His army as they worked together to share His love with others.

Br. Frank Banda, Br. Jose Sepulveda, & Br. Jose's son Frankie working together on Mano de Dios construction and preparations for Day of the Child.

We are currently in search of some gently used office furniture. We're looking for:

*love seat

*reception area chairs

*desk chair

*guest chairs for DOM office

If you have any to donate, please call the FRBA Office.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Brother Dorso Maciel of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Laredo, TX.

On May 30th he will be celebrating 59 years in pastoral ministry! Then on June 15th he will be celebrating 58 years of marriage with his lovely wife Stella. We wish you many more happy years ahead Bro. Dorso!

Black Creek Baptist Church recently hosted their 2nd Annual Community BBQ. There was lots of music & singing, free BBQ & homemade ice cream as well as a bounce house & snow cones for the kids. A great time was had by all!

FRBA Tent going up for the Black Creek Community BBQ.

The West Zone Pastor's Prayer Group met at

FBC Carrizo Springs on Wednesday, May 9th. We're hoping to expand our pastor's prayer meetings to other areas of our Association as well.

More details coming soon!

This year's Texas Baptist Ministry Assistants Conference was held at the

Airport Hilton in Austin, TX. There were lots of great opportunities for learning & fellowship!

Laurie Beth Scantlin (FRBA Office) and

Jan Garza (FBC Carrizo Springs) represented our Association.

Laurie Beth brought her husband Scott, and Cynthia Huerta (of the Del Rio-Uvalde Baptist Association) brought her friend Carol to join in the fun.

Vacation Bible School Schedules

June

3rd-7th - FBC Charlotte

4th-6th - FBC Big Wells

7th - FBC Big Wells Family Night

11th-16th - FBC Carrizo Springs

19th-21st - Black Creek Baptist Church

24th-28th - FBC Cotulla

- Somerset Baptist Church

July

9th-13th - FBC Christine & FBC Devine

Our 2nd annual Ladies' Retreat was a great success! We'll have more pictures & all the details in next month's newsletter!

BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY! Psalms 133:1

Hello Friends,

The Devine Christian Music Festival Association is proud to announce an upcoming special event: MannaFest 2018 ...coming June 22-23, 2018 . This association has been created for the sole purpose to bring great Christian Music to all in the Devine, Natalia, Bigfoot, Yancey, Castroville, Hondo and surrounding area's (and anyone else who wishes to celebrate Jesus Christ through music) .

MannaFest begins its first year building towards a great annual tradition for our area.

MannaFest is a Christian music festival featuring regional and local Christian artists and worship bands. The Lord, Jesus Christ is the star of the show, so join us in uniting together as one through worship and praise! We invite you to come out and join the fun, excitement and relaxation of being with family and community in the warm summer days/evenings of South Texas.

FRIDAY Presents "Youth Day" from 2:30pm to 10:00pm. Gates Open at 1:30pm.

SATURDAY is the MAIN EVENT beginning at 11:00am and lasting until 10:00pm. Gates will open at 10:00am.

Artist's Line Up:

Friday (Youth Day)

The Connections Band from Shertz UMC

Tiffany Craig

Ethan Yanta and Friends

Eden Effect

Slaves Wage

Spirit Rain

Revelation Rising

Saturday

Cody Franz & Friends

Allen Walker

Randy Brown & Friends

Worship One

Roland Gloria Band

Sylvia Mobley

Matt Jones Trio

David Jooste

Atomic Apostle

Whitlee Casey

Additionally, we are working with local church choirs to join us in song and message. Local Pastors will also be on hand for those who

may wish to seek counsel if needed.

Food Booths will also be on-hand for purchase and enjoyment.

MAKE PLANS to come out, be blessed, and bless others.

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED on-line at our website or from area churches. If you have any problems getting tickets, give me a call and I'll help.

These Artist's are traveling in from all over the State to come and help share the message and love of Jesus Christ with all of us.

Please come and be blessed.

ALL PROFITS will go to Helping Abused and Neglected Kids (HANK), Mission Devine, and SnowBall Express (Serving the Children of our fallen military heroes).

Blessings,

Patrick Bourcier

Devine Christian Music Festival Association 830-931-1532

FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY

These NEW Bible studies and many more are available through our resource library!

Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer - Max Lucado

Goliath Must Fall: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants - Louie Giglio

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

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