Greetings Friends & Members of the
High Desert Baptist Association:
We still are experiencing some snow on occasion in the central, southern, and northeastern parts of our local association. Many of us who are not snow sport enthusiasts are looking forward to warmer temperatures that are more conducive to outside activities. I spend a lot of the winter months inside high school gymnasiums officiating basketball. I have one more high school playoff game this week, unless someone comes up lame and I am called upon to work some State Play off championships in one of the state venues. As we work games, in at times-some hostile environments, it is important to stay focused and do your very best. Below are some things that will keep us focused so that we can do our very best, as we walk with the Lord and seek to glorify Him.
Being Prepared is the Starting Point.
James 4: 7-8
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Without question, these are true words to each and every one of us. It is always about denying ourselves and submitting to God. Satan is in this world and is very much more interested in those that are about living for God and pointing others to Him. We all sin and have an absolute need to seek forgiveness and to live out our identity in Christ.
Be Aware of Your Audience
Acts 21:40-22:4
And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: "Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you." And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,"
A lot of things to consider in the above verses. Some basics are these: People are much more likely to listen and grant you an audience if they feel you not only care for them, but also have had some of their life experiences. This angry crowd related to Paul in part, because Paul had been one of them. It is always good to develop connectiveness with unbelievers. Praise God that I had Christian friends who had a connection with me. Finally, do not write off those that might be considered unreachable. Many in the first century thought that the Greeks were unworthy of the Gospel.
Share What You Know
Acts 22:4-10
" I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'
Paul laid out everything that really mattered about his life. Consider sharing what you know to be truth. Share what your life was before Jesus came into your life. Share how you came to know Christ. Share how your life has changed since you became a Christian. Simply put: Before-After-Now.
Blessings,
Steve
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PASTOR PRAYER TIME in BEND!
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Pastor Prayer Time will be on Thursday, March 23 at NOON - We will meet at Abby's Pizza in BEND. Hope to see you there!!
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The Leadership
Formula:
The Leadership Formula
Juan Sanchez
(Excerpts and Thoughts)
A Charge to Local Church Pastors or Elders--
Toward the end of his third missionary journey, the apostle Paul was being led by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem before. Desiring to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost, Paul avoided stopping in Ephesus, but because of his love for that church, he called the elders to join him in Miletus (Acts 20:13-16). Knowing he would likely never see them or the church again, Paul exhorted the elders to serve the Lord, guard their own soul, guard the church, and rest in God and His gospel.
As we consider a charge that we as Pastors and Leaders have, Sanchez shares some biblically sound directional truths:
Serve the Lord (Acts 20:18-27
Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of his time with them, and holds himself out as a faithful model of ministry (Acts 20:18). Ministry is not just about the way in which we serve. The point of ministry is the spread of the gospel and the building up of the church by the Word of God. And this was the focus of Paul's ministry (Acts 20:20-21).
Why would anyone be willing to face the hardships and persecutions for the sake of the gospel (Acts 20:22-23)? Because he valued his salvation and his ministry as greater than even his own life (Acts 20:24).
Guard the Church (Acts 20:28-31)
Guard the church. The whole church. Every member. Why? Because the Holy Spirit has made you an overseer of that local church in which you're serving.
It's not a coincidence that he word "overseers" is plural (Acts 20:28). The church in Ephesus seems to have had a plurality of elders early in its organization (Acts 20:17). I belabor this point to remind us that we don't bear this charge alone. We're meant to guard the church as plurality of "overseers." After all, it is not your church, pastor. It is God's church (Acts 20:28).
Rest in God and His Gospel (Acts 20:32-35)
The gospel is good news. And it is good news not just for salvation and not just for sanctification. The gospel is good news for pastors.
Knowing this to be true, Paul committed the Ephesian elders "to God." (Acts 20:32). Though we irrationally try to pastor the church in our own strength, ingenuity, and cleverness, all those vain efforts remind us continually that we need God's strength to shepherd God's sheep (2 Tim. 2:2).
Being committed to God is good news, Pastors! Entrust yourselves to God and to the word of his grace, the gospel. And ask your church to commit you to God and to his gospel in prayer. God is able to give you the strength you need, and his gospel is able to encourage you, build you up, and guide you to your inheritance (Acts 20:32).
So, brother pastors, serve the Lord, not yourselves. Guard your souls and the whole church. And rest in God and his gospel. It is the power of God for salvation and for pastoring, to all who believe. And my dear brothers who are not pastors, by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, strive to be faithful men. And finally, church members, pray for such men, look for such men, and recognize such men to serve as your pastors and commit them to God and to his gospel. May the Lord raise up faithful men to lead our churches for his glory and for our joy.
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Associational & Church Highlights:
Our local pastors and leaders continue to gather together for a Shepherd to Shepherd Discipleship oriented each month. We will next be meeting Wednesday, March 8th at Smith Rock Community Church in Terrebonne. Start time is 9:30 am. Lunch will be provided.
Calvary Baptist Church in Prineville recently called Andrew Dunaway to be their new pastor. Andrew has deep roots in Central Oregon. Please pray for Andrew and the church as this exciting time begins.
Highland Baptist continues to be blessed by baptisms. The church is experiencing some wonderful things taking place. Their Wednesday Family Night classes and meals continue to grow.
Smith Rock Community Church in Terrebonne is seeing some exciting new growth. Up to 15 children have been attending their Children's Church time.
FBC-Madras on Sunday, February 26th had a wonderful Worship Service. After the Worship Service the church celebrated Tura Miller's birthday together in the Fellowship Area. Tura has just turned 102. Tura Miller has been a church member, teacher, and leader at the church for probably close to 60 years. See pictures below that capture Pastor Don Courtney presenting two Baptismal Certificates to their newest Baptism participants. Also pictured are their Worship Team with a guest (Mrs. Pat Heinze).
Blessings,
Steve Heinze
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You should have received your Annual Church Profile packets now...these are so important to fill out as soon as possible. The information is vital to the Southern Baptist Convention Ministries. The 2022 Annual Church Profile (ACP) is an important tool for your church, the state and national conventions. The date collected is used in many ways to mreasure the health of our congregations, and the effectiveness of the SBC Ministries.
Please feel free to contact Melody in the Association Office (Located in the downstairs hall at Highland Baptist Church) if you would like assistance on filling yours out. 541-788-9523
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Sharing Prayer Requests & Praises:
We would LOVE to share any Events or Happenings from your Church. Please just send them to hdbassoc@gmail.com.
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Pastor Greg Pierce & Family
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Blue Mountain
Baptist Church, Baker City, OR
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Pastor Stephen Williams & Sarah
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Stewart Lenox Baptist Church
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Pastor Bruce Simmons & Family
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Summit Community Church, Tumalo, OR
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Trinity Baptist Church
Lakeview, OR
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Smith Rock Community Church is open for Worship as well as offering online worship on Sundays @
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Twin Rivers
Community Church
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Calvary Church in Sisters, OR is offering services on Sundays at 10 AM and a Bible Study at 6:30 pm on Wednesday nights. Their address is: 484 W. Washington, Sisters, OR.
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Calvary Baptist Church
Worship on Sundays @ 10:30 am Sunday School is at 9 am. Keith Belz is the Associate Pastor
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Baptist Church on Homedale The classic service will be at 8:30 am, small group hour will be 8:45 am and the contemporary service will be at 11 am. They also offer online worship @ www.bchomedale.org
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Highland Baptist Church
Blended Worship is at 8 & 9:30 am Sundays
Contemporary Worship will be at: 11:00 am.
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Highland Eñ Español
is offering worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am in the Youth Room.
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First Baptist Church of Madras, OR
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Pastor Don Courtney & wife, Ellen
Church location: 7th & A Street, Madras, OR 97741
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Whispering Pines Baptist Church, LaPine, OR
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Pastor Jerry Oatman & wife, Annabelle
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Warm Springs Baptist Church, Warm Springs, OR
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Pastor Larry McKinney & Wife, Regina
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Please see link below for IMB Mission updates:
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High Desert Baptist Association
Mission Statement
High Desert Baptist Association desires to impact 20,000 (10%) Central Oregonians with the Gospel by the year 2030.
Vision Statement
High Desert Baptist Association exists to support and encourage
HDBA Pastors and churches.
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High Desert Baptist Association
PO Box 337
3100 SW Highland Avenue
Redmond, OR 97756
Phone: 541-316-0729 or 541-788-9523
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