Though St. Patrick’s Day has become a secular “holiday,” March 17 commemorates the life of a Christian missionary. St. Patrick grew up in a Christian home in Britain but wasn’t very devout until he experienced crisis. As a teen, he was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland, escaping after six years. “The Lord opened my unbelieving eyes” in Ireland, Patrick later said. God led him back there, and he converted tribe after tribe to Christianity.
In Confessio 61, St. Patrick writes, “I testify in truth and in great joy of heart before God and his holy angels that I never had any other reason for returning to that nation … except the Gospel and God’s promises.”
|
|
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Storms! We are familiar with them, aren’t’ we? Especially the “Cold and Waterless Storm” we just went through. This one was different from the ones we are used to: lightning and thunderstorms, windstorms, dust storms, rainstorms, tornados, hurricanes, etc. This storm was beautiful in that it brought us snow…something we rarely see in this part of Texas. It was a winter wonderland every where you looked. But this storm was also difficult as it left us without electrical power and running water and internet: things we depend on every day. It got cold alright. I jokingly tell people from the north that down here anything below 70 degrees is cold for us. In a sense, we all went through a really “deep” freeze.
Weather storms are a common occurrence in life today. But there are other storms that you may also have encountered now and then: conflicts in marriage or relationships, loss of a job, financial storms, health and medical storms, and others that you may have had. They all seem to be a part of life: some we may be able to control and others are beyond our control. But you will face them sooner or later.
In Matthew 8:23-26 we read of a weather storm the disciples faced. Jesus was in the boat with them when the storm occurred. They became frightened and quickly awakened Jesus. His response: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” He then rebuked the wind and the waves, and the storm was calmed. In the Gospels one can read of other storms that Jesus observed and calmed. Is there a lesson we can all learn from these Biblical accounts?
Jesus is always watching over us. He knows the storms that occur. He is with us through them (Psalm 23:4). He will provide for us. He will bring us through it. Our part is to trust the Lord through these storms and to rely on His goodness is seeing us through. Our part should also be to thank Him for what He can teach us through these storms. He is always looking out for out best. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7).
As I look back at the “Cold and Waterless Storm” I went through (as well as all of us), I thank the Lord for neighbors and friends who offered help. For a house that kept us a little bit warmer than the outside. For a soft bed with bunches of blankets. For a working fireplace that offered some heat. For the firewood given us. For canned food we had in the pantry that really tasted good as it provided a meal. For water heated over the fire to make a cup of hot coffee. In other words, I had a lot to thank the Lord for. So did you.
I hope you thanked the Lord for all His many blessings through last week. Remember, He was with you and providing for you during the whole cold spell.
The weather storm is over for now, but you may have other storms still going on in your life. Don’t give up in trusting the Lord. Take the matter to Him and leave it with Him. He will see you through it. Onward Christian soldiers!
Your Fellow Servant,
Bro. Loren
|
|
|
|
During these days of uncertain requirements and self-isolation, there may be times when neither Loren nor
Laurie Beth is in the office during our regular office hours. Please rest assured that we are still available
and ready to help you however we can despite
working from home.
and through our cell phones at:
Loren - 830-267-1234 or Laurie Beth - 210-854-9362.
|
|
Upcoming Events
(PLEASE NOTE: All events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling
depending on COVID-19 guidelines at the time.)
|
|
March 2021
2nd- OCL Meeting - 6:30pm
3rd - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
4th-6th - Men's Retreat (Alto Frio)
(details below)
8th-12th - SPRING BREAK (local schools)
11th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
14th - TIME CHANGE - Don't forget to "Spring Forward"!
15th-19th - SPRING BREAK (local schools)
19th-20th - SBTC Pause Retreat (details below)
23rd - FRBA Executive Board Meeting
(Location TBA)
6:30pm - Dinner & Fellowship
7:00pm - Business Meeting
25th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
28th - Palm Sunday
|
|
April 2021
1st-2nd - Good Friday/Easter Holiday Observance (FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)
1st-3rd - Pre-Easter Retreat (Alto Frio)
(details below)
2nd - Good Friday
4th - Easter Sunday
6th - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm
7th - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
8th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
12th-15th - Renew BIBLE Conference (Alto Frio) (details below)
22nd - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
24th - FRBA VBS Clinic - 9am-12pm
(FBC Charlotte)
28th-30th - National Association of Ministry Assistants (NAMA) Conference (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Ft. Worth, TX)
|
SAVE THESE DATES for 2021!!
May 14th-16th - FRBA Ladies' Retreat at Disciple Oaks Camp & Retreat - Gonzales, TX
(details below)
July 29th-August 1st - Cowboy Fellowship Family Camp (details below)
|
|
March 19th-20th, 2021
Texican Court, Irving, TX
Are you an SBTC bi-vocational pastor and wife? Or do you know someone who is? Do you feel like you are spreading yourself too thin? Would you like to connect with other bi-vocational pastors throughout Texas, while being encouraged? Then join us to pause and refresh at a free retreat specifically for bi-vocational pastors.
|
|
Meals & lodging included
(Travel at own expense)
Capacity is 25 couples. Those who register after full capacity will be placed on a wait list.
Registration deadline is March 16 at 11:59 pm.
|
|
Renew BIBLE Conference
April 12-15, 2021
|
|
ATTENTION ALL LADIES!!
Guess what...we've added a few more options to our ladies' retreat registration for
this year! We now have a FEW "hotel-style" rooms available for those who would
prefer a little more privacy than the dorms allow. These rooms also provide an option
for those concerned about social distancing (although we'll have 109 bunk beds - which would sleep 218 ladies in the dorms). With total registration limited to 80 folks,
social distancing shouldn't be a problem even there.
Registration is all-inclusive for the entire weekend!
(All food, lodging and retreat materials are included.)
--Hotel-style, private room ($140.00 per person)
--Hotel-style, 2 per room ($115 per person)
--Hotel-style, 3 or 4 per room + ($105 per person)
DORM ROOM REGISTRATION FEES:
--Early Bird Group Registration (before April 1st - for groups of 10 or more)
$75.00 per person
--Regular Registration (on or after March 1st) - $90.00 per person
--Group Registration (on or after April 1st - for groups of 10 or more)
$85.00 per person
Don't forget to complete and send in your paper registration forms even if you register online. If you want to room with someone specific, please include that on your paper form.
Details & Registration forms are available on our FRBA website .
FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 30, 2021
|
|
We've got a total of 80 spots available, and they're filling up fast,
so be sure to save your place TODAY!
We will be staying at the Disciple Oaks Camp & Retreat in Gonzales, TX.
Please let us know if price is an issue for you.
We do have some scholarships available, and don't want anyone to miss out!
|
|
d
Cowboy Fellowship Family Camp is open for all our fellow congregations to join! Registration is by phone or in person Monday-Friday during office hours (8am-5pm). Pricing and fees are determined by lodging selections and family size. Lodging choices are limited as the camp fills up. Please register ASAP. $100 deposit is due at the time of registration.
Deposit/Balance/Cancelation Policy:
--Full deposit refund for cancellations made on or before 4/29/2021.
--50% deposit refund for cancellations made 4/30/2021 through 6/27/2021.
--Entire deposit forfeited for cancellations made after 6/27/2021.
Total Balance Due by Sunday, June 28, 2021
|
|
Did you know that Frio River Baptist Association has
online giving available?
Click HERE to make a donation to our general fund
or to one of our special designated funds.
|
|
|
First Baptist Church of Jourdanton Welcomes a New
Community Life Pastor/Music Minister
We are delighted to announce that missionary and pastor Brad Trosen is our new Music Minister and Community Life Pastor. He and his lovely wife and ministry partner Laura Trosen are not strangers to Jourdanton. They and their three children lived in the area for the ‘96-’97 school year and again in ‘01-’02. However, for most of their married life, they have lived and worked in other countries.
They worked for 17 years in international schools in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal as house parents and in administration. They also had eight years of ministry experience in Montana at the Missoula Alliance church, leading both the worship ministry and the global outreach team. For the past six years, they led the International Church of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, Iraq. This Christian and Missionary Alliance church is being used to help establish and grow the Church among various people groups represented in northern Iraq. Both Brad and Laura are alumni of Crown College, near Minneapolis, where they met and were both very involved in music ministry. They both love music, love to read, and love to invest in people! The Trosens have three grown children - Hannah, Emily, and Ian - who now reside in various Minnesota cities.
Laura’s parents Rev. Paul and Suzanne Hull are retired here, and Brad and Laura have come to help care for them. (Paul pastored Community Bible Chapel, in Pleasanton, for nine years and led Atascosa Christian Fellowship in Jourdanton for several years.)
They bring contagious energy and wisdom for worship and connecting with people. Brad would love to meet you to hear your stories and share some of his own. We know the Lord continues to do great work through these two wonderful servants.
|
|
John Mark Harvey (FBC Charlotte) recently led First Aid / CPR / AED
training for 7 students at the FRBA office.
|
|
FBC Carrizo Springs had planned a Valentine’s Banquet for Sunday night Feb 14th. Church members used their gifts to barbecue brisket, prepare the sides and
desserts and to beautifully decorate the fellowship hall. It was part of a month-long emphasis on Biblical Marriage. The blizzard cancelled the banquet that night but
the church moved the banquet to the 21st. Fifty-two (52) people attended. They sat at a distance which limited the number. Sherman and Tammy Aten presented the program. God blessed the event, brought some new people in and marriages
were affirmed. The banquet ended with 10-second kisses.
Click HERE for more pictures! |
January 1st thru February 28th |
|
2020
Income: $28,410.80
Expenses: $22,005.57
|
|
2021
Income: $24,254.71
Expenses: $23,877.27
|
|
Doug Trott and Pastor Lenard Dossey of FBC Natalia have been working diligently
(both separately and as a team) for several days to meet the needs of their community
by working on pipe damage caused by the recent winter weather disaster. They have truly been serving as the hands and feet of Jesus to meet the needs of many in their community .
When you see them, stop and say " Thank You"!
|
|
If you'd like to help them, please look around your garage to see if you any spare PVC or CPVC plumbing supplies or can share. Some people still don't have water because they can't get the parts or afford to pay a plumber. PVC and CPVC pipes, valves, fittings, glue, cleaner, etc. are desperately needed by many families in the Natalia and Devine area.
You can drop off items at the FBC Natalia and they will get them to families that need them.
Especially needed are 1/2" to 1" PVC, CPVC, pipe, fittings, valves, shut offs,
plumbers glue, cleaner, and anything related.
Please drop off any of these supplies you can spare at:
The First Baptist Church
301 Pearson, Natalia, TX 78059
Pastor Lenard Dossey can be reached at 210-215-5062.
|
|
Meet Danielle, a soon-to-be mom of two who started coming to Anderson House this past month. She knows Jesus, but chose to walk away and do her very best to ignore Him for a long time. Of course, as we visit with clients for the first time, we tell them exactly who we are, including the fact that we we are faith-based.
All Danielle could do is chuckle and shake her head. She shared with us that God is not going to let her just ignore Him! Through our ongoing conversations, the Gospel was presented and she affirmed that she does know Christ, and she wants to work to fall back in step with Him. We're so thankful for the chance to start this relationship together!
Danielle had a list of priority items she wanted to earn through our program, starting with a crib. Thanks to our wonderful donors, she was able to earn her crib, as well as a mattress and linens to get ready for her baby! Her story is not over yet, and we are blessed to be able to walk alongside her on this part of her journey.
|
|
FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY
This NEW Bible study and many more are available
through our resource library!
Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer
by Max Lucado
(4-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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
