"On Mission together for the Kingdom of God"
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Continental
Divide Baptist Association "On Mission together for the Kingdom of God" |
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.CDA Connection
Just a Thought from Phil
News & Prayer Requests January-March, 2008 By the time you read this, Christmas will be past and the New Year will be rushing by! As I look ahead, the year 2008 seems to be filled with both promise and peril. Let me explain. I was talking with my military son recently. He had been off to an officers training event, again. It seems like he is sent to some school or another every few months, so I asked him about it. His answer struck me to the heart, and it holds great implications for the work of our Association. He said that the military considers leadership to be of such great importance that they continually train officers and provide every possible opportunity for them to upgrade their skills. He thought for a minute and said, “We believe that if there is a lack of training or a failure in leadership, people will die.” After a pause, he looked at me and said, “I guess it is the same in your business.” The Administrative Team of the CDA is emphasizing leadership training during 2008. Our prayer is that our leadership in the association will result in better equipped leaders in our churches. The alternative is that people will die! If that sounds harsh, I’m sorry, but the truth can be tough. These leadership training events are already planned for early 2008: (Stay tuned for later events.) Resort Ministries Training (RMRMI)—Jan. 14-18 Volunteer Chaplains Training—Feb. 15-16 Pastors’ In-service Training (leadership skills)—Feb. 12-13 VBS Leadership Training—March 8 Disaster Relief Training in Colorado Springs—March 14-15 Disaster Relief Training in Pagosa Springs—April 26 CDA Family Missions Celebration—May 10 “Developing & Managing People” (Supervision Training)— May 27-28 Pastors, are you honing your skills? We all need time with other leaders; “As iron sharpens iron,” according to Prov. 28:17, we all need each other. Please take advantage of these training opportunities to hone your skills in 2008! Church leader, are you guilty of thinking that you already know how to do your ministry? No matter how well you may serve, you need to get new ministry tools and sharpen the tools you have. Church member, are you sitting back comfortably since you are not a “leader?” The question I would ask is, “Why are you not in leadership?” The eternal destinies of people in your community may well depend on your stepping up to take leadership in ministries and programs of your local church. If people refuse to lead, to minister, to serve….people die! Here is the New Year’s Resolution I propose for all of us: “During 2008, I will grow in my leadership ability so that the Kingdom will expand and peoples’ lives will be transformed!” I wish you all a wonderful Christmas season and a New Year filled with all the possibilities that God may have for you as you respond in obedience to His plan for your life. Your Partner in Ministry, Phil Langley
May 10th, Mountain Heights Baptist Church, Buena Vista Mark Your Calendar! "Reaching Our Colorado Communities for Christ"
Our Key-note presenter will be Steve Hoekstra who serves as the resource person for Colorado Resort and Community Ministries. Along with exciting reports from some very creative Colorado mission ministries leaders, Steve will lead us as we examine opportunities and learn to create opportunities for evangelistic ministry programs and events in our own churches and communities. Bring your church leaders and plan to be with us for this very inspirational and informative event.
50th CDA Annual Meeting Get this on your Calendar right away! Temple Baptist Church
Salida,
CO
Leadership Greatness
Transforming ourselves into "great" leaders for His kingdom does not occur overnight. It is a journey that starts and ends with the Master, is built up and torn down through circumstances, and it has no finish line. This workshop focuses on equipping and encouraging today’s Christian leaders in their homes, in their ministries, and in the communities where God has placed them.
workshop utilizes hands-on assessment tools, multimedia presentations, group discussion time, and interactive exercises that stimulate learning and application. This material addresses five traits of "great" leadership: calling, contentment, character, crafting, and coaching.
On Tuesday, January 29th, we will meet for our study at Mountain Heights Baptist Church in Buena Vista from 9 am through about 3 pm. Lunch will be a working, sandwich lunch. There will be a charge of $10 to help cover lunch & materials. Scholarships are available. Call Phil.
On Wednesday, January 30th, the study will be repeated at Calvary Baptist Church in Monte Vista on the same schedule. Gateway Baptist Church Welcomes Brandon and Janet Ross Pastor Brandon Ross will begin pastoral duties on January 13th At Gateway Church in Del Norte, CO. Brandon, with his wife Janet and two small sons (Micah and Mason) are moving to Colorado from Fort Worth, TX, where Brandon was on staff at Southcliff Baptist Church. Janet has taught fifth grade math in Mansfield, TX, for 13 years. Brandon also served on the staff of “Beautiful Feet Ministries,” a ministry/evangelism program in downtown Forth Worth. ~ It is also a joy to welcome Brandon, Janet, Micah and Mason to the Continental Divide Baptist Association. Please pray for the Ross family as they adjust to living in beautiful South-central Colorado.
A group of 8 members from FBC, Lake City, recently returned from a mission trip to Honduras. Traveling with a larger group on an Interfaith Mission Project, the Lake City team was able to assist in construction and evangelism activities. David Beebe, pastor at Lake City, reports that there were about 85 decisions on the first night and about 35 others who came to Christ through the Medical Clinic provided as part of the mission trip. Also, the team helped to begin construction of the first unit of a new Christian orphanage in the town of El Castano. Along with FBC, the Presbyterian church and the Grace Fellowship church, both of Lake City, participated in this effort. God's blessing was powerfully evident and the people of FBC, Lake City, discovered the joy of "hands on" missions as they worked to expand the Kingdom by meeting real needs there in Honduras. Pastor Beebe also reports that FBC experienced one of the best summers in their history this year. They have four new families that have joined FBC, they baptized 8 persons, had 2 baby dedications, and have reports of several family reconciliations resulting from the ministry of FBC to summer visitors. What a report to celebrate! Please pray for Pastor Beebe. He will be part of a small team going back to Honduras in January to make sure that leadership is in place at the new orphanage. The first building is under construction right now, and the first group of six small children will be assigned by the government about that time. Everything must be ready for that to happen. Please pray for Pastor Beebe. He will be part of a small team going back to Honduras in January to make sure that leadership is in place at the new orphanage. The first building is under construction right now, and the first group of six small children will be assigned by the government about that time. Everything must be ready for that to happen. Pastor Beebe also reports that FBC experienced one of the best summers in their history this year. They have four new families that have joined FBC, they baptized 8 persons, had 2 baby dedications, and have reports of reconciliation in several families resulting from the ministry of FBC to summer visitors. What a report to celebrate! Please pray for Pastor Beebe. He will be part of a small team going back to Honduras in January to make sure that leadership is in place at the new orphanage. The first building is under construction right now, and the first group of six small children will be assigned by the government about that time. Everything must be ready for that to happen.
Alamosa, College Heights BC: Anatoliy Odnoralov, a NAMB missionary to Russian speaking people in Denver, was the guest speaker for our Dec. 2nd International Missions Study. His wife and 4 children also attended. This years emphasis was on the former Soviet Union. There was also a dinner with Russian foods. Donna Gates, Missions Coordinator. ~ During winter, the Brotherhood will be meeting for a monthly breakfast the 3rd Saturday at 7:30 am. Our focus is on a video, Faith Under Fire. We have been having good discussion, great food & fellowship. The Brotherhood sponsored a dinner for the Veterans on Nov. 9th. Lee Roy Powers, Brotherhood Director. Del Norte, Gateway Church: anxiously awaits their new pastor Brandon Ross (wife Janet) and sons Micah and Mason who will begin ministry on January 13th. We praise God for His leadership and look forward to working together. (See article-page 4) Hooper Baptist Church: Pastor Richard Adams reports that Hooper BC is averaging over 40 in their Sunday Morning Worship Service. Sunday School Bible Study averages 20 Youth & 15-20 Children, and 20 adults. Hooper BC had an offering of $565 for the Nicy Murphy State Mission Offering. Our thanks to Richard who is serving as mission interim pastor at Hooper and interim pastor at College Heights, Alamosa. Crested Butte, Oh Be Joyful BC: Dec. 22nd & 23rd, OBJ sponsored a “Christmas VB” for Kinder through 5th graders which included Christmas crafts, seasonal songs, great games, super stories & scrumptious snacks. They also prepared a musical piece for the Christmas Eve Services that were held at 5:30 pm at OBJ Church and at 7:30 pm at the Grand Ballroom at the Lodge of Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte. Please Remember to Support our Pastorless Churches in Prayer: FBC, Fairplay ~ Calvary, Monte Vista ~ College Heights, Alamosa
Please be praying for CDA Mission Teams as they prepare to minister around the world. First Baptist, Lake City in Partnership in Honduras In April, Pastor David Beebe will be traveling to Honduras to participate in the opening of the new orphans' home that is under construction now in the village of El Castano. Please pray for him as he goes and as he plans for future partnership activities. South Africa Mission Trip, Creede Baptist Church Pat Knowlton says that a trip back to South Africa is in the near future. Remember Creede Baptist Church as they continue to partner with African Christians to reach their own communities.
If your church or
Christian Challenge is planning a mission trip this summer, please let
us know, Ponderosa Conference Center Ponderosa Conference Center has employed a new Director! Marcus Rawls has already assumed the leadership of our Colorado Baptist Conference Center and a great deal of experience to the post. Marcus previously served as sports and outdoor pastor for Riverside Baptist Church in Denver. For more information please go to the Ponderosa website, www.visitponderosa.com.
January 13 Richard Adams 25 Karen Steinbrink
February 5 Mark Swinney 10 Wes Funkhouser 14 Moises & Connie Jimenez 28 Robert & Patty Finif
March
April
For Coming Events (Please see Calendar)
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For more information contact: Continental Divide Baptist Association 224 Conifer Dr. South Fork, CO 81154 Associational
Missionary: Phil Langley |
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