Dakota Happenings

DBC Monthly Newsletter | November 2023

Dr. Mac's Minute:



Passage: Philippians 4:5-9



Focus: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:6-7

Dakota News

Dakota Gathering Celebrates 40 Years

The Heart of Christ for the Abused

by Everett Hornbostel

On Thursday, October 5, the Black Hills Area Baptist Association hosted a special pre-conference event prior to the 2023 Dakota Baptist Gathering. The event included a message from South Canyon Baptist Church worship leader, Joel Harris. He delivered a powerful message about The Heart of Christ for the Abused out of Isaiah 42:1-4. Joel pointed out to us the importance of Jesus’ humble and gentle interaction with the fallen world, bringing justice while not loudly proclaiming his presence or bruising the wounded. Joel addressed the issue of trauma, discussing the meaning of the Greek found in the New Testament (Luke 10:33-35) as well as the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament). The Greek word used is a word which means “wounds.” The main location we can see this word being used is in Isaiah 53, when we read about the suffering servant, the verb of trauma this suffering servant would receive, that He was wounded (received trauma) for our transgressions. By his wounds (trauma), we are healed.

Executive Board Conducts Organizational Meeting

The incoming Executive Board for 2023-2024 met at the conclusion of the annual meeting to organize and select officers for the coming year.

Dude Garrett (Fargo, ND: Journey Church) was elected to a second term as chairman. Rob Graywater (Fort Totten, ND: Dakota Baptist Church) was chosen to be vice chairman. 

Giving Tuesday is November 28

Giving Tuesday is on November 28 this year. This is a day for reaching out to organizations that are doing Kingdom work with a gift in honor of the holiday season. One way to help with the work of the Dakotas is to make a gift to Baker State Missions. Giving to Baker enables you to have a part in everything we do as Dakota Baptists: help pastors in times of crisis, take the name of Jesus to the lost on the reservations across the Dakotas, support the work of our Church Relations Missionaries. One gift does much. You can give online at www.dakotabaptist.com, or mail your gift to: DBC; P.O. Box 549; Rapid City, SD 57709.

GARRETT AND FLOWERS RETIRE AFTER DECADES OF FAITHFUL MINISTRY IN THE FARGO, ND AREA

The members of two North Dakota churches honored their pastors on their retirement in a series of special events on consecutive weekends in October. Dude Garrett (Fargo, ND: Journey Church) and John Flowers (West Fargo, ND: Living Hope Baptist Church) each came to their churches more than thirty years ago.

Garrett and his wife Karon came to Temple Baptist Church from First Baptist Church in Devils Lake, ND. Flowers and his wife Debbie moved to the area from Redfield, SD to plant a new church in West Fargo. The two pastors formed a deep friendship and ministry partnership that spanned nearly four decades.

Each have been active in the Dakota Baptist Convention. Garrett is the current Executive Board chairman and Flowers was the preceding chairman.

Read More

BLACK HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH AND DAKOTA BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Dakota Baptist Church in Fort Totten, ND celebrated 40 years of proclaiming the name of Jesus on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation in northeastern North Dakota. Church members and friends shared stories of how the church had impacted their lives. Many of those that shared recalled the work of Wilbert Robertson who started the church in 1983.

At the end of the celebration service, Dakota’s pastor Paul Young challenged the church to begin looking to the future to see how they will impact the area in the years to come.

A week prior to this celebration, Black Hills Baptist Church in Whitewood, SD also celebrated their 40^th anniversary. Longtime church member Delores Fallon wrote and read a poem to mark the occasion. The church also presented a gift to their pastor and his wife, Sean & Jessica Donnelly. 

Former DBC executive director Garvon Golden and current director Fred MacDonald shared memories of the impact the church had on their lives and encouraged them as they looked to the future.

LOTTIE MOON RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE

Sample resources for the 2023 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Week of Prayer have been mailed to the churches. Additional resources can be requested online at www.dakotabaptist.com or through the DBC office.

*Click the image above to access full CP article