Dakota Happenings

DBC Monthly Newsletter | July 2023

Dr. Mac's Minute:



Passage: Revelation 12:10-12



Focus: “And they overcame him . . . and they did not love their life, even when faced with death . . .” (v. 11)

The DBC office will be closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

NOTE: Dr. Mac will be out of the office on vacation from July 10-21.



Dakota News

Pastors and Family Retreat Coming up in August

Constitution & Bylaws Committee to Present Three Amendments at Annual Meeting

What is RISE? 

Part 3

By: Everett Hornbostel

For the last few months, we’ve investigated the various elements of the RISE Active Intruder program. Each element can stand alone or it can be used in conjunction with other elements. Whichever element a church finds itself in during an active intruder incident, it is important to remember to take on whichever element is safe to perform at the moment. 

Last month we discussed what it looks like to interrupt an intruder and considered that route as a fully committed element of the RISE program. Once a team decides to interrupt the intruder, they need to continue the step until either the threat is stopped, or they are. 

This time, we are moving into the SECURE element. Each church is a unique mix of rooms, hallways and exits. This is why RISE exists…because churches are each unique. 

Highlights About The SBC Abuse Task Force Website

By: Everett Hornbostel

The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) provided a report to messengers during the June 14 session of the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans. One item which was approved was to continue the Task Force for an additional year. The ARITF has created a new website (www.sbcabuseprevention.com) which contains a ministry toolkit to provide churches with tools and resources to help make our churches a safe place. They provide five essentials to prevention and protection:

Train – Provide initial and ongoing training for staff, volunteers, and church members that raises awareness and shares effective actions to help prevent incidents of abuse in the church.

Screen – Adopt a careful vetting process for all those working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Screening should include an application, interview, references, social media review, and background checks.

Made In His Image

By: Alysia McCord

It’s almost rodeo time in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The rodeo on the 4^th of July is a huge community event in our area, and a particularly memorable one for me is the first one we attended after moving to South Dakota. This was also the first rodeo following many of the major COVID shutdowns.

I remember the shock to the senses of being gathered again in a large crowd, and the delight it was just to be together again. People crowded into a metal stadium clad in cowboy boots and hats with their tall cowboy boot-shaped ice-cold drinks. The rodeo announcer tried to engage the crowd by playing familiar music. I remember that one song he played was Jon Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer.” The moment ironically touched me deeply, because the announcer cut the music out and left us all to finish. Almost everyone knew the words and sang along together. 

MCCORD ACCEPTS CALL TO MISSISSIPPI

Chad McCord, the missions pastor at Connection Church in Belle Fourche, SD, and Church Relations Missionary for the Dakota Baptist Convention has accepted a call to serve as the Missions Mobilization Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

McCord’s new position will enable him to continue connecting with Dakota churches through the developing partnership between the two states. He will be replacing Mississippi’s retiring director, Mike Ray. Ray has served as Mississippi’s point person in the partnership, a role which McCord will assume as part of his new duties.

DBC Executive Director Fred MacDonald said, “I want to express my love and gratitude to Chad for his tireless work in reaching out to our pastors and churches in the Black Hills and Siouxland regions, as well as giving direction to implementing our evangelism strategy. I also want to thank Alysia who has been a great help in producing our monthly newsletter as our managing editor. I know that they will be greatly missed across the Dakotas and especially at their home church, Connection Church in Belle Fourche. Neither of them will be easy to replace; but, I am confident that God has great plans for them as they return to the Magnolia State.”

SOVEREIGN GRACES MOVES INTO NEW FACILITY

Sovereign Grace Church (Aberdeen, SD) had their initial services in their new building on Easter Sunday. Last year the church purchased the old Aberdeen American News building on a main thoroughfare in the town and began a renovation of it. 

Sam Ellyson is the lead pastor for Sovereign Grace Church.

CHRIST CHURCH SEEEKS ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Christ Church, a Southern Baptist Fellowship, has started a search for a man to serve our congregation as Associate Pastor. This man would serve with the Senior Pastor in sharing preaching responsibilities. He also would focus on coordinating our church’s ministry to young couples, families, as well as children’s ministry, and nursery ministry. This man would have ministry experience and a call to preach and pastor. A seminary degree is preferred. If you would be interested in this position, send a letter to Christ Church indicating your interest and a resume. We will respond with a brief description for church and community, plus a copy of the position description. Respond to: Christ Church; 1900 Evergreen Drive; Rapid City, SD 57702.

MERCY GATE BOX ELDER HOSTING TENT REVIVAL

Mercy Gate Church - Box Elder is hosting a tent revival from July 9th-12th. This event will include evangelist Jeffery Stoneking, live worship music, live testimonies, bounce houses, food, booths and vendors.

Food games, and festivities start at 5PM and the service starts at 6PM each night.

DBC YOUTH CAMP AND PRAIRIE PARTNERS CHILDREN'S CAMP

The annual DBC youth camp was held again at Crystal Springs Baptist Camp in Medina, ND. Prairie Partners Baptist Association held their children’s camp at the same time. All together there were about 80 campers between the two camps. Three teenagers gave their lives to Christ during the youth camp and several life recommitments were made throughout the week. George Crawley (Lincoln, ND: First Love Church) was camp pastor for the children. DBC Executive Director Fred MacDonald was camp pastor for the youth. Ashton Rone led the praise and worship in the youth camp. Gaylen Lennick (New Salem, ND: New Life) was the children’s camp director. Joe Savery (Belle Fourche, SD: Connection Church) and Sean Donnelly (Whitewood, SD: Black Hills Baptist Church led the youth camp.

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FIRST NATIONS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION RESUMES FAMILY CAMP

After a COVID-extended hiatus of 5 years, First Nations Baptist Association was overjoyed to return to their long tradition of holding an annual Family Camp June 11-16 this year. Association Moderator Christian Little, pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church in Lower Brule, SD found a great new location at Badlands Ministries in Medora, ND. The campground was more than able to serve the needs for the more than 130 campers who attended. Fellowship Bible Church of Winchester, VA hosted the event, bringing a team of 50 for the week and leading with planning and logistics, Bible teachers for all ages, and leaders for many different camp activities. They were assisted by a team from the Burnt Swamp Association of North Carolina, long time friends of the First Nations Association, who served as cooks and led the worship times. The Dakota Baptist Convention partnered with Family Camp once again, contributing to the cost of food for the five day camp.

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