Houston Herald

December 2020
January 2021
A publication of
Houston Baptist Association
Reaching Our World For Christ
From Your Associational Mission Strategist
I love this special season we are entering as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. I know that if you are like me, I am excited to spend this time reflecting on Christ and His purpose of coming into the world especially with all of the chaos that is going on in our world today. I believe it is important that during this time of year that we are sensitive to the needs of those in our communities that are struggling with many issues. For many people they feel as if there is not hope, but we understand as believers that there is hope and it is found in Jesus and him coming into this world to die for the sins of mankind. We also need to realize that we need to be spreading the Good News as the shepherds did after they had seen Jesus. The scripture tells us in Luke 2:20 that they went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as had been told to them. We need to be excited as the shepherds in sharing what we have personally experienced through having a personal relationship with God our Father who loves us unconditionally and fills our lives with His peace, joy, and love. May God help us to be passionate this season about sharing Christ with others.

I am also excited about the coming year and what God has in store for us as churches. I like new beginnings and we will have a new beginning of this coming year to be committed in faithfully serving Christ and making disciples. I would like to challenge each church and every individual to make discipleship a priority in this coming year. We have been commanded to make disciples and we do not know how much longer we have until Christ return and we need to cease the time we have to make disciples of Christ. One of the tools that is available is “D-Life” that is designed for small groups to meet and go through the Bible each year. I am personally involved in leading a D-Life group and I believe God is going to use it grow followers of Christ to a deeper relationship with Him. If you are interested in this ministry, I would be happy to provide training for this ministry that will revolutionize the local church. 

I am praying that each of you have a very blessed Christmas and have very blessed New Year! I love each of you and I am praying that God will use all of us to share the love of Christ and help others to come to know the Savior we know and experience the abundant life in which we all live!

Bro. Gary
Church
News


Bakerfield Baptist Church is open Thursdays from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM for anyone who would like to stop in for prayer.

Please pray for

■Asssociational Missionary Gary Leutzinger
■Church planters Drew and Shannon Cunningham, Santa Cruz Area, California
■Pregnancy Care Center
■Lost and unchurched people
■Revival in HBA churches
■Unity in our churches and unity among our churches
■Churches without pastors
■TV ministries of Cordele First, and Pinecrest churches 
■Our schools, teachers and students
■Raymond Gibbs
■All the events and activities mentioned in this newsletter


Church positions available

Dooling Baptist Church is seeking a part-time or Bi-vocational pastor. Please contact Donald Peterman at 478-433-6846, 478-952-2963 or call the HBC at 229-273-4127.

Please contact the HBC at 229-273-4127 if you would like to feature an available church position in the monthly newsletter.

If you would like your church news or events featured in the Houston Herald please send it to [email protected]
Opportunities
coming up

Houston Baptist Association events are printed in bold. HBC is an abbreviation for Houston Baptist Center.

Tuesdays Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 am, Denny's

Nov. 29 - Dec. 6 Week of Prayer and Mission Study for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Dec. 7 Ministers and Wives Christmas Banquet, 7:00 pm

Dec 23-31 HBA Office Closed for Holidays

Jan. 25-26 Evangelism Conference, Central Baptist Church Warmer Robins.

There will be NO
Tuesday Men's Prayer Breakfast on December 22nd and 30th.
Every church has gospel opportunities. At this year’s FREE conference, you will learn how to spot those opportunities and how to take advantage of them. You will be able to take what you learn and apply it to your fellowship with immediate impact. 
 Pregnancy Care Center
Crisp. Dooly. Wilcox


Dear Pregnancy Care Center Supporters,

Thank you for your prayers, your interest, and your support. Since the pandemic (Covid-19), Daybreak has complied with all regulations to assure our clients and staff are within the guide lines to operate. 

During the illness and recovery of Ms. Claire Stevens, I have been appointed Director. I am committed to being the volunteer Director until we can recruit a Paid Director or volunteer. Daybreak has maintained day to day operations and actives with restrictions during Covid-19. 

The annual fund-raiser was not permissible for this year 2020 and will not be until we are safe from the Corvid pandemic. This was a fund-raiser that contributed approximately $25,000.00 to the center. We are still receiving donations from several Churches and individual’s in the area. Not only do we need the continued monetary donations, we need other, any baby furniture, clothes, any supplies for a new born, or any age. We do have the baby bottle fund raiser in some businesses locations and churches. We need your support and donations to continue to operate The Pregnancy care center. For monetary donations they can be sent to the Baptist Houston Association or direct to the accounting firm that handles our financials, Hutchins Clenney Rumsey Huckaby, P.C. All other donations can be dropped off at Daybreak Center. Hours at this time is 10am-2pm daily and after hours you can call 229 805-3332 and someone will immediately be there to accept donations. Our Daybreak number is 478 286-0261.

Your donation will support our programs that help eliminate the perceived need for an abortion. With the support of concerned individuals like you, we will be able to share the gospel and love of Jesus Christ with the women and men of our communities that desperately need it. 

Our Mission Statement:  
We are dedicated to changing lives and protecting futures through providing evidence –based sexual health service, life affirming relationship development, and community referrals in a caring and respectful environment.

Our Board members at present are: Linda S. Mitchell (Executive Director), Gene Ford (Chairman), Kay Roberts (Secretary), and Madge Outlaw (Treasure). Other members Von Paxton, Nathan Price, and Melanie Akin.. We have several volunteers that are going to assist in other projects of Daybreak, including counseling, Ministry, Boutique, maintain facility and grounds. 

I am committed to and understand that as a member and Director of Daybreak, I have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that the organization does the best work possible in pursuit of its goals. I believe in the purpose and mission of the organization, and I will act responsibly, and prudently as its steward. My behavior as a board member will be consistent with values and mission of the organization.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all your support. Together, we can make a difference.

In Christ,
Linda S. Mitchell, Executive Director, 229 805-3332 (my cell)
What to do with all those old Sunday School books? 

Don’t throw them away–bring them to HBC

Bring your old SS literature to Houston Baptist Center. Chad Harris will take it to a Edwin L. Hodges Ministries collection site to send overseas. ELHM is a Christian literature ministry that collects donated Bibles, books, magazines, tapes, and tracts from American Christians and ships them to Bible schools, churches, missionaries, and ministries overseas. ELHM is a non-denominational, nonprofit, evangelical ministry.
Partner with Lifetouch to create a no cost, updateable directory for your leadership, staff and families and start 2018 with new tools to help your church stay connected.
Be a Church Host or Volunteer in times of disaster!