News you can use...from Frio River Baptist Association

Volume 3, Issue 10 | October 2020

A lesson in appreciation

During a church anniversary celebration,

a pastor overheard a group discussing various congregational leaders over the years.

His ears perked up when an older member said, “Whenever someone asks which of our pastors I liked best, my answer is always,

‘The one we have at any given time is

my favorite.’”

What a relief for the pastor to hear — and what a great lesson for Pastor Appreciation Month. God sends each shepherd to us with a specific set of spiritual gifts and then works through those gifts to bless us.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last June in my newsletter article I wrote about the challenges pastors are having to go through during this COVID-19 period. Even now as I write, those challenges continue: preparing appropriate sermons, receiving feedback from sermons, being asked when are we going to worship together, having to deal with what we should and should not due during COVID-19, handling crisis events, not being able to visit members in the hospital, and of course trying to encourage the flock as well as spending quality time with their families. It is indeed a big responsibility.

But keep in mind that pastors are also human. They do get tired, discouraged, frustrated, sick and have to go to the hospital (sometimes), wanting to help their church members yet not knowing how, to name a few situations they face. They also have a wife and in some cases children they must take care of. They may want to take a weekend to get away but wait…dad needs to bring the sermon Sunday morning. Some pastors must minister bi-vocationally to make financial ends meet. You get the idea, yet these pastors keep pastoring because God has called them to this ministry and their desire is to be faithful to that calling.

What about the pastor’s wife? We don’t read much written about them or hear a whole lot about what they go through. Have you thought about that? What the pastor is struggling with, they may also be struggling with. They also must deal with the virus and its concerns. She may sense when her husband is discouraged or frustrated, and that may get her discouraged or frustrated. I recently read an article entitled “I Was a Pastor’s Wife. Suicide Made Me a Pastor’s Widow.” What must that widow (and her children) have to deal with and live with?

What about a pastor’s wife’s role in the church where her husband has been called as pastor? Some churches ask if the wife can play the piano. Can she work in the children’s department? Can she lead a ladies Sunday School class? Will she be able to work in the nursery? You have probably heard things similar to this. In other words, it almost sounds like they also are being hired. I may get some responses to all this, but this is what I have experienced and heard.

As we need to encourage our pastor, so also we should encourage our pastor’s wife. Here is my adopted suggestion list on ways to do that (you may have other ideas):

Pray for them and let them know you are praying for them.
Send them an e-mail, a letter, a card or even a text message with uplifting words or scripture verses.
Call them and have a good phone visit with them.
Offer to help them out (baby sit so she and her pastor husband can have a date, clean house, etc).
Send them an anonymous care package (with whatever you’d like to put in it).
Send or give them a gift card (Walmart, get their nails or hair fixed, a favorite restaurant, etc.)
Cook them a homemade meal and have it delivered…..or take them out to eat.
Show them a lot of love and grace.

A verse that comes to mind when I think of a pastor’s wife is Galatians 6:10, which says “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”. I thought this verse said much about them. Most times they go above and beyond in ministering alongside their pastor, who happens to be their husband. Pray for your pastor’s wife and encourage her as she serves in your church.

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.

We are always available by e-mail: LGFastFRBA@outlook.com or LBScantlinFRBA@outlook.com

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.)

This year, Rusty Brandon, Executive Director of Alto Frio Baptist Encampment

will be our guest speaker, and our offering will be going to help support Alto Frio.

They will also have a booth set up to provide attendees with additional information.

Click HERE to see their website.

October 2020

6th - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

7th - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

8th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

9th-11th - Married Retreat (Alto Frio)

11th - Pastor Appreciation Sunday

17th - FRBA Annual Gathering (FBC Carrizo Springs)

(details below)

18th-25th - SBC Week of Prayer for Baptist Associations

22nd - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

29th-31st - Men's Retreat (Alto Frio)

November 2020

1st - TIME CHANGE - Don't forget to "Fall Back"!!

2nd-5th - RENEW Bible Conference (Alto Frio)

3rd - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

4th- South Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting

9th-10th - SBTC Annual Meeting

(Hyde Park Baptist Church - Austin, TX)

12th - East Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting

14th - Holiday Market (Alto Frio)

16th-17th - BGCT Annual Meeting Online

25-27 - Thanksgiving Holidays

(FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)

North Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting will not take place this month due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

SAVE THESE DATES!!

2020

Dec. 8th - FRBA Exec. Board Pastor/Spouse & Staff Christmas Fellowship

Dec. 12th - FRBA Church Administrator's Fellowship Annual Christmas Party/Potluck

2021

Jan. 11th-12th - Pastors & Spouses Prayer Retreat (at Alto Frio)

Pastor's Prayer Meetings:

For the month of October, all prayer meetings will most likely

be held in person following recommended safety guidelines.

Either way, we hope that our pastors will reserve these mornings

to pray together (even if not meeting with the group in person).

Specific requests can be sent to Loren for distribution to the

other pastors in each zone.

Watch your e-mail for specifics about each meeting.

COMING SOON!!

FBC Devine movie nights are BACK for the fall! When the Warhorses are out of town, bring your family and enjoy a drive-in style movie night!

Description: We cannot address a risk we do not understand.

Attorney and sexual abuse expert Gregory Love addresses sexual abuse risk and prevention in ministry contexts.

Training content includes:

--facts vs. misconceptions about sexual abuse and sexual abusers

--the abuser’s ‘grooming process’ -common grooming behaviors

--overview of an effective safety system

*Attendees receive free online Sexual Abuse Awareness Training, certificates of completion,

and access to a variety of sample policy forms.

Registration link HERE.

(Participation in the October 8th training is highly encouraged

to fully understand the October 9th training material).

Description: Keeping the wolf out of the sheep pen.

Attorney and child protection expert Kimberlee Norris discusses the elements of an effective screening system.

Training content includes:

--male and female abuser characteristics culled from 30 years of offender studies

--elements of an effective screening system

--high risk indicators in applications and interviews

--references: who and how many?

*Attendees receive free online Skillful Screening Training and access to a variety of sample screening forms.

Registration link HERE.

Click on the picture above to register!

PLEASE NOTE: The date for Alto Frio's upcoming Holiday Market has changed!

They are still selling booth space for this event.

Proceeds will go towards needed facility upgrades.

Please help spread the word so they can get all of their booth spaces sold!

Vendors are welcome from all over and booth rental includes

a FREE hotel room for Friday night.

There will be food trucks, crafts, direct sales,

live music and all kinds of fun activities.

SAVE THE DATE and make plans to come out to camp on November 14th

to get some of your Christmas shopping done!

Click HERE for details and to register as a vendor.

Around the Association

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.

A note from Pastor Brian Blackburn:

As most of you know, Mrs. Rita (Williams) has stepped down as our church secretary. This is not something she wanted to do, but ALS has made it almost impossible for her to continue.

Rita has faithfully served in this capacity for over 21 years. I have had a few secretaries in my life, but I can say she was one of the best. What goes into it? Sometimes you are a pastor, sometimes you are a counselor, sometimes you are a referee, bill payer, money counter, debt collector, and protector. You have to smile when you don’t feel like it, you have to say no when it is not your nature, and talk on the phone for hours when there is a pile of stuff to get done. Somedays you are building manager, human resource manager, school principle and yes, even Sunday school teacher, all while raising a family, spending time with grandkids, singing in the choir, taking up money, planning events and remaining confidential when people want to know.

I have been blessed to work with Rita two different times. She has driven all night to Georgia to be present at Jordan’s wedding and both graduations of Cade and Jordan. She is more than a Secretary. She is a friend, a confidant and one of only a select few that I would let my kids spend the night with. First Baptist Church Pearsall, Rita has been faithful and treated this job as a Ministry.

I couldn’t be more honored than to honor her and her faithful service on October 11th. During our morning service we will recognize her family and her contribution to FBC. We will take up a love offering for her, and we will be setting up a Rita Williams scholarship fund. This will be a line item in our budget and will be ongoing. You will hear more about this in the coming days.

Please, mark October 11th on your calendar and let’s give honor where honor is due and I look forward to seeing you on this day."

On Saturday, September 19th, adults from three FRBA churches gathered at FBC Pleasanton for the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry training.

During the morning of training, there were helpful tips provided in helping students deal with a variety of topics such as bullying, racism and faith in an anxious world.

There were also sessions about how to more effectively minister to students and what is special about Gen Z compared to previous generations.

In addition to video training, there were times for fellowship, discussion and reflection on the topics that were covered.

Be sure to mark September 18, 2021 on your calendar and plan to join us next year for the 3rd annual National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry training.

Primera Iglesia Betania Bautista in Devine reopened its doors for

worship on September 20th, offering worship only at 11:00am.

On Saturday, September 19th they gave away some school supplies and snacks

for kids since they weren’t able to host their annual VBS and school drive.

Any alternative during COVID-19 can be used for God’s glory!

Their WMU ladies wrapped up plenty of hotdogs for the children’s snacks."

Here are a few of the prepped bags

filled with school supplies.

Here are a few of the children who came by to pick up their snacks and supplies

The FRBA Executive Board met on Tuesday, September 22nd at FBC Pearsall.

FBC Pleasanton started its Awana Club ministry on September 23rd.

Things were a little different this year due to COVID-19. A "restaurant" model was used, requiring masks on entry, in transit and upon leaving. Our time together included 30 minutes of worship, 30 minutes of handbook time and no games.

Children's Ministry Specialist Search

The open position of Children’s Ministry Specialist for Texas Baptists has been posted at HERE. This specialist will plan, conduct, and evaluate strategies to assist churches in their preschool and children’s ministries.

Please feel free to share with those who may be interested and qualified. The Application for Employment is posted on the same page, along with other open positions.

Pray for God’s leadership as the search process begins for the one who will guide this important ministry to preschool and children’s leaders in our churches.

For other available positions with Texas Baptists, click HERE.

FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY

A couple of our Jennifer Rothschild Bible studies are missing, and we're

wondering if someone may have borrowed them and just forgotten to return them.

Please ask around your church to see if anyone has either of these:

--Hosea: Unfailing Love Changes Everything (DVD - 7 sessions)

--Walking By Faith - Lessons Learned in the Dark (DVD - 6 sessions)

If you locate them,

THANKS!

LOVE IN ACTION

Operation Christian Love

by Beth Ann Brundrett

The cooler days give us more energy to get outside and go to work. Showers of rain have blessed some areas. With Christmas fast approaching and the increased need for food due to COVID-19, we want to share with you different ways you might want to get involved.

On September 15th, over 4,000 pounds of food was delivered by OCL volunteers to the parking lot of Monté de Jehova in Eagle Pass. Volunteers from both sides of the border met to load assigned amounts of this food and start crossing the border.

Brother Sepulveda with food

purchased with OCL donations.

The food went to La Mano de Dios Soup Kitchen (for meals and food bags), Mundo de Fe church (for food bags), Casa Hogar’s Nazaret Niño’s & Niña’s (meals), Casa Hogar Visión de Amor (meals), the Frank Banda Ministry (for hot meals), Iglesia Bethesda Church homeless shelter and soup kitchen, Iglesia Bethesda Periodista, and the prison, Casa Hogar Getsemaní (meals), and Casa Hogar Bethesda for the Disabled (meals). A meeting was held to discuss the difficulty and expense of crossing the border with the food. Purchasing the food in Mexico appears to be the best option at this time. John Bivens from the Rainbow Ministries and Casa Hogar Getsemaní, along with Sister Ursula Herrera will serve as purchasing agents for OCL in Mexico. This amount of food will be needed again next month. We hope you will join us in helping it become a reality.

Children receiving a plate of food at Banda's Bethesda Periodista location.

Other Needs

Other needs are being identified for the 8 orphanages, 2 soup kitchens and 6 ministries that serve several thousand people each week with teaching of Jesus and caring for the people of that area that are starving. Money is being collected by OCL to help in the best way possible. Fuel for warmth and cooking is expensive and so needed. Crossing over the border and back is now $7.00 per trip. When food and other items enter Mexico, they can also be taxed. Some loads of food crossing have cost $500. Orphanages and ministries with little income cannot afford this. This new program will eliminate the border crossing fees and possible taxes at the border.

Visión de Amor and the King ministry at Jimenez are looking into hydroponic gardening. If COVID-19 allows, a team of hydroponic professionals is scheduled to come in October to test the soil and water of proposed sites. If these sites are approved, the team will instruct and help the ministries begin their own gardens as money allows. OCL is seeking to help fund the projects if they materialize.

The King ministry already has a large garden and produces vegetables for much of their surrounding area. As they are teaching about Christ, they are also teaching people about nutrition and how to grow their own gardens. Food bags are also handed out when food is available. Think about supporting this.

Bibles

OCL is also requesting monetary donations for 500 Spanish Bibles. The cost per Bible is $4.80 and this includes the shipping fee. Spanish tracts are also needed.

OCL clothing ministry volunteer, Nancy Seals, sent new clothing to Casa Hogar Misericordia and Casa Hogar Ambasadores de Cristo. Clothes for Casa Hogar Visión de Amor, Ciudad Acuna, are being sorted for delivery now. Nancy and Debbie Brundrett deliver meat on a regular schedule to some of these ministries as well.

Christmas Ministry 2020

We will not be “stuffing stockings” in Eagle Pass as before. A single gift in a stocking for either a boy or girl will be perfect. A gift placed with others in a box with no stocking or wrapping is ok. Please place all the gifts in small or medium-sized cardboard shipping boxes that are marked for either boy or girl, and noting the age range and count. Please DO NOT WRAP gifts. Cases from Dollar Tree of a specific item such as jump ropes, toy trucks, soft dolls, etc., are fine as well.

Individually wrapped hard candy (NO CHOCOLATE OR ANYTHING THAT WILL MELT) may be placed in snack size bags and placed in a white or clear trash bag that is closed and place in a small size box and marked well on the outside. These boxes must be must be kept separate to prevent ants. They will be handed out with each gift.

Shoe box gifts may be sent as well. They too, must be placed in medium (NO LARGE) boxes with the number, age range and gender marked on the outside.

Large bottles of shampoo and cream rinse, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath soap, toilet tissue, packs of disposable razors, shaving cream and feminine products may be packed in small or medium-sized boxes to be handed out separately by ministry leaders.

Other gifts such as small crocheted crosses for Bible bookmarks, small coverlet quilts, crocheted or fleece blankets and lap robes will be given children or adults in the orphanages, homes, nursing homes or ministry. It will be theirs to keep. We ask that each coverlet will have a cross on it somewhere. If children are jerked out of the home, the quilt goes with them as a memory that someone cares for them in Jesus name. Can you imagine the joy a resident in a nursing home will feel just knowing they are not forgotten? Seeing the cross will remind them that Jesus is always near and watching over them. In addition, gifts like warm jackets, sweaters, sweats, crocheted scarves or caps are also given.

PLEASE REMEMBER

Absolutely no toy weapons – example: Toy guns, pistols or knives.

No over counter medication such as Tylenol, Vicks, ChapStick or cough drops.

No fingernail polish or perfume.

No money.

Please only new items this year. No used toys or clothing.

Gifts need to be delivered to OCL by Sunday, November 15, 2020. Call Beth Ann at 210-854-9360.

All things leaving the US may be subject to be removed from the vehicle and examined by x-ray and if not approved, they will be confiscated. If the items pass inspection, the person carrying items across will have to repack them into their vehicles. Then, when entering Mexico, they are subject to being checked again. Crossing may take from 1 to 6 hours. One of the orphanages was in line for 12 hours. Closer to the holidays, traffic and time will increase.

Would you be willing to help us get the story of Christ and a worthwhile gift to a child, elderly person, or extremely poor family? Due to COVID-19, donations are down. Together we will try to reach as many of the 3,500 to 4,000 Jesus has led us to in previous years. We can still get Bibles across with no problem.

Please put all items in carefully marked boxes. These boxes will be delivered from OCL straight to their destinations. All Gatherings for Christ will be led by local volunteers this year.

I’ll leave you with this story from one of our previous events. There was a boy in Quemado, TX, who received a small toy car as a gift at a Gathering for Christ. After playing with it, he carefully replaced it in the package and returned it with a sweet thank you. When told it was his to keep, the joy on his face spoke a million words. His parents with tears in their eyes, expressed their deep gratitude for this simple car, the only gift, other than Jesus, he would receive.

Would you like to be blessed by participating in a similar event?