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

Volume 4, Issue 1 | January 2021

The Magi’s story — and ours

The story of the Magi is our story. God has used his supernatural means to draw us unto himself. … On one glorious day, when we were exhausted and wearied in our sin, God led us to gaze upon Jesus just as the Magi did. We see the glory of God manifested through Jesus Christ in the internal work of the Holy Spirit. We see our utter sinfulness and God’s abounding grace offered in the Messiah. We are filled with joy as this grace sinks into our hearts.

We fall down on our knees and confess our need of this Messiah. We worship him and offer up our lives as our greatest offering to him. Then we continue on in our lives, carrying the truth about the Messiah.

—Travis Cunningham, tvcresources.net

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What a year 2020 has been! Undoubtedly, we will in some way or another never forget all we went through last year. Regardless, one thing is certain: God was on His throne the entire year and He had a purpose in all that happened. Nothing happens without God’s awareness. The first part of Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight…” So take heart, we made it through 2020 and we are now into the new year of 2021. What lays ahead? Who knows but God Himself.

For this new entry in our monthly newsletter, a passage from Isaiah came to mind that I want to share briefly with you. The Israelites had been unfaithful to the Lord, yet the Lord in His goodness never gave up on them. He says in Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” The Lord had reminded them of the ways He had led and delivered them in the past. But now He encourages them to forget about the former things. Do not keep thinking about them. Why? Because He was doing something new, something greater. He would free them from the Babylonian captivity, and eventually free them from the slavery of sin of which they struggled with so much. Yes, there would be difficulties and trials ahead, but He would be with them and lead them through those “wilderness and wasteland” periods in their lives.

When I ponder these words from Isaiah, I too wonder what lays ahead. But I am told to forget those former things…don’t dwell on the past. God is doing something we can’t see right now…something new. It reassures me that God is in control, that He will guide me through the uncertain times that lay ahead. There will be wilderness times ahead, times that are dry and very frustrating, but He will make a way through it all and I don’t have to be concerned about it. That is encouraging! And I hope you also can be encouraged by these words.

2021 has begun. We have many resources available and events coming up that are available to help you in the ministry God has given you. Do take time to read our monthly Frio River Baptist Association newsletter each month to find out the details on these things. Pastors, make sure your church members also get this information. The associational office is for you to assist you in the ministry God has called you to.

2021 is going to be a great year and it is going to be exciting to see what “new thing” God will be doing in and through you. Don’t give up. Don’t be discouraged. Keep walking daily with the Lord for He is daily with you.

Happy New Year!

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.)

January 2021

1st - New Year's Day

4th - New Year's Holiday observation

(FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)

5th- OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

11th-12th - FRBA Pastor's Prayer Retreat

19th - FRBA Tax Seminar

(details below)

28th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

29th-30th - A Godly Woman Women's Conference (Cowboy Fellowship -

Jourdanton, TX - details below)

February 2021

2nd - FRBA Executive Board Meeting

(Location TBA)

9:30am - Fellowship

10:00am - Business Meeting

2nd - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

3rd - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

6th - FRBA CPR/1st Aid/AED Training

11th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

19th-20th - Spanish Session of SBTC Empower Evangelism Conference (Cross City Church / FBC Euless - Euless, TX)

19th-21st - Road Trip - Ladies Retreat (Alto Frio)

(details below)

22nd-23rd - SBTC Empower Conference (Irving Convention Center - Irving, TX)

25th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

27th - FRBA Deacon Training

(details coming soon)

SAVE THESE DATES for 2021!!

April 28th-30th - National Association of Ministry Assistants (NAMA) Conference -

Ft. Worth, TX

April 24th - FRBA VBS Clinic - FBC Charlotte

May 14th-16th - FRBA Ladies' Retreat at Disciple Oaks Camp & Retreat - Gonzales, TX

(details below)

PLEASE NOTE : FRBA will apply financial gifts postmarked by December 31, 2020 and received by January 6, 2021 to the 2020 calendar year.

After January 6, 2021 all gifts will be applied to the 2021 year.

COMING SOON!!

8th Annual Godly Woman Women's Conference

at Cowboy Fellowship

What does it mean to be clothed in strength and dignity?

How do we get it and what happens when we choose to walk in it?

One thing is for sure, a woman clothed in strength and dignity rises up to the place God has called her and she is a mighty woman of God.

These are beautiful, life-changing traits that we have a right to as daughters of a king. Join us for a powerful conference weekend as we dive into this topic.

Click HERE for details and registration.

A note from the conference organizer:

We have some really special things happening at the conference this year.

Some amazing testimonies, speakers, giveaways and more.

I always say this, but something is different this year.

God is going to do something HUGE.

I can feel it. Are you ready?

What better way to start 2021!

You have until January 14th to get a FREE t-shirt with your conference ticket.

We are praying for you and looking forward to seeing you!

ATTENTION ALL LADIES!!

Registration for our 2021 retreat is now LIVE!!

You may notice that this year's prices are higher than usual due to

a necessary change in location (because of COVID-19).

Rest assured that we plan return to our regular prices next year

when we are able to get back into our usual site.

Please PASS THE WORD to your girlfriends and your churches!

Do you feel like you're always rushing from place to place

and never seem to get caught up?

Do you want to spend more time in God's presence,

but feel like there's just never enough time?

Do you crave:

--a chance to slow down and unplug from your regular routine

--an opportunity for some much-needed spiritual refreshment

--fun & fellowship with other Christian women

--an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of God's creation

If so, then this ecumenical ladies retreat is just what YOU have been looking for!

Registration is all-inclusive for the entire weekend!

(All food, lodging and retreat materials are included.)

We've got a total of 80 spots available, and they're filling up fast,

so be sure to save your place TODAY!

Details & Registration forms are available on our FRBA website .

REGISTRATION FEES:

--Early Bird Registration (before March 1st)

$80.00 per person

--Early Bird Group Registration (before April 1st - for groups of 10 or more)

$75.00 per person

--Regular Registration (on or after March 1st)

$90.00 per person

--Group Registration (on or after April 1st - for groups of 10 or more)

$85.00 per person

FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 30, 2021

We will be staying at the Disciple Oaks Camp & Retreat in Gonzales, TX.

You can check out the location here : https://discipleoaksretreat.net/

Please let us know if price is an issue for you.

We do have some scholarships available, and don't want anyone to miss out!

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.

FBC Pleasanton's Awanas enjoyed caroling for the Pleasanton Police Department.

LOVE IN ACTION

Operation Christian Love

by Beth Ann Brundrett

The joy of seeing people work together to serve others, is a blessing that brings to life the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born & died on the cross so those who believe in Him could have eternal life. What greater honor than to help those in need and also tell them of Jesus.

Even with COVID-19, donated gifts flowed into Eagle Pass - where on December 1, 2020, a limited group of volunteers from several Texas communities, Eagle Pass & Piedras Negras, Coahulia, Mexico, gathered (in masks & socially distanced) to sort and package at least 3,000 gifts, 700 Spanish, English & bilingual Bibles & New Testaments, Christian tracts & Spanish In Touch Devotionals. All the items were prepared for distribution and Christian outreach in Texas and Coahuila, Mexico.

A special thank you to Bro. Daniel Garcia and some of his congregation (from Vida Eterna church) & Bro. Lupe Negrete (pastor of Monte de Jehova church) - both of Eagle Pass - for the use of their sanctuaries to box the many gifts.

Another trailer load of shoebox gifts, toys and Bibles were sent to Terlingua, Texas by Sam Craig Ministries. Anita & Jose Gonzales & their daughter, Mia (from Red Rock, TX) took the gifts and assisted with the Gatherings for Christ in that area.

This year, the Gatherings for Christ format had to change because of COVID-19. Churches and ministries distributed gifts, food - and more importantly the story & love of Jesus - door to door. Eight orphanages, 2 soup kitchens, 3 large street ministries, approximately 20 small churches in Mexico and 5 churches in Texas received gifts for their Christian outreach programs. Gifts were also given to Rancho Dos Countries Ministries in Del Rio for their gift & Christian outreach in Coahuila, Mexico.

OCL sends our thanks to:

-- Tina Valdez Sante (of FBC Castroville), for once again helping coordinate gift packing

-- Jullie Lawrence (from Oakridge Baptist Church in Portland) for transporting the gifts from Annaville Baptist Church, coordinating things on the worksite and helping where needed

-- Sarah Foster & Mary Estrada (of FBC Natalia), John Gutiérrez (of Corinth Baptist Church - Natalia), Paulina Bivens & her daughter, Ruth (from Rainbow ministries’ Casa Hogar Getsemani in Morelos, Coahuila, Mexico), youth (from Monte de Jehova church), Steve & Roberta Porter, Josiah & Chase, and John E. & Wanda Heiligman (from FBC Charlotte), Sister Ursula Herrera, Bro. Garcia & volunteers (from Vida Eterna) for their hard work & joyful spirits.

Many of the orphanages and ministries picked up their gifts during the work day. Other volunteers delivered them. Thank you to Sister Ursula Herrera, Bro. Hector Flores, Bro. Rogelio Fiscal and John & Paulina Bivens for their assistance in making deliveries.

La Mano de Dios free soup kitchen celebrated the birth of Christ with distribution of Bibles, clothing, family food bags, back packs and stockings with gifts for 200 children, blankets and hoodies for the elderly. Like other Gatherings for Christ, this was a pass through distribution following COVID-19 regulations.

Casa Hogar Misericordia distributed the gifts to their residents & shared pictures with OCL. Many of the orphanages do not exchange gifts until January 6th.

OCL distributed new clothing and shoes in late December to the orphanages and other ministries. Gifts & new clothing were given to the residents of His Island Night Shelter for Veterans in San Antonio. In addition, the residents were provided with Bibles, blankets, candy and gifts to prepare backpacks & stockings for 100 children in their neighborhood. They hosted a “Jesus Birthday Walk-By Party” to hand out the gifts.

Final repairs on the 15 passenger van (donated to Casa Hogar Vision de Amor in Ciudad Acuna, by FBC Natalia) were completed and the title was transferred. Christ’s love was celebrated.

Fertile eggs arrived safely in Mexico to be hatched. Baby chicks will grow into laying hens. The males will be butchered for food.

The program for food purchased in Mexico for orphanages and ministries has started with great success. All worked together as a team to help one another. Seven orphanages and 2 ministries received food in addition to another soup kitchen that had received assistance earlier. Hopefully, monthly food to these same recipients will become a reality.

May each of you have a Blessed New Year together with your loved ones.