From your missionary

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W enona calls pastor

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More church news

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Gibbs releases 9 bookth

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Newsbriefs

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Calendar

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John W aters guest at

Ministers Fellowship

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Moldolva trip pics

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Family Fun Day

At The Speedway

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Open Hearts Thrift Store shares Jesus with community in various waysTwo and half years ago Liberty Baptist Church began the Open Heart Thrift Store. Since theneight more churches have joined Liberty in loving their community through this ministry. Director Pam Garrett (bottom left photo) says that God has blessed Open Hearts way beyondexpectations. Through generous donations of clothing, household items, home decor, books,music and other items, people may purchase things they need for very little money thus initself filling a great need for some families. The money generated by the sales is then pouredback into the community through such projects as providing car seats for children, stretchersfor the EMS and child immunizations, just to name a few. This ministry also provides greatopportunities for sharing the Gospel and praying with people.

Pam, Lelia Mangano (top right), Gail and Tommy Swain (top left) and other volunteers worktirelessly to make this ministry work, but they could use some more help. Consider how yourchurch could help and give Pam a call today (478-244-8623). Store hours are Mondays9am–12pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10am–1pm. The store is located at 1404 Union Street,Vienna.

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Gary Leutzinger

From your missionary

Let me begin my article bysaying how much I appreciate theprayers for the mission team aswe traveled to Moldova and theUkraine. God really worked in amighty way.

We had seventeen on our teamand we divided into four teams

and ministered in four locations. My team ministeredfor a few days in Moldolva and then spent the last fewdays in Ukraine. We saw over 130 people pray toreceive Christ. There were many non-believers in theservices and many barriers were broken down. Ibelieve with all of the teams ministering in the fourdifferent locations, there were hundreds of individualswho prayed to receive Christ.

I appreciate those who financially and prayerfullysupported this mission effort! Please pray for thepastors as they disciple the new believers. I am sograteful that I was able to be a part of this missionendeavor!!

On April 27 we will have a big evangelistic event atth

the Watermelon Capital Speedway. We are hosting a“Family Day” for the people in our counties. Thepurpose of this event is to reach families with theGospel of Jesus Christ! The event will begin at 5:00

p.m. and end around 7:00 p.m. We have several thingslined up that will hopefully attract many unchurchedpeople–a car show, activities for children, door prizes,free food, and entertainment by Chris McDaniel.

Bro. Chris is a former member ofthe Confederate Railroad, anAmerican country rock band. Hewas transformed by the Gospel in2000 and has been proclaiming thegood news of Jesus through musicever since.

We will also be hearing fromEvangelist Bill Saye. Bro. Billwas a member of the Mafia. After he was convicted of first-degree murder, he went to prisonwhere he gave his life to Christ.He served a short prison sentenceand began preaching the Gospel. God has used him to reach thousands.

As I am writing this article, I am in the process oftrying to secure a member of the Georgia Bulldogfootball team to come and share a testimony. I amsending a promotional DVD to all of our churches thatwill have all of the information regarding this event.

We need every church to support this evangelisticendeavor. We need individuals who will invite theirunchurched friends, neighbors, and co-workers to thisevent. We will be asking several churches to havecooking teams to prepare the hamburgers and hotdogs.Volunteers are needed to help with the children playarea. We are also asking churches to designate thesecond Sunday in April to have a Love Offering tohelp with the expenses of this event. Mostimportantly, we need our churches to bathe this effortin prayer!

This is a great opportunity for our churches to unitetogether to reach the lost in our communities. I amthanking God right now for how He is going to bringhundreds of lost people to the Speedway and for thosewho will be born into the Kingdom!!!

Pressing On Toward the Goal!Bro. Gary

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Church news

Wenona Church callsRonnie Duncan as pastorWenona Church has called Ronnie Duncan as pastor.He most recenty was associate pastor at Sisters BaptistChurch in Sandersville. Ronnie grew up in WarnerRobins, GA and has served churches in Georgia,Mississippi and Pennsylvania. He is married to Jilland has three children, Morgan, Noah, and Lily.

Good news from March revivalsPleasant Grove Church reported nine baptisms, onenew member by church letter, seven rededications and20 additional professions of faith from witnessing inthe community as a result of their recent revivalservices.

Hatley Church reported great attendance at theirrevival services as well as one profession of faith andseveral rededications.

Harmony Church beginswomen’s Bible study April 4Harmony Church will begin a women’s Bible studyon April 4 using Beth Moore’s David: Seeking AHeart Like His. Contact Patti Martin for moreinformation.

Five churches receive special recognition certificates fromGeorgia Baptist Convention

Pinecrest Church recorded the highest number ofbaptisms in our association in 2012.

Northern Heights Church was the leading church inHBA in 2012 in ratio of baptisms per residentmembers.

Cordele First Church was the leading contributor tothe Cooperative Program in HBA in 2012.

Harmony Church was the leading contributorpercentage wise to the Cooperative Program of HBAchurches in 2012.

Smyrna Church was the leading contributor to theCooperative Program per resident member in 2012 inHBA.

Local author releases new bookIn a few days, Nancy Gibbswill be releasing her newestbook, When Our Money FailsGod Prevails. On April 3,Adams Drug Store, 408 East16 Avenue, Cordele will hostth

a book signing. This isNancy’s ninth published book. Nancy is married to RoyGibbs, pastor of PleasantGrove Church.

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Why should our churchsupport our association?

An association gives churches an opportunity towork together on local projects, thus helping eachother to accomplish common missionresponsibilities. An association teaches andencourages churches to work cooperatively tocarry out local mission projects.

THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONChurches working together to accept the Acts 1:8 challenge.

NEWSBRIEFS

Please pray for these�Associational Missionary Gary Leutzinger

�Lauralyn & Troy Drew

�Happi Keenan

�Bo Patrick

�Kenneth Tukes

�Nominating committee as they seek people forassociational leadership positions for next year

�Unity in our churches and unity among our churches

�Upcoming associational and church events

�All our churches and particularly those withoutpastors–Acorn Pond, Arabi, Mars Hill, Morningside, Oakfield, Pinehurst, Rock Hill, Warwick First.

Clarkston mission trip postponedThe mission trip to Clarkston scheduled for April 4-6has been postponed. Hopefully, it will be rescheduled some time later in the year.

Mission trip opportunity in JulyThe mission trip to the West Virginia area isscheduled for July 20-26 this year. More details willbe forthcoming.

Opportunities coming upHouston Baptist Association events are printed in bold type.

HBC is an abbreviation for Houston Baptist Center.

Apr. 7 Southern Baptist Convention SeminariesSunday

Apr. 8 Minister’s Fellowship, HBC, 10:30am

Apr. 14 Cooperative Program Sunday

Apr. 14-19 Baptist Doctrine Study (see page 5)

Apr. 19-20 GA Baptist Women’s Spring Event,Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain

Apr. 21 Life Commitment Sunday

Apr. 27 Family Day at WatermelonSpeedway, 5-7pm

May 1 National Day of Prayer

May 5 Senior Adult Sunday

May 6 Men’s Ministries Fish Fry, Veterans State Park

April 2 Dwain NewsomeApril 4 Renee JamesApril 7 Ron FosterApril 13 Melanie SmithApril 16 Pat Foster

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And let us consider how we may

spur one anotheron toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10 :24

John Waters will be guest atApril Ministers’ Fellowship

Georgia Baptist Convention PresidentJohn Waters will be the programguest at the April 8 Ministers’Fellowship at 10:30 a.m. at HoustonBaptist Center. Lunch will be cateredafter the meeting so if you are coming(and surely you are!), let us know.

2013 doctrinal study focuses on the ways of God

The Ways of God: How GodReveals Himself Before aWatching World by Henry T.Blackaby and Roy T.Edgemon is the 2013Doctrine Study. This6-session Bible study foradults that gives believersgreater insight into God'snature and provides guidancefor aligning their lives with

His ways. God's ways are different from our ways. Soif we want God to work through us, we first need tounderstand His nature and His ways. This carefulstudy of His sovereignty, love, holiness, and otheraspects of His nature presents clear statements aboutthe relationship between God's ways and the impactthis understanding will have on a believer's life.

This study features:�Interactive activities applying and responding towhat God is teaching�Improved small-group experience�Guides participants to consider the ways and natureof God and respond to Him appropriately

This study is available from Lifeway.

Pictures above are from the March Moldova MissionTrip. To see more pictures go tohttp://www.houstonbaptist.org/Photos2013.html.

Houston Herald is published monthly by Houston Baptist Association. Send news and/or comments to P O Box 1274,

Cordele, GA 31010, email to secretary@houstonbaptist.org or call 229-273-4127.

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONPOSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 35

VIENNA GA 31092

Hous on Baptist Association2116 Hwy 41 ^ P O Box 1274 ^ Cordele, GA 31010

www.houstonbaptist.org

229-273-4127 (phone); 229-273-0626 (fax)

Associational Missionary: Gary Leutzinger

a.m@houstonbaptist.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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