Spring 2013 Texas Challenge - Texas State Association of Free Will

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Spring - 2013The TexasChallengeThe TexasChallenge

Good Hope’s OutreachTexas State ConventionNational ConventionHillsdale Ranks Third in OKLakehills WAC’s StoryTWAC New Slate of OfficersAid for Pakistan Christians

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The8thannualbenefitfortheAmericanCancerSocietywasheldattheHendersonCivicCenterinHenderson,TexasandsponsoredbytheGoodHopeFreewillBaptistChurch.Itiscalled“TheRelayforLife”andittrulyisaGospelCon-certwiththegoalofcontributingtotheACS. Sponsoredisreallynotanadequatetermtodescribewhatthechurchdid.Ican’thelpinsert-ingthispictureofAdethiaRuddworkingtheservingline.IpromisedDavidthatIwouldn’tbragonhimorhisfamily.Thereisaproblemwiththat.Ican’tidentifythemembersofthe

churchbutIdoknowtheRudds.Ifthechurchweregivenajobdescriptionyouwoulddescribethemas“ChiefCookandBottleWasher.”IamgiventounderstandthatmostofthepeoplehandingoutfoodanddoingtheunsungjobswerechurchmembersatGoodHope. Anyonereadingthiswhocatchesthemselvesthinkingthat asecularbenefitisnoplaceforachurchtoputforthsuchaneffortneedstothinkaboutthis.TheprogramwasallgospelandIheardthemessagementionedmoretimesduringthenightthanIcanrecallhearinginanysinglesermon.Thatisimportantbecausetherewereanumberofnon-believersinthecrowd. LongbeforetheendoftheeveningIhadcometobelievethatitwasaveryintelligentandsubtleformofevangelism.Thecrowdwasprimedtolisten.This(facingpagetop)isthemajorityofthecrowdthatwaslistening.TherewasnoplacewhereIcouldcatchthemall.BrotherDavidsaysthatthisallstartedwithacoupleinhischurchnamedDoyleandSallieGreen.TheymanagedtogetTheNewPlainsmeninvolvedaswellaseveryoneelse.DoylepassedawayfromcancerinFebruary2009andSalliehascontinuedon.Therewasarecurringthemeoftheeveningifsomeonewereaskedhowtheybecameinvolvedwiththeeffort.Thatcommonthemewasthattheyjustcouldn’tsayno to

Sallie.(Ihaveknownthatforyears.Just adifferentSally.)

Someonewhoprobablydidn’tgetnear- lyenoughrecognitionisDavidChenault.Davidis alocalradiopersonalityinHendersonandTyler.Heseemedtobeinvolvedatsomelevelwithjustabouteverythingthatwenton.

HattiBridgesattendsGoodHopeandis apleasuretolistento.MyfirstthoughtwasthatwiththeaccentanddeliveryshesoundedlikeayoungReba.It’sjustanimpressionandcompletelymyopinion.Whatisnotjustanopinionisthatshehadherwaywiththecrowd.

Good Hope Reaches Out With American Cancer Benefit by Lee Wilcox

Adethia Rudd on the serving line

This young lady is Hatti Bridges and she is a gem.

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AccordingtoherbioAllyFullerisa14yearoldsinger(right)fromNacog-dochesthathasopenedforseveralprofessionalacts.Oneofthesongsshesang“He’sAlive”wasmaderemarkablebytherichnessofhervoice.

HaroldBassettwhoresidesinHendersonsangseveralsongsthrough-outtheeve-ning.HereheisperformingwithdaughterShellbee.ThisquartetisfromMountEnter-prise,Texas.Wewereto-tallyimpressedbytheirsoundandlovefortheLord.Read

aboutthemonfacebook. Thegroupthatcallsthemselves“TheNew

Plains-men”hasbeenaroundsince1999.Energy!Amazing!Insteadoftalkingalotabout

themIwouldliketoreferyoutotheirwebsite:http://www.thenewplainsmen.com/TNP/Welcome.html.Thiswasthefeaturedactandtheyweregood…reallygood! Therewasonesegmentoftheeveningthatputthingsintoperspective.SallieGreenlostherhus-bandDoylein2009andhasbeentheforcebehindthisRelayforLifeeversince.SherecentlywasinformedthatshehascancerandisscheduledtobeatMDAndersonasIwritethis. HattiBridgesthensangasongaboutcancerrecoverythatwasdedicatedtoSallie.Ithinkitmighthavebeenthegutsiestperformanceofthenight.Therewassomethinginmythroatandinmyeyes...andHattiwassingingtoherAunt.

The New Plainsmen

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First Free Will Baptist CarthageCarthageisaratherremarkableforacityoflessthan7,000people.Therehavebeenanumberoffamousorinfamouspeoplewhohaveemergedfromthere.Iwon’tmentionthemallbutaquickvisitviagooglewillsatisfyyourcuriosity.

Weweren’texpectingtomeetanyoneweknewbutweweresurprised.Twice.BrotherBillyFergusoncon-ductedouradultSundaySchoolandweknewhim.HeisthebrotherofRuthRichards.WehadmethimwhilewewereattendingWildwoodChurch.HehadabigpartintheconstructionofWildwood.HiswifeRuthFerguson(Notatypo,shehasthesamenameashissister!)playedthepianofortheservice.

Thesecondsurpriseshouldn’thavebeen.BrotherDonElliswassittinginthebackofthechurch.IknewCarthagewashishomechurchbutthinkIhadforgot-ten.Itwasdifferenttoseehimlisteningtoasermoninsteadofgivingit.

TherewasapresentationbyDr.DavidCockerhamwhoisamemberoftheGideonsInternational.IcertainlylearnedfromthepresentationandtriedtoreadaBiblewritteninSwahili.Dr.Cockerhamsaidthat100%ofanydonationswenttodistributeBibles.Ifanyofyouwouldlikeapresentationyoucanreachhimat:[email protected].

ThePastoratCarthageisJoshuaHorton.HeandhiswifeStephaniecomefromtheCarolinas.Texasisnot

newtohimasherememberslivinginCorpusChristiastheSonofaNavyfather.ThatsortofbackgroundwillalsofrequentlygetyoutotheNorfolk,Virginia/NorthCarolinaarea.Thatwassointhiscase.

BrotherJoshattendedSoutheasternFWBBibleCol-lege.HisChurchhasawebsitehttp://www.carthage-forchrist.com.Ifoundmyselftobeimpressedwiththisyoungman.Ifyouwouldliketosamplehispreach-ingand/orthoughtsIsuggestreadinghisworkonthechurchsite.Iamamazedaswetravelabouttofindthequalityofpeoplewehaveassembledwhotoilwithlittlerecognition.JoshHortonisanotheronechosenofGodtoministertoTexans.

ThisisStephanieHorton.SheandJoshhavetwosmallSons.Ethanis21/2yearsandElliottis8months.Sheisarealsweetheart.EveryoneweranacrossatCar-thagewaswelcomingbutshetookittoaspeciallevel.Hopetoseethembothagainandnottakesolonggettingback.

Josh’swordstoliveby:“TheChristianlifeisnota‘try-harder’religion.It’sa‘trust-Him’relationship.”

Agreatplacetovisitandlookingforwardtodoingsoagain.

Specials by the praise team. Some of these ladies performed at the last state meeting in Henderson.

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Wewanttothankyousomuchforyourprayersandsupportofusandourchurch.Godhasblessedinsomanyways.Wenowhaveoursecondgrand-baby.Whitneyhadhersecondchildanditwasalittlegirl.HernameisCharleeRayne.Shesureisasweetone. Godhasalsorichlyblessedourchurchthisyear.Wehadanaverageattendanceof96thisyear.Godhasblessedwithmanybeingsavedandbaptized.WepraiseGodthatwehad2moresavedandbaptizedthispastmonth.Wewereabletocompleteourclassroomadditiononourchurch.Thekidsarereallyenjoyingtheroombecausebeforetheywerejustaboutsittingontopofeachother.

Finally,wearestartingthedirtworkforanewarenaonthechurchpropertywhichwillbelocatedbehindthechurchonour15acres.Weareexcitedtogetthearenaupandhaveanotherwaytooutreachthemanyareun-churchedinourcommunity.Wearegoingto

Riding for Christ in Canyon by Jeff and Sondra Cates

startwithfamilyorientedeventslikesortingandjustplaydaysforthekidsandadults. Godhasalsoblessedandwewereabletoincreasethesizeofourparkinglot.Manywerehavingtopark

somewhereoffoftheoldparkingloteverySun-daymorningbecausewewereoutofroom.WewereabletoalmostdoubleourparkinglotandwepraisetheLordforthefundstocompletethisproject. PraiseGodweareoutofseatinginoursanctu-aryandarehavingtopullouttheoldpewsandrefinishthemtoaddsomeextraseating.Wearestartingtoplanforanotheradditionontheothersideofourchurchbuildingtohouseafellowshiphallsowecantakeinthebackpartofthechurchthatisnowourfellowshiphallandadditasmoreseatingforoursanctuary.Godissogood. Weaskyoutopraythatwewillbeabletoraisethefundsneededtoaddonthefellowshiphall.

Weknowthatwecannotgrowmuchmoreuntilwehavemoreroom,sopeoplearenotsittingshouldertoshoulder.Weknownewpeopleneedmoreroomthanthis,therestofusalreadyknowandloveeachotherbutthisisnotgoodforgrowthandweknowit.WeareworkinghardtowardthisgoalsowecancontinuetogrowandreachthosewhodonotknowtheLord. Thankyouagainforallyoudotohelp.Weareworkinghardandyourprayersandsupportareappre-ciatedmorethanwordscansay.

Address:3400FM3331 Email:[email protected]:806-488-2357or806-433-6969

Canyon Country Kids all ready to present the Christmas program. What a nice bunch of kids!

The new Sunday School room!

Charlee Rayne

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etc…Focusing on the “other things” of Church ministry.

Our Pastors do a great job preaching the Word of God, yet leading a church includes many “otherthings.” Through the etc. conference. The Texas Mission Board provides skilled and experienced

speakers, who share a Biblical perspective on the “other things” of ministry.

The Texas State Meeting of Free Will BaptistsWednesday, June 12th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Titus 2:1-2, 6, “Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that theolder men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; . . .

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded . . .” (NKJV)

Proverbs 15:22 tells us, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in themultitude of counselors they are established.” (KJV) Within Texas there are men who havewise counsel. Because of their life and pastoral experience they have much to teach us all.

This year through the ETC. Conference we are seeking to help us all learn from the lifeexperiences of these wise counselors.

Submit your questions at: www.texasfwb.org and then join us . . .Wednesday, June 12th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Q&A Times:

1. Keith Woody @ 1 pm to 2 pm

2. Bobby Ferguson @ 2 pm to 3 pm

3. Clarence Hearron @ 3 pm to 4 pm

4. A Vision for Texas Free Will Baptists, Marcus Brewer @ 4 pm to 5 pm

Location: Collin Creek Free Will Baptist Church1905 East Parker Road - Plano TX 75074

Conference

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Texas State Convention InformationThisistheformalannouncementfordetailsofthe2013annualmeetingoftheTexasStateAssociationofFreeWillBaptists.Hereinyou’llfindhotelinforma-tion,thetentativemeetingschedule,alocalchurchreportingform,andregistrationforms.Pleasefeelfreetomakecopiesoftheseitemsasnecessarytodistrib-utetoyourmembers. The99thAnnualSessionoftheTexasStateAsso-ciationofFreeWillBaptistswillbemeetingJune12-14,2013,attheCollinCreekFWBChurchinPlano.BoardmeetingswillbeginonWednesdaymorningJune12,andtheformalopeningoftheAnnualSessionwillbeginwiththeWednesdayeveningworshipser-vice.OurkeynotespeakerwillbeBro.WillHarmon,pastorofCavanaughFWBChurchinFT.Smith,AR. Wehavemadearrangementsforlodgingatthisyear’smeetingwiththeSouthforkHotel,1600NorthCentralExpressway,Plano,TX75074. RESERVATIONPROCEDURE-INDIVIDUALCALL-IN:Pleasecallthehotelreservationsdepart-mentat972-578-8555ortheirtoll-freenumber,866-665-2680.Allreservationsaremustbeguaranteedwithacreditcardtobeconfirmed.http://southforkho-tel.com Toreceivethecontractrates,attendeesshouldidentifythegroupasTexasStateAssociationofFreeWillBaptists.AllreservationsshouldbemadebyWednesday,May22,2013.Afterthisdate,theywillreleasetheremainderofyourguestroomblock.Addi-tionalreservationrequestswillbehonoredonaspaceandrateavailablebasis. Pleasenotethatcheck-intimebeginsat3:00P.M.andtheircheck-outtimeis12:00P.M.Uponrequest,wewillbehappytoarrangeforbaggagestorageforattendeesluggageuntilactualdeparturefromthehotel.Rateincludesallstandardamenitiesofthehotel,including:--ComplimentaryHotBreakfastBuffet.--ComplimentaryWi-Fiinternet,fitnessroom,andguestlaundry

SingleOccupancy: $82DoubleOccupancy: $82Suites: $102

Asinyearspast,pre-registrationfortheStatemeetingisavailableandencouragedforallattendees.Youmayregisterusingoneoftheregistrationformssenttoyourchurch,mailingittotheStateOffice,oryoumayregisteronlineatwww.texasfwb.org.Allpre-registrationmustbecompletedbyMay15toensurethatyourinformationiscompiledpriortothemeeting.Onsiteregistrationwillalsobeavailable,butyouareencouragedtopre-registerifyouknowthatyouwillattend.Pre-registrationhelpsustokeeprecordsmoreefficiently,andpre-registeredattendeeswillhaveapre-madenametagattheregistrationtable. AllofthemeetinginformationisinthisissueoftheChallengeandmorewillbeonlineattheStateAs-sociation’swebsite:www.texasfwb.org.PleasemakeplansnowtojoinusinPlano,andfeelfreetocontacttheStateOfficeifyouhaveanyquestions.

Sincerely,DougDickeyStateClerk

P.S.Ifyourchurchordistricthashadanydirectorychangessincelastyear’sStateMeeting(newpastor,address,areacodeorphonenumber,e-mailaddress,website,etc.),pleaseletmeknowyournewinforma-tionbyApril15sothatIcanupdatethedirectoryforthe2013Yearbook.

Significant Milestone Reached Ijustwantedustostoptocelebratethemoment...thismorning(March3)wepassedthehalf-waypointinour2013WMOcampaign!!!Wearecurrentlyat461churches! WillyoujoinmeinthankingtheLordoftheHar-vestforHismovingonourpeoplethusfar?WeshouldalsothankHimforthem,andfortheirobediencetoglobalevangelism.Letuspraythateachchurchwouldgiveobedientlyandsacrificiallytothecauseofmis-sions.Andletusask,infaith,thatHewouldhonorHimselfinthisoffering.WearetrustingGod,butwestillhavealotofcamel-tyingtodo! Iamalsothankfulforeachofyou,andyourdili-genceinconnectingwiththechurchesinyourrespec-tivestates!Thankyouforallyouaredoing!

ReachingFartherTogether,MarkPrice

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2013 Convention Speakers NamedAntioch,TN—TheExecutiveCommitteehasnamedspeakersforthe2013NationalConventiontobeheldinTampa,Florida,July21-24.ConventionworshipserviceswillbeheldinEastHalloftheTampaCon-ventionCenter.

SundaySchool ………………… 10:00a.m.Speaker:TimOwens(FL)

SundayMorningWorship …………11:00a.m.Speaker:RandyRiggs(TN)

SundayEveningWorship …………7:00p.m.Speaker:DonnieMiles(SC)

MondayEveningWorship …………7:00p.m.Speaker:WillBeauchamp(FL)

TuesdayMorningPreachingConference…………………………………… 10:00a.m.Speakers:OralMcAffee(CAN),TimStout(OH)

TuesdayEveningWorship …………7:00p.m.LarryClyatt(FL)

WednesdayEveningWorship………7:00p.m.LarryPowell(TN)

AdditionalconventioninformationwillbepublishedintheApril/MayissueofONEMagazine.

Convention Seeks Interns TheFreeWillBaptistNationalConventionisnowacceptingapplicationsfortheConventionIn-ternshipProgram.TheinternshipisavailabletoanycollegestudentintheFreeWillBaptistdenomination.Theprogramoffersauniqueopportunityforcollegestudentstogetabehind-the-sceneslookathowtheconventionoperates,thelogisticsinvolved,andhowtheorganizationisstructured.DuringtheNationalConventioninTampa,Florida,participantswillworkinareassuchasregistration,pressrelations,prodution,stagemanagement,andmore. Studentswhoareselectedwillreceiveon-thejobtrainingplusroomandboardduringtheirstayinTampa,July18-25.Applicationsareavailableonlineatwww.nafwb.orgorbyemailingConventionMan-agerRyanLewisatryan@nafwb.org.Collegecreditisavailablefortheinternship. ThedeadlineforapplicationsisApril12,2013.

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Hillsdale’s 62% graduation rate is third highest in OklahomaTheHillsdaleCollegegraduationrateof62.2%isoneofthetopratesofanycollegeoruniversityinOklahoma.ThisisverifiedbytheWhiteHouseCollegeScorecardthatPresidentObamareferredtoinhisStateoftheUn-ionspeechrecently.Thelinkisbelow: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/higher-education/college-score-card

HillsdalePresident,Dr.TimothyEaton,said,“ThisgraduationrateisnotablebecausemanystudentswhoenrollatHillsdalearethefirstinhisorherfamilytoattendcollege.Ithinkitprovesthepowerofacampuswhosestudentsarevaluedandengaged.”Theaveragegraduationratesforthe13Oklahomapublicuniversitieswas34.1%andthe11privatecollegesanduniversitieshadanaveragerateof42.7%.

The Top Five Graduation Rankings for Oklahoma Institutions of Higher Education are:

1.UniversityofTulsa=67.8%2.UniversityofOklahoma=66.9%3.Hillsdale=62.2%4.OklahomaStateUniversity=61.8%5.OklahomaCityUniversity=60.1%

DirectinquiriestoMichelleFinkintheOfficeofthePresidentmfink@hc.eduor405-912-9455.

Fellowship FWB Church Celebrates “Marcus Brewer Day!” WehavesaidoverandoverthatweneedtorecognizeMarcusforevery-thingthathedoesnotonlyatourchurchbutintheCentralDistrictandtheStateofTexas.Wefinallysetasideadaytodothat;soonSunday,February24th,FellowshiphonoredMarcusBrewer. Hisparents,JimandDonnaBrewer,madethelongdriveinfromKansasandhissisterandbrotherinlaw,AmyandMikeWalker,traveledfromTen-nesseetobewithusforthisspecialtime. TogiveyousomebackgroundonMarcus,hewasraisedintheFreeWillBaptistdenominationandhasastrongdesiretoservewherevertheLordleads.AsayouthhewasactiveintheNationalYouthCompetitionandcompetedprettymucheveryyearhecould.HedidBibleMemorizationgrades1-3,SwordDrillgrades4-6andwasonatleastoneTic-Tac-Toeteam,ifnottwo

duringhis7-9grades.Healsoperformedasoloandhewasintheveryfirstyearofthe“Horizon”competition,nowTruthQuest,thecompetitionhecurrentlyMC’s.HewontheHorizonCompetition,dominatedactually.HewasalsoinTruthandPeacehisSophomore-Senioryears. AfterCollege,MarcusmovedtoTexasin1998toattendGraduateSchoolatTexasA&MUniversityandbeganfaithfulattendanceatFellowshipFWBChurch.In1999hebecametheMusicMinister,followedbyAdultSundaySchoolteacher,WednesdaynightBibleStudyleader,ChurchTrustee,ChurchTreasurer,StateModeratorandfinallyStatePromoter. AsfolksstreamedintochurchthatmorningwepassedoutbuttonswithMarcus’pictureprintedonthem.EveryoneinthecongregationhadMarcuspinnedveryclosetotheirhearts!BrotherDougDickeyfittedMarcuswithindividualhatstodemonstratethenumerousrolesthathefills.InadditiontotheresponsibilitieshehaswithinourdenominationMarcusalsofillsrolesonhisjobattheTexasA&MTransportationInstituteandvol-unteerswithinthecommunity.NotonlywasMarcusrecognizedforhismanyrolesbuthewaspresentedwith

(Cont’d on p. 17)

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DearFriends,March5,2013 GreetingsfromPharr,whereIamstillherealone,talkingtomyself.OnWednesdaylastweek,agroupofmenfromWoodcrestChurchinCatoosa,OKheadedthisdirection.TheypickedBrotherMarkColeupinBlanchardontheirwaydown.TheycamebyhereonThursdaymorningandIaccompaniedthemtotheborder,helpedthemfindtaxisthatwouldtakethemacrossthebordertothebusstation,thenIdrovetheirvanbackandparkeditinourfrontyard. TheyarrivedinCuidadMantethatafternoonandBudpickedthemupthere.SincethentheyhaveallbeenworkinginCelayaalongwithtwobrotherswhoflewinfromAlabama.ItwasagroupfromWoodcrest,manyofthesamemen,whobuiltthechurchthereafewyearsago.Theyareworkingonbuildinganapart-mentforPastorRodrigoGuzmanandhiswifeFelipaabovetheSundaySchoolrooms.BrotherRodrigoandFelipahavebeenlivinginoneofthoseroomssincetheygotthembuiltseveralmonthsago.Thisupstairsadditionwillgivethemtwobedroomsandalivingroomwithahalfbathandalotmoreprivacy.Theyaregoingtomaintainthekitchendownstairsandusetheshowersinthelargebathroomsthatservesthechurch.Thatwillsimplifytheplumbing. Budcalledthiseveningandsaidthattheyhavetheapartmentup,theroofon,andthesheetrockwasdeliveredthisafternoon.Theywillbeworkingtomor-row,thenthegroupwillheadbackfortheborderonThursday. OnSaturdaytheywentoutinsmallgroupsandcanvasedthewholetowninvitingpeopletochurch.Sundaymorningtherewere51present,includingacouplewhocomefromanothersmalltownupinthehillscalledElRefugio.Theybroughttwovisitorswiththem.ThosetwoelderlymenacceptedtheLordthatmorning. BudsaiddifferentoneshadgoneseveraltimestovisitanelderlymanthereinCelayawhocamedownwithsomekindofrarevirusamonthorsoago.Sincethenhehasbeencompletelyhelpless,paralyzed.Hisdoctortoldthefamilythatitwouldtakehimsixmonthstoayeartorecoveruseofhisarmsandlegs

Bud & Ruth BivensMexico

FromTexas...FromTexas...

althoughhedoeshavegoodsensationandfeelinginhisextremities.Oneachvisittheyhavealwaysprayedforhishealth.Budwentbacknightbeforelastandsatdownandvisitedwithhimatlength,sharingtheplanofsalvationandheprayedtoaccepttheLord.So,apartfrombuildingtheapartment,theyhavealsobeenbusybuildingthechurch.Pleasekeepthemallinyourprayers. AftertheOkiesleave,BudwillreturntoAltamiratotakethetwobrothersfromAlabama.TheywillbeflyingoutofTampicoonFridayandBudshouldstarthomeearlynextweek. GodblessyourichlyforyourinvestmentinourworkinMexico.Wecouldnotdoitwithoutyou.

RuthMake me a blessing to someone today.

Bridge Builders Newshttp://www.bbftc.org

WestillhaveafewspacesavailablefortheCubaChildren’sCampJuly14-24,2013missiontrip.ThedeadlinedateisApril15th(musthavepassportinyourhandbyApril15th)andthereisenoughtimeforaper-sontoapplyandreceiveapassportbeforethatdateifyou‘expediteit.’ContactGaryCurry(580.320.1473)ASAPifthereisinterestintravelingwithus.Itisgo-ingtobeaBLAST!

GaryCurry(580.320.1473)Director

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Anthony & Lea EdgmonAlpedrete, Spain

FAMILY:Afteralmostthreeweeks,Ifeellikemyvoiceandthroatarealmostbacktonormal.Thankyouforprayingforme.Ourson,Marc,wassickthesecondhalfoflastweek.Thankfully,heseemstobedoingbetterandwasabletogobacktoschooltoday.Thisweekourkidswillbehavingseveraltestssinceitistheendofthegradingperiod.NextMondayourkidswillbeoutofschoolforFather´sDay.Father´sDayisactuallythe19th,butstartingthisyearsomeoftheholidayswillbecelebratedontheMondaybeforetheactualdate.

WEATHER:Thispastweekwehavehadalotofrain.Wehadastretchofmorethanaweekthatitrainedeverydayandduringmostofthedayseveralofthosedays.ThatisnotallthatfrequentofathinghereincentralSpain.Highsformostofthisweekaresup-posedtobeinthemid-40s,exceptforWednesdayandThursdaywhenacoldfrontpushesthroughgivingusachanceofsomesnow.

INTHENEWS:Theeuroexchangeratehasdroppedalittleto$1.30.RecentlyanarticlecameoutsayingthatSpainhasmoveduptothe4thmostcompetitivecountryintheworldintheareaoftourism.TheWorldEconomicForumthatpublishedtheserankingssug-geststhattourismcouldtremendouslyhelpouttheunemploymentprobleminSpain.The17-nationeuro-zonehitanewrecordinunemploymentwithan11.9%joblessrate.ThiscompareswithSpain´sunemploy-

TotheuttermostpartsoftheearthTotheuttermostpartsoftheearthmentof26.9%.TheSpanishairlinecompanyIberiahasnegotiatedwithamediatorto“letgo”only3,141employeesinsteadof3,807.

CHURCH/MINISTRY:TimJohnsonendeduppreachingformethelasttimeIwassupposedtopreach,sothatIwouldhavemoretimetoletmyvoicerecover.LastSunday,alaymaninourchurchbroughtthemessage.ThisSunday,March17,wewillbecelebratingBibleDay.TheDirectorofSpain´sUnitedBibleSocietywillbepresentingtheirministryandpreachingforusthisSundayinAlpedrete.NextweekwewillhaveFieldCouncilmeetingsalongwiththeDirectorofFieldOperations,JeffTurnbough.LastweektheAlpedreteChurchturnedinthefinalpaperstoberecognizedasalegallyorganizedchurch.Praythatthesepaperswillbeprocessedinatimelyandfavorablemanner.Thankyouforyourprayers.PastorJoséManuel´smother-in-lawpassedawaylastweek.PrayforthefamilyandthechurchinAlcaláwhowillmissthisgodlywoman.

Anthony&LeaEdgmon

India: Carlisle Hanna’s son DonspokeatthePalmSundayserviceinSonapurhatwithmanyinattendance.GoodFridayandsunriseservicesfilledthelargechurchbuildingtocapacity.ThankGodfortheworkHeisdoinginIndiaandpraythegospelwillcontinuetospreadthroughoutthecountry.

Bulgaria: The Good NewsFWBChurchinSvishtovheldtheirfirstlarge-scaleoutreacheventearlierthismonth.PraiseGodforthe89inattendanceattheevangelisticlunchanddinner.Prayforcontinuedinterestinthegospelbyallwhoattended,andforchurchmembers’followupwiththefirst-timevisitors.

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Former General Director Rolla D. Smith DiesAntioch,TN—ReverendRollaD.Smith,formergeneraldirectorofFreeWillBaptistForeignMissions,en-teredHeaven’sgatesaround1:45a.m.,March15,2013.The92-year-oldwashospi-talizedanddiagnosedwithpneumoniaearlierthismonth.BrotherSmithwastrans-ferredtoWestMeadePlace,arehabfacility,wherehecontinuedtodeclineanddied. Smithhadtheuniqueresponsibilityofservingasgeneraldirectortwotimes.Hewasfirstaskedtoservein1959andcontinueduntil1962.Followinghisres-ignationasgeneraldirector,theMissourinativewaselectedtothemissionboardwhereheservedfaith-fullyfromAugust1962untilJuly1975.Duringthoseyears,healsopastoredchurchesinMissouri,Georgia,andTennessee.Theboardaskedhimtoserveasec-ondstintasgeneraldirectorandSmithspentanother11yearsatthehelm(1975-1986)oftheforeignmis-sionsdepartment.“UncleRolla,”asmissionarykidsworldwidecalledhim,lovedmissionaryfamiliesandwaspassionateaboutgettingthegospeltotheregionsbeyond. ReverendSmithleavesbehindhiswifeHelenKettemanSmithanddaughterBeth(Vernon)Whaley.Additionalfamilymembersarelistedinhisobituary.Inlieuofflowers,donationsmaybemadetoInterna-tionalMissions.

Note: There is a lovely story of Rolla D. Smith at www.meetingthetexaschallenge.com submitted by J. Mark Vandivort called “Fishing With Uncle Rolla.” We invite you to visit that link and enjoy some good memories.Sally Wilcox

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2013 AnnouncedAntioch,TN—InternationalMissions’GeneralDi-rectorClintMorganhasissuedanewcalltoprayerandfasting.“In2011,asIbeganmytenure,IgreatlysensedanimmenseneedforGod’sdirectionandguid-ance.IaskedotherstojoinmeandtheMissionfam-ilyin40daysofprayerandfasting,”Morganrecalls.“Peoplerespondedgenerously.ManytoldmehowGodworkedintheirlivesasaresultofthisfocusedtimeofprayer. EvenmoreamazingwashowwesawGodre-spond!WebelieveHegavewisdomanddirectiontoInternationalMissions’boardanddirectors.Lastyear’sWorldMissionsOfferingexceeded$1mil-lion—onlythroughGod’sgoodnessandgrace.Monthlyincome,thoughnotatrecordlevels,exceedsthepreviousyear.Enthusiastic,highlyqualifiedyoungpeopleareseekingtoserveoverseas.Godhastotallyexceededourexpectations,oneverylevel!”The40DaysofPrayerandFastingisscheduledtobeginWednesday,March20andconcludeonApril28—WorldMissionsSunday.AccordingtoDirec-torMorgan,“Wewanttofocusprayeronthreeareas:missionaryandMissionneeds,theneedsofnationalpastorsandleaders,andtheMission’sfuturestrate-giesconcerningfieldsofwork,peoplegroups,andfinances.” “IbelievefastingandprayerareessentialelementsofourChristianwalk.However,wedonotwanteitheronetobecomeritualistic.Forthatreason,IwasabithesitanttoaskourFreeWillBaptistpeopletojoinusinanother40DaysofPrayer,”Morganexplains.“Butseveralpastorsandlaymenhaveaskedifwewerego-ingtohaveanother40Daysthisyear.Ourofficestaffandsomeofthemissionaryforcehaverequestedit.Iamdelightedtopressforwardwiththisinitiative.”PrayerrequestswillbeavailableviaaPDFdown-loadontheMission’swebsite(fwbgo.com),sentoutthroughsocialmediadaily,andreleasedviaemailtoinboxeseachmorning.BlogsthatamplifytherequestofthedaywillbeuploadedtotheMissionwebsitemostdays. “WetrustGodwillusethis40DaystoremindusofHisfaithfulnessand,asaresultoffocusedprayerandfasting,leadustorelyevenmorefullyonHim,”Morganconcluded.

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Seminary of the Cross “TheMexicanFWB’sarestrongandhealthy!”saysDrThomasMarberry,formerpresidentoftheSeminariodelaCruzinReynosa,Mexico.Thenationalconven-tiondrewseveralhundredfromnorth,south,eastandwestMexcio.TogethertheypraisedtheLordandthankedHimforHisgrace. TheSeminary,however,isindireneedoffundstocompleteregistration($1,000each)oftwovehiclesdonated.Themens’dormandthecouples’dormsarealsoinneedofrepair.BrotherMarberrysharedhisconcernfortheseandotherimmediateneedswhilecompletingaMissionaryConferenceatNewBegin-ningsinBryan.IftheLordlaystheseneedsonyourheart,youcancontactBrotherMarberryatHillsdaleFWBCollegeinMoore,OK,forinformationonwheretosenddonations.

Matthew Bracey Joins Welch College Team in Registrar/Teaching PositionNASHVILLE,TN—MatthewBraceywilljointheWelchCollegefamilyasRegistrarbeginningJuly2013,assumingmanyoftheresponsibilitiesoftheAcademicAdministrativeAssistantpositionformerlyheldbyLynseyRiggs,alongwithregistrarduties,accordingtoProvostGregKetteman.Mr.Braceywillalsoteachcoursesinhistory,law,andtheology. Mr.Braceyisa2008graduateofWelchCollege(B.A.,history)andholdsanM.A.degreeintheologyfromBeesonDivinitySchoolandaJ.D.fromCumber-landSchoolofLawatSamfordUniversity.Mr.BraceysatfortheTennesseeBarExaminFebruary,andheandhiswifeSarahwillcelebratetheirfirstanniversaryinMay. Dr.Ketteman,said,“MatthewBraceyisexception-allywell-preparedtoassumehisdutiesatWelchCol-lege.Itisraretofindanindividualwhoissoqualifiedtowearthevarioushatsthecollegeneedsatthistime.ThankGodforHisprovidentialleadingofMatthewbacktohisalmamater.”--StephenNelsonEditorialAssistantWelchCollege

Provide Aid to Pakistani ChristiansAntioch,Tennessee—DarrenPortell,administra-tivedirectorofTheHannaProject,asksourpeopletorespondtoahumanitariancrisisimpactingourbrothersandsistersinPakistan.Recently,aFreeWillBaptistbrotherandleaderintheworkinPaki-stancommunicateddirenews:“IrecentlyinformedyouaboutthedarkprobleminLahorePakistan...TherecentincidentinBadamiBaghwhichburnedapproximately300Christians’houses...(the)gov-ernmentwaspowerlessandcoulddonothingtoensuresecurityandprotectnon-MuslimsfromviolencecommittedbyMuslimhardliners...” FoxNewsandothernewsoutletsindicatehun-dredsofChristians’homesweredestroyed,Biblesburned,andbodiesinjuredduringthisattackinPakistan’ssecond-largestcity. Ourbrothercontinuedwithapleaforhelp:“To-daywewerewiththem(inLahore)anddistributedsomefood.Duringourvisitwiththemwefoundthattheyneedcleanwater,clothesandutensilsandbedding.Iwouldliketoaskyou,canHannaProjecthelpthevictimsofLahore.Theyarereallyneedy(at)thistime;morethan500familiesaresettledincanvastentswithoutanybedding.Pleaseprayandseewhat(the)Lordguide(s)you(todotohelp).” Letushelpourbrothersandsistersfacingper-secution! Pleaserespondasquicklyasyoucan.TheHannaProjectisreceivingmonetarydonationstohelpwiththiscrisis.AllfundscollectedforourPakistanibrothersandsisterswillbeusedtoallevi-atetheirsuffering.PleasesendgiftstoTheHannaProject,POBox417,Antioch,TN37011.Youmayalsodonateonline.

--DeborahSt.LawrenceCommunicationsManagerFreeWillBaptistInternationalMissions5233Mt.ViewRoad,Antioch,TN37013615-760-6125www.fwbgo.com

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Happyspring,everyone!Ifyou’rereadingthis,youhavesuccessfullyaccessedThe Texas Chal-lengeelectronicallyoryouhaveacquireda“homemade”printedcopy.Wethankyouforyourpatienceandunderstandingduringthistrialissuethathasbeenpublishedonlyinelectronicformat.TheStateOfficefunctionsonaverylimitedbud-get,andwewanttobegoodstewardsofGod’sresources,andareviewofourbudgetandexpensesduringtheAllBoardsMeetinginJanuaryreiteratedtotheExecutiveBoardthatprintinganddistribut-ingthemagazineisthelargestexpensetheStateOfficeincurs.TheStateOfficefinished2012ap-proximately$1300inthered,whichisroughlythesameamountitcoststoprintandmailoneissueofThe Texas Challenge.TohelpoffsetthosecostsandbringtheStateOfficebackintotheblack,theExecutiveBoardhasdecidedthattheSpring2013issue(thisissue)wouldbepublishedinelectronicformatonly. Wearenowseekingfeedbackfromourchurch-esonhowwellthismeetsyourneeds,toseeifthisisaplanweneedtocontinueinthefutureorifthereisabettersolution,suchassubscriptionfeesorotherwaystooffsetcostsofproducingthemagazine.SallyandLeecontinuetodoastellarjobinproducingtheChallenge,andwewanttocontinuethehighqualitypresentationandrelevantinformationthatthemagazinehasbecomeknownfor,butwewanttodoitinsuchawaythatisaresponsibleuseofthefundsentrustedtous.IfyouhavesuggestionsonadditionalsavingsinthecostofproducingThe Texas Challenge, pleaseletusknow. Also,theStateOfficeissupportedonlythroughrepresentationfeesandtheofferingsthatyoudesignatetotheStateOfficethroughyourchurchesanddistricts.AllothermoniesreceivedbytheStateOfficearedistributedtotheboards,missionaries,colleges,andotherministriesthatyouhavespe-cificallynamedtoreceiveyourofferings.Ifyourchurchdoesnotalreadydoso,weencourageyoutosupporttheStateOfficeinyourchurch’sbudget.Weserveatthepleasureofthestateandwelookforwardtocontinuingtoserveaswepartnerwithyouinyourprayersandyourgiving. Infoonstateconventionalsointhisissuecanbefoundonpages6,7,and15.ThankstoJohnDavisforpostingtheinformationonthestatecon-ventiononthewebsite,aswellasforhiseffortsin

postingThe Texas Challengethere. Thisyear’sNationalConventionwillbeJuly21-24inTampa,Flori-da;detailscanbefoundinONEMaga-zineorontheNAFWBwebsite(http://nafwb.org/site/?p=191). Bythetimeyoureadthis,the2013WorldMissionsOffering(WMO)willberightuponus.Texashad82%participationinlastyear’sWMO,andasofMarch25,wehadpassedthattotalwith91%signeduptopar-ticipate.HopefullybythetimeApril28arrives,wewillhavehad100%participation.Weencourageeverychurchtosignup,butevenifyoudon’t,allittakestoparticipateisoneoffering,coinbank,orcoinfolder.Setsomegoalsforyourchurchandbesuretogeteveryoneinvolved.Detailscanbefoundathttp://www.fwbgo.com/funding/wmo/. Aswe’vementionedbefore,nextyearwillbeabusyyearforTexasFWBs.Nextyear’sStateMeetingwillbeour100thannualsession.ItwillbeheldintheBryan/CollegeStationarea,andplanningisalreadyunderway.ClarenceHearronandMarkHeadrickareleadingacommitteetoplantheprogramforthismile-stonemeeting,andtheywillbelookingforyourhelpinidentifyingnoteworthypeople,places,andeventstohighlight.Pleasecontactthemwithyourideasandinformation. Asyou’llremember,wewillalsobehostingnextyear’sNationalConventioninFt.Worth.WearenowlookingforvolunteerstoserveasPrayerCoordina-torandHospitalityCoordinator,andwewillalsoneedNYC,WNAC,andusherassistance,amongotherposi-tions.Wealsoneedtoraiseapproximately$20,000tofinishcoveringourrequesteddonationtopayforcostofrentingthemeetingspace;onaverage,thisisabout$400/church.Somechurcheshavealreadybeencon-tributingonaregularbasiswhenwestartedthiseffortin2005.However,wewanttomakesurethatevery-onecanbeinvolvedasweprepareforthisevent,andchurchesarestronglyencouragedtofindcreativewaystogivetothisworthycauseaswepreparetoserveashoststoourdenomination. Thankyouforyourprayersandfinancialsupport.

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Family Ministries Praises!WepraiseGodforHispromises!Idon’thavetotellyou,butsometimesministryisjustplainhard.TheministryhereatFreeWillBaptistFamilyMinistriesisnodifferent.ButI’veneverheardanyonesayministrywouldbeeasy.EvenJesuswarnedHisdisciplesofthehardtimesanddangersthatawaitedtheminthefuture.Butwehavetoholdto2Peter3:9,whichbegins,“TheLordisnotslackconcerningHispromise…!”Everyday,youandIhavetohangontothepromisethat“Hewillneverleaveus,norforsakeus.”Nomatterhowharditgetsinministry(anditwillgetharder),Godisalwaysthere.OurhouseparentshereatFamilyMinis-trieshavethehardestjoboncampusbyfar.PleaseprayforthemastheyholdtothepreciouspromisesofGod.Andprayforthemastheysharethosepromisestotheyoungpeopleweserve! WepraiseGodforHisprotection!Overthepastfewyears,FamilyMinistrieshassurvivednaturaldis-asterslikefloodsandtornadoes.EachtimeGodsparedusfromtheworst.Acoupleofyearsago,tornadoestorethroughCampCreek.Therewerepeopleinourcom-munitywhodiedthattragicevening.Thenextday,wecouldseethatthetornadohadcomewithin100yardsofoneofourcottages.ButtheHandofGodcausedthetornadototurnandprotectourpeople.AndthinkofthetimesHeprotectsusallfromthingswecannotevensee.Heistrulya“shelterinthetimeofstorm.” Finally,wepraiseGodforHisprovision.Thissummerwehopetobreakgroundonanexpansionoftheschoolwehaveonourcampus.Thecostisgo-ingtobeapproximately$1.5milliondollars.ButGodprovides!Lastyearwewereblessedwithagiftof$500,000fromtheestateofRev.O.P.&RubyStokes.Withouttheirgift,wewouldnotevenbeabletothinkaboutthismuchneededexpansionproject.ThisiswhereyoucouldbesohelpfultousandletGoduseyouasHisprovision.Everyyear,weencouragechurchestoreceiveanofferingforusonMother’sDay.Wouldyoubewillingtoparticipatethisyear?Everydollarofthisofferingwillgotowardourschoolproject.Provid-ingagoodeducationtotheyoungpeopleweserveisthesecondgreatestthingwecandoforthem.SecondonlytosharingthegospelofJesusChrist!Thankyouinadvanceforhelpingusthisyearwithour2013Mother’sDayOfferingforFreeWillBaptistFamilyMinistries!

Youth Competition Changes

DuetounforeseencircumstancesithasbecomenecessarytomovethestateCTScompetitionto:

MAY18TH,201310:00AMFELLOWSHIPFREEWILLBAPTISTCHURCH1228W.VILLAMARIARDBRYAN,TX77801

Pleasepassthisinformationontoanyonewhoisplanningtoparticipateorattendthecompetition.IfanyonehasquestionstheycancontacteithermyselfatthecellnumberbeloworTeressaVoltzat832-647-3458.Ihavecompetitionentryformsavailableonrequestorgotohttp://www.texasfwb.org/cts.shtml.

Whileyoumaypayyourentryfeeatthecompetitionwedoneedtoknowaheadoftimewhoisplanningoncompetingsojudgingpacketsmaybeprepared.Thesoonerthatwereceivethosepacketstheeasieritistogetready.YoucanscanandemailthemtomyaddressbeloworTer-essa’[email protected].

THANKYOUforyourassistanceinthis.ThisseemstobeayearforchangesbutGodalwaysgetsusthroughthemandIknowHewillagain.Welookforwardtoseeingyouatthecompetitionthisyear.Wewillbeservingapizzalunchafterwardsforallattendeeswhowanttostayandfellow-shipwithus.

[email protected],TX75654903-863-2188home903-658-0158cell

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Calendar of Events from Marcus Brewer

FollowingareafewitemsthatIwanttobesureyou’reawareofaswemakeourwayintospringandsummer.

State Meeting:Thisyear’sStateMeetingwillbeJune12-14atCollinCreekFWBChurchinPlano.WillHarmon,currentlypastoringinArkansasandpreviouspastorofCollinCreek,willbethekeynotespeaker.LodgingwillbeatSouthforkHotel,atarateof$82pernight,whichincludesbreakfast.Regis-trationinformationcanbefoundonlineatwww.texasfwb.org.Informationwillalsobemailedtoeachchurch.

NAFWB:Thisyear’sNationalConventionwillbeJuly21-24inTampa,FL.DetailscanbefoundinONEMagazineoratwww.nafwb.org.

State Youth Retreat:Thedatesforthisyear’sStateYouthRetreatwillbeApril19-21(Fri-Sun),heldatForestGlenCampoutsideHuntsville.

State Youth Competition:Thisyear,thestateyouthcompetitiveactivitieswillbeheldear-lierintheyear,duetoachangeintheregistrationdatetocompeteattheNationallevel.TheNationalregis-trationdeadlineisJune1,whichmeansthatwemusthaveourstatecompetitionearlierthantheStateMeeting.CompetitionhasbeenchangedtoMay18,2013andwillbeheldat10:00AMatFellowshipFWBinBryan.

WMO:Texashad82%participationinlastyear’sWorldMissionsOffering,andwe’realreadyabovethatmark(91%)forthisyear,butwestillhavealittlewaystogotogetto100%.Allittakestoparticipateisoneoffering,coinbank,orcoinfolder,butwehopethatyouarepreparingtodomuchmorethanthat.Weencourageyoutosetgoalsandspecialeventsforyourchurchandbesuretosignuptoparticipateathttp://www.fwbgo.com/funding/wmo/. Ifyou’reonFacebookandwanttokeepupwithourprogressontheWorldMissionsOffering,youcanfollowalongonaspecialpagethatNickStew-arthascreated.Justsearchfor“TexasWMO”inthesearchbaronyourFacebookpage.

2014 State Meeting:Nextyear’sStateMeetingwillbeheldintheBryan/CollegeStationarea.Itisour100thannualsession,andplanningisalreadyunderway.ClarenceHearronandMarkHead-rickareleadingacommitteetoplantheprogram,andtheywillbelookingforyourhelpinidentifyingnoteworthypeople,places,andeventstohighlight.Pleasecontactthemwithyourideasandinformation.

2014 NAFWB:Wewillbehostingnextyear’sNationalConventioninFt.Worth.WearelookingforvolunteerstoserveasPrayerandHospitalityCoor-dinators,andwewillneedNYC,WNAC,andusherassistance,amongotherpositions.Wealsoneedtoraiseapproximately$20,000tofinishcoveringourrequesteddonationtopayforthemeetingspace;onaverage,thisisabout$400/church.Anumberofourchurcheshavealreadybeengivingtowardthisgoalsincewebeganin2004.Atthattime,aregularmonth-lydonationof$5.00perchurchovertheten-yearpe-riodwouldhaveachievedour$30,000goal.However,nowthatwe’reoneyearout,ourforecasthaschangedtothecurrent$400perchurchbetweennowandJulyofnextyear.Werealizethatnoteverychurchmaybeabletocontribute$400,butotherscandomorethanthat.Wewanteveryonetobeinvolvedasweprepareforthisevent,andchurchesarestronglyencouragedtofindcreativewaystogivetothisworthycauseaswepreparetoserveashoststoourdenomination.Itmaybeabakesale,aspecialoffering,ayardsale,oranynumberofotheropportunities,butweencourageyoutosharethisneedwithyourchurchmembersandgiveasGodleadsyou.

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Texas Challenge:PrintinganddistributingthismagazineisthelargestexpensetheStateOfficeincurs.TohelpoffsetthosecostsandbringtheStateOfficebackintotheblack,theExecutiveBoardhasdecidedthattheSpring2013issuewillbepublishedinelectronicformatonly.Weseekfeedbackfromthechurchesonhowwellthismeetsyourneeds,toseeifthisisaplanweneedtocontinueinthefutureorifthereisabettersolution,suchassubscriptionfeesorotherwaystooffsetcosts.TheSpringissueoftheTexasChallengeisavailableonline(alongwithrecentarchivedissues)atwww.texasfwb.org,oryoucane-mailJohnDavis([email protected])andasktobeplacedonthee-maillistsothatyoucanreceiveyourownPDFcopyinyoure-mailinbox.

The State Officefunctionsonaverylimitedbudget,andwewanttobegoodstewardsofGod’sresources;ifyourchurchdoesnotalreadydoso,weencourageyoutosupporttheStateOfficeinyourchurch’sbudget.Weserveatthepleasureofthestateandwelookforwardtocontinuingtoserveaswepartnerwithyouinyourprayersandyourgiving.Asalways,pleasecontacttheStateOfficewithanyques-tions.

Churches on Facebook:Aswesetupmoreandmore“footprints”online,we’refindingnewwaystocommunicatewithandreadaboutourchurch-es’activities.OneofthosewaysisthroughFacebook.Rightnow,I’mawareof15ofourTexasFWBchurch-esthathaveofficialFacebookpagesinoneformoranother(grouppage,fanpage,“business”page,etc.).IfyourchurchhasaFacebookpresence,pleaseletmeknow(sendmethelinktoyourpageorletmeknowwhattosearchfor).EvenifIamalreadya“fan”or“friend”ofyourpage,pleaseconfirmitwithme,sothatIknowIhavethemostcurrentinformation.ThisisanotherwaywecancommunicatewithoneanotherandyoucankeepupwithallthatyourfellowchurchesinTexasaredoing.

Thanks,Marcus BrewerModerator/State Office Coordinator

New Randall House Release

Connecting Church & HomeisthenewestreleasefromDr.TimKim-mel,whoiswellknownforhisGoldMedallionWinner,GraceBasedParent-ing.Kimmelwritestoboththeparentsandministryleaders,bridgingthegapthatoftenfindsitsway

betweenthechurchandthehome. Kimmelequipsparentsandleaderswithaplanthatwillmakeeachother’seffortsmoreimpactful–leveragingtheinfluenceofthechurchandhometopassfaithtothenextgeneration. Kimmelgivesacomprehensivestrategytochurchesforfamilyministryaswellasaplanforparentsseekingtopasstheirfaithtothenextgenera-tion.Hesharesvaluabletoolsforthechurchtousetobuildastrongfamilyministry.Achildwhohasseengracelivedoutinfrontofhimatchurchandathomeismuchmoreinclinedtowardstayingcom-mittedtoarelationshipwithGodintoadulthood.SoKimmelshareswhatagrace-basedfamilyministrylookslikeinalocalchurch.Healsoteachesparentshowtotranslateeverypartoftheministrytheyareexposedtoatchurchintospiritualtrainingathome.

Marcus Brewer Day(cont’d from p. 9)agiftcardtohelpshowourappreciationalongwithnotesthatwerecollectedfromseveralindividualspriortothisday.Marcuswasgivenaminutetore-spondtothecongregationandasexpectedhemadeitclearthathewasdoingwhathefelttheLordwasleadinghimtodoandthathedidnotdoanyofittobringglorytohimselfbutonlytoglorifytheLord.IcanseetheLordrespondingtoMarcusasinMat-thew25:23“Hislordsaiduntohim,Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant;thouhastbeenfaithfuloverafewthings,Iwillmaketheerulerovermanythings,enterthouintothejoyofthylord.”WeappreciateMarcus!by Cathy Stark, member of Fellowship FWB, Bryan

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TheStateChristianEducationBoardheldthe2013TexasLeadersforChristConference(TLC)onMarch1-2atCampSon-shine.Onceagain,wehadagreattimeoflearningandfellowship. Thistime,weusedsomeself-assessmentteststodetermineSpiritualGiftsandPersonalityTemperament.TheSpiritualGiftsTesthelpedtheparticipantsdeterminetheirgifts,includingad-ministration,evangelism,exhortation,giving,helps,hospitality,leadership,mercy,prophecy,service,shepherding,teaching,oracombinationofsomeofthese.Oncewedeterminedouruniqueset

ofgiftsandinterests,wehadagoodtimediscussingeffectivewaysofapply-ingtheminservicetotheLord. ThePersonalityTemperanceTest,derivedfromTimLaHaye’sbook,“WhyYouActtheWayYouDo,”wasdesignedtohelppartici-pantsunderstandtheiruniquestrengthsandweaknessesintermsofdeal-ingwithothers.Oncewedidthisself-assessment,JessicaVoltz,oneofthefacilitators,helpedusdeterminethebestwaystoapplyourindividual

temperancestosituationsinleadingpeople.AccordingtoElizabethTopping,“Ilearnedsomethingsaboutmypersonaltemperamentthatwillhelpmeinthefuture.IrealizethatInaturallyresponddifferentlytosituationsthansomepeoplearoundme.Knowingthiswillhelpmehandlecertainsituationsanddealwithpeopleinamoreeffective

way.”KenAustinledusinacourseentitled“HowtoLeadSomeonetoChrist.”PersonalevangelismistrulythewayJesusintendedtobuildHischurch,andisacriticalskillneededbyallChristianleaders. Anotheractivity,ledbyTeressaVoltz,wastheBook

Review,inwhichwestudiedTimElmore’sbook“Habitudes:ImagesThatFormLeadershipHabitsandAt-titudes.”Webrokeupintosmallgroupsandfocusedonachapterortwoatatime,thenpresentedwhatwehadlearnedtothegroup.Itwasafun,thought-provoking,andeducationalexperience,whichwhettedourappetitesformorereadingintheHabitudesseriesofbooks. TheconferenceendedSaturdayafternoonwithanupliftingConcertofPrayer.Ibelieveeveryonewhoat-tendedwasencouragedandrefreshedafterparticipatinginTLC2013.Noinstructororstudentregrettedtheexperience.

Texas Leaders for Christ Conferenceby JD Davis

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East Texas District WAC is Blessed!!! by Mitzi Burks

OurcupoverflowedwithblessingsSaturdayattheCarthageFWBCEastTexasWomenActiveforChristgathering.WewerehonoredtohaveSallyWilcox,TWACPresident,visitandshareherheartwithus!SallyalsointroducedCindyHunter,fromTomballFWBC!CindyhasadeeploveforservingtheLord,forwomen,andfulfillingGod’swill!CindysharedfromastudywithNancyLeighDeMossthatshehadjustattended.ThroughIsaiah40:1-5,Cindyencouragedusknowing:

a Thereiscomfortfortherepentant. a OurKingiscomingandourheartsneedtobe changed. a HowtoprepareforChristbyliftingupour valleys–complacency,lackofspiritual meditation,self-pity,selfishness. a HowtoprepareforChristbybringinglowevery mountain&hill–brokenrelationships,attitude, money,pleasure,pride,thoughtsthatI’mtoo badforGodtochange. a ThereisVICTORY!Roughgroundwillbe level,smooth;thegloryoftheLordwillbe revealed!

Cindychallengeduswiththesequestions: WhatdoChristianslove? WhydosomanyfollowersofJesusseemtobemorecompassionateabout______________(fillintheblank)thanHisWord,HisKingdom? KatieKing(9yearsold)continuedtheblessingsinsongwith“WhenICallOnJesus”–thisyoungladylovestheLordandhasawillingheart! StephanieHorton,wifeofpastorJoshuaHorton,wrappeditallupforusinLuke4:17–Ourpurpose,WomenActiveforChrist,istopreachthegospel,seekandsavethelost–theworkoftheKingdom–missions–people&thelost!Ourfocusismissions;itstartswithourfamily.Theenemydistractsus–Facebook,Twitter,phone.Jude21,22tellsuswearetomakeadifference.Weneedtorefocus,pray,haveawill-ingandobedientheart,andgo!Stephaniehandedoutmissionarycardsandwerefocusedbyclosingwithprayergroups. I’msoexcitedaboutwhattheLordisgoingtodointhecomingdays!

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Lakehills Women Active for Christ...REALLY!!! by Marsha Hood

Whileweareknownasarecentadditiontothestate,wefirstorganizedasanauxiliaryintheearly1990’s.Wehavealwayshadavibrantgroupofladies.Aswithmanyorganizations,overtimeouroriginalfocuswasdilutedandsomehowourgoodintentionandeffortstookotherforms.Ourfocusbecamemoreaboutwhatwasbeingdoneinsidethechurchinsteadofoutside.Althoughwewerestilldoingimportantthings(baby&wed-dingshowers,organizingchurchdinners,planningpastorappreciation,sponsoringfamiliesatThanksgivingandChristmas,andhavingtheoccassionalmissionaryspeakerormissionproject)ourprimaryfocushaddriftedawayfromitsintendedpurpose. ThatisuntilIattendedtheTexasStateMeetinglastyearinHenderson.AsIsatintheTWACmeetingIwasstruckbyseveralrealities:First,therewasaVERYlownumberofwomeninattendance.AsIlookedaroundIsawfacesIrecognized,butmanyweremissing.Secondly,andalongthesameline,Inoticedtheabsenceofyoungwomeninthegroup.Thelastthingthatstruckme,andmaybethemostdisturbingofall,wasthedisap-pointingreportthatwasgivenaboutthestatusofthestatemissionproject.AsIlistenedtothereportandthenumbersthatwerepresented,IrealizedthattheTWACwasfallingfarshortofitsgoal.Infact,thegoalfromyeartoyearhadbeenlowered,andwewereindangerofnotreachingthisloweredgoal. Ileftthatmeetingandimmediatelyuponreturninghomecalledmypastorandsharedmyconcern.Iadmit-tedmyguiltintheroleIplayedinallowingourladiesgrouptolosesightofourrealmission.Ialsopurposedtodomybesttochangeit,startingrightthen! Icalledaspecialboardmeetingwithourofficersandsharedmyburdenwiththem.Weallagreedthatweshouldshiftourfocusandredirectourefforts.Wewouldstretchourselvesandtrulymakemissionsandourmis-sionariesthecentralfocusofwhatweareabout. Bytheendofourmeetingwehadsetagoalfortheremainderof2012of$500-notalotbutdefintelyat-tainableinaless-than-six-monthperiodoftime.WeimmediatelystartedaCraig’slistprogramwhereitemsinthechurchwerelistedwithalltheproceedsgoingintoourmissionaccount.Theladieshostedagamenight.Webeganhighlightingmissionariesandtheireffortson“MissionEmphasisSunday”thefirstSundayofeachmonth.Weselectdifferentareasofservice,state,home,andforeign. Comingintothenewyearwewillcontinuetodothis,aswellasincludeourBiblecollegesandchildren’shomewithinourdenomination.Ourpeoplecanseetheirfaces,heartheirstories,andknowhowbettertoprayforthem. Withabout$170inthebank,weplannedourfirstFifthSundayMissionDinner-thefirstdinnerbroughtincloseto$500!Inonefellswoop,wehadexceededourgoal!Theladieswereexcited,ourpastorwasexcited,andthepeopleofthechurchweresteppingupandcomingalongsideusinourefforts.Ourfinalmissionprojectfor2012wasaChristmasbazaarwhichfeaturedhand-madeandhomemadeitemsfromladiesinourchurch.Wewerecompetingwithothercraftsales,weatherwasn’tgreat,andonandon.WecarriedthesaleovertoSunday,andofferedunsolditemstothecongregation.Whenitwasallsaidanddone,Godhadagainblessedoureffortsandwebroughtinatotalofnearly$1,200!Allinall,ourladieswiththehelpofourchurchmembers,hadraised$1,800inonly5months!Isn’tGodamazing!InadditiontosendingmoneytotheStatemissionproject,theex-tramoneyallowedustohelptheJarsofClayChurchinMonterrey,Mexicoofferscholarshipsforsomeoftheirhighschoolstudentswhomustpaytoattendschool.Thisisamissionchurchthatwaspreviouslywaspastoredbyacouplewhoattendourchurch. Wefeelourchurchasawholehasbeenblessedbecauseoftheeffortswemadein2012.Wehavesetanewgoalof$2,500.Thisnewyearwewilltrytomakesureeveryonehasaplacetoserve.Ineverychurchthereissomeonewhocanorganizeanevent,sendcardsorlettersofencouragement,givemonetarygifts,giftsoftimeorservice.I’mexpectingGodtodogreatthingsinandthroughthelivesofthepeopleinourchurch. Iwouldliketoissueachallengetoeachchurchinourdistrict,andstate.Dosomething...anything!Haveasmallchurchwithonlyafewmembersinyourauxiliary?Havealargechurchwithanactiveladiesgroup?Ei-therwaygetbusyworkingandgiveGodanopportunitytoshowyouwhatHecando!LittleismuchwhenGodisinit!

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TexasWomenActiveforChristhaveabusyschedule:

June 13, 2013, Thursday, 8:30 AM TWAC Business MeetingWewillbevotingonanewslateofofficersandinstall-ingthem,sometobeginimmediatelyintheiroffice! Cindy Hunter ofFirstFreeWillBaptistTomballwillbenominatedasthenewpresident.CindyisawomanafterGod’sownheart.Sheisabeautifulwifeandmother,wonderfulandcaptivatingspeaker,ex-Navyorganizer,andsingswiththepassionofawomanwholovestheLord.Sheishighlyrecommendedbyherpeers. Jane GalvaninConroeisslatedtobethenextvicepresident.JaneisaGod-fearingwife,motherandgrandmotherandtheownerof4flowershopsintheConroearea.Sheisreadyatthedropofahattotakeonwhateverwethrowather!Calm,coolandcollected.Shewillbeanassetttothestateboard. Sally Wilcoxwillbetakingonthepositionoffieldworker.WithherhusbandLeeatherside,Sallyhasbeenabletovisitnumerouschurchesandchurcheventsastheyarebothretired.Sallylovespeople,andlovestoencourageourWACsacrossthestate. Lillian Pritchettneedslittleintroduction.ShehasformanyyearsbeentheTWACtreasurerandcontinuestoworkwonderswiththeTWACfinances.Sheneverdropstheball,andcontinuallykeepstheboardonitstoes.Neverapennywasted! Esther MayowillcontinueassecretaryandwillcontinuetochronicleallTWACeventswithaccuracyanddiligence.WithherhusbandKenMayo,pastorofEastsideFWBinHouston,sheattendsallthethecon-ventionsacrossTexasandtheNationalfaithfully. Mitzi Burkswillcontinueasamember-at-large.Sheisfaithfultodowhateversheisaskedtodo,anddoesitwithexcellence.SheisabeautifulexampleofChristintheheartofawoman. Phyllis BassisnewtoTexas,butnottoFWBs.HerhusbandHowardBasshassteppedintothepulpitofFirstFreeWillBaptistTomballfollowingBrotherBobbyFerguson’sretirement.PhyllisisalongstandingmemberofWACinNorthCarolina.Sheisslatedtobeamember-at-large. Ana YacobianwilllightuptheboardfromMcAl-

lenwheresheandherhusbandGregoryhavestartedamissionchurch.Anahashomeschooledhertwoboys,oneofwhichisnow18andhasbeenselectedtobeontheYETthiscomingsummer.Anacon-tinuestoamazeasshecreateswebsites,programs,costumes,...younameit!Shecomesinwithjoyandexcitement! Judy Posnerwillcontinueasamember-at-large.JudyisexperiencedintheWACandhasbeenapresidentinthepastyears.Shekeepsusincheck,andlovestheLord,theWAC,andherbeauti-fulfamily.HerfamilyisatruetestimonytoJudy’sfaithfulnessasawomanofGod.

June 13, 2013, 9:30 AMTWAC Worship SessionTheme: His Hands

Speaker:ColletteWright,pastor’swifeatMcKin-neyFWBMission

June 13, 2013, 11:00 AMJoint Session - “His Hands”Speaker:BrotherBobbyFerguson,recentlyretiredafter50yearsofpastoringFirstFreeWillBaptistTomball.

TWAC RetreatOctober11&12,ForestGlenCamp,Huntsville,TXCost:$61includesonenightlodgingand3meals(Thursday,October10,$36,extranightand2meals)Speaker:Rachel NorrisofJoyPotteryinBryanRachelwillspeakonanddemonstratethe“Potterandtheclay”bothFridayeveningat7:00andSatur-daymorningat11:00.Youwon’twanttomissthis!Speaker:Celina Henderson ofMcAllenwillshareonSaturdaymorningatthe9:30sessionon“TheWayoftheMaster.”CelinawasamissionaryinthePhilipines.Shelearnedevangelismontheground,andcontinuestouseherlessonsinMcAlleninstreetevangelism. Wewillenjoylearninghandmassages,givingandreceivingbeforegoingtobedFridayevening.Bringsnacksandbereadyforfellowship. Kareen RustwillbeleadingusonceagainincraftsonFridayafternoon,makingscrapbooksfromavarietyofmaterials.Checkoutthebrochure!

Upcoming Events for TWAC Everywhere!

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Editor, Layout, Design – Sally Wilcox

TheTexasChallengeispublishedquarterlybytheTexasStateAssociationofFreeWillBaptists.

Theonlineversioncanbeviewedattexasfwb.org/challenge/

Commentsandarticlesforsubmissionshouldbemailedto:13293TommySmithRd

Conroe,TX77306281-622-6409

oremail:texasfwb@aol.comTheeditorreservestherighttoacceptorrejectanyarticles

submittedforpublication.Allprintedarticlesrepresentthepersonalviewsoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflectthepolicyor

positionsoftheTexasFreeWillBaptists.

Texas State FWB Association13293 Tommy SmithConroe, TX 77306

WNACnowoffersPowerPointprogramsforitsmonthlyTreasureBiblestudies.Theseprograms,preparedbyKentuckypastor’swifeJuliaThomas,creativelyhighlightthemainpointsineachsectionandprovideasummaryofthestudy.Theprogramisavailableinbothpptandpptxformats,andalsoinpdf(fourslidesperpage)forleaderswhodonothavePPTaccessattheirmeetings.

Upcoming Events for Texans

WMO (World Mission Offering)April28,2013

Youth CompetitionMay18,2013atFellowshipFWBinBryan

Texas State ConventionJune12-14,2013atCollinCreekFWBPlano,TXTWAC at State Convention-June13

National ConventionJuly21-24inTampa,FL.

TWAC RetreatOctober11-12,2013atForestGlenCamp,Huntsville