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CB Southern California Newsletter 

October 2012  

BUT THEN...

Things don't always go as planned. Vicki and the Women's Retreat team had just left our home, headed up to the mountains with our mini-van packed with people, frilly things, programs and suitcases. I planned to run to the store and rent a carpet cleaner to clean some dirty carpets in our house. BUT THEN, I received a call from Vicki that our van overheated. I had just rented the cleaner for 24 hours and had to change plans. Have you ever had to do that? It's never convenient. We managed to find another vehicle and driver (thanks Bill Golsch), and got the women up to their retreat. The van was towed to a shop to get fixed, and I endured about 3 hours at the repair shop waiting for the diagnosis on the van, which was, they can fix it tomorrow! I needed to find a ride home (thanks Bill Golsch!). Got home late and finally did the carpets. 
     Plans do change. Robert Burns' poem, "To a Mouse," reads, "The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry." Solomon wrote, "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands." (Prov. 16:1 LB) How do you handle a change of plans? Always be prepared for it and give yourself a little flexibility in your schedule. Leave early, put some unscheduled time in your day and leave room for the unexpected. Stay calm, make adjustments. Make sure the last words to loved ones are kind. Expect the unexpected. I always remember the words of my pastor, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, who once said that "our disappoints our often His appointments." 

PS: After writing this, I tried to find my Men's Retreat program booklet that I had been working on all week. It was almost done, but then...somehow, I deleted it and had to start all over!

jimJim Smith
Executive Director
CB Southern California
 Men's Retreat Coming Soon
mens retreat
It's not too late to sign up for this year's fall Men's Retreats. Make this weekend count and plan to attend. Great inspirational messages for both of the retreats, abundant food, mountain air, rest and a variety of events. Dr. Bert Downs will be speaking for the English retreat and Pastor Aoki Reyes Uriostegui at the Spanish. The San Antonio Heights Praise Band will be leading the English singing. Both English and Spanish-language retreats will be at Pine Summit during the weekend of October 12-14. Sign up here NOW!  English or Spanish
CBSC Webinar With Ron Prentice
Ron Prentice

ATTENTION CBSC PASTORS:

Ron Prentice of California Family Council has graciously offered to hold a customized WEBINAR just for CBSC Pastors the week of October 8. Look for a separate email coming to you soon with all the details.

  This webinar will address the critical issue of your role in getting people to vote and registered to vote. Jim Smith will introduce the session along with Ron Prentice. You will also hear from David Barton of Wallbuilders, who will share compelling information on how outcomes are changed when Christians vote. Proposition 32 will also be discussed (restoring the self-determination and rights of conscience to union members and corporate employees.)

   The content of this webinar will be completely safe under the 501c3 banner, which allows for education on these issues. Plan to join us for this short webinar (30-minutes or less) and learn more about what you can do in your role as pastor.  

Gary Golike Moving to Omaha
Gary Golike, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Fallbrook since 2004, announced his resignation effective October 4. Gary will be taking a 3 to 6 month sabbatical, as well as moving with his wife, Barb, to Omaha, NE to be near some of his kids and a granddaughter. He plans to explore future ministry opportunities such as teaching at a Christian college or a church staff position. Gary served at Fallbrook FBC for 8 years, bringing health, stability and a strong focus on the word of God while Barb helped as Music Director for the last several years. Gary will be missed not only at FBC Fallbrook, but here at CB Southern California, where he has served as President and in other leadership positions on the board for many years. Barb has also served wholeheartedly with CBSC's women's ministries. Thank you, Gary and Barb, for all your time and commitment. You will be missed.
Jim Smith Interim Pastor at Fallbrook
Fallbrook First Baptist Church has asked Jim Smith to be their Interim Pastor during this transitional time. Jim will continue to lead CB Southern California as the Executive Director, dedicating time to preach regularly and help direct FFBC as their interim pastor while they look for a pastor to lead them in the future. Gary Golike brought health and stability to Fallbrook First Baptist, and the future of the church looks bright.
Greg Rhodes Resigns
Pastor Greg Rhodes of Bethany Church in Long Beach announced his resignation as Senior Pastor of Bethany Church, effective November 4. Greg has been senior pastor for 20 years and has been on staff at Bethany for 29 years, serving in a variety of staff positions. While at Bethany, he met and married Laura, and shared the joy of the births, dedications, salvations, and baptisms of their three children Rebecca, Maddy and Adam. For now, Greg and Laura will stay in Long Beach where their son is a senior in high school and their two daughters live nearby in the Southern California area. Greg wrote, "I am aware that God raises up leaders for periods of time to accomplish His purposes and determines when the leader's ministry should come to a conclusion. Over time, I have come to recognize there is a need for a different voice to lead Bethany. For this reason, I believe it is best for our church that I step aside to explore other opportunities for ministry." Bethany will miss Greg's compassionate leadership.
Gone to Heaven 
Dr. George Vouga
On Saturday, September 15, Dr. George Vouga died at the age of 102!! He was living in a care home in Tustin. George was the General Director of the Conservative Baptist Association of Southern California from 1960 - 1970. He was instrumental in the purchase and building of Pine Summit, which became the mountain retreat center for CB churches before being sold to the Salvation Army in 2010. In October 1964, George also helped start a new ministry called the Conservative Baptist Credit Union - a not-for-profit association that would support CBA ministers. In 1984, the Conservative Baptist Credit Union merged with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Credit Union to become Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU). He was one of the founders of WorldVenture, formally called the Conservative Baptist Foreign Missionary Society. George also headed the Arizona Baptist Association from 1948 -1955 and led them into joining CBAmerica.

ralph WilsonDr. Ralph Wilson
Dr. Ralph L. Wilson, father of Pastor Doug Wilson of Bethany Church in West Covina, died this past month. His memorial service was at Bethany Church on Saturday, September 8. For over 50 years, Ralph served many CB churches in...

*Powderhorn Baptist, Minneapolis, MN
*Sioux Falls, SD
*Port Hueneme, CA
*Hammond, IN
*Lansing, IL
*Calvary Baptist, Salinas, CA
*Bethel Baptist, Phoenix, AZ
*First Baptist, Cupertino, CA
*River Road Baptist, Eugene, OR


He and his wife Gene, were married over 67 years. He is survived by his wife and their four kids, Pastor Doug, Marilee, Janey and Beverly.
 Women Enjoy Pine Summit Retreat

women retr4eatThese women just finished enjoying the ropes course at Pine Summit. Some watched and encouraged, others completed the course. Close to 200 women attended the first of two English-language CBSC Women's Retreats at Pine Summit. Noel Robbins and Vicki Smith spoke at the general sessions, and a host of seminars, activities and times to refresh were available throughout this weekend conference. Vicki and her team do a great job planning this event. It was a great opportunity for the ladies in attendance to connect, receive encouragement, rest, and renew and grow in their relationships with the Lord. Retreat #2 is this weekend, September 28-30 followed by the CBSC Spanish-language Women's Retreat on October 5-7. There is still time to sign up for the Spanish Women's Retreat which will feature guest speaker Hermana Marisa Delgado. Oralia Cuellar and her team also do a great job organizing this excellent retreat. Call Oralia at (909) 374-8533 to register or click here for more info:

Spanish Women's Retreat.

Oceanside FBC Celebrated 125 years

On September 7-8, First Baptist Oceanside celebrated their 125th brithday. First Baptist is thought to be the first Protestant church in Oceanside. The church opened in 1887 with nine people. The church moved to a small schoolhouse, the first school in Oceanside. The first church building was built in 1888, and in 1957 they moved to its present location. The church celebrated with a carnival for the neighborhood on Saturday morning and an evening celebration with former and current members Saturday night. Sunday's service included a video presentation about the church's history and the many memories of members. Pastor Adam Smith was quoted in the local paper as saying, "Our goal is to be a healthy and welcoming place where members can connect with one another and grow their relationship with God."

Port Hueneme's Full Training Day

Port Hueneme's First Baptist Church hosted a Leadership Training weekend for KidsEE - Hope for Kids on Sept. 21-22. Pastor Jovan Rosario said, "Shawn Howell did a very excellent job in training 60 clinicians from 12 different churches. Shawn said that this KidsEE Launch was the largest so far! Praise the Lord! Please keep on praying for those churches who committed themselves to implementing this evangelism tool for youth & children. Thank You, and to God Be The Glory!"

 Worship Conference in Escondido

The National Worship Leader Conference will be held at Emmanual Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA on October 9-11. If you are interested in worship, this is the premier event for worship thinkers, leader, and innovators.

 

* 3 General Sessions
* 4 Nights of Worship
* 9 Workshop Times (over 70 workshop choices)
* 3 Lunches
* Access to over 40 worship related exhibitors

 

$385 for individuals, $190 for students.

For more information, check out their webpage.

Top Worship Songs

songsCCLI released the top 25 songs reported by churches in their Copy Activity Reports, as used for the August 2012 royalty payout (for surveys returned between October 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012).

 

 

1. How Great is Our God - (C. Tomlin, J. Reeves, E. Cash)

2. Mighty to Save - (B. Fielding, R. Morgan)

3. Our God - M. Redman, (C. Tomlin, J. Myrin, J. Reeves)

4. Blessed Be Your Name - (B. & M. Redman)

5. Here I am to Worship - (T. Hughes)

see the rest of the list 
Outreach Hot Welcome in Colorado

Outreach, Inc., a world leader in church communications, publishing and media, relocated its headquarters from Vista, Calif., to Colorado Springs in July 2012 in an effort to better serve its churches, expand its workforce and provide a more affordable home for its employees. Fires broke out soon after they arrived in Colorado Springs. However both the new office and his home were not burned during the recent fires, but the flames came within 1500 feet of Scott Evans' home. Founder and president of Outreach, Inc., Scott Evans said there are many advantages of moving Outreach, Inc. to Colorado. "We chose Colorado Springs because we believe it will provide the perfect environment for us to further our mission of equipping Christian churches to reach their communities for Jesus Christ."

 

Thanks for reading our newsletter. I was one of the seminar leaders for our recent women's retreat. Great time up there in Big Bear, just a little tough to find a bathroom! Many were understandably changed to Women's bathrooms.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jim Smith
CB Southern California
909-944-5900
 Carmaggedon II

 
In LA, a 10-mile stretch of the 405 Freeway is scheduled for full closure this weekend, Sept. 29-30, while construction crews work to demolish a portion of the Mulholland Bridge. The 405 is the busiest and most congested freeway in the nation and it will be

closed

all weekend between the 10 and the 101 intersections.

If you're headed up to Pine Summit, stay away from the 134, the 101 and the 10 near West LA.

Movies

unconditional

Unconditional is a movie based on a true story, it is well written, and it is well acted by "professional" actors. You will enjoy the inspiring message and challenge of unconditional love for someone who doesn't "deserve" it.  

Released on September 21, it is still in the theatres.   

 

Harvest Crusades 2012

Pictured above is the Harvest Crusade at Angels Stadium in August. The Harvest Crusade at Dodger Stadium drew 61,000 over a two-day period with 5,936 accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord in the September 7-8 event. Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie capped off the most significant year in its twenty-three year history. 
Read more

 

Christian Testimony
London Olympics
2012 

 

David Boudia won two medals in the 2012 London Olympics, including the gold medal in the 10 meter platform diving competition. Just a few years earlier, while a partying and confused student at Purdue University in Indiana, he started looking for answers to life. He texted Coach Soldati, his diving coach, who shared the Bible with him. Boudia began to read the Bible for himself. A few weeks later, he made a profession of faith and was baptized.
Read more 

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