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E-Challenge
News from the Tarrant Baptist Association |
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| Greetings! |
Our prayer for you this year is that you will know God in a deeper way and understand His will for you. In Romans we read, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1
Yesterday at the Memorial Service for Pastor Clint Dobson, the question was posed, "Who IS Clint Dobson?" It was answered by everyone who spoke and shared about Clint's life of serving the Lord and loving others. Dr. Wiles also posed this question, "Who are we?" How does the world see us? Do they know that we are different? Do they see Jesus in us? Do we bring the presence of God into the lives of those who are hurting, lonely, hungry, and in need? And we who are leaders, where are we leading people? Are we leading them to Jesus?
"Who are you?"
Becky L. Biser
Director of Leadership Development |
| Save the Date! |
Save the Date
TBA Annual Church Starting Banquet
Thursday, May 12, 6:30 pm
Travis Ave South Complex
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| Have you made any changes? |
If your church has had changes in staff members, phone numbers or preferred email addresses, etc., please be sure to let us know! |
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Tarrant Baptist Association mourns the loss of Clint Dobson
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Tarrant Baptist Association mourns the loss of Clint Dobson
On Thursday, March 3, we were stunned to see one of our churches headlining the news. Pastor Clint Dobson, church planting pastor of NorthPointe Baptist Church in Arlington and Judy Elliott, the Ministry Assistant, had been brutally attacked. Judy was severely beaten and Clint was murdered. The NorthPointe and FBC Arlington (their sponsor church) families rallied around Laura Dobson, Clint's wife, and the Dobson and Elliott families. Churches of the TBA, the Arlington community, the Metroplex and nation have also immersed Laura, Judy and NorthPointe in constant prayer.
In the Fall of 2008 Clint and Terry Bertrand, Associate Pastor of FBC Arlington, approached the Association and the BGCT about a new start in north Arlington on the site of a former church. Clint was under the mentorship of Dennis Wiles, FBC Senior Pastor, and was a great fit for the north Arlington community. Under Clint's pastoral care and the support of FBC Arlington, the church has grown to a membership of 150.
The Dobson and Elliott families, as well as the NorthPointe and FBC Arlington congregations extend their warmest appreciation to the churches of the Tarrant Association for their continued prayer support. Through this great tragedy God has been glorified, we have all been pulled together as His church and His message of grace has been sent out across the world.
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Tarrant takes coaching and ServantsEdge to Venezuela
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Tarrant takes coaching and ServantsEdge to Venezuela
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Venezuelan participants receive their certificate of completion following 14 hours of coach training.
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Four leaders from Tarrant Baptist Association (Rey Martinez, pastor of Waves of Faith, Hector Mendez, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Central, Becky Biser, Director of Leadership Development for TBA and Gary Crowell, Chief Financial Officer for TBA and former missionary to Peru) traveled to Venezuela February 2-12 and taught fourteen hours of Life Coaching at Fe Baptist Church in Maracaibo, Venezuela to 35 pastors and leaders. Then each spoke or preached in one or two worship services across the city on Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon, the group flew to the Trans-Cultural Missionary Training Center at Camp Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela. At the Training Center they were joined by 15 pastors who spent the week experiencing Week One of ServantsEdge.
Several of these Venezuelan pastors traveled 15 hours by bus and taxi to participate in the week. These pastors are from different areas in the country and will be meeting monthly with their local peer group until they come back to the training center in September for Week Two of the ServantsEdge experience.
Churches and church groups are encouraged to get involved in the Partnership with Venezuela during the Yaracuy Invasion, scheduled for July 29-August 8, 2011 in Yaracuy, Venezuela. During this time church groups are needed for evangelistic outreach activities with local churches during mornings and afternoons in strategic areas. In the evenings, revival services are to take place at the local churches and new mission points. If your church is interested in participating or would like more information, Venezuelan Missionary Jerry Acosta will be in Fort Worth in May to answer your questions. Here are the details of the trip.
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Pastor Rey Martinez of Waves of Faith in Fort Worth teaches a group of pastors in Venezuela.
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Fifteen Venezuelan pastors complete Week One of ServantsEdge on February 11
at Camp Carabobo.
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Yaracuy Invasion
July 29-August 8, 2011
Evangelistic outreach and revival services
Cost: $900 per person for Texas Baptists, $1200 per person for non-Texas Baptists
Fee covers international airfare, domestic airfare, supplemental medical insurance and Caracas airport arrival/departure housing.
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| Are you Hungry to see God move? | |
Are you Hungry to see God move?
Texas Baptists are! TBA Staff were invited to attend a Texas Baptists Hunger Advocacy Meeting to learn about what God is doing in Tarrant County to ease the suffering of families without food and other necessities. We learned that 1/6 of the people in Tarrant County regularly go without food; this includes 1/5 of our children. Women and children make up the highest percentages of people without food. The impoverished in Tarrant County need our help, and Texas Baptists and other interdenominational entities are stepping up to fight this fight.
Our Association channels money from the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger to 14 local ministries who proactively show care and compassion to the hurting and helpless in the name of Jesus. Cornerstone Assistance Network offers not only food, but educational opportunities and medical services as well. Eastside Ministries serves three different area codes with a food pantry and clothes closet. Mission Arlington feeds 800 people a day, 6 days a week, and also offers free local transportation around Arlington for those who have no way to get to work or other appointments. In many of these and other ministries, children are given backpacks filled with food to eat over the weekend and meals are provided during the summertime.
Many of these groups partner with Christian Men's and Women's Job Corps to help the indigent find employment so their families can be fed. Several ministries have created community gardens, where people are assigned a plot of land that they tend and harvest for food. Both urban and rural areas have needs, as Jim Rhodes of New Haven Ministries can attest. His ministry provides food, education, and temporary shelter to 85% of those who need it in Palo-Pinto County, using a mobile food bank to reach people all over their expansive rural area. Even in affluent areas, there are children who are going without food and other basic necessities.
Churches all over Tarrant County are partnering with such ministries to make a difference in their community. They are truly trying to follow 1 John 3:17-18, which states: "17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
What can you and your church do to join in? How can you partner with other entities in your area to ease pain and suffering?
One option is to contact your local legislator (find out who that is at www.fyi.legis) to let them know that hunger is a serious problem in Tarrant County. Tell your legislator that loopholes must be closed so that pay-day loan institutions cannot gauge their prices, hurting already hurting families. Tell your legislator that we need to keep chaplains in our state prisons so that when these men and women are released into society, they can have a good spiritual basis from which to begin supporting their families.
You can also contact any of the organizations below to see how you can help them in their mission of reaching out to Tarrant County residents who need food and hope:
Bisbee Baptist Church 3001 Gertie Barrett Rd. Mansfield, TX 76063 817-478-9713
Broadway Baptist Church 305 W. Broadway Fort Worth, TX 76104 817.336.7464
Christian Community Assistance 1903 W. Bowie Fort Worth, TX 76110 817.921.9622
Community Caring Center ccc05@netscape.com 317 Commerce Azle, TX 76020 817.270.2962
Cornerstone Assistance Network 3500 Noble Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76111 817.834.0343
Mission Hope 4300 Eastland St. Fort Worth, TX 76119 817-566-6398
Eastside Ministries eastsideministries@yahoo.com 5929 East Lancaster Fort Worth, TX 76112 817.446.3278
G.R.A.C.E. 837 E. Walnut St. Grapevine, TX 76099 817.488.7009
Mission Arlington mission@missionarlington.org 210 West South Street Arlington, TX 76010 817.277.6620
N.E.E.D. East needeast@sbcglobal.net 424 West Bedford Euless Rd. Hurst, TX 76053 817.280.0286
N.E.E.D. West needwest@yahoo.com 5028 Broadway. Fort Worth, TX 76117 817.759.1506
N.I.C.A. info@nicaagency.org 1600 Circle Park Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76164 817.626.1102
Union Gospel Mission 1321 E. Lancaster Fort Worth, TX 76102 817.334.0894
West Aid westaid@sbcglobal.net 4701 Bryant Irvin North #100 Fort Worth, TX 76107 817.737.9338
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| A Horizon Community Church | |
Horizon Community Church
The rich unmistakable aroma of coffee blends with the aroma of prayers being lifted up to the Father. The sounds of drumbeats, guitar and melodious praise merge with the harmonious tones of cash register dings and coffee grinding whirrs. The Pastor's voice speaks to a room filled with congregates and customers. It is CHURCH for this new start in Arlington! Horizon Community Church gathers in fellowship every Sunday morning at America's Best Coffee on Matlock at 9 AM. Upon walking in the door, customers and members are greeted by the joy and service of God's people. This 1-month-young fellowship gathers in multi-racial, multi-cultural, and multi-generational unison to prayerfully touch the lives of a least-reached pocket of people in south Arlington.
While they've only been gathering for a few short weeks, their core number is at least 30 strong.....and growing. Saturday evenings this same church transforms this same coffee house into an open microphone musical fete. They are connecting with a people who welcome the freshness of "simple church". Sitting at tables, desks, in high-back chairs, and on comfy sofas, those who seek to hear the voice of the Master (some for either the first time or the first in a long time) are welcomed. Pastor David Rhea preaches, but as with many a "simple church", he welcomes dialogue and questions during the sermon - sometimes even from customers just passing by on their way to the coffee counter. Every Sunday, the Lord's Supper is introduced at the beginning of the service and congregates are invited to partake at their leisure - with every aim made for it to be a personal, worshipful experience between servant and Lord. The simple, relaxed, open-to-interruption atmosphere may not be for everyone. But, that's ok! This fellowship of believers, and those who will believe, are a fresh blend of faith, discipleship, and seeking - just as the barista continues to blend those lattés and welcome new congregates....uhhh, that is customers....
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| TBA staff celebrates anniversaries | |
TBA staff celebrates anniversaries
 Gary Crowell celebrated his 9th anniversary with Tarrant Baptist Association on January 1, 2011. Gary serves as the Chief Financial Officer, keeping the Association financially and legally sound. He and his wife, Robbin, are active members of Alliance Community Fellowship.
 Becky Biser celebrated her 29th anniversary with Tarrant Baptist Association on February 1. Becky serves as Director of Leadership Development providing training and leadership development seminars. She and her husband, Tim, are active members of University Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
 Jay Harris celebrated his 11th anniversary with Tarrant Baptist Association on January 17. Jay serves as Director of Church Starting assisting new church starters and churches as they plant new works. He and his wife, Debbie, are active members of Lamar Baptist Church and new grandparents of twin girls.
 Skye Bryant celebrated five years with Tarrant Baptist Association on January 4 as a ministry assistant. Skye is a counselor and life coach, serving alongside Jared, her pastor husband, at Harwood Terrace Baptist Church.
 Betty Alvarado celebrated five years with Tarrant Baptist Association on January 30 as a ministry assistant. Betty and her husband, Nick, are active members of South Hills Baptist Church.
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| Demographic Reports for Free! | |
Demographic reports for free!
With the start of a new year, we find ourselves evaluating where we are and where we are wanting to go as a church. The Association provides many wonderful demographic resources to help you address this need.
Link2Lead.com provides immediate custom demographic reports on-line 24 hours a day for all TBA churches and all at no cost to you. One of the amazing new tools is MemberView. With this amazing tool you can easily map the location of all your church members, see where they are coming from, and learn how far they travel to get to church. You find it under the "My Congregation" tab on the Link2Lead.com site.
 The Ministry Area Profile is still available to all TBA churches. To secure one of these detailed custom reports at NO COST to your church, contact Jay Harris at the TBA offices.
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Ready to Win Women's Conference
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READY TO WIN
Women's Conference
Saturday, April 2, 2011
9 AM to 3:30 PM
Harvest Church
7200 Denton Highway
Watauga, 76148
$15 per person
Twelve hundred women expected - all different, all ages, all backgrounds, all stages, all abilities - all inspired and encouraged to reach her greatest potential through a moving one-day event, Ready To Win (RTW).
Thelma Wells, OnCall Prayer, and Harvest Church present Ready To Win Women's Conference 2011, which features seven speakers and three musical artists, door prizes and an hour lunch break.
This one-day event features Thelma Wells, internationally known author and speaker, and her fabulous friends as they bring relevant, timely messages of hope and encouragement motivating each woman to "bee" the best she can be.Wells will speak throughout the event, focusing on the fun and thoughtful "Putting On the Armor of God" based on her latest book, Don't Give In - God Wants You To Win (2009).The conference showcases one program after another without break-out sessions so attendees see and hear each diverse speaker without missing a beat.
Wells' featured friends and heart-to-heart speakers are Allison Bottke, Suzie Eller, Janee' Harrell, Sharon Hill, Sonja Samuel and Donna Skell with messages on setting boundaries, crossroads, overcoming struggles, finding balance, self esteem, singleness and amplifying your faith.
Worship Leader Kristi Brown and musical sign language artist Lisa Smith, with Down Syndrome, will lead RTW women in heart felt song throughout the event. Vocalist Renee Rollins-Wheat closes RTW with a powerful and dynamic performance.
RTW is not your everyday, ordinary women's conference. It is an experience of a lifetime! Women take away a legacy of faith, hope and love to share with their families, neighbors, communities, workplaces and beyond. RTW is a safe place to laugh, grow and learn.
Purchase tickets at Harvest4-2-11.eventbrite.com.
For more information contact Sharon Hill at SharonHill@OnCallPrayer.org or Vikki Wells at 800-843-5622, ext. 2. Also, access: www.thelmawells.com |
| Trinity Hills holds Open Bass Fishing Tournament | |
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Training For Life
|  Refine Conference March 13-27, 2011
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Sand Springs Baptist Church
You can register at www.refineconference.com
There is no cost for this event.
REFINE is a minister's conference which will address major needs of the modern church. The church in America today has more resources than any other time in history. We have more money, more programs, more trained ministers, more evangelism tactics and more experts on church growth. Yet for the first time in history we are actually seeing a decrease in church attendance. Why is the church in America in such trouble?
We believe it is because we have changed our approach in reaching the world.
This conference is for every minister in any area of ministry and in every phase of ministry. It is invaluable for the novice, invigorating to the veteran and inspiring to those on the verge of burnout. It will be two weeks of outstanding teaching, wonderful fellowship and powerful worship in which every attendee is sure to be blessed.
Association VBS Conference
Saturday, March 26, 2011
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church, Lakeside
8801 Jacksboro Hwy
Lakeside, TX 76135-4339
No Cost
Bring your teams and LifeWay's VBS curriculum for a great day of training. A LifeWay Bookstore will be set up at the conference for you to come early and purchase curriculum and materials, if needed. For more information and to register, please go to www.tarrantbaptist.org.
Associational Children's Bible Drill March 26, 2011
9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
FBC Keller
225 Keller Parkway
Keller, TX
For more information, contact Deborah Stovall at 817-741-2347 or mattdeb99@verizon.net (in subject line, type: Bible Drill)
Associational Bible Drill and Speakers' Tournament
March 27, 2011
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Tate Springs Baptist
4201 Little Road
Arlington, Texas
For more information, please contact Daniel Engstrom at 817-713-7638 or DanielJEnstrom@yahoo.com
ServantsEdge Leadership Journey
April 4-8, 2011
Monday beginning at 2:00 p.m. and ending Friday by noon.
Riverbend Retreat Center
Cost: $250 (includes lodging, meals, snacks, and conference materials)
Some scholarships are available.
An Information and orientation meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 11:30 a.m. in the Tarrant Baptist Association Conference Room at 4520 James Avenue. If you would like to find out more or to register, plan to be at this meeting. Just make your lunch reservation by Tuesday noon, March 29 by emailing becky@tarrantbaptist.org.
Dallas Baptist University 23rd Annual Norvell Slater Senior Adult Hymn Sing
April 15, 2011
Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel
Dallas Baptist University Campus
Admission is Free
Pre-Hymn Sing Organ and Piano Concert 1:30 p.m.
Hymn Sing 2:00 p.m.
Contact 214-333-6824 for more information.
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| News from the Churches |
News from the Churches
Our deepest sympathies go to FBC Smithfield due to the death of their church secretary Cyndi Stevens who lost her battle with cancer on January 22. Clark Dunlap is pastor.
Lakeview Fellowship Church has a piano that they would like to give away to a ministry or church that needs it. For more information, please contact Amy Moody at 817-236-7274 or amy@lakeviewfellowship.com. Chet Taylor is pastor.
House of Prayer Church in Cleburne, TX is in need or 3 or 4 sets of baptismal robes to purchase. They are a small but growing church that does not have any. For more information you can contact pastor David Cole at david_cole1137@sbcglobal.net
Zomi Baptist Church is in need of a podium. If any church has an extra that is not being used, they would appreciate your kindly donating it to them or letting them buy the podium for a nominal price. Please contact the church at 214-642-7490 or zomichurch@gmail.com . Pau Khup is pastor.
Alliance Community Fellowship is looking for a couple of seminary students who would be interested in an internship in their Children's Ministry. They want to put together a team to lead large group sessions for our children (ages Kindergarten thru 5th grade). They currently have 3 services on Sunday and would need the interns available for all 3 services. For more information, please contact Dondra Pyle at dondrapyle@hotmail.com. Nathan Tucker is pastor.
Congratulations to Eagle's Nest Missionary Baptist Church which celebrated their 16th church anniversary on February 20, 2011 at their temporary location at 4200 South Freeway, Suite 1815, Fort Worth, TX 76110. Minister Johnny Snell, Jr., Presiding Minister.
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| Pastor's Conference and Executive Board Schedule |
Pastors' Conference and Executive Board Schedule
Mar 14 Pastors' Conference--Alton Belew, Director, Riverbend Retreat Center
Mar 21 Executive Board--Dr. Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Mar 28 Pastors' Conference--Mr. Mike Doyle, CEO, Cornerstone Assistance Network
Apr 4 Pastors' Conference--Rey Martinez, Pastor, Waves of Faith
Apr 11 Pastors' Conference
Apr 18 Executive Board
Apr 25 No PC (Easter holiday)
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"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Sincerely,
Becky Biser
Tarrant Baptist Association
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