Special Edition # 1 ~ September 15, 2001
FIRST MBC, FRESNO, HAS A NEW PASTOR
With the closing of school in May and the national meeting of the ABA in Fresno during the month of June, it has been quite hectic around the school.
With the resignation of Brother Lester Miller as pastor, the church has sought the leadership of the Spirit of God in calling another pastor. Praise the Lord, we now have a pastor. Brother David Butimore has accepted our call, and he will soon be coming to Fresno to take over the leadership of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Fresno as pastor and Fresno Missionary Baptist Institute as president. We praise God for this!
Pray for the Church and Brother Butimore as we labor together to reach greater heights in the Lord's service, that many souls will be saved, missionaries supported, and as a team be a blessing in the eyes of the Lord.
Brother Butimore graduated from Westminster High School, Westminster, California, in 1969. He was ordained December 6, 1975, and he attended CMBI, graduating with a Th.D. He has been closely connected with the seminary, having served on the faculty of CMBI where he was the Chairman of the Bible Language Department. He also served as the Registrar and Administrator of CMBI. After relocating to the State of Washington, he was the Chancellor of WMBI, Auburn, Washington.
Brother Butimore has served as the Moderator of The California Cooperative Association, and he has served as a member of the History and Archives Committee. He is one of the Vice-presidents of the American Baptist Association. and he has served as an officer in the American Baptist Association of Theological Schools.
This edition is a special edition that is to be sent by e-mail and placed on the web page of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Fresno. It will not follow the same format of our quarterly edition that is mailed out. We hope you will like it. It will contain messages of our brethren, other important notices, special needs of our missionaries and important dates for your consideration.
We send it out for a trial run and hope to receive your comments both good or bad.
FMBI will begin the 2001-02 semester the day after Labor Day, September 4, 2001. Our speaker for this opening day service will be Dr. Jim Williams who is the pastor of the Grace Missionary Baptist Church of Livermore, California. Brother Williams is a graduate of FMBI, and we know you will be blessed in this service.
The church, as usual, will provide a sumptuous meal provided by the ladies of the church. They always do a wonderful job, so be sure to plan to stay for the noon meal.
For those students who plan to register for classes, Brother Charles Warren, Registrar, will be available to accommodate you.
from
June W. Godbehere
Text: Psalm 42:
As I read this Psalm, I note the despondency and depression of the writer. It is expressed in verse 5 and verse 11.
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
" The writer reflects the depression he is undergoing. He has obviously been dejected and is despondent, to say the least. However, the answer to this is found in the statement of verses five and eleven. "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."I have seen a lot of Christians during my ministry who, like David, have experienced the depression and the despondency that is expressed in these verses. They feel like they have come to the end of their road. It seems as if everything in the world has turned against them. From the time of King David to this time in which we live, sooner or later we experience this depression.
Since each of us do experience this depression sooner or later in life, this passage gives us the great encouragement of what to do when that happens.
We can burden our friends with this problem. We have the pastor to go to. We can go to some leader in the church and bother him. In fact, that can be a great ministry. To be helpful when a brother is down and out can be a beautiful ministry. But I have seen people become a nuisance with the smallest of problems. One of the greatest of joys of a pastor is when he can encourage a brother or sister to place their trust in the good Lord to care for them.
On the other hand we can, as the saying is, wallow in our self pity. It is so easy to feel sorry for yourself. It is so easy to transfer all of your unhappiness to others. However, this is not what our Lord suggests we do.
With the question,
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Why art thou disquieted within me?" David's answer gives us the direction we should take: "Consider what this text is saying: What are we to do when we get in this mood that is common to all men?
Verse four states:
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."Preachers find themselves talking to people who are discouraged and have stopped coming to the house of the Lord. What is it they are told time and time again?
"The happiest time of my life was when I was attending church, but I have just reached the point I no longer like to go." What happened? Frankly, it could be any one of a number of things. It could be like Jonah, the sin of disobedience. You look at his life, and you must confess he was a man most miserable. It could be your own temperament. There are people who always look on the dark side. They continually look at life from the negative point of view. It can be a sunny day, but they know in a moment of time it can darken, so they don't have much opportunity to rejoice. It could be circumstances. David was undergoing extreme persecution. Any time of trial you are apt to suffer disappointment. Whatever the reason, we can always take it to the Lord. What better reason to go to the house of God and rejoice in the love the Lord has for His people.Verse six states:
"O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore will I remember thee, from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar." These are placed where God had given the writer great victories.Note the phrase,
"my soul is cast down within me. . ." Then notice, "Therefore will I remember thee, . . ." Do we not have to constantly remind ourselves that God is ours. Verse 5, 'Hope thou in God.' Faith is not just a word, a mental concept; it is a reaching out and a trusting in God.In closing, look at verse eight:
"Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day-time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." God is real to the child of God.Brethren, if you are discouraged, remember God is real, and his promises are real. He can lift you up from the deepest of miseries and plant your feet upon the solid rock. The Rock will give you the victory.
"Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain!"
John 4: 19-24:
"The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this Mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship in the Father in spirit and in truth: for the father seeketh such to worship him, 24. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."Romans 8:8,
"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."John 3: 6, 7, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
"John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
"Article 33 began a series of articles wherein an answer to the following questions would be presented from God's Word. Why are there so many different people, trying to worship God in so many different ways? Why do we have Buddists, Hindus, Islamics, Catholics, and so many different Protestant groups trying to worship God in so many different ways? We closed Article 34 as follows: Virtually all the false religions and believers of today have the elements that directly, or indirectly, came from Cain. Cain tried to worship God by the efforts of his flesh without obedience to God's instructions.
There is only one way that God will accept worship from man, and it is most assuredly not Cain's way. When Jesus came to the woman at the well in Samaria, he carefully outlined the only way God will receive worship from man in this present age. Her forefathers had established a way of false worship among the ten northern tribes of Israel that broke away from the worship in the Jerusalem Temple after the reign of Solomon. And they were still practicing it some 900 years later when Jesus arrived at the well.
Jesus told the woman that a new way of worship had already begun and would continue. Instead of men coming only to the Jerusalem Temple to worship, they would be coming to worship Him in many different places. But He indicated it would only be accepted if it were done in spirit and in truth.
When He said,
"cometh," he was referring to the local churches in the future, and when he said "now is," He was referring to the first local church He had already organized, which was traveling with Him, and had gone into town to get bread. Instead of men coming to one temple in Jerusalem three times a year to worship, God's plan for future worship was for many local temples, made up of men and women who followed the same instructions He gave the first church, to come into existence across the earth. Each one was to be a pillar and ground of the truth. And it was in each one of these local, visible Temples, the Spirit of God would make his habitation. We call them churches. And each one, in order to be a pillar and ground of the truth, must follow the new Testament teachings of Christ, and of his Spirit in the completed Word of God. Paul, in I Timothy 3: 15, related the local church to the House of God, when he stated "The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." And he indicated it was the place where the same Spirit, who inhabited the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem Temple, also dwells today among the assembly called a local church. He stated in Ephesians 2: 22, "In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit."First, in order to be able to worship him in spirit, you must receive a new spirit from him by the new birth from above. Without a new spirit, there is absolutely no way you can worship him in spirit. Many of those who supposedly are worshiping God do not have a new spirit, because they have never experienced the new birth. They have no idea what the Kingdom of God is, because they cannot spiritually
"see" the truth to understand it. This is one of the reasons why so many different people, and groups of people, are worshiping in so many different ways. But what about those people, and the groups of people, who have been born again, and do have a new spirit? Why are there so may different ways of worship among them? There is only one way God will accept worship. It must be in spirit and in truth. These men and women are not worshiping in truth. More on this in Article 36.Thank YOU!
Let me thank you again, those of you who have supplied the student pantry with all of those so essential
"goodies" that can help keep a student in school instead of dropping out to feed his family.Why not attend the opening day of school, September 4, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. and bring that
"food pounding" (car load) of groceries that can go in the pantry. Any food that has a tendency to get old, and unable to be stored in a pantry, we give out immediately to the students.Thanks again, and every student will add his Amen to that.
by
Ruth Burnes
INTRODUCTION: Mark 14: 1-9 relates an occasion when Jesus was present in Bethany at the house of Simon, the leper. This was a special event because Jesus was present. On this occasion, Mary, out of a heart of love for her Lord, poured a very expensive box of perfume on the head of Jesus. This was the ultimate of what she could do to honor Him. It was a beautiful expression of her love and devotion for Him. She was criticized for her act, but Jesus defended Mary, for He looked upon her heart and saw the love she had for Him. He said,
"Let her alone... she hath done what she could. ."I recently lost a dear, dear friend, one I miss very much. Our friendship spanned five decades, and she grew dearer to me as the years passed. Some of our readers will know to whom I refer: Hazel Hendrix Hoffman.
During the course of our 52 years' friendship, I knew her deepest thoughts, deeds, and desires. Our children grew up together; we took trips together; we enjoyed recreation together, and we often worshiped together. Even at times our families were members of the same church together; and she and I were members of the First MBC, Fresno, for the last several years of her life.
In my dear friend, I knew what true friendship is. I knew I could depend on her. I knew that she was my friend
"today" and she would be my friend "tomorrow."I knew Hazel to be a comforter when someone grieved; she knew how to encourage someone who accomplished something for the Lord; she knew just how to compliment and show compassion to a young person who was not quite as popular and accepted as others to give that one self esteem; she knew how to cheer up the downhearted with her cheerful personality; she knew how to reach out to a young minister and his very young wife, to help them through some hard, difficult times during seminary years (I know! I was that young wife.); and I knew of times when she slipped her pastor's wife a generous gift of money so she could have something new to wear to an ABA meeting or for her birthday or Christmas.
"She hath done what she could."Hazel was not a great soloist, but when she sang the beautiful old hymns in the congregation, the sweet melody came from a heart of love for her Lord.
"She hath done what she could."She was not a great speaker, but when she spoke, words of wisdom flowed wisdom from experience.
"She hath done what she could."She didn't receive accolades for being an outstanding teacher, but she taught many of us valuable lessons to enable us in our Christian walk.
"She hath done what she could."Like many of us, she was not an exquisite beauty outwardly, but her beauty came from within from a loving, compassionate, joyful heart.
"She hath done what she could."Hazel herself was a pastor and missionary's wife. She saw many difficult times, but she faithfully stood by her husband and helped him in his ministry. She has now gone to be with the Lord to be rewarded for her contribution in the Lord's service.
"She hath done what she could."And she leaves behind an admonition for all of us still living to make sure that we do what we can for the Lord!
The following Memorial offerings were received at FMBI. A book will be purchased and placed in the Hendrix Memorial Library in their memory:
|
In Memory of: |
By: |
| George Beaver | John & Lois Stevens |
| Dolly Hemmerling | Billie Frakes |
| Dean Carlile | Russell & Deanna Dunbar |
| Louis & Pearl Donato | |
| Hazel Hendrix | Jim & Ann
Hunt, Jimmie Smelzer, Ruth Burnes, Billie Frakes |
| Pearl Carlile, Ladies Auxiliary, Skyline MBC, Madison, Alabama |
|
| Joyce Scarbrough, Maxine Rahlfs, Jaunita Shaw | First MBC, Antioch, California |
by
Richard Wharton
June and July were busy, but great months. The Lord blessed us in our ministry for Him. A lot was accomplished during the last two months, and we had a wonderful time of fellowship as we labored too!
The last week of May, the Braddocks from Wauchula, Florida, came out to California to help me, and the Taylors from Russell Springs, Kentucky, arrived the first week in June! The Taylors and the Braddocks are full-time Mission Builders too. We worked at the Red Bluff church finishing the framing, building the stage, and we started running the electrical. From Red Bluff we all headed back to Fresno where both the Taylors and I participated in the national meeting. We both spent time at our respective booths and headed up the ABA Builders Breakfast.
From Fresno we headed to Phoenix, Arizona, to help the Riverside MBC build some additional classrooms. We met with the Rays from Martinez, California, and the Bakers from Benton, Arkansas. We framed some walls, installed a drop ceiling and ran the electrical for the rooms. We spent a short time there, but the drywall was hung and ready for the tapers when we left. It was very hot there, but the church treated us like kings with wonderful food and plenty to drink.
From Phoenix we all caravanned to Arvada, Colorado, to help Brother Willie Spillman at Bethel MBC build a new building. Brother David Moseley from Tennessee, also a full-time builder, had been in Colorado for a couple of weeks before we got there. He had been helping the church get ready for all of the builders to come, ordering materials and starting the framing. We arrived the week before the project and helped to finish getting the project ready for the coming group. One of the Church members took us on a wonderful day of sightseeing.
About 200 people from all over the U.S. came to help We were able to get all the walls framed, the trusses set, roof shingled, siding on, and roughed in the electrical. It still amazes me that so much can be accomplished in such a short time on these Macedonian trips. God is truly in these projects, and He sends all of the people necessary to get a building in the dry in just a week's time. The project was a testimony to the community where the church is located. We are currently in preparation for out trip to Vanuatu on August 7th to help Brother David Bennett. This will be the second time Robyn and I have been to Tanna, but our first time taking a team over. We have made this a Macedonian Project, and Sister Kim Owens from Macedonian has been helping us get things organized. We really appreciate all she has been doing for us. Sister Eve Stout from Arkansas made all of our travel arrangements, and she has been a blessing to us too. We have a total of 14 men and women going on the trip. There are nine from Florida and five from California. Please pray for us as we go that we will have safety as we travel and work. Pray for our families at home while we are gone that we will be a blessing to the Missionary, his family, and the work of Vanuatu.
Please pray for Brother Ray who cut his hand in Colorado that it will heal quickly; Sister Liz's health; and the Bakers who are traveling to California.
Upcoming Projects: Vanuatu- August 7th - l8th; Red Bluff's electrical -- end of August through the first of September; Clovis MBC -- slab preparation and pour - Mid to end of September; Martinez should be getting their permits soon, and we'll be trying to get their slab done and scheduling them for a Macedonian Project in 2002.
Leon & Joyce Jasper
Thank you for remembering Joyce and me in your prayers. Your financial support has also been a blessing. As you read our newsletter, you will see how this year has, and will continue to be, a busy one! Please continue to pray for us. The Lord willing, we will see many of you at this year
's ABA in Fresno, California, and we look forward to that.Dan Piper
Bro. Piper writes,
"Every time I work on a new project for the Lord, my faith and expectations for missions grow. Why does anyone say the LORD has laid a burden upon his heart? What I attempt to do for the Lord is not a burden, but pure pleasure. While on these projects, I have a chance to meet more and more of our fellow servants in the Lord, and they leave me with a great desire to see this mission not only succeed, but flourish to a place even more than I had even expected."FIRST MBC OF REDLANDS CELEBRATION
60 Years
The First Missionary Baptist Church located at 1100 Occidental Drive, Redlands, California, will be celebrating their 60th anniversary Saturday and Sunday, September 1, 2.
The services begin on Saturday at 2:00 PM. There will be singing, preaching and church history. At 5:00 PM they will break for dinner, provided by Redlands Church. Services will resume at 7:00 PM for singing and preaching.
Sunday the services will begin at 8:45 AM. for Sunday School then preaching. After the morning services they will break for lunch at the church. They will resume services at 2:00 PM with singing and preaching. Services will conclude at 5:00 PM.
In order for them to know how much food to prepare, if you are planning to attend, call Sister Judy Lockwood at (909) 686-4008.
The Sanctuary Quartet from the First Missionary Baptist Church of Fresno, California, announces that they have recently completed work on their latest recording. The project consists of their favorite hymns from the Heavenly Highway Hymnal.
They would also like for you to know they are available to sing and minister to the Lord
's Churches. They are available for revival services, youth rallies, and regularly scheduled services. They are also looking forward to once again traveling out-of-state.For booking or orders, write to 12781 Road 37
2, Madera CA 93638 or call (559) 645-5082.Brother Pat Murphy went home to be with the Lord about 4:00 PM on Friday afternoon, August 3rd.
Funeral arrangements were as follows: Brother Murphy was buried on Tuesday, August 7th. Mercer Adams funeral home made the arrangements. The actual funeral began at the church at 2:00 PM. Interment was at the Chapel Hill Cemetery. Brother Euel Bowen officiated, and Brother D. R. Baker assisted.
Patrick L. Murphy was a member of the Baptist Sunday School Committee from 1963 to the present. Brother Murphy was a member of Highlands Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Baptist General Assembly of Oklahoma. Brother Murphy's hometown is Crossett, Arkansas. He was saved and baptized at Unity Baptist Church in 1929. Brother Murphy was ordained by West Crossett Baptist Church. He graduated from the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas with a Master of Bible Language AND from Oklahoma Missionary Baptist Seminary in Marlow, Oklahoma with a Doctorate. Brother Murphy pastored the following churches: Egypt Baptist Church of Hamburg, Arkansas 1941-1944; West Crossett Baptist Church of Crossett, Arkansas 1941-1946; Maplevale Missionary Baptist Church of Hamburg, Arkansas 1943-1944; Bethel Baptist Church of Paris, Arkansas 1946-1050; Highland Missionary Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1950-85.
During World War II Brother Murphy pastored one-full time church and two half-time churches while he went to the seminary. He served as moderator and clerk for the Central Baptist Association and moderator for the Baptist General Assembly of Oklahoma. He was Secretary- Treasurer of Missions for the Baptist General Assembly (since 1959). He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ada Orphanage. He was an instructor in the Oklahoma Bible School in Turley and then in Marlow. He served on the committee of the General Assembly and on the committee for the Central Association to write the history of these groups. His wife, Rosalee, is from Monticello, Arkansas. They have one child, Emma Lee Lane of Oklahoma City, and one grandchild.