News from Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association

Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association Newsletter May 19, 2011 In This Issue Church News Missions: VBS MV Summer Day Cmap Special Evangelistic Events Trailer MV Leadership Center Pastors Fellowship Ministers' Wives Fellowship    Ministers' Wives meet the second Saturday of each month at Joesph's Java Junction, 4141 N. Fresno Street, 10:30 am.  Our desire is to fellowship, pray, and support  each other as we serve the Lord in our various ministries of Mid-Valley Association.  MV Annual Golf Tournament It's time to mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Mid-Valley Golf Tournament, September 17, 2011.   Contact Us mvsba@yahoo.com     www.midvalleybaptists.com    Ph: 559-297-5550    Mid-Valley Mission Statement Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association exists to assist partner churches to effectively fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.  We are a cooperative partnership of Southern Baptist Churches in Fresno and surrounding three counties. Church News Pastor Mike Duke is leading the First Baptist Church Firebaugh congregation through a week-long "Consecrate the People" campaign.  The purpose is to renew their commitments to Jesus Christ.  The nightly meetings continue through this Sunday evening.  Speakers include Pastor Duke, Roger Byrd, Greg Roper, Rich Johnstone, Mike McCullough and Ron Climer. Missions: New Mission Thrust in Stratford  Mid-Valley workers and teachers are needed for MIssions VBS Big Apple.  Igleisa Bautista Central in Riverdale is extending the gospel message to neighboring Stratford.  Pastor Alci Rengifo and his wife, Carolina, organized a Mission VBS in Stratford for June 13-17 in the mornings.  Stratford is a community of 1,100 people located on the 41 south of Lemoore.  VBS is part of Pastor Rengifo's effort to impact the whole city for Jesus.  He needs six workers from sister MV churches to help.  Call Carolina at 559-867-3063 if you can assist one or more days.  Mid-Valley Summer Day Camp  July 6, 6:oo pm  -  July 8, 9:00 pm Grade level: 3rd grade completed through 8th grade completed Cost $65/person includes 5 meals and a day at Wild Water Park Required:  All campers and counselors must complete a registration form and a medical release form.  Counselors must also complete a Camp Counselor form.  Forms and fees due by June 22nd. Download forms here (all forms in PDF format):  Registration form Medical Release form Counselor Information form Camp Quick Facts Camp Needs  Questions?  Contact Rita West at the Associaton office 297-5550 or Pastor Tom Sims at 647-2203. Special Evangelistic Events Trailer  Mid-Valley Association has a Special Evangelistic Events Trailer (block party trailer)!!!  We are grateful to CSBC that we have been given this evangelistic tool.  The Special Evangelistic Events Trailer (SEET) assists Mid-Valley churches in building gospel bridges in their communities, developing relationships with people, and introducing them to Christ and His church.  SEET is available to all MV churches on a first come, first served basis.  If you would like to reserve the trailer for an upcoming event at your church click here to view all information and necessary forms. MV Leadership Center  Next session coming June 24-25, 2011.  The Mission of the Mid-Valley Leadership Center is to help sister churches train and deploy mission-focused leaders.  Students earn the MVLC Certificate by successfully completing eight seminars.  The format is accessible to bi-vocational ministers, potential church leaders, and growing followers of Christ. The MVLC is biblical, accessible, accelerated, cost-effective, and relational. The seminars will be held at Crosspoint Church, 2518 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno. Cost is $40/person or $50/couple plus the cost of the book and your lunch.  For details and to register please click on seminar below. Bible Overview taught by Pastor Randy Brannon of Grace Community Church, Madera Spiritual Formation taught by Pastor Angulus Wilson of New Beginnings Church, Fresno Pastors Fellowship Breakfast  Tuesday mornings, 8:00 am, Country Waffles, Dakota/Blackstone.  Pastors are invited to join us for breakfast, fellowship and learning. Tuesday, May 24: Ron Prentice, Executive Director of California Family Council.  Ron will speak on current religious liberty issues, the church's role in influencing culture for Christ, and the latest developments in the legal defense of marriage in California. Tuesday, May 31: speaker TBA Tuesday, June 7: Rich Johnstone,DOM, will speak on "Church as Missionary"

News from Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association

Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association Newsletter May 12, 2011 In This Issue Prayer Request Church News Missions: VBS MV VBS Clinic 2011 Ministers' Wives Retreat MV Summer Day Cmap MV Leadership Center Evangelism Training Pastors Fellowship Ministers' Wives Fellowship Cancelled for May.. Ministers' Wives meet the second Saturday of each month at Joesph's Java Junction, 4141 N. Fresno Street, 10:30 am.  Our desire is to fellowship, pray, and support each other as we serve the Lord in our various ministries of Mid-Valley Association.  Mid-Valley Mission Statement Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association exists to assist partner churches to effectively fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.  We are a cooperative partnership of Southern Baptist Churches in Fresno and surrounding three counties. Contact Us mvsba@yahoo.com     www.midvalleybaptists.com    Ph: 559-297-5550    Prayer Request   Please be in prayer for the health of Harry Williams, father of Pastor Steve Williams.  Harry was hospitalized earlier this week to address unexpected health issues. Church News  NewLife Church in Easton held a child dedication service on Mother's Day.  Mark Jackson is the lead pastor at NewLife.  Missions: New Mission Thrust in Stratford  Mid-Valley workers and teachers are needed for MIssions VBS Big Apple.  Igleisa Bautista Central in Riverdale is extending the gospel message to neighboring Stratford.  Pastor Alci Rengifo and his wife, Carolina, organized a Mission VBS in Stratford for June 13-17 in the mornings.  Stratford is a community of 1,100 people located on the 41 south of Lemoore.  VBS is part of Pastor Rengifo's effort to impact the whole city for Jesus.  He needs six workers from sister MV churches to help.  Call Carolina at 559-867-3063 if you can assist one or more days.  Mid-Valley Association VBS Clinic This Saturday, May 14, 2011...for all Bible Study and Rotation Leaders  8:00 registration  8:30 am  -  Noon  sessions  Annadale Baptist Church, 1411 14th Street, Sanger  Cost: $5/person Session details here  Register here  Ministers' Wives' Retreat   Come be a part of the 2011 Ministers' Wives' Retreat May 20-22,at Jenness Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Women come to seek friendships with other ministers' wives, find support through prayer partners, share ideas for ministry and be pampered by the Jenness Park staff. You will leave encouraged and ready for the joys and challenges of ministry. Whether you come with a group or not knowing anyone, be assured that you will be welcomed and encouraged. The retreat is open to any woman whose husband is in vocational ministry (senior pastor or pastoral staff; full-time, part-time or retired). This year's speaker is Chaundel Holladay, whose husband is on staff at Saddleback Church. Cost: $180  Registration                Printable flyer For further information, contact Kathy Foxen at 229-9533 ext. 259 Mid-Valley Summer Day Camp  July 6, 6:oo pm  -  July 8, 9:00 pm Grade level: 3rd grade completed through 8th grade completed Cost $65/person includes 5 meals and a day at Wild Water Park Required:  All campers and counselors must complete a registration form and a medical release form.  Counselors must also complete a Camp Counselor form.  Forms and fees due by June 22nd. Download forms here (all forms in PDF format):  Registration form Medical Release form Counselor Information form Camp Quick Facts Camp Needs  Questions?  Contact Rita West at the Association office 297-5550 or Pastor Tom Sims at 647-2203. MV Leadership Center  Next session coming June 24-25, 2011.  The Mission of the Mid-Valley Leadership Center is to help sister churches train and deploy mission-focused leaders.  Students earn the MVLC Certificate by successfully completing eight seminars.  The format is accessible to bi-vocational ministers, potential church leaders, and growing followers of Christ. The MVLC is biblical, accessible, accelerated, cost-effective, and relational. The seminars will be held at Crosspoint Church, 2518 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno. Cost is $40/person or $50/couple plus the cost of the book and your lunch.  For details and to register please click on seminar below. Bible Overview taught by Pastor Randy Brannon of Grace Community Church, Madera Spiritual Formation taught by Pastor Angulus Wilson of New Beginnings Church, Fresno Personal Evangelism Training  Personal Evangelism Training seminar taught by Richard Vera, on Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 pm, at Crosspoint Church, 2518 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno.  This training is open to all pastors, church leaders, church members, missionaries.  No charge.  For more information call Crosspoint Church at 559-227-5366. Pastors Fellowship Breakfast  Tuesday mornings, 8:00 am, Country Waffles, Dakota/Blackstone.  Pastors are invited to join us for breakfast, fellowship and learning. Tuesday, May 24 - Ron Prentice, Executive Director of California Family Council.  Ron was instrumental in the passage of Prop. 8 to protect marriage in CA.

News Update - May 5, 2011

Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association Newsletter May 5, 2011 In This Issue Mission-focused Church News MV VBS Clinic 2011 Ministers' Wives Retreat Evangelism Training MV Summer Day Cmap Resource Pastors Fellowship Ministers' Wives Fellowship Ministers' Wives meet the second Saturday of each month at Joesph's Java Junction, 4141 N. Fresno Street, 10:30 am.  Our desire is to fellowship, pray, and support each other as we serve the Lord in our various ministries of Mid-Valley Association.  Mid-Valley Mission Statement Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association exists to assist partner churches to effectively fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.  We are a cooperative partnership of Southern Baptist Churches in Fresno and surrounding three counties. Contact Us mvsba@yahoo.com     www.midvalleybaptists.com    Ph: 559-297-5550    Mission-Focused "Hybrids" Latest blog post by Rich Johnstone, DOM The Zaiger family, a farming family in the Central Valley of California, constantly asks "what if" questions about their orchards near Modesto: "What if we combined the DNA of various popular fruits? . . .More  Church News  The ladies of St. Matthew Baptist Church held their First Annual Prayer Brunch last weekend with 127 women in attendance.  Also at St. Matthew, 5 people were baptized last Sunday.....see the photos here. Regeneration Church is a new congregation in the Mid-Valley Association.  It is predominately a next generation Hmong church.  The three 'R' of Regeneration are Reach, Renew, and Release.  Copper Springs Church is hosting Regeneraton Church at  their main campus on Sunday afternoons.  The core leadership team is pictured here.  Michael Sound (L) is the lead pastor.  Mid-Valley Association VBS Clinic Saturday, May 14, 2011...for all Bible Study and Rotation Leaders  8:00 registration  8:30 am  -  Noon  sessions  Annadale Baptist Church, 1411 14th Street, Sanger  Cost: $5/person Session details here  Register here  Ministers' Wives' Retreat   Come be a part of the 2011 Ministers' Wives' Retreat May 20-22,at Jenness Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Women come to seek friendships with other ministers' wives, find support through prayer partners, share ideas for ministry and be pampered by the Jenness Park staff. You will leave encouraged and ready for the joys and challenges of ministry. Whether you come with a group or not knowing anyone, be assured that you will be welcomed and encouraged. The retreat is open to any woman whose husband is in vocational ministry (senior pastor or pastoral staff; full-time, part-time or retired). This year's speaker is Chaundel Holladay, whose husband is on staff at Saddleback Church. Cost: $180  Registration                Printable flyer For further information, contact Kathy Foxen at 229-9533 ext. 259 Evangelism Training Event  CSBC is sponsoring an evangelism training event to help believers connect the Gospel with their Muslim neighbors. May 14, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm CSBC Resource Center, 678 E. Shaw Ave, Fresno 93710 Lunch will be provided Registration is FREE but required so please contact Joe DeLeon at  559-288-6996 Mid-Valley Summer Day Camp  July 6, 6:oo pm  -  July 8, 9:00 pm Grade level: 3rd grade completed through 8th grade completed Cost $65/person includes 5 meals and a day at Wild Water Park Required:  All campers and counselors must complete a registration form and a medical release form.  Counselors must also complete a Camp Counselor form.  Forms and fees due by June 22nd. Download forms here (all forms in PDF format):  Registration form Medical Release form Counselor Information form Camp Quick Facts Camp Needs  Questions?  Contact Rita West at the Associaton office 297-5550 or Pastor Tom Sims at 647-2203. Resource  Dennis Fredricks of the Sacramento Association recommends TrueLife.org, a video-driven website that answers life's hard questions and connecting seekers to church.  Check it out.  Pastors Fellowship Breakfast  Tuesday mornings, 8:00 am, Country Waffles, Dakota/Blackstone.  Pastors are invited to join us for breakfast, fellowship and learning. Tuesday, May 24 - Jim Domen, M.DIV., California Family

Mission-Focused "Hybrids" or What is a Nectacotum?

File under: Missions

by Rich Johnstone, DOM

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

The Zaiger family, a farming family in the Central Valley of California, constantly asks "what if" questions about their orchards near Modesto:

• "What if we combined the DNA of various popular fruits?" 
• "When we combine them, would the resulting fruit be even better?"

So, they experimented by combining various popular fruits, some very successfully.  Have you ever heard of the Aprium^®?  This is their patented hybrid made from the apricot and the plum.  How about the Pluot^®?  This is another patented fruit created from the plum and apricot.  The skin is smooth like the plum, while the meat has more characteristics of the apricot.  The Zaigers created other popular hybrids as well:

• Nectaplum, a hybrid of nectarine and plum
• Nectarcot, a hybrid of nectarine and apricot
• Peacotum, a hybrid of peach, apricot and plum

Church leaders create hybrids all the time.  For example:

• Rural Culture + Congregation = Cowboy Church
• Missional DNA + Multisite model = LifeChurch.tv
• Intimacy of Smallness + Impact of Bigness = Hybrid Church (see the book by this title by Dave Browning)

Question:  What new thing is God doing in the Mid-Valley?  Do we "perceive" it?  What undiscovered mission-focused hybrids have yet to be created that will significantly push back lost-ness in Mid-Valley communities?  What IMB models and practices could be combined with Mid-Valley cultures to create a new approach to advance the old story?  For example, some churches are using the Bible story-ing approach that has been so effective in international missions.  Local churches are the perfect place to test new approaches to share the unchanging gospel message.  The time is "ripe" for a new wave of mission-focused innovation in our local churches as God does a new thing to push back darkness in our communities.

Oh, and the Nectacotum?  It's a hybrid of apricot, plum, and nectarine, of course.  If you want to grow them for sale, you'll need to purchase a license from the Zaigers!