From your missionarypage 2

Backpack Buddiespage 2

Global Hunger Emphasispage 2

Church newsPage 3

National Sunday SchoolDirectors Seminarpage 3

Prayer needspage 4

Positions availablepage 4

Birthdays/anniversariespage 4

Calendarpage 4

Community newspage 4

Missions CelebrationBanquetpage 5

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Gary Leutzinger

From Your MissionaryWe ask you brothers, torespect those who laboramong you and are overyou in the Lord andadmonish you, and toesteem them very highly inlove because of their work.Be at peace amongyourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

This month is PastorAppreciation Month. Iencourage each church to

make sure they do something special to let your pastorknow how much you love and appreciate him. Being apastor is a very special calling, and this ministry can bevery fulfilling and at times be discouraging. A pastor whohas been called has a desire to see people come to knowChrist and to shepherd his congregation to become morelike Christ. I remind you that while your pastor strives tolead you, he also has times when the enemy tries to distractand discourage him. I encourage you to pray for yourpastor everyday and find ways every time you can toencourage him. You can pray asking God to give himwisdom and discernment in leading the church. You canpray that God will protect him and his family from the evilone and that God will give him strength every day as heserves. I believe if you do this, God will not only bless thepastor but also the church!

We had a great annual meeting September 11. (See pics oncover.) The time we had together was very uplifting, andyou could certainly sense God’s presence. I appreciateFBC Vienna for hosting the meeting and preparing thefinger food fellowship. We had approximately 160 plus inattendance which included the youth rally and thechildren’s rally! I ask that you pray for our new leaders forthis year. Rev. Ronnie Duncan is the new moderator, andRev. Brian Leverett is the vice-moderator. I look forwardto how God will use these men as they serve ourassociation. Our next annual meeting is September 10,2017 at FBC Cordele. Please put this date on your calendarand make plans to attend!

Please make plans to attend our Associational MissionsCelebration Banquet on October 20 at Lake BlackshearBaptist Church. We will be sharing how God has workedthrough those involved in missions during this past year. Our keynote speaker will be Rich Johnstone, who is aNorth American missionary who serves in San Francisco.We are developing a partnership with this area, and he willshare the great needs of this heavily populated area of our

nation which is 98 percent lost! We will eat at 6:30 p.m.The program begins at 7:00 p.m. You will not want to missout on this mission celebration!

Bro. Gary

Backpack Buddies ministry continuesHBA’s Backpack Buddies is ministering to 20 students atthe Dooly Elementary School and 50 students at the CrispPrimary and Elementary Schools. Monetary donations tohelp support this ministry may be mailed to HBA, PO Box1274, Cordele, GA 31010 or brought to Houston BaptistCenter during our regular hours. Also, certain food itemsare needed such as single serve cereal boxes/cups andindividually wrapped cereal/breakfast bars.

October isGlobal Hunger Emphasis Month

GHR(Global Hunger Relief) is an initiative of SouthernBaptists formerly known as the World Hunger Fund.

When Southern Baptists observe their annual GlobalHunger Sunday the second Sunday in October, they will becalled to act out the powerful love of Jesus, who the Biblesays was "moved with compassion" for people in desperateneed.

Scripture recounts several instances, like the one recordedin Matthew 14:14, when Jesus saw a large crowd, wasmoved with compassion for them, and took powerfulaction to meet their needs. The Greek word translated'compassion' refers to tender emotions, deeply felt feelings,or a deep churning in a person's spirit. We might call it"gut wrenching."

That kind of compassion compels a response, and BaptistGlobal Response offers multiple ways to get involved. Visit www.gobgr.org for resources to help engage yourchurch in hunger issues.

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We thank you for theprayers, love, and concern youhave had for us during theillness and passing of ourdaughter Ramona Smith.

Ruthel and Bo Patrick

Church news

New deacons, ministers,and homecomingsThe following churches recently ordained new deacons andministers:

Byromville Church: Daniel Thompson as deacon.

Pinecrest Church: Aubrey Clark as deacon and KodyFranks and Orion H. Peeples, Jr. as ministers.

Unadilla First Church: Perry Ivie as deacon.

The following churches will celebrate Homecoming inOctober:

Hatley Church: October 9.

Lilly Church: October 16 at 10:00 a.m. Eva and JeffFreeman will provide special music. Lanier Roberts willbe the guest preacher. Revival services will begin Sunday,October 16, at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesdayservices will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tom Stephens will be theguest revival preacher.

Penia Church: October 23.

Mt. Vernon Church: October 2 at 11:00 a.m. GaryLeutzinger will be the guest preacher.

Tippettville Church: October 2. Guest pracher will beBilly Forrest. Lunch and singing will follow service. Also, revival services will be October 3-5 at 7:00 p.m. Guest preacher will be Bobby Carpenter.

Unadilla First Church: October 2. Former pastorTommy Daniels will be the guest preacher. They will becelebrating 126 years!

Wenona Church: October 9.

Zion Hill Church: October 2.

Arabi Church will have a Fall Festival and Trunk R TreatOctober 29 from 2:00–6:00 p.m.

Bethel Church will have revival services October 2-4 at7:00 p.m. Former pastor Tony Dixon will be the guestpreacher.

Cordele First Church will host a reception for RaySullivan and Family October 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Lake Blackshear Church will host a Noah’s Ark themedfestival with food, games, and fun October 22 5-8:00 p.m.

Georgia Baptist ConferenceCenter, Norman Park, to hostNational Sunday SchoolDirectors Seminar Oct. 22This A-to-Z Sunday School event is also for age divisioncoordinators, department directors, general leaders,pastors, and ministers of education.

This training will help you develop skills and plans to:

•Build a growing Sunday School focused on its missionand purpose•Develop an organization and enlist leadership to build agrowing Sunday School•Lead teachers to teach for spiritual transformation•Leave with a step-by-step strategy for leading yourSunday School

NSSDS is designed to:

PEquip Sunday School directors to serve effectively in allareas of Sunday School workPDeliver practical tools for all aspects of Sunday SchoolworkPFacilitate opportunities to network with other SundaySchool directorsPBuild team spirit among the Sunday School director,minister of education, pastor, and division and departmentdirectors

Cost is $39 per person. Go to www.lifeway.com/NSSDS toregister and for more information.

PastorsRoundtable

October 5 @ 10amHouston Baptist Center

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Birthdays &Anniversaries

Oct. 11 Linda Harris Oct. 12 Jeanie Brimm Betty & J.T. SmithOct. 16 Abby PriceOct. 17 Laura Leutzinger Oct. 22 Linda & Bruce HowlandOct. 24 Piper Grace Barrett Oct. 27 Rhett Brimm Oct. 31 Fred Jones

Please pray for:#Asssociational Missionary Gary Leutzinger

#Hicks Brown

#Nancy Gibbs

#Mary Linda and Warren Hall

#Janet and John Pate

#Merle Sheffield; Lauralyn & Troy Drew

#Crisp Area Pregnancy Center

#Lost and unchurched people

#Revival in HBA churches

#Unity in our churches and unity among our churches

#Churches without pastors: Acorn Pond, Bethel, Cordele

First, Dooling,, Mars Hill, Oakfield

#All the events and activities mentioned in this newsletter

Church positions availableArabi Church is seeking a bi-vocational youth pastor. Send resume to John Evans, 3910 First Avenue, Arabi, GA31712.

Pinehurst Church is seeking a Minister of Music/WorshipLeader, interim or permanent. Blended worship style. Con tac t T im Pr ice a t 478-957-5326 orTim@PBCFamily.com.

Smyrna Church is seeking a part-time minister of music. Contact Linda White at 229-268-6792.

Unadilla First Church is looking for a pianist. Call 478-627-3615.

Vienna First Church is seeking a pianist for Sunday AMworship and weekly choir practice. Contact Jim Bolton at229-268-4386.

Opportunities coming upHouston Baptist Association events are printed in bold type. HBC is an abbreviation for Houston Baptist Center.

Tuesdays Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8am, HBC

October Pastor Appreciation MonthWorld Hunger Month

Oct. 2 Soul Winning Commitment DayThe Christian Index Day

Oct. 5 Pastors Roundtable, 10am, HBC

Oct. 9 Pastor Appreciation SundayWorld Hunger Sunday

Oct. 20 Missions Celebration Banquet, 6:30pm,Lake Blackshear Church

Oct. 22 National Sunday School Directors SeminarGeorgia Baptist Conference Center,Norman Park

Nov. 14 Georgia Baptist Convention, CalvaryBaptist Temple, Savannah

COMMUNITY

NEWSReception for Nancy Gibbs

hosted by Adams Drug Storeat

Cordele First UnitedMethodist ChurchSunday, October 2

2-4pm

GospelSings By GraceOctober 7 @ 7pm

Cordele CommunityClubhousefeaturing

Alex ClementsMen of Pinecrest

Houston Herald is published monthly by Houston Baptist Association. Send news and/or comments to P O Box 1274,

Cordele, GA 31010, email to secretary@houstonbaptist.org or call 229-273-4127.

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONPOSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 35

VIENNA GA

Hous on Baptist Association2116 Hwy 41 ^ P O Box 1274 ^ Cordele, GA 31010www.houstonbaptist.org229-273-4127 (phone); 229-273-0626 (fax)Associational Missionary: Gary Leutzingera.m@houstonbaptist.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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