Dear Ladies Ministry Leader,

We are excited about the upcoming MBA Ladies Retreat on April 15-16, 2016 at North Metro Event Center in Shoreview, MN. Our theme this year is “He Delights in You” (Zephaniah 3:17). We are thrilled to have Mrs. Judy Champion as our keynote speaker. Also the guest music artist this year, Forever Be Sure, will be ministering to us with their music at each of the main sessions plus a concert on Friday evening. There are some changes this year in our format so please read through all of this information.

As our retreat is being held at a conference center we are unable to give refunds this year. We have kept the cost minimal so perhaps if a lady is unable to come after registering, she may gift it to the retreat or give it as a gift to another lady in your church who desires to come. We can transfer the registration fee, but it is non-refundable. There is an enclosed flyer giving further information on the hotels available on site. There are two hotels on the property. They are both lovely sites. The retreat will actually take place at Hampton Inn North.

There are eight workshops this year. Four of them will be presented on Friday at the two workshop sessions. Four will be presented on Saturday at the two workshop sessions.

A schedule for the retreat has been enclosed. Please distribute this to as many ladies as requested this information. Also, as requested, the menu for the retreat has been included in the information for your ladies.

As the leader of your ladies ministry, I am asking that you do the following to help us as we plan the retreat:1) Copy and give your ladies the following letter, workshop information, individual registration form and encourage them to attend!2) Post the updated Ladies Retreat Poster in your church.3) Submit your church prayer requests to Jennifer Linscott by Friday, March 11 th at linscottjen@gmail.com4) Discuss and make plans with your ladies regarding necessary hotel arrangements5) Collect Individual Registration Forms and payment.6) Complete the Church Registration Form7) Mail Church Registration Form, Individual Registration forms and checks to :

Cathy Haynes203 Section Ave. NSpring Valley, MN 55975

8) Registration forms and money must be postmarked by March 19th or there will be a $10 late registration fee assessed per individual. The final day to receive registrations is April 2nd

There will be a lovely tote given to the first 300 ladies to register at the retreat this year. Also there will be vendors with merchandise and information available to the ladies at various times during the retreat. If you have a lady in your church with a business that would be appropriate to display at the retreat, please send Jennifer Linscott (linscottjen@gmail.com) a note WITH THE CONTACT

INFORMATION and she WILL send the necessary information out to that lady. There is limited space and we will try to avoid duplicate products/companies that display. First come – first serve.

Please note the enclosed flyer regarding the hotel information. Note the Hilton Garden Inn is less costly but does not include a breakfast; whereas, the Hampton Inn North includes a hot continental breatkfast. The retreat sessions/meals/workshops will take place at the Hampton Inn North. To receive the special group rate you MUST call the preferred hotel directly. Mention the “MBA State Ladies” to receive the group rate. The websites will give you more information on the hotel but cannot be used to receive the special group rate!

Plan to check-in with your ladies at North Metro Event Center on Friday, April 15 th between 12:15 – 1:45. Our first session with Judy Champion will begin at 2:00 PM. Please communicate this to your ladies so they arrive on time. Please see the enclosed schedule of events for the retreat to plan your time. This year we will be concluding with lunch at 12:30 on Saturday.

We have endeavored to make this retreat a truly enjoyable, relaxing retreat where old friendships can be refreshed and new friendships can be made.

Please email Cathy Haynes at jchaynes82@gmail.com or call 507-202-2787 if you have any questions. Also, you can see more at our facebook page – Minnesota Baptist Assocition Ladies Group. We look forward to seeing you at the retreat!

Cathy Haynes/MBA State Ladies Executive Committee

Church Registration Form2016 MBA Ladies Retreat

Ladies Ministry Leader: Please write the name of each lady from your church attending, note the amount of their retreat cost and yes/no if paid. Mail this form along with individual registrations and checks. Copy as needed.

Church Name/City:___________________________________________Ministry Leader name, phone # and email:

__________________________________________________________Ladies Attending:Name: Retreat Cost: Amt. Paid1.________________________________ __________ ________2.________________________________ __________ ________3.________________________________ __________ ________4.________________________________ __________ ________5.________________________________ __________ ________6.________________________________ __________ ________7.________________________________ __________ ________8.________________________________ __________ ________9.________________________________ __________ ________10._______________________________ __________ ________11._______________________________ __________ ________12._______________________________ __________ ________13._______________________________ __________ ________14._______________________________ __________ ________15._______________________________ __________ ________16._______________________________ __________ ________17._______________________________ __________ ________

Dear Ladies,

We are excited about the upcoming MBA Ladies Retreat on April 15-16, 2016 at North Metro Event Center of Shoreview, MN. The retreat and hotel accommodations will be at this location. Our theme this year is “He Delights in You” (Zephaniah 3:17) with our main speaker, Judy Champion. We are also anticipating a tremendous added blessing of the music ministry of Forever Be Sure. There will be eight workshops that will focus on giving us ideas on finding joy in each area of our lives as we seek to give God the glory. Please read through the workshop descriptions and note the day they will be given.

The first 300 ladies to register at the retreat will be given a colorful tote bag. These bags can be used as there will be vendors present to give information or sell merchandise.

There are some changes this year as we are using an event center. Please read through this information carefully and ask your women’s ministry leader for more information as needed.Also, you can see more at our facebook page – Minnesota Baptist Association Ladies Group.

Date: April 15-16, 2016

Location: North Metro Event Center – Hampton Inn North 1000 Gramsie Road

Shoreview, MN

Check-in: Friday, April 15, 2016, from 12:15 – 1:45 at the event center

Cost: Option 1 - $35 (Includes conference costs, Friday supper, and Saturday lunch. Lodging

not included.) Option 2 - $25 (Friday only or Saturday only attendance.)

Please indicate which day you will be attending

Pre-registration: Please give registration form and money to your ladies ministry leader. Make checks payable to: “MBA Ladies”

Late registration: Registration forms and money must be postmarked by March 19th or there will be a $10 late registration fee assessed per individual. The final day to receive registrations is April 2 nd . We are not able to offer refunds this year, but you can transfer your registration cost to another lady if you’d like.

Menu: (Catered by Green Mill)

Friday Snack:Popcorn, chips, or pretzelsCoffee with creamersWater

Friday Dinner:Pasta Buffet Dinner – Spaghetti with alfredo or marinara sauce Garden Salad with two dressing ChoicesBread & ButterBrownieWater

Saturday Breakfast:A hot continental breakfast, but only for those guests staying at the Hampton Inn North.

Saturday Snack:Chocolate Chip CookieCoffee with creamersWater

Saturday LunchTACO BAR(Seasoned ground beef, soft and hard tortilla shells, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa)Served with Spanish rice and refried beans

Hotel Information: We will be using the facilities of the event center this year. They have two hotels on the property. Our retreat will be held at Hampton Inn North. Rooms are also available at the Hilton Garden Inn. Both of these facilities are lovely and you will enjoy the stay at these hotels. All rooms have a microwave and refrigerator. Since we are using a conference center, we cannot bring in outside food to eat. There is coffee in the lobby for the paying guests and there will be pitchers of water available. BUT you can bring in as much food and drinks as you want into your rooms to enjoy!! (Note – the rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn have Keurig machines, so pack a

few extra K-cups for the late night.) There is a retreat schedule enclosed for you as well as a menu for the meals provided. There is no breakfast provided at Garden Inn, which is reflected in the price.

We look forward to seeing you at the retreat!

The MBA Ladies Officers

HOTEL INFORMATION

Please note the enclosed flyer regarding the hotel information. Note the Hilton Garden Inn is less costly but does not include a breakfast. The retreat sessions/meals/workshops will take place at the Hampton Inn North. To receive the special group rate you MUST call the preferred hotel. Mention the “MBA State Ladies” to receive the group rate. The websites will give you more information on the hotel but cannot be used to receive the special group rate!

Shoreview, Minnesota

Hampton Inn $99 kings/$109.00 2 queens

www.hamptoninnshoreview.com

The Hampton Inn offers the following amenities: Deluxe accommodations

Hot breakfast buffet each morning Microwaves & Refrigerators

Green Mill Restaurant Toll Free 877-233-3194

Hilton Garden Inn $89.00 kings/$99.00 2 queens

www.hiltonshoreview.comThe Hilton Garden Inn offers the following amenities:

Deluxe accommodationsGarden Grille Restaurant open daily for Breakfast and Dinner

$11.95 full breakfast buffet including eggs to orderMicrowaves & Refrigerators

Toll Free 1-877-746-7384

Main Speaker: Judy Champion

Judy Champion has served the Lord for 40 years in Christian education – almost 10 of which were at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College as Dean of Women, instructor, and interpreter. She is currently serving at Fort Bluff Camp and Retreat Center in southeaster Tennessee along with husband, Keith, of 44 years. They have 6 children and 9 grandchildren.

General Session #1 “He Will Save” – Parable of a Trail Marker Tree

Be wise and willing to learn the lesson before it is too late!

General Session #2 “He Will Rest in His Love”

Where is my Beloved? Can you tell me where He is?

General Session #3“He Will Joy over Me”

The Wedding of Weddings is just around the corner. Do you have your dress?

Forever Be Sure

Forever Be Sure is a music publication and performance ministry that composes new hymns, vocal songs and arrangements for God's glory and the building up Christ's Body, the Church. Primarily a family ministry, FBS travels throughout the year with other like-minded musicians, presenting the songs that have been born out of their personal walk with the Lord and the study of His Word. Their growing collection of original music includes vocal sheet music, CDs, a drama production, and piano books -- all available on their website, www.ForeverBeSure.com.

Forever Be Sure will be ministering to us at each main session and in concert at

6:45 Friday evening.

Workshop Speakers and Topics

Speaker: Carissa Belford –Carissa is married to Brent Belford, Provost of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. They have five children to keep them busy and dependent on the Lord for wisdom and strength. Carissa loves studying and investing the Word in various ladies ministries.Topic: “Expressions of Gratitude” –Our initial response can be gratitude in all circumstances. How can we really give thanks in “all things”, especially the difficult and messy stuff? Come and enjoy this session as we learn how genuine gratitude responds to God’s amazing grace. (Friday)

Speaker: Cindy Prins – Cindy grew up in Northwest Iowa and graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, with an Elementary Education Major and Early Childhood Endorsement. She was saved at an evangelistic meeting in Elkton, SD, shortly after she and her husband were married. Cindy currently teaches preschool five mornings a week at Marshall Area Christian School in Marshall, MN

Cindy, and her husband, Corey, have been married for 18 years. They are blessed with three children: Kianna (15) Kaylee (12) Carter (9). The family attends First Baptist Church, Marshall, MN where Cindy is involved in various children’s ministries in their church.

In her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, bonfires, shopping for a good bargain, and organizing!Topic: “Creating Order Out of Chaos” –If your family is like mine…life is busy and chaotic at times! My presentation will be full of simple and practical tips, along with visuals of how to get your home organized so life can be less stressful and filled with more JOY!(Saturday)

Speaker: Glorianne Levy – Glorianne placed her trust in the person of Jesus Christ at eight years old and strives to continue to grow in His grace. David and Glorianne have been a ministry team or the past 27 years. They are serving at Grace Baptist Church in Owatonna, MN where David is the senior pastor. They have been blessed with four children that are in various stages of life – Alyssa, teaching in Guam, Abigail, married to David Larson, David, student at Faith Baptist Bible college, and Anne, a tenth grader being homeschooled. Glorianne enjoys seeing the Word of God transform lives!Topic: “Social Media: Evil or Good?” – Our time, our values, and our hearts (as well as our children!) are influenced daily by social media! Does God’s Word have something to say about it? What are the dangers? What are the benefits? We will explore the Biblical principles that apply to social media in order to help us have a God-honoring perspective.(Friday)

Speaker: Nancy Flinck – Nancy (known as Nan) is in her 41st year as a pastor’s wife…all of them served in Minnesota! She is presently serving at Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn Park beside her high school sweetheart, Cary. She is the mother of two, and a grandmother of eight.

Topic: “Sharing the Journey: Godly Mentoring” – Let’s explore together what mentoring relationships with the next generation women looks like, and how to be guided by Scripture in those wonderful opportunities.(Friday)

Speaker: Heidi Fuller – Heidi currently resides in Derby, KS where she serves alongside her husband, Rob, in his duties as Music Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Her normal, day-to-day life finds her homeschooling and caring for her five children, including 2-year-old triplets. While her “spare time” is very precious, she finds great delight in writing music and traveling with the ministry of Forever Be Sure. Having seen God work mightily in many ways, she holds Deuteronomy 4:9 as one of her favorite verses. “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.”Topic: “Paths to Answered Prayer” – Have you ever tirelessly cried out to God for the deep desires of your heart only to be met with silence or pain? This workshop will take you on a personal journey through the valleys of physical malady, loss, and infertility. God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways HIGHER…”(Saturday)

Speaker: Elayna Barr – Elayna grew up on the mission field of Mexico. She graduated from Northland Baptist Bible College with a BS in Elementary Education and taught in two Christian schools for seven years. She and her husband, Tim, are currently serving at First Baptist Church of Adrian, MN, where Tim is the pastor. They have four children whom they homeschool. Elayna also works as a Specialized Paraprofessional working with ESL and Spanish Translation for the Adrian Public School system.Topic: “The World or the Word: Where Do You Find Joy?” – Our thought life has a huge impact on our daily activities, guiding our moods, actions, and attitudes. Are your thoughts lifting you up or bringing you down? Do they help you live the abundant life Jesus promises in Him, or lead you astray? Discover the importance of examining your thought life and choosing for yourself who to believe: the world or the Word. That one simple choice can make all the difference!(Saturday)

Speaker: Bekka Nelson - Bekka has spent the last 22 almost 23 years in New Ulm, MN at First Baptist Church. More than half of those years have been in a position of ministering in the children's department. Bekka has been the Children's Ministry Director of First Baptist Church in New Ulm, MN for the last eight years and is still working in ministering to the children and their parents. Bekka graduated from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in 2006 with a Major in Bible and a Minor in both Children's Ministries and Photography. Bekka has been married for almost 10 years to Justin Nelson and has three kids, Scarlett (8), Logan (6,) and Iley (3), oh and one cat and two gerbils :)

Topic: “Creating Lessons that Last a Lifetime” –A Children's Ministry Program is one of the most important ministries in a church. It can reach so many kinds of kids including their parents. Kids want to belong to something and a children's ministry program can do just that with the power of the Word of God behind it. Showing kids that the Word of God is alive and not dead, fun and not boring, and worth memorizing is the main objective of any children's ministry program. Bekka will be talking about some tips and tricks on how to create a great lesson for kids.(Friday)

Panelists:

Emily Haynes - Emily grew up in a pastor’s home in southeast Minnesota. After graduating from college with a degree in Piano Pedagogy, she went back to Maranatha Baptist University to be a dorm supervisor for four years. As dorm supervisor, she had many opportunities to mentor and disciple girls both one-on-one and in large groups. Emily now works as the Administrative Assistant in the Student Life Office at MBU and teaches piano and flute lessons in the evenings. Emily also enjoys ministering at Calvary Baptist Church, Watertown, WI in the music ministry as well as teaching the three-year-old Sunday school class.

Michelle Weist – Michelle was born and raised in San Diego, California in a non-Christian home. She and her husband, Stuart, met in 2000 at high school and were married in 2005. They wanted to leave California for a better life so they packed up and moved to Minnesota in 2007. The Lord saved Michelle in May of 2008 and she was baptized that June. They have three boys: Nicholas and Eric are their twin 10 year old twins and they Lucas who is six. For the last five years they have been in Minneapolis while Stuart attends Central Seminary. During this time, Michelle has been a part of a MOM’s ministry, Bible studies, AWANA leader, Junior Church and Sunday School teacher, nursery worker and part of the leadership team for Central Women’s Fellowship group. In October, 2015 Stuart accepted the call to Pastor at First Baptist Church in Preston, MN where they moved and began full-time ministry in December, 2015. God has used Stuart, His Church, and Central Seminary to shape Michelle into the person she is today. All along God has brought people alongside to mentor her in her role as a wife, mother and most importantly, a child of God.

Jenelle Pearson – Jenelle was born in southeastern Iowa, and at the age of 3 ½ she was adopted and grew up in rural southwestern Iowa. It was there at the age of sixteen that Jenelle would meet the man who would become her husband. Carl and Jenelle lived

most of their married life in Iowa and Minnesota. They were blessed with two sons. After 37 years of marriage, she became “suddenly single” when Carl was killed in a work-related accident. Jenelle has two granddaughters and three grandsons, ranging in ages from one to seventeen. She is blessed to be a member of First Baptist Church in Spring Valley where she is involved in several ministries. In addition, Jenelle enjoys working at the local food shelf, as well as singing monthly with a group at the local nursing home. One truth that encourages and blesses Jenelle is that as you read God’s Word, you find just how much He cares for widows and orphans. Having experienced both in her life, and looking back over the years, Jenelle knows He has been with her all of the way! Becoming suddenly widowed was certainly one of the most difficult trials she has faced, but God has used that “tragedy” to allow her the opportunity to minister to others who are facing widowhood.

Judith Riley – Judith retired as a pastor’s wife in 2006 and as a teacher at Fourth Baptist Christian School in 2009. She is still “working” as a mother of four and a grandmother of 6. Judi attends First Baptist Church of Lake Benton where she is actively involved in many ministries including the Wednesday night kids’ club (CLAY).

Topic: “God Rules the Seasons” – Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “to everything there is a season…” This piece of wisdom was not referring to that of the calendars we follow each year but rather to the different “times” of our lives. Drawing on the experience of these panelists we will discuss how we can find joy and contentment in whatever “season of life” God has placed us. (Saturday)

2016 MBA Ladies Retreat – Registration Form

Name: _________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________________________________________

Church Name/City ________________________________________________

Retreat Options (please check one)

_______Option 1 - $35 (Includes conference costs, Friday supper, and Saturday lunch)_______Option 2 - $25 (Friday only or Saturday only attendance)

Please indicate which day you will be attending on Option 2

Emergency Contact:Name: ____________________________ Phone #________________________

Registration form and check payable to “MBA Ladies” are to be given to your ladies ministry leader.

An additional $10 will be assessed per individual if not postmarked by March 19, 2016.

No registrations will be accepted after April 2 nd . Lodging is not included in the registration fee. Hotel reservations must be

made on your own or with your church.

Retreat Schedule:

Friday~April 15

12:45 – 1:45 – Check In

2:00 – 3:25 – Welcome Session/1st Main Session

3:30 – 3:45 – Visit Vendors/Snack Time

3:45 – 4:30 – Workshop 1

4:50 – 5:35 – Workshop 2

5:35 – 6:30 – Dinner

6:45 – 7:20 – Music Concert

7:30 – 8:45 - 2nd Main Session

Vendors can be visited between workshop sessions and for 30 minutes following the evening session.

Saturday~April 16

7:30 – 8:15 – Business Meeting

8:30 – 9:15 – Workshop 3

9:35 – 10:20 – Workshop 4

10:20 – 11:15 – Check out of hotel rooms/visit to vendors/snack time

11:20 – 12:30 – 3rd Main Session

12:30 – Lunch and Homeward Bound

Vendors may be visited between workshops and for 30 minutes following lunch time.