Feather River Baptist Association Annual Meeting

Portola Station Church is where Feather River Baptist Association met this past week end.  What a beautiful church!  Pastor Dennis Black gave us the tour of the building and told us the story on how God provided.

We had a great time with the different churches that came to the annual meeting.  God is working in the communities where these churches are ministering.

Portola Station Church

Fermin outside the church

Fermin, Dennis Black and Jason Franklin

Fred Kerr and Fermin

Randy Roulette preached the Annual Message

Cerone Family leading in Worship

Pastor Marcos Ceron and family

Jason Franklin, Moderator

Our way back home

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That Every Man, Woman, Boy And Girl . . .

Jesus said, “Come follow me.”  Matthew 4:19

One ability my husband had from the beginning of his ministry as Executive Director of the California Southern Baptist Convention was to stay on target.  From the beginning his aim was to help Christians and specifically Southern Baptist Christians to share the gospel throughout California, the United States and the world.  Many people, when you mention Fermín’s name, smile and recite “That Every Man, Woman, Boy and Girl make a decision when presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.  This has been Fermín’s passion, he preaches it, he lives it, he breathes it.♥

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Our Labor Day Week-End

Our Quick Labor Day Week-End Trip – Fermin and I left on Saturday to go to Burbank.  Never stayed in Burbank before, somehow I expected to see Jay Leno or someone famous to just walk by

Richard and Lidia Cano (Language Mission Church Planter Strategist for the area) came by and picked us up.  We left to go and eat at a cozy little Chinese restaurant in Downtown Burbank.  

We like calling our local missionaries and invite them to eat, this gives us an opportunity to just spend a relaxed time with them.  Sometimes we go out with the pastor of the church Fermin is preaching at, other times we invite the Director of Missions from the area, and yet another times is just Fermin and I.  This time we ate lunch on Sunday with the Director of Missions, a couple from the church and us ( no picture).

Fermin preach twice in Granada Hills on Sunday morning – at 9:00 am he preached to the Spanish speaking congregation and at 11:00 am to the English speaking congregation.  He was great on both services  We had a fantastic time with both groups.

It was a quick trip by 2:30 pm we were on the road heading back to Fresno.  No bad traffic in either direction.

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Vacation Bible School at a Migrant Camp

 

For 10 weeks this summer, California Southern Baptist churches  join hands to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of migrant workers and their families.

These are some of the photos from one of our last week’s VBS’s.

 

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Twenty Four Hours in San Francisco

It does not matter what month of the year we go to San Francisco, Alcatraz’ waters always look sooooo cold

We left Fresno Monday afternoon and I already had a headache, took a little nap on the way there, but by the time we got to the hotel my headache was bad, it subside by the time we were to eat dinner with the trustees of GuideStone.  Fermin had invited a couple of local missionaries to share with the group about their ministry in the Bay Area.  Fermin spoke and the two missionaries shared their ministry.  It was great!  A few of the trustees went home thinking about helping our strategist plant churches in the area.  At the end of the banquet, some ladies were talking to me, I must of looked like someone had put something extra in my tea.  My head felt like it was going to explode and all I could say was “excuse me, I need to find the ladies bathroom”.  I left to go to my room without telling Fermin I was leaving. 

I felt better the next day.  Before we left San Francisco we went to Pier 39 to have lunch. What a beautiful day!  Enjoyed the cool weather and walked around the pier.  

We were in San Francisco for about 24 hours and that’s the way some of our trips are.

By the way, one of the missionaries that spoke at the banquet was Linda Bergquist one of my Facebook friends

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Busy Week-End at The Home Base

Last Saturday, my husband and I went to Nelli Anzaldi’s funeral, a pastor’s wife.  She left behind a husband, a daughter and a son.  I should not be amazed at their faith, but I was.  Oh yes, they were sad; they loved her so much and they were going to miss her, but what was most evident was their assurance that she was now whole and not hurting and that some day they will all be together.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

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Mario Soloria (Pastor) Fermin Whittaker and Mike Solorio (Associate Pastor)

On Sunday, Fermin preached at Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza in Madera.  What enthusiasm this church has, it was contagious, their singing, the way they greeted their visitors, their response to the message, very loving church.  Fermin preached his heart out and the Lord blessed it.  At least two came to the saving knowledge of Christ and many more come for prayer.

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Faith Fellowship in La Palma, CA

Last Sunday, Fermin and I were in Faith Fellowship in La Palma, CA.  I don’t remember La Palma existed when I lived in Pico Rivera, or at least it did not have that name.  New towns form, and our state keeps changing.  ”Change” that is what Fermin preached about.  It was an inspirational, encouraging sermon – not that he doesn’t do that every time he preaches, but this Sunday seem to be a special one. 

The church is without a leading pastor.  John Welch, their interim pastor was on vacation.  Pray for the church and their search committee as they seek for God’s leadership in this matter.

Before church we met these two young men and after church we found out that hey lead a weekly Bible study with the young people.  We also found out that Steve (the young man in the middle) is going to have brain surgery this coming Thursday (July 16).  Steve has some kind of a cancerous tumor.  Please pray for him.

  

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My Time So Far In The South… Louisville, KY – Part Three

Friends from Long Ago at SBC

Jennie and Fred Loper

Fermin keeps finding friends from long ago.  Remember Fermin’s friend Muriel? Jenie and Fred Loper are also friends from seminary.  In 1960 Fermin went to Toronto Baptist Seminary in Canada and is enjoying getting re acquainted with his friends from that time in his life.  I have enjoyed meeting them and hearing their stories.  Jenie and Fred Loper are serving in a church in Marhall, IL.

Maria Wetzel

When we lived in the Atlanta area, and Fermin was in town, he would preach at the local churches and in one of those churches there was a family with a pretty young girl named Maria.   Maria is a pastor’s wife now.  Her and her husband serve in a church in Florida. 

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My Time So Far In The South… Louisville, KY – Part Two

Ministers’ Wives Luncheon

At the SBC Ministers’ Wives Luncheon we get so much more than what we pay for.  Just seeing over 1,300 ministers’ wives in one room is electrifying.  Someone said that this is the largest ministers’ wives gathering.  Next year Orlando, FL.  Make plans.

Convention Business and Preaching

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My Time So Far In The South… Louisville, KY – Part One

Pre Convention Happenings

At the Cracker Barrel with Richard and Noemi Vera for breakfast

This girl name Marisol, has an amazing voice.  She sang at the church we attended on Sunday afternoon and also at a family festival on Saturday.

Fermin Whittaker, Ernest Kelly and Jim Coldiron. Fermin and Jim were coordinators of the North America Mission Board (then Home Mission Board) and Ernest was the VP of Coordination.  It was good to see them together again.  By the way Jim Coldiron works for the Billy Graham Crusades.

Fermin talking with Walter Price (far left) President of Califonria Southern Baptist Convention and a friend of Walter.

Rolando Raganas, Philipino Pastor; Jim Wilson, Golden Gate Seminary – The Southern California Brea campus; Fermin Whittaker, State Ex. Director of CSBC.

Fermin with Martin Davis, from San Diego, CA and trustee of the SBC Executive Committee.

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