October was a great month at Emmanuel

October was a great month for spiritual decisions at EBC. In addition to the wonderful things that occurred during Judgement House, we have seen 6 people saved, 6 baptized, and 18 new members added to the church during the past four weeks. Being in a small town, we don't take that for granted. Instead, we thank God for what He is doing and for allowing us to be part of it.

In addition to spiritual decisions, we had a great time connecting with our community. Last Sunday night EBC hosted "Trunk-or-Treat." Over 2,000+ came out to enjoy decorated trunks, concessions, ponies, and inflatable bounce houses. The kids enjoyed the candy and we enjoyed giving the Gospel.

Thank you, God, for allowing us to reach out to our community and blessing our efforts.

Carolinas Baptist Bible Fellowship

Yesterday, we had our quarterly CBBF meeting. Pastors from across NC and SC gathered at Central Baptist Church in Dunn, NC. The church did a wonderful job in hosting the meeting and provided some great BBQ and homemade desserts. The key speaker for the day was Evangelist, Jr. Hill and special music was provided by the Hayes family.

The preachers from across the Carolinas gather quarterly to be encouraged through preaching, to fellowship, pray for each other, to gather insights for doing ministry, and of course to eat. The main reason that the CBBF exists if for the purpose of starting new churches. During this meeting we heard from Joey Baynes, the pastor of Restoration Church which just kicked off in Greensboro, NC; and we heard from Greg Hales, the pastor of Coastal Community Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC. Both churches are doing well and exist, in part, due to the co-operative efforts of the churches involved in the Carolinas Baptist Bible Fellowship.

Our next meeting is going to be held on January 17 at Crossroads Baptist Church in Gilbert, SC. For more information about upcoming meetings, please visit www.carolinasbbf.com.

Judgement House 2012

This was the 10th anniversary of Judgement House at Emmanuel Baptist Church. When Kevin Matias introduced JH to EBC, it was a BIG stretch outside the box; but it has become the largest evangelistic event we host. Now under the direction of Justin Facenda, JH has grown to new levels, spans over two weekends, and impacts eternity beyond what we ever could have imagined.

Judgement House is a walk-through drama that causes people to consider where they will spend eternity. This year's script was an original entitled, Masquerade, and written by our own Brian Geddes. The story was based on the testimony of the a man who traveled with JH and served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, member of the pastor search committee, etc. He was a man who one day realized that he knew a lot about God, but that he did not know God.

It takes nearly 100 people from our church family to produce Judgement House, but the results are worth it.  This year, 2067 people walked through in just 4 nights with 276 making decisions for salvation and 173 recommitting their lives to Christ. We have already seen people baptized in our church and we are hearing stories of others taking that step in their local church.

My thanks to all in our church family who participated in JH. I appreciate a church family that is willing to do whatever it takes to reach people with the Gospel. I also thank those who took time to bring a group to JH. May God bless your efforts!

Is Green Bay Loss an indicator of our society?

First, let me clarify that I am neither a Packers fan, nor a Seahawks fan. I am a huge sports fan and especially a football junkie. I will admit that I am an Aaron Rodgers fan and have a great respect for his character, testimony, and talent.

This morning, I've been watching the sports channels, reading blogs, seeing the posts on various news sites and wondering how professional athletes making millions of dollars can blame the replacement referees for their failure to win a ball game. I have been a player, coach and umpire. I've been on both sides of the calls and admit to making both good and bad ones. In all cases, I have coached my teams and taught my children that the referee never wins or loses the ball game. If a team outplays and out scores the other team, then they will beat their opponent.

Today, fans and players have forgotten that there is a total of 60 minutes in a football game. They have forgotten that Aaron Rodgers was sacked 8 times in one half. They forgot that he slipped and fell with no one around him. They forgot that the league MVP threw no TD passes in 60 minutes and only averaged 4.7 yards passing. They forgot that the Packers only had a total of 84 yards rushing. The Packers didn't look very good last night and their offensive line was getting blown off the ball by the Seahawks' defense.

In "conveniently" forgetting their failures and focusing only on the failures of others (in this case the referee's), the Packers are a great illustration of the condition of our society. There is a mentality that refuses to admit personal failure and accept personal responsibility. Whether an athletic loss, job loss, a divorce, a bankruptcy, an auto accident, a bad test grade, or any other myriad of failures --- it is always the other person's fault -- it is never our fault.

Could this mindset be one of the reasons that it is so difficult for people to see their need for a Savior?  Could this mentality be robbing us of the common sense needed to admit when we are wrong, to confess our faults, and to ask for forgiveness? Could this be a contributing factor for church splits and the refusal to reconcile relationships with other believers? Could this all stem from the basic sin of PRIDE? 

The bottom-line is that referees (regular or replacements) will make mistakes, players will make mistakes, and people will make mistakes. I challenge you to admit your personal failures, to learn from them, and to correct them. I also remind you that God loves us in spite of our failures -- He loved us "while we were still sinners." In addition, remember 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Thank you, Lord, for giving us second chances!

Pray for Cindy (Our Missionary)

EBC is blessed to be the sending church for our home-grown missionary, Cindy. Through God's providential hand, Cindy returned home earlier this year to visit with her father, whose health was failing -- or so she (and we) thought. God used that circumstance to get Cindy off the field, only a few days prior to a government coup and uprising by Al Queda  rebels in her country of Mali.  I am happy to tell you that her father has recovered and Cindy is safe. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the country and many are starving and their living conditions are very poor. Just as Romans 8:28 promises, God took a circumstance that looked bad, and used it to accomplish His good.

Last week, Cindy met with our deacons to discuss and pray over a date for her return to the mission field.  After looking at the political situation, discussing it with her mission board, talking to believers inside the country, and not sensing the peace of God; our deacons have asked Cindy to wait until the end of the year  before returning to her field of ministry. At that time, we will evaluate the situation, before making a final decision. I would ask you to pray with us that God will give very clear direction and make our hearts sensitive to listening to His Spirit.

Cindy's situation and the recent attacks against Americans abroad, serve as reminders for us to pray for the safety of those carrying the good news to foreign countries.

Restoration Church Launched - 9.9.12

Yesterday, my family and the Brown family drove to Greensboro, NC to help launch a new church plant. Joey & Nicole Baynes, along with a team of nearly 40 people have been laying the groundwork for Restoration Church for almost a year. They have been meeting for Bible studies in homes, praying, visiting, planning, seeking God's direction, and hosting preview services. The core group consists of families have relocated, some in Greensboro who feel led to help, and some who are newly saved and ready to reach others.

The excitement on launch day was amazing! They really had it together and God blessed their efforts with over 280 people attending the service, and 3 making decisions for salvation! It is exciting to see a solid church starting and to have had a part in helping them. Restoration Church is receiving support from various church planting organizations; and our church supports two of them. I pray that EBC continues to see these success stories and will continue to help start new churches!

For more info about Restoration Church visit www.restorationgso.com

First Baptist of West Hollywood Reunion

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a reunion celebrating a great pastor - Dr. Verle Ackerman, and a great church - the First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, FL. I had the privilege of growing up in that church that was once named among the ten fastest growing churches in America. Dr. Verle Ackerman was, without any doubt, one of the greatest pastors of all time. That fact was obvious as we reminisced, shared testimonies, cried, and laughed. It is also obvious by those who found Christ under Pastor A's ministry and are still serving faithfully; and by the number of people who have served and are still serving in vocational ministry.

It was so good to see people that I had not seen in quite some time -- nearly 30 years since I last saw some of them. These people included friends, staff pastors, teachers, bus drivers, children's ministry workers, cafeteria workers, classmates, parents of classmates, former co-workers, a man whose grass I used to cut, and so many more. The surprise of the day was seeing the grown-up "little sister" of a high-school sweetheart. I would never have recognized her without a name tag. I'm sure others felt the same about me, but some people looked exactly the same as I remember them from 30 years ago!

Among the brightest spots of the day was being able to spend time with my parents; and being reunited with people who had put up with, trained, invested in, and prepared me for the ministry in which I serve today. God blessed me with mentors during my teenage years like Dell Lindsey, Guy Melton, Larry Coy, and Pastor Ackerman. If nothing else had happened at the reunion, it was worth feeling that embrace from Pastor A. and hearing him say, "I am so proud of you." I can't even imagine how much better it is going to be to hear our Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

First Baptist has been through some difficult times after Pastor A left. Changes in leadership, the community, economic conditions, and even the name have all taken their toll; but God has now blessed that church with a good and godly pastor. I've known Brian and Vicki Burkholder since my days at BUA and I would expect God to do some great things through them.

To everyone who had a part in putting the reunion together -- THANK YOU! It was a great time and brought back many, many wonderful memories.

A Promise Kept at the Grand Canyon

As our family discussed what to do for vacation 2012, we had a few of our favorites listed including visiting family in FL, trip to Myrtle Beach,time in the mountains, week on the lake at Hickory Knob State Park, and a few others. During our discussion process, I remembered a promise we had made to our children. Two years ago, as my wife and I were discussing a trip for our 25th wedding anniversary, we ultimately decided and promised that we would take the whole family with us to the Grand Canyon. A series of circumstances arose that prohibited our trip at that time and up until now - we had not made that trip.

As my wife and I were talking about it, I reminded her that we had made a promise to our children. Being a big fan of the early Promise Keepers movement and wanting my children to remember that their father kept his promises, I decided that we had to go to the Grand Canyon. With daughters moving away next year, if we didn't go now... we may never get the opportunity.

Looking at our summer calendar which included one studying for her state nursing exam, one taking a summer class in preparation to transfer to Liberty University, and my summer calendar of weddings and other scheduled events; we realized that we had only one week - for this entire summer - that was even a possibility for family vacation.

Long story short, we went to the Grand Canyon! We rode 4x4's in Sedona, stayed in Grand Canyon National Park, visited Hoover Dam, saw Lake Mead, and even stayed one night in Las Vegas. The beauty of the Grand Canyon was indescribable and reminded me just how BIG God really is! (I got tired of hearing about the millions of years it took to carve out the canyon and wished someone would have given God some credit.) No picture nor description can give you any idea how beautiful it is - you have to experience it for yourself. I immediately thought of how the Bible describes heaven. We will never be able to fully grasp its beauty until we get there.

We had a GREAT family vacation and I am so glad our kids got to experience the Grand Canyon with us. More than that, I'm glad my children will remember their dad as a man who keeps his promises!

Sunday Summary - 5.6.12

Today was an exciting morning at EBC! We started the service with three baptisms (two children and one teenager). Pastor David got so excited during the baptism that I thought he was going to start the congregation doing the wave. I thought to myself..."That's the way church ought to be - exciting!" The music was great today! Thank choir for your energy and the message pointing us to Who God is! Thank you band and praise team - especially to Alex and Sterling for filling in. Thank you Monica for a great presentation of the song "Blessings." I know it ministered to many people in our congregation.

Today's sermon was from Exodus 1 & 2 and focused on Jochabed, the mother of Moses. She was a great example of true faith. During a time of tremendous hardship, slavery, and bondage for the Israelites; Jochabed conceived. Pharoah ordered all the male, Hebrew children to be killed at birth or thrown into the Nile River. Jochabed showed great courage and stood against the Pharoah. She did what she could to hide her son for three months, and then trusted God to do the rest. She ultimately got to raise her son legally, and got paid to do it! God is so good. We focused on the role of mothers and the importance of parents in the lives of their children. Kids don't need their parents to be their friends, they need parents who will teach, guide, and prepare them in the ways of the Lord and the things of life. Parents... it's not always easy, but it is your calling!

We concluded our service with five people joining our church family: Wendy, Mike, Mackey, Trey, and Katie ; and with a special prayer over the mothers in our church. I know it isn't yet Mother's Day, but we have been celebrating women for the past three weeks at EBC.

Tonight, Pastor David is teaching a parenting seminar for our church family. I hope this is only the first of many, as we try to encourage and provide tools to the parents in our congregation.

Sunday Summary - 4.29.12

We started yesterday's service with Kimberly being baptized. She was saved as a teenager, but had never taken the step of baptism. She and her husband, Matthew, also joined our church family today. They started attending EBC during Team Impact. Everyone who helped us host that event, had a part in reaching this family.

We also had a new music group on the scene. Great job Michael, Luke, Chris, and Tony! When we say a "blended" style of service, we really mean it. We went from very contemporary all the way to Southern Gospel. We've always described our church as a smorgasbord (buffet), and today was a great example.

I continued the series "Women in the Bible" and preached from the Book of Ruth. This small book teaches us how to trust God through life's tragedies. Things don't always go according to our plans; but sometimes they turn out better than we EVER could have planned. We discussed the role of Boaz as kinsman redeemer and tied it to Jesus -- the One Who redeemed us!

Last night, almost 80 ladies enjoyed a great time of fellowship with Alison Evans. She is a wonderful lady who has ministered to many in our community, and was a blessing at our Ladies Fellowship. We had almost two dozen men out visiting and that effort continues to grow. Preston and I volunteered in the nursery, so that our ladies could attend the fellowship. We had some great teenage girls to help us, and I gained a new appreciation for our nursery workers!