Our Blog

Spare Change - July 2022

Spark Studios VBS has come and gone for another year.  I must say that I really love VBS.  Even with all the craziness of the event, it is still one of the best things we do all year.  This year we had about 150 children each night.  We also did VBS with about 50 kids at the Summer Day Camp.  This means we were able to minister to over 200 kids that week.

VBS or Vacation Bible School is such an amazing program.  For one week we all come together to put on this program full of Bible lessons, games, crafts, snacks, music and more.  The kids love it!  It takes a ton of volunteers to make it all happen.  We had an average of 80 volunteers each night.  The only thing I can say to our volunteers is THANK YOU!  I know it is a sacrifice for everyone serving in VBS.  I hope you know your sacrifice is worth it.  When we serve the Lord in any capacity, we honor Him.  VBS is special because we get to connect with children and families, but we also get to share the life-changing truth of the gospel.  That is why VBS is so important.  That is why I am so grateful to all the volunteers that made it happen. 

We had 22 kids respond to the invitation.  We are currently following up with these children and their parents.  We pray that their decision was real, and they will follow in
baptism soon.

I just wanted to drop a quick word of thanks and an encouragement for all that tirelessly serve in the church in any capacity.  The Bible says in Matthew 5:14-16,

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

This verse comes very early on in the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus wants to make sure His followers understand they are like a light.  We learn from 1 John 1:5 that God is light, meaning that He is pure, righteous, and holy. There is no darkness or stain of sin in God.  Believers are given the righteousness of Christ in place of our sin; we are transformed from beings of darkness to beings of light.  Simply by living the Christian life in a way that glorifies God we are displaying God’s light.

Jesus makes the logical argument that no one would light a lamp and put it under a basket.  That would be crazy.  If you take the time to turn on a light it is because you need to see, it is because the surrounding area is dark.  God has set His people ablaze in the darkness of the world.  I am sure no one will argue that the world is very dark.  The sin that runs rampant in the hearts of people knows no end.  The only hope to combat the darkness is the light of the gospel of Jesus.

Jesus calls us the light of the world.  Meaning that we are to stand in this world displaying God’s light by serving in the name of Jesus and sharing the gospel.  Jesus says that people will see what we are doing and how we are living, and they will give glory to God.  The light cannot help but shine bright, it cannot help but illuminate the darkness.  It should be the same for Christians. 

It should be impossible for us to hide our faith.  It should be impossible for us to stop telling people about Jesus.  It should be impossible for us to stop serving others.

I say all of this as an encouragement to all those that serve in the church and in the community.  You are bringing glory to God’s name.  According to Hebrews 6:10, God sees your works.  He knows that you love Him, and you are working for His name.  Keep up the good work!

If you are not serving somewhere and you identify as a Christian, then you need to get going!  Find a place to serve.  God has given you gifts and abilities to use for His kingdom.  Don’t hide your light, let it shine so everyone can see!

Women On Mission - July 2022

  Problem: Global Hunger Solution: Us

We’ve seen them – photos and video clips that allow us to glimpse images representing the world’s hungry. Gaunt faces,     hopeless eyes, distended abdomens, desperate families, and dire conditions wrench our hears. We feel the urge to collect and give food and funds for the hungry. How can we become a part of the solution to the problem of global hunger?

WMU encourages men, women, and children to join together to help the hungry by giving sacrificially to the Global Hunger   Relief Fund.  WMU works cooperatively with partners to provide facts and helpful resources, encourage volunteers, gather donations, distribute funds and necessities, and tell stories of helping the hungry. Learn more about Global Hunger Relief by visiting GlobalHungerRelief.com.

What can we do to address the families, children, and babies suffering from hunger, good insecurity malnutrition, and starvation? First John 3:17-18 states, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Global Hunger Facts
- In the United States, one in six people faces hunger issues. Food banks serve one in seven people.
- Close to 48.1 million people in the US live in food-insecure households.
- On a global scale, around 795 million people are undernourished.
- Throughout the developing world, 66 million primary school-age children go to school hungry.
- More than 3 million children under five die each year because of poor nutrition.
- One hundred percent of gifts to the Global Hunger Relief Fund helps alleviate hunger needs.
- Administrative and promotional costs are never supported by gifts to Global Hunger Relief. Partnerships with multiple organizations result in those costs being covered by other funds.
- Last year Baptists gave $3.5 million to Global Hunger Relief. Hunger banks are available at the Welcome Desk in the Church lobby. Please take one for your family. Return Hunger banks Sunday, July 17th.

Women on Mission will meet at 1:00 pm on Thursday, July 7th in the Grace Ladies Classroom (room opposite the Fellowship Hall.) All of our ladies are invited to join us.