International Missions Offering Total

Today I received the final total for the International Mission Offering (Lottie Moon) given in December: $6,700! Praise the Lord! It is a privilege to reach the nations of the world together with sister churches through the International Mission Board. Let's continue engaging in God's global purpose by going, sending, praying, and giving.

Doctoral Update

On Wednesday, I will be back on campus at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, for my final in-person seminar for my Doctor of Ministry program. This seminar is Foundations in Disciple-Making with Dr. George Robinson and Dr. Mark Liederbach. For three intensive days, I will be learning along with a cohort of ten other pastors. Thanks for your prayers! I will be traveling back Saturday evening and will be here to worship with Crestview on Sunday.

Finishing my final seminar marks a transition point in the program. From this point on, I will be researching and writing for my project/dissertation. The title is Developing a Strategy for Using the Bible as the Primary Resource for Disciple-Making. I aim to finish writing by September to graduate this December. Please keep this as a matter of prayer and encouragement over the coming months! I will continue sharing the fruit of my learning along the way.

I am thankful for the top-notch education, biblical integrity, and Great Commission focus at Southeastern. I am proud of the seminary training I am receiving through one of our SBC seminaries. Additionally, most of my tuition has been covered through generous scholarships and grants from the Keesee Foundation and Flat Creek Baptist Church. I am also grateful for the encouragement I am receiving from Tricia, my children, and Crestview's staff and elders.   

Gathered Worship this Sunday, Dec 15

This Sunday morning, Brandon Vaughn will be preaching Matthew 4:12-25, “Jesus Begins His Ministry.” Additionally, our congregation will recognize and reaffirm four deacons and their wives for ministry. Please make a special effort to be present for this service on Sunday.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

International Missions Offering

International Missions Offering

A ministry endeavor worth noting in the New Testament is the collection of funds from predominantly Gentile congregations by Paul to support the largely Jewish churches in Jerusalem. This cooperative offering is mentioned in Acts, Romans, and 1 & 2 Corinthians. In fact, the occasion when the authorities arrested Paul in Acts 24 was the delivery of these funds to Jerusalem. This offering is an example of churches working jointly to fund God-honoring ministry.

In this same spirit, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is a joint effort of Great Commission Baptist Churches to provide funding to spread the gospel of the grace of God to all peoples around the world. Through the International Mission Board, our churches have sent over 3,650 missionaries serving in 116 countries. Over 90% of these missionary teams actively engage at least 1 of over 7,000 unreached people groups. These are OUR missionaries! They serve in many of Earth's hardest, darkest, least-reached places.

Please prayerfully consider how the Spirit of the Lord is stirring you to make a generous contribution to this year's offering for International Missions. As you do so, know that our church is one of the thousands of sister churches working together in this God-honoring ministry. This Sunday, December 4, we will begin our week of prayer for International Missions. Sunday, December 18, will be our giving day emphasis.

Members Meeting this Sunday

This Sunday, following gathered worship, will be our quarterly members meeting. In this meeting, you will hear essential updates on the church, add and remove members, and make several decisions. One decision will be to affirm the men whom the elders and deacons recommend serving as deacons: Doug Lawrence, Reese Simmons, Grayson Webb, and Clay McLean (Reaffirmation). Another decision will be the affirmation of the proposed 2023 Ministry Budget prepared by the elders, finance team, and staff: Proposed 2023 Ministry Budget

Welcome Alexis Lawrence

I am happy to announce that Alexis Lawrence has begun working in the office as our new ministry assistant. Over the next month, she will be transitioning into Gayle Kelley's role. Gayle will be retiring at the end of the year. Please, take the opportunity to thank Gayle for her service and welcome Alexis to our staff.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

International Missions Offering

Church Family,

This Sunday is our annual International Missions Offering (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering). This offering is one way you can personally partner with those serving in the darkest, most unreached corners of the world. Check out these stories to learn how your gifts help spread the gospel among the nations: International Mission Board

CAROLING & CHILI DINNER

Sunday evening at 4:00 PM is a fun evening as a church. We will meet at the church campus at 4:00, divide into groups, and go out caroling to some of our mature and homebound members. Afterward, we will return to the church campus for a chili dinner. THIS YEAR, CHILI IS BEING PROVIDED. PLEASE DO NOT BRING CHILI TO CONTRIBUTE. Just bring yourself, your family, and happy smiles.  

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in two special Christmas opportunities:

Candlelight Service: December 24, 5 PM. Celebrate as a family as we read Scripture and sing classic Christmas hymns. 45-minutes, casual, family-friendly.

Sunday, December 26: We will hold a church-wide breakfast from 9:15 to 10:10 AM (no equipping courses this day). Gathered Worship will begin at 10:30 AM and feature Christmas music and a sermon titled “The King Born in Bethlehem," based on Micah 5:2-5.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Ministry Opportunities Abound

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

There are several opportunities on the horizon for you to “get your hands dirty” doing good: 

“WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?” OUTREACH

We are beginning a 4-week gospel outreach on Sunday, March 21. Weather permitting, we will meet outdoors on the Crestview campus as one assembly. A large “revival” tent will be set up. There will be plenty of space for all the seating we could need.  Not only should you attend, but this is a prime evangelism opportunity for you to bring guests. Invite you ONE as well as unbelieving coworkers, classmates, family, friends, and neighbors.  Not only will meeting outdoors allow our entire church to meet together but perhaps it will also allow some to attend who are otherwise hesitant to meet indoors. We plan to live-stream these services for those who are unable to attend in person. In case of inclement weather we will move indoors. 

Pulling off these outdoor services each week will bring with it a host of new ways to help. We will need joyful, servant-minded members to arrive early and stay late to help with set-up, hospitality, follow-up. 

Please be praying for the lost to be saved and for the church to be strengthened!

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS TEAM

Do you have a heart for reaching the nations with the gospel? An opportunity on the horizon is serving with our International Mission Ministry Team. This team is being newly organized and will meet Wednesday night at 8:00PM (March 10) in the worship center and via zoom. The role of this team is to provide ongoing support to the elders to help the church remain faithful in the Great Commission mandate of making disciples among all nations. If you would like to learn more, plan to join us on Wednesday night.  To request zoom info email me: thomas@crestviewbaptist.org

BENEVOLENCE MINISTRY TRAINING

Do you have a heart for helping those in need? We want to expand our ministry to be an avenue for evangelism and discipling while helping people learn how to meet their basic needs. We would like to train 8-10 members in how to conduct initial interviews and life coaching. Monday night at 8:00PM (March 12) we will have 1-hour zoom training for all who would like to learn more. To request zoom info email me: thomas@crestviewbaptist.org

NURSERIES REOPENING THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday we will be reopening the toddler and preschool nurseries for families who would like to utilize them. We do not anticipate the need for an infant nursery at this time. Thank you to all our wonderful nursery servants who will be serving these families – you are a blessing!

Finally, the tentative plan is to restarting equipping courses and other group ministries in mid-April following on the heels of the outdoor services. Look for more information as the date approaches.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Update: A Message of Hope for our Neighbors

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2

UPDATE: A MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

Please continue praying for neighbors and friends who are hearing the message of hope through Jesus Christ!  We are seeing responses to our invitations in several ways. Over 3,600 viewed our promo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 115 people clicked the promo to visit the Hope web page.  This page has had 300 visits over the last two weeks. We do not have statistics on The Story short film but can reasonably estimate 50-100 views.

Many heard the message of HOPE REVEALED this past Sunday! Though attendance Sunday was lower than past weeks (83 in-person), we had 9 first-time guests! We saw streaming views go up almost 100%. 37 devices viewed the service live (our normal average is 20). The service has been viewed a total of 63 times on YouTube.  Additionally, just this morning, we had a neighbor from Spring Valley Circle come to the church office inquiring about our ministry. He said he had received an invitation on his door last Saturday!

That is all wonderful and we are not done!  This Sunday the focus is HOPE RECEIVED. Continue inviting and sharing the gospel with friends, family, and neighbors this week. Have you invited your One to join us Sunday or watch the live stream?  A new social media promo campaign will begin this Thursday.  Please like and share these posts when you see them. The reach and influence of our church is exponential when we leverage our social media platforms for the spread of the gospel!  Finally, continue praying that the Lord to use our efforts and for the lives of many to be transformed by the gospel of grace.  

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS OFFERING:  GIVE THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday plan to bring your gifts for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Think of this as a special Christmas gift bringing the greatest news to those around the world who have yet to hear, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Give in-person, on-line, or by mail.  Our church goal is $10,000.  What will the Lord do among us?

LET’S BE VIGILANT WITH OUR GATHERING GUIDELINES

We are in time of year when annual sickness is typically on the rise.  Add to it this year an increasing number of COVID cases in our area, and we have the need to be extra vigilant. Thank you to all who have erred on the safe side and remained home when you were unsure about your health. Remember, if you are feeling ill, for any reason, please stay home as a way of caring for one another. When you are well, then we are happy to worship with you!  When on campus please follow our GATHERING GUIDELINES. These guidelines have been serving us well and we need everyone’s participation.    

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Local Churches, Cooperating Together

I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. Romans 15:24-26

LOCAL CHURCHES, COOPERATING TOGETHER

God reveals in Scripture many examples of churches partnering together for the sake of the gospel. One case is cited above from Romans.  Paul had collected an offering from churches around the Mediterranean region for the relief of believers in Jerusalem.  Also, he was preparing the church at Rome to support him in his travel to take the gospel to Spain. There are many other examples of such cooperation across the New Testament. It glorifies the Lord and honors his universal church when we appreciate ministry beyond what is happening in our own backyard. Partnering with other churches (and networks of churches) widens and extends our gospel-eyesight. We become aware of what God is doing in other regions and needs that we can work together to meet. This past Sunday we were reminded of our own partnership with Jason Lee and Clarkston International Bible Church. We are working in cooperation to spread the gospel among the nations living in Atlanta! Consider going to Clarkson on Saturday, October 3, to take part in Serve Day (email cole@crestviebaptist.org for more info and to register).

THE FLINT RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

Another avenue of cooperation for Crestview is our local association of like-minded churches called the Flint River Baptist Association (FRBA).  The FRBA is composed of about 50 churches in the greater Spalding County region. It exists “to facilitate and connect churches to partner and serving and fulfilling the Great Commission.” Over the last year, Dr. Frank Nuckolls, association mission strategist, has been leading the FRBA through a renewal of its vision and reorganization its mission focus. I am enthusiastic about the direction things are going.

There are a couple of ways for you to keep up with the FRBA. One way is to visit the WEBSITE and read the monthly newsletter, THE FORECASTER.  Another way is to attend the annual meeting.

ANNUAL MEETING: SEPTEMBER 27

This year’s annual meeting of the Association is Sunday, September 27, at 6:00 PM, in the worship center of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Williamson. You will hear about our cooperative ministry, vision, goals, and updates on what our mission dollars are accomplishing. We will enjoy worship in song by Oak Hill’s worship team, hear an encouraging address by Dr. Nuckolls, and a missions sermon from Ken Adams, pastor of Crossroads Church in Newnan. I want to encourage you to mark your calendar and plan to attend. Every so often someone will ask me, “Why don’t our churches ever get together for a large worship service?” The answer is: We do!  This is it - you are invited.   

GIVING UPDATE

Last week I wrote asking you to generously supply the church ministry budget in the hope of creating a surplus of $11,000 by September 30. This will allow the breezeway project to begin. In only one week you are already responding! Giving to the budget this past week totaled $8,278, which should generate several thousand dollars of surplus as we close the books on August. Additionally, we had special gifts to the campus renovation fund totaling $5,500!  This is an exciting start, and we still have one month to go! Continue to pray and give as the Lord enables. If we have generous hearts, perhaps the Lord will provide what is needed for the breezeway and more!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas