FBC Lake Charles

VBS… I want to thank each one of you that played a part in making this year’s VBS such a wonderful experience. We had a record mission offering and number of children who made professions of faith. I also want to thank all those who helped with VBS follow-up visitation. VBS is an example of FBC teamwork at its finest.

Minister of Worship Update… We have narrowed our search down to two candidates. We have received glowing recommendations on both of these men. I have talked with each one at length by phone. In addition, each man has responded to a questionnaire and has sent a DVD of their worship leadership. Please keep the Personnel Team and myself in your prayers as we take the interview process to the next stage.

Stewardship Update… Once again I want to thank each of you who responded so positively during our Stewardship emphasis. Your commitment to tithing has been so encouraging. April and May’s financial reports were very positive. I want to encourage you to continue being faithful in both your giving and attendance during these summer months.

Wednesday Nights… We kicked off our summer semester of discipleship studies recently and the response was great. More than 50 people are involved in the two studies in addition to the people who attend our Prayer Service. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to refocus and reconnect each week.

July 4th… This year we will be participating once again in the parade. As in past years we will be handing out free water along the parade route. We need a couple of thousand water bottles to hand out so any donations will be greatly appreciated. After the parade, our church family will gather with our community at the Red, White, Blue and You celebration at the Civic Center pavilion to enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship and fireworks together. There will be no activities on campus that night.

Mission Lake Charles… Mark July 13-17 on your calendars. This year’s Family Mission Trip will be right here in Lake Charles. Each day we will be doing a variety of mission projects around town and then regrouping each night at church for a time of worship. Mission projects include Friendships, nursing home visitation, home repairs, water giveaways, yard work, and window washing. In addition, on Sunday night, July 15, we will have a joint worship and fellowship celebration with our Ford Street Mission. Ford Street’s new pastor, Rev. Willie Mack, will be preaching that evening and afterward we will enjoy a time of fellowship. There is something for everyone to do…so don’t mission this opportunity to improve your serve!

Finally… Mark Twain once said that the only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper. Change is not always easy but it is a part of life…even the Christian life. Paul wrote in 2 Cor 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV) The key mark of true conversion is change. As we walk with the Lord, He changes us. His attitudes become more and more our own. His actions become more and more a part of our lives. His words become a part of our vocabulary.

Change is also a part of church life. People and programs come and go. Music and ministry changes. Even our buildings and locations may change. Some changes last and some don’t.

Yes, we need to be discerning about the changes we embrace. Yes, change for change sake is rarely, if ever, a good thing. But we must always be very careful to not just reject a change simply because it is something new or not something we like for we may find ourselves in opposition to the work and will of God. It’s true that not all change is good, but some are of God.

Just something to think about,

Bro. John

From My Heart…

Minister of Worship update… Please keep our search process in your prayers. We desire nothing but God’s will and glory. We believe that God is leading us and our heart is to move in step with God’s timing. We recently invited a candidate to Lake Charles for an interview. He met with me, members of our Worship Team, and the Personnel Team. Everyone was very impressed with this man’s spiritual maturity, character and competence and agreed that we needed to pursue him further. Please be in prayer and hopefully before too long we’ll have some exciting news to share with you!

CrossWords update… Many of you shared with me the impact this recent series had on your lives, especially the message on words of forgiveness. One of the essential keys to maintaining long-term relationships is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not easy. It runs against our natural desire for revenge and selfdefense. Sometimes our words of forgiveness are not received. Sometimes the hurt is just too deep. But forgiveness is not an option; it is a command. And it is one of the most evident  signs that we are true followers of Christ. Let me recommend a book for further reading and study: Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Mission Lake Charles… I want to thank all of you who participated in this weekend of missions. John and our Missions Development Team did an outstanding job planning and coordinating the projects.