E-Letter
May 2009

News and information about the Santa Fe River Baptist Association—and more
Prepared by Wayne Harvey, Director of Missions

 

 

Association and Other News and Events

Fla. Baptist Children's Homes Offering
Mother's Day, Sun., May 10
Contribute to the Mother's Day Offering for children across the state. For more information, visit the FBCH web site.

Association Pastors Stewardship Meeting
Tue., May 12, 10 a.m., Ridgeview Church, Gainesville, with lunch. Ken Westbrook, stewardship specialist, Florida Baptist Convention, will lead this conference for pastors and church staff members, focusing on new and effective resources and ideas for church stewardship promotion. Call the association by May 5 to make your reservation: 352-373-5030.

Music Conference for Smaller Churches
May 22-23, Westside Church, Gainesville
The Baptist College of Florida has hosted two previous EMERGE conferences in order to help pastors and smaller congregations with praise and worship music, praise teams, blended services, and musical accompaniment. There will be dynamic worship time and plenty of time for worship teams to get "re-charged!" An added bonus this year is that BCF Professor Mark Long will lead a session for pastors that includes topics such as "Preaching Outside the Comfort Zone" and "Biblical Preaching to a Media-Soaked Congregation."

If you have any questions or would like any additional information, please contact BCF Music and Worship Division Chair, Dr. Don Odom, at 850-263-3261, ext. 427, or 800-328-2660, ext. 427. Churches, groups, or individual participants can register online at www.baptistcollege.edu.

 

 

Regional Media Library Seminar
Sat., May 30, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
Northwest Church, 5514 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville
Conferences:  

Contact Mona Pearson to make reservations for the conference and lunch: 352-339-1979 or Email: rpearsonm@cox.net.
Sponsored by: Santa Fe River Baptist Association

IT’S A NEW DAY—FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Sat., May 30, Northwest Church, Gainesville

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

$20 registration fee (Includes materials and lunch)

Register at www.sbc.net/new day or call 615.782.8680.

Presented by the Florida Baptist Convention, the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Crown Financial Ministries 

 

This event will show pastors, staff, and church leaders how they and their churches can get on top of their finances and build bridges to the communities around them.

 
Florida Baptist Convention Mobile Dental Clinic
Mon., June 1-Fri. June 5, First Church, Alachua
Free dental care provided for low-income persons. Call the association center to make a reservation. For more information, contact Vicki Lawrence, Church and Community Ministries Director.

Association Calendar for May
Visit our Web site for more information: sfrba.org
3 Senior Adult Sunday
4 Monday night prayer, Ridgeview Church, 6:30 pm
7 National Day of prayer
10 Mother's Day
12 Pastors' Stewardship Mtg., Ridgeview Church, 10 a.m.
16 Armed Forces Day
25 Memorial Day
30 Media/Library Conference, Northwest Church, 9 a.m.
30 It's a New Day Conference, Northwest Church, 9 a.m.

May Birthdays
8 Lynn Williams (minister to families), Gainesville 1st
11 Nancy Dykes (wife of music minister), Eliam
17 Raquel Mesa (wife of pastor), Hispana Gainesville
17 Sheryl Bennett (missions), Westside
20 Cheryl Lloyd (ministry assistant), Parkview
21 Raul Hernandez (youth minister), Westside
26 Kristie Kirk (preschool/children), Westside

May Wedding Anniversaries
1 Mark (youth minister) and Keri Spradley, Forest Grove
2 Pr. Calvin and Kelly Carr, North Central
10 Robert and Linda (ministry assistant) Garmon, Lake Butler 1st
11 Chuck and Kristie (preschool/children) Kirk, Westside
17 Ron and Donna (ministry assistant) White, Pine Grove
20 Jason (youth minister) and Jamie Hamilton, North Pleasant Grove
22 Michael (music minister) and Tia Mosby, Northwest
22 Pr. Sam and Lillian Brown, Hague
23 Pr. Warren and Tania Chesser, Forest Grove
30 Pr. Doug and Linda Felton, Alachua 1st

May Ministry Anniversaries
Mary Brezina (ministry assistant), Northwest, 5/24/1999
Daniel Morris (music/worship minister), Westside, 5/17/2006
Heather Greist (daycare director), Westside, 5/15

New Arrival
Congratulations to Billy and Dede Stephens on the birth of Evan Henly Stephens, born March 27. Billy is the youth minister at High Springs First Church.

CHURCH RECEIPTS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

Thank you to all our churches for your support!

Member Churches	April ’09	Year to date
Alachua First	.00	3,000.00
Antioch	475.42	3,062.58
Centerpoint Christian	.00	125.00
Country Crossroads	140.25	451.07
Eastside	.00	.00
Eden	700.00	700.00
Eliam	969.89	5,072.83
Evangelica	.00	1,500.00
Faith-Tabernacle	.00	.00
Fellowship	571.17	1,687.91
Forest Grove	650.00	4,550.00
Gainesville First	386.57	2,670.33
Grace	130.65	1,167.43
Hague	136.66	835.42
Hawthorne First	264.82	1,641.93
High Springs First	1,688.50	9,837.40
Island Grove	.00	.00
Journey	160.00	760.00
Korean	.00	500.00
Lake Butler First	200.00	1,400.00
Lake Forest	299.73	892.39
Lighthouse	157.48	1,093.09
Living Covenant	163.46	987.01
Mount Carmel	.00	.00
New Hope	.00	568.00
North Central	648.87	3,595.38
North Pleasant Grove	176.79	852.39
Northwest	689.39	3,977.26
Oak Park	576.00	4,110.00
Ochwilla	50.00	350.00
Parkview	.00	2,657.50
Pine Grove	216.84	1,347.42
Pleasant Hill Missionary	100.00	100.00
Ridgeview	664.37	2,031.59
River Cross	223.00	1,553.00
Rivers of Life	.00	.00
Santa Fe	.00	1,049.08
Sardis	563.24	3,200.93
Waldo First	.00	3,938.00
Westside	3,407.39	26,332.46
Affiliated Churches
Harvest	.00	95.88
Hispana, Archer Road	.00	21.82
Hispana, Gainesville	30.00	180.00
Hispana, Santa Fe	.00	64.14
Micanopy	558.48	2,026.55
Totals	14,998.97	99,985.79
Monthly Needs $16,348.00 Percentage of Budget Received to date: 87%	Budget Needs through April $114,436.00	Giving under budget through April $14,450.21

 

There are many people who think that Sunday is a sponge to wipe out all the sins of the week.
    ... Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

Church News and Events

Vacation Bible School Dates
Check out the churches below for their Vacation Bible School dates. If your church is not listed, please call the association center and we will put your dates in our newsletter.

Grace Sardis North Central Lake Forest Eliam Westside Parkview River Cross Oak Park Pine Grove Northwest Alachua First

June 7-11 June 7-12 June 14-18 June 15-19 June 15-19 June 15-19 June 22-26 June 24-27 June 28-July 3 July 13-17 July 19-23 July 19-24

First Church, Gainesville
From John Fairless, pastor
Some of the youth group members recently hosted an Easter Party at Corry Village, UF, where many international families live while one or more parents study at the university. There were 17 children and 9 parents present to participate in songs, games, crafts, stories, and food, all themed with the Easter message.

Lynn Williams Tells the Easter Story Using a Resurrection Egg	Drew Boyd and Church Youth Share a Song

Easter Sunrise Service at the New Site for First Church, Gainesville
As the sun rose Easter morning at the site of their new building, many church members celebrated our Lord's resurrection. (It was a beautiful day, especially thinking of the church's new opportunity to reach and minister to the many people living in west Alachua County. WH) (Thanks to Harriet Spangler for the sunrise service pictures.)

Our churches without pastors:
Island Grove, Mt. Carmel, New Hope, Northwest, Pine Grove, and Santa Fe

Free Choir Robes
From Warren Chesser, pastor
Forest Grove Church, Alachua, has 23 burgundy choir robes, worn only a few times, machine washable, with garment bags and hanging racks included. Free to a good home! For more information, call the church at (386) 462-3921 or send an email to warrenone@windstream.net.

Parkview Church, Gainesville, Staff Wanted
Full-Time Director of Children, Youth, and Families and Part-Time Minister of Music
Contact Parkview Church (352/378-2606) or Greg Magruder, pastor,  gregmag@bellsouth.net for details.

“Blaze, Spirit, Blaze: Set our Hearts on Fire,” May 29-31
Parkview Church, Gainesville
Friday 7 p.m. Family Night & BBQ Dinner
Saturday 7 p.m. Guest Night & Gift Giveaway
EVANGELIST: BOB KENDIG
MUSIC EVANGELIST: BRYAN POPIN

Lake Forest Church is searching for a pianist for Sunday mornings and evenings and Wednesday evenings and a youth worker. Please contact Pastor Donald Farley,  352/378-1100 or  by email farleys@embarqmail.com.

From Don Farley, pastor:
Another answer to our prayers has taken place.  We were in dire need of having our retention pond and drainage areas cleaned.  Through one of our new converts, a man came with earthmoving machines and has begun to take care of this need.  Praise the Lord for His blessings. 

National Day of Prayer, May 7
Westside Church will once again host the community-wide National Day of Prayer service on Thursday, May 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. Visiting musicians, lay leaders, and about 15 area ministers will lead the Gainesville area in a time of celebration, meditation, and focused prayer.

In the event’s 58th year, the National Day of Prayer commemorates America’s tradition started by the Founding Fathers as they called for prayer during the first Constitutional Congress to undergird and protect our nation through prayer by believers of all walks of life.

For more information, call the church office at 352-333-7700 x 140, or visit http://www.ndptf.org.

Special Honor for Korean War Veterans, Korean Church, Gainesville
Sun., June 7, 4:30 p.m., 6100 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville
The Korean Church invites all Korea War veterans for a celebration in their honor. If you are interested in attending or participating, contact Assoc. Pastor Min-Seok Sohn [minsohn@gmail.com].
[This is a very special service and honor to Korean War veterans. My wife and I attended last year's service and enjoyed it a great deal. The fellowship with fellow Christians and the Korean food are a great combination! WH]

Westside Church Events
Brazil Crusade 2009 Mission Team
July 20 - July 27, 2009
If you're interested in participating in this exciting trip, contact Sheryl Bennett (sbennett@westsidebaptist.org or 352-333-7700 x126), Missions Coordinator.

Purpose: To shine the light of Christ into the city of Manaus through the crusade so that the people will know and love Christ. See existing churches strengthened and new churches planted and that the people will know and love Christ.

Team objectives:
* Become servants: Serve the local churches and your teammates in preparation and invitation of people to the crusade
* Become evangelists: present the gospel in a simple and culturally relevant way and lead the lost to Christ
* Become disciple makers: Council and pray with those who make decisions at the crusade lead them to a church congregation in Manaus
* Become trainers and models: Help train and assist local church leadership to evangelize and council new believers form new churches
* Become team players: cooperate with the team and carefully follow the strategy

Brazil Crusade 2009 - Follow-up Mission Team
July 25 - August 2, 2009
Leaders: Brian Mikell, (352)226-0717; c, (352) 336-9761; bmikell@ufl.edu, and Dave Gotwalt, (352) 514-7767; c, 331-2599; dgotwalt@joytechconstruction.com.

Purpose: To shine the light of Christ into the city of Manaus through the crusade so that the people will know and love Christ. Acts 1:8 - Church Planting - Evangelism - Discipleship - Follow Up

Team Objectives:
* Present the gospel in a simple and culturally relevant way and lead the lost to Christ
* Follow-up on decisions made during the crusade and disciple new believers.
* Strengthen existing churches through training and assisting them in evangelism/follow-up/discipleship/ leadership/church planting
* Become team players: cooperate with the team and carefully follow the strategy

If I am a son of God, nothing but God will satisfy my soul; no amount of comfort, no amount of ease, no amount of pleasure, will give me peace or rest. If I had the full cup of all the world's joys held up to me, and could drain it to the dregs, I should still remain thirsty if I had not God.
    ... G. A. Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929), The Wicket Gate

 

Missions/Ministry News and Events

 From the Church & Community Ministries Director:

 

Thank you to all the churches that donated women’s underwear to the Rape Crisis Center. They were grateful for the donation. We gave 50 hygiene kits to St. Francis House this month also. Thank you to those who donated items for the kits.

 

Thank you, Sardis Baptist Church, for providing ten Easter baskets to a family in which the grandmother is raising ten of her grandchildren. She was so pleased. She recently has been given custody of a two-month old child. Please lift her up in your prayers.

 

During the month of May we will be collecting snacks and drinks for a day camp that will take place at the Tower Road Triangle area. The day camp will be June 15-July 17, Monday through Thursday. If you would like to volunteer to help with this or donate snacks, please let me know.

 

The Mobile Dental Clinic will be at FBC of Alachua on June 1-5. If you would like to volunteer for a four-hour time slot to fill out paperwork or witness to clients, please call me. We will also be giving out hygiene kits during this time.

 

Thank you for all your support and prayers. This truly is a great association.

 

 

Christians Concerned for the Community, a local nonprofit community development organization in Gainesville, is looking for summer interns:

This internship will be an opportunity to join CCC as we work in the Alachua County area. You will take part in Christian community development first-hand as you join in on real ministry service projects, meeting people’s spiritual needs, and fostering human development within our community. You will learn models of ministry from the CCC staff, learn compassion for the poor and disadvantaged in our world, and learn to love through practical means. Other than our program, we can also use people who are graphic artists, advertising/marketing, or have other organization skills!

For application requests or inquiries, please visit www.cccgainesville.org (and go to the 'Internship' tab), call 352.371.1768, email cccgainesville@yahoo.com, or just download our application! I'd be glad to talk with you about the internship!

Ericson Frank
Executive Director
Christians Concerned for the Community
PO Box 14582
Gainesville, FL 32604
352 371 1768
www.cccgainesville.org
A member of Christian Community Development Association: http://www.ccda.org

 

Better to be a jerk that knees than a knee that jerks.

 

Book Report
Author Seeks to Offer 'Eyewitness' Account of Christ's Life
By Ken Camp
April 3, 2009

More than a dozen years ago, computer programmer Frank Ball became consumed with a passion to tell the story of Jesus in a compelling way for a contemporary audience.

"Just tell the story first. It causes people to live the event and learn by that experience," he said.

So, Ball set out to do exactly that—retell the story of Christ's life in chronological sequence in a simple, engaging way that would remain true to the Scriptures and serve as an effective evangelistic tool.

From the Eyewitness web site:
The Bible's Information on the Life of Christ
Put into a Chronological Story that Reads Like a Novel

Eyewitness reaches people who don't usually go to church.

Of the millions of Americans who don't go to church, 56 percent consider themselves Christian. If they knew what Jesus said and did, they would know the importance of networking and reaching out to help others. While Bibles sit on coffee tables and bookshelves at home, gathering dust, people pick up Eyewitness and don't want to put it down. Not only does it use language that is easily understood, it pulls readers into the story, almost like walking with Jesus in the first century.

 

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.
    ... Bishop Handley Moule (1841-1920)

Think on These Things

Strong Enough
"We can't start a new church because our church is not strong enough to take care of our own obligations," a pastor was heard to say. This is often the reason an existing church gives for not getting involved in church planting. It is not, however, completely accurate because churches with limited resources can help start a new church. Furthermore, the Bible encourages all churches to be involved in church planting in one way or another. Clearly stated in the Great Commission and Acts 1:8, the people of God are to multiply and start new churches among all peoples and all cultures. With God's help every church is strong enough to help start a new church. Below are listed some affirmations regarding the planting of new churches.

Church planting . . .
Is biblically based.
Is essential to evangelizing the world.
Must be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Trusts the God who calls us to be faithful.
Sees all people needing the gospel.
Must follow the New Testament in honoring diversity.
Must be indigenous to the local context.
Demands hard work.
Must include ministry to the whole person.
Must be sacrificial in nature, honoring God through sacrifice.
Is about reaching all people in our cities as well as rural areas.
Depends far more on the call of God than on human factors, buildings and finances.

As these statements emphasize faith, trust, commitment, sacrifice, evangelism and ministry. It is easy to see how every viable New Testament church is strong enough to help start a new church!

Art Taylor, New Work Director
Jacksonville Association

 LifeWay Research Finds Economy Challenging Churches but Providing Opportunities
Written by David Roach and staff
Protestant churchgoers in America remain generous during difficult economic times, and their churches have increased their ministry to the needy. Despite the country being in an official recession for the past year, giving in 2008 was up an average of 4 percent over 2007 according to a survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors by LifeWay Research.

"While many sectors of the economy have taken a clear step back in the last year, Protestant churches have held their own," said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research.

How’s Your Church Doing Financially?
Most churches are getting less money in the offering plate and are making cutbacks in spending, some of them drastic. While you depend on the Lord to sustain you and your church, I hope these articles from LifeWay help:

For Churches, a Right and a Wrong Way to Cut Staff
By Greg Warner, Religion News Service   
April 16, 2009
LAKELAND, Fla. (RNS)—As many congregations grapple with declining contributions, some faith communities are following the lead of cash-strapped corporations by laying off employees. But the stakes are higher, congregational leaders say, when you’re putting someone’s spiritual leader out on the street.

Churches never have been good at this. “Terminal niceness” keeps congregations from dealing honestly with unneeded or ineffective staff members, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch told ministers recently.

Church Budget-Cutting: Prudent Planning Or Excessive Anxiety?
By Greg Warner, Special to New Voice Media   
April 17, 2009
As the nation’s economic crisis seeps further into congregations, budget cuts are the order of the day. But are churches reacting more to fear than facts? The financial pain for churches is real. But evidence is mixed about how much member giving is suffering right now and how widespread—or necessary—budget cutting has become.

If you listen to the conversation between pastors, however, it’s clearly the topic on top of their minds.

“I know of one (church finance) committee that wanted to make 33 percent cuts based on computer projections,” reported Michael Smith of First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro, Tenn. “Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, the need was shared with the church, and the need for such a major cut evaporated.”

Immortal Urban Legend: It Just Isn't True!

By Marv Knox

In the beginning (yes, it seems that long ago), the rumor went like this: Madalyn Murray O'Hair, whose court battles impacted Bible reading and sanctioned prayer in public schools, appealed to the Federal Communication Commission to get Bible reading and religious programming removed from TV broadcasts.

 

End of the World? Not in My Lifetime, Most Say
By Erin Roach, Baptist Press   
Published: April 16, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Despite any popular doomsday predictions, most Americans aren’t concerned the end of the world will occur in their lifetimes, according to a new study by LifeWay Research.

Only 11 percent of 1,600 people who participated in a survey on the topic said they agree with statement, “I believe that the world will end in my lifetime,” LifeWay Christian Resources reported.

Survey: Americans Open to Outreach from Churches
Written by David Roach
Despite worries among evangelicals that Americans are set against attending church, most people would attend if invited in the right manner.

A recent study by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and LifeWay Research found that 67 percent of Americans say a personal invitation from a family member would be effective in getting them to visit a church. A personal invitation from a friend or neighbor would effectively reach 63 percent.

Christianity Today Movies
Check here for reviews of current movies from a Christian perspective.

From the Florida Baptist Witness:
2008 ACP: Southern Baptists Give More to Missions but Lose Members, Baptize Fewer
NASHVILLE (LWCR) - Southern Baptists gave 2.3 percent more to missions last year despite the economic downturn, but they lost members and baptized the fewest number of people since 1987, according to the denomination's Annual Church Profile (ACP), compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in conjunction with Baptist state conventions.

Florida Baptists Report Banner Year in Number of Baptisms & Churches
By Barbara Denman, Florida Baptist Witness
JACKSONVILLE (FBC) --The 2008 church year was a banner one for Florida Baptists as they baptized 41,790 new believers into the Kingdom and netted an additional 96 new congregations, underlining the Florida Baptist Convention's continuing emphasis on the priorities of evangelism, starting new churches, and strengthening existing congregations.

Should I worship Him from fear of hell, may I be cast into it. Should I serve Him from desire of gaining heaven, may He keep me out. But should I worship Him from love alone, may He reveal Himself to me, that my whole heart may be filled with His love and presence.
... Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929), Meditations on Various Aspects of the Spiritual Life [1926]

For Those Who Endured to the End

A LETTER FROM A COUNTRY BUMPKIN AT BOOT CAMP

Dear Ma & Pa:

Am well. Hope you are. Tell brother Walt & Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile.

Tell them to join up quick before maybe all of the places are filled. I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m., but am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt & Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad; they git warm water.

Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc. ... but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food. But tell Walt & Elmer you can always sit between two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you till noon, when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

We go on "route" marches, which the drill Instructor says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it is not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice, but awful flat. The drill instructor is like a schoolteacher. He nags some. The captain is like the school board. Majors & colonels just ride around & frown. They don't bother you none. This next will kill Walt & Elmer with laughing.

I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk and don't move. And it ain't shooting at you, like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. Be sure to tell Walt & Elmer to hurry & join before other fellers get into this setup & come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,
Gail

P. S. Speaking of shooting, enclosed is $200 towards a new barn roof & ma's teeth. The city boys shoot craps, but not very good.

It Sounds Like the Beach Boys!
"Baa Baa, We're Lambs" is great. Take a look at this funny and inspiring video.

Farmer Builds Model of Biblical Temple
A retired farmer in England has spent more than 30 years building an enormous scale model of a biblical temple.
See the pictures of this amazing feat of art and architecture. (Thanks to Will Shafer, Northwest Church, for the tip.)

Warning! Watch Out for This Gang!
Police say that the gang usually is composed of four members, one adult and three younger ones. While the three younger ones, all appearing sweet and innocent, divert their "mark" (or intended target) with a show of friendliness, the fourth -- the eldest -- sneaks in from behind the person's back to expertly rifle through his or her pocket or purse for any valuables.
Be on the alert!!!
Scroll down to see a photo from a recent attack that was captured on film ...