What a way to start a new year! The month of January was filled with blessings at FBC! Yes, we had challenges, and yes, we walked through some valleys. Even then the Lord was with us, not abandoning us, which is a blessing. Even now we have those in our family of faith who are walking through valleys, but we’ll never walk through those alone. What a blessing!
January was one of the most fast paced and “historical” months in recent memory. Let’s think of all the blessings the Lord sent our way over the first 31 days of 2024.
We welcomed Emma Parks as our new children’s minister. We’re glad to have Emma and Zach with us, and they have both been a blessing already. Many of you came out to our welcome reception and showed them some love. Thank you for doing that. Continue to pray for Emma as she leads our children’s ministry and use her arrival as a reminder to pray for each member of our staff as they steward the ministries entrusted to them.
Another blessing was our ability to celebrate believer’s baptism. It’s always an awesome experience to begin our time of worship by celebrating a believer’s decision to follow the example of Jesus and take the step of obedience by being baptized. I wish everyone could be “backstage” at least once to hear the excitement each person has as they prepare to enter the baptistry, and then see the excitement on each person’s face as they come up from those waters.
Additionally, we took some historic actions in moving forward with the construction of our new children’s ministry facility. As a church body, you supported the good stewardship of some funds that were entrusted to the church and we’re utilizing those funds to help us move toward the finish line as we complete this task. You also packed out our fellowship hall at our soup and sandwich luncheon to hear more about future steps in this process. It was literally standing room only! And what a joy it was to have a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new building and pray over its use as we seek to reach families in our community. If you’re curious as to how you can help us cross the finish line, please visit https://fbcmilton.org/projectreach.
Just last Sunday we experienced another historical event at FBC, as we ordained five new deacons to the deacon ministry. It’s been some time since we’ve ordained that number of new deacons. You should know that every one of those five has a servant’s heart. Their number one desire is to serve our church family. And it’s not just those five. Our church is blessed by an entire deacon body who truly understands that their calling and function as a deacon is to be the hands and feet of Christ to our church family. Thank you, gentlemen, for your service to FBC!
Finally, I must tell you about a blessing that occurred less than 24 hours ago. As you probably know, our church began a ministry to non-English speakers months ago. The Lord gave Randy and Kathy Jackson a unique skill set and spiritual gifting as he prepared them to serve as missionaries with the International Mission Board of our Southern Baptist Convention. Having spent years as missionaries, God’s providence arranged it so that when they left the mission field, they came to FBC. Now God has brought the mission field right to our doors, and they’re leading the way in helping our church with the ESOL ministry.
Last night our ESOL leaders were able to minister to 39 people. THIRTY NINE! That’s a three with a nine behind it, as in 39! Wow! Never have that many people participated in that ministry. What is so unique about this ministry is that our church can meet a very real need for those who participate in the ministry both physically AND spiritually. As participants begin to learn English, we can share the gospel with them. I hope you understand the potential impact this ministry has. Maybe a participant is here temporarily and eventually moves back home. Imagine that while here and involved in ESOL, they heard the gospel, and were saved. When they go back home, guess what they take with them? Their testimony! The good news of the gospel! They’re able to share the gospel with family and friends. That’s amazing!
You might be interested in learning more about how you can pray for this ministry or help. If so, please reach out to Randy (rjackson@fbcmilton.org). I know he’ll be glad to get you engaged in helping our church serve others in this way. And there’s something we all can do. As you walk around campus and see people who may not look like you or speak the same language you do or hang around the same people you do, offer a wave and a smile. That translates into any language!
What you just read represents the highlights of the past 31 days around FBC. It’s remarkable to see God at work. With all that being said, we need to be reminded of something. The church and God’s people have an enemy, and his desire is always the same: to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
When a church embraces stagnation, the enemy doesn’t care. When a church is content to become a holy huddle that gathers once a week to do the church thing, the enemy isn’t concerned. But let a church get serious about being about the Father’s business, and the enemy takes notice. When a church begins to see increased movement of the Holy Spirit, the enemy will seek to divide and conquer.
Remember the words of Peter. “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Read the instructions of Paul in Ephesians 6:10-18 and get prepared for spiritual battle, because there WILL BE spiritual battle.
As you seek to continue to follow Jesus, the enemy will oppose you. As our church seeks to continue to follow Jesus, the enemy will oppose us. Let’s lay hold of God’s promises as we prepare to encounter Satan’s attempts to discourage us, distract us, and divide us. Because God is for us, no one can be against us (Romans 8:31), “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)!
Let’s continue to move forward to what God is calling us to do!
The View From My Pew 