Memorial Day Weekend (May 26, 2009)
I trust that you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Yesterday, our family was able to have some quality time together. We strolled for a five mile walk along the Chattahooche River and were able to take in an IMAX presentation of Mt. Everest at the local infantry museum. As we entered the new museum on Fort Benning, I was reminded of the price that many have paid for our freedom. How great it is to live in a miltary town where we are constantly reminded of the great military personnel of our country who have promoted democracy both here and abroad.
This past week we were also able to witness some experience the ultimate freedom - the freedom from sin. On Wednesday night, Curtis Dixon visited our church and walked the aisle to trust Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Amen! In addition, we saw one precious bus kid receive Christ this week and nine soldiers stand to receive Christ at our Fort Benning Bible studies. Praise the Lord!
We are happy to announce that James Lyons, our comptroller, was unanimously called as the next pastor of Camp Creek Baptist Church in Cornelia, Georgia. Brother Lyons has been at our church for 21 years and has served on staff in virtually every capacity. We are sad to see him and Ruth leave us, but we are thrilled that God has opened this door of opportunity for them. Brother Lyons will assume pastoral responsibilities in North Georgia on June 7.
Don't forget about upcoming events at Grace. On June 3, we will have a touring ensemble from Pensacola Christian College. June 8 begins Vacation Bible School. And our teens will be going to youth camp June 15-19.
Please keep us in prayer this week as we follow up on those who have recently been saved and seek more sinners to come into the family.
Graduation Festivities (May 18, 2009)
This week concluded our graduation festivities for Grace Christian School. On Thursday evening, Todd Sasek, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Great Falls, Montana, and long-time director of Southland Christian Camp in Ringgold, Louisiana, was our Baccalaureate speaker. Todd delivered a wonderful message from Psalm 37 encouraging our graduates to be secure, satisfied, steadfast, and silent. You can listen to his message by logging on to our website. It was our privilege to present Pastor Sasek with the Chris Hanks Award. The Chris Hanks Award, given in honor of our long-time former youth pastor, is given to a man of God who has greatly impacted America's youth. Todd has done a wonderful work in the lives our young people through the years at Southland, and it was our privilege to honor him for doing so.
On Friday morning, our annual awards chapel was conducted. Among the recipients of special recognition were Daniel Liedtke who placed first in the nation in fine arts competition for classical piano duet, Tyler Wood whose writings on the state of Georgia earned him a reception with the governor today, and Ryan Butler who was Georgia's best expository preacher. We praise the Lord for these and many others who were rewarded for excellent academic achievement.
After a concluding luncheon with our teachers, we gathered again in the auditorium of Grace for the 27th annual commencement exercises of Grace Christian School. Our featured speaker was Dr. Joel Mullenix, the vice president of Pensacola Christian College. Dr. Mullenix, a dear friend to this preacher, presented some wonderful attributes from the life of David that should characterize each graduate. It was a timely address.
Also at commencement, Dan Liedtke, who will be studying music and Bible translation at Pensacola Chrisian, delivered the valedictory address, while DeBorah Jordan was our salutatorian. Deborah also received the President's Award for exemplifying the characteristics we most desire in our graduates. Trina Lyles was given the teacher of the year award for her fantastic performance as our daycare supervisor and K-4 teacher. Ryan Butler was given the Preacher Boy of the Year Award.
On Sunday, our "teen theme" continued. I preached Sunday morning on "Teen Challenge" from the life of Daniel. The altar was filled, and you can listen to the message by logging on to our website.
Last night, our annual teen service was held. The teens provided all the choir and special music. They covered virtually every aspect of the service. Ryan Butler preached a good message on the "University of Adversity," and the night was concluded with a powerful message from our youth pastor, Brandon Chambers, on how youth pastors are "Bridge Builders." It was a great day!
Our buses were slightly up from previous weeks. Four children prayed to receive Christ as Savior in the counseling center of bus church. We have seen ten kids accept Christ in the last two weeks. Praise the Lord!
On the base this week, we ministered to 193 soldiers. 45 of these included army officers who gathered for a special prayer breakfast on Wednesday morning. What a privilege it was for me to preach on family issues to these men and women. Thanks to the Ingrams for making this possible. All totaled, we saw 16 soldiers stand to receive Christ in our various Bible studies this week. We praise the Lord for the way He is using our military ministry.
Our chapel in Lumpkin also had slightly increased attendance yesterday. We praise the Lord for this.
All totaled, we saw 613 in Sunday School yesterday with 646 for the morning worship service. Amen!
Our new national radio broadcast, A Touch of Grace, will be presented to various radio markets this week. Pray that God will give our new outreach a wide circulation.
Also, we are hopeful that our new website will be up and runing this week. Continue to log on. I think you will be impressed with the changes.
Keep praying for us. We can never have too much prayer.
Mother's Day Weekend (May 11, 2009)
I trust that you had a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend. Mother's Day is always a special day for me as I recall my godly mother and the tremendous influence that she has had and continues to have in my life. Janet Amsbaugh is the greatest human reason that I am in the ministry today. Because of her godly influence and example, I was well aware of the important character traits that epitomize a successful mother. This helped tremendously in the selection of a wife. And Karen every day exemplifies the Biblical standard of motherhood. What a tremendous privilege to see the influence of her life in the souls of our three daughters. I am blessed beyond measure to have been surrounded by such great moms.
Our services yesterday focused on our adult department, and specifically upon motherhood. A good number of decisions were made at the altar. Yesterday morning's message, "A Gift for the Oldest Mother," can be heard by logging on to our website.
Speaking of websites, our new advanced website, which will be available for all servers, should be uploaded in just a couple of days. Keep checking us out!
The radio broadcast is also developing quickly. We covet your prayers as we seek to find available markets for this national ministry.
A good number of visitors graced our church house yesterday. We are thankful for these new contacts, and we covet your prayers as we seek to follow them up.
Our military ministry was attended by 159 soldiers this week. 18 of these stood to receive Christ as personal Savior. Pray for us as the Lord opens new doors on post. We are currently in negotiations about a Saturday night Bible study, and new opportunities at Fort Benning's reception station are also available. We are excited about the Lord taking this ministry to a new level. Wednesday morning I will be speaking on post at a prayer breakfast. Pray that God will give me liberty.
Don't forget that our mid-week service will be moved to Thursday this week for GCS graduation week. Todd Sasek, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Great Falls, Montana, will be our special speaker. For many years, Todd was the director of Southland Christian Camp in Ringgold, Louisiana. We are excited about having him come.
Our 27th annual commencement exercises will be held on Friday evening. Dr. Joel Mullenix from Pensacola Christian College will deliver the commencement address. Dr. Mullenix has been a great friend to this preacher, and has exhibited tremendous administrative skills in helping all the GCS graduates who have chosen PCC to further their education. We are happy that he has consented to come.
This coming Sunday will conclude our Sunday School campaign, Operation John the Baptist, as we concentrate on the Teen Department. Our annual teen service will take place in the evening. This Sunday is also "Picture Yourself in Sunday School." We wil be taking our annual church picture after the morning worship service. We just can't picture Grace Baptist Church without you being there.
Do keep us in your prayers this week. Your support of this ministry means much to us.
A New Baptism (May 04, 2009)
We are thankful for the way the Lord blessed our services yesterday. A good number of visitors were in attendance. Some were from the city locally, some were from states as far away as Illinois, and some were from countries as far away as South Korea. We had a wonderful time around the Word of God, and some solid decisions were made at the altar.
Jonathan Medley, who was led to the Lord by a missionary to the Jews, has been growing in his faith. Though he has been bombarded by Mormon influences, he has remained strong in his commitment to the Jesus of the Bible as his Messiah. It was my privilege to plunge Jonathan beneath baptismal waters yesterday and welcome him as the newest member of Grace Baptist Church. Amen!
The Lord is opening doors for expansion in our military ministry. The Ingrams gained a new supporting church this week, and much discussion is in the works for a new Fort Benning Bible study on Saturday nights. This past week we ministered again to 141 soldiers with 13 of them standing to receive Christ as personal Savior. Praise the Lord! I will be speaking at a special military prayer breakfast this month. Pray that God will use me to be a blessing.
One of our bus kids, who was baptized several weeks ago, brought her mother to witness the event. When we followed up in the home to thank the mother for visiting, we were able to lead the father to Christ. Amen! Pray that we will be able to disciple Anthony Douglas.
On the school front, our annual sports banquet was conducted on Friday evening with our athletic director Joey Harmon moderating the festivities. Numerous students were presented with MVP awards and Christian character awards. Deborah Jordan and Josh Farmer were presented with the annual Crusader Cup for the best overall female and male Crusader.
Our school year is winding down to an end. K-5 Graduation is this Friday night. The following night will be our annual commencement exercises with Dr. Joel Mullenix serving as graduation speaker.
Don't forget that this upcoming Sunday is Mother's Day. Our Sunday School campaign, which concentrates on a different division of our Sunday School each week, will this week feature the adult department. We certainly are thankful for our adult coordinator, Earl Sears, and for each of our ten adult Sunday School teachers. In addition to featuring the adult department, we will be giving gifts to all mothers in attendance. Don't miss it.
Thank you for your continued interest in Grace Baptist Church. Your support means much to us.
Under the Grip of Grace,
Jeff Amsbaugh
