Update from the Middle East

May 14th, 2012

Below is a letter that we received this morning from one of the missionary families FBCL supports within an Arab country.  Please remember to pray for all of our brothers and sisters who are taking the gospel to the unreached and unengaged areas in our world.

Dear Friends,

The countdown has come to an end.  We’ll leave for the airport 
tonight and will arrive tomorrow morning in Atlanta.  Last night
I had my last visit with my youngest believer until Fall.  During our
visit several of my Arab friends called to wish me safe travel and a
peaceful return.  Each time the phone rang it was a young woman who I’ve
seen come into the Kingdom over the last three years here.  I felt
honored, humbled, and I thought, “This life is worth it.”

Last week I read the book “The Seven Longings of the Human Heart.”  The
one that stands out to me this morning is the Need for Impact.  The author
says that we all have the desire to impact the world around us and make a
difference.  Last night’s phone calls prove it.  We’ve made a difference. 
Lives are being changed.  Hearts are being healed.  I am hugely grateful
for everyone of you.  You have made a difference in my life.  Your support
and prayers have made a genuine impact.

We are changing the face of the Kingdom in the lives of individuals today.
These individuals are the foundation of a movement that will happen here!
I see it coming.  ”The time has come.  The Kingdom is near.”

I’m excited about visiting the States but I’m more excited about the
church God is building here among my sisters!

Love,

X

Changed [A Big Choir Event]

May 7th, 2012

An evening of worship presented by the Worship Ministry of FBCL celebrating the incredible life-change that comes from knowing Christ.

Childcare provided: birth-3 years.

Learn more about Big Choir>>

Missions Update

May 1st, 2012
I wanted to take a few minutes to give you a quick update highlighting what has gone on through FBCL missions so far in 2012, and what is on the horizon:
1. Thanks to the vision of our church leadership who recognize our need to have a more significant Kingdom impact across the globe, 2012 started off with a 52 percent increase in our foreign missions budget over what we had available in 2011! So before Ronnie and our leadership even began speaking publicly about our desire to rescue those in need (spiritually and physically), they had already taken action!
2. Even though the Ramsey family is fully supported as IMB missionaries in South Asia, we wanted to set up an account for them out of our annual budget where they could quickly pull funds for ministry opportunities presented to them. We were able to set aside $100 a month for them to have access to for various needs that arise in their community. Here is a message they sent me this morning: “We were able to use $100 from FBCL funds to help our (Muslim) driver replace his family’s roof in the village before rainy season. He is very appreciative! Thanks bunches!!!” It’s exciting to hear what God can do with just a small amount, and we’re hopeful that God will open many doors to Himself through gestures like this one!
3. We have been praying for God to open up an opportunity for FBCL to have a strong partnership somewhere in the 10/40 Window (North Africa, Middle East, South Asia – where most of the unreached exist). For years, our partners in Brazil – whose names we cannot post online – have felt called to Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation. Through a partnership with their home church, we are excited to be sending this couple to Turkey to begin their ministry there in only a few weeks time! They will be learning the language there for the first year and also establishing themselves as photographers in the area (they are in need of a good tripod – typically about $200-250 for one – so if anyone would like to help them out with that, let me know!). Most of their monthly support is taken care of, but they could still use a few more supporters in the $25-50/month range. If you’re interested in finding out more about that, please let me know.
4. FBCL folks have already covered about half of Drew Dickerson’s (long-time FBCL member and UGA student) financial need for a mid-term trip (3 months) to a 10/40 nation this summer through the organization Cafe’ 1040. If you would like to help Drew get closer to his goal, please contact me!
5. Our first short-term trip in 2012 saw a team of 15 travel to south India. Hundreds of pastors and thousands of national believers there were taught and encouraged, and many nonbelievers heard the Gospel through village home visits and Gospel meetings. It was a great “first trip” as we seek God’s plan for FBCL in this overwhelmingly lost nation.
6. Around the same time that the team was in India, another team that included two men from our church (Braxton Roberts and Steven Davis) left for the Amazon in Brazil. The team of seven spent a week building a church for a remote village on the Amazon! (Please see the attached photos by Steven – the church was made from a local wood there on site and it is beautiful!)
7. In March 10 of our students went on a short-term trip to Haiti as part of a larger group of about 36 from Loganville Christian Academy. This team conducted a VBS and some sports camps for Haitian children.
8. On June 23rd and June 30th we have two teams going to Romania for some short-term work with the Bruski’s and Belief In Motion. We have 13 on the first team and 23 on the second team, both of which will be doing construction, VBS and other various local ministries.
9. Also on June 23rd and June 30th we have two more teams of nearly 40 people heading to Honduras to do ministry through Joan Tyson’s organization, Good Samaritan. These teams will be doing a lot of work with kids and will be traveling to several villages during this time. The vast majority of these team members are students, for many of whom it will be their first foreign mission trip!
10. In late July we have at least one team going to Alaska where they will be doing some construction and repair work on a Christian summer camp in an isolated village – This camp offers most of the children who attend their only chance at hearing the Gospel, so this is important work!
11. Finally, we are hoping to take another short-term trip in November to do ministry alongside the Ramsey family in South Asia. The details are coming together, so please let me know if you would like more information about this trip (this will be a very small team of 4-6 people).
Thank you all for your support and prayers! It’s so exciting and fulfilling to be a part of a church who is going and sending!
In Christ,

David Cannon
Missions Pastor
770 466 4250 x235

dcannon@fbcloganville.org

Update on the Hope United Center

May 1st, 2012

I just wanted to give you all a quick update on the Hope United Center at Bay Creek Mobile Home Community:

-We are planning an end of the year party on May 16th at the trailer.  There will be pizza, games, prizes and lots more.  We would love it if you could come join in.  This will be our last  regular Wednesday for the after school program (we will start it back on August 22).

-Starting Wednesday May 23-June 27 the Middle School Students will lead a church service at the trailer from 6-8.  It will be a time of worship, fun and fellowship

-We will be hosting a Rock the Block location in Bay Creek Community- June 18-22, from 9-12.  If you want to help with this please contact the church at 770.466.4250.

-We’ll be hosting a Soccer/Cheerleading camp July 16-20 for the kids in the community.  (The soccer camp will be at LHS and the cheerleading camp will be in the church gym)

-We are also working on kicking off a Mothers Morning Out program this summer, along with a morning of Library time. (This would be a time for the kids to come and read or be read to).  This is scheduled to start on Thursday, May 24th from 10-11.

-Last but not least-we have had several students that have been very consistent in coming to the trailer every Wednesday afternoon to help.  As a Thank You to them, we are taking them to The Cheesecake Factory on Thursday, May 3rd.

-And finally, THE FIRST FAMILY THAT WE MET IN BAY CREEK WAS TADESA & HER CHILDREN.  HER HUSBAND PABLO HAD BEEN DEPORTED BACK TO QUATEMALA OVER 1 YEAR AGO.  PABLO HAS BEEN WORKING TO GET HIS VISA IN ORDER AND MOVE BACK TO THE STATES WITH HIS FAMILY.  PRAISE GOD HE WAS ABLE TO COME BACK LAST WEEKEND.  HE IS DOING VERY WELL.  WE ARE WORKING WITH HIM TO GET ALL HIS PAPER WORK HERE IN ORDER (SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, DRIVERS LICENSE ETC) SO THAT HE CAN GET A JOB.  THINGS ARE GOING VERY WELL FOR THEIR FAMILY.  I ASK THAT YOU JUST KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.

If you want to get involved at the Hope United Center, please contact the church at 770.466.4250.

Thank you to everyone who makes this outreach ministry happen each and every week!

-Wayne Naugle

 

Kidz Inc Musical

April 30th, 2012

Details >>

Update from Kidz Inc.

April 30th, 2012

From Keith Wages, our Children’s Pastor:

Hey there…I have to admit, the past 2 weeks seem like such a blur to me!  I’m sure that in 2 years I’ll probably say the same thing about the years rather than weeks…but nonetheless, it’s just hard to imagine that I’m a daddy!!!  I’m still just giddy!!!

Anyway, I wanted to touch base with you to let you know what’s happened this past month in Kidz Inc. and what’s coming up.

First of all, last month we completed our first ever Bible Drill.  Barbara Jarvis and her team did a FABULOUS job preparing our kids to compete.  All in all, we had 6 that went on to become Bible Drill State Champions.  They are: Ricky Haller, Vincent Tapia, Ethan Hardin, Jessica McNeil, Emma Laine Robinson, and Walt Gaines.  They represented Kidz Inc, FBCL, and more importantly God, extremely well!!!

Also, we have had 3 kids get baptized this month.  Landon McCart, Colby Freeman, and Reagan Schultz.
We have wrapped up our virtue of HopeBelieving something good can come out of something bad.  Our memory verse this past month was John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  Kind of goes against a certain well known preacher who writes books and tells them that if they love God, everything will be great.  We made sure that the kids understood this was NOT the case!  Bottom line, if Jesus said we will have trouble…then we WILL have trouble!  Sorry, I’m off my soapbox now!
Coming up in May, we will look at ResponsibilityShowing you can be trusted with what’s expected of you.  Our memory verse will be Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”  We’ll be looking at the parable of the talents; how our words matter (Ephesians 4:29); the parable of the Good Samaritan; and the Greatest Commandment from Matthew 22.  It is sure to be a great kick start to the summer!!!
Lastly, we have had registration open for awhile for our Kidz Inc. Musical Camp this summer.  Wednesday May 9th will be auditions for solos and speaking parts.  We are excited to see what these kids can do!!!
If you ever have any questions about Kidz Inc, you can always contact me at 770.466.4250, x246 or by email.

Letting His Light Shine in His Office . . .

April 3rd, 2012

“I’ve recently applied something I picked up while serving in the preschool ministry with my wife  and applied it to an area of my life. I’ve always struggled with anger issues. I have a bit of a temper, most would say a short fuse. This is especially evident in my work.

A few months back, the children’s memory verse was Matthew 5:16: In the same way, let you light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This verse has stuck with me ever since. I’ve even printed it out and have it taped to the lower corner of my work computer screen. It serves as a constant reminder to me to “be a light”. This has been a tremendous help in my daily work. Anytime I feel angered, or feel like I might get cross or short with someone, I just remind myself to “be a light” and respond and think in a godly manner.

I recently had my annual review and one of the comments was about how recently I had made remarkable and great improvements on my customer service skills and was more polite.

I just wanted to thank you and share the blessing I’ve gotten from our little area of service.”

-Brian, father & preschool volunteer

Proposed Directors

March 7th, 2012

The following men have been nominated from the Ministry Team Representatives to serve as Directors for FBCL.  The Directors will serve as overseers of the church who evaluate the effectiveness and direction of the church according to the our mission and core values, resources and doctrine.

Questions? Contact John Jessup at 770.466.4250, x224.

Bill Inabinet

Dale Bradford

Larry Blenk

David Britt

Joe Wright

Dick Ackerman

Jim Bonner

Matt Britt

Bear Keeling

 

   Bobby Roberts

 


Jim Nix

FBCL’s Feeding Program

March 6th, 2012

In 2011, counselors in our local schools told us that for many students the only guaranteed meals that they have are at school.

And on the weekends, many students go hungry.

We could not let this happen.

*****

So now, each week members of FBCL provide food bags for these students.

The items listed below are almost always needed.  If you can donate any of these items, you will be helping feed our hungry friends and neighbors.

Individual packets of oatmeal
Canned fruit
Juice Boxes
Bisquick pancake mix & syrup
Boxes of mac & cheese
Individual packets of instant grits
Canned chunky soup
Spaghetti & sauce
Boxes of corn muffin mix
Cans of beef stew
Zatarain’s red beans & rice
Boxes of saltine crackers
Bags of cereal
Granola bars
Cans of Chef-boy-ar-dee

To donate items to the Children’s Feeding Program, simply bring them by the church office during the workday or drop them off in the bins located outside the Student Cafe on Wed nights or Sunday mornings.

Questions? Contact Penny Lowery at 770.466.4250, x231.

Suffering Resources

February 6th, 2012