Pastor’s Quarterly Report — October 13, 2016
As I write
this report we are in the midst of several weeks of emphasis on outreach at
Boothbay Baptist Church. Car Care
brought together a team of about a dozen people who served the community by
checking over the cars of some of our neighbors for safety and maintenance
issues. It allowed us to partner with a couple of local garages who gave
discounted oil changes and free inspections to some who had needs. The people
who came through were very thankful for the help, and were receptive to receive
Gospels of John and information about our church. Friend Day on October 2nd was a good time of fellowship
at our church breakfast, and the morning service provided an opportunity to
focus on our visitors with a clear gospel message emphasizing God’s grace. Tonight (October 5th) Eric Brown
from Word of Life ministries will be here once again to lead an exciting FASCAR event, which always includes a
clear gospel message for children (and the adults who are present!).
We are
also nearing our goal of twenty “trunks” for our “Trunk or Treat” event at the end of October, which is designed as a
Halloween alternative for children in the community. It is always an exciting
night of ministry as kids enjoy a barrel ride, a bounce house, and a visit from
our friendly Boothbay Fire Department.
We’ll have Child Evangelism Fellowship here painting faces and sharing
the gospel with children, and this year, Eric Brown (WOL) will also be here to
share with teens and children who pass through. The Cains will once again host
a “prayer trunk” and offer to pray for the needs of any of our neighbors who
come. We typically give out hundreds of
gospel tracts, as well as Gospels of John and Bibles to anyone who will take
them. Be in prayer for this event and consider participating, either through
decorating your “trunk” or by helping with the bounce house, greeting table, or
food.
For
several months we have been introducing the principles of the LaserChurch ministry in the weekly
sermons, and plan to begin a Sunday School series focusing on these principles
on October 23rd. Jim Beliasov
and the elders will help me lead the class. The “focus” of the series is on
developing a church-wide vision for outreach that involves every member in
embracing our calling to reach out to their primary mission field, that is the
small group of people, usually between 8 and 15 individuals, that God has
sovereignly and strategically placed in your close sphere of influence. Statistically, 95% of the people who come to
faith are influenced primarily by someone in such a close relationship. This is not something new, but rather we are
calling the church back to our mission to be God’s witnesses right where he has
placed us. Are you willing to be available for God to use? Start by joining us
in the adult Sunday School!
The fact that we have lost a few members this year is heart-breaking. I
believe that God is most glorified when we determine to be transparent and to
work through any issues together. At the same time, I know that God is
sovereign, and that nothing that has happened caught Him by surprise. We have
the people here that God has put in this church family for this moment in our
history. And I am convinced that we can draw together and be the church He
desires us to be. A key factor is for every member to be a “minister” and a “witness.”
That means using our gifts for the building up of the body, and it means being
ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. It may be that with a smaller team we won’t
be able to do everything that we were doing or hoped to do right now. We can
however seek to do well the ministries that God has gifted and called us to, to
His glory. Your prayers and your
participation are a part of God’s answer! Let’s band together, and let’s see
what He will do.
Your
Co-workers in Christ,
Pastor Steve and Mary Ann
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