2021 July news letter article

We spent Wednesday and Sunday of last week honoring Pastor Luke Long for his excellent ministry to our children and youth over the past two years.  We are sad to see Luke leave our church for another ministry but share his excitement as God continues to use and develop this highly capable young Gospel minister.  I am glad our church had a role in his pastoral growth by ordaining him to the Gospel ministry, mentoring him with so many seasoned believers in this church, and loving him and Ashley during their tenure with us.  We were certainly blessed by his energy, ability, and leadership.  Like many of you, I loved his weekly children’s sermon videos!  We wish them God-speed and the best as they enter a new calling in a new church around Richmond, Virginia.
 
His leaving of course leaves us with a big hole to fill with our youth and children’s ministries.  Our children and youth are a top priority for this church, which is why we sought Luke in the first place.  Filling such a vacancy is not easy and often takes time.  The Personnel Committee and Deacons are now meeting to discuss this position and how our church staff should look as we go forward.  We ask for your patience so we can make the right decision at the right time.  Most of all, I ask for your diligent prayer as we seek God’s guidance on filling this position.
 
We are also seeking people within our church to keep the Wednesday evening and Sunday morning children and youth ministries moving during the interim period.  We will provide coordination and oversight in the church office but need some assistance, especially in the following areas:
-Adult assistant to assist the youth teacher on Wednesday evenings.  This may be a parent, or other adult to be consistently present and assist with games and activities.
-Adult assistant to assist the youth teacher on Sunday mornings during Sunday School. 
 
If you have any suggestions on the long-term staffing of our youth and children ministries, or if you can assist with the above needs, please contact Ronald Watts (chairman of Deacons), Missy Moore (chairperson of the Personnel Committee) or myself.  We would love to hear from you!
 
Just for your planning and information, here is a list of our children and youth ministries:
 
Wednesday Evening
-SONquest Wednesday Evening.  Bible study, fun activity, and fellowship. Leader: Lisa Ore.
Meets in the SONquest Room downstairs from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
-Youth Wednesday Evening.  Bible study and fellowship.  Leader: David Burroughs.  Meets in third floor youth room from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
 
Sunday Morning
-Children’s Sunday School: school aged children’s Sunday School lesson and activities.  Leader: Mark & Missy Moore.  Meets in SONquest room from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM.
-Youth Sunday School.  Youth aged Sunday School.  Leader: Colby Mabe.  Meets in third floor youth room from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM.
-Youth and Children parents.  A new Sunday School class for the parents of youth and children.  Teaches similar lessons to what the children and youth are learning to assist parents in discipling their children and youth at home.  Leader: Ronald & Ann Watts.  Meets in conference room beside SONquest from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM.
-SONquest Children’s Church worship and fellowship.  Leader: teams rotate every 3 weeks.  Meets in the SONquest Room downstairs from 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM on Sundays.
-Nursery care for toddlers and below.  Leader: teams rotate every 3 weeks.  Meets in the nursery.
 
As you can see, our church offers a robust set of activities and opportunities for children and youth.  Except for the two teachers to assist as listed above, all we need now is for the parents and grandparents to bring their children and youth to be a part of these events.  I urge you all to make an extra effort to get children or youth here and to invite someone (or bring them) to be a part of these vital ministries.
 
On other matters, in July we will begin a short preaching series from Revelation “From Now to Eternity: The Church in the Last Days,” looking at the present day and future church as seen from the Apostle John’s vision.  This fits nicely with our study in Acts.  Acts shows us how the church age began, this series looks at how it ends.  We will return to Acts in late August.  
 
On July 11, we will observe the Lord’s Supper as part of our morning worship service.  Also, I look forward to seeing our Choir back in July.
 
July begins, of course, with our national 4th of July celebration.  As Americans, take time to be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and for our nation, which makes these freedoms possible.  We have heard much this year about our faults as a nation, but I want to emphasize the great privilege and freedom we enjoy from living in America.  Celebrate that this year in some way.  Make time this month to pray for our nation, its leaders, and for God to bring about revival to our land.  If God does send revival, are we at FBC Walnut Cove willing to be a part of taking the Gospel to our community?  I sure pray that we are!  God bless you and your families.  Please stay safe this summer.
 
Pastor Jim