Salty

You know how Ronnie has been talking about being salt to our communities? We just wanted to take a minute to brag on someone who is doing just that. Shawn Freeman, a member of FBCL and a 5th grade mathematics and science teacher at Pharr Elementary, was recently named Teacher of the Year at his school. (Oh, and did we mention that he and his wife, Liz, serve each week in the Preschool Ministry here??)

Congratulations to Shawn for being recognized by his fellow teachers for this very special honor. And a huge thank you to him and all of the other teachers throughout our community who are living as salt to countless children on a daily basis!

Read more about Shawn's award here>>

If you know of someone without our congregation who is "salty", let us know. Email Stephanie at scannon@fbcloganville.org or post a comment here.

Just a thought...

Hey there gang...as I stated a couple of weeks ago, our small group is going through Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This past week was a cool chapter. Here is a pretty cool exercise that I want to challenge you to do. Go to 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7. Yes, that is the passage about "Love". Take out the word "love" and replace it with YOUR name. Below is what mine looks like:

⁴Keith is patient, Keith is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. ⁵He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs.⁶Keith does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

WOW...if God is love, and we are to be more like Him...and here is our definition of what love is. Sad to say though, that I fall short of that goal! This week...think about it...where do you measure up?

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Nehemiah Project

Concrete never looked so good. If you haven't seen it yet, the slab has been poured for the Student/Expanded Worship Building. We were looking forward to having the drive around graded this week but God had other plans and blessed us with some much needed rain. We'll try again next week. Keep praying and I will post again next week.

Daniel Godfree
Executive Pastor
dgodfree@fbcloganville.org

Salt Shakers: Part 2

On Sunday we'll continue to study what Jesus meant when He said, "You are the salt of the earth". This week we will look at 7 characteristics of salty people. Just to give you a taste (ha ha), a few of the characteristics include: surrendering power, possessing a spiritual appetite and showing compassion to others.

Does that "wet your appetite"?

I know, I know...the cheese factor is out of control today. (Cheese! Ah, I'm not even meaning to do the puns now!)

Stephanie Cannon
Communications Director
scannon@fbcloganville.org

How Do You Eat An Elephant? One Bite At A Time.

Julie & I just returned from a week at Disney in which we celebrated 25 years of marriage. We had such a blessed time meeting Disney characters, riding the rides, taking in the shows, and enjoying the meal plan. This meal plan was basically all you could eat. I have to admit, I ate like Dumbo – each day I fell to the sin of gluttony. I like all-you-can-eat places because you usually leave full. I was reminded that each day I have an opportunity to “become full” – not with food, but with the Spirit. Each day I have an opportunity to partake of “solid food” (Hebrews 5:14) – the teachings from the Word of God. Everyday God puts before me the opportunity to get my fill of spiritual things. These days I am learning to put the fork down faster, go to my knees more often, and stay in the Word longer.

Just want to remind you all that Christians need other Christians – for accountability, encouragement, and fellowship. If you are not in a Life Group (Sunday School or Small Group) here at First Baptist, I encourage you to go to the Hospitality Suite and inquire as to how you can get plugged in. I truly believe the best place here at First Baptist to grow as a disciple is in a Life Group.

Rick Bene
Family Ministries Pastor
rbene@fbcloganville.org

Small Group Retreat

Hey there everyone...I know that some of you may be thinking, "Gee, does Keith head up small groups or children's ministry" due to my constant promotion of small groups...but I have to tell you guys what a great weekend we had. It seems like forever ago, Matt Medlin suggested that we go to Murphy, NC to a cabin for the weekend. Well, it finally came, and let me tell you what a great deal it was. First of all, the price was less than $120 per night for a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom cabin with flatscreen tv, wireless internet, and a hot tub!!! We ended up getting both cabins (they are identical) and were literally right off the Hiawassee River. The weekend was full of relaxation, tubing down the river, great meals, and great company. Also, we went to the "No Name Ice Cream Parlor" and it was INCREDIBLE!!! Lastly, it wasn't "that" far away...it took about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there! Check out the link if you are interested in a great inexpensive getaway for your small group, or even your family!

http://hiwasseerivercabins.com/home.htm

Since I was not here on Sunday...a big THANK YOU to Beth and Scott Dihigo for heading up Children's Church; Nikki and Cameron Franklin for teaching the Word segment during Children's Church; and Malia Whitley for getting all the props together for me! These great workers made it possible for me and my wife to enjoy a mini-vacation and not worry about what was going on here while we were gone! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor
kwages@fbcloganville.org

The Foundation is Laid!

Just as Daniel told us in the last blog entry, the foundation for the new building was the next step in our progress towards housing students on Sunday nights and doubling as as an expanded worship area for Sunday mornings.

Well, that foundation is now a reality. God has been so faithful in blessing us with so many that have also been incredibly faithful in giving on a regular basis, so we figure the least we could do is keep you up to date with some photos of the progress. So, here are a few of the latest work.

The Nehemiah Project Update

I know many of you have been wondering what's been happening with The Nehemiah Project lately. As you know, two years ago we created a ten year comprehensive plan for our church called "The Nehemiah Project." The NP included plans and strategies for growth, finances, buildings and our process for ministry. Just as we unrolled the plan the economy went south. That's not entirely a bad thing!

We've learned a lot over the past two years. We've learned that money is fleeting and family is first. We can't always keep the things we have but as long as we have our families we have all we need. Many of us have learned to relax a little bit more and not take life so seriously. As a church we've learned that planning isn't futile but it has to be flexible. When God gets ready to make a wholesale change in the way we think and live we either change the way we think and live or we miss out on what God wants to do next. So we've been changing the way we think and live.

The good news is while we couldn't completely anticipate what God was going to do two years ago the preparations we made allowed us to move along almost seamlessly without having to go back to the drawing board. Our greatest need was space for worship on Sunday mornings and now, added to it, space for our student ministry to meet on Wednesday evenings. The easy change at that point was to forgo building a Sanctuary that we could no longer afford and instead build the Student Ministry Building, that was meant to be last, and let it double as an Expanded Worship Area. And that brings us to the purpose of my blog today.

If you creep around the back side of the Education Building today you will see what we have been waiting so long to see...progress! The Student Ministry/Expanded Worship Building is currently under construction. As of today the asphalt and concrete have been removed, the site graded and formed, pipes laid, gravel poured and by the end of the week a foundation should be in place. The estimated time for the building to be dried in is eight weeks. I will keep you posted on the progress from week to week.

We currently have enough money to dry in the building with approximately $20,000 left over. The second phase includes finishing the inside to the point of obtaining a certificate of occupancy. It includes dry wall, carpet, insulation, sprinklers, lights and HVAC. At that point the Student Ministry will move in and begin using the facilities. The second phase will cost approximately $120,000 meaning we will need to raise $100,000 in addition to the $20,000 we will have in hand to allow the building to be usable by our Student Ministry. Phase three will be the final phase which will include extra lighting, sound and simulcast system allowing us to begin using the building as an Expanded Worship area that will house approximately 280-300 people. This phase will cost around $110,000.

We need you to do something for us to make the dream a reality. We need you to pray and we need you to give. This is something, with God's help, that we can accomplish together. The building itself will be exciting but the joy will come in knowing that we aren't giving up on reaching the community around us for Christ, no, we are moving forward full steam ahead. We believe God has greater plans for us than we have ever dreamed up on our own and we are following Him. In Hebrews 11:6, 2 Chronicles 16:9, and verses scattered all over the Bible we are reminded that God desires to reward and strengthen those who follow Him with all of their heart. Seek Him with all of your heart and ask God if He would have you be involved in the work He is doing at FBCL.

I love you guys and look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Don't forget to invest in someone this week and invite them to come connect with God. Ronnie is beginning a new series on being the "salt of the earth" and I promise you don't want to miss it.

In Him,


Daniel Godfree
Executive Pastor
dgodfree@fbcloganville.org

Student Ministry - Grace

Over the past month our student ministry has been studying “Grace”. I have been amazed and challenged at how little we know and understand about His grace. God’s grace is truly amazing and displayed perfectly through Jesus Christ Who was grace upon grace. This last month has been humbling as we have looked at how grace really works. It shows me that there are a lot of students and adults that may have head-knowledge of grace but never experienced it for themselves.

Last week was also a great victory for me personally as I had the opportunity to lead one of the football players to Jesus on a Tuesday morning. I’ve spent a year investing in him and just hanging out. I can honestly say none of it seemed like a sacrifice. It was fun and very rewarding. My prayer for us, as a student ministry, is that we truly live God’s grace and experience His power. Anyone can draw a crowd. . .We want to see God move. Our bottom line in student ministry continues to be bringing damage to satan’s kingdom. Thank you for your prayer and support.

-Wayne Naugle

Student Pastor

wnaugle@fbcloganville.org

Long Weekend and GREAT workers!!!

Hey there everyone...I am sure that you all enjoyed the long weekend as much as I did! I know with the weather, football, the grill...man, it was a great weekend! But enough about that...I wanted to take a minute to brag about some of our great workers: the Tapia's. Vincent and Joy Tapia have been teaching Sunday school for the children's ministry for the past year and a half. The only problem that I know about the Tapia's is the fact that they are Yellow Jacket fans...but that is quickly overlooked thanks to a great love for the iPhone and all things Mac related! :)

At any rate, I put out a challenge our workers to go out and visit each and every student in the class outside of church. One day last week I saw an update on Facebook that was talking about his 3rd grade class! I thought it was spectacular! They went and saw 2 of the girls in their class cheer on a Saturday a couple of weeks ago. I can tell you that it made those girls' day when they saw their SS teachers there. So, GREAT JOB Vincent and Joy! You guys Rock!!!!!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

PS - If any of you out there see any of the workers doing something great...how about shooting me an email at kwages@fbcloganville.org so that I can brag on them too! THANKS!

Salt Shakers Sermon Series

When you hear someone say, “They are just salt-of-the-earth kinda people” you know exactly what they are saying. They’re talking about genuine people. Good as gold. Tried and true. The real deal.

Beginning this Sunday we’ll spend 5-weeks walking through exactly what Jesus meant in Matthew 5:13 when he said we are to be the salt of the earth. We’ll also dig into some practical application for how to live the life He intends for us.

Salt Shakers :: September 13 – October 11 :: Sunday mornings @ 8:30 am, 9:50 am & 11:10 am

Francis Chan

Some of you may have heard of this guy, but others of you have not. I wanted to take a minute this week and just plug this great pastor named Francis Chan. He is the pastor of a church out in California...but he wrote a book a little over a year ago called Crazy Love. Our small group is going through this book and it is incredible. If you want to feel good about yourself and walk away with a smile on your face...then don't read this book. However, if you want to be challenged, humbled, and pushed to know Jesus more...I strongly encourage you to read it. Just be warned...it can cause major shifts in the way you think and the things you place priority on. Have a blessed week!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

We just wrapped up our monthly staff meeting and I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for the privilege to serve on a team that is so earnestly seeking direction from God. Daniel Godfree (our Executive Pastor) challenged us to begin praying for humble and submissive spirits as we (as a church) pursue God and His plans rather than our own. He reminded us that His plans are always immeasurably more than we can ask. . .or than we can even imagine.

We'd like to ask you to also pray for us. Pray that we will be open to whatever God calls us to and that, as a staff, we will truly live lives worthy of that calling. I think I can confidently speak on behalf of the entire staff when I say Thank You for the chance to serve God here. It is so exciting and humbling to see Him at work daily. . .and to anticipate what He will do in the days to come.

-Stephanie Cannon

Communications Director

(By the way, the photos are also from this morning. Before staff meeting, Darlene & Buddy Lail cooked a delicious breakfast for the entire staff. The food was amazing and it was just a great time to sit and laugh together. The Lail's even made a special breakfast just for Keith, as you can see below.)