Things Coming in the Next Month

It is hard to believe that we are almost to the end of the summer break. I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to remind/inform you of a few things that will happen in the next month:

First, our quarterly business meeting is next Wednesday, July 19, at 5:30pm in the sanctuary. We will be voting on two special committees. Here are the committees and those nominated for them:

Stewardship Campaign Committee:
Annabelle Davis, Angela Ergle, Sharon Fielding, Thad Gray, Lynda Martin, Mary Price, Jane Tallent, and Julie White

Building Committee:
Glenda Brown, Stephanie Cain, Joe Douglas, Daniel Gray, Thad Gray, Katrina Hastings, and Chuck Winer

Second, on August 10, we will be distributing backpacks for children at Pinewood Elementary School. This will be in conjunction with their open house from 5-7pm. They will have a brief meeting with parents/students, and then release the children to pick up a backpack, eat hog dogs, and play on inflatables. We need your help on that night, and we will have sign-ups lists available soon at the information center in the lobby of the church.

Third, at the beginning of the year, the staff shared with the church that we believed God was calling us to become a church who makes disciples who make disciples. We started a few connect groups early this summer to allow us to train leaders, and we will officially launch our connect groups on August 13. We will have more information coming soon, but I wanted to give you a heads up if you are interested in joining one of the small groups.

Fourth, I am taking a group to Israel January 8-17, 2018. I had a meeting a couple of months ago, but I wanted to remind everyone that I need to know within the next month if you are planning on going. If you were unable to attend the meeting, please contact me. I have a flier and other information I can share with you.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville

Calling All Men

I learned many years ago that prayer does not work; it is God who works. The idea then is that we pray (the vehicle) to God (the One who works). Prayer has played a central role in both the Old and New Testament, the early church, and has been the catalyst for every revival. It is not just something we are commanded to do, but it is a vital part of the church and our walk with the Lord. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world." Our fight is not one with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). It is a spiritual battle, and our greatest weapon is the same it has always been, prayer. Prayer is a powerful weapon that can accomplish the incredible. Remember what James tells us about Elijah? "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crop" (James 5:16-18). Incredible!

Obviously prayer is powerful and important. So, we are having a men's prayer breakfast this Saturday, June 17, at 7am in the Fellowship Hall. Paul Murphy is organizing our time together. We will spend time together eating breakfast, listening to a brief devotional, and then devoting the majority of our time to prayer. Men, let us do what Paul commands young Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:8,  "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor FBC Jacksonville, AR

Israel Trip: Walk Where Jesus Walked

This past January I had the incredible opportunity to take the trip of a lifetime. I was able to tour the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked. Words cannot even begin to express how that trip has impacted my life. One of the most significant is how it has transformed the way I study the Bible. Whenever I read the Bible, I can visualize the places because I have been there.

The trip had such an impact that I would like to take a group January 8-17, 2018. I cannot express the excitement I feel preparing to spend several days "Walking Where Jesus Walked" with you. The journey will be educational, informational, but most of all inspirational! I assure you, nothing will do more for your spiritual growth than this time in His Land. Here are some of the places we will visit: Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Old City, Wailing Wall, Temple Mount, Southern Excavations, Masada, Qumran, Dead Sea, Garden Tomb.

If you are interested in this trip, I will host an informational meeting on June 11, at noon in fellowship hall. During this meeting, I will cover schedule, cost, and any other questions you have about the trip. I hope to see you there.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

What's Around the Corner?

I wanted to take a few moments to make sure you know what is coming in the next few months. As we approach the summer, many things are happening.

Backpacks
I hope you will continue to pray and give for our backpack giveaway at Pinewood Elementary for their Open House. We are asking you to give $11 per backpack to help those who need it. Since we are buying in bulk, we need the donations by the end of May. At this point, we have received enough to purchase 30 backpacks. We have a lot of work to do, but I know our church will come through.

Vacation Bible School
VBS is right around the corner. The theme this year is Galactic Starveyors, and the dates are June 11-15 from 6:00-8:30pm. You can register by clicking here.

M-Fuge
M-Fuge is a camp for our students, and it isn't too late to sign up. Please talk to Tim if you are interested. He is hosting a meeting this Sunday, May 21, after at noon.

Children's Camp
This is our first year taking children to camp. The dates are June 23-26, at Camp Paron. It is for children who have completed 3rd-5th grades, and the cost is $40 per child. Registration deadline is May 28, so please see Kerry if you are interested.

Wednesday Meal
Due to the kitchen staff's inability to consistently be here during the summer months, we will not have the Wednesday Night Meal June 14-July 26.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

Annual Backpack Giveaway

Over the past few years, we have collected backpacks filled with supplies to give to families as they start back to school. Last year we made a couple of changes for the better in how we organize our annual backpack giveaway. First, we adopted a local elementary school so we could specifically help one school. We are doing the same thing this year, but we will be at Pinewood Elementary School. We have begun a partnership with them, and this would be a blessing for them. Second, we collected money instead of individuals purchasing backpacks and supplies because we can order in bulk and have twice as many backpacks to give away. As we approach the Fall, we will let you know how you can specifically help at the event. Right now, we need to begin collecting the funds for the backpacks. To order in bulk, we need to place our order by June 10. I hope and pray you will consider giving for this opportunity. Each backpack you donate for costs $11.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

Modern Worship Pastor Update

If you were unable to be here on Sunday, I wanted to update you on our search for a Modern Worship Pastor. Jonah Bynum was here in view of a call. He sang the special music in the first service, and then he lead the modern worship service. The vote was 68-0 in favor of calling him to serve with us here at FBC. Jonah accepted, and his first Sunday will be May 21. We look forward to his serving alongside us, and I hope you will be in prayer for him.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor FBC Jacksonville, AR

Modern Worship Pastor Search Update

If you have been unable to be with us the past few weeks, I wanted to bring you up to speed on our search for a new modern worship pastor. Jackson Barton had his last Sunday with us on April 2. We are thankful for his service as he was instrumental in helping us launch our modern worship service. In our search to find someone to fill this position, we were pointed to Jonah Bynum. He is currently a student at UCA, and he leads worship for the BCM. After several conversations with him and listening to him lead worship, we are convinced God is leading us to call Jonah as our next modern worship pastor.

Jonah will come in view of a call on April 23. We want to give those who attend the first service an opportunity to listen to him, so he will sing the special music during the first service. He will then lead worship for the modern worship service. At noon, we will have a luncheon in fellowship hall to give our members the chance to ask Jonah questions. He will share his testimony and call to ministry as part of the meeting. We will then transition into a business meeting and vote by secret ballot. I hope you will be here to help us be a part of this process.

In Christ,

Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR