Newsletter. New Hope M. B. Church COMMITTED. To the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Family East Ellicott Tampa, Florida 33610

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1 New Hope M. B. Church Newsletter 3005 East Ellicott Tampa, Florida August 28, 2016 Issue #9 COMMITTED To the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Family Deacon Ron Peterson, Deacons Board Chairman Greetings my New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Family, I pray daily for our Pastor Search Committee (PSC) and for the congregation. Included in this newsletter is an update from the PSC. I hope you find the updates beneficial. I want to encourage you to direct your questions and comments to your assigned Ward Deacon. You may also contact us at deacons@newhopetampa.org. Your church family has been very active over the months of July and August. Some of the highlights of the activities follows. The Youth Ministry s summer Art of Worship series culminated with a program in the Christian Life Center, on July 23 rd. The youth from New Hope, from the community and local churches put their talents and gifts on display for the Lord. Those in attendance were blessed to see our youth demonstrate their talents in art, singing, the spoken word, mime and dance. In addition, the youth shared in a bible study prior to the start of their series of rehearsals in preparation for the program over the summer. All children and youth are encouraged to come to Bible Study on Tuesday evenings. Volunteers are always welcome to come out and get involved with the ministry. The Board of Christian Education sponsored New Hope's 16th Annual Back to School Kick-Off and Community Fair on Saturday, August 6, 2016, in the Christian Life Center. Parents, guardians, students, educators, the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff Office and the community were in attendance. A delicious meal was also served. Over 200 backpacks and numerous school supplies were provided to students. Many of the organizations had informational booths set up at tables. Law enforcement brought to the church a number of their specialized vehicles for display. (continue on page 2) In this issue Deacons Board Message Pastor Search Committee Update I Am a Church Member I will Treasure my Church Membership as a Gift Labor Day Community Outreach Brotherhood Nursing Home Visit Revival 2016 Autopsy of a Deceased Church - The Great Commission Becomes the Great Omission August Baptism Service Accomplishments 2016 Back To School Kickoff September 5, 2016

2 Committed to the New Hope Baptist Church Family (continued from page 1) During the week of August 8th thru the 12th, we had a Holy Spirit filled and inspiring week of prayer leading up to our Revival on August 15th thru the 17 th. Thanks to all who came out and shared in the prayer service. The week of prayer prepared the church family for a powerful, inspiring, and motivating Revival over three nights. We were truly blessed by the Revivalist, Pastor B. R. Fulton, of Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church. His topic for Monday, was Lord Restore Me from Psalm 51:9-13; Tuesday night s topic was Things Will Get Better from Luke 17:12-14; and Wednesday night s topic was What Following Jesus Will Do from Mark 5: Having been inspired, we now need to commit ourselves to the work of the Lord here at New Hope and the community around us. Get involved with the ministries, auxiliaries and committees here at New Hope. God has a role for you here at New Hope, but it s up to you to find where your talents and gifts can be used here. Remember what was shared previously, if you looked at your daily, weekly or monthly calendar, other that Sunday mornings, would there be any other time dedicated to the work of the Lord on your schedule. God has an assignment or even assignments for you at New Hope. We continue to do the work of the Lord, even though we don t have a Pastor. We have been blessed to continue to receive the Word in a mighty way from our Associate Ministers, thank God for them and their commitment to New Hope. I know many of our members are anxious to have a Pastor on board and may have chosen to stay at home or visit other churches. I want to encourage you all to stay the course and committed to New Hope. To paraphrase Deacon Oscar Young, Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee (PSC), the search is neither a marathon nor sprint, it is governed by the Holy Spirit in His own time. In the name of Jesus we remain steadfast to follow the Holy Spirit s guidance and committed to New Hope as we continue our search for our Shepherd. Minister Reginald Washington received a visit from the Associate Ministers and the Day Mission on Saturday, July 30, Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 2

3 NHMBC Pastoral Search Committee Deacon L. Oscar Young, Jr. Chairman Dear Church Family; The information below is an overview of what has taken place since our July newsletter update: The PSC took a brief respite from our weekly meetings during the first two weeks of August and engaged in the annual Week of Prayer along with other members of the church. We spent the week petitioning for Spiritual direction and guidance for the PSC and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in general. Our week of prayer was followed by a powerful 3-night Revival which was conducted by a visiting Evangelist whose messages encouraged us to be faithful in doing God s work, reminding us that it is He who will send the man who will be our next shepherd. While the Revival is over, the PSC continues to ask God to bless us with Spiritual insight as we seek His man. On the night following the Revival, the PSC resumed meetings, this time to narrow the list of applicants from eight (8) to two (2). After thorough reviews, much discussion and continual prayer, the PSC reached consensus on two (2) potential candidates for consideration by the church (please review your copy of NHMBC Constitution and By-Laws for criteria to select a pastor). The six (6) applicants whose information was felt less in line with the PSC s criteria received written notification thanking them for their interest and wishing them continued success. It is important to note that because this process has already taken several months, the PSC agreed that it would be a good idea to contact the two (2) finalists and ascertain their continued interest in being considered for the position of pastor. This was done on Friday, August 19, The response from each was an enthusiastic YES! So what remains to be done? As is customary, a thorough background investigation will take place, followed by field visits by members of the PSC. Successful completion of these activities will determine a timeline for bringing the names of these men to the membership. They will be invited to meet, preach and teach before final voting takes place. We thank you for your patience with this process and solicit your continued prayers as we move forward to complete our assigned task. Please direct questions to your Ward Deacon who should bring them to me. I will respond timely and as honestly as I can. Yours in Christ, Deacon Oscar L. Young, Jr. Chairman, Pastoral Search Committee Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 3

4 Chapter Six I Will Treasure Church Membership As A Gift by Sister Marcia Agee I Am A Church Member by Thom S. Rainer There are two different types of church membership. In chapter one we discussed church membership being similar to a country club membership. These members have the attitude of joining the church to see what they can get out of it. They want to be served rather than serve. They are members who expect perks, privileges and service. When asked to serve, they get mad, they serve begrudgingly and out of obligation. They don t join the church to work, therefore they have a bad attitude when they do serve. Thom S. Rainer says these people make ministry sound like a prison sentence. They usually won t last long. On the other hand, there are those who adopt the biblical approach that sees church membership as a gift, something to be treasured. Membership means we have the opportunity to serve and give just as Jesus willing served and gave his life for us. Throughout the bible, we see verse after verse that speaks of the gift of salvation. When we receive the gift of salvation we become a part of the body of Christ. As part of the body of Christ we joyfully look for opportunities to serve our church. Once we grasp that church membership is a gift from God to be treasured, we will not look at serving in New Hope as a legalistic obligation, a license for entitlement, or a country club with perks. We will treasure our church membership as a gift from God. The gift of church membership should not be taken for granted or considered lightly. New Hope will be a healthy church if each of us found joy in being last, instead of seeking our own way and being first. If we want to become more like Jesus, we will serve because we want to please God, not ourselves. The Sixth Pledge I am a church member. This membership is a gift. When I received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, I became a part of the body of Christ. I soon thereafter identified with a local body and was baptized. And now I am humbled and honored to serve and to love others in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. I pray that I will never take my membership for granted, but see it as a gift and an opportunity to serve others and to be a part of something so much greater than one person or member. I am a church member. And I thank God that I am! N H M B C C o m m u n i t y O u t r e a c h Volunteers are needed: Prepare and serve breakfast Deliver breakfast to sick & shut-in members Licensed barbers to provide haircuts Health care workers to provide blood pressure readings Clothes distribution Blanket distribution Registration and so much more Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 4

5 R E V I VA L NHMBC s 2016 Annual Revival Worship Services, August 15 th 17 th, provided all who attended a feast of spiritual truths! This year s evangelist, Reverend B.R. Fulton, Pastor Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida, ignited the worshippers with God s Word. The subjects and scriptural references for the three nights are Monday Lord Restore Me Psalm 51:9-13 Tuesday Things Will Get Better Luke 17:12-14 Wednesday What Following Jesus Will Do Mark 5:18-19 Deacon Ron Peterson, Chairman NHMBC Deacons Board, Rev. F.G. Fulton, Evangelist, Minister Bruce Bryant Thanks to the Associate Ministers, Administrative Staff, Deacons, Trustees, Transportation, Ushers, Music, Security and Media ministries for their efforts to make this Revival possible. Minister Jacobs, Minister Bryant, Rev. Fulton, Minister Perry and Minister Richardson NHMBC s Male Chorus & Rev. Fulton on Wednesday night NHMBC s Adult Choir ministering Ushers Ministries Rev. Fulton ministering on Tuesday night Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 5

6 A u t o p s y o f a D e c e a s e d C h u r c h Chapter 6 The Great Commission Becomes the Great Omission By Deacon Ron Peterson Some churches begin with a great heart and effort toward the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). But the methods used become the focus rather than the Great Commission itself. In other words we begin to just go through the motions and our heart is not in it. They have found memories of when their churches were on fire for the Lord and still thought that was the case. They remembered how the church was thriving and the Great Commission was at the center of their activities. Remembering when, can be fun and healthy, but we can't live in the past, and we can't recreate the past. We do remember when, but we must move on. Members of dead and dying churches often overlook the reason behind those years of growth and expansion. Thriving churches have the Great Commission as the centerpiece of their vision, while dying churches have forgotten the clear command of Christ. The imperative in those versus is to "go" and along with that is to make disciples, baptize and to teach. Those are action words. The deceased churches forgot the Great Commission; so they stopped going. More likely they decided not to act upon Christ s command. The Commission requires us to go and to depend totally upon the power of Christ. Going in Christ power requires work. The results depends on him, but obedience requires work on our part. This requires other focus, to look beyond ourselves, to get uncomfortable; it requires us to go. Deceased churches obedience to the Great Commission faded gradually. Decline was unnoticed. If someone did notice they were ignored and the more vocal members that spoke about it left the church and the comfortable members remained behind for the deathwatch. They chose their own comfort over reaching others with the Gospel. The members remaining often recalled and discussed the good old days, and wondered why they could not repeat those days. It's was not unusual for them to blame others for their plight. They wanted the same results but were not willing to expend the effort. Members of dying churches weren't willing to go into the community to reach and minister to people. They weren't willing to invite their unchurched friends and relatives. They were not willing to expend the funds necessary for a vibrant outreach. Even if the church began to grow on its own, the members of the dying church would only accept the growth if the new members were like them and would do church the way they wanted. It. The reality is members of dying churches really didn't want growth unless that growth met their preferences and allowed them to remain comfortable. Prayer Commitment 6 Lord remind me that I am to be a Great Commission Christian in a great Commission Church. Remind me that, in Your strength, I am to do whatever it takes to reach out into my community with the transforming power of the gospel. Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 6

7 Celebration of Baptism An Ordinance of the Baptist Church After His resurrection and before He returned to heaven, Jesus gave this command to His followers: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19. Baptism is one of two ordinances of the Baptist Church. The other ordinance is Communion. August 8, 2016 Baptism Service Deacons leading devotion Parishioners partaking in the Baptism Service WELCOME Jada Harper to the Body of Christ Communion Service 1 st 6 pm Send your questions, comments or concerns to deacons@newhopetampa.org Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 7

8 James Douglas Long III Danielle Janieze LaVonnya Long Proud and blessed parents, Deacon Anthony and Sister Yvonne Long, grandparents, Deacon Lenton Douglas and Sister Edna Douglas, other family members and friends are very proud of the two graduates. James Douglas Long III, a graduate of the University of Center Florida College of Sciences, received his Bachelor s degree in Biology on August 6, He will prepare to take the GRE exam for Graduate School which he will start during the Fall of Danielle Janieze LaVonnya Long, a graduate of Howard W. Blake Magnet School of the Arts received her high school diploma on June 7, She will pursue her studies at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia in August She will major in Sport Physical Therapy and minor in Dance Theory Movement. Congratulations! Much success and blessings on both of your future endeavors! With our love and prayers, The Family Congratulations to Evan Ravenel who for the last three years after graduating from Ohio State University, has played basketball overseas. Last season he played for the Japan Ryukyu Golden Kings. They had an awesome season and went on to win the league championship where Evan was voted the game MVP. In the fall, Evan will have an opportunity to play in Israel. His new team is Maccabi Haifa located in Haifa, Israel. Evan is grateful not only for the opportunity to continue to play basketball, but the experience to meet new people, travel to places he had read about and to enjoy new culture as well. Evan is the son of Eugene & Pamela Ravenel and big brother to Erin. As he prepare to leave us again, let's keep him in our prayers. Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 8

9 Congratulations Brother Clarence Daniel! The Ole Miss M-Club Alumni Hall of Fame will gain six more members to its collection of all-time Rebel greats this fall. Slated to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame during the weekend of September 23-24, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi are Clarence Daniel (track & field), Stephen Head (baseball), Brad Henderson (baseball), Danielle Johnson (soccer), Bill Smith (football) and Joe Walker (track & field coach). They will also be recognized on the field during the September 24th football game against Georgia. "Clarence Daniel ( ): One of the best quarter-milers in school history. Clarence Daniel was a three-time SEC champion and two-time All-American during his Rebel career in the early 1980s. The Alexander City, Alabama, native won conference titles at 400 meters/440 yards in both the indoor and outdoor season as a senior in He helped lead the Rebels to their best team finishes in program history, a runner-up SEC outdoor finish in 1984 and third-place SEC indoor finishes in 1983 and The first African-American member of the Ole Miss track & field team, he still holds the school record for the indoor 400 meters (45.71). He continued to race after his college days, winning Silver medals in the 400 and 4x400 relay at the 1986 Goodwill Games, a Gold medal in the 4x400 relay at the 1990 Goodwill Games, a Silver medal in the 400 at the 1988 USA Championships and a Bonze medal at the 1990 USA Championships." Press Link: Fame html 1 1 Reprinted from the Alexander City Outlook Clarence is married to Wanda Chambliss Daniel and he is father of Corthney Daniel. He is an active member of NHMBC where he serves in the Church School and Gospel Chorus ministries. Church Office: Comments to: newsletter@newhopetampa.org 9

10 NHMBC 2016 Back-to-School Kickoff August 6, 2016 Church Office: Comments to: 10