THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 11 NO. 10 MARCH

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1 THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 11 NO. 10 MARCH 7, 2018 This past Sunday, we recognized David and Selena Procter on the occasion of their 10 th anniversary of service with Austin Baptist Church. What a blessing both of them have been to our church! Selena teaches a Bible Fellowship Group in additional to various other ways she serves the Lord through ABC. She launched and led our Women s Ministry until this past year. She even served on the Pastor Search Committee, which shows the respect the people of ABC have for her. David teaches a Bible Fellowship Group (BFG) as well. Indeed, that class has given birth to numerous other classes in our BFG ministry. Both of them bring great skill and knowledge to their teaching roles, and great fervor to all of their service. Of course, it is those special touches that David adds that set him apart as one of the finest ministers you will ever find. How many Executive Pastors can be found who call every member on his/her birthday? I wouldn t be surprised if you could count them all on one hand. David does not go home on Sunday evenings until he has attempted to contact every person or family that visited our church (Continued on page 2) WHAT S INSIDE Welcome New Members... 3 Easter Events at ABC... 3 David Procter: Ten Years!... 4 From the Heart of John Parker... 5 Music Notes by Dodie... 6 Lamplighters BFG... 7 The Power of One... 7 Bridges of Light BFG... 7 IRS: Service Day Conference... 8 Annie Armstrong Offering... 8 Church Safety Workshop... 9 Children s Ministry Volunteers... 9 Terrific Tuesdays... 9 Mom2Mom... 9 Adults on Mission New Study in Koinonia BFG Call to Prayer Children s Ministry Electrify by Matt Gillum DiscipleNow Photos Calendar & Reports Retrospective... 20

2 PAGE 2 THE BRIDGE (Continued from page 1) STAFF Dr. Gary Dyer SENIOR PASTOR Cell garyd@austinbaptistchurch.com Dr. David Procter EXECUTIVE PASTOR Cell davidp@austinbaptistchurch.com John Parker ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP Cell johnp@austinbaptistchurch.com Matt Gillum MINISTER TO STUDENTS & THEIR FAMILIES Cell mattg@austinbaptistchurch.com Cathy Smith MINISTER TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES Cell cathys@austinbaptistchurch.com Kati Dobbs CHILDREN S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE katid@austinbaptistchurch.com Dodie Morris MUSIC & WORSHIP ASSOCIATE dodiem@austinbaptistchurch.com Christina Mendoza MINISTERIAL STAFF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / IT SPECIALIST christinam@austinbaptistchurch.com Jennifer Koret FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR jenniferk@austinbaptistchurch.com Rita Jones OFFICE MANAGER ritaj@austinbaptistchurch.com Derek Tackett FACILITIES MANAGER Cell derekt@austinbaptistchurch.com Kim Warner FOOD SERVICE MANAGER kimw@austinbaptistchurch.com Joe Pere DIRECTOR OF MEDIA MINISTRY joep@austinbaptistchurch.com Bill Dickson FINANCE CLERK billd@austinbaptistchurch.com that Sunday morning. He gathers as much information about them as he can to assist our BFG leaders in following up on them. He then communicates with those leaders any prospects for their class that visited that day, and shares with them the information about them that he has learned. Only those who serve in our Bible Fellowship Ministry realize the work he puts into that outreach. He also visits those in hospitals faithfully and ministers to those who are bereaved. All of that is in addition to enlisting, training, equipping, and resourcing our teachers, supervising both our education ministry staff, and administrative staff, meeting regularly with and serving as a resource for our committees and ministry teams, counseling, serving as our representative to the West Austin Chamber of Commerce, and so much more. David is a man of great wisdom, great compassion, great patience, and great energy. I have known David for 40 years and count it a great honor to have worked these past eight years alongside him as we serve ABC in these exciting days of ministry. We wrap up our series on the powerful potential of prayer this Sunday, March 11, and then prepare for the Easter season. I can t wait to see what our Lord has in store for us as we worship our crucified, risen Lord together. On March 18, I will be focusing on the second coming of Christ and how when He appears we will be made like Him. On March 25, we will be concentrating on Jesus as the all-time undefeated, undisputed Champion of love. Then, on Easter Sunday, our subject will be The Great Escape, as we share how Christ s escape from the clutches of death and the grave in His victorious resurrection means that we, too, can know victory over death. What a great opportunity to invite someone you know to hear the great good news that we proclaim! Let s be praying about someone we can invite to worship with us. Our prayer-walking last Saturday was such a wonderful experience. Seventy-two of our members joined us to be trained by Dr. Ken Taylor and then to go out in Riverplace and walk onsite with insight. Those who participated returned rejoicing as they testified to their experiences. Prayer-walking loosens the soil for the sowing of the seed of the gospel. I have no doubt that we will see spiritual fruit borne from those 72 prayerwalkers walking and talking with God. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30 Spring Forward One Hour Sunday, March 11th Karen Fawcett ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT karenf@austinbaptistchurch.com

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4 PAGE 4 THE BRIDGE Selena and I want to thank Pastor Gary Dyer, Fred Davis (chair of the Personnel Committee), and our church family for Sunday s recognition of our tenth anniversary on the staff. The generous gift and the beautiful flowers are deeply appreciated. We consider it a great privilege to be part of what God has done at Austin Baptist Church. Things were very different when I moved from Alabama back to Austin in February Selena, attempting to sell our house, had never left Austin, and she kept me informed on the creation and development of the new church. Tim McCoy and Wayne McDonald called almost every day with updates on how things were progressing. Selena and I were very close to the men and women who founded Austin Baptist Church, and we prayed for God s blessing on the new work. The Personnel Committee that reached out to me was chaired by Gil Bragg. Members of the committee included Kay Ballard, John Halton, Bill Morris, Steve Rogers, Pres Sheppard, and Phil Samuelson. Wayne McDonald and Bill Love also met with us representing the Executive Committee. We joined the church on Sunday, March 2, and enjoyed a wonderful fellowship/ covered dish dinner that evening. Faith, hope, and love were much in evidence in our church, with love being the greatest thing. The church was a loving fellowship with a heart for reaching out to others. Here is what I said in my first newsletter article: No family could feel more loved and welcomed to a church than the Procter family. Sunday was one of the greatest days for us, truly a dream come true. You received us with open arms and with words of kindness and enthusiasm for a day of new beginnings. We are thrilled to be with you, the greatest people in the world. Because of your generous invitation to return to Austin, we are settled in our home with our family together again. We are honored to be at Austin Baptist Church, and to be your minister. We have known and loved many of you for years, and we look forward to making new friends in a growing church. God is doing a great work in our church and we believe, along with you, that the best years are right ahead. It seemed like every single member was meaningfully engaged in one or more tasks. They had to be, for there was no church staff! Dr. Ralph Smith and Dr. Jimmy Myers preached on Sundays at our rented space on Waterford Centre Boulevard; Larry Swayze, Dodie Morris, and Judy Rowland gave leadership to the music ministry; Milton and Debbie Hixson (with encouragement from Bob Edd Shotwell!) coordinated the Bible Fellowship Groups, and key committees had been formed. Lewis Timberlake had launched the Positive Connection ministry to the business community. The first DiscipleNow for students was conducted the week before I arrived (with 23 teens), led by Josh Myers. Space in our rented property was being remodeled for our new worship center. Things were happening! It has been a great privilege and honor to be part of the unfolding story that is Austin Baptist Church. From the beginning we have been showered with the blessings of God. The charter members were deeply committed to the new church and met every challenge with prayer and hard work and sacrifice. Their vision of a Bible-believing, evangelistic, loving congregation has unfolded in a remarkable way over these ten years. Selena and I have loved being part of it. We are convinced that as wonderful as these ten years have been, the best days of Austin Baptist Church are ahead of us. David Procter

5 THE BRIDGE PAGE 5 SUNDAY, MARCH 11, :00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP There Shall Be Showers of Blessings Blessed Be Your Name Count Your Blessings I Will Bless the Lord Blessings SANCTUARY CHOIR The ABC UPPER ROOM SERVICE is only three weeks away! At ABC, we commemorate the events of Holy Week by sharing together around the table at a service we call Upper Room. There will be congregational singing, drama, a big choir and orchestra and more. To me, one of the most poignant moments is when we share the Lord s Supper together, just like on the night of Jesus betrayal. The thoughts and images immediately transport my mind to what it must have been like that night around the table; Is it I, Lord? Lord, you will not wash my feet. What you must do, do quickly. This is my body, broken for you. Don t miss this perfect opportunity to introduce someone to Jesus at this year s Upper Room Service Thursday, March 29, at 7:00 p.m. Bow the Knee CHRIS MACHEN Take Time to Be Holy 11:11 AM CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP This is Amazing Grace Everything and Nothing Less Reckless Love Do It Again If you would like to be part of our wonderful Easter Choir, you will need to 1) please let me know 2) attend at least one of these two rehearsals March 21 from 7:15-7:45 p.m. OR March 28 7:15-7:45 p.m. Blessings, John Parker

6 PAGE 6 THE BRIDGE As I write this article, I am in Bryan, helping The Family Who Used to Live Upstairs while our son-inlaw is at a conference in Philadelphia. With our daughter working full-time, the boys in school, and the tiny tornado in preschool, just running the dropoff and pick-up routine each day is a delicate balance. Annie and I have traded cars for the few days I am here, because she can drop off the boys at their school in their neighborhood, while I take Jemma to her preschool several miles away. Then I pick everyone up in the afternoon. You can discover a lot about a person by driving his or her car. Annie s radio is always tuned to the Christian music station, so I listened to the sound track of her life this morning, and made a sort of playlist for you: Resurrection Power Chris Tomlin CLICK HERE Now I have resurrection power Living on the inside Jesus, You have given us freedom No longer bound by sin and darkness Living in the light of Your goodness You have given us freedom Gracefully Broken Matt Redman CLICK HERE My heart stands in awe of Your name Your mighty love stands strong to the end You will fulfill Your purpose for me You won't forsake me, You will be with me Psalm 23 Kids Worship CLICK HERE And my personal list would include: It Is Well With My Soul Vocal Majority CLICK HERE Whatever you are facing today, I hope the truths expressed in these songs will comfort you and remind you who God is and that He cares deeply for you. And one more thing five more people accepted Christ at Connect Church in Calgary during February! Would you pray for one of these new believers for a month? I am confident that we will have more names at the end of March. Hallelujah! Angie Vogell Mark Diebolt Maryann Penney Josh Barry Matthew Steer Dodie After about 20 minutes, the little princess in the back seat requested something more fun, so we switched to this:

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10 PAGE 10 THE BRIDGE Please Pray Specifically for Family of Billy Graham: May his death and funeral service spark a reawakening within our country and throughout the world. Tanner and Kendra Clarke in Dusseldorf, Germany...as they await the arrival of their baby boy this month. Hannah Malone (Grace Missions in Nampula, Mozambique) - Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and support that have helped me get here and enjoy a smooth first six weeks of my new life and ministry. (Hannah is the daughter of ABC member, Sarah Malone.) Look for These Ministry/Mission Opportunities in Future Issues of The Bridge March 18-25: Week of Prayer for North American Missions Theme: On Mission Here and Now March 18-April 11: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. National Goal $70 million; ABC s Goal $13,000. April: Spring Food Drive for the Baptist Community Center Mission; Field Trip and Preparing/Serving Meals at Fisher House in San Antonio, TX. May: Baby Bottle Campaign for the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center. Join Us for Our Next Meeting Monday, March 12, :00 a.m. The Chapel Darlene Higgs will share about her ministry of song in local nursing homes, and how doing missions has impacted her life. Light refreshments will be served. AOM is hands on missions for both men and women! To learn more about us, please contact Betty Arrell, AOM Chair, at or bettyarrell@yahoo.com. Have you wondered how the tax reform will affect giving to charities in 2018? Will you be able to deduct charitable gifts in 2018? What kinds of charitable gifts have the best tax benefits? We will help answer these questions on Wednesday, March 21, during a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the offices of Children at Home Ministries, 1301 N. Mays Street in Round Rock, TX. Please RSVP to by Friday, March 16. For more information, please call (Continued on page 11)

11 THE BRIDGE PAGE 11 (Continued from page 10) AUSTIN PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER GRAND RE-OPENING OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, March 20 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. All are invited to come tour the newly renovated facility! APRC had to postpone its Grand Re-opening while awaiting bids for a new air conditioning unit for the downstairs. Any assistance with this added expense will be greatly appreciated. To Donate: Go to APRC home page at APRC Client Enhancement Project, or send your check payable to APRC, 2717 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX In addition to serving the community at large, APRC is a main source of assistance for pregnant and parenting students at the University of Texas. Last year, about 500 students received services, such as clothing, resource support, mentoring for life skills, and sonograms. To read a recent article about APRC and its ministry to University of Texas students, please go to: off-campus-groups-offer-resources-to-pregnantparenting-ut-austin-students

12 PAGE 12 THE BRIDGE Teaching children the Bible is a serious responsibility because we have a profound impact on children, their families, and our church. Greg Baird with David C. Cook states there are eight qualities of a great Sunday School Teacher (in our case a great BFG leader): a heart for God, a love for people, a passion for God s Word, a habit of praying, a commitment of personal growth, an ability to teach, a willingness to prepare, and a dedication to the people they teach. We have amazing BFG leaders that serve in the children s area. I asked them Why do you serve in Children s Ministry? Here are some of their responses: 1) I enjoy teaching kids because I love the moment when they suddenly realize that Jesus loves them personally. As we teach Bible stories and sing songs, they learn that the same Jesus who healed people, performed miracles, and died for everyone LOVES them and knows them by name. 2) My passion is working with children. I love being with them and helping them grow in their knowledge of God and Jesus. I feel we are planting the seed that hopefully will grow from year to year until they have an understanding of both. Through the years of Sunday School, they will understand salvation and want to invite Jesus into their hearts. After more than 30 years in education, I miss being with children and BFG is the answer. 3) Before becoming a parent, if you asked me what age was important for children to receive dynamic Bible lessons on Sunday mornings, I would likely have said kindergarten. I was uninformed about preschoolers ability to absorb and be shaped by early Bible stories and prayers. Fast forward to me being married and having kids and listening to our one-year-old interject into prayers thanks for warm house and I am floored about how wrong I was! I serve in Children s Ministry because I ve seen first-hand the difference it makes and how much the youngest sweeties can absorb. During our volunteer Sundays, it s an honor to greet the families and let them know their morning hustle was worth it. I am forever grateful to the BFG leaders who prepare lessons with figurines and crafts and crawl onto the floor to love and minister to the preschoolers. We need more legacy teachers and I hope you ll join our team of volunteers - I assure you the kids will show you how worth it can be! 4) I serve because I get great joy in seeing the little kids ask questions about Jesus, and shooting their hand up when asked a question about the lesson and seeing how excited they are to learn about our Savior. 5) I serve in Children s Ministry because the kids are the future of our church and I enjoy helping them learn about God's love & salvation through Christ with crafts and music. It's also a great way to build up your immune system if you aren't around children normally 6) I love watching children learn, and I love being a part of that. Helping them learn about God's Word is one of the most important things I can do. And, besides, they are so much fun! 7) I serve because I enjoy working with children. As a young family at the church, it is a way that I can give back for everything that is provided to my girls. 8) I hope and pray that the parents feel comfortable leaving their babies in our care. We tell them that all three of us are grandmothers. (Continued on page 13)

13 THE BRIDGE PAGE 13 (Continued from page 12) 9) I serve because I want to help insure that the next generation understands the importance of knowing Jesus as our Savior for eternal life. I also want to pay back for the years that my children were in various Sunday School classes throughout the many places where we lived when we were in the military. I know I can t repay the exact places where our children learned about Jesus but our Lord knows and this is just a way for pay back. 10) An interest sparked by a love for children, a need voiced by leadership, an equipping fueled by the Holy Spirit, and a response to the calling of God. Also, paying it forward. 11) I believe God has called me to teach children His word. I am compelled to follow this call until he tells me otherwise. I love studying God's word and I learn much more than the children. And if truth be known, the children often teach me! Their faith is so pure and their questions so probing. 12) I feel a calling to do so. I began working with children at church when I was a teenager, helping in Sunday School and working in the bus ministry picking up children from their homes and taking them to church and back. 13) I love serving the next generation! "Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done." Psalm 78:4. One of my favorite Wess Stafford quotes - "For me, working on behalf of children is all I want to do for the rest of my useful days. My understanding of the priorities of God's kingdom presents no higher or more strategic calling." 14) I loved your question. Made me really think about why I love teaching children. I made a short list: 1. They are willing to learntheir desire to learn is contagious; 2. They don t act like they ve heard it before and know it all; 3. No facades their honesty regarding what they don t understand; 4. Their willingness to accept correction; 5. They are our future our hope and they don t fall asleep when we teach; 6.You have to love them and I do!!!!!!! 15) I serve because I love children and care about their future. 16) Initially because I heard in my spirit that I needed to work with children. Now though, I love those kids so much. I get hugs and laughs and so much joy from them. 17) I have always loved serving kids since I was a very young girl. It has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. Jamie Grace Do Life Big 18) I was "recruited" in 2007 to "help" in the one Preschool class. I "helped" one Sunday and did not want to return too many noisy kids ages 2-5 and a few troublemakers. My husband asked if I would like to take the younger 2s and move into an empty room. I said I would try it and found my niche. I brought toys and books from home. Immediately the children and I embraced our new quiet, calm environment. I love two-year-olds no attitudes, eager to learn, like simple activities, not demanding, etc. I was amazed at how they love and believe Bible stories and don't ask me deep theological questions. I have fun preparing the lessons and activities. I love getting to know the families that I would not meet otherwise. I love Sunday morning playing, praying and learning with the sweetest group of children at ABC. 19) My favorite hymn is Let Others See Jesus in You. I think this verse sums it up for me. Your life s a book before their eyes, They re reading it thro and thro, Say does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you? 20) I know that children can learn about Jesus from an early age, and I love to teach them that Je-sus loves them. I love children. I love the Lord and want to serve Him by telling others about Him. His mandate to Go ye therefore and make disciples... Matthew 28: It s my calling to tell others for Christ. 21) I started off by just answering a plea to help out and found that I like it. I enjoy meeting the kids and sharing with them the word of God and doing my best to let them know how important it is to use the Bible as a guidebook for your life. The 5th grade is a good year for me because they are at a critical part in their life and need to have a good foundation before getting thrown into the secular world in middle school. 22) I love serving in the Children s Ministry because I have been given the opportunity to demonstrate the unconditional love that (Continued on page 14)

14 PAGE 14 THE BRIDGE (Continued from page 13) God has for all of his children. Building relationships with children and watching them grow every week is the greatest reward that I could ever imagine. I am humbled by the way that these children have just as much to teach me as I have to teach them. 23) I serve in the Children's Ministry because it was an answer to a prayer. I had thought about helping with the children but I wasn't sure if I qualified to teach Sunday School. I had taught 3rd and 4th grades in the publicschool system. So, I knew I had the ability to teach. I just wasn't sure if my skills were adequate for sharing the Lord's Word with children. When the invitation to help in the Children s Ministry was shared, I waited to see if the positions were going to get filled. After praying to the Lord for some guidance, I received a call from Cathy, asking me if I would be interested in helping teach in the 4th grade Sunday School class. Alas!!! My prayer was answered. As Harvey would say, "And now you know the rest of the story! That is why I serve in the Children s Ministry and I Love it!!! Our children have great value and importance at every age, even the very young. BFG leaders are molding the future just by rocking them, changing their diapers, feeding a snack, sharing a Bible story, doing a craft with them, singing a song and calling them by name. While we love on children, we are showing that Jesus loves them. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the lease of these my brothers, you did it to me (Matt. 25:40 ESV).

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17 Wow! THE BRIDGE Disciple Now Weekend 2018 PAGE 17 was a tremendous success. We had 102 students (and many adults as well) participate in this great weekend! We engaged in excellent worship with the Jimmy McNeal Band. The kids traveled around Austin to serve at six different mission/ service projects (Adopt-A-Highway, Austin Karen Church, Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, Thomas Wright Homeless Ministries, Texas Baptist Children s Home, and Community First! Village). Our High Schoolers took on the challenge of Escape Rooms at Austin Panic Room and our Middle Schoolers battled in Laser Tag at Main Event. And last but certainly not least, they spent great time in nine different host homes engaging in small group Bible Study/discussion. As we focused on Community, I watched our groups bind together through the hope that is in the Gospel and in the power of the grace of Christ. It gives me tremendous hope for where we are going and what Jesus will do in our Student Ministry. Thank you for praying and for your love for our students. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: By Christ s Love, Matt

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19 THE BRIDGE PAGE 19 NEXT WEEK AT ABC Sun, Mar 11 School Spring Break Week Daylight Saving Time Begins 9:00 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 am Bible Fellowship Groups 11:11 Band Rehearsal 11:11 am Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary 11:15 am Missions Committee Meeting, Rm :00 pm Women s Ministry Team Meeting,. Rm. 206 Mon, Mar 12 10:00 am Adults on Mission, Chapel Wed, Mar 14 Due to Spring Break for local schools, all Midweek Activities are cancelled except Handbells, Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra 6:00 pm Handbells 7:15 pm Sanctuary Choir 7:30 pm Orchestra Thurs, Mar 15 Due to Spring Break for local schools, Thursday Bible Studies and Mom2Mom are not meeting. Next meeting, March 22. ON THE HORIZON MARCH 18 Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer Begins 21 Finance Committee Meeting 25 Palm Sunday Worship Children s Easter Egg Hunt 26 Deacons Meeting 28 Church Business Meeting 29 Upper Room Service & Lord s Supper 30 Good Friday - ABC Offices Closed APRIL 1 Easter Sunday 3 Senior Adult Ministry s Terrific Tuesday 4 Outreach & Evangelism Team Meeting 6 Parents Night Out 8 Parent/Baby Dedication Membership 101 Church Safety Workshop RECURRING EVENTS SUNDAY Awana Clubs & Joyful Noise Next meeting, Mar 18, 2 pm WEDNESDAY Handbells 6 pm, Rm 171 Sanctuary Choir 7:15 pm, Choir Suite Orchestra 7:30 pm, Worship Center THURSDAY American Heritage Girls & Trail Life Mar 22 & Apr 5 6 pm, Rm 137 DEACONS ON CALL Week of March 12, Stanley Wood... (512) David Jenkins... (512) OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S FAITHFULNESS Annual 2018 General Fund Budget $3,800, Account General Fund Designated Bldg/Strong Total Giving $79, $1, $2, $82, YTD $497, $22, $31, $551, Building on a Strong Foundation Offering Total-to-Date: $5,177, Our Attendance Sunday, March 4, :00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Groups Amistad FOR PUBLICATION CONSIDERATION Articles and items for The Bridge are due to Rita Jones by the Friday (5:00 p.m.) before the Wednesday publication date. Your cooperation is very appreciated!

20 PAGE 20 THE BRIDGE : Team Training for the 11:11 Worship Service 3: Dr. Ken Taylor at Prayer Walking Training 4 & 6: Prayer Walking Training 5: Presenting Selena Procter with Roses 7: 11:11 Praise Band 8: Eula Sharp sings Trusting Jesus 9: DiscipleNow in Worship 10: Matt Gillum with DiscipleNow