THE VINE Middle Florida-Georgia Primitive Baptist Association Newsletter Volume 2 June 2015

Transcription

1 THE VINE Middle Florida-Georgia Primitive Baptist Association Newsletter Volume 2 June 2015 Elder Robert R. Gaines, D.D. A Message from the Moderator 17 Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Welcome to Issue #2 of The Vine! I bring to you greetings in the Mighty and Matchless Name of Jesus Christ. I am confident that our first issue served as an inspiration for all of us as we have received many accolades since its release. To God be the glory! We ask that you continue to pray for the newsletter s editorial team as they work to please Christ. I want to take just a moment to encourage member churches to become contributors to the newsletters. This is our newsletter and it is about us. Each member church has been commissioned by Christ to be a light in the communities and to reach beyond the brick and mortar to make a difference in the world. The Vine has provided a venue for us to share how Christ works through us as Christians. It was enlightening to read about the work of the Pastors Forum, Evangelical Team, and the Women s Congress in our first issue. Your real accounts of the many ways you are serving His people demonstrate that He can and will still use us. Judging from the compliments we have received regarding this newsletter that is disseminated electronically, we are assured that there has been an increase in the use of the Middle Florida- Georgia Primitive Baptist Church s website. Further, I encourage each of you to participate in the workshops sponsored by the Association. There is no limit on how much we gain when we work and worship together. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize, applaud and encourage the participation and work of all churches in the Association. Each of our work, individually, contributes to the whole of the Kingdom. John 15:4 instructs, Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. (NIV) We are connected to each other as we are connected to Christ. We move boldly forward because of this connection. I understand that some of our Churches (small or large) may be experiencing some in-house challenges. I encourage you to contact me and allow the Association and its auxiliaries to come out and provide support and assistance. Together, in Christ, all things are possible! Elder R. R. Gaines Moderator 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD... - Isaiah 1:17 18 In This Issue Moderator s Message Christian Leadership Graduation Exercise Women Congress Outreach Program Church Leadership Update Evangelical Team The Issues That Leaders Face Mt. Zion Dawkins Pond - Reaching The Needy Health Corner Upcoming Events

2 Christian Leadership Graduation Exercise If you were not in attendance you missed a jubilant experience. On Saturday, May 9, 2015 members of Middle Florida-Georgia Primitive Baptist Association, family members and well-wishers gathered at the New Zion Primitive Baptist Church located at 3845 Miccosukee Road in Tallahassee, Florida for the Tenth Christian Leadership Graduation Exercise. Elder Cedric D. Spradley, D. Min., Pastor of the St. Peter Primitive Baptist Church of Perry, FL was the Commencement Speaker. Immediately following the Association Study Hour Moderator Elder Robert Gaines, D.D., announced the start of the Tenth Graduation Exercise. The 2015 Graduates were: Women/Lay Sister Taretha Hill, Shiloh, Quincy Mother Lois Mobley, St. James, Havana Sister Cheryl Randolph, Little Salem, Crawfordville Mother Debra Reshard, Mt. Horeb, Tallahassee Mother Debbie Williams, St. James, Havana Deacon Charles Thompson, New Zion, Tallahassee Ministers Minister Simon Jones, China Hill, Tallahassee Minister Vernon Larkins, First Community, Quincy Minister Mark Moten, Mt. Zion, Quincy Minister Joe Smiley, Mt. Zion, Panama City Deacons Brother Little David Combs, Queen Chapel, Live Oak Brother Joseph Tolliver, III, Philadelphia, Tallahassee Congratulations to our Graduates! Graduation 2015 CHURCH LEADERSHIP UPDATE - Staff Writer Mt. Horeb - Tallahassee, FL - Elder John Houston, Interim Pastor Little Salem - Crawfordville, FL - Elder Melvin Mobley, Interim Pastor Mt. Zion - Quincy, FL - Elder James Lodman, Interim Pastor Mt. Olive - Gainesville, FL - Elder Cedric Andrews, Interim Pastor St. Paul - Attapulgus, GA - Elder James Hamilton, Pastor 2 Women Congress Outreach Program Report September December, The Outreach Committee Volunteers provided support to the staff of Miracle Village during Game Day held at the Village in September. The Volunteers donated checkers and dominoes for the event and assisted the staff with the operation of the game stations. 2. Also, the Outreach Volunteers provided punch for Movie Day at the Village as well as offered companionship (utilizing the Buddy System) to residents for movie-watching. Everyone truly enjoyed the movie Act Like a Woman, Think Like a Man, Too. 3. During November, the Volunteers assisted MV Staff in planning and executing the varied activities during Open House at the Village. This event was very successful and truly enjoyed by everyone. 4. Two Outreach Volunteers will continue to assist the staff at Miracle Village on an as needed basis throughout the 2014, 2015, and 2016 calendar year. January - March January: Committee members, alternating weekly, participated in the American Cancer Society weekly planning meeting for the 2015 Relay for Life Walk Activities. 2. February: In support of the American Heart Association, Sisters from the Women s Congress wore Red in Celebration Wear Red Sunday. February 8, Also, some committee members gave presentations on Heart Disease: Things You Should Know during worship services at their respective churches. 3. March: MFGPBA Giveaway Clothing Initiative. On March 28, 2015, committee members and Sisters from the Women s Congress assisted the Elders with the Giveaway Clothing Drive at Queen Chapel PB Church, Live Oak, FL. -The Outreach Committee-

3 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. -Proverbs 11:30 22 It is of the LORD S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness. -Lamentations 3: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. -Romans 1:16 Evangelical Committee Elder Melvin Mobley Elder Cedric Spradley Elder Willie Chambers Elder James Baker Deacon Timothy Williams Deacon George Smith MFGPBA's Evangelical Team Conducts Outreach Program for Queen Chapel P.B. Church, Live Oak, FL Prior to the program, a call went out to all of the Churches in the MFGPBA, to assist in a clothing give away and feeding the community in Live Oak. The response was unbelievable. Good clothes, new clothes, new kids toys, men suits, women suits and hats were just a few of the items that were donated for this event. Prior to the event, announcements were made by radio and flyers were disseminated. The response was amazing! We started the Outreach Program with prayer and a class on "Witnessing Jesus Christ To Others". Our class was beautifully taught by Elder A.J. Ford. After the class, the Evangelical Team, Women's Congress, members of Queen Chapel and other members of the MFGPBA organized to perform our duties and roles in this event. The food for this Outreach Program was provided by the Pastors of the MFGPBA and was excellently prepared by members of Mt. Olive, P.B. Church, Lamont, Fl. The program started with prayer and Elder Chambers read scripture and ministered to the people. The Women Congress greeted everyone that came and guided them through the clothes and also began witnessing Jesus Christ and the Church in Live Oak. More people than we had imagined came and allowed the Association to be a Blessing to them through this outreach. God has already proven that when we come together as a Body to assist the needs of other members of our body, He will Bless it and approve it. It is impossible to list or to review all of the great things that God did for us in this Outreach Program in Live Oak. But again, He did confirm His Awesome Power and Grace, when we do His Will. -Staff Writer 3

4 The Issues That Leaders Face The second session of the Leadership Training for Lay members and Deacons of the Middle Florida/Georgia Primitive Baptist Association was most rewarding. Taught by Elder Melvin Mobley, the session was spirit-filled and lively, engaging each participant in a manner that led to much self-reflection. Elder Mobley chose to share the biblical position on two important and timely topics, (1) living and loving without judging and (2) dealing with disappointment and discouragement. Matthew 7:1-6 was the reference scripture Elder Mobley used to introduce the significance Christians not being judges of others. The Word tells us that because only God sees and knows the heart, that only He is the rightful judge. Each of us, with all of our faults and failures, are accepted over and over again, by God. For that reason, we must accept others. Elder Mobley went on describe how easily we can slip into being judgmental. Day to day interactions, simple thoughts of evaluating or criticizing others behaviors or choices can be interpreted as, "I am better than they are because I don't do that." We must remember that each of us has a "that" and while it might not be the same "that" that another person has, it is still a "that". It is only when we judge by the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law, that we do the will of God. (John 7:24) The discussion progressed onward to developing our understanding of how to deal with disappointment and discouragement. These two weapons of Satan are used to attack our temples...through the flesh (the outer court), through the mind (inner court) and through the heart (the Holy of Holy). Elder Mobley emphasized the importance of recognizing and dealing with these weapons through the scripture reference Haggai 2:1-9. The Bible reminds us, that as with the Jews, when we are working on God's assigned tasks, we must not have a good memory of the wrong things nor a bad memory of the right things. We must not dwell in the past. The past should only be used to motivate us to move into what God will have us to do to glorify Him. In order to build and reach the purposes that we are commissioned to reach, we must (1) let go and move forward by forgiving, (2) look up to God for strength, (3) look ahead for our direction should come from God, (4) get moving because "work" is an action word and (5) never let discouragement drive us from God. Our relationship with God should be reflected in our relationship with others. God is with us always! -Staff Writer 4

5 Mt. Zion P.B. Church at Dawkins Pond Serves Needy on Thanksgiving Day 2014 Why can t we do that, asked Mother Gail Austin in a youth department meeting at Mt. Zion P.B. Church at Dawkins Pond. The young people were discussing service activities and one young lady mentioned feeding the homeless. Pastor Wilbert Austin took the idea and began organizing feeding the homeless and needy on Thanksgiving Day, without a physical place reserved yet. He asked Brother Willard Dudley to organize the food preparation, while he sought a venue in the Bond Community on the South side of Tallahassee. In the meantime, he began announcing his plans at Bible study and worship services. God must have been in the plans, because everything just started happening to make the plan a reality. Pastor Austin was able to secure the parking lot of Walker Ford Community Center, and began announcing plans to feed a Thanksgiving feast from 11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Thanksgiving Day. He and his daughter, Amelia, appeared on the local noonday show to publicize this day. As he and Brother Dudley planned a menu, there were eager volunteers among church membership and in the community to assist with preparation of the food. They set a goal of feeding 200 people a feast of turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, green beans, rolls, cornbread muffins, and cake. Some members volunteered to donate turkeys and deserts, while others volunteered to assist with preparation of the food. Friends (Marble Slab Creamery and State Farm Insurance) of members even donated money to assist with this feeding of needy on Thanksgiving. There was so much giving spirit among anyone listening about the venture that there was no doubt that there would be enough food to serve anyone who came to be served. Among those preparing food on the eve of Thanksgiving were youth department members, the pastor and several other members. Even friends of members came out to work and see that others had a warm, hearty meal. On this morning of Thanksgiving, though it was cold and windy, all hands were present and ready to take their place on the serving line, behind the lines keeping food warm, standing by to replenish food items as they were depleted, directing people to different stations to pick up trays, deserts, drinks, and filling plates of traditional Thanksgiving food, and keeping the area clean. The youngest children made sure that each guest received deserts and drinks. As the needy were fed, souls were refreshed. There were no complaints, only cheerful serving on that day when sacrificing a day at home with family was the norm. Families, homeless people, senior citizens, college students, and even those who just did not have anywhere to go came through the line to be fed. What started out as an idea turned out to be a joy filled day for those serving as much as it was for those being served. There were 185 people fed in that short period of time, and there was still food left over, reminding the church of Jesus feeding five thousand plus with just three little fish and five loaves of bread. The leftovers were taken to needy families who continued the feast in their own way. This congregation will remember this day as one of the happiest Thanksgiving Days ever celebrated. Lynette Dudley, Contributor The Church In Action... 5

6 Keeping You In The Know Upcoming Events Middle Florida Georgia Primitive Baptist Association Second Joint Association and Church School Convention June 21-27, 2015 St. Mary P B Church, Tallahassee FL, Elder Lawrence Reed, Pastor Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc. Youth Convention - 11th Session July 8-10, 2015 Doubletree by Hilton Orlando & at Sea World International Drive - Orlando, FL For more information visit Middle Florida Georgia Primitive Baptist Association Workshop Schedule New Zion PB Church Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 9:00 a.m. Saturdays November 7, 2015, January 16, 2016, March 12, 2016, and May 7, 2016 (Graduation) Middle Florida Georgia Primitive Baptist Association Crusade for Christ January 5, 2016 Biblical Teaching Spiritual Fellowship Church Growth Evangelism Health Corner Hypertension (aka High Blood Pressure ), better know as The Silent Killer, poses one of the greatest risk to our current and future generations. Just as with Diabetes, Hypertension can either be inherited from a family member or it can develop on it s own. Traditional scholarship teaches us that a person is diagnosed with Hypertension once TWO elevated reading that are TWO weeks apart and taken in TWO different settings. As in Diabetes, Hypertension also puts one at risk for Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Kidney Failure, which can lead to a chronic debilitated state. Risk factors associated with high blood pressure include family history, obesity/ sedentary lifestyle, excessive salt intake, stress, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, smoking and alcohol abuse to name a few. Excerpt from Today s Health by Christopher R. Shaw, MD September 8, 2014 Middle Florida Georgia P B Association 2256 Fleischmann Road Tallahassee FL PLACE STAMP HERE