The MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH HWY 52W, Crossett, AR PH FAX Volume 22, Number 7

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1 The MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 33 HWY 52W, Crossett, AR PH FAX Volume 22, Number 7 dtohlen@theolivechurch.org rhodge@csd.k12.ar.us JULY 2012 ssasser@theolivechurch.org mobc@theolivechurch.org

2 From the Pastor "For God causes all things to work together for good " Part 1 (Romans 8:28) Do you believe as one of God's born again children that God is personally involved in the everyday circumstances & details of your life? Well, if you are indeed a true Child of God you have to believe that. I mean, if you don't, there's simply nowhere else to go in life. In the 1980's, during my college years at Northeast Louisiana University, a huge part of that experience was being active and involved in the Baptist Student Union. Having arrived on campus as a born-again Christian, the BSU helped me grow to new levels in my Christian faith and walk, gave me wonderful opportunities of service and ministry. Having surrendered to the full-time gospel ministry in 1985, I graduated from NLU in December 1986 and began seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in August Due to my college BSU years and God's leadership, I felt a tremendously strong call to serve as a BSU Director on the college campus, ministering to college students. Several months before graduating from seminary in 1990, I sent close to forty (0) résumés out to state conventions and college campuses, believing in total FAITH that God was going to open many opportunities for a BSU position. It just didn't happen. As hard as I scratched and clawed, prayed and cried, called and wrote letters to those who I thought could help me, the door just never opened. In late 1990, my one and only opportunity for a BSU position came while Regina and I were serving in Camden, AL. John Moore, State BSU Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, called and generally offered me the BSU Director position at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA. Well, needless to say I began packing my bags and making my plans, preparing to say goodbye to Camden, AL and hello to Thibodaux, LA. Two weeks later...the letter came. A letter that stated, "Thanks for allowing your name to be submitted...but we now feel led by the Holy Spirit to move in a different direction. May God bless you as you seek His perfect Will for your life (blah, blah, blah, etc.)." To be honest, I was as crushed as I've ever been in my life as I watched my dream go down the drain. God's perfect will was in my heart and mind, or so I thought. I felt my ministry had ended before it even began. The tears began to flow and I alerted my wife that I was going home for the day, where I then sulked alone in my heart-brokenness and despair. I never received another nibble towards a BSU Director position after that. Not even one. But one thing I can remember during that occasion is that Regina never fully felt my pain in that rejection. Not that she didn't care that my dreams had just gone down the tubes, but I think something else was going on. I think what was ultimately going on was this - the fact that I wanted to be a BSU Director was my dream, not God's dream. So what I thought was God's best for me...may not have been God's best for both me and Regina. Sometimes God has other plans. We have good plans. God has the BEST plans. I simply wasn't supposed to serve in the capacity of a BSU Director. Thankfully, God knew things I didn't know. He knows best. So once again I hear the verse ringing in my ears..."for God causes all things to work together for good...!" All I can really say is thank you, Lord, for working your best in my life. Even when I don't understand it. May God Bless each of you and I ll see you in church Sunday, The Lord s Supper Sunday, July, A.M.

3 Greetings from Siloam camp! It has been a great week and it s only Tuesday! Our theme is SUPERHEROES. God wants us all (you, me, youth, all Christians) to be a servant with a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it! (Numbers 1:2) A challenging biblical statement, but one where our youth are being molded and faithful! Thanks for letting us come to camp! Please continue to pray for our young people as they will get a chance to put their leadership skills into action soon! Pray for the CHILDREN who will be going to camp next week! God is wanting to use this generation of young people to help their world know the saving power of JESUS! Hey YOUth! We have several things going on that is student-led! LATE NITE VIDEO FLITE will be under the direction of Ben Ford. We will keep you posted with the date & time ASAP. Also, make plans to be a part of the FUN DAY July 1 th, here at MOBC. It starts at 12noon and will end 9pm that night. To the HEART, let me encourage you to sign up now if you would like to go to the MURRY DINNER PLAYHOUSE in Little Rock, to see the SOUND OF MUSIC (August 16). Cost is $ 35 and we need your payment to save you a spot on the bus! We have only 20 tickets. I am headed back to MORNING CELEBRATION! with our crew. Looking forward to sharing our camp experiences with you Sunday night! Bye for now! In Christian love, Essential Gear- Your Guide to Life After Highschool! is led by Nora Smith in the front room off the Parlor. Come for guidance in transitioning into your new world after graduation. Hallie Grace born June 27, 2012 to Trey & Julie Pelz Proud Grandparents are Bro. David & Gayle Tohlen The Crossett Food Pantry is in need of the following: Plastic or paper bags- these are used to sack the grocery items; on average they use 10 bags per family per visit. A recent Tuesday night, they had 12 families. Egg Cartons- Walmart donates eggs, but they are in cases. They need to be able to put them in dozens. Freezer- They distribute commodities. USDA regulations require the items to be separate from the grocery items. A freezer in good condition is needed. Volunteers- Needed for all shifts! If anyone has 2 hours to spare each month or every other month, or each week! Pantry hours of operation are MWF 9:30-11:30 AM and Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 PM. Contact the Crossett Food Pantry to help:

4 Sunday, July 1- Hot Diggity Dog Hot Dog Lunch: Benefiting CentriKid Campers. Lunch is $5 per plate and includes grilled hot dogs, chips, dessert, and drink! After Sunday School. Wednesday, July - No Children s Activities tonight. Soda Cans Needed- Bring empty soda cans by the church and proceeds from their sale will be used to help the Children s Ministry. For more information please talk to Gina Dodd. Thank you! Soles Souls- The Mission Project this year for VBS was sponsoring a shoe collection for the charity SolesSouls. You can join us by cleaning out your closets and donating your new or gently worn shoes (any size). Bring any donations by the church through August 5! Learn more at Coming in August- Now That I m A Christian class for children will be held each Sunday at 5:00 PM. More info to come. For His Kids- to our JULY Stars! Megan Wilcox - 7/1 Trinity Brown - 7/29 Remember the following campers in your prayers as they grow in the Lord at Beech Springs: Hannah Johns, Haleigh Judge, Tori Porter, Lexie Reid, Lydia Reid. Please remember the following campers in your prayers as they travel to Jackson MS and spend a week in deep Bible study, dynamic worship, unique track time, exciting recreation, thus growing closer to the Lord. Leaders- Regina Hodge, Sadie Sasser, Craig Chain. Campers- Madison Barnett, Matt Barnett, Alex Boykin, Hannah Johns, Haleigh Judge, Tori Porter, Lexie Reid, Lydia Reid, K.W. Rial, Colin Stagg. Located beside the Parlor, MOBC Library hours of operation are :00-6:00 PM on Sundays & 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesdays. Remember these in prayer as they grow in serving the Lord through their God given talents: Leaders: Bro. Scott & Donna Sasser; Campers: Heather Breshears, Caty Currie, Sarah Harney, Sadie Sasser, Emily White, Tyler Wallace, Ben Wilcox, Zach Wilcox.

5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :5 AM Hot Diggity Dog Lunch PM Nominating 7 PM Youth Overtime 8 2 PM Nursing Home PM Deacons PM Nominating 9 AM Young at Heart Homebound Ministry PM Super Summer Youth Blowout with Cord of 3 in Concert Lord s Supper AM PM Nominating 7 PM Youth Overtime PM 5th Sunday Potluck & Singing :30 PM 2 PM MOBC Young at Service at Heart Stonegate Villa Choir Practice and Desserts Now the Lord is the Sprit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 The Mission Project this year for VBS was sponsoring a shoe collection for the charity SolesSouls. Join us by cleaning out your closets and donating your new or gently worn shoes (any size). Bring any donations by the church through August 5. Learn more at in the Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited! Bring a friend and bring your favorite dish and plan to enjoy this evening of fellowshipping together. See Bro. Scott to get on the singing list!

6 Mt. Olive Baptist Church 33 Hwy 52 W Crossett, AR THE MESSENGER - PRINTED MONTHLY Return Service Requested SYMPATHY The staff and church family of Mt. Olive Baptist Church expresses sincere and heart felt sympathy to the following: Verna Fay Johnson Family - Linda Rushing s mother THANK YOU Thank you notes have been received from the following and are on the bulletin board: Baptist Collegiate Ministry Louise Brady Doris White Family NEW MEMBERS By Baptism Kelsi Hickman Bryce Bailey Jeff Miller By Letter Bailey Kennedy Trinity Brown Carol Miller CHURCH STAFF ERIC S. HODGE, Pastor DAVID TOHLEN, Assoc Pastor, Students SCOTT SASSER, Min. Music / Worship REGINA HODGE, Min. Children / Preschool LEAH HENDRIX, Church Secretary VICKI SHIRLEY, Financial /Asst. Secretary MELISSA JONES, Building Supervisor July Deacon Visitation Royce Harville, Don Wilcox VITAL SIGNS/ JUNE SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS Trudy Barnett Casey Wilson Anita Wilcox Melissa Bell General Officers Preschoolers Children Youth Adults New Members Visitors Sunday, July 1 Ann Nutter Helen Stagg Paige & Jason Grissom Sunday, July 8 Corky Pennington Carol Baugnet Heather Rial, Johnathan Wilcox Sunday, July Joan Chain Tonya Cooper Paige Grissom Heather Rial Heather Rial, Stacey Swan Sunday, July 22 Allison Jones Margaret Edney Cindy Hamilton Betty Willis Stacey Swan, DeAnn Bailey Sunday, July 29 Staci Stich Jessie Farmer Gina Dodd Margie Gardner DeAnn Bailey, Trudy Willis ENR TOTAL WORSHIP TOTAL DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING n/a n/a STEWARDSHIP Receipts on 6/3 Receipts on 6/10 Receipts on 6/17 Receipts on 6/2 26 9, , , ,520.18