W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 the Mission Minute First Baptist Church of Savannah Mission Advisory Team We would love to hear your ideas. If you have questions about missions or a mission idea, please contact a member of our team. Karen Lawrence, Mission Coordinator Debbie Walker Mark Vincent Carole Paxton Jill Jones Phil Gould Vinita Ware Mission Work A Life Changing Experience As believers, we are called to actively spread God s words and love to make a positive difference in the world. Christ calls every Christian to be a Missionary. This doesn t mean we have to travel to another country or across the United States. We can be missionaries in our own community. We each have Godgiven talents and gifts that can be used to help others. You will be humbled by the responsibility, challenged by the tasks in front of you, and transformed as you experience and share the love of Christ by becoming His hands and feet. Save the Date! MISSION BREAKFAST BARTLETT CENTER WORK MISSION GARAGE SALE April 15 April 16-22 June 1 & 2 Breakfast following a project presentation. Free will offering for Bartlett Center projects. Can you spare a day or two? Work begins to clean, paint, remodel and equip youth areas. Proceeds of the Garage Sale will go toward FBC Mission Projects. Donations accepted.
Hurricane Harvey Relief The end of summer brought Hurricane Harvey. Harvey devastated the Houston area and everything south of it. Entire communities were destroyed by over 50+ inches of rain, multiple tornados and destructive flooding. FBC answered the call for help and sent teams to Bailey s Prairie, Texas to serve this community of primarily low-income senior adults. The Bailey s Prairie community consists of 179 homes, 90 of which flooded. Judith McElya, led the team, coordinating the efforts while in Bailey s Prairie. Judith, a member of the community felt called to help her neighbors, some of which she had never met before the flood. Relief Mission #1 The first team traveled to Texas September 30. The team worked on the homes of Annie May and Bailey installing insulation, hanging sheet rock, taping and mudding, running electrical wiring, and installing new bathroom fixtures. Three team members spent time at Second Mile stocking the food pantry. Team Members: Tim Kelley, Mark Vincent, Judy Gibson, Caryl Walker, Debbie Walker, Ron Leeson, Judy Glauser, Austin Tounsand and Karen Lawrence. Relief Mission #2 The second team returned November 11 for an additional week. Finishing work was completed on Annie May and Bailey s homes, as well as, beginning work on M.K. and Sister Granville s home. The team sheet rocked, mudded and sanded, textured walls, painted, and hung doors and trim. Team Members: Don Jones, Jill Jones, Caryl Walker, Ron Leeson, Judy Gibson, Lori Cole, Richard White, Austin Tounsand, Jimmy Toalson and Karen Lawrence. Relief Mission #3 A third team departed February 18 for another week. Stay tuned for details of this trip at a later date. 2
2 1 Appalachian Christmas Child 2017 FBC again participated in the Appalachian Christmas Child program. One of the greatest needs in this area occurs around the holidays. The First Baptist congregation graciously gave money to sponsor food baskets and enthusiastically filled backpacks with a variety of gifts including toys, clothing, and food. Ten members of FBC traveled to West Virginia in November and hosted a Christmas Celebration where they held a chili supper and distributed 20 food baskets and 120 backpacks that were filled for the children. Santa made a stop to see the children and gave each child a backpack and candy. The children were so excited and parents were very appreciative. In many cases, these would be the only Christmas gifts some children would get. In all, over 150 people attended the celebration. This is second year FBC has participated in the program. Pastor Aaron Sligar said, We are so thankful for our partners at First Baptist. Our hearts are full by their willingness to serve our community. This has been a great partnership. We are forever grateful and blessed! Also while in Sutton, the team continued work on the Sanctuary by painting and building a baptistery for Living River Chapel. This was FBC s fourth trip to West Virginia and the teams have helped this small church transform a mechanics garage into to a church. Team members: Gary & Ginny Hurst, Don & Jill Jones, Vinita Ware, Beverly Null, Caryl Walker, Ron & Bobbi Leeson and Karen Lawrence. 3
LOCAL MISSION WORK Naomi Dinner 2017 The 6th Annual Naomi Dinner was held on Saturday, October 28. The FBC Deacons hosted the evening for those men and women of the community whom have lost their spouses. The mission of this ministry is to show these widows and widowers Christian love and support during the holiday season. Twenty-eight ladies and four gentlemen were in attendance. Kim Smith entertained the crowd with beautiful song, while visiting Pastor, Aaron Sligar of Living River Chapel in Sutton, WV shared his inspiring thoughts about taking care of one another. The group enjoyed Mushroom Chicken and Bacon Wrapped Sirloin cooked by Jill Jones and Karen Lawrence. The deacons served as the wait staff. The evening concluded with fellowship and door prizes. FBC Bowmen 2017 The FBC Bowmen presented a check for $3500 to the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation at the annual banquet and auction held Friday, November 17, 2017. The Bowmen raise funds for this charity by donating $1 each time they hit a bull s eye at a bow shoot. Each bowman obtained a number of sponsors who in turn matched that $1 donation. The $3,500 raised this year will sponsor at least two Wounded Warriors next fall on a Missouri Deer or Duck Hunt. This is the second bow season the Bowmen of First Baptist has participated at this annual charity event, which is one of the largest fundraisers for the organization. Rosendale Project A faithful group of FBC men have been diligently serving a family in Rosendale. They have been assisting in the remodel of an old bank building, converting it into a home for a family of six. The team demolished and installed subfloors, built access stairs, put in a landing, installed sewer and water lines, cut trees down to allow for electrical access and many other construction tasks. Team Members: Tim Kelley, Don Jones, Aaron Jones, Harold Morgan, and Steve Lewis. 4
2 1 His Princess Ministry His Princess is open again for business! The Boutique creator, Jenny Esely-Edwards, daughter of Cindy Esely, started the Christian ministry, His Princess to assist girls at North Andrew and Savannah during prom season. This is the second year for the ministry. But it has grown into something so much more. Now the ministry serves His people by providing a prom dress to ANY girl, in ANY school district. Not every girl has a budget for a prom dress, but every girl needs the perfect prom dress. His Princess matches gently used prom dresses with a new princess His Princess. FBC s very own Cindy Esely and Billie Sue Wall sit on the His Princess Advisory Board. these girls, as well as, helping them find a dress, we are so happy to be a small part of this great ministry by giving each girl their very own Bible. FBC Mission Advisory Team reached out to Jenny to see how we could help with this wonderful ministry. FBC is now supporting this ministry by providing Bibles to each of the young girls who come to shop at the His Princess Boutique. Jenny and her team plant the seeds of The Lord and now these seeds can grow by providing The Word to each of them. Karen Lawrence says, This is such a unique ministry for young girls, some of which are having struggles far beyond the financial ones. I know Jenny and her team provide spiritual support to If you have a prom dress, costume jewelry, shoes or a monetary donation you would like to donate to the His Princess Boutique please drop it off to one of the following drop off sites: Jenny says, I had no idea how this ministry would grow. I had no idea 50 girls would need a dress last year. I had no idea that a community could embrace a concept and love it into an awesome reality. The dress is just the avenue. The mission of the ministry is for each princess to realize whom she belongs to, how much He loves her and that He designed a purpose just for her. I m just the vehicle for the ministry, God gets the Glory! Cindy Esely at the Andrew County Courthouse, Treasurer Office Jenny Edwards at Andrew County Health Department Jodi Spire Nellesen Insurance Agency 102 S. 5th Street 5
Coming Soon Local mission opportunities will be available soon at the Bartlett Center in St. Joseph. First Baptist s very own Cort Ney Turner is the new Executive Director of the Center. The Bartlett Center is located at 409 S. 18th Street in midtown St. Joseph. The center is in need of some TLC, like painting, cleaning, renovations, repairs and replenishment of supplies and equipment. This will be an ongoing opportunity to express Christian love and service to those in need. Watch for more dates and details in the near future. Mission Advisory Team Mission Statement No place without a witness, No church without a vision, No person without hope. First Baptist Church 500 East Pawnee Savannah, MO 64485 500 East Pawnee