Packed house makes Women's Christmas Brunch WONDERFUL!

The annual women's Christmas brunch greeted a packed Family Life Center which made for a delightful time with friends from around west Georgia. Rhonda Bush, the president of the Women's Fellowship lead several women and and a few men as they served the capacity crowd. Terri Morris delivered the devotion for the luncheon. The tables were decorated by various church women who displayed a variety of imaginative scenes.

Children's Christmas Musical Elevates Spirits

The children here at First Christian Church performed in front of hundreds of parents, friends and relatives on the first Sunday night of December and encouraged our hearts. Their musical, "The Mystery of the Manger" got all of us into the spirit of Christmas. Thanks to all them for hard work!

A Lesson Learned.

This is a picture of myself and two Masai tribesmen standing outside their little village of 170 people, which represented five families. Masai are an indigenous group of herdsmen and shepherds in south western Kenya. On this day I visited their tiny village which was made up of tiny mud-brick huts and deadwood fenses for make-shift corrals that would house cattle and sheep at night. The interior of the camp is covered with animal droppings making it hard to walk around without stepping on the same. Flys, barefooted children and open fires make up the surroundings. In talking to the Masai they value their traditional ways. I found this interesting, because they would rather cling to their tribal traditions than know a better life. At least that's the way it seemed to me. On returning home I thought how blessed that our society is open to change so that our lives can be better. When we let the past inprison us today and then take captive the future, life becomes a chore. Only Jesus brings forgiveness to the past and hope for a better future. Christian faith not only gives hope for eternity, but it motivates us for a better life right here on earth.

East Africa Mission Trip Completed With Joy!

Terri and I returned home on Saturday November 17th after spending 13 days in Kenya, East Africa. I spent most of my time teaching and talking with church Pastors and leaders giving them encouragment and instruction on Church leadership principles. It was a great joy to find devoted men and women who make great sacrifaces to advance the gospel in a primitive place. Terri spent most of her time working on a medical team in poverty troubled areas. She spent two days in the second largest slum in the world outside of Nairobi.
I was able to speak with a native Kenyan church planter who in recent years has planted 119 congregations and six children's homes. He was a bright and bold Christian man. One day when we were talking he pulled out his prayer list in the middle of the conversation so he could remember what he was to keep before the Lord that hour. I noticed a very neat peice of paper broken into each hour of the day beside which was listed his prayer need of the hour. I was constantly amazed by the Kenyan beleivers who pray more often and at greater length than most Americans. Such mission trips always humble me when you see with your own eyes the circumstances that many beleivers live in and under and yet boldly proclaim their faith. God has good people serving all around the world and some of His best are in Kenya.

Working in Africa is under way.

This is a picture of the Kenya Wildlife Training Facility, which is a governement owned facility like a state park back in the states. Here Kenya trains young people on nature conservation. This week International Leadership Institute is using the campus for what is called a national leadership conference involving 30 key church leaders from around the country of Kenya. Daily I sit in small groups to encourage local leaders in their faith and help with developing leadership skills. Many Pastors here in Kenya have little former training, but rely only on their self study of the Bible. They appear to deeply appreciate the teaching and personal counsel. I love to hear them sing. They have an African shape note aspect to their singing that makes the old hymn, 'O how I love Jesus' take on new meaning. On Thursday and Friday I will be off to an outside village to teach in what is called a regional conference on church leadership. What a joy to know this men and women of God who are doing their very best with very little resources to spread the gospel of Christ. My wife Terri is working with a Carrollton, Georgia Doctor treating children of Nairobi slums and surrounding areas. Johnny Culwell from First Christian Church in Carrollton works with them as well. I will meet up with them on Sunday.

Local College ministry comes to First Christian.

Christian Campus Fellowship or "CCF" of the University of West Georgia meets monthly in the Family Life Center at First Christian Church. Jason Walton, the campus minister leads about 100 college age students through worship, sharing and bible teaching. Wow! What a joy it is for First Christain to provide the evening meal and welcome these wonderful students into our facility. Let's always encourage these fine and interested college students to walk with the Lord. You can reach Jason Walton at CCF by writing him at jason@uwgccf.org. CCF can always use your financial support as well, so consider a Christmas offering for CCF this year.

Supporting South India Christian Mission

John Vincent, pictured here with his hosts, Dick and Susan Ingle visited with our congregation over 12 days in October. John Vincent is a native of India, who left Hinduism at age 13 to become a Christian. Cast out of his home by his father, John eventually ended up in a Bible training school and today ministers in a mighty way in southern India, pastoring a local church as well as training other Pastors. John along with about a dozen other native preachers receive their direct support from the mission budget here at First Christian Church in Carrollton. Your giving to the Lord's work really does help! John Vincent is living proof of a life changed by the wonderful love of Jesus. While in Carrollton, John, ministered in several settings, including worship on Sunday, October 21st.

Africa Mission Fund exceeds expectations.

Several months ago myself and Johnny Culwell in our congregation set plans to go to Kenya, Africa this November with International Leadership Institute to serve in church leadership training and medical assistance for children. Our fund raising goal was $8,000.00 so that Johnny and I could get our own way paid and make a small donation to ILI. As of today we have smashed the goal! People have responded generously and close to $17,000.00 has been raised. Slightly more than $7,000.00 was raised at the Spagetti Dinner and dessert auction alone. All extra monies will go towards medical supplies for children in the slums of Naivasha, Kenya. A city north/northwest of the capitol Nairobi.

I have also collected from the congregation, a hundred pair of eyeglasses and hundreds of toothbrushes which will also go with us to help the Kenyans. My wife Terri will also be with us on the trip as an employee of ILI. Thanks to so many who do more than can be imagined to bring hope to Africa.

Godtube.com

I recently discoverd godtube.com where you can find some great Christian videos. Watch the following of a little girl who struggles to recite the 23rd Psalm. Enjoy the Lord today and everyday.

God always provides for His Faithful People.

J. Hudson Taylor, born in 1832 was an English missionary to China. He is regarded by many as one of the great missionaries of the last 200 years. He founded the 'China Inland Mission' which at his death included 205 mission stations with over 800 missionaries, and 125,000 Chinese Christians.

Taylor used to hang in his home a plaque with two Hebrew Words on it: EBENEZER & JEHOVAH JIREH. The first word means ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’ and the second, ‘The Lord will see to it or provide.’ One looked back while the other looked forward. One reminded him of God’s faithfulness and the other of God’s assurances.

J. Hudson Taylor died in 1905, before the communist takeover of his beloved China. His days were days of extensive and effective evangelism. Multitudes of converted Chinese will rise up in Heaven and call him blessed. And many Christian workers whose lives were challenged and changed by the contagious Christian character of Taylor will follow in his train.

As you commit to the Lord and follow Him faithfully, God will bless you with a life that has been worth living.

Welcoming a New Youth Minister!

Lorin Motta has been selected by our Elders and Staff to begin shortly as Youth Minister here at First Christian Church. Lorin has over 8 years experience with youth ministry and currently is a worship minister for a church in Lafayette, Indiana. Lorin and his wife, Trisha are both graduates of Huntington College in Huntington, Indiana. They have two sons, Noah, in the blue and white striped shirt and Elijah. They will be moving into town in early August and Lorin will begin work soon.

Saying Good-bye to a Good Friend.

Jay Akin, Associate Minister and his family said goodbye to us on Sunday, July 15th. The staff here held a final dinner in honor of him on Wednesday the 18th. Next Jay and I, Larry Vierling and Bob Stoker had to play one a final round of golf. Here Jay stands wearing a new shirt and holding his new Taylor-Made R5 Driver given to him by the Elders and myself on his departure.

I want to thank so many of you who came out to Jay and Crytal's open house held at my home on the afternoon of the 15th. I know they were thrilled by your expressions of love.

I will miss Jay! But what a pleasure it is to know that in the Lord Jay will be accomplishing more for the Kingdom of God as he preaches for another Georgia congregation. Blessings to you my friend!

Christmas in August!

I want to invite you to share Christmas in August this year! Patti Saylor, of our congregation, who lost her son in the Iraq war two years ago and myself want to ask you to give to something very special.
"Soldier’s Angels", an organization in Georgia supplies Christmas stockings for our armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We want to partner with them to provide some necessities and goodies this coming Christmas. We need to collect items at this time of year to achieve the goal of sending our Christmas gifts on time for the end of the year.
Therefore, in August our congregation wants to collect toothbrushes and lip balm for serving soldiers. Each toothbrush or lip balm needs to be in an individual package.
Look for a collection box placed in the main Family Life Center entrance for any drop off. You may decide to make a financial gift and you can do that by writing your check to “First Christian Church” and earmarking it, “Solder’s Angels”.
Further information about Solder’s Angels can be found at www.soldiersangels.org. There theme is ‘May no soldier go unloved.”

Friendships grow through rafting trip.

24 men from our congregation reported recently great fun and fellowship from rafting and camping together in Tennessee. Sharing a meal, doing something enjoyable and spending time with God in worship always does the heart good. Thanks to Micheal Tribble in our congregation who worked to put together the trip.

The Heavens declare the Glory of God.

This picture was take from the Hubble Telescope spacecraft of the new tenth planet beyond Pluto nicknamed Xena.

Picture of a dying star.

An image taken from earth of the surface of our Sun.

The Psalms tells us that the vast heavenly creation is a testament to the power of a God who has designed the universe. Psalms 19:1-4 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

In our modern age we seldom look to the atmosphere above us to relish this concept. We are intoxicated with our own selfish pursuits and we have lost the skill of meditation. We have forgotten God. I stumbled upon these marvelous pictures recently and as I pondered them closely I think I can see our God's great power.

These photos were taken by the Hubble Telescope now in space. For more amazing photos go to http://www.space.com/.

Paris Hilton: the attraction of a story out of control.

I hesitate to place a picture of Paris Hilton on anything, including my ministry web blog; but I wanted to illustrate the media frenzy surrounding her release from jail. Isn't it amazing the attention and media focus on her life in general and this story in specific. So many issues and causes deserve attention, resources and support in our society and Paris Hilton's jail sentence and her release has generated phenomenal time and space in the media. Many of us really haven't watched that closely and most of us really don't care, but there seems to be a fasination with such a story in our culture, if only in the media. It is a story that you can hardly avoid!

That is what takes me back to the Bible. If you read the Psalms, David and other psalmist struggle throughout with the concept that those who disregard God seem to escape justice and even prosper. They are often wealthier, happier, without hardship and even more attractive than the rest of us. "How long will the wicked be jubliant?" the Psalmist asks. (Ps. 94:3) If we focus on the prosperity of the worldly, then our blessings diminish quickly. So we are charged with a daily task of reminding ourselves of some everlasting Biblical truths. Sin and wickedness only last for a season. Beauty fades, but the inner spirit will prevail. Character is more important than reputation. Wealth is fleeting and can be lost in a moment. Things don't matter, people matter. Life is short, so don't waste it, abuse it or indulge it, but invest your life in things above, not on things in this world. Love ultimately wins. Eternity is forever and one day the things we have suffered through on this earth will quickly pale into insignificance against the glorys of heaven. So be faithful! Be true! Walk in love and goodness! God blesses the righteous we are told, but the wicked the "wind blows away." (Ps. 1:4 NIV)

Atlanta Christian College Banquet held at FCC.

Monday night, June 18th about 70 people gathered in the Family Life Center for a special fund raising banquet for Atlanta Christian College. First Christian Church has a rich heritage of investing in missions here and around the world. Members of west Georgia Christian Churches were invited to listen to a progress report by Interim President Dean Collins. First Christian Church and Bethany Christian Church gave $4,750.00 to start the donations. It is exciting to know that young people are being trained for full-time Christian service and we at First Christian Church can partner with them for a future that helps affect the Kingdom of God on earth. Pictured here, left to right are Dean Collins, Interim President, Wye Huxford, Dean of Chapel, Michael Gunnin, ACC Church Relations, Dr. Eddie Grover, former ACC President and Sandy and Larry Vierling, members of First Christian Church and Larry is a Trustee at ACC. It was a great night and the work of Atlanta Christian College and other missions we support do a great job in Jesus name!!

Loving Kids is a Primary Interest in the Church.

A great number of children have gathered for our Summer Vacation Bible School this week which we call "Avalanche Ranch". Children have sung, ate, played, prayed, ridden, sang, learned and built things. All with one purpose to find an enjoyable home in our Lord Jesus.
We are reminded that faith is something to articulate and pass on to the generations coming behind us. That doesn't happen by wishing it to be so, but it comes through planning, effort and strategy.
Christian singer, Steve Green several years ago released a song in which he sang, 'may all who come behind us find us faithful'. That is a prayer that all of us who are parents and grandparents should pray.
Dueturonomy chapter 6 says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
So loving our children, even all children in our community is a most important interest in the church! Let's do that well, to the glory of God.

PENTECOST OFFERING SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS!

On June 3rd, one week after Pentecost, we receive a special offering to reduce/eliminate our remaining debt on our Worship Center. We received $62,973.00! The Worship Center debt is now eliminated, thanks to so many who made this special time of offering an important time of responce to God's continued work in this place.

Now free from this debt we move forward into the future with great hope and desire to serve the community around, the Lord within and our brothers and sisters in Christ who are at our side.

Uncle Phil's Diner Performance is a HIT!

WOW! Uncle Phil's Diner was a great time for all. Fantasitc crowds on both Friday and Saturday night enjoyed good fun and food as we stepped aside from the week to experienced the joy of being together and we discovered that it is "fun" to be in the Lord.

A NOTE FROM A GRATEFUL MEMBER.

"To Uncle Phil's Diner Directors, cast, crew and cooks,

A heart felt thank you for the wonderful production of the Dinner theater. Often

times laughter is the best medicine! The production was top-notch! May God bless each of you

and our church."

In His Hand,

Kay Farr

Special Offering June 3rd Sunday!

This coming Sunday JUNE 3rd we will collect an offering in honor of Pentecost, which has just gone by this past Sunday, May 27th. Pentecost was an ancient Jewish festival held in Jerusalem upon which also the Holy Spirit was poured out upon new believers and the Church of Christ Jesus was birthed. The apostles baptized 3000 people that first day alone.

Our freshish goal in Carrollton is to move ahead into ministry both locally and globally. If we can eliminate the debt remaining on our Worship Center structure we can be more finacially free to invest in real time ministry. Your largest possible and sacrifical gift can make the difference. Whatever God leads you to is greatly appreciated. Let's reach the goal of $61,000.00 to finish the debt.

This Sunday special envolopes are available for the Pentecost offering. Everything collected in these envolopes will be used for debt reduction. Our regular offering will also be collected this week as well. God is good. All the time. Please come prepared to give.

The Future is Bright

(Ryan, pictured left of the orange golf bag is congratulated by his coach following his final round at the NAIA Division 1 National Golf Championship.)

I just returned from watching my oldest son Ryan play in the NAIA national college golf tournament held this week near the University of Notre Dame. It was great fun. After his last putt on the final green I watched as he reached into the cup to retrive his ball for the final time and thought about all the games and practices I have attended in the last number of years. I suppose they are countless. Basketball, baseball, football and golf; from 1st grade through college. I hate to think of the money spent for equipment, schools fees, travel and tickets over the many years.

But it has been a joy to walk along side of him. Every parent feels something special as you watch a child grow up. Ryan's future is bright as he now launches out into life.

There is also a special feeling in a Preacher's heart as you watch a congregation reach new heights in their development. I am thrilled about the upcoming Pentacost offering that will help us move forward. Special envolopes will be available for that offering. Our regular offering will continues that Sunday as well. We start 180 WORSHIP on June 3rd in the evening. a pitch in dinner is at 5:00 PM, with worship to follow at 6:00 PM. The summer will have some new things as well. Be sure and get your summer calender next time you are at the church building. The possiblities for discipleship will soon be published. It is exciting to think about stepping forward and stepping up to new places as a congregation. Let us remember that whatever we do in life or in the church we should work at it with all our heart to honor Christ. God has something special in store for those who seek him.

By the way, Ryan, I am proud of you over the last twenty-two years and I look forward to the new stages of your life. Thanks for letting me watch you play and grow up. It was a thrill.

'First' Sunday Night Worship to Begin in June.

I am excited about the summer. A seasonal calender will be available this Sunday with many activities for June, July and August. Starting the evening of June 3rd we will begin "180 WORSHIP". A time of worship at the beginning of the month on the 'first' Sunday evening . It will continue through the year. Let's do a 180! Let's start turning around and turning over everything to Jesus. On June 3rd we'll have a pitch-in dinner at 5:00 PM, then worship to follow at 6:00 PM. with praise music and a special speaker. Bring the family, let's draw close to the Lord in this time and enjoy the presence of God and each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

A Milestone for my family. A Goal for all.

The picture shows my oldest son and my youngest daughter leaving the chapel at Milligan College. I love this picture. Just a little more than a week ago my oldest son, Ryan (22) graduated from Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee. As some of you know there is a fair amount of sacriface involved in completing college, for students and parents. It was an enjoyable weekend for Terri and me as we sat through several events surrounding the commencement ceremony held on Sunday afternoon, May 6th. There is a deep sense of pride that comes from seeing your child walk across the platform and receive their degree.

I am reminded of the scripture that calls everyone of us to progress in our walk with the Lord. We are to move forward in faith, knowledge and love over our years eventually graduating up to the full measure of Christ. Ephesians chapter 4:11-13 says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

One goal I am excited about for First Christian Church is developing a way to disciple ourselves and our children to live deeper lives in Christ. Let's not be satisfied with so-so living, but push ourselves to know Him significantly and follow Him completely. This week pick up the Bible again to read, pray for several minutes today and plan how you can start moving up in the class of Faith.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG POINT!

WOW! This is my first posting to my first blog spot and I am excited by the opportunity to share with friends about some of the exciting things going on at First Christian Church in Carrollton. After beginning in January of 2007 my wife and I have settled into a routine that is working well for the family. Terri has taken a part-time job with International Leadership Insitute right here in Carrollton. Check them out at www.iliteam.org. ILI provides church leadership training for Christians around the world to be the church. Their offices are right here in Carrollton, but their ministry reaches around the world with almost 100 conferences this year.
I am thrilled about the possibilities for First Christian Church. Within days a summer church calender will be published so that you can have an overview of events, studies and program during June, July and August.
Starting the first Sunday night in June, we introduce 180 WORSHIP. We will meet the first Sunday night of each month for inspiration and fellowship. You must check it out!
Remember that June 3rd is our Pentacost Offerring to collect a pay-off for debt elimination on our worship center. This offering can set us on a new course as we leave behind a debt and move towards future investment in local and global ministry.
This summer I want to spend time in the Wednesday night men's Bible Study to love them and learn together about so many good spiritual things.
I plan to write often to update you on good things, news stories and topics of interest for First Christian Church and the Kingdom of God.