A Word from Pastor Jason






What We Believe Pastor's Word Meet Our Staff Church Directory Church History		A Word from Pastor Jason July 2008 From the Pastor, As I write this letter I am over 36,000 feet above the earth in an airplane flying home from the Southern Baptist Convention. Please be in prayer for our newly elected president, Johnny Hunt, the pastor of Woodstock Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. The condition of our convention is okay at this present time, but we have work to do in the next two years. We must get back to the real deal—evangelism ( thoroughly explaining the Gospel to people ), and missions ( going to the uttermost parts of the earth). Our International Mission Board is planting churches and baptizing more people in the uttermost parts of the earth than ever before. The place that we are the most concerned about is these blessed United States of America. On Monday, June 16^th, in the state of California a historical moment took place in these United States. The state of California has now sunk down even farther by the approval of same sex marriage. As I read the paper in the airport in Newark, New Jersey, waiting on my flight, I read about this issue. My heart broke as two men expressed their joy and happiness at the approval of their lifestyle. Do they really have joy? My heart broke as I thought about the destiny of those two men, unless they do like any adulterer, fornicator, murderer, etc, and repent of their habitual sin. Is this joy? I think not. God help us, turn us, and break us. This decision by the state of California has inched us even closer to the return of our blessed Savior. We must be careful to love all persons by sharing the Gospel with them while there is still time to repent and receive Jesus Christ, the only way to have true joy! Another issue of concern for our convention and every evangelical church is the one of our young people leaving the church right before graduating or shortly thereafter. We must invest into our young people by being upstanding Christians and bringing forth fruit worthy of duplicating. How can this be done—one at a time. Look around in your church in the next few Sundays and find a young person and go to them and encourage them to keep serving Jesus Christ. Pray for our youth daily. This past month was another busy one at SHBC. We began our month with “Outrigger Island” our Vacation Bible School for this year. The Lord blessed with an enrollment of 245 and an average of 210 for the week. This is great, but the best part was that we had 20 boys and girls pray to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Pray for the follow up to go well. The Sunday after the week of VBS the Lord blessed with 3 of those professions coming and making them public during our morning service. Thanks to Judy Schaffer and all the volunteers that helped this event take place. On June 7^th, our third annual car show took place. We had a beautiful day that the Lord provided and had many many cars show up for the show. The time of fellowship is always good for all that attend. This is an event that I like simply because it brings people to a church that usually would not come to a church event. We also always share the Gospel presentation with the people there. We had two miracles take place in the parking lot that day—2 persons prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Praise the Lord! Thanks to Ken and Judy Wolfe, and all the volunteers that helped this event happen. We look forward to next year’s show. Our Father’s Day breakfast went great and those that attended got to hear a powerful message delivered by Rick Burgess from the Rick and Bubba show. We played the DVD of the eulogy that Rick gave at his son’s funeral. It was moving and caused all the men there to examine and see that nothing is more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ, our families, and our church. Thanks for those that helped cook the breakfast and those that were able to attend. The month of July brings a huge time of vacations for our people. Enjoy your family and enjoy the time away from the regular routine of life. Keep Jesus first and all will be great. This month also brings the time that we celebrate our freedom. We will be having a Fireworks Extravaganza on Friday, July 4^th, beginning at 6PM and lasting until we have the fireworks at dark. The ironic thing in thinking about freedom is we just flew over the Statue of Liberty in New York! We also have a group of adults going up to Ohio on a mission trip. Be praying for their safety and traveling mercy as they leave and come home. ( this trip is at the end of July into the first week of August ) One other thing that is going on in the month of July is our nominating process. We are busy trying to fill places and get teachers in the right places for the 2008-2009 year in the life of our church. Have you turned in your nominating form? Remember God has got a place for all of His children to serve in the local body of Christ. Our new year begins on the first Sunday in September. We are expecting God to move in a mighty way as we get rooms ready and pray expecting Him to move. Pray for our youth as they are taking the lead and moving in our old building to provide more room for our children and preschoolers. Thanks to Jay and the youth teachers for seeing the vision. Well, I have rambled enough. I just get excited thinking about what God wants to do with His people at SHBC. I cannot think of anything better to get excited about than Jesus Christ! Check out the website or be sure you get the calendar each month on the first Sunday in the bulletin to see what all is going on in the life of your church. *Serving Regardless,* *Pastor Jason* *Upcoming Events:* *Sunday School Training at Shocco—August* *Where ya at? Day—First Sunday in September ( more info to come )* *Friend Day—Refuse to attend alone day—November 2^nd—double up Sunday in SS*