Church Picnic 2009

It seems that everyone forgot their cameras, so we have no pictures of the church picnic. Still, everyone had a great time of food and fellowship. We played some rousing games of basketball and wiffle ball, ate some good food, and had a great time fellowshipping and talking about the Lord around the bonfire that night! Can't wait until next year's picnic! Hope to see you there!

Missionary Matt Allen Radio Interview

Here is a link to an interview that Bro. Matt Allen, our missionary to Papua New Guinea did with World Evangelism Radio.

http://www.thattheymayknow.com/bm/video-and-photos-of-the-people-and-work-in-png/matt-allen-radio-interview-with-pastor-austin-gard.shtml

Farewell, Bro. Leon

Weather Alert for Central Florida--Spiritual Sunshine is headed your way!

It was a sad day today at Bible Baptist Church as we said goodbye to an irreplaceable member of our congregation--Brother Leon Richardson. He and his wife will be leaving on October 5 for central Florida. Words cannot express the blessing, encouragement, and inspiration that he has been to our church in the years that he has been a member. We will always remember his constant smile and words of encouragement and exhortation, as well as the many specials that he has sung over the years. He has inspired many young Christians to grow and has given older Christians the encouragement and exhortation to go on. The Lord sent him to our church providentially at a time in which we needed it and has now chosen to call him to another place of service. May the Lord bless him in his endeavors and we look forward to seeing him again soon! Godspeed, Brother Leon, we will "meet you in the morning" or in the air!

Bro. Leon preaching at the Nursing Home

Happy Birthday, Pastor Baker!

Happy Birthday, Pastor Baker! Thanks for all you do!

Graduation Service

Congratulations Graduates!! Bible Baptist recognized our high school and college graduates. They were presented with a gift from the church, a charge from Bro. Baker, and of course food afterwards. It's exciting to think of what may lie ahead and how God can use these graduates in the future.

Teen Retreat 2009

On June 19-20, the teens went on their annual retreat--this time to Louisville, KY. They arrived in Louisville around 3:30 p.m. at the home of Steve and Debbie Maynard, brother and sister-in-law to Bro. Mark Maynard. They had graciously offered their home for the retreat which was a real blessing. After a grill out and some basketball and cornhole, we headed off downtown to Louisville Slugger Field to see a Louisville Bats game. The Bats are the AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Following the game , there was a pretty cool fireworks show. Afterwards, we headed back to Steve and Debbie's house for some snacks and a Looney Toons movie. Saturday morning began with breakfast from Burger King and a devotional charge from II Timothy and then it was on to Kart Kountry. IT WAS HOT!!!! And I don't mean just regular hot--it was Ohio Valley sticky hot! However, despite the heat, everyone survived and had a great time. We rode go-karts and played miniature golf and some trampoline basketball. Some of the go-kart races got pretty competitive, including one of teens bumping the Youth Director from behind, causing him to spin out and lose the race! We also had a chance to see a street preacher on the corner just up the street from the Track which was pretty neat as well. On the way home we stopped at Kingfish, a nice seafood restaurant down on the Ohio River and enjoyed some really good food. Thanks to all those who came and I am sure we are all looking forward to next year!

Are we there yet?

The boys hanging out at the game

Kelsey and Caroline--all smiles!

A nice shot of the fireworks

Group shot after the game

Saturday morning devotional

Caroline following along

Ready to race!

Pretty self-explanatory...

I think he's checking the wind, but he may just need "MORE POWER!!"

"Tiger, for par..."

Mark and Allyson Maynard

Ross, Caleb, and Joshua

Kelsey and Caroline

Kingfish on the Ohio River

A Special Sunday Service

Today may have seemed like any other Sunday service at Bible Baptist Church, but there was something that made it very, very special. For the longest time, we at Bible Baptist Church have not been able to financially support our pastor full time. In order for us to be able to continue supporting all of the missionaries that we currently support, Pastor Baker took on a full time job working construction. It has always been his desire to be able to do the work that a full time pastorate requires. With much prayer and the Lord's help, on June 1, 2009, Pastor Baker has cut back to part time at EGC Construction and we are now able to support him as our full time pastor, allowing him to do the work that God has called him to do. Today was his first Sunday back as our full time pastor, and, according to Bonnie Morgan, he "knocked it out of the park!" He did a chalk talk on the faith of Noah this morning and preached a very practical Christian life message this evening. Keep up the good work, Pastor Baker! We know that great things are ahead!

Pastor Baker's chalk drawing from this morning

Spring Revival

We had our Spring Revival with Bro. Phil Gabbard from May 15-17. It was the first time we have had Bro. Gabbard come and preach and he truly was a blessing. He did a lighted chalk drawing on Saturday night and sang and played his guitar on all three nights. During the Sunday morning service, one young lady walked the aisle and got saved! Praise the Lord! Following the morning service, we had dinner on the grounds followed by and early afternoon service. Bro. Gabbard truly was a great blessing and we look forward with anticipation for the next time the Lord allows him to come back!

Sunday School Promotion

Over the past several weeks, we have been having a Sunday School promotion in order to bring in more kids for classes on Sunday mornings. We used an old West round-up theme, complete with General Store, Bible Baptist Bank (featuring Baker Bucks), and a sheriff (played hilariously by Bro. Gary Elam) and an outlaw (played by Bro. Mark Maynard) who would steal Baker Bucks from the kids (more on that in a bit). The kids could earn Baker Bucks by bringing their Bibles to church, bringing visitors, and saying their memory verses in front the church. They could take their bucks to the General Store and buy various items that were available. All in all, it went very well, and we saw several new kids come during this time. Now, back to the sheriff and outlaw. After the kids would say their verses, an outlaw would run in from the back and try to steal their bucks (sometimes successfully, sometimes not). The sheriff would come running in just as the outlaw was running away in an attempt to arrest him. This played out for several weeks until finally the outlaw was caught. He was thrown in jail and ultimately brought out before the judge to be sentenced for his crimes. Because "the wages of sin is death," he was sentenced to be hanged from a tree for his sins. Just as he was about to be hauled away, the judge's son came running in from the back and offered to be a substitute for the outlaw and take his place. The outlaw was set free and the judges son was hauled away to be executed. Afterwards, the sheriff took a couple of minutes and explained what the skit meant and gave the plan of salvation to the kids. Overall, the promotion went very well, and, hopefully, we will have several new kids who consistently come to Sunday School. Thanks to all those who put all of their effort into this promotion--Jim and Nancy Bradley, Dave and Jeni Ervin, Natalie Bradley, Gary Elam, Mark Maynard, and all of the Sunday School teachers. All of your work was greatly appreciated and did not go unnoticed!

The Sheriff reading off the charges before the Judge

The Outlaw awaiting his sentence

The Judge pronouncing sentence

Memorial Day Service

I have several things to catch you up on so let's start with our Memorial Day service. Bro. Baker preached Sunday morning on memorials and remembering what it means to be a Christian soldier. On Sunday night, Bro. Baker asked Bro. Leon Richardson, a naval Korean War veteran, to preach. He preached on how to become a soldier (volunteer or recruited), promotions as a soldier (our heavenly rewards), and getting out one day (looking for our heavenly home). It is always a blessing to hear Bro. Leon preach on a subject that he holds so dear to his heart. He is a very active member of the DAV and is very passionate about the care of welfare of our nations veterans.

Bro. Leon explaining the red, white, and blue in the flag

Recent Activities

I do apologize to any frequent visitors of the blog for not updating the blog as I should have. Please check back for revised and new updates soon! Thanks.