Mission Moment - Steppin' Stone Farm

Remember the group of young ladies that came and sang for us a few weeks ago?  They were from Steppin’ Stone Farms.  Well, a group of us from the Missions Committee as well as a couple others went to Steppin’ Stone Farm on Saturday, May 5, 2012.  When we first arrived we were greeted by Lady –Steppin’ Stone’s mascot – a super friendly basset hound.  Lady walked with us to Cindy’s home where she began the tour.  She walked us down the path to the school.  There’s a bell outside the school that the girls that graduate from the program get to ring upon their completion.  On our way to the cottages (aptly named Faith, Hope and Love) Cindy told us how she was actually a participant in the program years ago – what a testament to God’s great plan that He took her from a bad situation (most of the girls are court ordered to be in the program) and led down a path that would bring her to a place where she is now passing on what she was taught all those years ago.

Cindy left us in good hands with two of the senior girls.  One will be graduating from the program this month and going off to college in August.  The other young lady is graduating from high school early and will be heading off to the Air Force to become a nurse.  They took us on the rest of the tour which included the area where the animals are that the girls are responsible for taking care of, especially when they receive demerits.  They have chickens, ducks, goats and pigs.  They also have horses, which they get to ride when they receive good merit points. A little further down the path we came upon where they have bon-fires - a good place to roast a hotdog or marshmallow and fellowship.  Further down the path is an outside area to have service.  Being out in nature like that – how can you not see the wonders of our God!  Next to that was the pond.  They’ve done baptisms there in the past – but Cindy says it always seems to rain when they would try to hold them (tears of joy from our Lord, I say).  So, now they do the baptisms at Cindy’s husband’s church (He’s the pastor there).

The girls treated us to breakfast for lunch.  It’s their traditional Saturday lunch.  Right before lunch, a few girls shared their testimonies.  It was wonderful to hear how their lives were changing/improving due to their surrender to the Lord and allowing the Spirit to lead them.  After lunch the girls sang a song for us – it’s called Blessings – by Laura Story – and what a blessing it was to hear those young ladies sing.


The funds that NBCC sends in support of this mission are definitely going to good use.  They have a good success rate (the rules are that a girl only gets one chance at Steppin’ Stone and Cindy shared that many of the graduates are doing well) and a great program.  I invite you all to check out their site to see/read more about them and/or to get involved.  They always need volunteers and have additional needs to be filled.  So come and join the mission committee or join us on one of our next field trips and get involved.  There will be more information provided in future bulletins and announcements.  We look forward to seeing you with us.


Pam Rosky

Restoration

You know, we serve a God of restoration. I am glad that we do. I am glad that relationships can be restored. My mom used to tell my brother and I (usually when we were arguing) that friends would come and go, but we would always be family. The church is a family. We go through things that, sometimes, aren't pretty. But we will always be family. We are all the children of God. A God of restoration. 

The New Guy in Town (Installment 1)

Most years, NBCC is privileged to host a ministry intern during the summer.  What is a “ministry intern?”  A ministry intern is a young man (or woman, I suppose) who is currently in Bible college and pursuing a ministry degree.  Thus far, we have hosted all young men learning for preaching ministry.  The interns come and learn about church work, church leadership, teaching, preaching, hospital visitation, jobs in the church, etc.  They are temporary employees of the church who learn the craft of being a minister.  


Troy
Christian Education Minister

The New Guy in Town

My name is Kristian Beasley. I am the new intern for New Beginnings Christian Church. I am excited to be here, and I can tell right off the bat this is a great place to belong. From talking with Troy, it is apparent that this church wants to be Christ to the community. With such outreach ministries like the food pantry, letting the Girl Scouts use the facilities, opening up the gym for basketball, and the drive-in Sunday service, it is evident that this church is being light to a dark world. 
During this internship, I will blog each week and give updates to what it’s like here at NBCC day to day. Each blog will contain my thoughts and ideas on the things, events, people, and places throughout the internship. 
In order to grasp a better sense of where I am coming from, you might need to know where I actually come from. I hail from the great state of Florida. Born in Tampa General Hospital, I have lived in Florida most of my life. I come from strong Christian roots and have a loving Christian family to back me up. Currently, I am working on my bachelor’s degree from Johnson University (Johnson Bible College). God has always been in my life, and I have no greater love than the love for my Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. I tell my girlfriend that “Jesus is my one and only true love.” I am sorry, but no one holds a candle to Him. 
Some things I want from this internship would be that I want to draw closer to God. Second, I want to learn ministry, the ins and outs, the good and the bad. I am a sponge that wants to soak up all the waters, minerals and get all the nutrients out of it I can. Third, I need this internship in order to graduate; it is a requirement for my degree. Last of all, I want to give back to the church. During my stay here, I am given and taking away so much from it, I just hope that I am able to give whatever I can back into NBCC and its members. 
Already, Troy has me working on projects that will better prepare me for ministry, such as reading books on preaching, going out to meet with people and letting me preach by myself. I can tell that some of these projects will not be easy and some of them seem overwhelming, but through the grace of God, I know that Jesus will get me through and be with me every step of the way. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11. 


Kristian
Ministry Intern

Marriage Mentor: The List

I read this in a devotional, and it made me smile.  You know, a smile of recognition...

I'll never forget the email I received from a husband who described in point-by-point detail what he hoped to get from one of our marriage conferences he and his wife were scheduled to attend. I can't squeeze all of them onto this page, but you'll get the idea.
I need you to talk to my wife about:

1. Getting her to stop watching bad TV shows
2. Getting her to read the Bible
3. Getting her to listen to Christian music
4. Getting her to support the charity work I do
5. Getting her to realize that she's a sinner
6. Getting her to stop drinking beer
7. Getting her to stop wasting our family's money
8. Getting her to stop worrying about fixing up our home
9. Getting her to realize she's setting a bad example...

I have my list...God, teach him this...make him this...help him quit that.  I have so often thought that my marriage would be perfect if my husband acted like I told him to.  If that man would just behave...goodness, my life would be so much easier.  
I don't have the benefit of decades and decades of marriage...but I have been married for years and years.  One thing that I am certain of:  I cannot change my man.  I have absolutely no control over how he chooses to act or what he thinks...heck, I can't even get him to wear what I would like.  What I do know is that God can change him...but that doesn't mean that bringing God a laundry list of things I wish my husband was or did honors my man or my God.  
First, it completely absolves me of any responsibility in my marriage.  Truth is, I could be married to the perfect man, and my marriage would still be flawed just because I am part of it.  God has some work to do on me.  Troy has his list - I am sure.  Second, it robs Troy of the opportunity to do his own thing with God.  God is working in my husband.  He is working for my husband's good.  My list may not be of benefit to Troy. God is teaching, growing and changing Troy according to His good purpose.
Don't get me wrong, I totally believe that God wants us to vent to Him.  I tell on Troy all the time.  I just don't think that hanging my hopes on God doing what I say to in and for my man will make marriage perfect.  I will trust God to be faithful in my marriage...He always has been.  He has never given me reason to doubt that He knows and wants His best for my family.  My man isn't perfect and my marriage is perfect, but my God is.

Kelly Borst

Missions Monday - Be a Doorholder!

We have the privilege of serving the next generation by ushering them into the presence of Jesus. The future of the church is gathering in Atlanta in January. What a joy for us to serve them as we develop a servant's heart that beats for the glory of our Savior! Join a group of doorholders from NBCC. See John Hartley or Troy or Kelly Borst for more about this opportunity.

The die has been cast...I am HIS

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me – my banner will be clear!

- a note found on the desk of a martyred African pastor

3 Principles for the Socially Awkward in Sunday School

Everyone is different... we all know that!  What we also know is that we do not want to APPEAR different or sound different in group settings.  This is also true at church no matter how you want to slice it.  Church is a social place with large groups and small groups and meals and opporutnities for conversations.
Sunday School is a small group (depending on the group) where people listen and talk with one another about the Bible.  It can be a daunting task for anyone to navigate the waters of Sunday School and not feel socially shy or awkward.  It makes it even harder if you are new!  
Here are a few tips to help you not feel so awkward the next time you are in a Sunday School class:


#1  Make sure you think through the question you are going to ask and make sure it makes sense with the topic that is actually being discussed.  Another issue with questioning is timing... if the time passes to another subject, just wait until after the group is over to ask your question.  No big deal!  You don't want to be a distraction in the group... you just want to add to it with your question and futher the lesson.
#2 When making comments, keep them short.  If you launch into a long personal story that might relate to the topic or might not, the teacher is sometimes at a loss when to stop you or doesn't want to hurt your feelings.  The best rule is when making a comment... make it short... 20 second or so and make sure it is on topic.  If the teacher or leader needs more from you (or wants you to speak more), they will encourage you to keep talking and sharing.
#3  Don't ever feel forced to read the Bible or ask a question or make a comment.  There is nothing wrong with just listening and soaking in what others have to say.  It can be unnerving to have to read in front of others... if you aren't sure about it... just skip it.  No biggie little piggie.  


The unfortunate part about this is that the people that need to read and apply these three principles don't think it actually applies to them.  They don't realize that... yes... you are the one.  In order to figure this out, think about the following items:
* When you talk in class, do others look down or shift in their seat as you talk.  When people are trying to be polite in group settings and they are embarassed for you or are trying to hide their frustration, they will often cover their face with their hands or bend their heads down so their expressions cannot be seen (they are being polite!).  Look around... are there a lot of people doing this?
*  If you start your comment or question with "I'm not sure how this relates, but..." it probably doesn't.
*  If the group leader attempts to break into your comment verbally, but starts to talk then stops, he or she is attempting to cut you off, but is trying to do so politely.  Maybe take a hint.  
*  Does it seem like you are doing all the talking and no one else is participating?  Maybe it is because you are taking up all the commenting time and others can't speak up.  This can happen to anyone... especially if you get excited about a topic or subject.


These are of course just some suggestions and ideas to help.  Being in groups is not for everyone, but they are so beneficial.  It is in small groups where we can expand our faith and understand others' view of the Bible and God.  Worth doing!  Worth doing well!


I hope this helps (if it is for you).


Troy Borst
Christian Education Minister