Cornerstone Baptist Church, 10/23/2011

I called the church on Friday and left a message for Brother Ed Johnson that Denise and I would be visiting Cornerstone on Sunday morning.  We arrived shortly before 9:00 am and the first folks we encountered were very helpful in directing us to Sunday School.  They not only asked what kind of class we were looking for, but someone personally escorted us to our respective classes.

When a church has a class taught by the Pastor, I generally avoid it so as to get a broader picture of the church.  Typically, for one of the same reasons, my wife and I prefer to go to different classes as well. On this morning I was in Mark Bell's class were I was greeted by everyone in the class.  Mark did a fine job with the lesson coming from the Romans 4.  The men in the class were very friendly with one another and seemed to know each other very well, they also made me feel comfortable as well.  One of them told me that they had been a church for 8 years, 3 in the building where they currently meet.  Denise had initially headed to the ladies' class, but because both teachers were unexepectantly out, her class joined another class.  Brother Ed led that class and was teaching out of the book of Ruth.  It was good, solid teaching and everyone seemed to enjoy both the teaching and participating. 

Brother Ed brought a very penetrating message about proper worship from Hebrews and Genesis, no sugar coating here.  They had a pretty good crowd and folks seemed to be unified in the direction there.   In fact, I was told that plans are being drawn up to increase their educational space, which is always a good sign to me! 

Lighthouse Baptist Church - 10/16/2011

Between being on shift and Denise's surgery and the long road of recovery, we've been laying low of late.  This past Sunday, though, we headed to Lighthouse Baptist Church, in Toney for service and Sunday school.  I've known Brother Randy Watts for close to fifteen years and count him as one of my closest and dearest friends.  One of the few men I'd feel comfortable calling in the middle of the night, if there was a need.  Bro. Randy has a true servant's heart and his love for the Lord is obvious.

Lighthouse was the church where Denise and I served in our early married years.  The church was newly started -- about a year old -- and Bro. Randy was the pastor who, along with several men of faith, birthed this church into being.

Today, more than sixteen years later, Lighthouse has a thriving church body and programs that truly minister to the life and need of the community.  In addition, Brother Randy and Lighthouse have played a tremendous role in bringing the new HEALS clinic to Madison Cross Roads Elementary.  This clinic sees to both the medical and dental needs of children in the community who otherwise might not receive care.

Sunday, Denise and I arrived for the 10:00 worship service.  The praise team was warmed up and ready and led us through several of our favorite hymns.  Brother Randy preached out of the last chapter of 1 Timothy, on the sovereignty of God.  He also gave Denise a little good-spirited  ribbing about her "Roll Tide" cast, but I think she gave as good as she got!

From worship, Denise headed on into the Ladies I Sunday school class.  There was also two couples classes -- one for the younger couples and one for the older couples.  Lighthouse also has a Sunday School session that begins at 9:00 for adults post-55.  As always, we enjoyed our morning and the fellowship at LBC.

First Baptist Church, Fairhope - 9/25/2011

This past week, Denise and I attended a PLACE workshop and training in Fairhope, Alabama.  The training equips 'coaches' to administer a variety of profile tests -- personality, spiritual gifts, talents, etc. along with noting significant life experiences, to determine where a person is best suited to serve.  So many of God's children are walking around serving in areas of their church that they're not passionate about, but just to fill a need.  If servants aren't plugged into the areas they were designed by God to fill, then they're not going to feel they're fulfilling their purpose, and likely will look for another church. 

We enjoyed the two-day training session immensely.  Since it occured on a Thursday/Friday, Denise and I decided to make it a long weekend and enjoy the local flavor.  Fairhope is a beautiful town and we took pleasure roaming its streets and shops (well, Denise enjoyed the shops) on Saturday.  Sunday, we decided to return to the host church of the PLACE conference, which was First Baptist Church, Fairhope.

The church itself has been a part of the downtown Fairhope landscape for over a hundred years and has seen it's share of trials, from hurricanes to flooding to fire.  At one point in the not too distant past, a terrible building fire shut down their sanctuary.   They held worship services offsite, and continued to hold Sunday school and other programs in the education section of their church.  As you might imagine, having to deal with the two locations took its toll, and the church struggled with growth.

Now, though, you'd never know it happened.  The church is quite beautiful and they run two worship services; an early, traditional service, and a later, contemporary service, with Sunday School in between.  Since we had to travel that afternoon, we opted for the earlier service.  Their choir, orchestra and children's choir were all in full force that morning and the music was wonderful.  The church is in the middle of a building campaign -- to build a new education building and add more parking -- and the pastor, Dr. Jerry Henry spoke that morning on passion of service and participation.

For Sunday School, we headed over to Rev. Brent Shaw's class.  Brother Brent is the Minister of Education and Administration for FBC Fairhope, and was the coordinator for the PLACE Conference.  I've met him several times before in connection with ABREA functions.  Brother Brent's class was a fairly large couple's class, and we were greeted and welcomed in high fashion.  In anticipation of using PLACE at FBC, Bro. Brent is walking his class through a spirital gifts inventory.  Our time that day was spent exploring truths and dispelling myths relating to spiritual gifts.  Bro. Brent is a great speaker and we enjoyed his class very much.

While FBC Baptist is not a part of our Madison Baptist Association, we know that a lot of folks from Madison County vacation on the Gulf and perhaps in Fairhope.  This would be a great church to visit if you find yourself in Fairhope on a Sunday morning.

We also hope to have more on the PLACE training available to churches in our area in the very near future.

Bethlehem Baptist Church - 9/11/2011

Prior to today I had never been to a service at Betheleham Baptist in Hazel Green.  I make the specific reference to Hazel Green because we also have a Betheleham Baptist in Laceys' Spring. 

We were greeted by many different folks as we found our way to the main entrance--which was clearly marked I might add.  We chose to attend the 9:15 worship which was contemporary and very good.  I especially liked the song the praise team performed while the offering plate was being passed, "All My Tears".  A little something different here was that the worship leader was also the lead guitar player.  He did a great job!

We shook hands and were welcomed by many, including Pastor Lon.  Speaking of Pastor Lon, he and some other men have really helped us out in the past at Camp MACOBA, with mowing and some weedeating.  One time that I know of, he put on a pair of waders and got in the pond so he could get a better angle at trimming back some trees that had become overgrown. 

His message was a very evangelistic one and came out of the sixth chapter of Ephesians ... this man does not seem to lack passion! 

After the service we made our way to Barry and Myra's Sunday School class, where I met Steve Farrow coming out.  I really like Steve and he too has been up at the camp and we've also had lunch together.  He is also the one who recommended this particular class. The class was on the topic of marriage and family.  My guess is there were about 50 folks (generally couples) in the class with a pretty wide age span.  Both Barry and Myra did a great job and there seemed to be a good spirit residing there.  I look forward to another visit in the future! 

New Market Baptist Church - 9/4/2011

It is always a pleasure to visit New Market Baptist Church.  Pastor Don Schultz is really loved by the people there and I certainly understand why.  He has been up at the Camp a few times since we have been there and I have also had lunch with him before.  He is a very caring and dedicated servant of the Lord and is such a shepherd to his flock.  

If I am correct he is second only to Dr. Jackson at Whitesburg Baptist when it comes to tenure in the churches of the MBA.  Brother Don is also our reigning Camp MACOBA Lawnmower Race Champion! The people at New Market Baptist are also very friendly, especially Bill and Sara Rotenberry's Sunday School Class.  They usually have an outing or two up at the camp every year.  We missed Wells Johnson and his lovely wife Mary Jane, as they were on their way to see about Well's sister...please keep her in your prayers.  

As we drive by the church every day on our way into town it seems they are adding a new member or two every week.  God really seems to be blessing the work going on there!   

Farley Community Church - 8/21/2011

What a great time we had at Farley Community Church this past Sunday.  The last time I had visited with Brother Dave the church parking lot had not been paved.  A few years ago we spent an afternoon together because I was anxious to hear the story of how the church got started.  What a great story it is with God

getting all the glory! 

The more I get to know Pastor Dave the more I like him.  I remember back several years ago seeing him for the first time -- singing with his brother at Shocco Springs for a Sunday School conference.  They were very good.  When we arrived, we were greeted by several friendly folks and Brother Dave led us to a Sunday School Class right after he got out of morning worship.  It was a great class and the teacher, Alan Nelson, did a marvelous job with the Word and life application.

We did not arrive in time for the traditional service so we stayed for the contemporary one which also was great and packed out!  It would seem that Brother Dave has a great team of leaders here at Farley as God continues to do a wonderful work.  We look forward to coming back here in the future.

Brownsboro Baptist Church - 7/31/2011

Sunday morning Denise and I had the privilege of visiting Brownsboro Baptist Church, located off Highway 72 in Brownsboro -- right next to Madison County High School.  I'd heard great things about Brother Joseph Cooper's preaching and have served with him on the Association's leadership team for the last couple of years.  And while I would not say we were real close friends (yet), I would certainly consider him a friend.  He has a great sense of humor, is very passionate about discipleship and fun to be around. 

Our visit to Brownsboro Baptist was the first time I had ever heard him preach and this soft spoken man was bold in the pulpit!  He brought a great message and pulled no punches.  It is very good to my heart to see that in the next generation of Preachers coming up there are some who can really bring it. 

Not sure what I was expecting from Worship but both Denise and I were very pleased.  I noticed a guy playing the mandelin and a young man on the elecric drums.  The choir loft was full and the singers did a great job on the special of Amazing Grace.

The church had good mixture of folks age-wise.  Sunday School was good with all the men making me feel very welcomed.  I noticed right before the Worship service started that the sanctionary was 80% full.....hmmm, maybe good things are going on out at Brownsboro Baptist Church!  :)