I can’t believe that 2019 is already coming to a close! I am so excited about what God has in store for our church in 2020. We are going to be launching a new vision and mission statement for Fee Fee Baptist and the first sermon series that I will present will be based around this vision. I pray that you can join us as we look at this new vision.
Our mission statement is now: Fee Fee Baptist Church exists to make disciples who build their lives on Jesus and pursue the good of our community for the glory of God.
Every Sunday in January we will unpack what it means to build our lives on Jesus and pursue the good of our community. Additionally, I want to invite you to join a Bible Study class in 2020. Each of our classes, during the eight Sundays of January and February, will be looking at different vision markers that we have established as a church. This will be a great way to get a deeper understanding of what we are going to focus on here at FFBC.
However, before we unpack exactly what God has for us in 2020, it is important for us to step back and remember what God did in 2019. It can be easy to just focus on what is next, and not spend enough time celebrating what God has done. That is why this issue of The Forerunner is going to be a special “Year in Review” issue. In this final issue of 2019, you will read the many ways that God worked in our midst. I pray that it won’t just bring back fond memories, but it will lead each of us to give glory to God for the great things that He has done!
There’s a great story in 1 Samuel 7 about an Ebenezer. In this passage, the Israelites are at war with the Philistines, and they go to Samuel for help. He implores them to get rid of their idols and confess their sins and repent to God. They gather together at Mizpah and cry out to God. Meanwhile, the Philistines hear that the Israelites have gathered together and they attack. The Israelites cry out to God and He gives them an incredible victory.
At that point, Samuel took a stone and named it Ebenezer, saying that “up to here the Lord has helped us.” That Ebenezer was a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the victory he had given the Israelites. Samuel never wanted the Israelites to forget that it was God who won the victory, not them.
Think of some of the ways that God has worked in our church. We had 492 people worship with us at Easter this year. We gave 455 volunteer hours to the city of Bridgeton during Impact Week in September. We sent 61 different people out from our church to serve on mission trips. And that is just the tip of the iceberg!
This issue of the Forerunner is going to serve as an Ebenezer for our church. We want to remember God’s faithfulness and give Him credit and glory. As you read these articles, join me in praising God for His goodness and grace. He has been faithful to this church since 1807! And we know His past faithfulness is a great indication of how He will work in the future!
In Him,
Pastor Zach