Author: Jim McMahon

  • A Word From Senior Pastor, Britton Carter, Vol. 65, No. 3, March 2025

    Member-Led Ministry

    The members of Humble Area’s First Baptist Church wanted to connect their neighbors to the gospel. Mobilized under the mantra, “Gather, Grow, and Go,” HAFBC members prayerfully engaged the community with a variety of formal and informal ministries. One such ministry, Study Buddies, paired local elementary school students with an after-school tutor at the church on Wednesday nights. A church member would pick students up from the school in a bus and drive them to the church, where the children worked with their tutor before Wednesday night activities. The program was widely successful, leading to tangible improvements for the students, exponential growth for the church’s Wednesday night activities, and numerous salvations.

    One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Study Buddies ministry is the fact that it was entirely member led. One church member developed a vision for the ministry. With the church’s blessing, she then reached out to a local elementary school to explain her vision. Afterward, she garnered dozens of volunteers and organized the weekly endeavor. Over time, the Lord provided more people with a passion for the ministry, and its leadership team grew from one to three, resulting in an even greater impact. The church, as an organization, provided a location for Study Buddies to meet and a bus to pick up students; however, the planning and execution of the ministry sprang entirely from the gifts and passions of a few faithful members.

    That’s member-led ministry. God has uniquely gifted each of you with resources, talents, and passions. For some of you, God has given you skills and passions that align with existing ministries. You can use your gifts to connect people to the gospel through music, connect students to the gospel in youth ministry, connect immigrants to the gospel in ESL, or to serve in some other capacity that strengthens fellow believers and reaches the lost. For others of you, God has given you a passion for a ministry we don’t have yet. He has placed a burden on your heart, and he has positioned you to launch a ministry.

    We want to support you. We want to resource you. We want to provide the meeting place and the bus. We want to supply the necessary funds. We want to help you mobilize volunteers. But most importantly, we want you to use your gifts and abilities to pursue gospel ministry.

     

  • A Word From Senior Pastor, Britton Carter, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    Connecting People to the Gospel

    “Connecting people to the unifying and life-transforming power of the gospel.” Our Strategic Planning Committee and our staff spent numerous hours crafting every word of that mission statement. We deliberated extensively. We exhausted our collective vocabularies. We thumbed through thesauruses every time a word seemed insufficient—which was pretty much every word at one point or another. After months of painstaking work, this statement is the result.

    Is it a perfect mission statement? Probably not. I’m not sure a perfect mission statement exists. But our goal has never been a perfect statement—our goal has always been a useful statement. Can this shared language reinforce what God has called us to do as a church? Absolutely.

    Like a switchboard operator connecting people placing a call with those receiving it, we operate in this world as the primary means by which other people encounter the message of salvation in Jesus. And in case that illustration is too dated, I’ll offer another one. Like a new homeowner plugging lamps and TVs and kitchen appliances into power sources, you and I should constantly seek to introduce and reintroduce those around us to the power of the gospel.

    Why? Because there’s no greater news to share. Nothing else can provide eternal life for our friends. Nothing else can introduce abundant grace into fractured family relationships. Nothing else can rescue our fellow believers from the burden and brokenness of sin. Nothing else can introduce harmony and unity into a divided community.

    Connecting people to the gospel has to be the mission for everything we do. Why do we sing on Sunday mornings? To connect those in attendance with gospel truths, which cause us to erupt in praise back to God. Why do we study Scripture? To understand the gospel better than we ever have, leading to life transformation. Why do we put on an event, offer a program, run a ministry, or do anything else as a church? Because people need the power of the gospel. And what is your role as a church member? To live your life with the primary ambition of connecting people to the unifying and life-transforming power of the gospel.

    May we be faithful to this mission.

    In Christ,

    Pastor Britton

     

  • Announcements, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    The Great Chili Cook-Off

    The chili cook-off is Sunday night, February 16th from 5-7pm.  I hope you  are refining your recipe. Bring your best crock pot of chili and designate its category as mild, medium, hot, or white chicken chili.  Each category will be judged and prizes will be awarded.

    If you aren’t bringing a pot of chili, please bring any of the following: crackers, cheese, Fritos, or anything else you enjoy with chili.

    Invite your friends and neighbors to come for food and fun. The play area will be open and games will be set up in the gym as well as board games.

    A sign up sheet is in the connection center.  Good luck!  We have people who take this contest very seriously.

    Loaves and Fishes Meal

    Any group in the church can provide a meal at Loaves and Fishes on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. All you have to do is deliver food for about 29 people, half of which are children. Tacos, spaghetti, hearty soups, sandwiches, pizza, chicken dinners – anything that most people would eat is appropriate.  Sign-up your group in the connection center.

    International Food Pantry

     Food items needed for February include

    boxed cornbread mix

    canned beans

    canned fruit

    pasta noodles & sauce

    oatmeal

    granola bars

    Next IFP volunteer workday is

    March 15th

    8:30 a.m. in the café

    For information contact Dan Wallace dlwallace4@yahoo.com

    Coffee With a Cause

    During 2025 our Coffee With a Cause

    will go toward our

    Member Led Ministry.

    As part of our church values, we want to equip member’s to connect others to the power of the gospel, and use their gifts for ministries that do the same.

     

  • Bible Study Corner, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    Bible Study

    We have Bible Studies for everyone from infant to every age of adults.

    Sunday morning Bible Studies start at 9:15. Wednesday night studies for all ages start at 6 pm.

    Let’s be an Acts 2:42 church –

    “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

    Acts of the Apostles 2:42 NLT

    Bible Reading Plan

    Our new Bible reading plan will start on January 1, 2025.  We will be reading the New Testament in chronological order at the rate of about 1 chapter day.  It will be fun to see the 4 Gospels put together in chronological order.  To be able to do this, you will need a Bible bookmark, reading guide or you can follow along on our website.  Make it a point to talk to others about what you are reading each day and what the God of the Universe is teaching you.  It is important for Christians to talk to each other about Scripture and what God is showing them.  Bookmarks and reading guides are available in the connection center.

     

  • Fee Fee Youth, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    Hey Church Family!

    I hope that you have had a great start to 2025. This year we are putting a huge emphasis on taking ownership of our faith in the youth ministry. On Wednesday nights we are doing a deep dive through the book of Romans. Exploring Paul’s heart for missions and our duty to follow Jesus rightly.

    This month, we are doing a series on Sunday mornings called “What is Love?”. In which we will talk about God’s love, how to love our neighbors, and God’s design for marriage.

    We are still looking for more leaders in the youth ministry. Having more leaders will help us pull off bigger events and more importantly, it will lead to more discipleship of our youth. If you have any questions, please email me at tyler@feefeebc.org 

    In Christ,

    Tyler

     

  • Music Musings, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    Hello Everyone

    As you know we are taking some time in our church to focus on the power of prayer.

    I thought you might appreciate the following listening list of worship songs and traditional hymns that are prayers.

    The arrangements here are very diverse in genres and style.  i believe you will find it an

    interesting array of songs devoted to the theme of prayer.  They may all be found on YouTube.

    Alan Jackson – What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Live)

    Tauren Wells – When We Pray (Live)

    Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (Live) (Old Time Gospel)

    The Blessing (Live from Elevation Nights)

    “In Jesus’ Name (God of Possible)” By Katy Nichole

    Refine (feat. Chandler Moore and Steffany Gietzinger) Maverick City Music) TRIBL

    How Great Thou Art – Pentatonix featuring Jennifer Hudson (Official Video)

    Jehovah Shalom Acapella – How Great Thou Art

    “The Lord’s Prayer” By Hillsong Worship

    Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – Shalom A capella / Christ inHymns

    I hope you will enjoy these beautiful arrangements of these “prayer hymns.”

     

  • Prime Time, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    I’m sure I’m one of the few enjoying the foot of snow on the ground right now but it is winter. We have already had to cancel one event but hopefully we will get to do the rest of our planned activities.

    On Monday, February 10, we will meet in the dining room at 11:00 for lunch which will include sandwiches, chips, and dessert.  After lunch we will make valentines for our homebound and the residents of St Andrews. If you have any supplies for making cards, please bring them along.

    On Monday, February 24, we will not be able to do the trolley tour that we had originally planned.

    INSTEAD, we will go to the Transportation Museum. The cost of the museum Is $14.00.  We will have lunch after at 3 Kings. The bus will leave at 10 a.m.  Many of the displays are outside so dress appropriately.

    Coming in March is Campbell House and Zia’s on March 13.

    Hope you are keeping up with our new chronological Bible reading plan.

     

  • Family Front, Vol. 65, No. 2, February 2025

    Hello Families: 2025 is here and we have lots to offer our families. Wed. night KidsZone is going well. Your younger kids are getting basics in Bible and fun with friends in Awana and older kids are getting exposure to missions around the world through GA’s and RA’s. We have some spectacular leaders that are faithful to serve each week on Wednesdays and Sundays. Sundays also bring Bible study and Children’s worship that furthers them in their walk with the Lord.

    Tyler and I are planning a conference for parents relating to gender identity. This will probably be on a Wed. night. All parents, grandparents and teachers will be invited to attend. If you have questions about homosexuality, gender identity and how to speak to your children, this will be for you. Watch for further info on this event.

    Last but not least, Parent’s Night Out is Feb. 14, 5-9pm. Parents, you can have a night out with your valentine. Watch for signup sheets in the Connection Center. If you can serve at this event, please sign up for that too.

    Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love.  Let us do the same for others in this new year!

     

  • Announcements, Vol. 65, No.1, January 2025

    Meet “Yumi”                                                         Yumeng Jin, Digital Media Coordinator

     Hi, my name is Yumeng Jin, but you can call me Yumi! I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Master’s in Marketing Analytics and Boston University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Originally from China, I’m excited to bring my skills to Fee Fee Baptist Church. I manage the church website, create content for our social media platforms, and help keep our YouTube channel running smoothly. If you ever need help with anything tech-related—like figuring out social media or if your phone isn’t working—feel free to come to me! I love being part of the Fee Fee family and look forward to meeting more of you!

    Congratulations

     To Eric and Ashley Bowman on the birth of their son, Jaxon Dean Bowman on 12/12/24.

     Thanks

    From Marilyn Wood for the thoughtful prayers, calls, cards and encouragement during her recent hospitalization

    International Food Pantry

    Food items needed for January include

    • boxed cornbread mix
    • canned beans
    • canned fruit
    • pasta noodles & sauce
    • oatmeal
    • granola bars

    Coffee With a Cause

         During 2025 our Coffee With a Cause will go toward our Member Led Ministries.

    As part of our church values, we want to equip member’s to connect others to the power of the gospel, and use their gifts for ministries that do the same.

    Fee Fee Offers Bus Rides

    If you or someone you know would like to come to church on Sunday or attend Wednesday night activities at Fee Fee and live in the Bridgeton or St. Ann

    area, you can get on our bus rider list. Just call the church office a few days in advance to sign up for a ride. If you are a new bus rider, our transportation

    coordinator will contact you to schedule a pick up time for you on our regularly scheduled bus route.

    Inclement Weather Cancellation Policy

    Fee Fee Baptist Church will cancel services, Bible studies and activities when it is deemed necessary for the safety of church members driving to and from church as well as walking and moving around the church properties itself. The church no longer mirrors Pattonville School District’s cancellation policy as they have changed their procedures in calling for cancellations and Virtual Learning Days.

    We will take many criteria into formulating a decision on cancellations.

    On days Fee Fee is not cancelled, but inclement weather is happening, it is the sole discretion of the bus drivers if they feel comfortable picking up church goers. All cancellations will be conveyed through TV stations Channels 2, 4, and 5. It will be posted on our website, social media and notifications will be sent out through our church app.

    Download Our New App

    Beginning in January we will no longer be taking Bible Study attendance using the old binders. All attendance will be taken electronically using the new Fee Fee Church Center app.

    January Schedule Reminder

    The church offices will be closed Wednesday, January 1, for New Year’s Day.

     

  • Fee Fee Youth, Vol. 65, No.1, January 2025

    Hey Church Family!

    We had a great time this past year in the youth ministry. From DNOW, to summer camp, and various other fun events. We partnered with other youth ministries from areas churches and also grew together as a group. Most importantly, we learned many truths from God’s word. We are excited for this new year and all the opportunities it will bring.

    In 2025 we are still looking for more leaders for the youth ministry. Having more leaders will help the youth ministry put on more and better events. It also gives our students more opportunities to be discipled. Our youth are not the future of the church, they are the church now. So let’s build them up! If you are interested in helping with our youth, please email me at Tyler@feefeebc.org