Fee Fee Baptist Church

Category: Pastor Andrew Yakel

All of Andrew Yakel’s Forerunner articles.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 61, No. 1

    Upcoming Mobile Markets

    Our Mobile Markets with St. Louis Area Foodbank have returned in 2021! Anyone in our community who is struggling with getting groceries is welcome to come to the church to have contactless groceries put in their car for FREE every other Monday from 10:00 a.m. until noon, (or whenever we run out of food). Our upcoming dates are January 25, February 8 and 22.

    Online Schedule

    We have started a new online schedule during the week. We will still have our Live Prayer nights on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Facebook. We have also added some new things during the Grounded series to engage people in different ways. On Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. we will be posting Grounded videos to YouTube and linked to our other social media sites which will be interviews, devotional thoughts, or Biblical insights. Then on Thursdays we are going to be hosting a unique virtual small group opportunity with our Sermon Rewind. We will replay our Sunday sermon to Facebook at 7:00 p.m. for us to watch together and the online pastor will have discussion questions in the chat throughout, reflecting on what Pastor Zach is talking about. Then at the end of the message there will be a link in the chat to a Zoom meeting where we can dive deeper into God’s Word together and talk about the discussion questions. Join us on Facebook live every Thursday and then follow us to our Zoom small group to experience this time of coming together around God’s Word.

    We hope these unique online opportunities will allow us to build our lives on Jesus in new ways!

    Thank You

    In December we provided lunch for an ICU floor at DePaul hospital and received this note afterwards:

    Fee Fee Baptist Church,

    Thank you again for thinking of the SSM Health DePaul Hospital physicians, nurses, and caregivers with your generous donation of Chick-Fil-A. Our care team was so surprised and excited to receive the meals and really enjoyed them. Thank you for your support as we continue to serve our community with a grateful heart.

    Be Blessed,

    Ellis Hawkins (President), DePaul administration, physicians, nurses, and caregivers

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 25

    New Year’s Resolutions

    I love getting to set New Year’s Resolutions. They give me some joy in the possibilities of good things to come in the next year. Will I achieve all of my resolutions? No. But will some good things happen because of my attempts towards these resolutions? Absolutely! For example, this past year I set a goal to read two books a month. As of writing this I’m only at 22 books. Just because I didn’t reach my goal of 24 doesn’t mean those 22 books were a waste. I count that as a win!

    So what resolutions are you setting for yourself this year? I have a suggestion: set a resolution that helps you “seek the good of our community for the glory of God.” That’s the last half of our mission statement. What is a resolution you could set for 2021 that involves you doing good for your community that brings glory to God? We have a lot of opportunities that you could volunteer here at church: providing food for Loaves and Fishes once a month, serving as a part of our Mobile Market team, giving more financially towards benevolence, or serving at our International Community Food Pantry. And it doesn’t have to be something organized through the church. Find a ministry or organization that you are passionate about and volunteer for them. We want Fee Fee to be known as a place that cares about our community and that happens when we will get out in our community and love people for God’s glory. So, what is a resolution you can set for 2021 that will “seek the good of our community for the glory of God?”

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

    We have a big goal for our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: $25,000. Why did we set such a high goal? Because we believe in the utmost importance of declaring the Gospel through all the earth and want to support the missionaries who are doing this work. All the money raised for Lottie Moon goes to support missionaries all over the world. Have you given yet? You can give in person on Sunday morning, online through the church website, or mail in your check.

    No Mobile Market on December 28

    St. Louis Area Foodbank is closed on Monday, December 28, so there will not be a Mobile Market on that day. However, we are going to continue to host Mobile Markets in 2021! Our January dates are January 11 and 25. If you would like to serve in this ministry, please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org).

    Wheels for the World Mission Trip, April 5-12, 2021

    Each year Wheels for the World works all over the globe to provide the gift of mobility to those in need while also sharing the Gospel love of Jesus with them. We have a team going from Fee Fee to serve in Mexico on one of these trips next April 5-12. If you are interested in serving on this trip you can get more info on the Joni and Friends website, or talk to Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org).

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 23

    Blood Drive

    You know what is a great gift to give for Christmas? A blood donation! On Monday, December 14 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. we are hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross. It’s recommended that all donations be scheduled ahead of time. You can go to the Red Cross website (www.redcrossblood.org) and use the Sponsor Code “FeeFeeBaptistBridgeton” to find our drive and schedule your donation. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The drive will be held in the Family Life Center. Everyone donating can drive around to the back of the church and park in the lot by the gym and enter through the gym doors. On the blood drive page on the church website you can find some helpful info about donating including who can donate and how to donate. If you have any questions about any of this, please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org).

    Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

    Have you prayed today for our missionaries serving all over the world right now to declare the Gospel? If not, take a moment right now as you are reading this to pause and pray. Now that you’ve done that, let me ask the next question: have you given financially to support them? Our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $25,000. All the money goes to support these missionaries and their work. You can give in person on Sunday morning, online through the church website, or mail in your check.

    Upcoming Mobile Market Dates

    Everyone – you, your friends, your neighbors – are welcome to come to the church on Monday, December 14 from 10:00 a.m. until noon (or whenever we run out of food) for our Mobile Market. Simply drive up, pop your trunk, and have groceries put in your car. St. Louis Area Foodbank is closed on Monday, December 28 so there will be no Mobile Market on that day.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 22

    Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

    There are currently 3,535 missionaries serving in the world from the International Mission Board. We are so thankful for these men and women who are willing to faithfully follow the call of God to “go and make disciples of all nations.” A huge portion of their financial support comes from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. As a church, we are setting a goal for ourselves of giving $25,000 towards this offering. Pray about what you and your family might be willing to give towards the Gospel being presented all over the world. Then bring your gifts in December marked for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

    Upcoming Mobile Market Dates

    We are planning to continue our Mobile Markets at least through the end of 2020.  Everyone – you, your friends, your neighbors – are welcome to come to the church on Mondays, November 30 or December 14, from 10:00 a.m. until noon (or whenever we run out of food). Simply drive up, pop your trunk, and have groceries put in your car.  St. Louis Area Foodbank is closed on Monday, December 28 so there will be no Mobile Market on that day.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 21

    Backpack Ministry Restarting

    With Pattonville schools starting in-person learning we are restarting our Backpack Ministry. Drop your food donations off at the church to help provide weekend meals for some Pattonville students. Recommended donations are: cereal bars, oatmeal packs, Pop Tarts, granola bars, mini muffins, fruit cups, peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese, cans of chicken or tuna, hearty soups, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, chili, meat sticks, applesauce, Rice-a-Roni, Spaghetti-Os or canned ravioli, canned pasta sauce and pasta noodles. Thank you for your willingness to give!

    Operation Christmas Child

    The Operation Christmas Child boxes will be available on Wednesday, October 21! Every year thousands of boxes filled with Christmas gifts are sent to children all over the world through Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes. This is an opportunity to bless kids in need with presents and the Gospel. Make sure to pick up your box (or 2 or more), fill it, and bring it back by Wednesday, November 18. You can also support this effort by donating the $9.00 cost per box for shipping.

    Dominican Republic Mission Trip

    We are taking a team to serve in the Dominican Republic next summer, July 10-16! If you missed our informational meeting but are interested in serving on the trip contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org) and he will get you all the details. Remember the application and deposit are due by Sunday, November 15.

    Upcoming Mobile Market Dates:

    November 2, 16, and 30

    December 14 and 28

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 20

    Outdoor Movie Night, October 16

    Join us for a free outdoor movie! On Friday, October 16 we will watch the new Disney movie The One and Only Ivan together in the church courtyard. Show up at 6:30 p.m. to get your spot and the movie will start at 7:00 p.m. Bring your own chairs, blankets, snacks, and drinks. You must reserve your spot ahead of time on the church website or by calling the church office.

     Dominican Republic Mission Trip Informational Meeting, October 18

    Unfortunately, due to COVID19 concerns, our mission trip to Dominican Republic got canceled this past summer. However, we are hopeful and excited about going back in the summer of 2021! There is an informational meeting for that trip on Sunday, October 18, at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. If you feel led to be a part of this mission trip, join us at the meeting to find out more information.

    Operation Christmas Child Boxes

    The Operation Christmas Child boxes will be available on Wednesday, October 21. Every year thousands of boxes filled with Christmas gifts are sent to children all over the world through Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes. This is an opportunity to bless kids in need with presents and the Gospel. Make sure to pick up your box (or 2 or more), fill it, and bring it back by Wednesday, November 18.  You can also support this effort by donating the $9 cost per box for shipping these.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 19

    Blood Drive, October 1-2

    On Thursday and Friday, October 1-2 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. we will be hosting another blood drive. In order to comply with social distancing restrictions, all donations MUST be scheduled ahead of time. You can go to the Red Cross website (www.redcrossblood.org) and use the Sponsor Code “FeeFeeBaptistBridgeton” or search by zip code and date to find our drive. Then schedule your donation for a specific time one of those days. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule your donation. The drive will be held in the Family Life Center. Everyone donating can drive around to the back of the church and park in the lot by the gym and enter through the gym doors. On the blood drive page on the church website you can find some helpful info about donating, including who can donate and how to donate. If you have any questions about any of this please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org).

     Church Workday, October 3

    Join us on Saturday, October 3 from 8:00 a.m. until noon to help us beautify our campus! Normally each spring we have a church workday however this year it got pushed back to the fall. We will be pulling weeds, laying out mulch, and general yard work, so bring a good set of work gloves. Unfortunately, we’re not offering coffee and donuts this year, but we will have a good time and make our campus beautiful!

    Mobile Markets Through December

    St. Louis Area Foodbank has realized that the food struggles, unfortunately, are not going away anytime soon.  In light of that they have scheduled Mobile Markets through the end of the year. Our upcoming Mobile Markets are the following dates (Mondays):

    October November December
    5 2 8
    19 16  14
    30

    We will distribute food from 10:00 a.m. until noon (or whenever we run out of food). Anyone is welcome to come and receive the free groceries in a contactless, drive-thru format. If you are interested in serving at a Mobile Market and you have never done so before, please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org) to get on the schedule.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 18

    Thank You

    We received a thank you letter from the community that I wanted to share with you all:

    “FFBC Volunteers: Thank you for the food from Mobile Market. Thank you for meal supplies to help with our daily meals for our home table. Thank you to all the volunteers/helpers for the kindness, courtesy, and assistance to provide a smooth drive-thru. Your smiles and cheer help us all through a recession period.

    Much gratitude,

    Anonymous Family”

    Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

    Thank you, church, for continuing to support this ministry and for caring about our community. You are making an impact to the families around us!

    Mobile Market on September 21

    Our next Mobile Market is on Monday, September 21. We will distribute food from 10:00 a.m. until noon (or whenever we run out of food). Anyone is welcome to come and receive the free groceries in a contactless, drive-thru format. If you are interested in serving at a Mobile Market and you have never done so before please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org) to get on the schedule.

    Church Workday, October 3

    Saturday, October 3 will be our annual “All Church Workday.” Put the date on your calendar so we can beautify our campus. We will see you at 8:00 a.m. with donuts and coffee, and should wrap up before noon.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 17

    Mobile Market Volunteers Needed

    Our Mobile Markets have been such a blessing to our community these past few months. Many of our volunteers at these events have been students and teachers who are no longer available with school starting. So we are looking for more volunteers to help! If you’d be willing to help us “pursue the good of our community” on Monday mornings this fall at our Mobile Markets, please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org). Our next Mobile Market will be on Monday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m. There will not be one on September 7 due to Labor Day.

    Dominican Republic Water Project

    Just like everything here in the U.S., everything in the Dominican Republic shut down or slowed down due to COVID-19 concerns, including our water project. However, this week I received pictures of the main structure being built! Work has resumed! Pastor Andres is so excited. We still need to raise some funds for some of the equipment that will go inside. If you feel called to give to finish this project, you can give online under the “Dominican Water Project” funds. Thank you for supporting this life changing ministry!

     

    Thank You

    An anonymous Thank You card received regarding the Mobile Market:

    A note of gratitude for food to help feed our family. A note of appreciation for having meals on our home household table. A note of thanks for kindness, support, prayers, encouragement thru [sic] a rough hard time. A heart-felt for reaching out thru [sic] this service to help others thru [sic] crisis tough times. Thanks so much, family.