I don't have to tell you that times are hard economically every where, even with the good folks at Fruitland Community Church.  Some are without jobs, most are watching every dollar.  So how are folks responding to the needs around them and how is God blessing?  And when God's people step out in faith to do God's work, does He provide? 

1.  Last year we gave about 140 boxes to Operation Christmas Child, and even though the economy was tough, we set a goal for 200 boxes this year.  It is amazing.  As of today, there were 195 boxes turned in through our church!!  To God be the glory!  That is a signficant increase! 

2.  In 2008 the scouts collected 3,151 cans for their annual can drive, and this year, despite the economy--or maybe because of the economy--they collected 3205 cans in the Fruitland area.   Wow!!  We were able, with the Cowboy Church, to add meat, apples, bread, instant potatoes, candy and a Gospel of John to 120 families.  It was amazing to see everyone working together, and yes...there are a bunch of cans left over to share with people throughout the year...God is good! 

3.  A week ago, someone asked me if we could use 200 Beanie Babies...new, with the  tags still on them.  Without thinking much, I said 'Sure!'  Literally, as the 195 Operation Christmas Child boxes were being carried out of the church this morning, 200 Beanie Babies were being carried in.  Are you kidding me?   We've been asked to help some families in the area with Christmas and Shining Light in Charleston has asked for a Christmas party.  I wasn't sure if we should ask the church to do any more.  Did I mention I was aware that the economy is tight?  And  in walks those Beanie Babies as seeds for helping families in our community and in Charleston.

This weekend was just a reminder, that when God's people do God's work He provides.  When God's people cease to do God's work, God sends His resources (even His Beanie Babies) else where.

Let's keeping working for the Kingdom!

I was reflecting on what God is doing in our midst for the Kingdom and frankly, I was finding myself being thankful and a little overwhelmed!  If you are paying attention, God has been doing some amazing things...

1. Just recently a small group went down to FBC, Chalmette, to work on some finishing details on the building.  We've had groups go down every year (as well as many from around the country) and they are finally in their building and reaching out to a community devatsted by Katrina.  They have been reaching and baptizing folks for the Kingdom!  What a privilege to be a part of helping rebuild that lighthouse!
2. This week, Sean, Katie, Grant, Camden, and Seth Benesh left for Vancouver...it was a privilege to commission them as a church last Sunday!!  Even though we hadn't budgeted for Vancouver, our church and invididuals gave $1300 for their Cobra Insurance, and $2093 for their moving expenses!  Wow!  Lord willing, I will be going up to a vision trip to Vancouver, January 18-20.  It will be exciting to see how God is going to use FCC and other churches for the Kingdom work in Vancouver!
3. El Salvador...there is a group of 10 or so in El Salvador this week working with FBC, Millersville's partner church and doing training with the Pastors!  We are a part of that!  In June we will be sending a team to do work with our church partnerships and training of the pastors!  What a privilege.
4. Thanksgiving Basket Give-away this coming Saturday, November 21...we will be giving out meat, canned goods, fruit, bread, and gospels of John to 120 families!!  This is our annual Thanksgiving outreach that we do together with the Cowboy Church.  If you would like to participate, we need volunteers at FCC from 10 am to 12:30 or so to pack and deliver Thanksgiving boxes.  How fun!
5. Operation Christmas Child boxes are coming in (deadline November 22) and World Hunger Banks are filling up (deadline November 29).

These are some 'official partnerships' and projects with our church, but I am just as excited about what God is doing with individuals and groups within our church.  Just this week I learned of the FCC College group's plans to give away 500 cups of chili on the Southeast campus and the BSU's outreach effort for finals' week (details will be in the bulletin).  Another young person talked about planning an ethnic dinner at church and a time of prayer for the International students on campus.  Another asked if he could have Thanksgiving Dinner in his home for folks who are not going to be with family this Thanksgiving. 

It is amazing that God is giving us increasing corporate projects and partnerships, but it is just as amazing to watch individuals respond to the prompting on God's Spirit to reach out beyond themselves.

What has God put on your heart?

Wow...Saturday was fun!  There were over 40 volunteers that gathered for 6 service projects in the community.  Here is a brief report:

• 15 volunteers helped with Red Star's Food Pantry that gave out food to 140 plus families!  That's approximately 600 people!
• 6 volunteers cleaned a neighbors fence line and repaired a portion of her fence.  It looks great!
• 5 volunteers prepared (2 additional families donated food) and served a brunch for 29 firefighters and their families.  We gave out firefighter's New Testaments.  They want us to come back!
• There were 15 or so volunteers who did a beautification project for North Elementary.  The results looked great!
• We gave away 9 volt batteries for smoke detectors at Mulberry Acres.  We are still trying to determine how many were given out.

You can view some of the pictures of the project at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/fruitlandcommunitychurch/2009FallBlitz#

It was fun and the projects were very well received!  Plans are already in the works for our 2010 Spring Blitz!  Let's continue to show Christ's love to our community. 

Pastor Mike

It's amazing to read about the story of First Baptist Church, FBC.  Shortly after Katrina, we entered into a partnership with this church that had it's building destroyed in the storm.  We have taken several mission trips to Chalmette...they have had a long, hard journey!  But they are coming upon a very important milestone.  Four years after Katrina, they are moving back into their rebuilt building.  The dedication of the new building is Sunday, September 20 at 10 am.  That is one Sunday after FCC's 10 year anniversary.  I am so excited for them!!!  If you would like to read more about the church you can go to their website at:

http://www.fbcchalmette.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=21979 

If you are a Facebook user, you can become a fan of First Baptist Church of Chalmette and get daily updates.

We are taking a mission trip to Chalmette, October 11-17, with others from the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association.  It will be fun to see the progress of the building and to see what has been finished...the building is not finished however.  Workers are needed for electrical work, painting, sheet rock, general clean-up, and food preparation.  The cost is $130 plus transportation and meals enroute.  Deadline for signing up is October 2.  If you are interested in going please call (450-4134) or e-mail (pastormike@fruitlandcommunity.com).

Blessings on First Baptist Chalmette.  To God be the glory!!

For the Kingdom!

That's an interesting title for this blog entry!  Hey FCC, I wanted to let you know about three mission opportunities that our folks are involved in:

• Turkey - Kim Roberts, one of our recent college graduates, is leaving for a mission trip to Turkey this Sunday and will be gone for two weeks.  Many of you have donated for her trip.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!   Now would you please pray for her and her team as they travel to Turkey and minister in Jesus' name!
• 30 Day Famine - Next weekend, May 22-23, the youth are fasting for 30 hours for world hunger!!  This is a huge spiritual step for our youth and they need our prayers and support!  You can support them through donating juice and water bottles at the church.  Also you can give money to the youth or to the church on behalf of the 30 hour famine.  All proceeds raised for this event will go to World Vision.
• Tori - My daughter has an interesting missions opportunity!  She and I will be traveling to El Salvador to visit our mission points and to work with the pastors, June 9-15...I will come home the 15th and she will stay for 5 extra days to help with a Sports Crusaders Basketball Camp with Dan Hale from Millersville, and several other senior high girls!  The cost is more than originally budgeted for, so if you would like to give to Tori Parry's trip you can do so through the church...make sure you put "El Salvador Sports Crusaders" on the memo of your check.

It is amazing to me how God continues to use the young people of our church around the world...

For the Kingdom!

Mike

I have been invited to return to El Salvador, June 9 -15, and Lord willing, my daughter Tori will be going with me.  I'm writing to ask you to pray for this trip...We are still planning the actual ministry for that week, but so far this is what I understand our ministry will be:

• Encouraging Rolando and Alexandra.  This has been a tough few months for them personally and professionally.  The funding for the Pastor's Institute dried up, which not only affected the pastor's institute, but also Rolando's salary.  I'm looking forward to being with Rolando and Alexandra!!
• Strengthening our partnership with our 1st mission in Antiguo Cuscatlan...Lord willing we will be with our first mission.  It is hard to believe that we are in our 4th year of our partnership with them!  Please pray that God will continue to raise up leadership that they can constitute and become a church!
• Seeing the outreach at our 2nd mission at Cuidad Obrera.  All reports are that this mission is growing!  I'm so anxious to see the progress as this church is only 3 or 4 months old!  I'm anxious to bring the report back to you!!
• I will be leading a one day pastor's retreat.  The fellowship with the pastor's is so sweet and they are so appreciative when we invest in them.
• Planning for our next church-wide group trip.

Please pray for these folks:

• Rolando and Alexandra
• Antiguo Cuscatlan mission
• Cuidad Obrera mission
• The Pastor's Retreat

First Baptist Church, Millersville, is planning a construction trip to El Salvador in November.  We may try and join them!  I mention this now, because there may be some guys who would be interested in doing construction in El Salvador.  There is an intitial planning meeting on May 21st for all interested.  If this interests you, please let me know and I will give you more information.

Please  consider prayerfully if you would like to give to our Kingdom efforts in El Salvador.  If you are praying about going on the next trip, please let me know.

For the Kingdom!

Pastor Mike

FCC,

Today we got permission to do a Block Party in Mulberry Acres, June 7, from 4 to 7 pm.  This is such an answer to prayer...to have an open door of ministry to this community within our Jerusalem.  We need volunteers in these areas:

• Clowning
• Registration/door prize table
• BBQing hamburgers and hotdogs
• Serving food
• Manning games/booths
• Manning space jumps
• Face Painting

This is a great opportunity to reach out to our neighbors and perhaps open the door to on-going ministry.  The manager of Mulberry has given permission for us to do a soccer camp, and we hope to do a Kid's Bible Club, and adult Bible study in Mulberry this summer!

Please pray about this ministry...that we will have wisdom to know how to proceed and that the door will stay open for ministry. 

Please pray about volunteering...first for the Block Party and then perhaps for serving on an outreach team to plan on going minstry in Mulberry.  Please e-mail me at pastormike@fruitlandcommunity.com if you want to help with the Block Party.

For the Kingdom!!

Mike

Hey FCC,

Found this video on the web about our mission partner at FBC, Chalmette (New Orleans)...thought you would enjoy watching it:

http://www.lbc.org/BaptistBuilders/Default.aspx?id=5756

Please pray for FBC, Chalmette that they will not grow weary!!

Please pray for wisdom as we plan mission projects/trips for '09.  Here are some in the prayer works:

• June - I may be going to  El Salvador to lead a retreat for pastors.
• Summer - The launch of ministry in Mulberry Acres. 
• September - Fruitland Blitz
• October - Church wide trip to FBC, Chalmette
• November - Trip to El Salvador with FBC, Millersville.  I'm excited about this  trip, because in addition to evangelism projects, we will be needing some men for construction.

It is exciting to dream for the Kingdom!  Let's seek His face together as we go into all the world!

Blessings!

Mike

I just recentely attended a 175th birthday celebration for the Missouri Baptist Convention.  It was held at the first Baptist church west of the Mississippi:  Old Bethel Baptist Church in Jackson, Missouri.  It was a great time of looking back at the history of missions in our area.  What struck me was the display of flags that represented the churches that Old Bethel started with their pioneer missionary spirit.  There were nine flags!  Nine churches that Old Bethel started!  Fruitland is in the process of starting our third church and the first challenge that came to me was:  "Could we start nine churches?  Could we eventually have nine or more flags representing our pioneer kingdom spirit?"  There was another flag...a black flag that represented the death of Old Bethel.  They lost their missionary zeal and died.  Wow...the final challenge left with was: "We can't lose our missionary spirit!  It would be the beginning of the end of FCC!" 

FCC:  Let's plant more flags...that is churches...and may we never lose our missionary spirit!!!

Here is the article about the Old Bethel Celebration from the Southeast Missourian...

Published Mar 31, 2009
Southeast Missourian
Missouri Baptists observe milestone with special events

Southeast Missouri is rich in religious history, and earlier this month the Missouri Baptist Convention kicked off its 175th anniversary celebration with special services at the restored Old Bethel Baptist Church near Jackson.

Other celebrations are being held around the state this year, including services Aug. 29 at Providence Baptist Church in New Bloomfield, Mo., marking the convention's founding in 1834. New Bloomfield is on U.S. 54 between Fulton and Jefferson City, Mo.

New Bethel traces its beginnings to 1806 when what is now Southeast Missouri was part of the Louisiana Territory. Bethel was the first Baptist church established in the territory. In recent years the historic church has been restored.

Missouri Baptist Convention churches are marking this year's special anniversary with a slogan: "One message, every seven days, five words: Jesus loves and forgives you." One. Seven. Five.

Not only was Old Bethel the first Baptist group west of the Mississippi River, through its missionary work it developed nine other Baptist churches in the area.

Congratulations to the Missouri Baptist Convention on its 175th anniversary. And hats off to the many volunteers who meticulously researched and restored Old Bethel Baptist Church.

© Copyright 2009, Southeast Missourian