SHOWERS OF BLESSING

Showers of Blessing…are you kidding me?  

This Sunday was one of the hardest rain storms I can remember with the exception of hurricanes.  I could not blame anyone for hunkering down, sleeping late, and watching your favorite television pastor.  For those who did brave the downpour, I pray your cup was filled with His Spirit…not just rain water!  Showers of blessings were the order of the day.

First Blessing I give thanks for:  The Parent Child Dedication.  What a beautiful sight when our Father blesses us with new life.  We celebrate with Ron and Jill Cipriano who brought their precious Amelia James, born January 13, for dedication.  Amelia’s big sister, Anna, was present to participate in the dedication as well.  Then we had the pleasure of praying with Randy and Tula Hilyer as they dedicated little Zoe to the Lord’s care and grace.  Seeing big sisters, Kiki and Yianna, reminds us of how the Lord has blessed this family as well.  Thank you for being a church family that welcomes and provides for such blessed additions.  Our preschool and children’s volunteers make JIBC a place families desire to bring their children.  May we always serve Him with excellence as we reach this beautiful generation.

A second blessing you might not get to see is the Celebrate Recovery Ministry.  This past Sunday night, we had 50 adults in attendance and 10 children.  Ten of them were from the Charleston Center.  It was very tender to see them ask for “seconds” of the salad, so they could take some back to the Charleston Center to eat later.  Thankfully, we had seconds to give them!  We are grateful to The Crab House, Kickin Chicken, Stono Café, and our own Kitchen Team for providing a wonderful meal for this group.  Celebrate Recovery meets every Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This week we met early to help provide training for a sister church interested in beginning a Celebrate Recovery Ministry at their church campus.  I pray they will be successful.

The third blessing is yet to come…Passion Week.  I am looking forward to the Good Friday service, a more contemplative service of reflection and remembering.  Join us this Friday at 7 p.m. for readings from the Gospel of Mark, worship focused around Christ’s suffering, and Communion in remembrance of Him.  As we say…it is Friday, but Sunday’s coming.  This Sunday is the Easter Celebration.  We have at least 8 baptisms planned.  We will have the annual “flowering of the cross.”  You are invited to bring flowers from your yard (or a neighbors!) to place on the cross that will be located in the front of the worship center, to the right of the stage as you are looking at it.  It is always a beautiful display.

Showers of blessings? Of course.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

See you this weekend, good Lord willing.

Pastor Tom

SEAN'S STORY AND VISION OF MINISTRY

SEAN’S STORY

            

Sean Rheaume was born in Atlanta, GA in 1974.  He grew up mainly in Atlanta and Columbus GA with a few stints in Montreal Canada, the birth place of his father.  His parents divorced when he was in High School and his mother remarried.  He grew up mostly unchurched but  during a particularly low point in his life he called out to God and God heard his cry.  He attended Morningside Baptist Church and there surrendered his life not only to following Jesus but to serving him as well.  Sean became the President of the Baptist Student Union his freshman year and entered into vocational youth ministry when he was eighteen years old.

Sean moved to Charleston in 1996 to attend Charleston Southern University to participate in their Youth Ministry Degree program.  After 3 years Sean left Charleston to go back to Columbus and there married his best friend, Audra.  They have been in ministry together ever since in Columbus, North Charleston and Moncks Corner.  The last 2 years Sean and Audra have taken a break from ministry and for a while opened a coffee shop in a bar district in downtown Columbus. 

 They have 3 wonderful children, Emily (10) Avery (7) and Sean Thomas (2) and a Labrador/Shepherd mix Maxi.  Audra has a bachelor’s degree in Math/Science from Lee University and Sean is completing his degree at Luther Rice Seminary.  Sean plays golf, guitar, is a barista and a die-hard UGA/Falcons football fan.  Audra is an artist, photographer, singer and cross stitcher.

VISION OF MINISTRY

 Years ago I developed the tagline "Reaching Families one Teenager at a time."  That is my philosophy.  I will use the Purpose Driven Circle strategy of moving people from the Community all the way to the Core.  I believe that in 2 years we will be filled to capacity in every venue at JIBC.

How?  By developing solid teams in the area of Children and Youth Ministries and working with the teams to build a foundation for families to grow.

IT IS OFFICIAL!

Sean Rheaume will come to join the JIBC staff as Pastor of Family Ministries.  Last Friday night a team of leaders had a “Meet and Greet” with Sean and Audra Rheaume.  The meeting went great, and every response that I received was thumbs up and positive.  Next week’s Messenger will have a summary of his resume for you to read.  We will introduce him to the church family during a worship service this Sunday, March 10.

Now we will begin the work of timing when Sean will come on full time with us.  The current plan we are working with involves Sean coming in a part time capacity during March, then beginning full time in April.  Brent will still be on board with us in a full time capacity.  During March, Brent will be introducing and involving Sean in the life of JIBC.  Starting in April, Sean will begin full time, full speed ahead.  Brent will continue to serve JIBC, but not so much in the Youth area.  He will have other duties and responsibilities.  He will also continue preparation for the move to Baltimore.  Pray for these areas in particular:  Jess will need a full time job in Baltimore; they still need to rent or sell their house; and Brent has to raise a certain amount of support in order to get matching funds.

If you are watching the news, you are aware that very soon we may have two popes.  The current pope resigned, and the search is on the way for a new pope.  For three months, we will have two Youth Popes…lol!   It will be a little weird.  I don’t think I would try to pull this off with just anyone.  But with these two kingdom players, I really believe it’s all good.  So here we go, continuing the same effort to reach youth before we have to rescue them, to make them disciples who make disciples that change the world.  I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday as we introduce Sean and Audra to you all.

Blessings,

Pastor Tom