JIBC Happenings

STARTED WITH SUCCESS

This past Monday was the first day of the Weekday Preschool Ministry at JIBC.  If the only goal was to have people from Riverland Terrace walk onto our campus for the first time, it was a big success.  We met many young families that actually walk their children to our Weekday Ministry.  Shelley and her team have started off with success and blessing.  Let’s keep them in our prayers as they lead us to minister to these children and their families.  Susan Warren, her welcome team and the staff were present to welcome all the families to Sunday’s Open House and to their first day of preschool!  Way to go TEAM JIBC.  You represent well!

COFFEE WITH PASTOR TOM

This fall, on Wednesday evenings, I will be hosting a drop in called “Coffee with Pastor Tom”.  I am planning to be in my office, every Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30, for casual drop-in conversations.  This is not a class that you sign up for and attend weekly.  That would be Marty’s class on Ephesians, Tom McConnell’s class on finance, Janie’s class First Place 4 Health or AWANA listeners.  My class will be more casual, no curriculum or study course.  Just good coffee or hot tea and me!  I only have 4 chairs, so, it will be limited to the first four…maybe five if I can borrow a chair. I am looking forward to spending some extended time just getting to know more of your story.  If no one shows up, I will still have coffee, tea and me!  Then it will be an hour of quiet meditation, LOL.

MARSHA CLINE IS IN TOWN

Many of you remember Marsha.  She lived with me and Janie for a short time while she helped us open the Transition House.  We were kind of stuck until Marsha came and took the lead in getting the ball rolling. She and her husband, Scott, are in town for the week.  We are hoping they will be able to be with us for at least one of our worship services.  We are continually grateful for her hard work in helping us start this much needed ministry.  To God be the glory!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

WHAT IS OUR SIGNATURE?

WHAT IS OUR SIGNATURE?

Many people are familiar with the phrase “put your John Hancock right here”.  He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  His signature was big and bold and left little doubt that he had signed it and supported it.   His signature, John Hancock, became a synonym for a person’s signature.

What is the “signature” of James Island Baptist.  When you think of the document of our lives together as James Island Baptist, what signature event, quality, characteristic stands out?  What are we doing in the Kingdom of God that leaves no doubt…we signed the document, this is who we are as James Island Baptist.  Another way to ask the same question is what are we doing that we should always keep doing?  Where do we make the biggest impact in “making disciples that make disciples that change the world”?  What are we, as the church family known as JIBC, doing that makes a difference?

I would be interested to know your response.  If you are on FACEBOOK, this will be my question of the week.  If you are not on FACEBOOK, jot down your thoughts and drop them in the offering plate Sunday.  I will look forward to reading the responses.

WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL MINISTRY

Monday, August 25 starts another new community outreach ministry at JIBC.  We welcome Shelley Cannon and her team as they begin a Monday-Friday, 9-12, Weekday Preschool Ministry.  They will be using the WEE material, an age appropriate, Bible based curriculum that fits in perfectly with what we teach every Sunday.  Shelley is the director of the Weekday Preschool Ministry as well as on our staff as church-wide Director of Preschool Ministries.  Our staff is looking forward to working with her.  Many of our preschool workers have already met her and are happily anxious to have her on our preschool team.  Shelley has already completed Class 101: Discovering Membership at JIBC and is an official member!  Welcome to a loving and supportive church, Shelley.  We are glad you are here.

SOUL TRAINING: THE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL LIFE

I have so enjoyed repackaging and presenting James Bryan Smith’s book, “The Good and Beautiful Life”.  This week’s message will be: The Good and Beautiful Life…Living without Judging Others.

See you then, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Pray for Iraq as persecution increases

100,000 Christians flee from Qaraqosh

Remember has contact with pastors in Northern and Central Iraq, and is learning that the already dire situation for Christians in Iraq is worsening. The Islamic State (IS) is on a quest for dominance, brutally killing those in their path, unparalleled since the mid-600's A.D.

Early Friday morning one of our pastor contacts in Northern Iraq sent us this message:

"The situation is very bad. Not only because of IS, but also because of sleeper cells in the down town areas. Many people are supporting IS in their violence against Christians."

Tens of thousands of Christians are fleeing their homes, facing the choice to convert or die, and consequently are lacking in many necessities, such as food, water, clothes and shelter. Pastor M. has turned his church into housing for over 45 families, but cannot continue to meet the needs of the growing number of displaced Believers.

Will you join with us in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq? Would you also consider donating any amount which you feel led to give, in order to aid our brethren in their basic needs during this tumultuous time? Remember is also prayerfully considering sending a medical team to Erbil and the surrounding area. Please pray for those persecuted, for strength and basic needs to be met, as well as for the Remember team as we seek God in how to best aid these brothers and sisters.

If you feel led to give, please send donations to the address listed below.. Most of all we must pray. The situations in the Middle East continue to escalate, and Christian men, women and children are martyred daily for their Faith. We will continue to update on this situation.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Sincerely,

The Remember Team

Remember

info@rememberthose.org    843-571-2525

834 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC 29407

WHAT’S NEW?

  For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

 Isaiah 43:19 New Living Translation (NLT)

Let’s talk about what’s new.  What new things is the LORD doing that will create rivers of blessings in our lives, our church and community?  Let’s talk about three.

First, we have already launched THE DISCIPLESHIP COUNSELING CENTER @ JAMES ISLAND.  Our counselor’s name is Blaine Vinson.  We have already learned to love him and enjoy seeing him when he comes by.  The counseling office is located in the atrium just behind the welcome center.  On Sunday mornings, it is the same space used for mothers and infants for quiet time and nursing.  It is a wonderfully decorated room that feels so warm and inviting.  Our thanks to Susan Warren, Brian and Paula Garrett for the donation of furniture and decorating talent.  To make an appointment with Blain or one of the centers counselors, you call their office at 300.0440.   He is already seeing clients.  The LORD is providing a pathway through the wilderness.

Second, we will begin a new Leadership Training for Celebrate Recovery.  Darryl Young will be leading this training on Sunday evenings from August 17 through November 16.  It will be an intensive working of the 12 Steps and training for CR.  Emphasis on intensive training.  This is not an introduction to 12 Steps.  This is an intense working of the 12 Steps and a training for leadership in CR.  The Lord is creating rivers in the dry wasteland!  Recovery is the work of God.  We join Him in His work to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world. 

Third,  we begin again the Wednesday Family Night.  Great food, awesome sauce Awana Ministry and three great growth opportunity for adults.  First, Janie Brown is teaching First Place 4 Health.  The focus is on healthy eating, exercise and Bible study.  A new group and new year and new promise.  The second group is led by Tom McConnell on budgeting and finances.  This personal finance class is a great opportunity to learn or refresh skills that can make a difference for life.  Financial scholarship is available.  See Susan or Pastor Tom for details.  The third class is a Bible Study on Paul’s book of Ephesians.  Marty Clark will be leading this Bible study.  What a great way to get to know Marty and to enjoy studying the Word of God together.   By the way, we are so excited about this new beginning we are throwing a party on Wednesday, August 27 to celebrate.  Come and get your party on!

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.    Isaiah 43:19 New Living Translation (NLT)

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom