Keep Them In Your Prayers

This next week we will have a group of ladies going to Baltimore, Maryland for the Southern Baptist Convention and to prayer walk and visit with Brent Gordon and company. They will be taking with them the prayers and love of our church family as well as financial gifts from the church and some individuals. For those who are new to our church family, Brent Gordon was on staff with us for four years. He and a team from JIBC felt called to go to Baltimore to start a new church. He is working with large church in Baltimore called Gallery Church. He is supported through Gallery Church, the Baltimore Baptist Association and the North American Mission Board. He already has a church campus and a church parsonage as a part of Gallery Church. To God be the glory. What a blessing to start with so much support, a place to live and a team that was ready to go.

Second, let’s give God glory and thanks for Marty’s first week with us. To use a baseball term, the praise team hit it out of the park. One of our senior adults said to me: “Now that is how worship should be, I hope he keeps it like that. I like me some Marty!” I agree. What a heart for worship. He bought 3 of his friends with him for the first week. The bass guitar player was here for only last Sunday. He will start his internship at Faith Assembly. Robert and Cameron plan to join us again this coming week. Although Marty will be part time, he will be keeping regular office hours during the week.

Third, let’s keep our friend, Fred Hudson, in our prayers as well. We are doing for Fred, something similar that we did for Brent Gordon. We paid and supported Brent even though Sean was already here and on staff. That let Sean get to work immediately and gave Brent income as he began his new work. We are doing a very similar thing for Fred. He is still “on staff” and available to our church even though he is not present, playing or leading, during worship. This gives Marty and our praise team the opportunity to carry on even while Fred is involved in other adventures. Fred is still being paid and is still considered on staff and available to us while he is being paid. He still gives lessons here and is available to us just as Brent was available even though Sean was here.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

Exciting Times at JIBC

Who looks like Kenny G and sounds like Michael Buble? That would be Marty Clark, our new Worship Pastor. OK, at least that is how I describe him. Pastor Sean describes his as a young man with an old soul…a wonderful and rare combination. All the references say the same thing about him…he loves Jesus and loves to lead in worship. I am loving that combination.

We are very excited about a fresh new addition to our worship. As you may remember from Marty’s resume, he is 22 and has just graduated from Charleston Southern University with a Music and Worship Leadership Degree. He is in the first graduating class with that particular degree. So, to an old guy like me…he’s just a baby. But I do love me some babies in my family! I really do believe you will love him and love his heart for worship. Get to know him and his heart. Remember, he is not here to be a cheer leader. He is here to lead in worship. I think he will do that well.

Now, put yourself in his shoes for a moment. Who are these people at JIBC? He does not yet know that you will love and embrace him. He will find that out soon enough. Fred led the band from the piano…Marty will lead with his guitar and his voice. Fred knew the band and worked with them for years…Marty will meet them for the first time this week and work with them for the first time this Thursday. I suspect there will be some time to adjust to a different way of doing some things. He is competent and capable…but it is a new setting. I would be a bit nervous. In fact, I am a bit nervous for him.

I asked Marty to bring a couple of his friends to fill in at band positions where we currently do not have players. We have not had a bass player for a while…so Marty has asked a friend to come and play. We have not had a lead guitar player for a while…so Marty has asked another friend to come and play. We currently do not have a keyboard/piano player…so Marty has asked a friend to come and play. Our praise band and singers are still on board and will be present. I really want Marty’s first experience with us to be as good as possible. So, I asked if he had friends that would like to come and play with our band. I did not want the absence of the piano to be what you noticed first.

As always…to God be the glory. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Pastor Tom

Funny Sayings

Don’t you just love to read things that make you laugh? I read one recently that was in reference to some people’s need for drama. When drama comes knocking at your door your response is: “Not my circus, not my monkeys”. Granted, it does not take much to entertain me, but I do love that. Some live with a need to find importance by creating a problem where there is not one; stirring the pot they don’t want to eat from; creating chaos where there was peace. We refer to them as “Drama Queens”…sorry guys, even men who are like this are called “Drama Queens”. The desire for attention is not so wrong in itself. It is the “over-desiring” that causes the drama. It is the desire for attention even if it means negative attention…sounds almost like a child doesn’t it.


By the way, I have met and dealt with many drama queens in my life time. None of them ever thought of themselves as such. The old saying is if someone says “I hate drama” there is a good chance they are a drama queen. The Drama Queen has often lived this way so long, they may or may not realize they are spreading turmoil and discontent wherever they go. This has become their new identity. They have not got the message: just because you are a drama queen does not mean I am going to treat you like royalty. Drama, it has been said, is the unconscious strategy of a young baby being played out in an adult body. It is not pretty.


It is a spiritual issue. The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes “love, joy and peace”. Guess what the drama queens do not have? You got it…love, joy and peace. Creating drama, participating or perpetuating drama really is a spiritual issue. In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul says “Have this attitude in you that was in Christ Jesus…”. It can’t be an attitude of drama. Say the good word, the encouraging word, the word of hope and faith. It is the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.

And remember to say: “It’s not my circus, not my monkeys.” Gotta love it!


Pastor Tom

2014 KIDS CAMP…CentriKid

This year’s children’s camp is going to be different…but different can be good. Let me give the long view first. CentriKid is for children what MissionFuge is for Youth. Our youth ministry has been taking groups to MissionFuge for years…and they absolutely love it. It is easily one of the highlights of the year. It combines Missions, Bible Study, Worship, Fellowship and Service…almost as though it was a “purpose driven camp”! Now, we can add the Children’s camp. It involves the same goals…just on a child’s level. For a first hand story, please talk to Susan Warren. When she was the Children’s Minister in Tennessee, she took her kids there for years…and loved it. She endorses this experience completely.

Now, let’s bring it down to ground level. The camp will be JULY 21-25 and will be held at Anderson University. The cost is $300…a bargain for the cost of most camps. It is for children who have completed the 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade and 6th grade. Pastor Sean and Pastor Tom will be going to camp with our kids. I am looking forward to my grandson, Noah, being a part of this group. Information packets are available from Sean and Susan. You may also pick them up in the atrium at the information desk.

What about Bonnie Doone? I love that Bonnie Doone has become an anticipated tradition among our children. Legends have been made there! We are hoping ( but not definite at this time due to reservations) to plan a back to school, one day, “The Best of Bonnie Doone” family experience at the end of summer. That can keep us in touch with the fabulously fun times we have had at JIBC KidsKamp.

If you would like to sponsor a child or give toward sponsoring a child, it can make a difference. I was a teenager sponsored to camp when I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord. I am grateful to the anonymous donor who made it possible.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom