HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It sounds a little like a broken record, but can you believe how fast this year has passed? I can remember as a child thinking there was 3,650,000 days between one Christmas and the next. Now, it feels like there is about 35 days between the Holy Holidays. It seems like Janie and I just got the Christmas decorations up and now we are planning the day when they will come down. It is the same way in the worship center here at JIBC. I love the way our church looks at Christmas, so lighted and festive. The decorations are beautiful. I also love the food and diapers for missions under the trees and around the stage. That looks outstanding! My guess is there is about 2,000 pounds of food on the stage in the worship center. To God be the glory. Back pack buddies and the James Island Outreach will receive a whole bunch of Christmas love to the underserved in our community. You are the best!

Now, we are looking at 2020 as another year of blessing and opportunity. When I think of how God has blessed JIBC in 2019, I rejoice and give thanks. The addition of two new staff members has been outstanding. Everyone has immediately grown to love our Associate Pastor Scott Blasingame and our Worship Pastor David Martin. Wow, what a blessing they have been. Scott is on board with us full time. David, right now is only able to be with us part time, but what a wonderful part time he is giving. The new members God has added to the church family have already been such a blessing. What a thrill to help them find their place of service and mission in JIBC and the community. Again, to God be the glory.

This Sunday, December 29 is the Sunday we vote on the 2020 Church Mission and Ministry Budget. While it is basically a formality, it is a formality we must attend. While a local church is not strictly a “business” it must do many things every business must do: pay utilities, insurance, cleaning, materials, staff, provide for safety, maintain buildings, etc. In addition, we provide discipleship materials to all ages, support missions here on James Island, in Charleston, around North America, around the world, support a Hispanic Congregation, support one of the only Transition Houses in Charleston that provides for women coming out of the Charleston Center who have infants and are on step down medications. You support one of the strongest Celebrate Recoveries in Charleston, combating one of the greatest areas of darkness…addiction! You help provide a full time missionary to the student population on James Island. Many churches have gone away from trying to reach youth. JIBC has doubled down on the conviction we can reach them before we have to rescue them. Thank you for being a generous giving church family. I hope you are seeing the results.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

Pastor Tom