Way back in 2025 our JIBC family and friends joined in a city -wide prayer ministry. We joined literally thousands of other Jesus followers from dozens of denominations to “PRAY CHARLESTON, 2025” The goal was ambitious but attainable: to pray for the Holy City every minute of every day for the entire year of 2025. You may remember that our JIBC family took the 10th of every month as our day to provide 24-hour prayer coverage. I think the final number was 168 of us covering the tenth of all 12 months. Every minute of every hour of the 10th of every month was covered. We provided equipping sermons, videos of prayer basics and helps for anyone willing but not sure what to do. By the way, those prayer videos can still be seen on our web site.
When 2025 ended, we did not want to end our city- wide prayer ministry. So, we took the prayer ministry in a different direction. Instead of praying on the 19th of every month, we asked if you would include a “Pray Charleston” time in your regular time alone with God.
The first major prayer emphasis was for Charleston’s leadership. We prayed for mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs, first responders. Anyone serving the public and potentially in harms way. We prayed for them. I received the most interesting comments like “Why would I pray for a politician I did not vote for and do not care for?” My answer…then you should pray twice for that one!
The next area of focused prayer was the church. We prayed to evangelize the lost, make disciples, strengthen families, grow healthy Connection Groups, prayers for students and their friendships and for those who volunteer and serve. We always try to include ”Who is your one?” The one person close to you but far from God.
Now, this past Sunday, September 6, we introduced another prayer focus. A prayer brochure has been prepared to help us focus on praying for our schools. We will pray for students, teachers, administrators, our homes, homeschoolers, the classrooms, the campuses and our universities. We asked that you particularly pray for the schools where you children attend and the schools you pass every day. The brochures were handed out on Sunday, September 6. They will be available for several months to come. It is always a good time to pray for our schools, public, private and home!
Thank you for being a praying church. It is a ministry and mission we can all participate in and one we are all called to do.
See you Sunday, Good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Friday, September 4, 2026
Nickles and Noses
In times gone by, Pastors would start conversations with other pastors by asking “How are your nickels and noses?” It was a way of asking how is your church doing, how is your church health? The nickels, of course, referred to the offerings. How is the financial health of the church? The noses referred to people. They were asking how is your attendance, how many do you have in Sunday School or Connection Groups? How are your nickels and noses? Most of the time they would not be that straight forward. They might word it a little more delicately. Reality is that attendance and offerings are indicators of health but not the only indicators.
Over the past 6 years JIBC has been blessed with over 90 baptisms. What a blessing to “average” 15 baptisms a year for the past 6 years. Our last baptism had 7 adults, 3 teens and 4 children. That is a good indicator of health.
Our offerings have grown from $707,474 in 2021 to $1,041,615 in 2025. That means we gave more to missions than ever before. JIBC underwrites the Hispanic Church, Luz Y Verdad and the Slavic Church, Zion. Spiritual health is seen in the increase of our weekly tithes and offerings but also in the many missions we support. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Our attendance has been around 200 in worship services every week. This past Sunday we had 267 in worship. That includes 29 we had in Children’s Worship. I must admit it is very encouraging to see the attendance numbers go up. But more encouraging is the number we see going out…out into the community as volunteers at places like James Island Outreach, VBS, Awanas, etc. Spiritual Health is better seen in how many we send than how many we seat! But let’s keep working on both of them.
There are a lot of other ways to measure church health. Some might be a little harder to track. How many hugs are given out each week? How much laughter do we hear in the building? How many meals are shared? How many eat at JIBC on Wednesday nights and how many meals are sent out to the sick, the homebound and the local fire stations? How many people were invited to JIBC this past year? These would all be indicators of church health. What would you list as an indicator of church health? I would be interested in knowing.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Over the past 6 years JIBC has been blessed with over 90 baptisms. What a blessing to “average” 15 baptisms a year for the past 6 years. Our last baptism had 7 adults, 3 teens and 4 children. That is a good indicator of health.
Our offerings have grown from $707,474 in 2021 to $1,041,615 in 2025. That means we gave more to missions than ever before. JIBC underwrites the Hispanic Church, Luz Y Verdad and the Slavic Church, Zion. Spiritual health is seen in the increase of our weekly tithes and offerings but also in the many missions we support. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Our attendance has been around 200 in worship services every week. This past Sunday we had 267 in worship. That includes 29 we had in Children’s Worship. I must admit it is very encouraging to see the attendance numbers go up. But more encouraging is the number we see going out…out into the community as volunteers at places like James Island Outreach, VBS, Awanas, etc. Spiritual Health is better seen in how many we send than how many we seat! But let’s keep working on both of them.
There are a lot of other ways to measure church health. Some might be a little harder to track. How many hugs are given out each week? How much laughter do we hear in the building? How many meals are shared? How many eat at JIBC on Wednesday nights and how many meals are sent out to the sick, the homebound and the local fire stations? How many people were invited to JIBC this past year? These would all be indicators of church health. What would you list as an indicator of church health? I would be interested in knowing.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Friday, August 28, 2026
HARD QUESTIONS—REAL ANSWERS
In 2003, William Lane Craig wrote a book entitled “Hard Questions, Real Answers”. I am using the title of his book to talk about four hard questions that I often hear people ask. This Sunday we will start with “How can I know the will of God?” In Ephesians 5:17 the Apostle Paul encourages us to “understand what the Lord’s will is.” Knowing God’s will is a spiritual discipline we want to develop. The Word of God will give us direction.
Perhaps you have asked, privately or publicly, “How long should I keep praying?’. Is there a time limit to how long you keep going before the Lord with the same request? In Ephesians 6:18 Paul says we are to “stay alert and be persistent in your prayers.” Jesus Himself showed us that “we should always pray and not give up.” But how long do we keep praying and what do we do while we are waiting?The third hard question is one that should interest many of us. This one asks the question “How can I stop worrying?” I sometimes will try to relabel my worrying as “just being very concerned”. Yeah, it is still worrying. I do agree with the old wag who said “Worrying must be good luck…nothing I ever worry about actually happens!” The Bible, as in so many things, has a great answer for those of us who might tend to “just be very, very concerned”…otherwise known as worry.
Here is one I believe every believer has asked at one time or the other. “Why do I do what I don’t want to do?” Been there done that and have a drawer full of t-shirts to testify. Perhaps one of the most interesting and intriguing chapters in the Bible is Romans 7. Paul gives us the Word of God that helps us understand the spiritual war going on inside our lives.
Maybe you will find something to relate to in the brief series. At least you should be able to find some truths and principles to help those who would look to you to give real answers to tough questions.
See you Sunday, D.V.
Pastor Tom
Here is one I believe every believer has asked at one time or the other. “Why do I do what I don’t want to do?” Been there done that and have a drawer full of t-shirts to testify. Perhaps one of the most interesting and intriguing chapters in the Bible is Romans 7. Paul gives us the Word of God that helps us understand the spiritual war going on inside our lives.
Maybe you will find something to relate to in the brief series. At least you should be able to find some truths and principles to help those who would look to you to give real answers to tough questions.
See you Sunday, D.V.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 20, 2026
I like the sound of that!
Here is a week filled with exciting events., I know we cannot make all of them, but we do want you to know about them. On Wednesday, August 19 we have 11 signed up for Beach Baptism. We have a wonderful mix of children, youth and adults. It will be at the Folly Beach Charleston County Park at the very end. Go to Folly and turn right, go to the end. There is usually an entrance fee. Tell them you are there for the baptism…maybe, just maybe they will bless you??? Baptism time will be between 6:30 and 7:00.
Then Kat Cumberledge will lead us in a Bible and Brushes painting experience. Janie and I are signed up. If I am signed up, you know two things. I think it is fun and you don’t have to know how to paint to be a part of this! The cost is $25 and all proceeds will go to buying medical supplies for Steven’s mission trip to Jordan. Call the church office to sign up. If you want to go but don’t have the extra cash right now, contact me. We have some scholarship money!
Sunday, we have scheduled a Parent-Child Dedication Service celebrating the birth of Heidi Leigh Dorton. Let’s celebrate with Will and Allison this great gift from God. The Lord adds to His Church!
Then, Wednesday night, August 26 we will have our Quarterly Ministry Conference/Ministry Management Team meeting. We will have a meal served at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. It is just another way we have of keeping our church family informed. Remember the old saying “You heard it here first!”. That is exactly how we feel about these meetings. You get to be the first to hear what is coming soon. The meal is optional. You do not have to eat to attend the meeting. You do have to let us know you are coming if you want to eat! Call the church office to make your dinner reservation.
The month concludes with Pastor Logan presenting “Next Generation Parenting…Technology”. He is bringing in the expert. Do you have preschooler, children or youth in your life.? You will want to attend this seminar. Sunday night, August 30, 6:00 in the Youth Room. To sign up for this valuable seminar, text TECHNOLOGY to 843-762-0244.
Yep, I like the sound of that: equipping, evangelizing, supporting mission, celebrating next steps. It’s all good.
Pastor Tom
Then Kat Cumberledge will lead us in a Bible and Brushes painting experience. Janie and I are signed up. If I am signed up, you know two things. I think it is fun and you don’t have to know how to paint to be a part of this! The cost is $25 and all proceeds will go to buying medical supplies for Steven’s mission trip to Jordan. Call the church office to sign up. If you want to go but don’t have the extra cash right now, contact me. We have some scholarship money!
Sunday, we have scheduled a Parent-Child Dedication Service celebrating the birth of Heidi Leigh Dorton. Let’s celebrate with Will and Allison this great gift from God. The Lord adds to His Church!
Then, Wednesday night, August 26 we will have our Quarterly Ministry Conference/Ministry Management Team meeting. We will have a meal served at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. It is just another way we have of keeping our church family informed. Remember the old saying “You heard it here first!”. That is exactly how we feel about these meetings. You get to be the first to hear what is coming soon. The meal is optional. You do not have to eat to attend the meeting. You do have to let us know you are coming if you want to eat! Call the church office to make your dinner reservation.
The month concludes with Pastor Logan presenting “Next Generation Parenting…Technology”. He is bringing in the expert. Do you have preschooler, children or youth in your life.? You will want to attend this seminar. Sunday night, August 30, 6:00 in the Youth Room. To sign up for this valuable seminar, text TECHNOLOGY to 843-762-0244.
Yep, I like the sound of that: equipping, evangelizing, supporting mission, celebrating next steps. It’s all good.
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
THE THREE P’S
Have you ever heard of the 3 P’s? It is an old but good business model. It refers to People, Process and Product. Get the right people on your team; have an efficient process; have a product you believe in. That is not too shabby of a game plan. Ok, my 3P’s for today are slightly different.
The three P’s for JIBC today include Prayer, Paint and Participate. Let’s start with PRAYER. This Sunday, August 16 we will conclude our sermon series on the Book of James. It will come from James 5:13-20. James has inspiring and convicting words about prayer. I hope you will be there to join us.
The second P is PAINT! On Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 am to noon, Steven and Kat Cumberledge will host a “Bibles and Brushes” fundraising event for Steven’s upcoming mission trip to Jordan. The funds raised will help purchase medical supplies. I love the idea of involving passion and mission. There is a $25 charge for this event and it is limited to 30 people. Please contact the church office at 843-762-0244 to register. “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh.
The third P is PARTICIPATE. You have two really good events in which you can be a participant. First, there is the Beach Baptism on Wednesday, August 19 at the Folly Beach/Charleston County Park. We will gather around 6:30 in front of the main buildings at the park. So far, we have 8 to be baptized. There is room for more. Participate by attending and cheering these on or participate by being baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ.
You may also want to participate in the Quarterly Ministry conference/Ministry Management Team meeting on Wednesday, August 26. A meal will be served at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. Everyone can attend. Please make a reservation by contacting the church office if you would like to eat with us!
THREE P’S…not bad right? We have the right people, the JIBC family. We have the right process... go and make disciples. We have the greatest product ever—the Gospel story about our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Pastor Tom
The three P’s for JIBC today include Prayer, Paint and Participate. Let’s start with PRAYER. This Sunday, August 16 we will conclude our sermon series on the Book of James. It will come from James 5:13-20. James has inspiring and convicting words about prayer. I hope you will be there to join us.
The second P is PAINT! On Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 am to noon, Steven and Kat Cumberledge will host a “Bibles and Brushes” fundraising event for Steven’s upcoming mission trip to Jordan. The funds raised will help purchase medical supplies. I love the idea of involving passion and mission. There is a $25 charge for this event and it is limited to 30 people. Please contact the church office at 843-762-0244 to register. “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh.
The third P is PARTICIPATE. You have two really good events in which you can be a participant. First, there is the Beach Baptism on Wednesday, August 19 at the Folly Beach/Charleston County Park. We will gather around 6:30 in front of the main buildings at the park. So far, we have 8 to be baptized. There is room for more. Participate by attending and cheering these on or participate by being baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ.
You may also want to participate in the Quarterly Ministry conference/Ministry Management Team meeting on Wednesday, August 26. A meal will be served at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. Everyone can attend. Please make a reservation by contacting the church office if you would like to eat with us!
THREE P’S…not bad right? We have the right people, the JIBC family. We have the right process... go and make disciples. We have the greatest product ever—the Gospel story about our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 6, 2026
I TRIPPED OVER A PUN!
Last week, in an effort to be humorous, I tripped over a pun. I said “I tripped over the bathroom tile Monday. I am fine, but it is safe to say “I got floored!” I did not really trip; I was just putting together all my favorite “tile” puns since the workers were tiling the bathrooms. I thought someone would say “I saw what you pun there…it was a bit pun-derwhelming! “
FUN AND SUPPORTING MISSIONS: Best of both worlds when you can have fun and raise prayer and financial support for missions. JIBC and Steven and Kat Cumberledge are sponsoring a Bibles and Brushes Art event on Saturday, August 22, 10 AM until Noon. Limited to 30 people and Janie and I have already signed up! Now, room for 28. Fun, inspirational, fellowship…and take home your own masterpiece! Call the church office to make your reservation: 843-762-0244.
OVER 100 BOOKBAGS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Thank you all for your generous gift of time, love and finances to put together over 100 Bookbags! These will so help the underserved and those on tight budgets. Imagine having three children and each need $50.00 worth of school supplies. What a gift of love from you all. We will have enough left over to donate to another area elementary school. The teachers supply closets will begin the year well stocked!
JUST A REMINDER about Beach Baptism. We have 7 signed up so far. We will meet at the James Island County Park, look for the crowd and the church flags! We will start gathering around 6 PM and plan to baptize around 6:45 PM.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, we will have a Quarterly Ministry Conference/Ministry Management Team gathering on Wednesday, August 26. A free meal will be provided but we do ask that you make a reservation. Please call the church office at 843-762-0244 or email neale@jamesislandbaptist.com. Meal served at 6 PM and the meeting starts at 6:30 PM.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing! DV
Pastor Tom
FUN AND SUPPORTING MISSIONS: Best of both worlds when you can have fun and raise prayer and financial support for missions. JIBC and Steven and Kat Cumberledge are sponsoring a Bibles and Brushes Art event on Saturday, August 22, 10 AM until Noon. Limited to 30 people and Janie and I have already signed up! Now, room for 28. Fun, inspirational, fellowship…and take home your own masterpiece! Call the church office to make your reservation: 843-762-0244.
OVER 100 BOOKBAGS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Thank you all for your generous gift of time, love and finances to put together over 100 Bookbags! These will so help the underserved and those on tight budgets. Imagine having three children and each need $50.00 worth of school supplies. What a gift of love from you all. We will have enough left over to donate to another area elementary school. The teachers supply closets will begin the year well stocked!
JUST A REMINDER about Beach Baptism. We have 7 signed up so far. We will meet at the James Island County Park, look for the crowd and the church flags! We will start gathering around 6 PM and plan to baptize around 6:45 PM.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, we will have a Quarterly Ministry Conference/Ministry Management Team gathering on Wednesday, August 26. A free meal will be provided but we do ask that you make a reservation. Please call the church office at 843-762-0244 or email neale@jamesislandbaptist.com. Meal served at 6 PM and the meeting starts at 6:30 PM.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing! DV
Pastor Tom
Friday, July 31, 2026
Want to hear music to my ear?
“Hammer, hammer, hammer, saw, saw, saw, big thump, big thump”. Doesn’t sound like music you would like? It is the music of the two main church restrooms being renovated this week. The space was stripped bare, now the workers are getting ready to put the tile in. Somebody say “Amen!”
By the way, I tripped over the bathroom tile Monday. I am fine, but it is safe to say “I got floored!” Let me give some Biblical Construction World advice: Don’t be in too big of a hurry, take one tile at a time. Remember, Rome was not tiled in a day! I tried—I really tried to ignore the tile jokes…but they kept resurfacing!
Back to School Supplies Giveaway. We still have a little over a week to donate to the community wide back to school give away. There are five church families, each setting a goal of 100 filled book bags. In addition, World Vision will be bringing two 18-wheeler trucks filled with household goods, diapers, food, clothes, personal care items, bed linens, etc. There will be an estimated 40,000 pounds of product given away.
We are looking for volunteers that can help in one of the areas: serving hotdogs, giving out book bags, using muscle to unload the pallets of household goods. Pray for this event that the Gospel will be clearly proclaimed, people would be and feel deeply loved, and volunteers would be abundant!
I saw a piece of tile leaning up against the wall. He could not walk very well…he had square feet!
Love you all,
Pastor Tom
By the way, I tripped over the bathroom tile Monday. I am fine, but it is safe to say “I got floored!” Let me give some Biblical Construction World advice: Don’t be in too big of a hurry, take one tile at a time. Remember, Rome was not tiled in a day! I tried—I really tried to ignore the tile jokes…but they kept resurfacing!
Back to School Supplies Giveaway. We still have a little over a week to donate to the community wide back to school give away. There are five church families, each setting a goal of 100 filled book bags. In addition, World Vision will be bringing two 18-wheeler trucks filled with household goods, diapers, food, clothes, personal care items, bed linens, etc. There will be an estimated 40,000 pounds of product given away.
We are looking for volunteers that can help in one of the areas: serving hotdogs, giving out book bags, using muscle to unload the pallets of household goods. Pray for this event that the Gospel will be clearly proclaimed, people would be and feel deeply loved, and volunteers would be abundant!
I saw a piece of tile leaning up against the wall. He could not walk very well…he had square feet!
Love you all,
Pastor Tom
Friday, July 24, 2026
BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!
Janie and I were gone for a couple of weeks. We went by to visit with former members, Martin and Lori Lechler. Then we headed to Nashville, Tennessee to attend a Celebrate Recovery Summit. After the first day of the conference, my sister called to tell me my brother passed away earlier that morning. So, we left the conference and headed to Newport/Havelock, North Carolina. Rest in peace Bubba, rest in peace. Janie and I were so thankful we had gone up a month ago to spend a few days with him and Kathie. He was, at that point, able to talk, laugh, visit and eat. My sister, Martha, was with him when he passed. God works all things together for the good. He died at home just as he wanted.
We still have to go back for probate to settle the rest of his affairs. We do not have a date for services at this time. It will be a graveside service at Carolina Memorial most likely a few weeks from now.
Until then…I am back in the saddle. So, let’s do what we do best. Let’s work on filling 100 bookbags with “Back to School Supplies”. I believe Pastor Josh said there will be 5 or 6 churches each trying to fill 100 book bags with school supplies! In addition, there will be two 18-wheeler trucks with house and home supplies to be given out. There will be multiple opportunities to volunteer: serving hotdogs, registering people, distributing back packs, giving directions, etc. We will need the muscle and still nimble group to help unload the two truckloads of items! This will be a big community “give back” day of service. Did I mention the word BIG. Really BIG.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 FROM NOON UNTIL 4 PM. Volunteer for some of it, or all of it, every bit of help will be welcomed. If they have too many volunteers, Pastor Logan is buying everyone slushies at the Sonic!
Back in the saddle, doing missions…now that is my church family!
Pastor Tom
We still have to go back for probate to settle the rest of his affairs. We do not have a date for services at this time. It will be a graveside service at Carolina Memorial most likely a few weeks from now.
Until then…I am back in the saddle. So, let’s do what we do best. Let’s work on filling 100 bookbags with “Back to School Supplies”. I believe Pastor Josh said there will be 5 or 6 churches each trying to fill 100 book bags with school supplies! In addition, there will be two 18-wheeler trucks with house and home supplies to be given out. There will be multiple opportunities to volunteer: serving hotdogs, registering people, distributing back packs, giving directions, etc. We will need the muscle and still nimble group to help unload the two truckloads of items! This will be a big community “give back” day of service. Did I mention the word BIG. Really BIG.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 FROM NOON UNTIL 4 PM. Volunteer for some of it, or all of it, every bit of help will be welcomed. If they have too many volunteers, Pastor Logan is buying everyone slushies at the Sonic!
Back in the saddle, doing missions…now that is my church family!
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
How do I love thee?
Do you remember the old poem from high school by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How do I love thee? “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” May I paraphrase that just a little? What mission projects do you do well? Let me count the ways. There are really so many.
This summer we are partnering again with Rev. Doctor Brandon Sweeper, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church on Folly Road. We just received the notification that this project, the school supply drive, was going to take place again this year. Every year we have attempted this school supply drive project you have met and exceeded the wildest expectations.
Hopefully, we will have the list available in our worship bulletins, in the weekly messenger and online. Then the rush will be on to Walmart, 5 BELOW, Dollar Tree or your other favorite shopping stores. There are so many ways to participate. If you physically cannot go, you can give financially and we will find shoppers for you! There are those people who absolutely love going after the best bargain available. Parents can take their kids, let them help and see a mission project in action. We will start bringing the supplies to the worship center. By the way, you do not have to purchase everything on the list, Anything you buy will help fill one of the school book bags.
The day of the giveaway will be Saturday, August 8. Times to be announced later. The last day to get your donations in will be Sunday, August 2.
Part of the fun for this mission project is being present on the give-away day. You are more than welcomed to join us on Saturday, August 8 at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Folly Road. You will meet some very happy parents and grandparents.
We are blessing local schools who serve local families. This will be a big relief to their back-to-school costs.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… new pencils, erasers, bottles of glue, etc!
See you soon,
Pastor Tom
This summer we are partnering again with Rev. Doctor Brandon Sweeper, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church on Folly Road. We just received the notification that this project, the school supply drive, was going to take place again this year. Every year we have attempted this school supply drive project you have met and exceeded the wildest expectations.
Hopefully, we will have the list available in our worship bulletins, in the weekly messenger and online. Then the rush will be on to Walmart, 5 BELOW, Dollar Tree or your other favorite shopping stores. There are so many ways to participate. If you physically cannot go, you can give financially and we will find shoppers for you! There are those people who absolutely love going after the best bargain available. Parents can take their kids, let them help and see a mission project in action. We will start bringing the supplies to the worship center. By the way, you do not have to purchase everything on the list, Anything you buy will help fill one of the school book bags.
The day of the giveaway will be Saturday, August 8. Times to be announced later. The last day to get your donations in will be Sunday, August 2.
Part of the fun for this mission project is being present on the give-away day. You are more than welcomed to join us on Saturday, August 8 at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Folly Road. You will meet some very happy parents and grandparents.
We are blessing local schools who serve local families. This will be a big relief to their back-to-school costs.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… new pencils, erasers, bottles of glue, etc!
See you soon,
Pastor Tom
Thursday, July 9, 2026
ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY LOVE!
One thing I really love is going to the Celebrate Recovery Summit. Each year Celebrate Recovery offers two conferences. One is on the west coast in California and the other is in Nashville, Tennessee. Janie and I have been blessed to attend both of them several times. This year, if fact, later this week, Janie and I will leave to go to Nashville for the Celebrate Recovery East Coast! What I really love about this conference is the 2000, give or take a few hundred, recovering believers who worship together. At that event, you are in the presence of God along with over 2000 people who know they have been rescued, forgiven, born again, changed and set free. There is a deep sense of God’s grace and mercy.
I would agree with anyone who said “All believers should feel that way and all worship should be fueled by such joy.” That certainly should be the case.
So, we look forward to a time of training, a time of refreshing, a time of healing and a time of “recovery fellowship”! By the way, one of the most often misunderstood aspects of Celebrate Recovery is who is CR for? The overwhelming majority of people who attend Celebrate Recovery are not there for alcohol or drug abuse. Many of us attend for past trauma, co-dependency, mental health issues, grief, etc. Substance Use Disorder is certainly a part of CR but not the only part.
The Celebrate Recovery Ministry of JIBC has diminished in size over the past two years. The need for recovery has certainly not diminished. If anything, it has greatly increased. A fellow pastor in West Ashley said as they surveyed their community for felt needs, recovery issues were among the highest on the list. Pray for Celebrate Recovery, for our leaders, for our outreach, promotion in the community, our volunteers. It is a real need!
See you soon,
Pastor Tom
Thursday, July 2, 2026
NEED A HELPING HAND?
Do you ever need a helping hand? We all do at one time or another. Like the Beatles would sing “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends” So, here is the story. We were blessed by a family member who offered us their place in Costa Rica for a week. My daughter Brook and her kids went and my youngest daughter Erin and her family met us there mid-week.
This place is ruggedly beautiful. One excursion involved going through a preserve with a guide. Great! At any moment I expected to see jaguars, snakes or crocodiles. That matters because I can no longer outrun any member of my family but Janie!
With no advance warning, we come to a swamp crossing made up of old tree stumps. We have to walk across 20 stumps of various sizes and heights. All my kids crossed that so fast you would think they were auditioning for American Ninja Warriors. Did I mention the little stumps were all wet and muddy? I am wondering why we paid good money to put my life at risk. I was already planning if I would fall into the mangrove root system or into the green murky swamp water. Five stumps in and I was stuck. I mean froze up, scared, not going forward and can’t go backwards. I started shouting out instructions on how to get me to the nearest hospital!
Then came the helping hand. My grandson, Noah, walked right through the swamp to come and rescue me with a helping hand. Maybe in the day I could have crossed the swamp with grace and confidence. Now, I humbled myself and took my grandson’s hand and made it to the other side. He went back to get Grandma too!
That’s life. Sometimes we all need a helping hand. There is no shame in the game when we have to ask for a helping hand, a hand up or a steady hand for balance. You can’t lift it, ask for help. You can’t figure it out? There are wise people around you willing to help you. Spiritually, we all needed a helping hand when it came to being made right with God. That helping hand just happened to be nail scarred. Jesus’ helping hands healed, they blessed children, broke bread, were often raised in prayer. We all need His helping hand.
From time to time, we all need a helping hand. My guess is more often than not you are offering a helping hand. Thank you. By God’s grace, we can get by with a little help from a friend. See you
Sunday, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
This place is ruggedly beautiful. One excursion involved going through a preserve with a guide. Great! At any moment I expected to see jaguars, snakes or crocodiles. That matters because I can no longer outrun any member of my family but Janie!
With no advance warning, we come to a swamp crossing made up of old tree stumps. We have to walk across 20 stumps of various sizes and heights. All my kids crossed that so fast you would think they were auditioning for American Ninja Warriors. Did I mention the little stumps were all wet and muddy? I am wondering why we paid good money to put my life at risk. I was already planning if I would fall into the mangrove root system or into the green murky swamp water. Five stumps in and I was stuck. I mean froze up, scared, not going forward and can’t go backwards. I started shouting out instructions on how to get me to the nearest hospital!
Then came the helping hand. My grandson, Noah, walked right through the swamp to come and rescue me with a helping hand. Maybe in the day I could have crossed the swamp with grace and confidence. Now, I humbled myself and took my grandson’s hand and made it to the other side. He went back to get Grandma too!
That’s life. Sometimes we all need a helping hand. There is no shame in the game when we have to ask for a helping hand, a hand up or a steady hand for balance. You can’t lift it, ask for help. You can’t figure it out? There are wise people around you willing to help you. Spiritually, we all needed a helping hand when it came to being made right with God. That helping hand just happened to be nail scarred. Jesus’ helping hands healed, they blessed children, broke bread, were often raised in prayer. We all need His helping hand.
From time to time, we all need a helping hand. My guess is more often than not you are offering a helping hand. Thank you. By God’s grace, we can get by with a little help from a friend. See you
Sunday, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
Friday, June 26, 2026
GONE AGAIN, HOME AGAIN
Janie and I just returned from a vacation with part of our family. Brook and her three kids along with Erin, Trey and Wyatt joined us in a trip to Nosara, Costa Rica. Yeah, I did not know where it was either. Some would ask us “What part of Costa Rica are you going to?” I showed my geographical ignorance…I did not know where we were going or that there were parts! Turns out we were on the West Coast, right where the beautiful mountains and the jungle meets the Pacific Ocean. Like always, it was a joy to be there and to enjoy another part of God’s beautiful creation. But it is twice the joy to be back home! Thank you to all who make this kind of a trip possible by covering all the bases while we are gone.
The week before we left for vacation, my brother called to tell us he was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and that it had metastasized to other parts of his body. The outlook is not good. If the doctors are right, he has 4 to 6 months to live. If Kathie is right, maybe not quite that long. So, Janie and I met my sister and went to spend some time with Bubba and Kathie. They live in Newport, NC. We hoped to bring some sort of positive to a negative situation. My sweet Janie was so very helpful in helping them work through all their legal issues like wills, power of attorney, medical POA, etc. By the way, do you have a will, a Power of Attorney, a Healthcare POA? If not, do yourself and your family a favor and have them drawn up. The truth is that we all have an ending date, all of us have an appointed day to die. We choose to live our lives not looking at death but rather looking at life. But the date will come, unless Jesus returns first.
One day, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more tears. Until then, we deal with the penalty and consequence of sin, death. Our hearts cry in times of sorrow is like a call for that day when death will be no more. Until then, “The Lord is my Shepherd…”
See you this Sunday, Good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
The week before we left for vacation, my brother called to tell us he was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and that it had metastasized to other parts of his body. The outlook is not good. If the doctors are right, he has 4 to 6 months to live. If Kathie is right, maybe not quite that long. So, Janie and I met my sister and went to spend some time with Bubba and Kathie. They live in Newport, NC. We hoped to bring some sort of positive to a negative situation. My sweet Janie was so very helpful in helping them work through all their legal issues like wills, power of attorney, medical POA, etc. By the way, do you have a will, a Power of Attorney, a Healthcare POA? If not, do yourself and your family a favor and have them drawn up. The truth is that we all have an ending date, all of us have an appointed day to die. We choose to live our lives not looking at death but rather looking at life. But the date will come, unless Jesus returns first.
One day, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more tears. Until then, we deal with the penalty and consequence of sin, death. Our hearts cry in times of sorrow is like a call for that day when death will be no more. Until then, “The Lord is my Shepherd…”
See you this Sunday, Good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Thursday, June 11, 2026
PART TWO: PRAY CHARLESTON 2026
Many of you will remember that JIBC joined dozens of other churches from a variety of denominations to “Pray Charleston 2025”. The goal was to have every day, of every week of every month for the 2025 Calendar Year covered in prayer. The focus was on Charleston, hence the name “Pray Charleston 2025. We chose the 10th of every month from January to December. On the 10th, we had 168 volunteers to pray in 15-minute segments and we covered the entire 24 hours of the 10th of every month. Well done, JIBC, well done.
This year, we changed the pace a little. We are still involved and partners in “Pray Charleston 2026”. We are just expanding or deepening our prayer ministry. We are no longer praying just on the 10th of every month. We are asking our IBC family and friends to include a Pray Charleston topic every day you have your quiet time. The first 6 weeks we prayed for Charleston leaders, first responders, school administration, etc. This next 6 weeks, we will pray for JIBC Missions and Ministries. Our Youth Pastor, Logan Duvall, put this one together for us. He gives us just a brief prayer suggestion and scripture for Monday through Sunday. This guide leads us to pray for many of the ministries of JIBC: evangelism, missions, children’s ministries, Connection Groups, Student Ministry, Volunteers, Worship, preaching and teaching, etc.
He gives some very helpful suggestions and the QR codes that will take you to more resources about prayer. Let’s Pray Charleston 2026! And while we are at it lets Pray JIBC 2026.
VBS is two weeks away! Here we go, Evangelism and Mission, priority one. Thank you for your prayers and volunteer hours. To God be the Glory.
Pastor Tom
This year, we changed the pace a little. We are still involved and partners in “Pray Charleston 2026”. We are just expanding or deepening our prayer ministry. We are no longer praying just on the 10th of every month. We are asking our IBC family and friends to include a Pray Charleston topic every day you have your quiet time. The first 6 weeks we prayed for Charleston leaders, first responders, school administration, etc. This next 6 weeks, we will pray for JIBC Missions and Ministries. Our Youth Pastor, Logan Duvall, put this one together for us. He gives us just a brief prayer suggestion and scripture for Monday through Sunday. This guide leads us to pray for many of the ministries of JIBC: evangelism, missions, children’s ministries, Connection Groups, Student Ministry, Volunteers, Worship, preaching and teaching, etc.
He gives some very helpful suggestions and the QR codes that will take you to more resources about prayer. Let’s Pray Charleston 2026! And while we are at it lets Pray JIBC 2026.
VBS is two weeks away! Here we go, Evangelism and Mission, priority one. Thank you for your prayers and volunteer hours. To God be the Glory.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, June 4, 2026
THE FAVOR OF THE LORD
There are times when some things go wrong. It happens. There are also times when somethings go wrong but most things go right. As one philosopher said “It’s not all good, but it’s not all bad either”. Then, there ae those wonderful times when there are so many things going well one might describe it as “the favor of the Lord”. It is a time of unearned grace, approval and tangible blessings of the Lord.
This year’s Awana ministry seems to have found the favor of the Lord. Each year we have been blessed with an amazing number of children coming to learn God’s Word. Some age groups actually reached the limit of how many children they can accommodate. Together, the Awana Ministry brought and donated over 950 jars of jelly. Their year end Awards Banquet filled up the house of the Lord and the Children’s program was outstanding as the Gospel was told through the words and action of the children, led by their dedicated leaders. Well done everyone involved!
We celebrated the season’s last Wednesday night supper with a free meal. We did say donations to James Island Outreach would be accepted for that night. Turns out we will be able to give James Island Outreach and additional $473. It is the favor of the Lord.
The Kitchen Renovation, a project years in the making, finally has happened. There is a relatively small punch list to be completed. I would say it is about 99% complete. It did not keep our Kitchen Krew from presenting their amazing signature dish of fried chicken, Mac-n-Cheese and banana pudding! Wow. Thank you for a great year of serving!
Last, but in no way least, the favor of the Lord is upon us in calling our new staff member, Josh Sorrow and his sweet family. It seemed like our Father in Heaven just kept leading and affirming every step of the process.
I pray that in our individual lives and in the life of our families, we will continue to experience the wonderful favor of the Lord. Blessings to you.
Pastor Tom
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”
Luke 2:52
This year’s Awana ministry seems to have found the favor of the Lord. Each year we have been blessed with an amazing number of children coming to learn God’s Word. Some age groups actually reached the limit of how many children they can accommodate. Together, the Awana Ministry brought and donated over 950 jars of jelly. Their year end Awards Banquet filled up the house of the Lord and the Children’s program was outstanding as the Gospel was told through the words and action of the children, led by their dedicated leaders. Well done everyone involved!
We celebrated the season’s last Wednesday night supper with a free meal. We did say donations to James Island Outreach would be accepted for that night. Turns out we will be able to give James Island Outreach and additional $473. It is the favor of the Lord.
The Kitchen Renovation, a project years in the making, finally has happened. There is a relatively small punch list to be completed. I would say it is about 99% complete. It did not keep our Kitchen Krew from presenting their amazing signature dish of fried chicken, Mac-n-Cheese and banana pudding! Wow. Thank you for a great year of serving!
Last, but in no way least, the favor of the Lord is upon us in calling our new staff member, Josh Sorrow and his sweet family. It seemed like our Father in Heaven just kept leading and affirming every step of the process.
I pray that in our individual lives and in the life of our families, we will continue to experience the wonderful favor of the Lord. Blessings to you.
Pastor Tom
Friday, May 29, 2026
HE KNEW HE WAS LOST…
Janie and I often go for evening walks in our neighborhood. They are usually totally uneventful. Just two old people getting in their steps. Then it happened. “Look Janie, that is not right”. A two year old toddler with no adult in sight. It happened to be a beautiful African American baby boy. I suggested following him at a close distance to not scare him and to see if he knew where his home was. The next two left turns assured me he was lost and he knew he was lost. A bouncy ball in one hand a truck in the other and a pacifier in his mouth. He would look at us, grin and run. Thankyou Jesus he was two and not four. I can still outrun a 2 year old. We talked, laughed, played ball, all to get him to trust us. Not so much. Two old white people trying to take my bouncy ball. He wasn’t having it. So, we made the call to 911 and reported who we were, where we were and that we had a very lost 2-year-old infant. We were able to guide him to the field at Epworth Methodist Church. More running. It took a while for the cops to show up. Runaway infant being chased by old white people is not a high on the emergency list…except to the old people doing the chasing! The officer that arrived was like an angel from heaven, a beautiful black female officer angel. That little infant opened his little arms and went straight to the officer. The officer said “You two have just made one grandmother very happy.” Apparently, he had gotten away from grandma, made one wrong turn and was lost. With every wrong turn the little guy got more and more lost.
Kind of a picture of life isn’t it. We could be safe at home with our Heavenly Father. Then we take a wrong turn or two and find ourselves lost. Each wrong turn, each wrong decision takes us away from His shelter, His provision. Not away from His love but away from a relationship He wants us to have with Him. We have our version of a bouncy ball, our toy car and our pacifier. What more do we need? His presence. His watch care. His Shepherding. If you made a wrong turn stop, ask Him, He will lead you home and be so glad to see you back. If you won’t stop, don’t be surprised if He sends two old white people to help you or better yet, one beautiful angel officer!
"Dear Father, help us to enjoy what you give us but to never think those things are what we need to be happy. Please place in our lives people who will help us find our way back home. Forgive us our wrong turns. When we have lost our ways, grant us the ability to know we are lost and to quit running. Protect us from dangers we may never see coming. Amen"
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
IT’S GETTING REAL UP IN HERE!
Remember what it was like to be a kid waiting on Christmas…it would never get here fast enough. Compare that to remembering the joy of having the summer off with no school but knowing that September would be here before you knew it!
The Kitchen Renovation is about to be complete and baptized with its first function. It is not “complete complete” but it is functional and ready to go. Just a few more things to do. This week will be given to moving things back into the kitchen into their brand spanking new home! There will be one “soft-opening” to make sure everything is up to snuff and ready to go. The big celebration will be Wednesday, May 27 from 5:00 to 6:15. By God’s good grace, we will be serving the #1 meal featuring fried chicken, mac and cheese and all the fixin’s. I believe there will be banana pudding for dessert. My eating plan takes a holiday that night!
By the way, what better timing than to celebrate the renovation with the Awana Awards night! Our JIBC kids and friends will get their well-deserved recognition for all the hard work they did. Awana leaders will get to celebrate the fruit of their loving labor. Teaching children the Word of God…well done.
Then, the welcoming of our new staff member, Josh Sorrow along with his wife, Laura and their three children. We are so happy to have them on the team. Saturday, May 30 we will have a drop in at JIBC for leaders to come by and say hello. Sunday will be the formal introduction and a commissioning. All adult Bible Study Connection Groups are invited to a Meet and Greet Sunday from 10:00 to 10:40. We will have Josh share some and maybe do a question-and-answer time.
As I said, “IT’S GETTING REAL UP IN HERE.” Kind of like aging…it was slow at first and then it picked up a lot of speed! Love you all.
Pastor Tom
The Kitchen Renovation is about to be complete and baptized with its first function. It is not “complete complete” but it is functional and ready to go. Just a few more things to do. This week will be given to moving things back into the kitchen into their brand spanking new home! There will be one “soft-opening” to make sure everything is up to snuff and ready to go. The big celebration will be Wednesday, May 27 from 5:00 to 6:15. By God’s good grace, we will be serving the #1 meal featuring fried chicken, mac and cheese and all the fixin’s. I believe there will be banana pudding for dessert. My eating plan takes a holiday that night!
By the way, what better timing than to celebrate the renovation with the Awana Awards night! Our JIBC kids and friends will get their well-deserved recognition for all the hard work they did. Awana leaders will get to celebrate the fruit of their loving labor. Teaching children the Word of God…well done.
Then, the welcoming of our new staff member, Josh Sorrow along with his wife, Laura and their three children. We are so happy to have them on the team. Saturday, May 30 we will have a drop in at JIBC for leaders to come by and say hello. Sunday will be the formal introduction and a commissioning. All adult Bible Study Connection Groups are invited to a Meet and Greet Sunday from 10:00 to 10:40. We will have Josh share some and maybe do a question-and-answer time.
As I said, “IT’S GETTING REAL UP IN HERE.” Kind of like aging…it was slow at first and then it picked up a lot of speed! Love you all.
Pastor Tom
Friday, May 15, 2026
The Invitation Has Been Extended!
All things being equal, James Island Baptist Church has extended a call to Josh Sorrow and his family. We are inviting them to join the JIBC family and staff where Josh will serve as Pastor of Administration and Small Groups/Discipleship. Josh is coming to us from Somerset, Kentucky. He grew up in Summerville where his father served for years as the Associate Pastor of Administration and Small Groups at Old Fort Baptist Church. Josh is a graduate of Charleston Southern University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In the past Josh has served as Minister to Students as well as Pastor of Administration and Discipleship. Fun fact: some of you may remember Scott Miller who served at Clearview Baptist/New Beginnings Church here on James Island. Scott went to southern Indiana as Pastor of Graceland Baptist Church (yes, named after that Graceland). Josh served as a Student Intern under Scott Miller. He could not have had a better pastor/leader/mentor than Scott.
From our first contact with Josh, which was with his resume, we felt like he was a perfect match for what we are looking for. His experience, his spiritual gifts, his passions are lined up great with the mission and ministry of JIBC. This is the first “public” announcement we are making. We will start planning the details of his move in the days ahead. Oh, by the way, Josh is married; he and Laura have three children, a daughter and two sons! If you are on Facebook, look him up and send him a friend request! I look forward to having Josh and his family as a staff member and as a part of the JIBC family!
PS: Josh is coming to join us in what we sometimes refer to as “Second Chair”. He is coming as the Associate Pastor. He is not coming as the replacement of the old guy that currently sits in the Pastor’s Office. Sorry to mention that but curious minds will want to know.
As I am typing, the Kitchen cabinets and shelves are being put in! They look awesome! Somebody say “Mac-n-Cheese, please!” It looks like our first meal served in the renovated kitchen will be Wednesday, May 20…even though it may technically be “finished” by May 13.
Love you all,
Pastor Tom
From our first contact with Josh, which was with his resume, we felt like he was a perfect match for what we are looking for. His experience, his spiritual gifts, his passions are lined up great with the mission and ministry of JIBC. This is the first “public” announcement we are making. We will start planning the details of his move in the days ahead. Oh, by the way, Josh is married; he and Laura have three children, a daughter and two sons! If you are on Facebook, look him up and send him a friend request! I look forward to having Josh and his family as a staff member and as a part of the JIBC family!
PS: Josh is coming to join us in what we sometimes refer to as “Second Chair”. He is coming as the Associate Pastor. He is not coming as the replacement of the old guy that currently sits in the Pastor’s Office. Sorry to mention that but curious minds will want to know.
Matters Closer to Home
As I am typing, the Kitchen cabinets and shelves are being put in! They look awesome! Somebody say “Mac-n-Cheese, please!” It looks like our first meal served in the renovated kitchen will be Wednesday, May 20…even though it may technically be “finished” by May 13.
Love you all,
Pastor Tom
Thursday, May 7, 2026
IT IS TOO SOON TO GIVE UP
When do you throw in the towel and give up? There may be a time that is right. Too often I think some people throw in the towel and walk away too soon. This past Saturday, May 2 was the 152nd Run for the Roses, the famed Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. What a great lesson to learn. The horse, Golden Tempo, was a long shot with odds 23-1. The race starts and the impressive field runs like the wind, packed together jockeying for that sweet position of getting out early to be number one. It was an impressive field indeed. At the half mile mark not many people had their eye on the horse that was in last place, 19th out of 19! That horse was Golden Tempo. Last…dead last…with 18 proven winners out in front of him. Not last for a second but last for the first half mile of the race. Then the alpha male horse said enough is enough and he turned on the afterburners and closed the distance. From dead last to winning by a neck, winning by less that one second! Golden Tempo, his jockey, Jose Ortiz and his trainer, Cherie DeVaux did not throw in the towel because they were last. They did not quit or give up on their horse. Golden Tempo climbed from last to first. Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer in Kentucky Derby History to win the most prestigious of all horse races. The reason? They did not quit or give up.
Don’t give up too soon. God may still be working a miracle, He may still be waiting for the moment to bring you from last to first, from the prison cell to freedom, from the whale’s belly to your assignment, from the cross, the grave to the resurrection. Don’t give up too soon. Your Owner sees you, He knows where you are in the race of life. He knows the odds.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize!” (1 Corinthians 9:24) No matter how far back in this race of life you have fallen, you can, by God’s grace and mercy, make it back to the front! It is too soon to give up.
Love you all,
Pastor Tom
Don’t give up too soon. God may still be working a miracle, He may still be waiting for the moment to bring you from last to first, from the prison cell to freedom, from the whale’s belly to your assignment, from the cross, the grave to the resurrection. Don’t give up too soon. Your Owner sees you, He knows where you are in the race of life. He knows the odds.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize!” (1 Corinthians 9:24) No matter how far back in this race of life you have fallen, you can, by God’s grace and mercy, make it back to the front! It is too soon to give up.
Love you all,
Pastor Tom
Thursday, April 30, 2026
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU?
To paraphrase a tribute to the legendary James Brown, how would you like to say thank you to some of the hardest working people in Hollywood! Except it is not James Brown and it is not Hollywood. It is the school teachers at Johns Island Elementary School. On Wednesday, May 6, we will be serving a delicious Kickin’ Chicken lunch to the staff at Johns Island Elementary. We did this last year and had a great time meeting the teachers and staff. It is an opportunity to meet and greet and to show appreciation. The cost has been taken care of by our “Kickin’ Chicken Benefactor”. All we need are smiling faces to serve and to do some very minor set up. If you would like to go, please let me know ASAP. Some of you may have been praying for this school and now is an opportunity to put some feet…even if they are tiny little chicken feet, to your prayers. We will only have room for about 6 or 7…maybe 8 volunteers. Think Connection Group, families or for you extroverts, a chance to meet people you do not yet know!
How is your Pray Charleston 2026 going? I did send one post card to the mayor to let him know he is being prayed for. I hope there are many, many people praying for him and all of our elected officials. We will try to produce new prayer brochures for every quarter of the year. That way we can be praying for different people, ministries, services, etc. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7
The plan is that I will leave on Wednesday, April 29 to travel to Somerset, Kentucky to do an onsite visit with a prospective staff member. We are looking for a Pastor of Administration and Small Groups/Connection Groups. We have already had multiple times with this prospect and, at this point, feel like we would like to continue pursing this work relationship. Please keep us in your prayers. I will plan to be back Friday evening, May 1 and will be in church Sunday. By the way, I will say this a bunch of times: this is someone who will be an Associate Pastor. He is not someone to be the next pastor. His gift mix is perfect for a “second chair” leader.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
HOW IS IT GOING?
How is your Pray Charleston 2026 going? I did send one post card to the mayor to let him know he is being prayed for. I hope there are many, many people praying for him and all of our elected officials. We will try to produce new prayer brochures for every quarter of the year. That way we can be praying for different people, ministries, services, etc. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7
ROAD TRIP
The plan is that I will leave on Wednesday, April 29 to travel to Somerset, Kentucky to do an onsite visit with a prospective staff member. We are looking for a Pastor of Administration and Small Groups/Connection Groups. We have already had multiple times with this prospect and, at this point, feel like we would like to continue pursing this work relationship. Please keep us in your prayers. I will plan to be back Friday evening, May 1 and will be in church Sunday. By the way, I will say this a bunch of times: this is someone who will be an Associate Pastor. He is not someone to be the next pastor. His gift mix is perfect for a “second chair” leader.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Thursday, April 23, 2026
WITHOUT LEAVING HOME
Many of us like to travel to foreign places. Others, not so much. Most of us would agree that “be it ever so humble there is no place like home.” Well, JIBC found a way for you to do international missions right here at home!
First, how about some “Slavic Outreach”. You may remember that JIBC gives a small gathering of Ukrainians a place to worship every Sunday here at JIBC. The Leadership Team of this Slavic church, Zion Church, is primarily Ukrainian. But they are reaching out to all the Slavic groups in the greater Charleston area. This past Sunday, they hosted a Slavic worship service featuring String Ensembles, a 25-voice choir, multiple concert pianists and multiple readers of the Gospel. I stayed for an hour and ten minutes. I only recognized “Crown Him” and “The Via Dolorosa”. I should say I recognized the tune, not the words. This was a worship service that was designed to touch the heart of those who are connected by linguistic, ethnic and cultural roots. I would guess there were around 70 people present. Well done!
OK, let’s go to the island for some mission work…specifically St Helena Island, South Carolina. The Hispanic Church, Luz Y Verdad, will be going to the migrant camps at St Helena Island to share the gospel. The Migrant Hygiene kits are a practical gift. They usually cookout for them, play music and then preach the Gospel. By the way, you would be welcome to join them for one of these trips. Interested? Let us know. What a great opportunity…international missions right here at home.
Now, how about a little home mission? This will be prefect for some of you. David Miller has offered to sponsor a Teacher Appreciation Lunch for Johns Island Elementary School in May. We are thinking it will be the third week of May. All we need are some volunteers to go and greet the teachers as they come for some deliciousness! Just come and be your regular JIBC friendly. Who knows what mission opportunity a chance encounter might produce. Interested…come with us to thank a teacher!
How about that? Two islands and Eastern Europe and you never left home! Well done.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
First, how about some “Slavic Outreach”. You may remember that JIBC gives a small gathering of Ukrainians a place to worship every Sunday here at JIBC. The Leadership Team of this Slavic church, Zion Church, is primarily Ukrainian. But they are reaching out to all the Slavic groups in the greater Charleston area. This past Sunday, they hosted a Slavic worship service featuring String Ensembles, a 25-voice choir, multiple concert pianists and multiple readers of the Gospel. I stayed for an hour and ten minutes. I only recognized “Crown Him” and “The Via Dolorosa”. I should say I recognized the tune, not the words. This was a worship service that was designed to touch the heart of those who are connected by linguistic, ethnic and cultural roots. I would guess there were around 70 people present. Well done!
OK, let’s go to the island for some mission work…specifically St Helena Island, South Carolina. The Hispanic Church, Luz Y Verdad, will be going to the migrant camps at St Helena Island to share the gospel. The Migrant Hygiene kits are a practical gift. They usually cookout for them, play music and then preach the Gospel. By the way, you would be welcome to join them for one of these trips. Interested? Let us know. What a great opportunity…international missions right here at home.
Now, how about a little home mission? This will be prefect for some of you. David Miller has offered to sponsor a Teacher Appreciation Lunch for Johns Island Elementary School in May. We are thinking it will be the third week of May. All we need are some volunteers to go and greet the teachers as they come for some deliciousness! Just come and be your regular JIBC friendly. Who knows what mission opportunity a chance encounter might produce. Interested…come with us to thank a teacher!
How about that? Two islands and Eastern Europe and you never left home! Well done.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
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