The Advent Season of Worship, Mission and Celebration has come and gone. I loved this year’s theme and I loved that our church was able to help focus on the reason for the season…Jesus! I want to thank you all for your prayers and your generous giving. We will easily go over 200 jars of jelly, 100 bottles of syrup, 2,000 diapers, 3000 baby wipes, $3,000 in gift cards for Western North Carolina and maybe $8,000 for the Lottie Moon International Missions Christmas offering. (By the way, all said and done, we will probably give over $20,000 to support our 3,500 full time missionaries!)
I have on occasion heard someone say “Why can’t we be this generous all year long?” It is a great question. Part of my answer is “Come join James Island Baptist Church and you will take part in year- round missional living and generous giving.” Thank you for loving other so much.JUST A REMINDER
The last Sunday of the year is the time we vote on our 2025 Mission and Ministry Budget. Our Budget Team did a great job in putting this budget together. I believe I would be remembering correctly is I said every Mission and Ministry Team that made a request for the coming year was granted that request. God has been so good to bless our church family. An example: The Kitchen Krew asked for an increase in their budgeted amount for 2025. And why not, they feed more people and send out more food to homebound and sick families. It is our own version of JIBC Meals on Wheels. They spend their budget to bless the church and community. Way to go! That is just one example of a team that is on mission with God’s mission.
KEEP THIS ONE IN YOUR PRAYERS
Our staff and some of our leaderships have started talks with a group of Ukrainians. They are looking for a place to meet and to start a “Slavic Church”. That would include countries from Eastern Europe as well as Ukraine. They actually had a small Bible Study gathering at JIBC this past Sunday! It is not a done deal, but we are moving toward that direction. We have helped grow and launch a Chinese Church and a Hispanic Church. Why not Slavic?
I love you all, hope to see you soon,
Pastor Tom
