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

HOW DID THEY KNOW?

This past Sunday, our Connection groups studied two stories out of Matthew 8. One was about the man with leprosy who came to Jesus for healing. The other was about the Centurion who came asking for Jesus to heal his servant. The stories are a wonderful record of the power, mercy, goodness, vision of our Lord Jesus. Here is my question for you to consider: How did they know to come to Jesus? What made the man with leprosy think Jesus would heal him and how did he know where Jesus was to be found? He was an unwelcomed outcast, yet he came to Jesus. Likewise, how did the Centurion soldier, a Roman who was occupying Jewish territory, have any idea that Jesus was kind, welcoming of Gentiles and had the power and authority to heal the Centurions servant? How did they know?

Here is my thought and my suggestion. It is a simple guess that someone told them. Someone who had been helped by Jesus or had seen others helped may have told them. Somehow they heard of Jesus and it gave them hope to come to him for help. Perhaps they heard the rumors or even met someone healed by him. It was enough for them to put aside their fear and pain and come to Jesus.

HERE IS THE ASSIGNMENT

Most of us have already made that journey. We are the ones who already know Him as the Lord who touched us, healed us, welcomed us, blessed us, saved us, cares for us, walks with us, etc. We know Him. More than just know about Him, we know Him. Let’s go viral with the stories of what we personally see Jesus doing. Let’s use social media and friendships as opportunities to celebrate what we see Jesus doing. I would like to believe there are people in our circles of influence, like the leprous man and the Centurion, who need Jesus and would come to him… if they heard what He is doing. Let’s go viral with stories of what we see Him doing. Watch for posts from the office and staff on Facebook. Share them, then all your contacts will hear. Maybe, just maybe, they will be drawn to Jesus, the source of Life, the Hope of the world, our Healer, Redeemer and Friend.

How will they know? Let’s leak the secret out…He is risen and He is walking around today welcoming the outcast, touching the untouchables, changing lives.

See you Sunday with Good News,

Pastor Tom

“He is risen…He is risen indeed”

What a wonderful, glorious, fabulous weekend. To everyone who had a part in planning, preparing and serving in the Good Friday service, we say thank you. It was a moving and very inspiring time of worship and reflection. It has not been one of our best attended services but it is always one of the most moving. What a Savior!

Then Easter Sunday…wow! Standing room only and we added the 8:30 service. Saying good-bye to the Chinese Fellowship was a wonderfully happy time and a very sad time. I practiced my farewell speech in Chinese and then blubbered too much to say it. I will miss our Chinese friends and the wonderful smell of Chinese food cooking every Sunday. Thank you for being the kind of church family to facilitate the growth of another church family. As I have said before, we never charged them a penny and tried to welcome them as fully part of our church family. That is missional living. You have seen them grow to become larger than the average Southern Baptist Church in South Carolina. Now, in a nice turn of events, they go to our “Mother Church”, Citadel Square Baptist. Citadel Square started JIBC in July of 1947. Citadel Square has much more room to offer and it puts the Chinese Church at ground zero to reach Chinese students and faculty at C of C, Citadel, and MUSC. What a Savior!

Our attendance was a big as I can remember on an Easter Sunday. Standing room only if you could find it. Even my own son and daughter-in-law did not find a place to sit or stand. Now that is the kind of problems we like to have. Next year, we will try to beef up the 8:30 attendance and make room for more at the 11:00 service. What a Savior!

CLASS 101: Discovering Membership at JIBC

I am looking forward to this Sunday’s Class 101. We have a large number signed up. It is always a good time to get to know those who are visiting with us. As the Good Lord leads, many of them may choose to become a part of the family of God known as James Island Baptist. Once again, What a Savior!

See you Sunday, Good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

In all things give thanks…

Sometimes it is easier than other to give thanks. This Easter Sunday will be one of those days. Many of our church members never remember a time when we did not have the Chinese Fellowship as a part of JIBC. It is as if they have always been a part of our church family. I remember when they started as three people, Yi Ling Pittman, now missionaries in Asia, two of her Chinese friends. Their group grew slowly to 6, then 10, then 15. They needed a bigger room and we gladly accommodated. Then they launched from being a small group to being a church. They rapidly grew to 50, then 70 and now are reaching 100 adults. They have their own youth worship service. Pastor Sean recently helped them start their own children’s worship in preparation for their departure. This Sunday, Easter Sunday, will be their last time with us except for special occasions. We are hoping they might come back for an annual worship service together.

They are going to gather at Citadel Square Baptist Church downtown. Currently, Citadel Square has a good bit of extra space including an extra worship center. This will put the Chinese Church in a wonderfully strategic location to reach Chinese students at C of C, Citadel, MUSC, etc. A few weeks ago we had the privilege of baptizing a wonderful Chinese couple. He is a visiting scholar at MUSC. Again, this puts them in an ideal location. Very few, if any, of the Chinese members actually live on JIBC. Most live in Mt Pleasant, West Ashley and in North Charleston. Downtown Charleston will make sense in many ways.

Now, here is a cool, only God can do this kind of thing, fact. They are going to Citadel Square Baptist…out Mother Church. James Island Baptist was started as a mission of Citadel Square. Early in JIBC history, we started Ft. Johnson Baptist Church, under the leadership of our first pastor, Rev. Glenn and Mildred Tallant. That started as a true new church start. Now, we get to do it again.

We never charged the Chinese Church to use the building, supplies, utilities, etc. They have their own keys and codes to come and go as needed. They use the kitchen every bit as much as our Kitchen Crew. I will miss the wonderful aroma of Chinese food on Sunday mornings…surely it was a pleasing sacrifice to our Lord. I will miss my dear friends and will look forward to chance encounters at the hospitals and in the community. I will look forward to the possibility of an annual gathering to see how their numbers grow.

Now, thank you JIBC. In the early days of old timey Baptist life, we had members who wanted to vote on whether or not to have a Chinese Church meet with us. That seems so foreign to us now…pardon the pun. I thank God for a church family that let go of control and sought to embrace joining God in what He was doing. It was a new way to do church together. It is a much better way. You did not go backwards then and you continue to move forward. The result is the largest Chinese Fellowship in Charleston, perhaps the most active Hispanic Church, and a Celebrate Recovery as large as the average Southern Baptist Church in South Carolina, the only Transition House for women with children and on and on we could go. To God be the glory.

See you Sunday with the traditional Easter greeting: “He is risen…He is risen indeed.”

Pastor Tom