VBS, July 22-26
Posted on May 7th, 2012
Farmville Baptist VBS!
Mark your calendars! Farmville Baptist will be offering Group’s PandaMania Vacation Bible School this summer!
Dates: Sunday through Thursday, July 22-26, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Who: children age 3 to completed 5th grade
Cost: FREE
To register . . . Read the rest of this entry »
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The Joy of Life Transformation
Posted on May 1st, 2012
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC Newsletter for May 2012)
One of the joys of living in Virginia is the fact that we have four distinct seasons. My favorite season is the season of spring. Every year during this time, I marvel at the transformation of the world around us as the drab, dull, dead of winter give way to the vibrant, living colors of spring. Even though I suffer from seasonal allergies, the aggravation of sniffles and itchy eyes is worth the beauty of seeing the yellow branches of forsythia, the white blossoms of the Bradford pear, the purple redbud, and the greening of new grass and leaves! It gives me great joy to see and experience the transformation of life.
In the past couple of months, I also have had the joy of seeing transformation in the lives of the participants in our discipleship huddle groups. For ten weeks, fourteen Longwood students met at Farmville Baptist on Tuesday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. to deepen their connections with one another and to strengthen their relationship to Christ. Jim Davis and I had the privilege of seeing the joy of life transformation in these young lives. At our last meeting, these students shared what they’re taking away from this experience and here are some of the things they said:
“I feel much closer to God and to each person here in this group.”
“I’m opening up more and sharing what God is doing in my life with others.”
“I’ve been affirmed in my God-given gifts and abilities.”
“I’m feeling more confident about myself as a child of God.”
Similarly, I’m seeing transformation in the lives of the seven women who have been meeting together in a discipleship huddle group on Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. Some of them shared their experience during worship on April 29, but here are some of the things they have said during our meetings:
“God is helping me to focus on peace and forgiveness instead of negativity.”
“I’m more in tune with God’s plans—instead of my plans—for me.”
“God has released me from a pain that I’ve been carrying for a long time.”
“I’m beginning to feel more connected to people at Farmville Baptist.”
“Instead of controlling my life, I’m learning to let God have control.”
What a joy and privilege it has been for me to walk along side these individuals and see the ways that God is working in their lives! As a pastor, what a blessing it has been for me to witness the blossoming of individuals as they follow Jesus and live the abundant life that they have been created to live! For me, this is what church is all about—the transformation of lives so that the body of Christ can live into its calling to be the presence and blessing of Christ in the world. May God continue this transforming movement in more and more lives here at Farmville Baptist!
Yours in Christ, Michael
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