This is a repost of an article written by then 13-year-old Hope Watson about our ShareFest 2009 event.  We hope you will join us for ShareFest 2011.

A crew of over 100 members of First Baptist Church set out to complete a mission that dreary, drizzly morning of September, 26. Though the weather was poor, the workers’ spirits were up, as the crew began to tackle the tasks they were determined to complete. The outcome would glorify the Lord in the form of blood, sweat, and tears!

As far as blood goes much was given in the form of donations to the Red Cross. Over 24 productive units were donated which will help 80 struggling people in our community.

When it comes to sweat plenty was shed by volunteers of the Binder Lake and South School improvement projects. Work at Binder Lake involved collecting trash scattered around the area, filling many bags and helping the environment. At South School the crew of FBC and Southridge Baptist members partnered together, and spent their time repainting faded tiger paws on the front sidewalk, touching up a dull map of the states on the playground, and adding a fresh coat of paint to most of the floorboards and exterior doors of the school. Another group endured the rain while planting and re-mulching the flower beds, bringing life to South School’s landscaping.

And for tears there were none, only smiles on the faces of the humble volunteers.

Other projects included stuffing 50 toiletries bags that will impact the students in need at South School. These bags contained toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo. They were assembled by Sharefest volunteers. A food drive supporting the Samaritan Center also took place in preparation to Sharefest events. Nearly 250 pounds of food were given by members of our congregation. Every project was completed and had a positive effect on the community, bringing joy to the giver and the receiver.

Those from ages 6 to 70 truly played their parts as God’s servants during 2009’s Sharefest event.   -Hope Watson, age 13

Donated Blood

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, over a hundred members and friends of First Baptist Church headed out into the community to share the love of Christ by making a difference a meeting needs in our second annual ShareFest.  There were a variety of ways that individuals could participate in our second annual ShareFest.

We had several individuals who donated blood at the Red Cross Blood Mobile located at the Miller Performing Arts Center.  We promised the Red Cross that we would have lots of blood to give and we didn’t disappoint.  Thanks so much for donating!

Ray Wallace plays with sticks.

We had another team that worked at Binder Park to clean-up the beautiful area.  Tons of trash was picked up and hauled away along with trees and debris that needed to be trimmed and removed.  Despite the early morning rain showers, the sun came out and made it a great day.

Where is Vermont?

Another large team of individuals, along with a great team from Southridge Baptist Church, worked at South Elementary School – our partner school.  We painted tons of heat registers, doors, and bathroom walls.  We painted paw prints on the sidewalk and on the heat registers as well.  We installed new trash cans on the playground and planted beautiful bushes, flowers and trees around the school.  We also touched up the United States map on the playground – learning our states all over again!!

We had another team that met on Thursday at the church.  They sorted and packed toiletry packages to give to South School and they also delivered several pounds of food to the Samaritan Center that was donated by church members.

It was a tremendous weekend and we were thankful to give back to our wonderful community!

Missouri Poverty Summit (As posted on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Missouri website)

Dr. Doyle Sager, pastor, First Baptist Church, Jefferson City
FBC BEACON June 18, 2009

Despite encouraging signs in the national economy, we know that real life happens up close and locally. I met recently with some area church leaders to talk about our united response to suffering and need in our Jefferson City area, as lay-offs, cut-backs and reduced health benefits continue to take their toll. Did you know that the unemployment percentage in Jefferson City has increased 59% in the last 12 months? Raw figures: 2,451 lost their job in the last 12 months and 295 in the last 30 days.

Along with about 500 others, I recently attended a Poverty Summit. We learned that over 780,000 Missourians live in poverty; over 263,000 of them are children. [Side note—as I sat in the Capitol Plaza Hotel for this conference, I couldn’t help wondering: Why was this conference planned and led by secular organizations? Why is the church always the tail light instead of the headlight on social issues?] If Jesus walked the earth today, would he care about all this? Yes! He DOES walk the earth (his body=the church) and he DOES care what happens to people. The good news of the Gospel is that God cares about every part of our lives.

So, what do we do? Can we think in new ways, beyond partisan politics and old prejudices? Can we ask God to make us part of the solution? What spiritual gifts has God placed in you to serve others? Where are your passions for ministry? What project makes your heart race with anticipation? The mission of FBC JC is to share the love of Jesus Christ and EMPOWER disciples. And disciples are DIS-empowered if they are emaciated by hunger, ravaged by poor health and hounded by job insecurity. Join me in praying that the transforming power of Jesus Christ may flow through all of us in order to touch bodies, minds AND spirits for time and eternity.

Grace, Doyle

click here to learn more about the 2009 Missouri Poverty Summit

We have received several “thank you” letters recently from partners that have received money from our FBC Missions Fund.  Here are a some brief comments from those letters.  You can read them in full at our Missions display in the Narthex.

From River City Habitat for Humanity:

On behalf or River City Habitat for Humanity I would like to thank the members of your congregation for you generous donation of $500 to our building ministry.  Thank you for helping make the dream of home onwership a reality for another Habitat family….. In addition to the four homes we have finished in our community in 2008, our annual Tithe to Habitat for Humanity International built homes in Cambodia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Malawi last year.  This would not be possible without the generous support of our community.

From Logan Valley Christian Retreat Center:

Thank you so much for your gift to our ministry.  Your support is a great blessing in a year that is full of uncertainty.  Our relationship with First Baptist has always been a source of joy to Sue and I.  We continue to pray for God’s blessing on your church and ministry.

From Future Leadership Foundation:

We are grateful for every gift since it allows us to keep our commitments that we understand God has asked us to do.  Dr. Paul Farmer, M.D. has served healthcare needs in the world for several years.  He first went to Rwanda to build hospitals wher eno person thought it was possible. His organization, Partners in Health, now is in many countries around the world, and they all live on shoe-string budgets.  When asked his greatest challenge, he once said, “I go to bed worrying about all the promises we’ve made, and I get up each morning thinking we haven’t made enough promises.”  We here at the Future Leadership Foundaiton understand that feeling.  With the help of First Baptist Church as well as other churches and individuals, we step one foot forward at a time to keep our promises. Thank you for this noteworthy gift that allows us to do just that.

From Pastor Irmantas, New Testament Baptist Church, Vilnius, Lithuania:

 Big thanks for this gift. It is encouraging act of love.  Big surprise. This is a big help for us. Some people at church had their salaries reduced. Some have no jobs.  January offerings very low and your gift came just in time.  It is amazing how God takes care. Greetings to the First Baptist Church.

For several years now, a small group of Russians have meet every Sunday for Bible study and worship.  They meet from 12 – 3 pm in a room near the sanctuary. Some attend our worship service and the class while others come solely for the class.  Throughout its history, two women have become believers and have been baptized.  It is a wonderful ministry that we are blessed to be a part of.

Below is the text from a thank you note recently given to the church from the group. 

To the congregation of the First Baptist Church:

 We just want to send our warmest “Thank You” for all of you!  Every Sunday a little group of people who talk in Russian language have a chance to gather together in a warm, loving, caring church room and worship our Lord  and Savior.  Some of us are Baptist, some Orthodox, but no matter – we are given a great opportunity to become better Christians under your roof!  Every Sunday we open our Bible together and than our hearts and souls are opening too!  We are very grateful for this chance and for your open arms!

 We are Russians; you are Americans, but what is important – we are Christians and we believe in unity, gratefulness, and kindness!  We have the same God and He is the One who can unite people around the world!

 Once again we want to thank First Baptist Church for opening doors to us, for letting us in, and giving us such a warm place to be and worship!  We pray to God in different language but our thoughts are just together with yours – we pray for peace, love, God in our hearts!

The Russian Bible Study Class 

Alla, Tanya, Alex, Olga, Mikhail, Tatyana