Community News 6/24/14

Midweek Worship!

Todd will be teaching tomorrow night on The Real Battle For America from Ephesians 6:10-13. Join us for snacks at 6 PM and worship at 6:30.  Sunday he will continue speaking on The Real Battle For America from Ephesians 6:14-20.

Good News!

Two middle school students gave their lives to Christ last week at camp!  Please pray for these new believers and for the high school Dominican Republic team as they return home on Thursday.

Mission Opportunity!

Allen James and the Sleeping Child Church have asked for our help at a Christian School in Hamilton, Montana.  They need significant amounts of volunteer work such as painting, landscaping, and minor carpentry work anytime between July 13th and August 9th to prepare for the upcoming school year. If you are interested, email Shannon@brevardcommunity.org or alan@brevardcommunity.org as soon as possible.

Life Jackets!

Chris Schlender will be taking kids tubing this Sunday! If you have any kid sized, adult small or medium life jackets that he can borrow, please bring them to Chris by Sunday morning.

VBS Needs Your Help!

If you would like to help out with VBS but are unable to volunteer, VBS is in need of a few items. Dry white rice, plastic bottles with lids (preferably Gatorade, soda, or water bottles), toilet paper rolls, any kind of plastic with the recycling number 1 sign, sequins, beads, and glitter can be dropped off in the welcome center in the blue tubs.  We appreciate your help!

Pig Roast!

Invite your family and friends to the pig pickin’ on Wednesday, July 2nd at 6 PM in the worship center.  Please bring a side item and we will provide the meat.  We are excited to gather together with you as we celebrate our independence!

New Adult Bible Study!

An 11-week Bible study of Ephesians will begin on Sunday, July 13th at 8:15 in the green room.  Sign up by Sunday, July 6th by emailing Sheila@victorychurchproducts.com or sign up at the welcome center desk. The book cost is $22.50.  Checks should be made out to Brevard Community. 

Kingdom Quest!

Rising 1st through rising 6th graders are invited to Kingdom Quest from July 14th to July 18th from 9 AM to 5 PM here at BCC.  The cost is $95 per child but if you register by July 3rd you receive a $10 discount! Register online at brevardcommunity.org and click on forms on the right hand side then click on Kingdom Quest.

  

Share Your Story!

If you haven’t submitted your testimony please do so by visiting brevardcommunity.org and clicking on forms on the right hand side then click on my testimony or you can pick up a form in the rear of the worship center. 

Changing The World One Verse At A Time!

     Two of the first verses I memorized were Psalm 119:9 & 11, which say  “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word … Your Word I have hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against You.” Below is a letter from Sara Douglas, who is serving the Lord overseas.  Enjoy as you see how she is changing lives through having her students memorize the Word.

     In February we started the Memory Verse Program at my school and three other schools in my region. Students who are in the Memory Verse Program memorize 25 verses and then earn their own Swahili Bible. One of my favorite things about this program is that the students learn about the Bible and who God is. I love getting to see the students huddle together and help each other memorize different verses. They get so excited as they learn more verses and gain a better understanding of God’s word. I have a perfect opportunity to talk with my students about Jesus as they are learning and memorizing different verses. Sometimes the students will ask more questions about the verse and we get to discuss even more. I think the thing I love the most is that the students get to have their own Bible. It’s unusual for a kid to have a Bible here, which is one of the motivating reasons for the students to learn 25 verses.

     Last week two of my students finished saying 25 verses, and yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to give them their Bibles. In each of their Bibles I underlined all the verses they memorized and a few of my favorites. I also wrote them a special message to encourage them to continually use their Bibles to grow in their relationships with Christ. I wanted them to know what a big accomplishment it was and how proud I am of them. Yesterday I had them over to my house for a little celebration so they could see how excited I was for them. The three of us had some sodas, talked about the verses they learned, what some of their favorite verses were and how they would use their Bibles. Both of them were very excited when I handed them their Bibles and spent the whole time looking through them.

     The three other missionary teachers in my region also gave out Bibles to those students who earned them. They sent me emails to tell me a little about how it went, and I wanted to share a few stories with you. In all three of the schools there were 78 Bibles given out to some very thrilled students. One student said he was so excited to get a Bible because he could now have his own and be even closer to one day being a pastor. Other students were so excited to receive their Bibles they cried, sang and danced for joy. A few girls stayed up late with one of the missionary teachers to ask questions about the verses she chose to underline in their Bibles. Many students brought the Bible that they earned to the weekly chapel we have in all our schools. There are a lot more stories about students receiving their Bibles, but these are just a few so you can have a picture of what me and the other missionary teachers get to be apart of.

     The students will be on break for the next three weeks, but when they return I know there will be more wanting to continue memorizing verses. I can’t wait to see them continue and can't wait to be part of helping them learn more about the God who knows us and loves us. Thank you for all of you prayers for the students and for the Memory Verse Program. Please continue to pray for the students involved and that they would come to have a personal relationship with Jesus and know Him more deeply.

In His Service,

Sara

Way to go, Sara!  The Word of God is being planted into the lives of students.  BCC is privileged to have a part in Sara’s mission.  The Spirit of God will take the Word of God and do the work of God—Salvation!

To God be the glory!

Todd Alewine

Lead Pastor

Community News 6/17/14

Midweek Worship Tomorrow Night!

Shannon Compton will be speaking from the book of John.  His message will be “Facing Conflict With Courage.” Join us for snacks at 6 PM and worship at 6:30.    

Prayer!

Please remember to pray for the high school Dominican Republic team and the middle school campers this week.  For those that have committed to pray for the high school graduates, please continue to lift them up in prayer.

VBS Needs Your Help!

Everyone is invited to the VBS work party tonight from 7 to 9 PM in the blue room.  Treats will be provided! If you would like to help out with VBS but are unable to volunteer, VBS is in need of a few items. Dry white rice, plastic bottles with lids (preferably Gatorade, soda, or water bottles), any kind of plastic with the number 1 recycling sign on it, toilet paper rolls, sequins, beads, and glitter can be dropped off in the welcome center in the blue tubs.  We appreciate your help!

Pig Roast!

Invite your family and friends to the pig pickin’ on Wednesday, July 2nd at 6 PM in the worship center.  Please bring a side item and we will provide the meat.  We are excited to gather together with you as we celebrate our independence!

Kingdom Quest!

Rising 1st through rising 6th graders are invited to Kingdom Quest from July 14th to July 18th from 9 AM to 5 PM here at BCC.  The cost is $95 per child but if you register by July 3rd you receive a $10 discount! Register online at www.brevardcommunity.org and click on forms on the right hand side then click on Kingdom Quest.

  

Share Your Story!

If you haven’t submitted your testimony please do so by visiting www.brevardcommunity.org and clicking on forms on the right hand side then click on my testimony or you can pick up a form in the rear of the worship center. 

Multiplication vs Addition

24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest." 

      Matthew 25:24-27 (taken from the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-29)

  

      A few years ago I began to wonder why in places of "great awakenings" that after a few generations there are hardly any Christians in the area at all. We can start in Israel. At Pentecost there were 3,000 souls saved in one day after Peter's Spirit-filled message. Those who were saved “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” Acts 2:42, 47b. Not even persecution or threats of death could quench the revival fire as “those who had been scattered went about preaching (proclaiming) the word” Acts 8:4. However, today in Israel only 1 in 2,500 people are Christ-followers. This same scenario is true for Asia Minor (Turkey), Europe, and even more sadly is coming to pass in our own country. 

   

     About the time I started to think on this, I ran across an article talking about the "required birthrate" to sustain the existence of a people group or ethnic group. The article stated that a minimum of two births per couple is required or the people group will eventually die out. Many countries in Europe have been below this rate for a while and some people groups in the USA have now fallen below this rate. This information was at least in part the answer to my question. One reason Christians become almost extinct in a country or area is that we are not having enough "spiritual births" to sustain the existence of our "people." 

    

     Why is this the case? One reason I believe this is the case is because we have an "addition" mentality rather than a "multiplication" mentality. By that I mean we have come to believe that the responsibility of bringing new children into the Kingdom is for the pastor, the evangelist, or someone who has the "gift of evangelism." If we simply do the math we can see that these few people cannot "produce" enough spiritual babies to keep up. But what if we adopt a "multiplication" mentality? Let's theoretically compare: 9 pastors at BCC lead 2 folks (two talents from the parable above) each to Christ in a year making a total of 18 Christ-followers. But, what if every Christ-follower at Brevard Community "produced" one spiritual baby over the next year and trained that "child" to do the same? If each member (approximately 600) had just one "spiritual birth" (one talent from the parable above) the number would be 1,200. See the dramatic difference? One model dies while the other thrives. 

    

     The "thriving model" is the Biblical model. It is what Jesus meant when He told us (all His followers) to go and make disciples of all People Groups beginning with our own. When each of us were born into the family of God we were given "talents" according to our ability, circumstances, and season of life, Matt. 25:15. However, many of us have hidden the "talent" He has given us and it is doing nothing to grow the Kingdom, not even drawing interest. Our Father only expects us to use what He has given us but He is expecting a "return on His investment". Notice that the master called his slave "wicked and lazy" because he did nothing with what was entrusted to him. 

   

     If each of us will just take our "talent", uncover it, and begin to tell someone "what great things the Lord has done for us" the multiplication will begin. Then we will hear our Master say "Well done good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master", Matthew 25:23. I'm convinced this is the way our People, the Family of God, will thrive. 

"Grace to you and Peace, from Him Who was and is and is to come."

Alan Perry

Missions Pastor 

Community News 6/10/14

Midweek Worship Tomorrow Night!

Todd will be teaching on Never Seeing Jesus Again! Join us for snacks at 6 PM and worship at 6:30.    

Sunday!

This Sunday is Father's Day and Pastor Todd will be speaking on busy dads from Ephesians 6:4! We will also be commissioning the high school Dominican Republic team during worship as they prepare to share the love of Christ with others.  Please remember to pray for them while they share the Gospel the next two weeks.

Prayer!

Please be in prayer for the college mission team that has just returned home from Vancouver and the middle school students that are leaving to go to camp next week. 

Garden Ministry!

Gary wanted to thank all who came out last Friday to eradicate weeds in the garden.  There is an opportunity to do some more weeding this Thursday, June 12th, at 10 AM as a group of young agricultural students will be observing the garden ministry and it’s purpose.  If you are available plan to join us.

Family Picnic!

Kids of all ages are invited to join Chris at Sycamore Flats this Saturday, June 14th from 5 to 6:30 PM. Please bring a bag of chips, a drink, or a dessert per family.  Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided. If you plan to participate, call or text Chris at 553-7583 or email him at chris@brevardcommunity.org.

Mom to Mom!

The study “Don’t Make Me Count to Three” will begin this Thursday, June 12th from 10 to 11:30 AM in the blue room. Sign up in the welcome center.  Childcare is available. For questions call or text Jolena Cantrell at 577-5140.

Kingdom Quest!

Rising 1st through rising 6th graders are invited to Kingdom Quest from July 14th to July 18th from 9 AM to 5 PM here at BCC.  The cost is $95 per child but if you register by July 3rd you receive a $10 discount! Call 884-5932 to register your child.

  

Share Your Story!

If you haven’t submitted your testimony please do so by visiting www.brevardcommunity.org and clicking on forms on the right hand side then click on my testimony or you can pick up a form in the rear of the worship center. 

We Gotta Train

“Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely.”

- John Ortberg

In his book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People (which, admittedly sounds like a self-help, feel-good book. It is not. It is actually an amazing book on spiritual disciplines), John Ortberg discusses a topic that was lost on me as a Christian for many years of my relationship with Jesus. He calls it “Training vs. Trying.” 

In this chapter, Ortberg poses the following scenario. What if the US Olympic committee interrupted you and your family one night during dinner, came up to you, and said we have statistics on everyone in the US on a computer. We have checked everybody’s records -- their performance in the president’s physical fitness test in grade school, body type, bone structure, even their current percentage of body fat. We have determined that out of 200 million people that you are the best shot we have at winning a gold medal in the marathon. Congratulations, you are on team USA. First off, if this were to happen to me, team USA would be in trouble. Clearly there was some sort of mix up with the statistics, right? But let’s consider Ortberg’s scenario. Imagine how exciting that would be after the initial shock has worn off. Imagine how great it would be to take part in something bigger and greater than yourself: competing for team USA at the Olympics. What an honor?! But then it dawns on you that you have never run a marathon. You have never even ran a mile on a treadmill. What would your chances be if you had to run a marathon RIGHT NOW. We have a couple of staff members at BCC who run in marathons fairly regularly, and they say that your chances are slim to none. But what if you tried really REALLY hard? Nope, chances are you couldn’t even do it if you tried really hard. Running a marathon is no joke. It is a 26.2 mile test of your physical fitness, endurance, and mental focus. It requires training, preparation and hard work.

So now onto the point; trying hard can only accomplish so much. If you are serious about something, you will have to enter into a life of training. This is true of running a marathon, playing a musical instrument, learning a new language… and the Christian life. This is why Timothy's mentor in ministry, Paul said to train yourself in godliness. Paul also said to the church at Corinth, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Training is essential to living a full, joyous Christian life. 

So what do we do with this? Well I suggest that we get to work. Let’s do some training. Here are 5 basic Spiritual Disciplines to get you started:

1. Celebration - practice the art of thankfulness and gratitude for what Jesus has done for you.

2. Bible Study - 2-way communication is essential for a relationship. God wants to speak to you, and His Word is how He does that.

3. Prayer - The Creator of all the universe actually wants to hear what you have to say. This is how you speak to Him.

4. Practice Slowing - Living an unhurried life in our busy culture may sound like it’s not that important, but often times God will speaks when we are still and waiting on Him.

5. Servanthood - Jesus humbled Himself, even to death on a cross for us. This is tough one, but serving one another is what Jesus has called us to do.

Also there are many great tools out there to help you understand God’s Word, learn about prayer, and assist you in these other disciplines. And check out Ortberg’s book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People. I am excited to training along side you!

In Him,
Brett Best
Worship Pastor - BCC

Community News 6/3/14

Brett Best Speaking Tomorrow Night!

Brett will be speaking at midweek tomorrow night from the book of John. Join us for snacks at 6 PM and worship at 6:30. 

Family Communion!

This Sunday during both worships we will celebrate family communion. Let us join together as we remember Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. 

Men’s Prayer Breakfast!

This Saturday gather for breakfast, prayer, and worship in the student center at 7:30 AM. 

Madness Begins!

Madness is back for high school and middle school students! They will meet next Monday, June 9th at the French Broad Community Center at 7 PM for food and games.

Prayer!

Heather Schlender is in Haiti for missionary work and Scott Limerick is in Haiti for Compassion International. A mosquito born illness is starting to affect people in Haiti. Please pray for Heather and her team as well as Scott. Please pray for Marty Burgess and the team as they tell others about Christ in Vancouver, Canada. Also remember Breanna Mason as she continues her 11-month journey.

Family Picnic!

Kids of all ages are invited to join Chris at Sycamore Flats on Saturday, June 14th from 5 to 6:30 PM. Please bring a bag of chips, a drink, or a dessert per family. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided. If you plan to participate call or text Chris at 553-7583 or email him at chris@brevardcommunity.org.

Mom to Mom!

Join other mothers every Thursday from June 12th to July 24th from 10 to 11:30 AM in the blue room. The study will be “Don’t Make Me Count to Three.” Sign up in the welcome center. Childcare is available. For questions call or text Joleena Cantrell at 577-5140.

My Testimony!

If you haven’t submitted your testimony please do so by visiting brevardcommunity.org and clicking on forms on the right hand side then click on my testimony or you can pick up a form in the rear of the worship center.