agape message - Agape Baptist Church

Agape Message
Volume 1, Issue 3
August 2012
Pastoral News
A Report on the Peru Mission Trip
Dr. James Hassell
On July 7 twelve volunteer missionaries left for a week of
service in Peru. Upon arriving in Lima they attended worship at
the Iglesia Evangélica Bautista “Manantial de Vida” (Evangelical Baptist Church “Stream of Life”) and partook of the Lord’s
Supper. Then followed a week of intensive evangelistic door-todoor witnessing and Bible school presentations for the children
of the poor areas of Lima. There were classes for the Adults as
well. By the end of the week 124 new believers in Christ were
recorded by the church. The mission team: Tommy Bridges,
Lynn Abu Mari, Shena Smith, C. L. Bass, Linda Lusk, Josh Lusk,
Lily Wong, Claudio Cirulli, Ralph and Sharon Pemberton, and
Walter and Cindy Krueger wish to thank members of Agape
Baptist Church for monetary contributions and help in putting
materials together for the trip as well as your prayers. God did
amazing things in the lives of Peruvian people and in the lives of
the team.
Pastor of Preaching and Pastoral Care
It’s hard to believe that August is right around the corner! The
year may be moving along quickly, but I am rejoicing in a wonderfully active and poignant summer in the life of our church.
Consider the recent baptisms of five students who went to
camp. Think about the wonderful report about the Peru Mission Trip. Note the meaningful small group prayer gatherings on
Wednesday evenings. God is at work!
You’ll notice other reports and pathways to involvement in
this month’s newsletter. I hope that these newsworthy items
will encourage you and build up our church body. An active fall
awaits us, as well. For instance…
- Recommendations about organizational changes in our deacon body will be coming soon.
- We’ll gather on August 26 for our monthly business meeting, and you will hear from representatives from each Bible
study class regarding our recent Listening Sessions. Please
make every effort to attend and participate in the conversation that evening about the vision, goals, and objectives of our
church.
- A new Wednesday noon Bible study about intercultural
cooperation will begin September 5.
- I just confirmed today (July 26) that our annual Gallery
Night will be held at Fort Worth Academy on Dutch Branch
on September 8. Our Creative Arts Ministry Team is handling
the details. Plus, the administrators at Fort Worth Academy
continued on page 2
2012 Peru Mission Team
Inside This Issue
1
Pastor James’ Article
Peru Report
2
Pastor’s Article continued Peru Report continued
Adult Teaching Guide for “Living Generously...”
Highlighting Agape Member
3
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events
4
Youth News news
Each day VBS children acted out the story of
Daniel and learned “No matter what happens,
God cares.”
Newsletter 1
continued from page 1
have invited us to participate in their “Touch-a-Truck” event
that is geared towards families with kids from ages 3-9. You’ll
hear more about this event soon. Indeed, our relationship
with FWA is growing, and I see this as a unique and valuable
opportunity to meet our new neighbors. In fact, we now face
the possibility of renting space at FWA for regular worship
services and Bible study. Please pray about this opportunity!
I will visit more about this prospect with you when I return
from vacation.
- We are getting the word out about a golf tournament
benefiting GoDesign, now scheduled for October 6 at Tierra
Verde. GoDesign is a charity organization in Ethiopia that was
co-founded by Scott and Stephanie (Jordan) Jackson. This is an
excellent and creative way to show Agape’s passion for missions and to get our name out in Fort Worth. Please visit with
Jack Huffman or David Jordan for more details.
Pictures of Peru Mission Trip
Making Daniel Puppets
Praying before witnessing
Tommy leads adult study
God is at work. Let’s keep praying together.
James
“Living Generously For Jesus’ Sake”
During our Listening Sessions with Bible Study class members many suggested the need for an emphasis on stewardship. We have ordered a book from BaptistWay Press
entitled “Living Generously for Jesus’ Sake” to be used in
Bible Study classes.
Generosity is a word that has come more and more into use
in recent years to describe Christian giving — but more,
Christian living.
How well do the definitions for “generous” or “generosity”
fit God’s purpose for God’s people? Because of Jesus and
for Jesus’ sake, Christians can live generously in every area
of their lives, more as givers than takers, with the knowledge that they do not need to live in a guarded manner but
in a free and open manner. That is how we were meant to
live.
Remember, the God we worship and serve is a God of gracious care whose nature is to give generously. God’s generous nature can be seen supremely in what God has done
for us in Christ.
If you are a Bible Study teacher and would like to use these
books in your class, contact Jeff Bankhead. There are
enough books for two classes to use the books at the same
time. This study explores and calls for living as a generous
Christian.
Highlighting Agape Members
Ben and Wida Marriott
Ben and Wida met in Indonesia where Ben was a pilot
instructor and Wida was a flight attendant. Wida was
a Muslim and Ben a Christian. Before being married in
Indonesia Wida became a Christian. The state law was
such that both had to belong to the same religion before
getting married. As a Muslim Wida had to pray in Arabic
but never knew what the prayers meant. She said words
cannot describe how fulfilling her life is as a Christian.
Heaven is secured for her through the death and resurrection of God’s Son.
After Ben and Wida married they lived in Taiwan and
Singapore for 14 years before moving to the United States
in 2008. Ben was a commercial pilot at the time.
They were looking for a church home and drove past
Agape. They visited and joined Agape in 2009.
Ben now does overseas flying and Wida will complete her
certification at a culinary school next month.
In addition to being a part of the Social Ministry Team,
Wida helps with our Karen families. Ben assists with the
Lighting/Sound team.
If you don’t know Ben and Wida you are missing a blessing. They are valuable assets as Agape members.
Newsletter 2
Calendar of Events
Children’s Ministry News
Shena Smith, Children’s Minister
SATURDAY, JULY 28
6:00 pm Deacon sponsored Progressive Snacking
Fellowship
Be in prayer this week for Children’s Camp (M.A.D.)
at Riverbend Retreat Center that God will speak
into the lives of the children as they explore God’s
Word through worship, Bible Study and fellowship.
Camp is July 26-30.
SUNDAY, JULY 29
6:00 pm Homemade Ice Cream Fellowship in Faith Hall
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
11:30 amChildren Campers return from Riverbend
12:00 pm Prayer Group at Edward’s home
6:30 pm Prayer Group at Anderson’s home
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
The Creative Arts Ministry
of Agape Baptist Church
TUESDAY, AUGUST 07
6:00 pm 1st Tuesday Potluck/Game Night, Faith Hall
presents
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 08
12:00 pmPrayer Group at Edwards’ home
6:30 pm Prayer Group at Andersons’ home
Gallery Night
Art Exhibition and Reception
September 8, 2012
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Fort Worth Academy
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
4:30 pm Coordinating Council
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
12:00 pm Prayer Group at Edward’s home
6:30 pm Prayer Group at Anderson’s home
Agape’s Gallery Night is in connection with Fort
Worth Gallery Night.
Agape West Christian Women’s Job Corps
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
4:45 pm Deacons Meeting
6:00 pm Prayer Emphasis in worship
is scheduled to begin its next session
September 18-October 25
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22
10:30 am Bethany Class Meeting - H.H.
12:00 pm Prayer Group at Edward’s home
6:30 pm Prayer Group at Anderson’s home
9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Faith Hall, downstairs.
If you are interested in helping women
learn life skills contact Wanda Helms.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
6:00 pm Business Meeting (listening session report)
The Church as Community
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29
12:00 pm Prayer Group at Edward’s home
6:30 pm Prayer Group at Anderson’s home
UPCOMING DATES FOR BHCTI CLASSES
Sept. 27-Nov. 15 Earl Martin will be teaching a class on
“The Gospel and Islam” in Faith Hall
Jan. 07 - Mar. 01, 2013
Jimmie Nelson will lead a class on the
“Amos and Hosea”
These classes are open to Agape members as Readers at
no cost.
Sing each other’s songs. The psalmist called them new songs.
The journey will be long; we will need many songs.
Lift each other’s loads. Jesus called them daily crosses.
Witness His journey up to Golgotha; we will need others to
help us.
Embrace each other’s weaknesses. The Savior will count them
as strength.
The journey will reveal the truth.
We will converse in confession and forgiveness.
Share each other’s bread. The hungry will call it a miracle.
We will journey within each day and consider each meal
sacred.
Community will see us through.
In community we see Christ, our hope of salvation. Amen.
-- Terry York, “Celebrating Grace” hymnal
Newsletter 3
Youth Ministry News
Luke Cunningham, Youth Minister
Students and Pastor James at
Youth Camp in Edmond, OK.
Agape youth who participated
in Mission Arlington in June.
The past month has been an exciting time in the youth
ministry of the church. A few weeks ago 17 students
participated in Mission Arlington. During this week
the students would serve by doing work projects in the
morning such organizing can goods, cleaning apartment
complexes, and helping people move. In the afternoon
the students would go to an apartment complex and lead
rainbow express activities. Rainbow express is essentially
the same as vacation Bible school. Students lead in songs,
teaching, Bible stories, crafts, and activities. During our
teenagers were able to lead two small children in giving
their lives to Christ. The youth also recently participated
in Student life Camp in Edmond Oklahoma. We took a
group of 30 students. God moved and worked in amazing
ways while we were at camp. The theme of the week was
to be Audacious in your walk with the Lord. During the
week three students accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Two others who had received salvation previously also
committed to follow in Baptism. Seven others are sensing
a calling to ministry in different areas. It was exciting to
see the way the Lord moved at camp and richly blessed
us. Please be praying for these teenagers as the begin
their relationship with Christ and as they disern His will for
their lives in regards to a call to ministry.
Dr. James Hassell, Pastor of Preaching and Pastoral Care
Jeff Bankhead, Pastor of Education and Administration
Cheri Jordan, Worship Leader
Agape Baptist Church
817-923-6800
[email protected]
Agape Baptist Church
3900 S. W. Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76116
Newsletter 4
Luke Cunningham, Youth Minister
Shena Smith, Children’s Minister
www.agapebaptist.org