Revival Reflections: What Have You Heard God Saying?

Re·viv·al – improvement, activation, reawakening, restoration! All of these words live in the definitions of what “revival” is all about when it is underway. They are words that characterize the movement of God to speak to our hearts about the life of faith before us as a congregation and as individual Christ Followers: The “improvement” of our understanding and/or grappling with scripture. An “activation” of believers into renewed commitment to service in God’s kingdom. A “reawakening” […]

Sweeeeeet….

…..Potatoes! And, white potatoes too! Regardless of the type and the time of year they are harvested, the ministry of the Cleveland County Potato Project has been a sweeeeet blessing to the people of our community. Co-founded by Doug Sharp, Bill Horn and the Holy Spirit, the Cleveland County Potato Project came into being in order to help feed needy people in Cleveland County. During its first year – 2010 – 30,000 pounds were harvested […]

Vespucia, Vespucia — God shed His grace on Thee….Wait what?

By Tony Tench on July 4, 2019 On the birthday of our nation we proudly sing, “Vespucia, Vespucia, God shed his grace on Thee…” Wait, what? Of course that’s not right, we sing of “America!” But, it could have been Vespucia. Either way, I am glad our continent carries this name! Two hundred and forty-three years ago today, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, titled their document this way: “The unanimous declaration of the […]

“What is it? — a VBS Reflection

By Tony Tench Community Vacation Bible School has been a great time of learning for children, as well as a timely reminder for all of us as we have served together. This year’s theme has brought us to an African game preserve where being in the presence of “wild life” has taught us to “roar” with joy because though “Life is Wild, God is Good!” And he is. His presence is grace for the journey […]

Revival is Coming!

Sermon Synopsis: Eduardo Steibel, preaching on May 26, 2019 Consider “Revival” this morning! Revival comes when we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Revival is our commitment to seek God’s Kingdom in the very, very first place of our lives. Think about the rooms of a house being listed for sale. If the house’s owner did not allow the realtor to open one of the rooms in the house because of the kinds of things […]

“Blessing” in Any Language– ESL Celebration 2019

Though we have missed our Director, Cindy Canoy, due to illness this semester, our faithful team of teachers and encouragers have met each Monday since January to teach English to our Cleveland County neighbors who have come from around the world. Flavored by wonderful international foods prepared by our students and featuring their grateful words of appreciation, the FBC English as Second Language Spring Celebration last night put an exclamation point of “blessing” upon another […]

Good News: Children and Youth Lead the Way

By Tony Tench There’s always room for good news, right? And, there’s plenty of good news in our FBC Kids and FBC Youth ministries. I am thankful for a couple of examples of such good news that were shared with me just this week! First, last Wednesday, while talking to Cecelia Beck at the supper table, she looked to her left where LaShaunda Jones was standing and said to her, “LaShaunda, tell Pastor Tony what […]

Donuts for Dads: A Reflection About Being the Parents Our Children Need

A Mother’s Morning Out Fellowship at First Baptist Church by Tony Tench Annually, about this time of year, our Mother’s Morning Out (MMO) ministry hosts a Friday morning fellowship called “Donuts for Dads.” Since MMO is not in session in June when Father’s Day rolls around, like they are in session in May when Mother’s Day arrives, February marks an opportunity for the children to celebrate their Dads and Granddads! The MMO teachers bring in […]

First Things First: The Joy of Serving in the Nursery

by Tony Tench “Thinking of God as living only in the past is one of the early mistakes of a ‘child’s theology’ which must later be corrected.” –William L. Hendricks, Theologian and Educator The reason behind the thinking expressed above is that since we read stories about God and his work in the world from the Bible, which means “the book,” it is easy for young children to begin to think that God is a […]

Giving Thanks for the Recipe!

By Tony Tench, Thanksgiving Day My Mother is a great cook! She always has been able to bring the skills to the kitchen. We all have our favorites from her culinary repertoire. There was a day when she would make cakes to order and she was in such demand that it liked to have worn her out — so she had to put the brakes on that idea. She has made all of her signature […]