Memorial Day 2008

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor and remember our nation's war dead. The observance has its roots in Civil War days. We are a blessed people in the United States to enjoy the freedoms that we have. It has not come without the high cost of many people who have given their lives in service to this country.

As believers, we must ask the question, "What are we to do with the freedom that God has blessed us with? What is our responsibility with the prosperity that this freedom has afforded us?" The Bible is clear, to whom much is given, much is required. Our ultimate allegiance is to the kingdom of God. We are to use the freedom and the prosperity that God has given to us to reach the nations with the Gospel. While God has especially blessed us in this nation, His ultimate blessing resides with His children who reside in the nations of the earth.

Revelation 5:9-10 You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.

The ultimate eternal freedom that we have is a gift from God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He is to be praised eternally as the Worthy Lamb of God!

Calling Out the Called

CLBC licensed Luke Phillips on Sunday for the ministry of the Gospel. Licensing in the church comes when a congregation recognizes God's calling in a man's life to preach the Gospel. It comes after a man has surrendered to ministry and is a step toward ordination.

Calling out the called is important in the life of the church. I believe one of the marks of health in a New Testament church is whether or not there is a culture of calling where people are encouraged to surrender their lives in service to the Lord. Currently, CLBC has several students in seminary who are pursuing full time Christian ministry and God is continuing to raise people up and for that we are very thankful.

Luke is currently on active duty as a Captain in the Army National Guard. He is pursuing seminary education through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and seeking the will of the Lord in ministry. Pray for Luke and his wife Tara and their family as they follow God's call.

Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Summer 2008 Ministry & Mission Opportunities

Whoever called summer, "the lazy days of summer", didn't go to church at CLBC. We are gearing up for an exciting summer of the church being the church and taking the Gospel from our Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Some of the opportunities are. . .

Weekly GROW Outreach Ministry on Monday Evenings

Multi-Housing Ministry- Pray for God to continue to raise up people needed to participate in this very important ministry and wisdom and direction for those already involved to know how to best reach out in our community into multi-housing areas with the Gospel.

Vacation Bible School- Week of June 16th- Pray for the teachers and participants, and pray especially for the Holy Spirit to open doors to homes we have not ministered to in the past and for many to be saved.

World Changers- WC will be in the Charleston area the week of June 15th. CLBC hosts several teams for Bible Fellowship, Worship and lunch on that Sunday. World Changers conducts construction projects and shares the love of Christ during the week. Some of our church family will be preparing meals, delivering supplies, etc. Pray for a week of great impact.

Baltimore Mission Trip- Week of June 23rd- Pastor Brandon is leading a team to conduct sports camp with a focus on sharing the Gospel. We will partner with a Southern Baptist Church there. Embrace Baltimore is a strategic focus city for the North American Mission Board of the SBC.

Power Plant- Week of July 12th-18th- We will host a Power Plant group through the NAMB of approximately 200 students from throughout the east who will be here for a week to work with church plants in the Pioneer Baptist Association. This group will be housed at CLBC and instructed each morning before going out on their projects. Pray for servants to take care of this group for the week and pray for great blessing on their work as they help in the churches.

Moldova Mission Trip- Pastor Seth will lead a team to Moldova, July 18th-26th to conduct a camp for approximately 200 young people, most of whom are orphans. Pray for resources for this trip. Pray for the hearts of the children to be open to the love of Jesus. Pray for preparation and safety for the team.

Free Clothing Giveaway- July 26th- We will host the 3rd Annual Free Clothing Giveaway. Pray that the love of God will impact our community through this event.

War, West Virginia- Week of August 3rd- CLBC partners with the Big Creek Team Center for ministry in War. There will be a construction project, Backyard Bible Club, a Dental Clinic and more. Pray for participants needed to conduct these ministries, and for War and the surrounding communities that will be ministered to. Pray for opportunities for the Gospel to go forth.

Shepherding the Shepherd- August 11th-13th at Pipestem is an opportunity to bless the families of Pastors who serve as Southern Baptists in this state. A childcare team is currently being formed to minister to children and teenagers of Pastor's families in order for the Pastors and their wives to enjoy a time of refreshing and renewal. Pray for the completion of this team from CLBC and the preparations.

May Baptism at Cross Lanes Baptist Church

The Spirit of God was evident in the services today at CLBC. We were blessed with eleven people going through the baptismal waters. We will baptize again in a couple of weeks with several others waiting. God is always faithful. He blesses His church when the church is faithful to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Each time we observe baptism, it is a powerful testimony that God is still on the throne, and He is drawing people to Himself for His eternal glory!

Mother's Day 2008 Reflections

Mother's Day 2008 marked the 100th Anniversary of the holiday. The modern celebration of Mother's Day began in Grafton, West Virginia. To honor our mothers is clearly a biblical principle that God takes very seriously.

As I reflect on Mother's Day, two thoughts come to mind. First, I am thankful for my mother, Joy Polk, who has blessed me in many ways. She faithfully loved and cared for me and pointed me to Jesus at an early age. I pray for her continued health and well-being and thank the Lord for her.

Secondly, I am thankful for my wife of almost 16 years, Emilee. She has given me three beautiful children and is an excellent example of a godly mother to our children. I look forward to continuing to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and seeing what He has in store for them in the years to come.

We need to encourage godly women in the church who love Jesus and are consistent examples of purity, holiness, love, and faithfulness. They are essential to raising up the next generation of believers who will continue to impact God's kingdom.

AWANA Awards

This past Sunday evening our AWANA Ministry had its Awards Program. It is hard to believe we are fast approaching the end of the school year in just a few short weeks. AWANA is an excellent, Christ centered ministry, that is focused on the Word of God and involves extensive Scripture memorization.

The theme verse for AWANA is 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Really, this should be the goal for every Christian- to know the Word of God so we can serve Him faithfully and effectively. Not just to know the Word of God in our heads, but in our hearts so that the Holy Spirit can use it to conform us to the image of Jesus.

AWANA holds a special place in my life and ministry. I served as the AWANA Commander at First Baptist Church of Frostproof, Florida in the mid-90s for three years and that experience had a significant impact on my surrendering to the full time ministry of the Gospel.

I appreciate all of our leaders, and especially our Commander Jerry Lowe, and his heart to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and train them to serve Jesus.