God is Moving!! Sunday Night August 28

As I reflect on this past Sunday’s events, I can’t help but get excited about what God showed Shell Point Baptist on the first night of Awana. Last year we averaged 12-13 children and 13 youth in small groups on Sunday nights. This past Sunday night we registered 23 children for Awana and 14 youth for D-Groups. God is most certainly alive and working. I believe perseverance pays off.

On Sunday August 14 we got together will all youth and children’s leaders to discuss this year’s discipleship and make some adjustments to this year. We began Sunday night August 21 with four round tables spread out in the room and designated as Puggles, Cubbies, Sparks, and TNT for registration. As the parents brought their children to Awana, they were able to sit down at their child’s table to register them for this year’s club. At 5:15pm all the club members walked over to the sanctuary for a brief opening ceremony. Then at 6:00pm the members moved straight to their individual Bible Study rooms. I am very proud of our Children and Youth Staff for allowing things to run so smoothly.

I look forward to seeing what God will do through our Awana Program this year as well as through our brand new D-Groups on Sunday nights. We must recognize God’s presence is with us as believers, no matter the method we choose to use. God’s Word tells us that where two or more are gathered, He will be there among us.

In His Grace,

Pastor Russell

First Night of Awana August 21

As I reflect on this past Sunday’s events, I can’t help but get excited about what God showed Shell Point Baptist on the first night of Awana. We have a new bus driver that has stepped up to take on our Bus ministry. We picked 10 children and students Sunday night for Awana and Youth D-Groups. We counted a total of 27 youth and children Sunday night which was 10 less than the first Sunday.  This brings us a total of 39 youth, children, and adults in attendance.

I have been convinced that out of the 10-12 extra students and children we have coming regularly, there are at least 20 adults in need of a visit. These 20 adults (parents) are what I would call prospects for our church. We need to get busy reaching out to these moms and dads. God has brought them under our care, and we need to take care of who He has placed in our care.

The youth boys (middle/high school) small group opened up this past Sunday. God moved among some new students during our time together. I can’t wait to see what He does next week.

I look forward to seeing what God will do through our Awana Program this year as well as through our brand new D-Groups on Sunday nights. We must recognize God’s presence is with us as believers, no matter the method we choose to use. God’s Word tells us that where two or more are gathered, He will be there among us. He is most definitely among us as we gather for these Bible Studies.

Sorry this is taken me a while to post. I promise I will do better.

In His Grace,

Pastor Russell

D-Groups 2011-2012

An Amoeba is a single-celled organism that is found in pond water, bottom of ocean, & mud puddles. It has no exact shape, and is capable of changing its shape as it moves. The name "Amoeba" is derived from the Greek word "amoibe", which means "to change".

The Bible gives some thoughts that pertain to changes we as believersmake as we grow spiritually during our lives. In Romans 12:2, we are told to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds." Our thinking should be changing and coming closer to God's perfect will the more we study and understand His true Word.

Amoebas, we are told, move around in what is called a "swarm" meaning together. They unattached themselves from whatever they were attached and float around together until they find another place to attach to. This same Amoebic activity should become the foundation of our Christian communities. As we connect ourselves to Christian community, we will find ourselves becoming stronger, more developed disciples of Jesus.

D-Groups on Sunday Nights at 5pm have taken this same idea and placed it into a spiritual context. As we come to do life together in Christian community, there should be a type of "Amoebic" activity in our individual small groups. Just as an "Amoeba" can reproduce by splitting in half to form two identical amoebas, our D-Groups should have the end result of individuals going out to produce disciples identically to what we know and have experienced to be true Christians.

It is evident that we have a lack of "Amoebic" activity in our ministries. True "Amoebic" activity in our small groups will result in reproducing ourselves (our belief system, faith, love...) in another person. Let's be about some Amoebic activity in our small groups.

It is my prayer that these D-Groups will put students on the pathway toward reproducing their Christian character in others they meet and know in their world.

Week of Champions 2011

I still remain impressed by the Week of Champions that is unique to the Low Country of South Carolina. We heard from a coach in the upstate, Dabo Swinney, tonight. He spoke about how God has led his life through the ups and downs of life. Dabo gave us three fundamentals to live by: 1) Keep your eyes on the Lord no matter what happens, 2) Believe in yourself as God is leading it, 3) You can't quit no matter what. These three fundamentals speak volumes of how we as Christians are to be in everyday life.

One of Swinney's favorite sayings on the field is "All In...", which asks the question of those whether or not they are "All In" for the Lord. Swinney told us his personal story, and how things did not go as he had planned them neither. As he quoted scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 37:4-5, one began to get a glimpse of his single mission and focus for life. He refused to let anything get in the way after he completely gave his life to God.

I applaud him and other coaches that use their platforms to give God the honor that He finally deserves. All night Swinney seemed to reiterate it is not about himself or us, but the Creator God our Father.

"Everything great in Dabo's life has come from adversity."

Were all under warranty with an eternal contract."

"All In"

If you were not there, you missed a blessing and encouragement to not quit when the going gets tough. Press on!!