Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” For 2010 our theme will be to ENGAGE heart, soul, and strength into the ministry that God has set before us. This theme is born out of a desire that our church would be more actively involved in sharing the love and hope of Christ by engaging ourselves in missions and ministry. As individuals and as a church, we will engage Christ in the world. Christ told His disciples to engage one another in love, to engage Him in their lives through obedience, and to engage the world by going forth to share the Gospel of salvation. This year you will be challenged to step out of the box, your comfort zone, and to be more engaged in the work and ministry of Christ that He wants to do through you and FBCJ.

Personal Ministry Commitment

We recently passed out Ministry Commitment Cards. If you did not receive one, you are encouraged to obtain one at the sanctuary Welcome Center or make your own card using the criteria below. On the card you are asked to make a list of specific people for whom you will pray throughout the year. In addition, you are encouraged to look for opportunities to build relationships and minister to these individuals. To make your own commitment card, write down the following on a piece of paper and keep it with you as a personal reminder:

1. The name of someone you can encourage (a person or family struggling with food or finances, someone who has lost a jobor lost a loved one, etc.)
   
   
2. The name of a senior adult to whom you can reach out.
   
   
3. The names of three people who do not have a meaningful relationship with Christ for whom you can pray.
   
   

Mission Opportunities

Opportunities to engage in missions will be made available throughout the year. Please pray about your participation. Current opportunities include:

• Mexico Mission Trip: On Sunday, March 14, at 3:30 p.m., there will be a meeting in the Salt House for anyone who is interested in helping with the planning of a mission trip to Mexico in September. This will also include plans for the collection of filled shoe boxes to take to the children of the area. Please prayerfully consider how you can be of use for this mission.
  
  
• World Changers (Youth): Our youth have two mission opportunities through World Changers this summer, one in East St, Louis, IL, and one in Puerto Rico.
  
  

In-Home “Community Connect” Groups

The beginning of the New Testament Church and the of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ was centered around the home. The home served as a place for building fellowship, sharing laughs, breaking bread, and learning more about the teachings of Christ. According to Acts 2:42, 46-47, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer . . . Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Today, many who participate in a small group Bible study fellowship, do so at a church facility. Still there are others who may like to participate, but don't due to schedule conflicts or possibly even intimidation. At FBC Joelton we want to provide individuals with options for engaging in Bible study. In addition to our Sunday morning Sunday School classes, we would like to begin offering the opportunity to be a part of a small, in-home Bible study during the week. We call these groups Community Connect Groups. The purpose of these groups will be to provide a comfortable, welcoming environment, as well as alternative times and locations. For more information, or if you would be willing to lead or open your home to one of these groups, please contact Danny Davidson.

What's Going On at FBCJ?