SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

First Baptist Wichita Falls Texas Baptizes 30 Today

I know.  I was there. My fifteen year old grand-daughter was among them.  And it filled my spiritual cup to the brim to watch it all from behind the scenes as candidates for baptism gathered with family and friends to get instructions on baptism.  From 5th graders, to teenagers, to adults.

On the heels of reading the blogpost announcing the SBC has recorded the lowest number of baptisms since 1948, I have to tell ya, this church gave me hope.  Great hope.

What are they doing right?

Let's see.  The Gideon speaker was there and the pastor heartily encouraged folks to give to their ministry of giving out free Bibles around the world.  And the Gideon speaker said they ministered to over 3,000 inmates and the Wichita Falls corrections last year and 356 were saved.  Gideons.  Have you had a Gideon speaker in lately to help encourage that ministry?

Then Senior Pastor Bob McCartney shared a wonderful message on Grace and salvation. And I took a bunch of notes.  Kinda liked what he had to say.  Wonder if they have his sermons online.   Hmmn, have to check that out. 

Here's part of what FBC Wichita believes is needed among tons of ministry outreach and opportunities:

"1.) Decisions - We want to see people make life and eternity changing decisions for Christ by accepting Him as their Savior.  To that end you will find both our staff and members ready to share how to become a Christian.

2.) Development - Once a person has accepted Christ we want to help them grow as a Christian through a variety of opportunities including LIFE Groups, Family Night at First, Special Bible Studies for various interests and more.

3.) Deployment - We believe that a Christian, and the church, should help others so we want to help everyone find a place of service where they may use their skills, talents and abilities to help others come to know Christ and grow in their faith.

Ultimately the purpose of the church is to lead people to become obedient and reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ, as He commanded in Matthew 28:18-20." (copied from FBC Wichita Falls site/link)

I'm grateful my granddaughters are a part of this exciting church.  As I watched person after person being baptized behind the scenes in the baptismal area, many of the witnesses were crying tears of joy.  Shouts of celebration could be heard from the congregation as children of God rose up from the baptismal pool.

Not sure what this church is really doing right, but they sure are a friendly group of folks.  And they seem quite happy to be worshipping God.  From the outside, looking in, I'd say they have a lot to offer their community and the body of Christ for sure.  Thought it rather telling that they believe in discipling believers to share their faith, too.  Key to getting baptisms, wouldn't you say? selahV

So, the SBC Records Lowest Number of Baptisms Since 1948

Yep, that's what they say.  And one blogger wants to know why we haven't been blowing up the blogosphere with posts about it. If you ask me, that is part of the problem. It's not the blogsophere that is going to change the baptisms... it is the young preacher men and leaders getting out there and beating the bushes and visiting the sick and ministering to grieving families and working with young people and doing one on one evangelism. AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT IS PRAYER. No, it's not the twitter feeds and facebook statuses and blogposts and fingers feverishly pounding out rhetoric that we need to be concerned about. "...It is feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

"Set our souls afire Lord, set our souls afire"  Send a great revival to our souls, send a great revival to our souls...let Your Holy Spirit come and take control, send a great revival to our souls. selahV

HERE IN AMERICA, IN GOD WE STILL TRUST

Iran is becoming a global threat with his infiltration in South America/link. Iran imprisons Christian pastors for being Christians. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is persecuting Christians in court/link.  The Benghazi cover-up shows us that our present administration is not as concerned about the death of our American Ambassador and three other courageous Americans as he is about the sensitivities of the Muslim world.  The president of this nation did nothing to come to the aid of those fellow citizens under attack.  NOTHING.

As Sharia law is being honored and now defended by the American DoJ more than the faith of Christian Americans in Tennessee/link, we have to wonder...how much longer will America trust in God?

Southern Baptists need to stop quarreling amongst themselves and get on with being Ambassadors for Christ in our lost world.  We need to be encouraging and strengthening and edifying one anoher.  I do not care whether we are Calvinists or Traditionalists, Arminians, or Bapticostals, we need to be sharing Jesus.  Our world is under worse threat than it has ever been due to the globalization of all ideologies via internet and instant telecommunications.  Riots can be face-booked and promoted in a nano-second.  It is time to stand in the gap and deliver what we still have the freedom to deliver.  Jesus is the only hope, the only way, the only salvation in this crumbling, dying world. 

Our character, words and actions must exemplify we are children of a Holy God.  Our habits and motivations must be consistent with the Spirit of God.  Prayer is our greatest weapon and the Word of God is our shield and sword. All God wants from us is undying, unflinching courage and faith in Him...obedience.  Go ye therefore and tell!