A Word from Your Mission Strategist, Steve Laughman
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
There are days when life is downright frustrating. Perhaps our perfectly organized plans seem to be falling apart, or we are overwhelmed by the distractions of life. Maybe people in our life aren’t acting the way we want, or we just can’t get ourselves together. Whatever frustration you are facing, remember that God saved you for a purpose. He has your story planned out, and He is the One perfecting it according to His will. When I am feeling stressed out, I ask myself if I am striving in my own strength to accomplish things. Too often that is the source of my frustration. When I refocus on Christ and His plan, I am reminded that it is in His strength and for His glory that I am able.
The next couple of months are full of opportunities for you to receive encouragement and training for what God has called you to. EQUIP Youth Discipleship Weekend is August 9-10. We will explore what it means to have a Christian worldview grounded in Scripture. It’s not too late to bring your students. The cost is only $20 per student. Check out the details on our website.
GO Georgia will be held in two locations this year with the closest one being at First Baptist Jonesboro. If you have attended before, you know how extensive the sessions are at this event. If you haven’t been to GO Georgia, you should know that there are multiple equipping sessions for every aspect of church work. Choirs can participate in a retreat that happens in conjunction with GO Georgia, as well.
September 21 will be our annual fall women’s training event, Abide. This year we are focusing on two topics which were addressed at the Southern Baptist Convention in June. Everyone is encouraged to attend to hear our speakers discuss how churches can better address issues of sexual abuse and the biblical role of women in our churches. Our Women’s Ministry team has put together an incredible and impactful program this year, and you do not want to miss it.
This is also the time of year when churches are selecting leaders for the next church year. If you are serving as a pastor, staff member, or deacon put Saturday, November 16th on your calendar. Centennial will be hosting a leadership training event called SERVE. Larry and Cynthia Thompson will be leading sessions for both the men and their wives. There will also be a time for individual churches to discuss how the principles we are discussing affect their church. We anticipate a productive time for the churches that take advantage of this workshop.
Keep praying for one another and for what God is doing among the churches. We have some exciting things to announce soon related to the Outreach Trailer, The Rock Church, and our upcoming Fall meeting. Let me know how I can serve you!
