Discipleship And Missions Gospel Conversations

VOLUME 1 0 ISSUE 0 8 M A R C H 2 0 1 9 discipleship and missions Gospel Conversations During the State Evangelism Conference Dr. Chuck Kelly shared some alarming facts. He stated that Southern Baptists have continued to decline in baptisms and membership over the past 10 years and if we do not do something about this decline, we will be in serious trouble as a convention. He also said we as Southern Baptist are losing our connection with our community. Needless to say, after he made these statements, he had my total attention. I have been a Southern Baptist all my life and I do not want to see our convention fade away. Fortunately Dr. Kelly had some suggestions for us to consider to help stop the decline. He said one thing most Baptists do not do well is have gospel conversations with those outside the church. He added that gospel conversations are often awkward and difficult to begin. One way to begin talking to someone about our Lord Jesus is to start a conversation with people that has nothing to do with the gospel. We can talk about the weather, sports, our family or most anything. Once we start the conversation with a member of our community, we can move to a gospel presentation. Dr. Kelly listed three ideas to help gospel conversations: Gospel conversations connect the dots between the physical and spiritual needs in life. Once conversations are started, opportunities arise for gospel conversations. Some Christians are afraid people in the community will ask questions they do not know how to answer. He suggested that we say “I do not know that answer but I will find out.” He concluded by stating that “Gospel conversations start with a simple conversation before the real conversation.” Dr. Kelly mentioned that most church members are not having gospel conversations. He added; “Today is the best time to share the gospel, people are hurting and need to know about God’s love.” As I thought about Dr. Kelly’s remarks it became apparent that I need to get outside the walls of our church and get into our community. We all need to take a few minutes out of our busy schedule and have gospel conversations. Let’s get busy starting gospel conversations and see what God has planned for CWBC. Many Blessings Mark

from your pastor Look at this stat: In 2014, Americans spent 57.4 billion on Black Friday. That same year, they gave 103 billion to churches. That means that the amount spent by Americans on one weekend was over half the total amount they gave to churches in the entire year. Let that sink in. It’s a matter of PRIORITIES & POSITION: The priorities of our life & the position of our heart. As we start the 3rd month of 2019, let’s make a commitment to keep our priorities & our position right before the Lord! Let’s honor the Lord & provide the resources necessary to keep Developing Devoted Disciples of all nations! PROVERBS 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” 2 CORINTHIANS 9:11 “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, & through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” MALACHI 3:10 “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘& see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven & pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’” DEUTERONOMY 8:18 “ you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth ” I love my Church FAMILY, & am so honored to be your Pastor In His Grip, Jon

worship ministry team TreeHouse Kidz Choir Kickoff! The TreeHouse Kidz Choir will start the worship service on March 3rd with a combination of an old and new song titled “God is so Good, You are Worthy”. We are so excited about the potential of growing a large group of young worshippers. They rehearse each Wednesday night at 7:10 in the TreeHouse right after R.A.’s and G.A.’s. They will also be singing on April 14th and on Easter Sunday morning April 21st including a dramatic reading. I hope to see each and everyone of CWBC members in the worship center on March 3rd. It would be a great encouragement to the “kidz” and to the church as a whole! Don’t forget to encourage your “kidz” to invite and bring their friends each Wednesday night.

student ministry I love March! NOT ONLY IS IT MY BIRTHDAY MONTH BUT I LOVE THE LIFE THAT IS GROWING FROM THE SOAKED GROUND FROM WHAT FEBRUARY HAS GIVEN US!!! Still drying off from all the rain. As for the youth we are doing some Soul Spring Cleaning!! Our mission in the youth room is based off coming, reviving, and having fun. There are great games, skits, and amazing music along with teaching designed to encourage and strengthen your student’s walk with the Lord. We challenge our kids to not take the precious blood of Christ for granted and to get the Gospel out there. While in The Room on Wednesday nights, we like to focus on revival of the body (physically, mentally, and spiritually). We are called to be the church and we have a second statement that is found in Matthew 28:20“ Until the ends of the earth I go with you.” Jesus tells us to go make disciples unto the ends of the earth and He is always with us. Discipleship is happening in the youth room, but it is not only me doing it. We have high school seniors and college students meeting one on one with your kids talking about bible memorization and quiet times. On Sunday mornings, we are also going through the bible in three week increments learning ways to share the gospel and man these kids have witnessed to Muslims, atheists, and all sorts of people. This month we are finishing up our time with Connecting with God series. We are moving in April with Growing with God. Our focus for the year is Acts 17:6 focusing on “These people who are changing the world upside down.” These youth are amazing and can very well change the world. We must first understand our connection with God, then how to Grow with God, followed by Going to the world with the gospel and lastly serving. This is the youths goal for following Country Woods Mission Statement. Pray along with us as we walk through these topics. Blessings Gunner

Hello Church, I hope that by the time you receive this that the flu is history. Not just for me but for all of us. Can you imagine if folks took to Jesus like the flu takes to us? Talk about an epidemic that would finally be wonderful. Spread those types of germs would you. The flu didn’t just take a person at a time but families: Daddies, Mamas, kiddos. Let our love for Jesus be like that, just spreading through the air and overwhelming all who come into his presence. Overwhelming with goodness and mercy and grace. I love it and I love you. Thank you for the prayers for healing. I am doing better and glad to be back and not infecting anyone. May March winds bring you blessings galore. Mothers/Sons look at the calendar for Mother/Son night. It will be one to remember.

Calendar March 2019 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 SATURDAY 2 10:00 Mission Byram/ Garage Sale 3 4 5 9:00 Life Group 10:30 Worship Gathering 6 7 8 6:00 Refresh WMT Practice Students Treehouse 9:00 50 10:00 Mission Byram 4:00 Youth Praise Band Practice 9 Men’s Ministry: Air Soft ½ day event (Location Canton, MS) Soccer Games 5:00 Women’s Bible Study (Barbara Campbell) Room 120 10 11 12 8:00 Men’s Breakfast Speaker: Jeff Parker 9:00 Life Group 10:30 Worship Gathering 13 9:00 50 18 19 20 9:00 50 4:00 Youth Praise Band Practice 31 9:00 Life Group 10:30 Worship Gathering 4:00 Youth Praise Band Practice 10:00 Mission Byram 25 26 21 6:00 Refresh WMT Practice Students Treehouse Mission Byram 4:00 Youth Praise Band Practice 9:00 Life Group 10:30 Worship Gathering 16 Youth Back Yard Bible Club at Southside - TUESDAY thru FRIDAY 9:00 Life Group 10:30 Worship Gathering 24 15 6:00 Refresh WMT Practice Students Treehouse GA’s Memphis 4:00 Youth Praise Band Practice 17 14 9:00 50 Mother/Son Night (Get your sleuth on) 6:00 Refresh WMT Practice Students Treehouse 23 Pamper Party for girls 1-6 grade. 9:00 Progressive Party for youth begin at 5:00 28 27 22 29 30 Fishing Tournament/ Family Fun Day (Location TBD) Soccer Games 9:00, 10:30, 11:30

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS SYMPATHY PEGGY BRIDGES & family in the loss of her brother-in-law Wesley Reeves DUCK MUSE & family in the loss of his aunt QUINTON CREEL & family in the loss of his uncle, Kevin Yount NEW MEMBERS OLIVIA WRIGHT CINDY PATRICK WAYNE & JILL WALSH ALYSA ADAMS CHRISTIAN DAVIS DERRICK NICHOLS RENEA NICHOLS ZACK NICHOLS TYLER NICHOLS DYLAN NICHOLS Lynn and I, along with the entire Robinson family would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest appreciation to our CWBC Family for your prayers, support, and love we received before and after the death of my brother Bobby. We are truly blessed. James Robinson . COUNTRY WOODS STAFF JON DANIELS – Senior Pastor JIM FARRISH – Music Pastor MARK SANDIFER – Discipleship & Missions Pastor TAMMIE MILLER – SR Adult Minister/Business Administrator GUNNER WILSON – Student Pastor MELISSA DAVIS – Spiritual Development Assistant LAURIE FARRISH – Music Assistant TOMM WILSON – Custodial Assistant CONNIE PRICE – Administrative Assistant OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP AND GROWTH WEDNESDAYS: SUNDAYS: Life Apps. 6:00-7:30 p.m. REFRESH – Adults Psalm 31:8 – Students Hands on Bible – Preschool Treehouse – Grades 1- 6 Worship Ministry Team Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. “Life Groups” 9:15 a.m. The Mix – Students 10:30 a.m. Worship Gathering CHURCH OFFICE DEACON ON CALL CELL PHONE: 601-966-2153 FAX: 877-813-3575 OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 6737 Siwell Rd. Byram, MS 39272 601-371-7955 countrywoods.net @Country Woods Baptist Church @countrywoodsbc

starting gospel conversations and see what God has planned for CWBC. Many Blessings Mark During the State Evangelism Conference Dr. Chuck Kelly shared some alarming facts. Gospel conversations connect the dots between the physical and spiritual needs in life. Once conversations are started, opportunities arise for gospel conversations.