Pastor Mark, Pastor Jeremy, Pastor Todd, Nique, Norma Jean, Linda, Brandie & Karol
The church office will be closed Monday, December 27 – Friday, December 31.
If you have any end of the year contributions, you must have them to the church office or postmarked by December 31 to count on your 2021 giving record.
WEST AFRICANS TAKE LEAD IN SHARING BIBLE STORIES
Mrs. Lombena transitions with ease from the standard West African greetings into the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. The Togolese man listening to the story is quickly attentive to her vivid storytelling. What follows is a lively discussion about the truths and implications of the Bible story she had crafted into his native tongue. With sincerity on his face, he asks her to pray for him in the name of Jesus, the One who came not to condemn but to save. Rev. Essodina Ayewa, her trainer who has been watching from the side, steps up to lay hands on the man as they pray. “When you tell a story from the Word of God, it’s powerful! It affects someone. He listens, he is penetrated,” says Ayewa. Lombena, along with nearly 40 other students, has recently graduated from a three-year program at the Baptist Bible Institute of Togo (IBBT). For the first time, their curriculum includes training in orality methods — one component of which is the art of crafting and sharing biblical stories with people who prefer oral communication methods over written ones. “We hear about the joy that animates the people who listen to the Bible stories all the time,” reports IBBT director Rev. Dombe Tchalaré. This has led him to require that all students receive the training, and he envisions creating a dedicated “School of Orality” within the Bible institute. Ayewa highlights how the orality training has been an important complement to their classic theological education. The orality education is also unique as the first training in Togo being led entirely by African believers who were originally trained by IMB missionaries. IMB missionary Katee Sheppard*, alongside a team of nationals in five countries, has been effectively using Bible storying for over a decade in a ministry to truck drivers. She says the drivers are normally closed to gospel conversations, but they love the stories. Katee’s team understood the value of training more people and, to date, IMB missionaries have equipped more than 25 national orality trainers across several African countries. Together they have led orality workshops and seminars for thousands of believers representing dozens of languages. Evangelist Seni Zoungrana is one of the trainers who leads orality workshops. He discusses both the joy and responsibility given by Revelation 7:9. Joining the vision to reaching the multitudes from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ. We can pray for the IMB missionaries and those whom they serve. Please financially give. Our goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is $2,000.
Starting January 2nd, we will begin a 5 week message series called, “How to Know When You Grow”. We can measure heights, weight, IQ, reflexes, strength, blood pressure, and so much more to determine if we’re healthy/mentally physically. But what about spiritual growth? How do you measure that? Come be a part of this series on Sundays in January to find out!
Jumpstart 2022 What: A 3 night conference to kick off the new year with Worship, Prayer, and the Word. Who’s Speaking: The guest speaker is Runks Runkles Who’s Invited: All of FSBC and anyone else from the community! When: January 9-11th, 2022. 6:30 PM each evening
Due to the recent tornado devastation Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams are on standby in anticipation of being called to help in Kentucky. Other SBDR teams are working in the surrounding states. Working in these affected areas will include clean up, chainsaw work, mud out, and perhaps salvaging possessions for homeowners.
Everyone is welcome to go. For example one story is of a lady who could not do much work, but she was found handing out water for the crews and meeting other needs as well!
Other local Southern Baptist Churches are being contacted to form a team in anticipation of being involved and deployed in January. There will be onsite training to be qualified to serve through SBDR. Contact Wayne Melanson 620-626-9326 for more information.
From Frank McCrary, KNCSB State Director for Disaster Relief:
I have been in contact with most of the DR directors in the affected areas. Arkansas, Alabama, and Illinois are handling the damage in their states. Kentucky was hit the hardest. Ron Crow said they are still assessing the damage.
Illinois is sending to Kentucky an Incident Command team and chaplains right away; with other teams as needed. Missouri is doing hot meals tonight. I am sure they will be asking for more chaplains.
Chuck Neece has notified the associational coordinators to put their teams on STANDBY, just in case. I am expecting a national call from Sam Porter this afternoon or tomorrow morning with a needs assessment report. In the meantime, we
Wait – for official news from the National DR team. Any unauthorized deployment will result in a loss of ability to serve as an SBDR again.
Pray – without ceasing for our neighbors.
Watch – for emails from Chuck Neece with instructions and from Cecil Dale for information.
Warmest regards, Frank A. McCrary, Director Disaster Relief & Chaplaincy Ministries Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists
December 10, 2021 Tornado Outbreak
The Kentucky death toll continues to rise. Now up to 70. Prayers needed for workers trapped in collapsed candle factory in hard hit Mayfield, KY.
Rescue operations are still ongoing. Do NOT self deploy! Self deploying could actually hinder rescue operations. It may be a couple of days before we are asked to deploy. Please be patient so that an organized response can take place and help the most number of survivors. SUPPORT KNCSB DISASTER RELIEF
If you can’t deploy, you can still support KNCSB Disaster Relief: PRAY As teams prepare for possible deploying, your prayers for their safety are essential. Pray that these DR volunteers would be empowered by God to make a difference in Jesus’ name. Please remember to lift them up in your prayers, as well as for the survivors of this disaster.
GIVE Finally, if you would like to help financially, please consider giving to KNCSB Disaster Relief. To give, please make checks payable to KNCSB. Please write “Disaster Relief” in the memo area.Checks can be mailed to: KNCSB Disaster Relief 5410 SW 7th St. Topeka, KS 66606-2398
For a view of some of the damage in Kentucky, please view the video in the following links:
You’ve probably already heard that there are some changes coming regarding the staffing of our Kids Ministry. In the event that you haven’t heard, both Norma Jean Dodge, our Children’s Coordinator, and Nique Brown, our Nursery Coordinator, have prayerfully decided to step down from their respective positions effective December 31 this year. We’re incredibly grateful for their years of service and for the healthy way in which both ladies are pursuing this change! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the transition of Norma Jean or Nique, please take the time to seek these ladies out and talk to them directly.
As we look towards the future of our Kid’s Ministry here at First Southern Baptist Church, we will be pursuing a single, full time position for the role of Kid’s Coordinator (this position will include oversight of kids, birth – 5th grade). If you’re interested in this position, or know of someone who might be, check out the link below! If you have questions about the position, check out the link below! If you just want to be in the know about the details of this position, check out the link below!
In the meantime, we would greatly appreciate your continued prayers for wisdom and understanding as the Personnel Team is seeking God’s will regarding the individual who will fill this role.
If you haven’t done so yet, download the Church Center App today! With this app you can:
1. View our Sermon Archives 2. Connect with FSBC and ask for Prayer 3. Give Securely Online 4. Pre-Check In your children 5. Keep Connected with the Groups you’re a part of
To get started simply click one of the links below to download on your device, and then search for First Southern Baptist Church Liberal as you open the App. Let’s Go Church!
The church office will be closed Monday, December 27 – Friday, December 31.
If you have any end of the year contributions, you must have them to the church office or postmarked by December 31 to count on your 2021 giving record.
Offering required weekly $11,374.03
Offering received for December 19, 2021 – $11,305.94
Year to date budgeted $580,075.53 Year to date received $504,824.46
Christian Light Foundation – $1,210.00 Lottie Moon Mission Offering – $370.00
