One evening at a youth event, I cried during the alter call. I believed this to be a sign that
I had become a Christian because at the youth rallies, teenagers typically responded by
coming forward arm-in-arm, soaked with tears. I didn’t cry much – just a few tears – but I
remember it.
Over the next few years, through adult leaders at church, those friends of my parents who
led youth ministry events, along with Mom and Dad’s tender guidance, I came to know
Christ as Savior. I do not recall the exact date but I was twelve when I asked Jesus to be
my Savior. My dad baptized me Easter Sunday evening, 1977, at our church, First Baptist
Nashville. I remember Dad looking at me after he had baptized me and quoting Scripture,
“You are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.”
After receiving Christ, making Him my Lord seemed to go in slow motion because ministry
and ministers were the norm for me. I knew nothing different. On occasion people have told
me what a difference a pastor or minister has made in their lives and I have little concept of
what they mean because practically every adult I knew was a minister. Nearly all my friends
were minister’s kids. I was probably in what could be called a “Christian bubble” but I thank
God for it. I wouldn’t change it at all. I had the closest, funnest friends a teenage boy could
ever imagine having. I don’t think we ever broke the law, but we were chased by police at
least twice – once in our own church building. We were never caught.
My mother taught me a lot about prayer and the power of Scripture. If I was anxious about
anything and let her know, she and her mother would pray aloud for me. Their unwavering
faith strengthened my own. Their knowledge of God’s Word helped me discover the power
and personal resource of memorizing it. They regularly voiced their belief that God had big
plans for my life. I remember believing them when they said that.
I learned about deep discipleship through Bible study and peer accountability during
college when I participated in a small group with about four other guys, and we went
through an intensive program called Master Life. It was then that I really plumbed the depths
of Scripture for myself for the first time. It was also the first time I remember spending long
amounts of time in prayer as well as praying daily with someone in my discipleship group.
I never imagined or wanted to be a minister, much less a pastor, but God’s ways are better
than mine and He knows what’s best. I am grateful to my Jesus for His ongoing grace,
mercy, love, and truth in my life.
— Submitted by Larry Yarborough, Jr., Pastor
Join the Hunt
I told my dad about it later that night and he asked why I cried. I had no idea but was sure it
was evidence of my conversion. I was probably somewhere between nine and eleven years
old. I learned this did not make me a Christian. Dad was very patient with me and helped
me understand that wasn’t what made one a Christian.
of missional Christ-followers
First Impressions
march 30, 2015, Vol 4 nO 13
G
DON'T FORGET YOUR BASKET
Later we moved to Nashville where Dad became a Youth Ministry Specialist for what is now
LifeWay. So I grew up from kindergarten through my teen years going to youth retreats all
over the country, especially Glorieta, New Mexico, and Ridgecrest, North Carolina. We spent
three weeks in each location every summer and went to one or the other immediately
after Christmas each winter. From a very early age up through my teenage years, I was
exposed to some of the best Christian speakers and musicians. Those men and women
would usually be at our apartment in the evening sharing stories with laughter, tears, and
questions of the nature of faith.
04.04.15
I grew up with my dad being a minister. I remember being about two years old and living in
New Orleans while Dad attended seminary. I can still see long Spanish Moss hanging from
the Louisiana trees.
A worshipping community
... a publication of First Baptist Gallatin
saturday 10am
toddlers-5th grades
Salvation Stories
Telephone: 615.452.5715
our
Visit us on the web - fbcgallatin.org
FIRST IMPRESSIONS (USPS 008 199) is mailed at periodical postage rates and is published weekly
except the last week of the year by First Baptist Church, 205 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066-2908.
Periodicals postage at Gallatin, TN 37066. Postmaster: Send address changes to FIRST IMPRESSIONS,
Post Office Box 369, Gallatin, TN 37066-0369
Sharing
service times:
8:30 and 11am
sanctuary and fellowship hall
From our Pastor
First Family News
Showing in Fellowship Hall
A
SYMPATHY is extended to family and
friends of Ada Key (former FBG employee)
and to Tonya Brown and family in the death
of her uncle, J.T. Rowland.
Appalachian Outreach
Ask the Lord if this is something He might have you
participate in. I went on this mission trip last summer and
found it outstanding.
THANK YOU NOTES from the Ecuador
Mission Team, Ruby Webb, Bill Edwards,
Bobby Jessee and family, and Ann Wooten,
Sharon Walker and family are posted on
the third floor bulletin board.
We served in several capacities.  We sorted items in a
clothes closet that was more like a clothes warehouse. It was
enormous. What wasn’t sold or given to those in need there
larry yarborough
in the region was packaged by the half ton and sent to third
Pastor
world countries like Africa.  We helped with a backyard
Bible club at a public housing area.  We also did major renovations to a home for a man
and his wife. He suffered from cancer and was inspired a team would travel to fix up his
deteriorating house.
Woven through every interaction was the love of Christ and the joy of serving people
for His Kingdom. Learn more about this mission opportunity at the information meeting
Wednesday, April 1 at 4pm in room 322.
This Sunday
You should be reading this the week before Easter Sunday. We’ve shared much up until this
point about how we as a church can bless those who worship with us on Easter. We have
clearly put in place strategies you can easily implement to make room in God’s house for
what may be our most highly attended Easter services ever.
So now ... live these next few days with the crucifixion and the resurrection in the forefront
of your mind.  Arrive at Easter prepared to celebrate.  Let your soul sing because Christ
has set you free from sin.  Smile knowing the incalculable love the Father has for you,
His child.  Rest well the night before and awake realizing your eternal destination is light
years beyond anything you can imagine.
sunday
april 12
Church Pictorial Directory
Jesus Is Life,
3rd-4th-5th
graders
GO 2 April 10th
FIRST
friday 5:00-6:30pm
FREE event at FBC Student Ministry Center!
Our Week Ahead
student ministry
golf tournament
6pm
Applications are available in the church
office for the Dr. James Robert Troutt and
Mary Katherine Troutt Humanitarian
Scholarship and the Paula Alexander
Troutt Music/The Arts Scholarship.
These scholarships were established
by the Troutt family to help worthy
college students accomplish their goals.
Completed applications must be returned
by Wednesday, April 15.
fellowship hall
There are just a few spaces left for the
church pictorial directory. If you have
not signed up for a directory picture,
please do so quickly. When the spaces
left are scheduled, we can add an
additional photography day if we have
25 people on a waiting list. People
who cannot schedule a photography
session can submit a picture for the
directory. We need these pictures
submitted by April 21. Please give
pictures or send electronic copies of
the submitted picture to Vicki Vaden at
[email protected].
The Tennessee Baptist Convention will
host a regional training event on April 18 at
the State Mobilization Center located in Mt.
Juliet. This is your only chance to get many
of the specialized training classes. Intro
to DR (or recertification) will be offered,
as well as many other training classes in
one day. Please remember you must be
certified through this program in order
to serve in case of a major disaster. For
more information and a listing of classes,
visit tnbaptist.org and click on "training
opportunities." For further information, you
may contact Chuck Thacker (615.390.1052).
benefitting our Haiti Mission Team
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 8am
long hollow golf course
$75 per player; 4 person teams
To sign up, call Brian Prince
or Jayne Coleman at the church office.
Children's Ministry
Wednesday, April 1
2:00pm Children's Mission Project
4:00pm Appalachian Planning, C322
5:00pm G.R.O.W., FH
5:15pm Fellowship Meal, FH
6:00pm "Main Street Kids Live,"
birth-K, preschool hallway
1st-5th grade, room C2
6:15pm Christian History Made Easy, C323
6:15pm Young Adult Bible Study, chapel
6:15pm Prayer Mtg., FH
6:15pm Celebration Choir, B311
6:16pm The Wheel, 6th-12th grade, SMC
Thursday, April 2
Road Rules Trip Returns
5:45pm Fit Club, SMC
Friday, April 3 - GOOD FRIDAY
Church Office CLOSED
Saturday, April 4
Ecuador Mission Returns
10:00am Preschool/Children's Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 5 - EASTER SUNDAY
8:30am Worship, sanctuary and FH
8:30am Children's Worship, room1
9:45am Life Groups
10:45amG.R.O.W.
11:00am Worship, sanctuary and FH
11:00am Children's Worship, room1
noonG.R.O.W.
Monday, April 6
6:00pm Men's Prayer Group, FH
Tuesday, April 7
9:00amPDO
5:45pm Fit Club, SMC
Wednesday, April 8
5:00pm G.R.O.W., FH
5:15pm Fellowship Meal, FH
6:00pm "Main Street Kids Live,"
birth-K, preschool hallway
1st-5th grade, room C2
6:00pm Chronic Disease, C322
6:15pm Christian History Made Easy, C323
6:15pm Young Adult Bible Study, chapel
6:15pm Prayer Mtg., FH
6:15pm Celebration Choir, B311
6:16pm The Wheel, 6th-12th grade, SMC
7:30pm Executive Committee, C224
You're invited to a
CHILI'S GIVE BACK EVENT
benefitting FBG's Children's Camp
Date: April 13 Time: 11am-9pm
Location: 600 Village Green Drive, Gallatin
Flyers available in the church office the week of
April 6. With each flyer presented on Monday,
Chili's will donate 10% of the event day sales to our
children's camp fund.