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.
© Copyright 2024