BEHIND THE SCENES Volume 4, Issue 16 October 22, 2014 FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR GREG SYKES The Building & A New/Old Face At FBC: I am going to continue to use this Pastor’s Newsletter for a steady stream of information regarding the new sanctuary project, so please keep an eye out for these emails. One thing I wanted to share with you early in this process is the key role Kent McCoy is currently playing. Over the last year or so, as it became apparent that this project was absolutely essential to the future of FBC, I began to do some research regarding outside fundraising groups and our church’s history with such groups. It did not take me long to see that such groups do not connect well with our congregation. FBC Russellville has a small-town feel, and a degree of intimacy and trust among leadership and the congregation that makes outside consultants less than appealing. But, there is one thing I couldn’t escape: this project will be a bigger financial commitment than anything we’ve ever done before. And, truth be told, we’ve actually scaled back our staff over the last five years — so our existing team does not have the time, resources, or knowledge to help us launch into a building campaign. But that is where Kent McCoy enters the picture. As most of you know, Kent has an accounting background and worked extensively for KPMG in Houston, Texas, before joining the office at Terra Renewal (since sold and broken into differ- ent pieces) in Russellville. As Terra Renewal began to undergo the changes of its acquisition, Kent eventually wound up serving FBC for six months alongside Caleb Davis in Kenya. Many of you have known Kent for years. You know he is intelligent, savvy, teachable, and he is passionate about both God’s kingdom and FBC. Both his peers and the parents’ of his peers have tremendous respect for him — and I would add that our entire staff team does, as well. Your respect for Kent was obvious when he returned to FBC from Houston — he was quickly nominated as one of our youngest active deacons. The work that he and Caleb did in Kenya was exemplary, and we will be reaping the fruit of it for years to come. Of course, you are probably wondering how all of this connects with our current building project. Let me explain. Once our 21st Century Group decided that an outside fundraising group wasn’t the best decision for FBC, we were still left with a monumental task: how do we even begin considering how to raise the necessary funds for a new sanctuary? Enter Kent McCoy. After his return from Kenya, Kent has prayed about his next career steps . . . And he hasn’t heard a long-term answer. But his accounting and financial experience, his experience growing up in Russellville and within FBC, his inherent integrity, people skills, and passion to see FBC reach our community and the nations for Christ . . .well, all of that makes him a great fit to help us develop a campaign for our new sanctuary. Kent has helped us cover some financial duties in-house while Larry Walker has enrolled parttime in a few legal classes, but Kent’s primary role has been researching church capital campaigns. Even now, he’s researching our next steps — so plan to hear more from Kent soon. He has been a blessing and a life-saver in this process. This Sunday: “The Nations & Mission — To the Ends of the Earth” Acts 1:8 Sermon Series To Know Him and To Make Him Known . . . Acts 1:8 FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR GREG SYKES FBC Russellville 200 South Denver P.O. Box 36 Russellville, AR 72801 Phone: 479-968-1316 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @sykes_light Church website: www.fbcruss.org Facebook: First Baptist Church Russellville Sunday, October 26: Week Four: “To Know Him & Make Him Known” “The Nations and Mission — To the Ends of the Earth” Acts 1:8, Matthew 9:35-38 — Jay Ham Sunday, November 2: Week Five: “Discipleship and Mission: Make Disciples” Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20 — Keith Shipley Sunday, November 9: Week Six: “Integrity and Mission: Character Counts” Acts 1:8; Psalm 101:1-8 — Greg Sykes Sunday, November 16: “Wise Words on Wealth,” James 5:1-6 — Greg Sykes Genesis @ FBC; the Sanctuary Project Find our sermons online at www.fbcruss.org! You can even subscribe via iTunes! Time to Welcome in our New Deacons: viewed and possibly recommended. Follow us on Twitter at @FBCRussellville or @sykes_light (for your pastor’s account). Several weeks ago, FBC nominated a slate of ten new deacons to join our active deacon group. It always takes a little time to let the nominated men pray about their potential service and — on occasion — for us to set up an ordination council for any new deacon candidates to be inter- But, I’m glad to say that we have completed this process and we will be installing and ordaining ten new deacons on Sunday night, November 16th, at 5 PM in the sanctuary. Here are the ten newly nominated men: Stacy Barton, Kenny Bell, Bruce Brown, James Carter, Joe Cloud, Marvin Collier, Gabe Freyaldenhoven, Lance Garner, Greg Hines and Kevin Rogers. The first nine men listed above have served as deacons previously, meaning we will simply install (or reinstall) them to active service here at FBC. Kevin Rogers, however, will be ordained to the deacon ministry, which makes it a special night for him, his family and our church. Once again, I am so encouraged by the character of the men you have nominated to be a part of this crucial servant-leader group. Each of these men serve FBC in various ministry areas and have demonstrated a heart for missions, evangelism, prayer, etc. over the years. Also, this group is very diverse — it represents the crossgenerational nature of our growing congregation. If you see them around, welcome them to the deacon ministry at FBC and join us on Nov. 16th.
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