DR In The News

There's a good article about a disaster relief feeding unit from North Carolina in this week's baptist paper. So impressive is this unit that it was featured in a recent episode of Modern Marvels on the History Channel.

YOU too can be a disaster relief volunteer. Training will be held this weekend in Corpus Christi, and it's not too late to sign up. I can't promise that you'll ever be on TV, but you will be ready to make a difference when needed. And that's pretty marvelous in itself.

Instituto

Last Wednesday I posted an announcement about our new Bible Institute that kicks off tomorrow night here at FBC. Today I am happy to announce that this same material will also be taught in Spanish (also at FBC). These classes will begin February 9th, and I'll be heading them up. So, if you have any amigos that may be interested in this kind of training, have them call the church office, or write to me at fbcbmissions@yahoo.com. ¡Gracias!

Preparation

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining." — John F. Kennedy

As much as we may wish it were not so, natural disasters are a fact of life. One day there WILL be a major hurricane to hit the gulf coast. One day there WILL be massive flooding, or an ice storm, or a wildfire, somewhere in the US. And when there is, Southern Baptists will be among the very first to respond. But to respond, we must be prepared. And preparation must take place before disaster strikes.

On Saturday February 4th our SBTC will offer disaster relief training in Corpus Christi. This will be Phase 1 training, which is required of all DR volunteers. If you've ever thought about getting involved in disaster relief, or if you'd like to further your training, this is the perfect time to do it.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch with me.

Bible Institute

Do you have a desire to serve the Lord, but don't feel equipped? Do you enjoy your Sunday School class, but wish you could go deeper? If so, help is on the way! We are about to launch a new initiative here at FBC with just such people in mind. It's called The Institute of Biblical Studies at Brownsville.

So, what is the IBSB? It is a 10-course church leader training program designed for those who can't attend a traditional Bible college or seminary. The institute covers things like Bible study methods, Bible survey, church history, missions, doctrine, spiritual life, and much more. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons, would-be leaders, and motivated laymen are all welcome to attend.

The first session, "Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation" will begin Thursday, January 26th, and will be taught by Pastor Steve Dorman. Click here for more information, or call the church office at (956) 542-5334.

Definition

Missionary: someone who leaves his family for a short time, so that others may be with their families for ETERNITY.

Regrets

I once heard a psychologist (who had worked for a time with hospice patients) say that when people get to the end of their lives, they often regret the things that they DIDN'T do instead of the things they did. Interesting, huh? So I ask: if, God forbid, you found out today that you only had a few days to live, what would you regret? What are the things that you never got around to?

The Bible tells us to "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom". In other words, go for the gusto. We get one shot at life, and there are no dress rehearsals.

Starting tomorrow a few lucky souls will begin a journey called "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement". It is a 15-week study of that thing that God most wants: that His name be made known among the nations of the earth. If you live in the Rio Grande Valley, I urge - no, beg - you to consider taking the journey too. Don't you want your life to matter? Take the course. You won't regret it.

Discipleship

This week we begin a new slate of Sunday evening discipleship classes. When People Are Big And God Is Small, based on the book by Ed Welch; Known (what does it mean to know God?), led by Stephen Porter; a Spanish-language ladies class; Mercy Triumphs, a Beth Moore study of the Book of James, also for ladies; Beginners Spanish; English as a Second Language; and for kids there's AWANA. The youth group meets in the Freeway. Why, you could say there's something for everyone! Nursery provided. Come join us, won't you?

Trying It Out

If you've read this blog regularly you know that I've been actively promoting the Perspectives class that is coming up very soon. I took the class 4 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had been a long time since I had taken any class or study where I learned as much as I did in that one. I honestly think every Christian (and definitely every Christian leader) should take this course. But if you're still not sure you're ready to commit, here's something you may be interested in. On January 17th the first night of teaching will take place (January 10th will be registration, introduction to the course, etc.). You can sit in on this class FREE, with no strings attached. If you then decide that Perspectives is not for you, you can walk away, no harm done.
Visit the Perspectives website for more information.