A friend of mine shared an interesting thought with me several months ago. "The Kingdom of God wins big when the church seeks to equip more Deacons & Pastors than their church needs." At the time I honestly didn't give it much thought. Though I agree, in principle, that we should always be developing leaders. However, yesterday he shared this with me again and I understood what he meant. As Shawn shared yesterday, 2 Elders led service here at FBC Weston, Mark Henkel was leading at Crossroads Chapel near Rushville, Steve was providing Pulpit Supply at FBC Gower, and I had the joy of kicking off a sermon series with the Agros Pulpit Supply Team at Faucett Baptist Church. 3 churches in our area were blessed by the ministry leadership of our church. I'd say the words of my friend rang true yesterday! What is so encouraging to me is that, while 3 of the 5 of our Elders were serving other churches, it did not feel like there was a leadership void in the least. Why? Because we have other Godly mean who are right here among us stepping in to help lead in our absence. I am grateful to serve a church that catches the vision that being "for the Kingdom" & "for the Community" spreads beyond the walls of our own building. (With that said, we are being mindful that our primary ministry is here shepherding the flock of God among us.) As the Lord has provided opportunity for us to share our resources in this way the Elders have made this a formal ministry of our church. If you know of Churches or Pastors that may be in need of Puplit Supply they can actually access a request form on our website here! Please feel free to share this with other. We would love to help.

Please continue to pray for Mark and Crossroads Chapel as well. See an update below about Saturday's event!

Meet Janice! Janice left from Astoria, Oregon on May 25th on a cross country journey by bicycle on the TransAmerica Trail. Yesterday, she was passing through Weston nearing the end of a 65 mile day. When she pulled up into the Church Parking Lot she happened to meet Rick & Janie who were here doing a little work before last night's Prayer Meeting. She was looking for a place to potentially camp or even throw her cot down for the night to get some rest before hitting the road in the morning. We talked for quite some time about why she was making this journey and she was doing so as a bucket list item following her retirement and she was doing it in honor of her siblings who had passed away. We gladly offered Janice a place to stay for the evening, but so much more happened. Janice joined us for the Prayer Meeting, walking through the building praying through each room about God's direction for our growing church. Following the meeting, Janie, Autumn & I sat down and shared a meal together swapping stories about our lives and faith. We prayed with and for Janice and I want to ask you to do the same! She is about halfway to her destination of Philidelphia! She was able to get some rest last night and was out the door and on the road before any of us were likely awake. 

Last week was one of those weeks where the Lord let us sneak a peek behind the curtain. It came through moments like the one we shared with Janice last evening. It also came through something else that happened twice in the same day. We received two Benevolence Requests about 45 minutes apart from each other. These request were not connected in anyway but they both called because they were told to, "Call the Baptist Church, they can help you." The first request came from our beloved local grocery store, Shapr's Market, so that is a little more expected. What a victory it is to be known for such benevolence. 

The second request, however, took Pastor Daniel and I by surprise! The short version of the story is that a Delivery Driver coasted into town on fumes. She worked for an auxiliary company that contracted with UPS. She was trying to make it to her next delivery and just wasn't goign to make it. She managed to make it to Trex where we met her and were able to fill her tank to get to her next delivery and home! While the gas was pumping we talked to her and her husband about faith, the church, and her different experiences in church between her home in Kansas City and where she moved from in Florida. We held hands while Pastor Daniel prayed over the couple, sharing the hope of the Gospel of Christ, and then something incredible happened. As we closed with an "Amen" I told her I was just so glad she called and she responded, "I'm just glad that DoorDash Driver didn't have the money to help me out and said to call you." I asked, "Wait, really?" She said, "Yeah, I asked her if she could help me out and she told me that she had actually just put her last $20 in her own tank or she would have helped. She said to call the Baptist Church, they'll help. I looked you guys up and it I said you were opened and I was praying as I called and then Pastor Daniel picked up." I shouted, "And here we are! Parise the Lord!!"

We racked our brains for a bit about who we might possibly know that delivers for DoorDash. Is it someone we've helped out before? Is it a relative of someone who goes to church here? It doesn't matter. We were just in awe and encouraged that we are known for what we are striving for; a church that is for the Kingdom and for the Community! 

The plan is to utilize both bounce houses from the SJBA Game Trailer as well as 4 or 5 games. They're also planning for live music and food! If you are able to help we are planning to meet over at Crossroadsaround 2:00 p.m. to start helping set everything up. This should give us plenty of time to be sure they are all set up before the event starts around 6:00 p.m. If you are able to help with breakdown they plan to start breaking down at 8:00 p.m.

The Amelia Earhart Festival is happening over in Atchison that evening and concludes with a large fireworks display. They have invited the community around Crossroads in to enjoy a meal, fun for the whole family, and to watch the fireworks display from the church parking lot that evening. This is an event that will be fun to also stick around and attend if you'd like as well! 

If you are able to help, please contact Mark Henkel with any other questions. Otherwise, I hope to see ya there! 

Mark's #: 816-728-7687

In a world filled with worry and confusion, kids need to know there is a God who cares for them. At Emerald Crossing VBS, they’ll journey through Ireland’s lush landscapes, exploring the powerful words of Psalm 23. They’ll discover the life of the shepherd-king David and will learn how to cross from worry to peace, from fear to faith, and from uncertainty to a firm foundation in God’s Word through a relationship with the Good Shepherd.

Dinner | 5:00-6:00 p.m.
VBS | 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Registration is now LIVE!

Sunday School: This past Sunday was "Move-up Sunday"! We are excited to announce that we are starting a Youth Sunday School Class for students 6th-12th grade.  Michael Adams will be leading that class with Pastor Ricky. If you have students going into 6th-12th grade we would love to have them join us on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45 a.m.) Our Sunday School classes are all currently utilizing the same curriculum to keep everyone in the church not he same pathway! What your children are learning is the same thing you are learning. This is a great on ramp for ongoing discipleship in the home. If you have not considered joining us for Sunday School, consider this your invitation to do so! We offer classes for all ages, including the availability of a Nursery. 

Youth Bible Study: Those students are also invited to join us for a Youth Bible Study and Dinner that meets at the Sands Residence every week at 5:30 p.m. We are starting a new series titled, "You Asked for It!" that will run through the remainder of the Summer. Each week students are invited to come prepared to asked their vexing theological, apologetic, and general questions regarding the Christian Faith. Pastor Ricky will spend time combing through Scripture answering your questions! If you have been considering jumping in on what is happening in our growing effort to reach students in our church and community now is the time! 

If you have any questions please contact Pastor Ricky! 

Please take note that the next Women's Book Club Meeting has been moved to July 16th at the Avalon. 

Join us Saturday mornings at 7:00 a.m. for a weekly walkthrough of "Disciplines of a Godly Man" by R. Kent Hughes. 

7.12: During our Second Summer Prayer Meeting we gathered around the idea that "God gives the growth." We looked at the passage where Paul tells the church in Corinth that we are simply vessels of proclamation. We are planters but God gives the growth! We celebrate that and asked the Lord to help us tend to the garden well. We made our way through each room int he building asking the Lord for wisdom on how to move forward to best steward the souls in our care. Please plan on joining us for our final meeting in August!

6. 14: During our first Summer Prayer Meeting we journeyed through the work of God through the book of Acts highlighting the need to wait for God to move by the Spirit, having a benevolent spirit and heart with our resources, clarity on our missions footprint, and the necessity of unity. We will reconvene in July! 

God gives the growth and he certainly has! The Elders are asking the church to join us this Summer as we seek the Lord's wisdom on how to best steward the growth He has given to FBC Weston. Praise Him for such a wonderful issue to pray and think through. We are asking you to join us in prayer both privately and corporately. We will gather three times this Summer to spend time praying around together on how to best address facility needs and the vision we believe the Lord has for us as a church in a season of growth.