FINALLY - FBC'S CELEBRATION SERVICE

We have waited a long time!! But we are rejoicing that today, October 28th, 2007, we finally were able to worship in our new facilities at 320 E. Ovilla Road, Red Oak. And what a wonderful day God blessed us with! The weather was a gorgeous 65+ with sunshine! Heaven truly came down and filled our souls!! Many, many thanks to many, many people that made this day happen! The night picture above was taken last night by Tim Holt from the driveway. Thanks, Tim for sharing!

This is a picture of the beautiful baptistery/fountain in the foyer.

This is the cafe and our smiling "Holy Grounds" volunteers

This is our Welcome Center with sweet greeters, Lana and Pat!









Here are some in the worship service. It was kinda dark and many of the pictures I took did not turn out. I do appreciate Randy Skelton and Toni Grmela's contributions to these pictures(Band, Praise Team, Alan praying the dedication prayer, "This Is My Bible", prayer time, Jeff, etc.)

FBC - A busy but great day!

There has been much activity and work taking place this week to prepare our new facilities for worship tomorrow.

This afternoon and this evening, some "blessed" spiritual work happened! The entire New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and portions of Genesis was read aloud by numerous volunteers throughout the building. Several months ago when there were just sheetrock walls, we also had a service where individuals, families, etc. wrote with bold black markers Scriptures on the walls, stage, under the pulpit area, etc. We so want this building to always stand firm on the inerrant inspired Word of God, which is the only true Foundation upon which we will stand! A couple of pictures of tonight are attached (double-click to see bigger).
Then at 6:00, we had a prayer service. We bathed our new building in prayer......praying in each room and then prayed over every single chair in the sanctuary. It truly was a sweet, sweet time!

This is a picture Jeff took earlier today of the stage with the colored lights and our Vision Logo on the screens. The picture defintely does not do it justice - it is beautiful!!
Just a few more hours and then we will have our celebration service!! THANK YOU, JESUS!!

FBC - Final Worship Service on Main Street

Our final worship service at the old sanctuary was a very special day. They had done video interviews during the week -- first Bro. Grady Chapman giving the history of the church with pictures of old sanctuary's, etc; then Doug & Glenda Curry telling about their time here, again with old pictures of pastors and staff and of their family as they grew during the years, etc; then one of our newest young families (Andrew, Amy & Zachary Mashburn) holding their baby and told how much they loved the church -- all did great! We sang a song between each video (the first was, I Can Only Imagine) so I was in tears the whole service. Amy Douglas and Marlynne Finch brought a special presentation for us. Then Jeff preached a very timely message from Joshua about when the people left the wilderness and crossed over into the Promise Land -- the things they left behind and the things they took with them and applied it to us; we had numerous folks in the altar at invitation time and had a family of 5 join; an older couple join, and a 20's age girl join. After the offertory, there was a great skit by Bob Minnick and Jeff -- about Bob "taking his pew!"

The neatest thing though was the way they closed it out. They had an older couple (Lloyd & Sondra McJunkin); a middle aged couple (David & Becky Packer); a young married woman (Mandy James), one of our younger girls (Hayley Lord) and then a 3 yr. old (Nathan carried by his father, David Anthony) walk forward with candles in their hands and light their candle from the candelabra that was on stage (that was burning all thru the service--representing the church as the light of the world). Each one went up and lit their candle and then exited the sanctuary and then they showed on the big screen them entering our new sanctuary and lighting the same candelabra there (which Brad Voigt had excellently videotaped last week in the same clothes they had on Sunday). It was very touching. Then the staff went up on stage and blew out each of the candles and then we followed them out. Good stuff.......!! Still gives me goosebumps. You will see the candelabra in the pictures of the new sactuary tomorrow, carrying the theme on from last week.

Sunday night, instead of having our Home Groups, we had a moving party!! It was incredible to see over 120 people, pick-ups, trailers, etc., and all the activity that went on. You all are the best!! Thank you for your hard work!

I wish I had taken pictures of the entire day, but didn't even think to do so :-(

However, it was a very memorable day!

Toni Grmela sent me these pics of Sunday night, moving and setting up after I posted this originally. Thanks, Toni!

Update on Our Kids

I have been reminded over and over lately how blessed I am to have a wonderful family. Since I haven't posted much about my kids, I am going to take a few minutes to do that. I'll include a picture each; however, I don't have any current pictures of them, for some reason, in my computer. So, kids, I'm sorry for the "old" pictures. We need to get current ones next time you are home!

Josh & Erika live in Springdale, Arkansas now. Josh is working for both Lionel Richey and Enrique Iglesias. He has had many opportunities to see the world. Right now he is in South Africa. I think he has "passed up" his Dad in visiting more overseas countries. Erika works for an insurance company in Springdale and will complete the schooling and requirements in May of 08 to receive a Graphic Design certificate. Josh & Erika celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary this past summer.

Andy & Carman live about 10 miles from Josh & Erika - in Lowell, Arkansas. Andy is planting a new church. He has spent the summer in "building" his core group, receiving training, raising financial support, etc. The local Southern Baptist association is supporting him and he is applying for North America Mission Board status the first of the year (SBC's Home Missions). Please keep he & Carman in your prayers as they follow God's leading in their lives. Carman graduated last May from the UofA with a degree is Childhood Education and is now getting her masters and also student teaching at the same time. Andy & Carman celebrated their 2nd anniversary this past summer.

Rachel & Derek live in Conway, Arkansas. Derek was recently promoted with Parks & Rec for the City of Conway. Rachel works for Acxiom in the HR Department handling insurance and benefits for employees. She is nearing the end of the PACE program at Central Baptist College. She plans to graduate in the spring with her Bible Degree. She is a very busy girl. Rachel & Derek celebrated their 3rd anniversary this past summer.

With all the kids in Arkansas, and Jeff & I here in Texas, we're not able to be together near as often as we would like. We look forward to the holidays and seeing them then.

I do love my kiddo's and am so thankful for each of them!

FBC Staff

I'm also very thankful for the staff at First Baptist Church, Red Oak, Texas where we serve together and just wanted to put their beautiful faces on here. I don't have pictures of everyone, but hope to get those in the days ahead and add to this blog. Pictures are of Alan & Suzie Rogers (Alan is our Assoc. Pastor); Eli & Susie DaSilva (Eli is our Worship Leader); Tessie & Jim Corbitt (Tessie is our Children's Minister), Jared & Amy Douglas (Jared is our Outreach and Evangelism Pastor), Sharon & Troy Hanks
(Sharon is Jeff's assistant and I'm so thankful for her ministry in helping my husband!), and our newest Staff Member, Ace Alexander and his wife Cortni and children. Ace is our Youth Minister.


Roland & Linda Southard (Linda is one of our secretaries).
Mike & Amy Duckett (Amy is one of our secretaries).

OASIS Home Group

These wonderful folks are in our Oasis Group (click on pictures to see them larger). We were missing 3 of our families and I hope to add them soon. Oasis is our Sunday Night Small Group and is such a wonderful blessing to Jeff & I. Clint & Wendy Byers are our super facilitators and Rocky & Roseann are our great host and hostess! Each time we meet, we enjoy sweet fellowship, delicious food (thank you Parker for those peppers!), and a time of worship in song as well as a time of Bible study, encouragement and inspiration. Such an awesome blessing to belong to one of the FBC's Home Groups!

Bro. Grady Chapman is the oldest member of our Oasis Group and wasn't there Sunday night to get his picture above. But he had a very good excuse, as his son was in town visiting. Bro. Grady had a very special honor this past weekend and where this picture was taken. He was recognized as the "Alumni of the Year" at Red Oak High School. It's hard to believe this "young" man started Red Oak schools 80 years ago as a first grader! Bro. Grady is such a blessing to our church and to Jeff & I personally for his stedfastness and support.

And last but not least on this posting -- is our sweet friend, Michelle (whose husband is Parker that made those delicious peppers - ha). Michelle is a MAJOR Texas fan and on Jeff's birthday last July, she gave him a gift of a shirt and flip-flops! So we had to get a picture! Michelle adds much fun to our Oasis group and is a joy to know!

Thank you Oasis Friends, for making us feel loved and just "one" of you! We do love you too!

Debbie & Jeff

Taken Oct. 28th -- Patsy & James Barnwell

Ladies Bible Study

I feel so blessed to be a part of the Women's Ministry Bible Studies at First Baptist Church. We are just about to complete the study "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things" by Beth Moore. Pictures are of some of the ladies in our two groups. Not everyone was present last night, and I hope to get those who were absent soon and add to this. I appreciate so much Vicki Britton and Donna Cash as they lead out in our Bible Studies. Thank you to all our gals for your commitment to study God's Word.

I love you,

Debbie

Calvary Baptist, Mesquite TX

We were very saddened at the news that Calvary Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas had been destroyed by fire on October 4, 2007. Jeff pastored Calvary for seven years (from 1989 to 1996). It was a wonderful ministry with lots of treasured memories. We still have some great friendships from our time there. This ministry has always been special to our children as well. Josh & Andy "grew up" there. Josh graduated from North Mesquite High School that summer prior to our move to Arkansas. Andy was a starter on the North Mesquite H.S. football team. Rachel was saved and baptized at Calvary when she was 7 yrs. old. So they took the news very hard as well.

Below is a link of very moving pictures. It was professionally done by Brenda Bates. I don't know Brenda, but appreciate so much her taking these pictures.

http://www.pbase.com:80/brenda_b/calvary_first_baptist_church__mesquite_tx

Calvary has definitely had her share of trials. Shortly after a new sanctuary was built in the 80's, a tornado detroyed their facilities and now the fire. Our hearts and prayers are with this church family and Pastor Mac Costlow!

Josh's 30th birthday

Today, September 9th, our firstborn turned 30 years old!! And we were very blessed to have him in our home for the big day! Josh had decided for his birthday present to himself, he was taking his wife, Erika, and his brother, Andy and wife, Carman to College Station, Texas for an A&M football game, which they did yesterday and got to see a very exciting game. After 3 overtimes, A&M pulled it out by 2 points! They came to Red Oak late last night after the game and spent the night with us. We had a great worship service today and then enjoyed Momma's roast dinner for lunch. The boys' good friend, Randy, also joined us today. In one of the pictures in the next blog, Randy & Andy are standing on their "tip-toes" - silly boys!

I'm also including some pictures of Josh as my little red-headed boy......he's grown up (not sure if he feels old - but I sure do!!!).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSHUA JEROME! We love you! Mom and Dad

Josh - Then and Now!