The reaction of people is what I enjoy the most out of this campaign so far! People are surprised and pleasantly taken aback by the fact that people will give of their lives and come and do these service projects. When thinking about it, I guess it is kind of a shame that people are surprised.

Why should they be surprised when we have been here as a church for so long? 

Is it not a simple commandment from God to love others?

Shouldn’t the love of Christ have already been flowing through us as a church and as individuals?

Chad Graves, a great friend and mentor, tweeted yesterday a fantastic quote saying, “Being a missionary does not require leaving your zip code.” How true is that statement! We often think of preachers and missionaries as the one bringing the gospel to others in another state or country but every single one of us are to bring the gospel through word and our deeds to the people around us! Let’s not ever forget the mission that God has called us too!

Pray for the remainder of the week for Lonoke and we will keep you updated!

Be Involved!
Pastor Craig

This past Sunday night we had our I HEART MORRILTON Campaign Kick-Off Rally (how is that for a title) at the city park. These are the events that we as leaders prepare for while never knowing if it will be a success. It is these moments that will set the tone for such a critical month that we have planned.

A couple of guys and myself were getting things ready at the park and I remember thinking, “I hope this goes well.” Call it a lack of faith or whatever but every leader has those moments where you just hope and pray that people are following where you thin the Lord is leading.

As time was approaching a couple of people got there early to help but that was to be expected. Time got closer to 5:00 (our starting time) and people began to trickle in and by 5:10 (every good Baptist church is late) an excellent crowd was there! What a joy to be a part of a loving church that cares about the Lord’s work and taking His love out to rest of the world!

Was everyone there that needed be there? Nope. But it is not healthy to dwell on the negative when such a great group of people want to be a part of something big! We are praying for a successful month in service to God. We are praying we are able to draw closer to each other and God. We are praying that our actions will reflect the amazing love of God and will bring people to salvation and a closer walk with God.

We would appreciate your prayers as well!

Pastor Craig

We are firm believers in evangelism through door-to-door and through casual conversations and those “divine” moments! We can’t rely on this method solely though. The world doesn’t work off words. As prominent Christians fall and as churches close down and split. As religious hatred continues and people see the way worldly “religious” people act, it can’t be strictly about the words that come out of our mouth but people need to see our actions that will back up our words!

Many people are turned off by Christians and church because of the way they act. They throw out the term “hypocrite” and want nothing to do with it. Why can’t people be turned on by Christians and church because of the way they act? Why can’t people see the love of Christ flow through His people and that lead others to Him that see it? There is no need to ask these questions because it is a reality and it can happen.

An anthem for this month and really for our lives was said by Pastor Johnny Hunt of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. He said, “OUR WORDS MAY SAY ONE THINGS BUT IT IS OUR BEHAVIOR THAT BRANDS US.”

Pray for Lonoke as we endeavor to serve the community. Pray this isn’t a month long project but a way of life. The following is a glimpse at what we will be doing for the month:

Sunday, April 29
I Heart Morrilton Campaign Rally @ City Park
Tuesday, May 1
Riverchase Nursing Home
Friday, May 4
Serving Lunch To Morrilton Primary School
Tuesday, May 8
Perryville Nursing Home
Serving Lunch To Morrilton Intermediate School
Thursday, May 10
Serving Lunch To Morrilton Senior High School
Friday, May 11
Kindergarten-1st Grade Track Meet Service Project
Saturday, May 12
Conway County Care Center Service Project
Tuesday, May 15
Brookridge Nursing Home
Serving Lunch To Morrilton Junior High School
Thursday, May 17
Serving Lunch To Morrilton Elementary School
Saturday, May 19
Petit Jean Garden Club Service Project
252 Kids/STR8Up Car Washes Service Project
Sunday, May 20
Conway County Community Center (C-4) Service Project
Tuesday, May 22
Perry County Nursing Home
Tuesday, May 29
Senior Day Care Nursing Home

Be in prayer and be in involved!

Pastor Craig