Youth Ministry – March 2022

 
The last three February’s we have opened up camp registration and offered a “VIP” signup window. During the first three weeks of registration, every student who is signed up for camp is counted as a “VIP” and gets perks and privileges at camp. It’s a fun way to help build excitement about Youth Camp.
 
I asked a few of our VIP Students what they are most looking forward to about camp, and here are their answers:
 
Jack Bowers, 8th Grade – I’m looking forward to hanging out with friends and building relationships
 
Elisa Keese, 11th Grade – The connections I get to build with younger youth. All of my friends are doing different activities at different times so I kind of jump around with who I’m hanging out with. With this I get to talk to people I may have never spoken to before and I get to know their personalities and sometimes even engage in conversations about their faith. I return home with more friends than I started with.
 
Christian Stahl, 10th Grade – Probably learning more about God and learning how to spread his word
 
Anna Henson, 9th Grade – I am looking forward to building friendships and having fun at activities such as block parties and archery tag.
 
Carson Boles, 10th Grade – The time with friends, worship, and just the experience I know God will give me.
 
Ryia Neuman, 11th Grade – The worship
 
Cayden Brown, 10th Grade – Finding random people to hang out with at Rec and with our camp color groups
 
Luke Bowers, 6th Grade – Growing friendships, making new friends, and growing in my faith.
 
If you know a 6th-12th grade student who would be interested in joining us, we would love to have them! They can sign up at tbck.org/students.
 
 
 
 

Read more...

For the Journey – March 2022

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7
 
God is always at work around the world. The world is paying attention to what is taking place in Ukraine as Russia aggressively has invaded. For a week we have heard from leaders and politicians and seen pictures coming over the internet. My heart goes out to the people defending their home country. So far away, I feel helpless and want to know more and do more. I have been reminded by the LORD that we are never helpless. One of the greatest things we can do at a distance and up close is to pray. I was so encouraged by those in our worship services this past Sunday who answered the call to pray together for the Ukrainian people. Thank you, Trinity Baptist Church, for responding as a church to the needs in our world.
 
On March 6th, we will be taking up a special offering to go toward the relief efforts through Texas Baptists Men. There are many ways individuals can send support through other organizations like Samaritans Purse and Ceri International, but we have an ongoing channel to support many relief efforts through TBM. The offering given on March 6th will go directly to the international relief. I want to invite you to also join me at noon every day to pray wherever you are for this conflict and watch and see how God will use this for His glory.
 
We will also begin the selection process for our Minister of Worship Search Team on Sunday, March 6th. Nomination ballots will be available and each church member can make up to three nominations only. Nominations may also be submitted on March 13th. Ballots will be received in our offering boxes. From the names nominated, a final ballot of 21 church members will be voted on in a special called Member Meeting on March 27th in all three worship services. We have been blessed beyond measure with the ministry and leadership of Larry Danks. We will continue to be blessed until his retirement at the end of June. Let us be in prayer for this new search team that will be formed this month as they seek our next Minister of Worship.
 
I am being asked around town about our building progress. Many have told me they have been watching the work being completed. Several have commented that they noticed when the three crosses were secured to the outside wall. These are folks from our community and not church members. We are in a great position to respond to God’s faithfulness in our Faith Family as God has continued to make His assignment known to us. We are truly blessed to be a blessing.
 
In Christ,
 

Read more...

The Kerrville West Small Group

by Clark Elliston
 
The New Testament emphasizes, again and again, the importance of church unity. This emphasis responds to the reality that, while we all long for meaningful connection, we also think we know best. Combine this presumption with busy schedules, tired parents, and assorted vocational and relational pressures and we can’t be too surprised when we view our church lives as something “extra.” Thinking this way places us in the position of perpetually weighing our commitments relative to how they benefit us. Such self-interest, however, serves neither meaningful human connection nor church unity.
 
With this my mindset, we joined our Trinity small group against my better judgment. I was nervous that it would be an unavoidable fixture on our already crowded schedule (it is), that people would expect more from me within it (they do), and that there would be times of awkwardness and vulnerability (there are). Since being wrong is a hallmark of my Christian life, the poor attitude was graciously returned with regular friendship, a concern for dedicated discipleship, and reminders of how deep the gospel penetrates. It has been something deeply life-giving amid activities that are often not. In our case, it has gifted us with relationships which form not only us, but our children as well. They learn what it means to serve Christ in the world from other adults who care for them in ways different than their parents. It has given us a “place” in the world – a space where we live, learn, and love Christ together.
 

I began with unity because small group is where I have learned much about it. We come together weekly with imperfect people to imperfectly discuss the only perfect person. Repentance and forgiveness are both required. We are not always sympathetic to each other and certainly do not always understand one another. But at every turn we recognize in our small group fellow travelers along the Way. For this reason, small group serves as a kind of “refueling station” in the race of faith and we could not be more grateful for it. 

 
 
 

Read more...

Displaying Your Creativity

By Carrie Overby
 
Each of the ministries in our church share the responsibility of filling or decorating the large display window near the gym. The Worship Ministry has taken the months of December, January and February.  This year as Larry and I began to make plans for the window I realized we would not be advertising or doing the January Family Gathering.
 
Reflecting back on our memorable Family Gatherings made me remember that in 2019 we held an Artistic Showcase that revealed some awesome talent at Trinity!  Immediately, I began to imagine our large display window filled with all kinds of photos, crafts, sewing, and poems from our talented folks.  With Larry’s blessing we began to spread the word about bringing in things that were made by hand.
 

Thank goodness some awesome people answered our call… and wonderful items started arriving in my office!  I began to be blown away as I listened to the stories of inspiration behind the beautiful items. A few themes began to emerge from the stories I heard. First of all, I heard people talk about the friendships that have been forged as they learned a new craft but more importantly about their concern for others. Many of the items made are for others in need. It has been inspiring to see our people giving of their time and talents so freely. Finally, most of the items were made as a gift for someone else!  Each one carefully thought out and prayerfully made. This makes me so proud to be a part of the Trinity family.  Please go by and see what God is doing in the lives of His people.

 
 

Read more...

Children’s Ministry

 
What an amazing church we get to serve. I am so grateful for the teachers, workers, ministry teams and lead teams that serve in our Children’s Ministry. We are so blessed to have wonderful adults who spend time investing in the lives of preschoolers, children and their families. I am truly grateful to get to work with such talented, giving and loving men and women.
 
We are growing and will need additional teachers and workers. If you are interested in joining one of our teams, please let me know and we can talk about where our needs are in Children’s Ministry and where you could possibly fit.
 
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 16th at 10am for our “Walk Thru the Easter Story” for Preschool through 5th Grade. This is a great time to invite your friends and neighbors to come enjoy fellowship with other families and for kids to get to experience the Easter Story through hands on activities. No sign up is required, just show up. We’d love to see you!
 
 

Read more...

Bless Every Home

By JD Templeton
 
“We don’t choose what we will do for God; He invites us to join Him where He wants to involve us.” Henry Blackaby
 
“What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.” E.M. Bounds
 
Can God work randomly in his kingdom? Absolutely, but that does not mean he won’t use organization or strategy. Remember Joshua marching around Jericho? Or Gideon paring down his fighting force? Strategy is merely a framework God uses to arrange men and women in his kingdom’s work.
 
The graphics included here represent a prayer strategy Trinity uses to reach our county for Christ. The icons represent current praying households. Bless Every Home provides structure to pray for our neighbors by name. However, without people to pray, that structure is powerless. Will you join us in praying specifically and daily for our neighbors? Will you accept God’s invitation to join him where he is working? Find more details ww.blesseveryhome.com/light/?cust=11778. You can also call JD to discover how to connect with this prayer movement of God.
 
 
 
 

Read more...

Youth Ministry

 
February may be one of my favorite months of ministry at Trinity for one simple reason: Camp VIP Signups open up!
 
Now, that may seem extreme, but allow me a second to explain myself. So much of what happens at Trinity Student Ministry is helping students explore what it means to grow in their relationship with God. One of the best ways to jumpstart faith is to do so in community—through relationships with like minded peers who are also striving to grow closer to God.
 
One of the best things TSM offers to help with that is camp. At camp friendships are formed, relationships are deepened, memories are made, and inside jokes take root. And that’s not even taking into account the incredible worship and intentional time studying God’s word together! Talk about life change!
 
So, why does this make February one of my favorite months? Because now is when we start building excitement and anticipation for what God is going to do in, around, and through us this summer. It helps us find something to look forward to and to spur each other on towards.
 
Last year at camp I saw memories being made, friendships taking shape, and lives being changed and challenged. And I cannot wait for God to do even more this summer!
 
Best of all: if you sign up for camp during our VIP registration period, you get perks! Keep your eyes open for more details on perks as they’re announced this week.
 
 

Read more...

For the Journey – February 2022

“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.” Psalm 103:2-5
 
No matter what time in any year, we should exclaim with David our praise for all the benefits of God. We were blessed in 2021 with the faithfulness of God because we were in the position to receive His blessing. God is always faithful. We anticipate God’s continued faithfulness in 2022, hopefully remaining in the position to receive it. Today is the day to take the first step in faith or the next step in faith.
 
We are moving in a direction of getting ready for what the LORD is sending our way. At Midweek we are looking at the ways Jesus did discipleship. If we take to heart Jesus’ message, method, model and mission, then we too may see discipleship take on a new dimension for us. We hope to see many taking a first step in faith while many more take their next step of discipleship.
 
Every year brings change. Some we long for and others we simply receive. One change that is taking place as you read these words is the transition in the Pastor’s office. Mary Pat Danks has been my ministry assistant for over nine years. She has been such a blessing and will be missed. God blessed me with her assistance and has blessed the church as well, through all she has done to help put Trinity Baptist Church in the best place. By now you should have heard that Larry Danks will be retiring at the end of June. We have been blessed for over 15 years with Larry’s ministry and leadership and there is still much more to say in the months to come. For now, Sue Owens will be taking over as the Pastor’s Ministry Assistant. She and her husband, Tommy, have been members of Trinity Baptist Church for more than four years. She and Tommy have both been very involved and engaged in the ministries and mission of our church. We continue to be blessed by the LORD giving us a good team.
 
Good things are coming. God is faithful. Yes, God has blessed us with an incredible team and will continue to place His team here as we listen to His direction and follow. To God be the glory, great things He has done, is doing, and will do. We are always Blessed to Bless.
 
In Christ,
 
 
 

Read more...

TSM Update – January 2022

 
I love the energy and excitement that comes with a new year. I enjoy routine, but sometimes our routines need a reset. January provides such an opportunity.
 
We had a great 2021, all things considered. Camp was a large focus of what we did, and it allowed us to spring into August with some great momentum. December, however, was a great month as well. We had a blast at Circles Live, then competed in the Christma-Lympics for our TSM Christmas party. Combine that with time together and caroling, and the Christmas season was so much fun.
 
For 2022, I’m looking forward to camp and the opportunities we are going to have there. But that’s not the best part of the year. We have some exciting events and opportunities, beginning with our Circles each Wednesday at 6pm. Circles provide an opportunity for students to navigate the intersection of faith and life. We’ve seen relationships with God and with each other deepen and hope to continue to see more and more students join us.
 
One final word: thank you to all the adults who have stepped up to help this past year. We could not do what we do without awesome people who love God and like teenagers (even just a little). Thanks for all you do!
 
– Wes Henson
 

 


Read more...