Children’s Ministry – November 2023

 
One thought that comes to my mind often, is how incredibly grateful I am for Trinity Baptist Church. The Children’s Team that I have the privilege of serving alongside, is such a joy. The Teachers that share the gospel with kids each week, the Shepherds that support and lead, and the Plan Teams that make our events happen are absolutely terrific and I am so blessed by them every day.
 
My words are not adequate enough to express how wonderful these leaders are to our children, families and me personally. I see these leaders live out Philippians 2:1-2 which says “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”  With one purpose, these amazing leaders pray for, teach, and love kids and parents.
 

If you see one of our Children’s Team, please pray for them and thank them for their dedicated service.

 

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Men’s Bible Study

by Philip Meadow
 
Life is HARD!
 
Everything takes our time:  family (good and bad), everything that owns us.  And, as we get older, we have appointments (mostly doctors’ appointments!). Something is always taking our fleeting time. YET – on Thursday mornings at 10:00am there is peace and calm with learning and fellowship.  Come sit at the feet of Biblical masters, Bill and Dale as they lead us through GOD’s word.
 
Bill Parr was an ordinary, lost, heathen man, with Merchant Marine and Army experience until the LORD called him into the ministry. Once the LORD called, Bill went to seminary and became an ordained minister. Because of this background, Brother Bill can present GOD’s word so that an ordinary man can clearly understand it.  Dale Moreau has a background in the Hebrew text, helping us understand the how, what and why the scriptures were written.  Together, we cover the daily application and a deep understanding of GOD’s word.
 
The men’s Bible Study is open to all men.  We have men from other denominations, men that are engineers, men that own local businesses, men that work at local businesses, lawyers, teachers, salesmen, and a lot of men that are retired.  But, on Thursday mornings we are all ordinary men, learning about GOD’s word, sharing our prayer needs, our stories, our love of GOD’s word, and    always some great cookies and coffee!  GOD’s word says he wants you to join with other believers and grow in knowledge and wisdom so that when you share GOD’s word, you are more confident in your understanding of His word. 
 

So, men, I encourage you to try something easy, and worth the time. Come to the Men’s Bible Study Thursday mornings at 10:00 in The Forge (behind the TBC café), to enjoy the fellowship and be filled with cookies, coffee, and knowledge!


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Adult Ministry – November 2023

 
Do you remember the teachers who would let you take an “Open Book” test? How about grading your spelling test by “passing it across the aisle” for your neighbor to score? Or the dreaded group project; where either you did all the work, or arguments prevented any meaningful accomplishment!? Your last school exam may have been 20-50 years ago, but there are still areas of your life that need evaluation.
 
One part of your life that needs a regular assessment is your Bible study group. Don’t worry, it is an Open Book test! For many, attendance is the only measurement used to gauge group health. Ken Braddy, a discipleship consultant with LifeWay, has complied a new “scorecard” to better quantify the spiritual health of our small group Bible studies.
 
Braddy’s scorecard has four major categories. One: Do group members learn and obey God’s Word? Two: Do they invite people to become disciples? Three: Are they forming deeper relationships? Four: Do they engage in acts of service?
 
This list is not exhaustive, but let me share a few probing queries to flesh out Ken’s questions.
Measurement One: Are apprentice leaders identified and developed; are new groups started?
Measurement Two: Are prayers focused on the lost; do group members initiate gospel conversations?
Measurement Three:  How balanced are connection and content; do newcomers experience biblical hospitality?
Measurement Four: Does our group make a difference in the community; do our group members serve in leadership roles for our group?
 
It requires a courageous change of heart and mind to begin evaluating yourself and your small group Bible Study by more than attendance. Healthy small groups make for a healthy church. Here at Trinity we have a good ministry, let’s press on to make it even better!
 

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Ben & Susie Argil on Mission

Eight years is a long time to pray for someone or something.  But, it was not just words without deeds.  For M’s family, there was hope and a revelation from God.  They began to physically build a place not knowing that it would take years to see a church (people) gathering to worship the All-Powerful God, the great I AM. 
 
No name for this church yet.  But, they have a God-given vision:  to tell the redemptive story of God through His Son Jesus Christ to all the people of their community and beyond.
 
A love donation was given to complete the needed bathrooms.  The plan is for the project to be completed by the time a medical caravan arrives at the end of October.
 
Please pray for these villages and new churches where the medical team will be ministering:  La Quemada, Puerto de   Nieto, Alfa y Omega, Jesus Maria, and El Fraile.  There will be approximately 500 patients receiving much needed medication and services. 
 

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Kerrville’s ’23 & ’24 Eclipse Events

These will be historic events in Kerrville. Two major eclipse events within 177 days of each other. Because of Kerrville’s proximity to I-10 we are expecting our area to be a gathering place for anyone East and West interested in experiencing either event. Since our area is in the crossing paths of the two events anyone interested in that novelty will be attracted to the Kerrville area.
 
We know that these events will put stress on local resources like we have never seen, nor will we ever see again. Estimates start at 50,000 extra people in October and 150,000 extra people in April added to our area. Kerrville’s population in 2023 is 24,292 according to Census.gov.
 
  • Be prepared with at least 5 days’ worth of food, fuel, medicine, etc. at least two days before the events.  Anything you would normally just go get as needed may be unavailable or unreachable for the day or two of the events.
  • Plan to not travel much or at all while roads are crowded. (Trinity will have a normal schedule Sun., October 15th, but will have ONE Service Sun., April 7th.)  Gather with family and friends with the idea they are going to stay until crowds thin out.
  • Don’t look directly at the sun. Use eclipse approved glasses or an indirect method of viewing the eclipse. 
  • Be wise, but prepared to model the friendly nature of Kerrville to Eclipse travelers if called upon. Be excellent toward each other.
 
 

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For the Journey – October 2023

We believe in God the Father, we believe in Jesus Christ, we believe in the Holy Spirit and He’s given us new life. We believe in the crucifixion, we believe that He conquered death, we believe in the resurrection, and He’s coming back again, we believe. These are the words to the chorus of the song, We Believe, by Matthew Hopper, Richie Fike, and Travis Ryan. Those words have been a part of our singing vocabulary for many years and hopefully a part of our spoken vocabulary as well.
 
What we believe is important because it not only describes who we are but what we do. It is important that we pass along our truth statements to our families. Our children will be more likely to make them their truth statements when they see our words and actions working together.
 
I am excited about our “We Believe” series. It is both affirming and encouraging to know we are moving in the same directions as a faith family. It has been a blessing to see students and adults coming to follow Jesus in biblical  believers baptism. We are still scheduling others. God has been faithful to bring fruit when we are faithful to tell His story.
 
At Midweek this month, we will be encoring our marriages through a time we have entitled, “Loving on Marriages.” On October 18th, 25th and November 1st and 8th, we will be gathering to celebrate God’s gift of marriage and consider next steps of faithfulness and blessing. I am a firm believer that as goes marriages, so goes the families; as goes the family, so goes the community; as goes the communities, so goes the country.
 
I want to thank Mike Mullens for helping to put together our most recent time of praying during the Jewish festivals for the Jewish people to come to recognize Jesus as Messiah. May we continue to pray for Israel, the Jewish people and the world as often as they come to mind. It has been an added blessing to pray for the Jewish people during the days of their fall festival days. I know for a fact that those who attended Midweek were blessed as we studied and learned together.
 
Great things are happening at Trinity Baptist Church! My prayer is that we continue to think outside the box and minister outside the walls of the church. Our city needs to hear about Jesus and the relationship that He provides. The foundation of everything we do that matters hinges upon declaring Jesus is LORD. Let’s continue to join our voices and our paths as we declare God’s good news to those around us.
 
In Christ,

Pastor John


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Marriage Ministry – October 2023

by Lauren Kurz
 
Hello from Marriage Ministry! We are excited to have kicked off our fall “Love Like You Mean It” Class. We would like to invite you to come join us on Sunday nights to dig deeper with your spouse to develop a relationship built on what the bible defines love to be! Bob Lepine helps us dive into how God describes and displays true love; the love your soul craves, and the love God has designed for your marriage. Our first challenge was to find one small way to show your spouse patience this week. Join us as we work together as couples to serve the Lord with our marriages.
 
The marriage ministry is excited to be taking a group to San Antonio for the “Weekend to Remember”! This event will take place on November 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. You can register on the Family Life Weekend to Remember website. You can choose to stay at the resort, local hotel or  commute back to Kerrville. This weekend is packed with phenomenal speakers and various materials to help grow your marriage! We love how this weekend is made for every walk of marriage; whether you are engaged, newlywed, growing through different stages with children, blending families, empty nesters reconnecting with your spouse or seasoned marriages looking at what it means to leave a legacy with your family – there is something for every stage. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kaleb and Lauren Kurz.
 

We look forward to finishing the “Love Like You Mean It” class in the spring session of Trinity U. Keep an eye out for upcoming information on the 2024 Marriage retreat! 


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Men’s Ministry – October 2023

by Mark Clemons
 
Jeff Stone has been very busy helping bring awareness and information about the upcoming solar eclipses to the citizens of Kerrville and the surrounding area.  That includes about 20 briefings, ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour, for groups including HOAs, civic and professional organizations, as well as other groups. There are also more planned between now and the April 8, 2024 total eclipse. If you missed his presentations at Trinity, take him out for a cup of coffee to discover more on this natural wonder from God!
 
David Clarke organized the Car Show at TBC on September 9th. Around 20 cars came and went throughout the morning. Those who attended enjoyed themselves. 
 
Jerry Gale and others have helped build 6 ramps in conjunction with the Texas Ramp  Project in the Kerrville area over the past few months.
 
Men’s Bible study has continued with Bill Parr being the primary teacher and Rick Boles as the coordinator.
 
Mark Clemons attended the Men’s & RA Retreat at Camp Menard on September 1st and 2nd. He was able to offer Tomahawk throwing and prepare cobblers for the 180 plus that attended.
 
Many men were able to participate in the children’s camp at Alto Frio in July, helping with Bible Studies, dutch oven cooking, fishing and other activities. Thank you, Kellee Parish, for letting us join you in touching the lives of the children.
 
Plans for 2024 are being prayed about and we would love for more men to be involved. Please consider joining others as we seek the  Father’s will in regard to the Men’s Ministry at TBC.

 


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Roots Class – October 2023

by Jessi Kearns
 
At 11:00am on Sunday Mornings you can find a lively group of Trinity members & regular attenders joining together for Roots in Room 219. Roots is a Sunday School class open to adults, in all walks of life, dedicated to studying scripture in a thoughtful, in depth, way that will enhance your understanding of scripture as a whole. Studies are led by Clark Elliston and most often work through a book of the Bible from start to finish. Having just completed a  summer study of the book of Judges, the class is now diving into the wondrous work of Revelation. Clark’s approach to teaching Revelation will focus on major themes in the text and their importance for us today.
 
If you are longing for a place to have open discussion, ask questions in a safe & judgement–free environment, and experience scripture in a new way, Roots might just be the next right step for you. In addition to studying scripture, time is dedicated each week to sharing & praying for the needs of the class. Stop on by this Sunday and join a community of   believers devoted to meeting together for teaching, fellowship and prayer.

 


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