LIFE@TRINITY
Life at Trinity is given order through three words: Worship, Connect, and Serve. God has gifted each of us differently and equipped us with different passions and preferences. With the choices at Trinity we ask that you seek to Worship with the church, Connect with a small group, and Serve in a way God has gifted you once a week. To help make that simpler we place the things we do under the word that best fits that group or activity. Start by choosing one thing from each area.
01
Sep '24
The Time of Your Life
01
Sep '24
Sometimes I feel like there are little monsters all around me, clamoring for my attention! They are like children on a candy aisle; instead of chocolate bars they are reaching for my calendar.
Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you to consider these upcoming events to help with your ‘yes and no’ choices. They are not calendar or efficiency training classes. Rather, I believe you will be able to better set some life priorities after these events.
October 18-19 is our on-campus men’s conference…Rock Solid Men. Jerry Canupp is the Southwest Regional Director for Man in the
Mirror. The Friday night and Saturday morning sessions will help us as dads, grandfathers, husbands and brothers, as we seek to develop Christ’s character deep in our souls.
Mirror. The Friday night and Saturday morning sessions will help us as dads, grandfathers, husbands and brothers, as we seek to develop Christ’s character deep in our souls.
On January 31-February 2, our ladies will host Dr. Katie Frugé, Director of Texas Baptists’ Center for Cultural Engagement. She will guide moms, wives, sisters, and grandmothers in the believer’s quest to be salt and light within our communities and homes.
I am excited for both our Women and Men’s Ministries as we prepare to host these two discipleship events. How can we grow as image-bearers of the Creator? Yes, the time will require some level of sacrifice! It will be worth it.
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01
Sep '24
Student Ministry – September 2024
01
Sep '24
Small Groups. Bible Study Groups. Sunday School. Circles. Different names and different expressions of each, but the same goals – to be known, to study scripture, and to live out our faith. Our goal is for kids to find community and accountability as they study God’s word together in a Circle of their peers, led by awesome adults.
As we get ready to launch this season of Circles, I’m excited to hear about how our students are being challenged to live out their faith, to grow in their relationships with God, and to connect with each other. One of the secret strengths of our ministry is the sheer number of schools represented each week. We have students from Kerrville ISD, Harper ISD, Ingram ISD, Bandera ISD, Fredericksburg ISD, Homeschool, and Private School. It’s quite remarkable that we have so many campuses represented! But even better, we have incredible kids who are getting to know other incredible kids who may or may not attend their same school. But as we all know, there’s value in community as we seek to grow.
Will you join me in praying for Circles this Fall? Pray for outsiders to be welcomed openly. Pray for leaders to guide and teach with wisdom. Pray for students to be open to connecting with each other. And pray for faith to grow.
Thank You, Trinity Family, for all of your support and encouragement along the way. We are blessed beyond measure to be part of such an incredible church family.
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01
Sep '24
Meet Trinity Missionaries Ben & Susie Argil, Mexico
01
Sep '24
by Bob Davis, TBC Missions Committee
TBC supports five missionary families financially. Among these are Ben and Suzie Argil (pronounced Ar-heel) who serve in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Not only are they involved in church planting, but they serve as an area resource to pastors and their wives of other Christ-centered churches in the area.
Several of us have had the opportunity to visit their Brilla Life Center—as their modest three-story headquarters building is called—but also to see them in action visiting new believers in the tiny ranchos scattered about the hinterlands around San Miquel.
Whether giving guitar lessons, teaching English, heading youth soccer competitions, counseling young women tempted to have abortions, providing leadership training, or encouraging struggling pastors, they go about their work tirelessly and cheerfully.
Some of those who have come to faith through their work include former drug and alcohol addicts, at least one cartel member, and scores of ordinary folks whose religious practices fall short of a biblical understanding of grace from God through faith in Jesus.
What strikes me as unique about their ministry is their service of encouragement to a dozen or so pastors and their wives (pastor wives are critical as their husbands often work full time jobs in addition to their church responsibilities).
Pastor John is planning a second annual visit, accompanied by other pastors from our Hill Country Baptist Association (some who are themselves bi-vocational), to pray and fellowship with the Mexican pastors.
Over the last few years, three others–a couple from Kerrville and a single woman from South Carolina—have joined the Argils to work beside them in their ever-expanding ministry.
You will be blessed to be a part of the prayer ministry for the Argils. The best way to keep abreast of their specific prayer requests and praises is going to www.benandsusie.org and sign up for updates and newsletters.
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01
Sep '24
First Blessing 2024
01
Sep '24
by Dianne Clemons
Connect—Does that sound familiar? Our mission at Trinity is to worship, connect and serve. The First Blessing shoe ministry in September demonstrates each of these actions. As the various teams join together to serve our community with beautiful new pairs of shoes, we connect with families outside of our church and give them the opportunity to join us in the worship of our Lord. Although you would think the Blessing in this ministry is received by those receiving the shoes, those who have joined together to worship our King receive the greatest Blessing.
Trinity has over 150 volunteers that serve for First Blessing. We will be serving the kids in Kerrville, Ingram, Harper, Medina, Comfort, and Centerpoint on Saturday, September 21st from 7:30-Noon. Contact Bianca or Kellee in the church office if you would like to join the team.
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01
Sep '24
Eagle’s Wings Home Group – September 2024
01
Sep '24
by Jeff Stone
The Eagle’s Wings small group meets on a weekly schedule during “the school year”. The regular hosts are Missy and Chuck Coulter who graciously open their home on Monday nights from 6 pm until we finish our discussions, usually around 8 pm. In the summer, we meet monthly for informal fellowship at other member’s homes.
During the regular season, we rotate dish “assignments” to help spread the work and cost of our meals. Fortunately, Chuck’s amazing culinary skills are often featured for the entrée! We always begin with an acknowledgement of our Savior Jesus and prayer to open our ears and hearts for His message during our fellowship. We close with a prayer for needs and concerns, along with praises to recognize God’s work in ours and our family’s lives.
It is encouraging to share our daily happenings and hear the latest from the group while enjoying the always yummy meals. It’s also interesting that the ladies gather in the kitchen, and the guys are usually outside in the newly completed patio area. This is not by design, but has evolved over the course of the group and just seems to work. Missy and Chuck are wonderful hosts and Chuck settles us down for the “lesson” around 7.
We select a video study from the vast RightNow media vault to watch, then proceed through the guided discussion with written materials. The topics are wide ranging and always seem to spark engaging discussions of how they apply to our daily walks both as church body members and individuals. Everyone in the group is involved in various church ministries, and we support each other in outside discipleship as well.
We select a video study from the vast RightNow media vault to watch, then proceed through the guided discussion with written materials. The topics are wide ranging and always seem to spark engaging discussions of how they apply to our daily walks both as church body members and individuals. Everyone in the group is involved in various church ministries, and we support each other in outside discipleship as well.
Our group size seems to promote a more relaxed atmosphere for sharing personal stories and details that might be more guarded in a larger group. We often help each other with projects and other needs, even if it’s just advice on grocery shopping, which is a popular topic!
Our servant hearts are also visible outside of Trinity: Mercy Gate Ministries, Texas Ramp Project, underprivileged elder care and others help spread the Good News. Our lives and those of others are certainly blessed by the Eagle’s Wings, and we would love to share this blessing any way we can.
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01
Sep '24
Men’s Ministry – September 2024
01
Sep '24
The Men’s Ministry has a mission: to do our best to reach the men of our church to become better examples of what it means to be a Godly man. We began in February with a strong turnout of men eager to serve their brothers in Christ and our Church. We knew that the road ahead was fairly uncharted as we set goals to host more men-oriented events to include their families. We used the Men’s Breakfasts to fellowship, share ideas, and plan those upcoming events. Though we have had some hurdles in the competition for space in people’s lives, we are determined to keep going in hopes others can make future events. Mark Clemons spoke on how we can be strong men in Christ and shared his experience on being a Missionary.
Our first small event in April was a Cowboy Camp Cookout. We had a great outdoor cooked meal and received some great men’s medical advice from Dr. David Sprouse. It will definitely be repeated for 2025!
Our August fishing event was a great scouting opportunity for a much larger event in the future. We didn’t walk away with any keepers, but we hope to find just the right bait for next time. The fellowship was the best catch of that day. David Clarke
In the last year, I have enjoyed being a part of Trinity’s “moMENtum” Men’s Ministry. About a year ago, my son Ben and I were invited to a men’s breakfast at a local church; we attended and were inspired to start our own Trinity version. Our times of fellowship have been encouraging, and we hope that next year our men’s group will become even stronger. I am glad to have opportunities for my son to be around other spiritual men. Coming together as men of faith will make us stronger in the Lord. We are looking for some men to become ambassadors for moMENtum, inviting other men to participate and be a part in planning future events. This will strengthen our men’s ministry.
On October 18 & 19, we will have a men’s retreat, Rock Solid Men. Jerry Canupp of Man in the Mirror Ministries is our guest speaker. All ages are welcome!
Come join us! Josh Watkins
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01
Sep '24
For the Journey – September 2024
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Sep '24
“As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did a number of prominent Greek women and prominent Greek men.” Acts 17:10-12
I have always been grateful when I read about the church in Berea because they received the word but also examined the Scriptures to be certain what was said was true. I am grateful that the Baptists I know look to Scripture for God’s truth. We stand on the authority of God’s Word and claim it as our sole source of authority for life and practice. It is no different today.
We had a healthy discussion from our healthy church on August 26th regarding a healthy question pertaining to women having the opportunity to serve as servant leaders or deacons at Trinity Baptist Church. There were questions, answers, and comments. Our New Deacon Selection Task Force brought their recommendation to Trinity and allowed for our church members to share their support and concerns, as well as ask questions. The Task Force recommendation is that our church bylaws be changed to allow women to serve as deacons.
I have had the privilege of meeting with our staff and other church members since our meeting and the majority of the responses I have heard are regarding how we can have differing opinions and still choose to love each other in the process. I love our church. We need everybody. As a church we have been asked to pray for our Task Force since they formed in February 2024. For those who have been praying, thank you. For those who will now begin to pray, thank you. Prayer will lead us forward, especially as we allow the Scripture to be our authority in life and practice. We cannot go wrong.
“Why are we doing this?” is a question I heard several times at our church discussion. In any Baptist church there are a plethora of opinions. At Trinity, we are no different. As a faith family, we stress, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love.” These words have been known to the church since St. Augustine in 400 A.D. They have been applied across many directions for Trinity Baptist Church from her beginning.
As a Christian, I would define an epiphany as a divine moment from God where a clear revelation or direction is given. I cannot say that I have had numerous epiphanies, but I can tell you about some. One was the Tuesday after our church discussion on Monday. In visiting with church members, God spoke to my spirit and told me … “This is not about women serving as deacons at Trinity Baptist Church. This is about Trinity Baptist Church having the opportunity to show others that you love each other.” You may have had epiphanies as well that tell you personal things from God that may not line up with mine. What will we do? We will choose to love one another for that is what tells the world we are truly following Jesus.
Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
I love you, Trinity.
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01
Aug '24
For the Journey – August 2024
01
Aug '24
Thank you, Trinity Baptist Church, for your faithfulness to seek the LORD and His purposes for our Faith Family. Melinda and I have been richly blessed through all the churches we have been privileged to serve and count the last twelve years here as a joy to walk alongside you. We have made it a point to listen to God and be true to His Word, which we find so many others in our journey doing the same. We anticipate God’s continued direction and favor as we begin year thirteen and beyond. It is an honor to serve you as your pastor.
As we finish summer break, and begin to prepare for the start of school, we do so with continued faithfulness in mind. This month, we will have the privilege of hearing from our New Deacon Selection Task Force. We have been praying for them by name since they were formed in early 2024. With the need for additional deacons, the question was asked should we allow for women to be nominated to serve as deacons at Trinity Baptist Church.
Our deacons took a long look at this possibility most of 2023. We had several deacon discussion groups where deacons came and heard from each other and looked at scripture. In November of 2023, your deacons voted to send this question to the Church Council. In January, they put together a task force and gave them the responsibility of researching the possibility of allowing for women to be nominated as deacons and also to carry out our new deacon selections which we hope will take place this fall.
I, like many of you, consider Trinity Baptist Church to be a very healthy church that can handle a very healthy question. This is not new to Trinity. In 2003, Trinity put together a task force to consider the very same question. The church voted in the positive, but not enough to change the bylaws. Trinity has been on the front edge of ministry for almost 75 years. Nothing changes our mission together. This month we will hear from another task force given much of the same responsibility. They have been meeting since February and are now ready to share with the church what they have discovered as a group.
There are two church discussion times planned. The first will be Monday. August 26th at 5:30 pm and the second will be, Sunday, September 8th at 4:00 pm. Both will be held in the Worship Center. In preparation for these discussion times, the task force has asked that two papers be available for the church to read. They will be available on our website and hard copies will also be available in the office. The papers are from Dr. Jim Denison, “Should Women Serve as Deacons? Seeking the Word and Will of God,” and Dr. Todd Still, “Women in Ministry: Biblical, Theological & Practical Reflections.”
Our decisions are not based upon papers, but upon the Word of God. Both of these papers take the Bible and give great explanation. Please take advantage of these opportunities of preparation as we travel these days together. I love that our church will be the one to determine the outcome. That is one of the beautiful things about being a Baptist.
We have a great group of men who serve TBC as deacons. Many of their wives serve alongside them as needed. With the age of our deacons rising, they have expressed a need for additional deacons. We have many who serve TBC without a title. God puts the body together as He chooses. How will we do our part at TBC for future years to come? This is not a question of salvation but of how we will organize to serve the LORD and one another. This is a healthy question for a healthy church. Let’s keep reading and praying together.
In Christ,
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01
Jul '24
Children’s Day Out – July 2024
01
Jul '24
by Beth Ann Brown
We wrapped up another successful year of Children’s Day Out at Trinity. It is always a time of mixed emotions: sadness, exhaustion, joy, anticipation, and relief. Most of the children will be returning next year but we said goodbye to some families that have been with CDO for many years through many children. It is so incredibly rewarding to watch these children grow and change throughout the year.
We also said goodbye to some coworkers moving on to homeschool their children or because they took a full-time job. They will be greatly missed. Our CDO staff is a close one. We pray for each other and care about each other like a family.
As we look toward the next CDO year, we are looking for some teachers and substitutes to join us in this ministry. Trinity CDO is a great place to be. We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30-2:30 August through May. If you would like to be a part of a great group of ladies working with wonderful children and families, contact the church office.
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01
Jul '24
Friendship Class – July 2024
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Jul '24
by Melinda Cox
Our Bible Study Class meets in room 221 at 9:45 AM. Recently, the Friendship Class has conducted sermon-based lessons, doing an in-depth analysis of the sermon preached the week before at Trinity Baptist Church. But, beginning in June, our class shifted gears and began a unit of study on the topic of eschatology, entitled “The End is Near—or Is It?” This will lead into a series of lessons on the topic of Heaven beginning sometime in July.
Our Bible study follows the method known as “Con-Con-App,” or Content, Context, and Application. With this method of study, the class begins with an in-depth analysis of the actual Biblical text (often with emphasis placed upon key words from the original languages—Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic). Then, the Biblical passage being studied is placed within its original historical and cultural context. Only after completing these steps, do we apply the Biblical passage to our current life situation (you can’t properly apply the Bible to the present without first understanding what the text actually says and what it meant to its original audience).
Prayer is another very important aspect of our class. Prayer requests are received from class members, prayed over during class time and subsequently also sent out via email to class members and certain TBC staff members for prayer reminders during the week. If an emergency situation happens during the week and the class needs to be notified, another prayer request will go out to this group so that these needs will be lifted up to the Lord as soon as possible.
Acts 2:42 states that the early Christians “continuously devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.” Koinonia, or fellowship, is an important part of the Christian life. Whenever we gather together as a group, we are imitating the early church. Fellowships for our group include lunch at the TBC Café after church services or at a class member’s home.
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01
Jul '24
TBC Missions Committee
01
Jul '24
by Suzii March
Can you serve missions and never leave home?
Seated at a simple table on Jackson Street, the Trinity Missions Committee is helping TBCK to be the sending hands of Jesus Christ.
This committee is guided by scripture. Following the mandate of the great commission “Go ye therefore into all the world,” and seeking, like Acts 1, “ to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea , Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” we have supported missions as a coordinating hub to:
- Review applications for long-term missionary families who want to stay in the TBCK Missions house. The house is booked two years out & people will come from three countries this year.
- Explore refurbishing another mission house to be ready in 2025. People are already asking for 2026.
- Review applications and allocate funds for TBCK members to serve on short-term missions in the U.S. and other countries. This year members served in the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Thailand and Mexico.
- Support TBCK staff as a critical part of worldwide church leadership. Pastors and missionaries taught and mentored in Africa and Mexico.
- Contact and support mission families who serve in partnership with TBCK on 3 continents—Central America, Africa, Asia.
- Cooperate with mission agencies to explore possible mission service sites—groups among our Texas Baptist family and also in Nashville, Chicago, and Atlanta.
- Pray for and communicate with missionaries serving short-term and long-term.
- Plan and supervise the collection of 5 very important mission offerings throughout the year—Hunger, Christmas, Easter, Short-Term & Long-Term offerings.
Guided by Clint Brown and the TBCK staff, the Missions Committee coordinates historic mission partnerships like Dominican Republic and also explores new emerging mission needs.
Serving in a sinful and treacherous world is complicated. We strive to serve effectively, compassionately, and safely – but it is not easy. We need discernment and prayer from thoughtful TBCK disciples with caring hearts . We extend our appreciation to our Godly TBCK staff and to all using their time, talents and relationships. We offer our praise to God, with the added prayer “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” through our missions.
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01
Jul '24
For the Journey – July 2024
01
Jul '24
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine on us –– so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among the nations. May the peoples praise You, God; may all the peoples praise You.” Psalm 67:1-3
If you reread the printed verses, you will find that the psalmist begins talking about God only to switch audiences and speak directly to God. This happens several times throughout the psalms. We are a blessed people at Trinity Baptist Church. God is the one who blesses for sure. Though there are many things ahead of us, we are grateful for the faithful things behind us and blessed with the present direction God is placing before us.
The summer ministry opportunities are in full swing. Once again, we have completed, with help from incredible church volunteers, our Vacation Bible School and Mini-Kids Camp. Our children and students are gearing up for camps in July while making the most of each week’s gatherings to learn more and grow in community. Our prayers remain constant regarding the issues around the world. We are traveling our summer pilgrimage through a reaffirmation of choices or making choices regarding our devotion and direction. God has a purpose. God makes it known to us. God’s purposes are really the best purposes. I am thrilled when I see us staying in the middle of God’s choices.
Please continue to pray for our New Deacon Selection Task Force. They have continued to meet and research the direction for Trinity Baptist regarding the need for new deacons. One of the discussions before us this summer will be the role of women serving as deacons at Trinity Baptist Church. Let us continue to lift up Dr. David Sprouse, Scott Barns, Diane Donaldson, Suzii March, Pennie Olivo, Dan Petty and Vern Stahl.
Remember that we will only have one service on July 7th. We will start with a worship service at 9:00 a.m. and then have Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. There will be a place for every Bible Study class to meet because a couple of classes have agreed to go to a new space for one Sunday. Thank you for all you do to help us do what we do. We are looking forward to our Family Gathering and Member Meeting this month. It will be our annual ice cream Sunday and game time.
Melinda and I are blessed to get to serve Trinity Baptist church. This month marks our twelfth anniversary. I anticipate year thirteen and the future years to come. Thanks for loving us and our family so well.
In Christ,
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