Another school year has begun, and for the Wellum’s Couples class, it kicked off with a bang. “Monkeybar Golf” and “Four on the Couch” were a hit; so was the abundance of food. True to form, the class had a great time of fellowship with new faces mingling in with those who have been around a while. Take a moment to enjoy the pictures! (If you have any of your own to submit, email them to travisabraham@gmail.com.)

Come join our class on Saturday August 25 at 7:00pm at the Bishop’s home for our fall kick-off. If you are a veteran member, this will be a time to reconnect after a quick summer. If you are recent visitor and are considering membership in our class, this will be a time to experience the fellowship we enjoy.

We will be enjoying finger foods, games and fellowship as we regroup after the summer, get to know new members and prepare for the fall season. Bring your group games, your lawn chair, your monkey bar golf attitude and get ready to have a good time.

Click here for directions and a list of who’s bringing what. Read more

At the start of July, Ryan shared with us of his experience coaching Upward Soccer. This Sunday Pastor Cook shared that the enrollment for Upward Soccer is significantly higher this year than any year in the past. It is apparent that God is using this ministry for his glory.

Of course, with this increase in enrollment on the part of families from our community comes our responsibility and privilege to meet this opportunity with enthusiasm. We have until the start of September to fill thirteen more coaching slots.

Qualifications:
Physical qualifications are minimal: recognition of the difference between feet and ball, and the purpose of each.

Time Commitment:
Time requirements include one hour of practice on a weeknight of your choosing and approximately one hour on Saturdays between the hours of 10:00 and 2:30. Practice sessions will begin the first of September and Saturday games will begin the middle of September. The league concludes the first of November. This is an excellent opportunity to interact with the community, show the church’s love, and perhaps share the gospel of Jesus.

How To Get Involved:
Please contact Blake Ring (bring[at]ninthandobaptist[dot]org) to sign up. For those interested, there is a non-mandatory training session this Saturday, August 11th, at the church.

-Danny Willems

Class, It was a pleasure to serve the soldiers with you last week. This Saturday, August 3rd (Tomorrow!) is another opportunity to minister the gospel to the soldiers. This time the program will be held at St. Matthews Baptist (3515 Grandview Ave.). Arrive by 7pm to counsel and for more information contact Keith at oa_keith@hotmail.com.

In case you weren’t able to join us, Wade has written a helpful summary of the evening. This will give you a sense of what to expect should you participate in the future…

Many of you have heard about Operation Appreciation, the ministry to the soldiers of Fort Knox. Our friend, Keith leads the ministry. Maybe you have considered volunteering on a Saturday night, but you are not sure what to expect. Honestly, when Rebecca and I first decided to volunteer, I was a little nervous about counseling soldiers. I did not know what to expect myself. I had a great time though, and I enjoyed sharing the gospel with the soldiers.

Based on my experience, I offer the following summary of what you might expect at Operation Appreciation. After arriving at the church, you will meet Keith and the other volunteers and you will receive some simple instructions about the plans for the program. When the soldiers arrive a little later, the fun begins. Keith opens things with a humorous time of entertainment to relax the soldiers. After the program that lasts about an hour, the group will move to the sanctuary for a time of worship. During the service, a civilian will share their testimony, and the soldiers will have an opportunity to share words of testimony with their ‘battle buddies’. Keith will close the service with the gospel message and an opportunity to respond. The soldiers who respond will go into a room with a man who will pray with them, and the rest of the soldiers will go back to the gym for fellowship and refreshments.

The man who prays with the soldiers will divide them into three groups for individual counsel. The first group is those who want to trust Jesus Christ and follow Him as their Lord and Savior. The second group is those who have already accepted the gospel, yet feel a need to recommit themselves to Christ. The third group is those who would like to talk with someone about things that are burdening them. If you counsel, you will probably find an opportunity to share the gospel with soldiers no matter which group they place themselves in. I have found that soldiers are eager to talk as well as listen. After praying with the soldier you are counseling, Keith has a simple form that he needs you to fill out so that he can report decisions accurately for the ministry. Afterward, you and the soldier can join the others in the gym. As you talk with other soldiers in the gym, you will probably find opportunities to share the gospel. Also, Keith has a great book table set up where soldiers can get quality Christian literature.

So, at an Operation Appreciation event you can expect to find many ways to help and to share the gospel. If you have considered helping Keith out on a Saturday night, I hope that you will. It is a lot of fun, and it is a great way to minister to our soldiers. If you would like a friend to join you, give us a call. We would be glad to go.

Wade Mathis