Ladies’ night was held Saturday, June 14, complete with a fairy tale ending! Kelli Bishop hosted the event at her home, and the ladies were all told to bring their wedding albums. They poured over pictures, laughed about wedding memories and played wedding bingo, among other wedding-themed games. Kristi Hunter even made a wedding cake, and she led an encouraging devotional on Biblical marriage. The ladies were also so excited to welcome Mrs. Wellum to the Sunday school class. Mrs. Wellum has been serving in the children’s ministry and just recently announced she’d be joining the class on Sunday mornings. Thanks to Kristi, Kelli, Kedra Giddens and Julie Rue for planning such a fun evening.

I’m STILL full from Sunday. Italian food has a way of doing that… and yet we always go back for more! If you were able to make it, you enjoyed all of the pastas, lasagnas, salads, meats, breads and desserts there were to offer! It seems that as our class grows, so does the variety of food!

But more importantly, Wellum’s Couples spent some quality time fellowshipping, laughing together, and investing in each others lives just a little bit more. And it’s all just a small part… a small, but integral part of God’s design for His church. If you’re new to the class, welcome! We do this a few times a year, and we’re looking forward to the next classwide Sunday lunch!

Twas just weeks before Christmas
And all through the house
Every person was stirring
About with their spouse

Each couple provided
Their favorite dishes
And many discovered
Next year’s menu-wishes

The Wellums, as always
Hospitable hosts
To them we all offered
The most thankful of toasts

In weeks, they’ll be flying
On a plane they will be
Piloted by our very
Own Robert P.!

“Dirty Santa” was filthy
(According to Ryan)
The gifts were original
‘Cept returned Benny Hinn!

Surrounded by friends
God’s blessed us beyond sight
Merry Christmas to all
And to all, a good night!

~ Travis the Abraham

[Double Click on slide show or go here for our google photo gallery]

Barbeque, Bocce (pronounced: “botch-ee”) Ball, Babies, and
Boywastheweathernice! (Something else had to start with “B”…) You
could find all of these - and more! - at our Class-wide lunch this
past Sunday.

Outside it was balmy and breezy, with blue skies (yes, more “b”s),
probably in the mid-70s, and we couldn’t have asked for better
weather! Thanks to Rebecca Mathis for pulling it all together! Lunch
was great, and we topped it off with a fun game of Bocce Ball, a game
originating all the way from Italy, introduced to us by Ryan Bishop.
Everyone wanted to play, so it was a good thing the Rues had an extra
set of bocce balls in the trunk of their car!

Enjoy the pictures. Most of them are courtesy of Jenay Willem, who
took over the camera early in the day. Excellent pictures, from a
fresh (or at least shorter) perspective! Stop by the wellumscouples Flickr page for digital copies of photos from the meal

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

John Mark “Grilling Machine” Hutcheson cooks up a mean hamburger. And the best wurst ever. Actually, there was quite an amazing array of food provided by the hosts, their neighbors, and ravenously hungry attendees.

But the best part was the company. Our host and hostess, John Mark and Karen, did an amazing job. It just might be their calling in life. (In retrospect, they must have talked to God about the weather, because it was a sunny, breezy 75* outside.) Not only was the setup comfortable and inviting, allowing for all sorts of good, fun conversation, but the swimming pool was calling our name the whole time.

For those who were able to attend, the fellowship was sweet. There truly is nothing like friendships with fellow believers. Nowhere else can we find such encouragement, blessing, and sincere love for one another.

Like any self-respecting Southern Baptists, we know how to party! Check out the spread! There were sandwiches galore, a killer stew, salads and fruits, and of course, plenty of dessert! If you missed it… well… you missed it!

Not only was the food delicious, but the fellowship time was especially sweet, as you can see in the pictures. Unfortunately, pictures don’t do it justice. The room smelled great (partially due to the simmering stew), and sounds of laughter and animated conversation filled the room, accented by the periodic shrieks of joy by the kiddos running around the room.

For more, click on the pictures (and read the captions)… Better yet, come to the next meal!