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G AT H E RWo m e n ’s M i n i s t r y

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CONTENTS

G R OWT h e M e s s i a h G u i d e

8MINISTRY STAFFC H I P S T E V E N S S E N I O R PA S TO R | cstevens@fbcstarkville.com

C L I F TO N C U R T I SA S S O C . PA S TO R O F PA S TO R A L C A R E & FAC I L I T Y A D M I N .

ccurtis@fbcstarkville.com

TO M J E N K I N S A S S O C . PA S TO R O F M U S I C & M E D I A | tjenkins@fbcstarkville.com

J A S O N D U R A N A S S O C . PA S TO R O F FA M I LY M I N I S T R Y & D I S C I P L E S H I P

jduran@fbcstarkville.com

N AT H A N TAY LO R U N I V E R S I T Y & M I S S I O N S M I N I S T E R | ntaylor@fbcstarkville.com

N E I L T U L LO S YO U T H M I N I S T E R | ntullos@fbcstarkville.com

L E A H F R A N C E S E ATO N DIRECTOR OF CHILDRENS MINISTRY | lfeaton@fbcstarkville.com

C H A R I T Y G WA LT N E Y DIRECTOR OF PRESCHOOL MINISTRY | cgwaltney@fbcstarkville.com

B O B BY D ’A L E S S A N D R O DIRECTOR OF MEDIA & TECHNICAL ARTS MINISTRY

bobbyd@fbcstarkville.com

4 First Word from Nathan Taylor

FEATURES5 MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: Policeman Banquet

14 GATHER: Women's Ministry

16 GIVE: Friendship Luncheon

18 Spotlight: Mark Young

OUR CHURCH FAMILY20 Parents Page/Upcoming Events

21 Calendar

16

4 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | I s s u e 1 2

or the past three semesters, Heather Ford has served as the University Ministry intern. She has a seemingly unending desire to serve the needs around her, loves everyone she meets,

and seeks to point people to Jesus. All of this is done with a big smile on her face!

Change is on the horizon for her. She is graduating this month with a degree in chemistry and getting married to Jedd Moak on January 2. They will be living on the Mississippi gulf coast. I am excited for both of them as they begin this new season of life.

I am so thankful for Heather’s hard work in investing in younger ladies, acquiring volunteers, setting up, taking down, working behind the scenes to make events and activities go smoothly, and so much more. You are loved and appreciated by the Taylor’s and the First Baptist Family!

Take a few moments to read this month’s edition of Redefined and get a divine perspective on God’s work in and through the members of First Baptist Church.

FIRST WORD

FROM NATHAN TAYLOR

Jedd Moak & Heather Ford

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 5

S TA R KV I L L E P O L I C E D E PA R T M E N T

C H R I S T M A S PA R T YB Y N AT H A N TAY LO R

hat would we do without the law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and others that serve our community every day? We are thankful for all of our civil servants in Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

One group that we have had the opportunity to serve for the past few years is the Starkville Police Department. Four years ago, an officer contacted the FBC staff to inquire about the possibility of the people of FBC assisting with the department’s Christmas party. In the previous year, she had struggled to make the event happen with limited help and knew that she wanted to make it better that year. The First Baptist family was more than willing to help, and we have continued to be a part of this event since that time.

Each year, our hope is to be a blessing to these special members of our community. You have the opportunity to join in the special effort this month! There are many ways to be a part of blessing employees of the Starkville Police Department. Would you consider serving, greeting, decorating, or cleaning up? This is a fun opportunity to bless a wonderful group of people. If interested and available, please contact Nathan Taylor, ntaylor@fbcstarkville.com.

This event is in the Warehouse Outreach Center on the evening of December 17. Other opportunities to bless the employees of the Starkville Police Department:

• Write an encouraging note to individuals at the SPD.• Thank SPD officers for their service to our community when you encounter them in

public.• Take some homemade goodies by the SPD office.• Coordinate with your Community Group to provide a meal for the SPD.

Photos Russ Houston

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GATHERF B C S TA R KV I L L E

The Women’s Min istry

is host ing the

Start Fresh with Grace 2016

conference at the

North Miss iss ippi Chr ist ian

Camp in Grenada, MS,

on January 22-23.

B Y C O U R T N E Y D U E I T T

WOMEN'S MINISTRY

eing a woman is truly a gift from God that comes with its own unique set of skills and gifts. One of the greatest abilities that God has bestowed upon womankind is the gift of

nurturing and caring for those around us. This typically manifests itself in caring for those closest to us like our husbands and our children, but it also extends to caring for our friends and our communities, as well. With all of these responsibilities and roles that we take on – like maid, cook, chauffeur, cheerleader, etc. – there is usually little time left to focus on ourselves, and if you’re anything like me, you often feel guilty when you take a day or even an hour off because it means that someone you love isn’t being immediately tended to. However, to be the women that God calls us to be, we must also find time to nurture ourselves and our relationship with Him, and the Women’s Ministry at FBC Starkville seeks to offer all women the opportunity to do just that.

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 7

Our Women’s Ministry focuses on the same principles as our church – Gathering, Growing, Giving, and Going – as it attempts to bring women together as a means of strengthening their relationships with each other and as a way of helping them find time to focus on what God wants to do in and through their lives. Linda Sanders, one of the co-chairs of the Women’s Ministry, said that, in the past, this ministry has sponsored many events meant to focus on outreach. These events ranged from large-scale conferences featuring well-known speakers to smaller gatherings hosted at the Warehouse Outreach Center. While these events were successful, the women’s committee decided to change its format a bit this year “to focus on smaller, more intimate gatherings” with a goal of “building up and encouraging our ladies of First Baptist.” These events were called “Ladies’ Night Out,” and two were held this calendar year. These gatherings took place in the homes of ladies from the church who welcomed a small group of women into a time of fellowship and worship. Everyone who signed up was randomly assigned to a host home, and each woman

partook in a meal and a time of sharing with other women of varying ages and experiences as a means of meeting new people and making new friends. These events also featured a video from the series The If Gathering, which features stories of women who asked the question, “What if…?” and in doing so, found incredible ways to serve the Lord. These events were a tremendous success; in fact, one attendee even said that it was “the most meaningful event” of this type that she had ever attended! If you missed out on these two wonderful nights of community, don’t worry because more are in the works for next year!

The next big opportunity for the women of FBC is coming in January 2016 – the perfect time for all of us to recuperate and be rejuvenated from the holiday rush. The Women’s Ministry is hosting the “Start Fresh with Grace 2016” conference at the North Mississippi Christian Camp in Grenada, MS, on January 22-23. The featured speaker will be Jessica Thompson, author of Everyday Grace, and there will also be live worship music. The conference will begin on Friday night with dinner followed by a session with Jessica, and it will continue on Saturday with breakfast, a second session with Jessica, and lunch. This will be a unique and fun overnight experience for all of the women of FBC Starkville. The cost is only $50.00 and registration begins December 6, 2015, so make plans to attend. This could also be a great gift idea for Christmas – treat yourself or a friend to a weekend of rest and rejuvenation, or better yet, get your husband to treat you to this exciting time of growing and worshiping!

Being a woman can be really stressful, and it comes with a unique set of challenges and a long list of responsibilities, but God has a plan and purpose for our lives that extends beyond the everyday chores, and we have to make time to hear from Him to discover what that plan is. We also have to make time to rest and to be served, and the Women’s Ministry at FBC Starkville does an amazing job at providing us those opportunities. I hope that you will make yourself a priority as we go into 2016 by signing up to participate in these events with other women who will understand you and love you and encourage you along this journey.

COURTNEY DUEITT is an instructor in the English Department at MSU and a newlywed who is happy to have found a wonderful church home and family at FBC Starkville. You can connect with her on The City.

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As we ant ic ipate Chr istmas

th is year, our Fami ly Min istry

Team has prepared a devot ional

guide to help create an

intent ional t ime for you

to focus on Jesus and the

message of the Mess iah.

GROWF B C S TA R KV I L L E

B Y J A S O N D U R A N

THE MESSIAH GUIDE

he anticipation for the coming of the Messiah was great for the Jewish People. Prophets foretold of his birth over 700 years before His arrival. The people had been told many times to

expect Him. They were burdened by the Roman rule, and as a conquered people, they looked for a Messiah to free them from bondage. Yet when He came, He was born in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. Though He was anticipated for many years, He was unnoticed by so many. His mother Mary and earthly father Joseph knew of his birth and were so excited. They, of course, anticipated Him but didn’t know all that the Messiah would soon bring to them and all the people of the world.

We all anticipate the season of Christmas for different reasons. Children make their lists of gifts they are expecting to receive. Parents hope for time to spend together with their families. Some hope the season will be a little less stressful. For others, Christmas brings the

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 9

end to a semester and a little time off before classes begin again. Regardless of why you look forward to the holidays, the message of Christmas is about what Jesus provided for all who would accept His plan of salvation. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you.”

As we anticipate Christmas this year, our Family Ministry Team has prepared a devotional guide to help create an intentional time for you to focus on Jesus and the message of the Messiah. In the Messiah Devotional Guide are weekly devotions for individuals and for families. The personal devotions will also help you prepare for your family devotional time. The family devotions are designed for all types of families, and they do not require any extensive preparation. University students are also encouraged to use this guide to create discussion with their roommates.

These devotions will serve as a companion to Pastor Chip’s sermons beginning November 29. The guide will take you through a study of Jesus' birth, focusing on how people responded to His birth. It begins with the promise of His coming and closes by focusing on Him being recognized and worshipped as Immanuel.

We have provided many resources to aid you in your devotional time. We have ideas posted on Pinterest, and we have created a Christmas music playlist to listen to during the week. You can find links to each of these on our website www.fbcstarkville.com/fbcmessiah We encourage you to plan what time is best for you and for your family to go through the family devotions together. We invite you to share your Christmas stories this Advent season as you journey through The Messiah Guide. When you make a social media post, use the hashtag #fbcmessiah. There are many suggested activities in the “Family Devotion” sections of the guide. Our hope

is not to give you a long list of things to “do,” but rather to provide options to help you look to Jesus in creative ways this season.

In each week’s devotion there is a challenge to find ways to show the message of the Messiah to others. One of the ways you can share this message is by inviting someone to the Christmas Eve service. This year, we are providing two services for Christmas Eve at 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm. During the 4:00 pm service, we are providing childcare for children from birth to 4 years of age. Of all the services we have, people are most likely to come to the Christmas Eve Service if invited. The key is that they need to be invited. We have provided cards for you to use to invite your friends to join us. Begin thinking now who you will encourage to come.

We invite you to join us on this journey beginning November 29 and continuing through Christmas Eve as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. The coming of the Messiah was anticipated for many years and missed by so many. What about this year? Will you get lost in all the busyness of Christmas and forget to remember what it really is all about, or will you take time this year to focus on how the coming of the Messiah has meaning for your life? We hope and pray these devotions encourage you and your family throughout the season.

JASON DURAN serves as our Associate Pastor of Family Ministries and Discipleship. You can connect with him on The City or on twitter @jason_duran.

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 11

Leaves crunched under my boots as I followed my father’s footsteps carefully through the early hours on my very first hunting trip. Christmas was only a couple of weeks away, and this Saturday was unusual. I had tagged along before on some family hunts, but this was my first time to carry a gun. As I trailed behind, I was supposed to be on the lookout for squirrels, but I couldn’t focus on much more than carrying my newly refurbished 410 shotgun, pointed down, my finger alongside the trigger guard, safety on. The air was very cool in the north Tennessee hills. I felt the cold metal of the gun bolt and the smooth newly polished wood of the gunstock as something uncomfortable and strange.

My dad and I didn't normally make these sorts of trips. He was more than fifteen years into his career in the military, so most weekends were taken up with home repair projects or recuperating from the work week. My dad had grown up hunting, but it was difficult to pass those skills on to me without making the time to do it.

My 410 shotgun had been a gift from my grandfather to my father when he was a young boy. My dad had the stock refurbished and cleaned up and had given it to me. It was a single shot break action piece. I knew that once I pulled the trigger, I would probably never reload in time for a second try, but I had practiced! We found a squirrel, and I did my best western movie pose and pulled the trigger. Of course I had half-way closed my eyes and immediately began trying to reload. My dad exclaimed, “You got ‘em! On the first shot!” He looked at me with some disbelief (I wasn’t the most athletic child in town) mixed with pride. I beamed, but shook it off as nonchalantly as possible, as if to show that I did this sort of thing every day. I was ‘Sure Shot Jenkins.’ Just show me the next squirrel; I had a pocketful of ammo.

It was my first, and my last, hunting trip with my dad.

B Y TO M J E N K I N S

The Messiah

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they have are their dads, whether these men are present or not.

I’m reminded of Matt 7:9-11 which says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

My father wasn’t a bad man by any means. He did his best, and I lacked for nothing growing up. I had Christmas presents, school supplies, toys, gadgets, and clothes, and I never missed a meal. I really had everything I needed from him, except a real relationship. We never had a chance to build one after I made it through the awkward teenage years.

We often view our Heavenly Father through the portrait drawn by our earthly fathers. My father was somewhat absent and so my view of God was that He was a withdrawn deity, a disciplinarian, and grave. I didn’t understand the last part of Matt 7:11 until I was much older: How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts…?

The great mystery of Christmas is surmised in the name “Emmanuel”. It means “God with us.” It’s a mystery that God could

Something always seemed to come up and interfere with the ‘next hunting trip.’ After enough Saturdays when he was too busy, I began to fill the weekends with my own pre-teen and teenaged activities. Then at the last, I didn't have time for him.

Now I understand a lot more about my dad, who died when I was 18. It's tough being a man and finding your way through a minefield of cultural traps and family expectations and responsibilities. He grew up in a time that defined masculinity in certain ways that conflicted with the Biblical view but were widely accepted as a cultural norm. It's no different today. Boys are seeking ways to be men, husbands, fathers and friends. They get many signals from the culture at large, but the biggest role models

Tom and his father.

Tom on Christmas morning as a child.

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 13

take the divine infinity of Himself and reduce it to the confines of a three dimensional flesh and blood little baby. It’s even more of a mystery as to why He would chose to do this.

God’s great example of Christmas is that He gave us a good, good gift; not material blessings but the gift of Himself through His Son. It’s the gift of His presence, not the giving of presents! God is certainly the Lord of the Universe, but he became, through Jesus, the lowly servant of all. The King of Kings, born to humble parents in a backwater town in a country overrun by a conquering people, learned from birth how to serve others. Jesus became the ultimate example of the servant.

Paul penned this stirring poetic song found in Philippians 2:5-8: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

The mystery of Christmas is that God, Lord of the Universe, loved humankind, was jealous for us, and wanted the best for us so much that He came down from heaven itself to spend time with us. He showed us, through Jesus, a different aspect of His person. The Old Testament portrayed God as the Lord Almighty, the God of smoke and fire and holiness so intense that mere humans couldn't encroach upon it and live. In the New Testament, Jesus called this omnipotent Deity “Abba,” a word which translates into “daddy.”

When I was a boy, God seemed to be a far away, tyrannical disciplinarian.

DR. TOM JENKINS serves as Associate Pastor of Music and Media. You can connect with him on Twitter @DrTJenkins or on The City.

THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTMAS IS EMMANUEL,

GOD WITH US. THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS

IS THAT GOD ALLOWS US TO BE PART OF HIS

REDEEMING WORK IN THE WORLD. AS MEN

OF GOD, OUR WORK IS NOT IN PROVIDING

EXPENSIVE GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT

IN SHARING THE GOOD GIFTS THAT FLOW

FROM OUR ABBA FATHER IN HEAVEN. OUR

CHALLENGE IS TO SHARE “ABBA” FATHER IN

WAYS THAT ONLY MEN CAN DO, TAKING THE

TIME TO SEE THE REAL NEEDS AROUND US.

When I was a young man, God showed himself as a saving and merciful God.

When I was a husband, God showed himself as a guide and giver of good gifts.

When I was a father, God showed himself as an intimate, personal God.

The mystery of Christmas is Emmanuel, God with us. The miracle of Christmas is that God allows us to be part of His redeeming work in the world. As men of God, our work is not in providing expensive gifts for Christmas, but in sharing the good gifts that flow from our Abba Father in heaven. Our challenge is to share “Abba” father in ways that only men can do, taking the time to see the real needs around us.

Christmas is one of the times when I miss my dad the most. I really don’t remember all the presents I got year after year under the tree, but I will always remember the fleeting moments of time spent with him. Even now, sometimes I feel like a little boy just needing his Dad to spend some time with him. Thankfully, I have an “Abba” father who is always present and who is always willing to spend time with me.

Here’s to a very Merry Christmas as we share the mystery and the miracle with those around us.

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like turkey best,” said a man from Sri Lanka as he helped himself to another piece of meat from the buffet line. Each year, the FBC International Friends Group along with women from other FBC WMU (Women’s Missionary Union)

groups host a Thanksgiving Tasting Dinner for students from the International Friendship House. This year, the event was held on Tuesday morning, November 10, in the FBC Warehouse Outreach Center.

According to Betty Henson, the leader of the FBC International Friends WMU group, the Thanksgiving Tasting Dinner is “a time to tell about an American Thanksgiving through a tasting luncheon.” At the luncheon, traditional American Thanksgiving dishes are served so that the students can sample some of the foods commonly served on Thanksgiving Day: turkey, dressing, gravy, vegetable dishes, salads, sweet potato casserole, and a variety of pies and desserts.

“I encourage them (the internationals) to try everything, unless they have dietary restrictions,” said Tracey Nash, Director of the International Friendship House. For many of the internationals in attendance, this was the first time that they had ever eaten many

GIVEF B C S TA R KV I L L E

B Y C H A R I T Y G WA LT N E Y

FRIENDSHIP LUNCHEON

of the common foods that are served at a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Though some of the internationals were hesitant at first, most were excited to try new foods and filled their plates more than once. Volunteers were on hand at the serving table to explain what each dish was, how it was made, and what ingredients were used in it.

Along with using food as an introduction to Thanksgiving, members of the WMU talked with Friendship House students about the history of Thanksgiving, how it got started in America, and what it means to us. They discussed the traditions associated with it, the décor used to celebrate it, and what makes Thanksgiving a truly American holiday. Additionally, students receive a small book containing recipes of many traditional Thanksgiving foods so that the participants can make some of the food themselves in their own homes.

Nash stated, “They (the International Friendship House students) are just thrilled to attend this dinner because it is an American holiday and they are learning about our culture.” She said that it also gives them a chance to get out into the community and interact with others over a meal.

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 15

Nash further went on to say that the Tasting Dinner serves other needs of the students. Through the event, the international students have the opportunity to listen to Americans speaking English; to build their own vocabulary skills by hearing new words and phrases; and to grow in their understanding of American culture. Furthermore, Nash said, “It gives us the opportunity to share our faith and what Thanksgiving means to us as Christians, not just as Americans.”

Twenty-seven students from the International Friendship House attended this past Tasting Dinner representing 13 different countries: Iraq, Brazil, Honduras, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Ghana, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Iran, Turkey, Viet Nam, and Argentina. Though the group was primarily made up of women who are wives of MSU students, there were several international men present.

The Thanksgiving Tasting Dinner has a long-standing tradition at FBC. According to Billie Lane Hood, it was started sometime in the 1970s by her mother-in-law Juel Hood, along with Mary Ruth Beattie and Louise Buckner. It began as a way for the International Friends WMU Group to reach out to wives of international students at Mississippi State University. Back then, FBC women in WMU would individually “adopt” wives of international students, form friendships with them as language partners, and pick them up to bring them to the church for activities such as the Thanksgiving Tasting Dinner. Many of them would additionally come on Sundays and bring their families.

With the formation of the International Friendship House, the WMU began partnering with the House as a way to reach out to the

families of international students. Included in this partnership was a continued hosting of the Tasting Dinner at FBC. Additionally, many of the WMU women are currently actively helping out at the International Friendship House with monthly events and activities, teaching weekly English language classes, or serving as conversation partners to the students. This outreach to the International Friendship House, says Henson, “Is a way to show the students that we care and to help out Tracey.”

Events such as the Thanksgiving Tasting Dinner show us that the world is on our doorstep. Do you want to be involved in events like the Thanksgiving Tasting Dinner or in reaching out to students at the International Friendship House? FBC has three WMU groups that meet at various times during the week who do mission service activities all throughout the year: the Houston Mission Group, the Reed Group, and the International Friends Group. Call the church office for more information. You can also get involved in helping out at International Friendship House by directly contacting Tracey Nash, the Director.

CHARITY GWALTNEY serves as the Director of Preschool Ministry. You can connect with her on Facebook and The City.

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GOF B C S TA R KV I L L E

e’ve anticipated it for months and it is finally here: the most wonderful time of year! The weather is cool and crisp. Homes are filled with scents of Christmas trees and spices. Lights are twinkling, and the music

is merry. Families come together, and laughter is abundant. With all this excitement, it is easy to put the Gospel on the back

burner. Think about it for a moment – When was the last time you approached Christmas as a tool for evangelism?

Many of us acknowledge why we celebrate Christmas, yet we often forget to tell the story: A story that has filled those who have heard it with awe. Since the birth of Christ, for believers and non-believers, this story has sparked imaginations and filled people with questions. How did the Holy Spirit come upon Mary? What did she experience? What was it like for the Creator to become something created?

When we ask these questions and talk about the miraculous story of Christmas, we are given the opportunity to share the Gospel. God created man. Man sinned and we became separated from God. Thousands of years later, God came to Earth as a baby, a baby that would one day redeem us back to God. He was perfect, yet He died

B Y L E A H F R A N C E S E ATO N

CHRISTMAS EVE

a death He did not deserve. His death paid the penalty of our sin. Yet, the grave could not hold Him! Three days later, He rose from the dead.

You see, we can’t celebrate Christmas without the cross. In Ephesians 2, Paul writes, “When the Messiah came, He

proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.”

As a believer, remember what Christ’s birth means for you. His birth fulfilled God’s promise to His people. Through His death and resurrection, you have been redeemed and have become a member of God’s household!

It is for this reason that we challenge you to think beyond yourself and the traditions of Christmas. Make the Gospel the focal point of Christmas for you and your family.

If you’re like me, you need more than a call to action. You may also need direction to follow through with it. We find that

F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 17

"Christians can often get distracted during Christmas and completely overlook the opportunity to represent Christ to their neighbors," says Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of LifeWay Research.

So, here is the first step in reaching your neighbors, and it is a simple one: Invite people to the Christmas Eve Service.

I know it can be intimidating, but take a look at the research. 67 percent of Americans say a personal invitation from a church-going family member would be the most effective method a local congregation or faith community could use to invite them to attend.

Invitations to attend church from a friend or neighbor are almost as effective, with 63 percent of Americans indicating that this variety of invitation would be effective.

As a tool to assist you in inviting others, FBC is providing Invite Cards. They are the size of a business card and help create a tangible reminder for those you invite. Use these cards to open the door for communication as you invite neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

Not only does research show that “Non-Christians are more open to coming to a Christmas Eve service than any other time of the year,” according to Thom Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, but also nearly half of all households do attend special church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas. This includes 2 percent of atheists, 9 percent of agnostics or those with no religious preference, and 22 percent of those claiming other religions.

Our prayer this Christmas should be that the prayer Jesus prayed before His death in John 17 would be fulfilled in us – That others would believe in Jesus through our message. That they would be one with the Father and know that He sent Jesus to redeem us. That God loves them as He loved His son.

We desire for the non-believer to “Come and See” for themselves why we celebrate Christmas. Invite them to experience the truth of the Gospel. This Christmas, go beyond just acknowledging why celebrate Christmas and tell the story of The Messiah!

This Christmas Eve, FBC Starkville will be offering two Services at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary. Childcare will be offered during the 4:00 PM Service for Birth – 4 Year Olds. You can pick-up Invite Cards in your Community Groups and the common areas around the church. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Ware at kware@fbcstarkville.com.

LEAH FRANCES EATON has served as our

Director of Children since 2013. You can connect with her on Twitter @LeahFrances or on The City.

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here is much more to Mark Young than meets the eye. Perhaps you know him as the youth intern. If you are in the youth group or a youth parent,

that’s probably the role of his that you are most familiar with. In his sophomore year of college, he began helping out in youth Sunday School by assisting with teaching and providing a voice of

at least a few years more experience. This was something he had done before, having taught 7th and 8th grade boys at his home church as a junior and senior in high school. After interning the next summer at the church in Florida where his father was worship pastor, he came back to Starkville and became the FBC youth intern.

It’s now three years later, and Mark has taken on a new role at FBC: Family and Youth associate. All those things he was doing with the youth are still part of that role, along with working with Family Minister Jason Duran as well as taking on some administrative tasks. If you are involved in a D-group or lead a Community Group, you may have heard from him. If you volunteer with Guest Services, you may have heard from him. Mark says, “I really enjoy having my hands in more of the ministries of the church.”

As he leads youth and students in various capacities, he is also a student himself. He is in his second year of the Masters of Divinity program at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, with about two and a half years to go. Right now, he’s traveling each week to take one full day of classes at the New Orleans extension campus in Clinton, MS.

Some also know him as the smiling face who gives the video announcements at the end of every Sunday morning service. Ironically, this has given him his first chance to use his college major: broadcasting. Mark said he was called to ministry as a freshman and was “wrestling with whether sports broadcasting was what [he] really wanted to do with [his] life.” He attended an ESPN internship meeting - an incredible opportunity for his field - but was sitting there thinking, “This is not what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.” He felt like God was calling him to something more, and after hearing a Francis Chan sermon called “The Purpose of Your Life,” he said “yes” to the Lord and committed to vocational ministry. Not long afterwards, this was

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confirmed by his father, who told him both parents had been praying for two years that God would call him to ministry.

But wait! There’s more! In March of 2014, he married Renee Masterson - a relationship that one might say was born in Starbucks and raised in Chick-Fil-A. Renee also graduated from MSU and teaches upper level science courses at Starkville High School.

Almost exactly one year after the wedding, they discovered they were expecting, and Ezra Truett Young was born on November 13. Why Ezra? Mark said about the Ezra of the Bible, “We just love who he is, the character of Ezra.” He specifically mentioned Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel.”

On the lighter side, another hat he proudly wears is that of a New England Patriots Fan. He comes by it naturally, having lived in New England for a few years as a child. And anyone who was standing nearby at the youth Super Bowl party earlier this year (as the Pats came from behind to win) can testify to his rabid loyalty!

Though not native to Starkville, he does have strong connections. His grandfather was born and raised in Starkville, he attended family reunions here, and he was raised as an MSU fan.

JAY REED is a pharmacist by day (Synergy Phar-macy) and a freelance food writer by day off. He leads an adult Community Group in the same Ray Building where he was first brought to the nursery as a baby. You can connect with him on social media @eatsoneate or on The City.

What’s next for Mark? About a year after being called to ministry, God clarified his calling a bit. He says, “I am willing to be wherever God calls me, if it is youth ministry or something else in ministry for however long He wants me to do it, but he has placed that desire and call on my heart to pastor down the road.” How that plays out in future years is completely in God’s hands, and that’s exactly where Mark wants to be. “The position I’m in now is great and I love it - we love FBC Starkville. Ultimately I want to be faithful, wholeheartedly serving the Lord in whatever the He calls me to do each step along the way.”

20 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | I s s u e 1 2

COMMUNITY GROUP ATTENDANCE FOR NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 1 | 1001

NOVEMBER 8 | 1123

NOVEMBER 15 | 978

NOVEMBER 22 | 972

LUNCH BREAK MENUS

DECEMBER 2Lasagna, salad bar, garlic bread, and dessert

DECEMBER 9Baked chicken, broccoli and rice casserole,

roasted carrots, green salad, rolls and dessert

DECEMBER 16Baked ham, potato casserole, baby lima beans, rolls and dessert

NO LUNCH BREAK DECEMBER 23 & 30

UPCOMING EVENTS

START FRESH WITH GRACE 2016 LADIES CONFERENCEJANUARY 22-23 | COST: $50NORTH MISSISSIPPI CHRISTIAN CAMP

It's time to getaway from everyday life to reconnect with God and each other. All ladies college age and up are invited to join us. Be sure to sign up soon because there is a limited number of 80 spots. Register today online at fbcstarkville.com.

MEN AND BOYS RETREAT

JANUARY 8-10 | LAKE FOREST RANCHJoin us for a Guys only weekend for fellowship and growing together in God’s Word. The speaker will be Dr. Mike Barnett, Senior Pastor at FBC Ocean Springs. This retreat includes an option to hunt. Hunting space is limited so sign up early. Cost: $100, $65 for 16 and under. Hunting option cost: $140, $100 for 16 and under. Meals and Lodging are included. Sign up at fbcstarkville.com

DECEMBER SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 2

• Nashville Christmas Concert | 6:00 pm | Sanctuary

• University Pancake Palooza | 8:00 - 10:00 pm | Warehouse OC

DECEMBER 6

• Community Group Parties/Childcare provided | 4:30 - 7:00 pm

• Youth Christmas Party | 4:00 - 7:30 pm | Tullos' Home

DECEMBER 9

• Preschool & Kids Dress Rehearsal | 5:45 pm | Warehouse OC

• Youth Christmas Service | Supper Gym 5:30 pm | Chapel 6:00 pm

DECEMBER 13

• Preschool & Children’s Christmas Musical & Church Family

Fellowship | 5:00 pm | Warehouse Outreach Center

DECEMBER 20 | COMMUNITY GROUP & ONE SERVICE

• Community Group: 9:45 am

• One Worship Service: 11:00 am

• Children's Church: 11:00 am | 2nd Floor of Children's Building

DECEMBER 24-25

• Church Office Closed

DECEMBER 24 | 4:00 & 5:30 PM

• Christmas Eve Services

During the 4:00 pm service, childcare is provided for birth to 4 years old.

DECEMBER 27 | ONE SERVICE

• One Worship Service: 11:00 am

• No Community Groups

JANUARY SCHEDULE

JANUARY 3

REGULAR SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE RESUMES

• Worship Services: 8:30 & 11:00 am | Community Groups: 9:45 am

JANUARY 6 | REGULAR WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE RESUMES

• Preschool M3 & Stark kids | 5:45 pm | Children’s Building

• Youth Worship | 6:00 pm | Warehouse OC

• Adult Studies | 6:00 pm

• Celebration Choir | 5:55 pm | Choir Room

• Worship Team | 7:00 pm | FBC Sanctuary

JANUARY 15

• MOPS Resumes | 9:00-11:00 am | 2nd Floor of Children’s Building

JANUARY 15-17

• Disciple Now | Register at fbcstarkville.com.

JANUARY 10 - 31

• LIFE: Sunday Night Study | 5:00 pm | Warehouse OC

• Preschool Activities | 5:00 pm | 1st flr. Children’s Building

• FBC Kids: I’m a Christian Now | 5:00 pm | 2nd Floor of Children’s

Building

• Youth will meet in Warehouse Gym.

• University After Party | 6:00 pm | Warehouse OC

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$90,000 | You can give your gift online. Simply go to fbcstarkville.com and click GIVE at the top right of the page. Then follow the on-screen instructions and under fund select Lottie Moon.

P E R I O D I C A L S

106 East Lampkin St. Starkville, MS 39759

FBCSTARKVILLE .com | 662. 323. 5633

FBCSTARKVILLE

@FBCSTARKVILLE

@FBCSTARKVILLE

FBCSTARKVILLE