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R E D E F I N E DF B C S TA R KV I L L E M AY 2 0 1 6
A M OT H E R ’ SS TO RY
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T H E YO U N G ’ SE A S T E R I N V I T E
S TO RY
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G R OWS u m m e r S t u d y 2 0 1 6
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5A M OT H E R ' SS TO RY
MAY 2016
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11
CO N T E N T S
P U E R TO R I COM I S S I O N 15
FEATURES4 First Word from Tom Jenkins
7 Youth Summer
17 The Young's Easter Invite
19 Lydia's Kitchen: Korean Beef Bowl
OUR CHURCH FAMILY20 Upcoming Events
21 Calendar
4 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
ave you heard? There is a presidential election coming up! The whole world knows and is watching to see what happens in this great democratic action of our country. Have you wondered what God thinks about our current
election? Maybe you’re the kind of person who feels that God and politics don’t mix. Do you leave Christ at the door when you enter the voting booth? Do you feel that maybe Christianity doesn’t have a voice in our election this year? We have a great article for you to read and consider: “What’s so great about this year’s election?” Austin Fortenberry has written a thought-provoking article for us on page 11. Read it and be encouraged!
Spring Break was a whirlwind of activity for our Church. We’ve heard some excelent reports from Canada and we have a first person report from Puerto Rico by Melanie Story on page 15. In addition to Spring Break, the Easter passion week snuck up on us all by coming early this year. We had some wonderful services for our Mid-Week Worship and Easter Sunday morning. Read about how Mark and Renee Young used cookies to create some very special invitations for families in their apartment complex. Are cookies a universal language?
Finally, Redefined always offers the latest news and updates to our Church calendar and events. Get informed about our Summer Study, Summer Youth Events and plenty of other ministry opportunities in May, June and July.
Summer is about to be upon us, and it’s a great time for all of us to Gather, Grow, Give and Go!
FIRST WORDFROM TOM JENKINS
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 5
A Mother's StoryMotherhood is a special job awarded to many
women who do far more than the word entails and are recognized far too little by those these women love most. Motherhood is a special bond that brings women from different backgrounds together under one common goal-to raise children who love Christ
and will follow Him. From expecting her first child to becoming a grandparent, a woman learns more about herself in motherhood than she ever dreamed. Motherhood is uniquely special for each mom. The days can be extremely long, but somehow the years are incredibly short. If I were to ask 100 moms what “motherhood” means to them, we might get 100 different answers; however, there is a common thread woven throughout each answer– selflessness. Every mother must put her family first, and this often comes at the expense of her own wellbeing-forgetting to eat, forgoing her own bathroom privacy, being too rushed to shower, losing countless hours of sleep, doing without small luxuries to buy new soccer cleats, and crying with a child over hurt feelings and heartaches. Motherhood is special, and it is a role to be celebrated.
As an expectant first-time mom due in August, Sharla Lazenby is most excited about watching her baby grow. She said, “I am excited to see the amazement on my son’s face when he experiences something new.” Sharla already understands the huge responsibility of motherhood. She commented, “I think it will be challenging to balance a career and family without feeling inadequate or comparing
my parenting techniques to other parents.” This is a pressure all moms face.
As a new mom myself, I personally have found motherhood fun because there is so much change in a short period of time; however, I have been overwhelmed by it at times. I am grateful for a supportive church family and an incredibly patient and understanding husband as we make this life transition together.
Kristin Edelblute sees this life transition as the “evolution of motherhood.” She says, “There is no instruction manual. There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique.” Kristin has three elementary-aged children. One of her favorite quotes sums up motherhood: “….being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” Overcoming those challenges and dealing with those responsibilities are what make all mothers into their own kinds of superheroes.
Becky Armstrong, a mother of a middle schooler and a high schooler, echoes Sharla’s enthusiasm about seeing her kids accomplish milestones in their lives. To her, motherhood is nothing short of a privilege and an honor. Becky said, “Being a mother was something I always knew for sure that I wanted to be, and I feel so very blessed to have this opportunity; many times I am overwhelmed by the tremendous responsibility and sometimes just the day-to-day challenge, but blessed. I have to remember to savor the time I have with my kids, even the harried, stressful, and frustrating times.”
B Y R E N E E YO U N G
6 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
There is no denying that motherhood comes with challenges and obstacles with each child with which the Lord blesses us. Learning to rely on the Lord’s strength is key, and to be patient through the storm is essential.
Jan Robinson, a mother of two college-aged boys, recalls that even though her boys lived in the same house, were raised by the same parents, and were brothers, their learning styles and expressions were extremely different. Her eyes were really opened to the unique gifts God gave each of her sons. Jan explained, “Often times I felt like a failure or that I was not a ‘good mom’ because I could not help my kids in the way they needed. I think I learned that it’s okay to not be a ‘Supermom’ all the time, and it’s okay not to have all the answers.”
Experience may make parenting easier, but becoming a grandmother may make motherhood even sweeter. Norma Gardener, mother of Kristin Edelblute, says that she loves being a grandmother because she gets the joy of the children without all the responsibly. As a grandmother, she has tried to be involved with the grandkids by being supportive, but not interfering with how Kristin wishes to parent. Norma said, “I have always been awed about what a great mother Kristin is to the kids, and often I hope some of that came from me. It has been a blessing to watch my own child grow up and go through different stages in life. It has made me look back on things and made me wonder if I had enough influence on my kids.”
RENEE YOUNG is a science educator at Starkville High School. She and her husband Mark have a 5 month old son named Ezra. You can connect with her on Twitter @noodlenay42 or on The City.
Whether it is expressed or not, our children recognize and value our responsibility as mothers. Though they may not like our discipline at the time, or our rules in the moment, we have the unique responsibility of molding our children. Lauren Ware, a college student, says that her mom, Kim Ware, is her very best friend: “My mom truly means the world to me. She’s so selfless, patient, understanding, and encouraging, and if I could be half the woman she is one day I will truly be winning. She always puts others first and always sees the best in people. I know we do not tell her enough, but we are truly thankful for the sacrifices she makes for our family.”
Below are a few bible verses from these mothers that have helped them parent or encouraged them in their journey of motherhood.
Sharla leans on Philippians 4:6. This verse has provided strength for her after facing a miscarriage in her first pregnancy. It has helped her not worry about circumstances in this pregnancy.
Kristin sees Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 as a great reminder that even though being a mother is forever, there are different seasons of motherhood like the one she is in now.
James 1:17 and Psalm 139:14 are two verses that are dear to Becky. Both remind her how precious children are and how precious her children should be to her.
Proverbs 22:6 illustrates what Jan tries to do in her household. She tries to use every opportunity in her marriage and home, regardless of difficulties or trials, as an opportunity to teach her sons about the Lord.
Sharla Lazenby
Renee & Ezra Young
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 7
Youth Summer 2016B Y N E I L T U L LO S
ummers for teens in the not too distant past were a time when they were looking for something to do. Outside of a family vacation and maybe a sports camp, the other 10 weeks or so of the summer were fairly vacant. That type of summer would be unrecognizable to many teens today. As our culture has changed, we as a church
have also adjusted our methods of how to disciple teens during the summer months.
We have begun to offer a variety of summer events rather than doing just one or two primary events. We have several events that are three days or less that will hopefully allow teens to better work around their busy schedules. We will, however, still have a mission trip and a leadership camp that are each five days in length. Each event has a unique purpose designed to engage teens and to help them grow in their relationships with Jesus and with one another.
Vacation Bible School is becoming a major event for our teens. It is a week where you will find teens serving at almost every level of VBS. They’ll be leading in classrooms, recreation, crafts, and just about everywhere else. We have many teens who, due to their work or sports schedules, cannot leave town for a week for a mission trip, but they can serve each morning at VBS. It provides every teen with an opportunity to learn the value of serving others without ever having to leave town or figure out how to pay for a mission trip.
Our hope is that our summer events will allow every teen an opportunity to engage this summer.
S U M M E R CO M M U N I T Y G R O U P9:45 EVERY SUNDAY MORNING
In addition to our major events we also offer a change of pace for teens on Sunday mornings. During the summer, we will all meet together and we will be focused on giving teens hands on experience in what it means to a part of God’s kingdom.
S U M M E R W E D N E S DAY N I G H T SEach Wednesday we are in town, we’ll have a youth event
ranging from a trip to High Heaven in Flowood, a cookout at the Refuge, and game nights in the gym.
8 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
NEIL TULLOS serves as our Youth Minster. You can connect with him on Twitter @neiltullos or on The City.
A DV E N T U R E R E T R E ATJUNE 2-3 AT TRUE ADVENTURE SPORTSFT. PAYNE, AL
• $125 plus money for 2 meals while traveling
• rappelling, rock climbing, night hike under the stars, kayaking, tubing, & more!
VAC AT I O N B I B L E S C H O O LJUNE 6-10
• Serve each morning and we’ll have a youth Bible study during lunch each day
"Well, I personally enjoyed just spending time with the kids. I
loved when we would go to worship and every little kid would start
singing their hearts out to Christian music. I feel as if, by helping
the kids, I grew some in my relationship with Christ, as well. It
shows the heart the kids have for learning about God, and it made
me want to love Him and learn about Him so much more. "
– Kaelynn Mattison, 9th grader
M I S S I O N T R I PJUNE 20-24 AT MISSION FIRST IN JACKSON, MS
• $125
• Teens will be serving through light construction/cleanup work, & helping with a kids camp in the afternoon.
"I enjoyed bonding with my youth group the most at Mission First. I
went with people I wasn't that close with and by the end of the trip I felt
way closer to them. The mission work on the trip taught me we're here
to serve God's people and not be served. It helped me grow spirituality
by knowing little kids look up to me and that what I do is watched. "
– Caden Cutshall, 9th grader
S U P E R S U M M E RJULY 11-15 AT MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
• Leadership conference designed to help teens develop in the areas of discipleship, evangelism, and leadership
"One particular thing I enjoyed at super summer was meeting new
people and spending time with them throughout the week. With
my small group I met, I now have accountability partners that I
can just text whenever I need to. I even have gotten to meet up with
one of my friends a few times since, and it's encouraging to be able
to see her and know that I have someone to count on even though
we don't live in the same town and go to the same school. "
– Aubrey Claire Armstrong, 10th grader
O DYS S E Y M YS T E RY T R I PJULY 20-22
• It’ll be a packed 3 days of adventures that’ll offer something for everyone
• $250 + money for 3 meals
• Our Bible studies will focus on how life is an adventure that doesn’t always go as we planned, but that we are to trust God no matter what.
I learned to conquer my fears and trust in God through whatever
I do. Whether that means riding a roller coaster I was afraid of or
helping someone else or myself get through a hard time, I enjoyed
it because I was able to grow in my faith with my friends.
– Ben Guest, 9th grader
I really liked that it was called odyssey and that everything we did revolved
around that theme or motto. including when we were just talking, having
our quiet times or Bible study, or the activities like the white water rafting.
– Lauren Reed, 10th grader
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 9
B Y M A R K YO U N G
ummers in Starkville are the best time of the year. You may not agree with me, but hear me out. There may not be MSU football in the Summer to bring the type of energy that the Fall brings to our town, but the Summer brings an entirely different level of enjoyment. Summers
here slow everything down. You can get to anywhere in town in a matter of minutes. Every time you go out driving, you won’t believe how empty Highway 12 is! There is no school to worry about. The college students have left for their own hometowns. There is a unique calm around town. It allows the summer to be a time of rest and refreshment.
The Summer also means our annual church Summer Study is here. It is truly one of the greatest things we do as a church. On Sunday nights in the month of June, we have set aside a time where every generation of people in our church gathers together around tables in The Warehouse to encourage one another, study and discuss God’s Word, and grow together in the Lord.
Summer Study has impacted so many people in our church. I wanted you, the church, to hear from your fellow church family members just how much it has benefited their lives. If you have been to Summer Study, you may resonate with them.
Among each church member who shared with me about the impact Summer Study has had on them, a common thread was how it allowed them to meet and build relationships with people in our church that they had never met.
Frances Graham said, “It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with individuals in our church that you might never have the opportunity to ever meet or get to know in any other church setting.”
Will and Tina McWhorter said that their favorite part “is the relaxed, casual environment and meeting members of our church that our paths normally would not cross with.”
Alex Hammond said, “I enjoy meeting and interacting with members with whom I might have little or no contact. Maybe we lead different Community Groups or go to different services. It's nice to spend time with family, especially those you don't see often.”
Sarah Nicholas said of her past Summer Study experience, “Jumping in and getting involved in Summer Study is a great way to meet new people. It might feel awkward at first, but when you see those people on Sunday mornings, or even at Kroger, it's easier to make a connection and start talking. I sat next to a couple I didn't know last year at one Summer Study session, and then I ran into them at the beach a few weeks later! We had a great conversation while watching our kids play in the waves. We might not have started talking had we not previously met at Summer Study.”
10 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
The greatest benefit of Summer Study is how it allows us to grow in our walks with Christ through engaging with each other in discussion. This time of community and discussion allows us to learn from each other, gain wisdom from a generation that is older or younger than us, and to encourage one another in the Lord.
Alex: “Summer Study pulls my focus outward, onto the stories of other believers. It helps me rejuvenate for a week of service by encouraging me through other believers in the church.”
Sarah: “It is when ‘iron sharpens iron.’ Sunday nights are filled with committed followers of Christ who want to come back to church and end their day with the gospel before starting another busy week.”
Tina and Will shared how it is time for them to gain wisdom from the generations older than them. They also expressed how they enjoy the “diverse environment to study God’s word and fellowship with one another.”
Frances was specifically impacted from a particular truth from a previous Summer Study—a truth she has never forgotten: “I will always remember Henry Blackaby's statement of ‘discover where God is working and join Him in that work.’ I have put that into practice in my life on multiple occasions, as well as used the concept in my D-group.”
MARK YOUNG serves as our Family and Youth Associate. You can connect with him on Twitter @MPYoung17 or on The City.
These statements from these few members in our church are only a mere glimpse of the great benefit and eternal impact of Summer Study.
Maybe you have recently joined the church, or maybe you are a member of FBC and have just never gone to Summer Study in the past. I hope these testimonies are an encouragement to you of why you should be there come this June. You never know, it may just change your life.
As an encouragement to those who have never been to Summer Study before, one of our members said, “It is a great way to make connections and begin to feel at home in a large church.”
And if nothing else, take this advice from Sarah Nicholas:“Nothing beats the fun and laughter that accompanies Summer
Study!”Join us Sunday nights in June for our Summer Study. You will
be challenged by God’s word and encouraged by God’s people, and in the words of Pastor Chip, it will be a “ton of fun!”
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 11
B Y A U S T I N F O R T E N B E R R Y
12 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
he political system is nothing new. You have to look no further than the early part of the Old Testament to see the Israelites all but commanding the prophet Samuel, “Give us a king to judge us” (1 Samuel 8:6). Even before that historical moment, kings ruled over the Israelites’ neighbors, making laws, waging war, and engaging in
all aspects of the political system. What we know today as democ-racy traces it roots back to Athens in 460 B.C. Politics have been in the world far longer than you and I have, and they will remain far longer, as well. Nevertheless, this latest election season has seemed particularly vicious to many of us. Instead of seeing rational debates between candidates, what we have seen has been more of an ele-mentary school recess fight. As Pastor Chip writes in a recent blog post, “It’s clear that politicians on both sides are catering to some of the most destructive of human emotions, namely anger and entitle-ment, just to get votes. In doing so, our divided country is becoming more divided and any attempt at reason is being drowned out with shouting and name-calling.” In Proverbs 12:18, Solomon says, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” This year, while we have witnessed many of the sword thrusts of which Solomon speaks, healing words have been few and far between. For many of us, watching the election cycle
drama has led not to confidence in any of the candidates but to fear for the future of our nation.
Fortunately for us, we serve a God who is neither frightened nor surprised by the drama surrounding the current Presidential race. Not only does the Lord love us and have a plan for us, something we remember often when we quote Jeremiah 29:11, but He is Him-self an active participant in the political system. As Psalm 47:8 re-minds us, “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Throughout all of eternity past, God has been on His throne. Even before He created the universe in which we live, He was reigning. He was seated on His throne when the Israelites asked for an earth-ly king against His will, and He sits on His throne still even as we find ourselves wondering about the future of our nation. Perhaps most comforting of all is that regardless of the outcome of this elec-tion or even the ultimate fate of America, God will continue to reign on His throne throughout eternity. As the apostle John writes in the prophetic book of Revelation, “Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new’” (Revelation 21:5). God has always reigned, reigns even now, and will reign for all of eternity. One day, the world as we know it, including everything in it, will be made new by the eternal King. We can rest in this promise, even as
As Pastor Chip writes in a recent blog post,
“It’s clear that politicians on both sides are catering
to some of the most destructive of human emotions,
namely anger and entitlement, just to get votes.
In doing so, our divided country is becoming
more divided and any attempt at reason is being
drowned out with shouting and name-calling.”
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 13
we endure the uncertainty of an election season such as the one in which we currently find ourselves.
Still, even with the amazing knowledge that the God we serve is ultimately the King above all kings, we may nevertheless find our-selves more than a little concerned about this year’s election. You may be confident that there is only one candidate who is capable of steering the country in the right direction, and if he or she does not win the election, you foresee no way that our nation can continue. And perhaps you are right; at the end of the day, only the Lord knows what the future holds. Even so, as Christians, we can be confident that no matter who wins this election or what happens to our coun-try, God is working all things together according His plan, one that is far greater than you and I could ever imagine. It is in the familiar verse of Romans 8:28 that Paul reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I love the phrase that Paul uses: “all things.” Not some things, not most things, but all things. Even in the things that we don’t understand, God is up to something, and that something is going to be worked out for our good. What a great, reassuring promise.
We can see the words of Romans 8:28 played out in the pag-es of Scripture. Countless times, the Lord used an event or person—often a corrupt leader—to accomplish good for His people. We find perhaps the greatest example of this in Pontius Pilate, the man who delivered Christ over to be crucified. Pilate was a Roman prefect, and he was certainly not a follower of God. Nevertheless, God used
even this pagan ruler to accomplish His purposes. As Peter and John once prayed, “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen” (Acts 4:27-28). Even the most corrupt leaders cannot act outside of what God allows. This truth is echoed in Proverbs 21:1 where we read, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” While we are not electing a king this November, we are elect-ing a leader. Even if the man or woman who wins is, in your opinion, the most corrupt candidate, you can rest in the fact that he or she is not free to act outside of the Lord’s sovereign plan. We remember that even Satan had to request the Lord’s permission before bringing affliction upon Job; in the same way, the Lord will allow no earthly ruler to thwart His plans. Therefore, be encouraged: God can and will use any candidate to accomplish His purposes, even if that candidate does so unknowingly, like Pilate.
For the Christian, even as we trust the Lord to work all things together for good, one thing we must remember, no matter who wins this election, is that the Lord calls us to submit to the gov-erning authorities, so long as those authorities do not require us to do things that are considered sin by God. Paul writes in Romans 13:1, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been in-stituted by God.” Even if we are dismayed at the results of the elec-tion when November arrives, we must still honor the Lord by sub-
As Christians, we can be confident
that no matter who wins this election
or what happens to our country,
God is working all things together
according His plan, one that is
far greater than you and I
could ever imagine.
14 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
AUSTIN FORTENBERRY is a junior English and Religion major from Madison, MS. He leads an 8th Grade Community Group at FBC and enjoys running, eating gluten-free food, and reading. You can connect with him on social media @acfortenberry.
mitting to the government of our nation. It is easy to grumble and complain about political election results when things do not go the way we had hoped, but as Christians, we are so rarely called to do the “easy” thing. Even if it’s challenging, no matter who wins, we honor the Lord by submitting to those in authority over us. Though it may seem small, it is one way we can stand in stark contrast to the world that is around us. Not complaining about those in authority is proof that we hope in something beyond mere human leadership, and it gives us the chance to start a conversation with “anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).
Even as we search for answers and peace during this elec-tion cycle, there is one thing that we must remember above all else. Though governmental leaders are necessary and are put in place by the Lord, no human leader or group of leaders will ever lead us to perfect peace and happiness. As Pastor Chip writes in the previ-ously mentioned blog post, “Maybe how God uses this election for His good is by opening the eyes of our country to what we’ve always claimed to know: real peace and rest come only through a relation-ship with Jesus (Matt. 11:28).” We are concerned for the future of America because it is the nation in which we live, but as Christians, the truth is that no place on Earth constitutes our true home. Peter calls us “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) on this earth, and that is truly what we are. The Lord has a plan for us in our time on Earth,
but we were not made to live on this earth permanently. While of-ten unsettling, the uncertainty surrounding this election cycle and so many other current events in this world can actually be beneficial for us, as it forces us to remember that the earth is not our ultimate home. We should never allow ourselves to get too comfortable in this life, lest we forget that a far greater life—indeed, the one for which we have been created—is yet to come. Though no one likes uncertainty, confusion, or suffering, all serve to remind us that the earth as we know it is not, at the end of time, where we belong. So, as this elec-tion season continues and, eventually, draws to a close, take heart! Whether your least favorite candidate wins the election or another misfortune befalls our nation or world, we can join with the Apostle Paul in spite of it all and say, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
Whether your least favorite candidate wins the election
or another misfortune befalls our nation or world, we
can join with the Apostle Paul in spite of it all and say,
“our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 15
Puerto Rico Mission TripB Y M E L A N I E S TO R Y
hen I first heard that the youth would be going on a Spring Break mission trip to Puerto Rico, I was excited for two reasons: 1- I wanted my two youth to experience this. 2- I hoped that I would be able to chaperone. When I was in college, God gave me a love for young people and Hispanic people, and
this trip included both!Our team consisted of 21 youth and four adults. We arrived
on Saturday afternoon and were able to get settled and just hang out. Sunday morning, we attended the worship service at our host church where we learned one of the most important lessons of the week. Neil called the lesson “Preach in English First.” The speaker that morning preached his sermon in BOTH English and Spanish. He would preach one part in English for us and then say it again in Spanish for their church members. This meant that they were there about 30 minutes longer than usual just so we could understand the sermon, but they all seemed happy to do it. Neil’s question to us that night was, “What would it look like if we were willing to serve like they did?” That’s exactly what we were there to do - serve.
For the next three days, we divided into groups and worked on several different projects and ministries. We went to an elementary school and told Bible stories, sang songs, played basketball, blew bubbles, jumped rope, and tried to talk to the children as best we
could with our limited Spanish. One group got to serve lunch at a homeless shelter. We scraped and painted walls as well as metal doors and window grates and did some yard work at two different buildings that the church had recently purchased. We worked so hard that we even got more work done than they thought we would!
A few nights after supper, we continued serving. Sunday night and Wednesday night, we sang songs for their church, and a few of our youth shared their testimonies. One night we prayer-walked through the neighborhood around the church with some of the church members. Another night the church had a worship service on the sidewalk in front of one of the buildings on which we had been working. Our students handed out New Testaments and church pamphlets to people that were walking or driving by. It was exciting to see our kids step out and do things completely new to them!
However, this trip was so much more than the tasks we did. There were several things that really impressed me. First, I was impressed with how intentional Neil and the Praying Pelican team were with the spiritual focus of this trip. Every week in January we met to go over our testimonies, share prayer requests, and get to know each other. Every morning during the trip, we had devotion and prayer time, and each night we had another devotion, singing, and time to share what we had experienced during that day. I have
16 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
MELANIE STORY is a stay-at-home mom and has taught the 9th grade girls Sunday School class for 5 years. She and her husband, Cliff, have three children, AlliGrace, Amelia, and Travis.
been on several mission trips, and this was definitely the most spiritually focused.
Another thing that stood out to me was our youth. They had so many things thrown at them at one time, and I’m not sure they even realized it. They just dealt with the circumstances and did what needed to be done. First of all, the food was very different from what we normally eat. Most of us thought it was amazing, but for some, trying new food was scary. Not one time did I see anybody refuse to try the food. They might not have liked a particular thing, but they at least tried it before they decided. Everybody found something on their plate that they could eat at each meal.
The bathroom situation was also a bit interesting. We were told not to flush the toilet tissue. This is very common in Central and South America but was strange to our youth. Even then, the toilets did not always work properly, which can be kind of embarrassing with a lot of people living in close quarters. Also, there was one shower for twelve girls and one shower for thirteen guys. Needless to say, nobody got to take a leisurely shower; although, this was helped by the fact that there was no hot water! The last night there, the water ran out, and some of our youth had to take a “cup shower.” Again, not one time did I hear anyone complain. They just did what had to be done.
During the first night there, the guys discovered that the air conditioner did not work in one of their rooms, so they decided to just all pile in one room. The only problem was that not everybody would fit, so Neil and one guy volunteered to sleep with no AC all week. What a sacrifice!
Also, the work was tedious and sometimes boring, but they did it with enthusiasm and used the time to get to know each other better. Even when they were asked to repaint some of the grates that they had just painted, they did not get discouraged. At the school and the
church, there was a language barrier, but they did the best they could and kept smiling, playing, and talking.
The final thing that really impressed me was the Puerto Rican people. I have been to many different countries, but I have never met people as loving, giving, kind, and open as the people there. Those that we spent the most time with were Jose; Max and his wife, Esther; their grown son, Julian; Sammy; J.R.; and Lisandra. Within just a few minutes of meeting them, they were sharing about themselves and their families. They were interested in us and our families. They shared hurts, concerns, and prayer requests. By the end of the week, we were so sad to have to say goodbye to them because of the relationships we had developed.
For me, this trip was an even bigger blessing than I imagined it would be. Yes, I was able to spend a lot of time with two of my favorite people groups, but I also got to see our kids doing new, exciting, and bold things. As a mom, I was blessed to see two of my children doing things they had never done before. As a church member who has taught almost every one of the youth on this trip (either Bible Drill, Sunday School, or VBS), I feel like all of these youth are part mine, and I was blessed to see how they have grown and matured, how they made connections with each other and the Puerto Ricans, how they stepped out of comfort zones, how they worked so hard, and how they adapted to the circumstances. You should all be so proud of how well these youth represented our church and Jesus during their Spring Break this year.
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 17
f you’ve spent much time in a Southern Baptist Church, then I’d be willing to bet that you’ve heard of The Great Commission. You know the scene well – Jesus has gathered His disciples around for a sort of pep talk after His resurrection and in preparation for His impending ascension, and as a part of this,
He utters these very famous words: “‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matt. 28:18-20). Even though most of us are very familiar with this passage, it is easy for us to let life get in the way of doing what is one of the MOST important jobs that we were put on this earth to do – sharing God’s love and the story of salvation with others.
One couple in our church family, Mark and Renee Young, heeded this call in the days leading up to Easter Sunday by inviting their neighbors to join them for worship at FBC Starkville. Using the invite cards provided by our church, Mark and Renee went out and invited all of the people who live in their apartment building as well as the staff at the apartment complex office, and they encountered an array of people from college students to young families. When I asked Renee if she and Mark had any reservations or fears going into this, she said, “No. I was well aware that some people wouldn’t be interested or wouldn’t answer their doors. We brought cookies along with our invite to start a conversation, and no one says no to cookies!” Along with cookies, Mark and Renee had also made handwritten notes for each of their neighbors that included their phone number in case the person wanted to contact them later. This allowed them
THE YOUNG'SEASTER INVITEB Y C O U R T N E Y D U E I T T
18 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
to leave their invitations if someone wasn’t home and to still have the opportunity to invite that person to church.
Their efforts were not in vain! God was faithful to them, as He is to all of us, and a few of their neighbors did come on Easter Sunday, but the blessings did not stop there, and neither did the lessons. Beyond extending invitations to their neighbors, some of which were accepted and some of which were not, Mark and Renee learned a lot from this experience. Renee said, “I have seen that inviting someone to church and them coming is not a one-time thing. It is essential to truly invest time in people and let them know you care. Having good conversations on a daily basis about everything under the sun and extending a smile and a positive word can go a long way.” Renee continued to talk about the command to make disciples and how it requires sacrifices of time and comfort; however, she said that she also realized how selfish she can be with her time – and who can’t relate to that? As most of us understand, she said, “I would much rather do what is comfortable and easy and what benefits me,” but she realizes that “those 30-40 minutes could have an eternal impact!” When we think of it that way, what better activity could we possible engage in for half an hour than possibly changing a person’s life…forever!
When I asked Renee what she would say to encourage others of us to step up and step out of our comfort zones to extend invitations to people we know, she said, “Don’t stop with just once. The people who ended up coming on Easter were people that we talk to on a weekly basis. They knew they could sit with us and that we were
saving them a seat, so coming into church wasn’t as intimidating.” She also added that when people “know where you go to church and that you are a Christ-follower, they will be watching you to see if you believe what you say you believe,” so live your faith out. Another way Renee suggests that we can be more intentional with people is to make sure that we introduce ourselves to people we see at church who we don’t recognize or have never seen before. She says, “It might be their first time, and they will feel incredibly welcomed. If they have been coming for years, it might be uncomfortable, but at least it won’t be a visitor who walked away” not feeling welcomed or valued. Plus, if you do introduce yourself to someone who is a long-time member, that’s just a great opportunity to get to know your church family even better!
We are fortunate to be a part of a congregation that provides us with many opportunities to invite others to worship with us and to participate in a myriad of events that ultimately point to Christ, but we have to be willing to put ourselves out there and invite people if we don’t want those opportunities to be wasted. Mark and Renee truly put feet to their faith, and I hope that their example encourages all of us to do the same.
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.
F B C S TA R K V I L L E . C O M 19
LYDIA EDWARDS is currently serving as Preschool Coordinator at FBC Starkville. She and her husband, Scott, have three boys, Reed, Jake, and Levi. Lydia enjoys taking care of her family, spending endless hours at the local park, and cooking! You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram @ledwards83.
KOREAN BEEF BOWL
• 1 pound of ground beef or venison
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup of packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup of soy sauce
• 2 teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• In a large skillet, cook beef and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles. Drain beef. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, oil, and seasonings. Stir sauce into beef and heat thoroughly. Serve with brown rice, broccoli stir fry, and garnish with green onions.
• For an easy and scrumptious broccoli stir-fry: Sautée broccoli, tri-colored peppers, and mushrooms in olive oil.
certainly enjoyed hearing some of your reviews on the Mississippi Pot Roast. I even had one church member to text me while she was in the grocery store asking for ingredients. You talk about making my heart soar with joy! This month, I would like to feature a quick
and easy recipe that is great when you have an evening full of events. I found this recipe on Pinterest about a year ago, and I always keep the ingredients on hand. Note: I cooked this recently and had to send the boys over to the Eaton’s house twice for ingredients I forgot. Oops! Again, I use ground venison, but you can easily use lean beef or ground turkey. I have also realized that our little circus, I mean three boys, can put away the food. If I use just one pound of meat, it will feed us one meal. If you want to count on leftovers for later in the week, go ahead and double this recipe. I serve this with brown rice, and a broccoli stir fry. It is yummy, the boys love it, and even choke down the broccoli if I chop it finely enough. I consider that a win all around! My favorite story behind this recipe comes from a married couple that was in our Graduate Student Community Group about 1.5 years ago. I was cooking Korean Beef Bowl, and they needed to drop something off at our house. It was right as dinner was about to be served, and we just told them to come on in and eat with us. The husband went on and on about how it was a favorite of his, and the wife was excited to have a new recipe. It was the last meal that we shared with them before they left Starkville, and headed into “the real world.” This couple meant so much to our family, and I am truly grateful that our Father let our paths cross. They taught Scott and me the importance of being intentional with people, to carry each other’s burdens, and how to live a more missional life. Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as our family does.
Happy Cooking!Lydia Edwards
B Y LY D I A E D WA R D S
LY D I A ' SK I TC H E N
20 M AY 2 0 1 6 | I s s u e 1 7
COMMUNITY GROUP ATTENDANCE FOR APRIL
APRIL 3 | 1067
APRIL 10 | 922
APRIL 17 | 1017
LUNCH BREAK MENUS
MAY 4Baked chicken halves, potato salad,
baked beans, garlic bread, & dessert
MAY 11Lasagna, salad bar, garlic bread, & dessert
MAY 18Chicken sandwiches and fixings, chips, coleslaw, & dessert
MAY 25Meatloaf, mac and cheese, butter beans, rolls, & dessert
UPCOMING EVENTS
STARTING POINTSUNDAY, MAY 1 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM 2ND FLOOR OF THE CHILDREN’S BUILDINGWhether you have recently become a member of FBC, are interested in joining, or would just like to know more about who we are as a church, then Starting Point is for you. During this one-time class Pastor Chip will share a few key things about the church: Who God is and what it means to follow Him. What we believe as a church. What we expect from you as a church member as we Gather, Grow, Give, Go. For those interested in knowing more about Starting Point on May 1 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm stop by The Cove or go to fbcstarkville.com.
DHS RESOURCE FAMILY APPRECIATIONMAY 6, 6:00-8:00PM | FBC CHILDREN'S BUILDINGTake part in honoring our community's resource (foster) families through
serving a meal and entertaining children.
PRESCHOOL M3 END OF YEAR CONCERTCOME TAKE A RADICAL RETRO RIDESUNDAY, MAY 15 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM | WAREHOUSE OCPreschool Children, wear jean bottoms (shorts, jeans, capris, skirts). A t-shirt will be provided for you that day! Be at the Warehouse by 4:20 pm.
STARK KIDS SHOWCASESUNDAY, MAY 15 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM | WAREHOUSE OCJoin us for a night of worship as Stark Kids sing and share their Bible Skills. All 1st-6th Graders will meet for dress rehearsal on May 11 in the Warehouse OC to prepare for the Stark Kids Showcase on May 15.
ORGANIZED MASS CHAOS: 1ST - 6TH GRADEWEDNESDAY, MAY 18 | 5:00 - 6:00 PMThe Official OMC Game is the large group game that will get our kids going crazy with a purpose. Wear clothes that can get messy and join us for a game your kids will love!
CHILDREN'S CHURCH
SUNDAY, MAY 29
8:30 & 11 :00 AM | 2ND FLR. CHILDREN'S BLDGWear your Red, White and Blue and join us for a Patriotic Themed Children’s Church as we remember the men and women who have
served our country and the Savior who came to serve and save us all!
ADVENTURE RETREAT
JUNE 2-3 AT TRUE ADVENTURE SPORTS FT. PAYNE, AL• $125 plus money for 2 meals while traveling• rappelling, rock climbing, night hike under the stars, kayaking, tubing, & more!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLJUNE 6-10 | 8:15 AM - 12:00 PMRegister your kids for VBS online at fbcstarkville.com!
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C H U R C H STAFF
C H I P S T E V E N S S E N I O R PA S TO R
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 .
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
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
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
N E I L T U L LO S YO U T H M I N I S T E R
L E A H F R A N C E S E ATO N DIRECTOR OF CHILDRENS MINISTRY
C H A R I T Y G WA LT N E Y DIRECTOR OF PRESCHOOL MINISTRY
B O B BY D ’A L E S S A N D R O DIRECTOR OF MEDIA & TECHNICAL ARTS
D E R E K VA N W I N K L E DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
L I N DA B L A I RFINANCIAL SYSTEMS MANAGER
K I M WA R ECHURCH MINISTRY ASSISTANT
M A R K YO U N GFAMILY AND YOUTH ASSOCIATE
K A R E N G R A H A MDIRECTOR OF THE CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER
R E D E F I N E DF B C S TA R KV I L L E
P E R I O D I C A L S
106 East Lampkin St. Starkville, MS 39759
FBCSTARKVILLE .com | 662. 323. 5633
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