outreach
Showing posts with label outreach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outreach. Show all posts

Calvary Car Show by John Parker

Johnny Parker has been attending Calvary Baptist Church since he was an infant and his wife, Tammy, since she was 16 years old. When the Parkers aren’t organizing the annual Calvary Car Show, Johnny serves as department leader for the school-age Sunday school classes as well ushering and deacon committee.  Tammy has spent over 20 years serving in the nursery department and continues to serve in other areas of Kid City.  In their spare time, Johnny & Tammy prioritize family time with their children and grandchildren for family Sunday dinners and games.

The Annual Calvary Car Show


When I was on the trustee board, the topic of Kids Camp came up.  One of the issues was a lack of fund raising being done for the little kids to help those who could not afford to go to camp. Some kids wanted to go but could not do so because of a lack of funds. This information was very troubling to me because I was saved at Minnetonka Youth Camp and the thought of a young boy or girl possibly missing out on something that was as dear to my heart and important as camp because of money was a problem.  I asked the Lord to use us to help, if it was the Lords will.

Tammy and I asked the Lord to lead us and show us what our part would be "if any" in making sure that any child who wanted to go to camp would be able to do so without it being a burden on their family finances. The ball started rolling fast and I knew whatever the Lord had in store needed to be a big one time event and not the usual cookie, cake, twenty dollar bag of fundraiser popcorn type effort. There were no car shows in town except the city "cruise in" which was only drawing 20-30 cars, it wasn’t really a car show. We figured if the church put on a car show and did it professionally, it would attract lots of spectators as well as classic car enthusiasts.   Especially if 98% of them would otherwise never step foot on our church campus.

The thought was to raise money to send every kid to camp who wanted to go as well as attracting lots of folks who would come to the car show.  Folks would come only expecting the car show but find more than that through the love of Christ manifested by our members who would one after the other introduce themselves and love on these folks.  Letting them know that they go to church here and invite them to visit us sometime.

My prayer is that when one goes to the Calvary Car Show they are swallowed up by the love of our Savior and when they leave they say to themselves “Wow I'm not sure what this feeling is that I'm feeling but those were the most loving, nicest, and warmest folks I've ever been around" We as born again Christians would know that the feeling they experienced was not from our kindness or even our love, but the love of the Savior of the world Jesus Christ himself.  He was tugging at their heart and placing in their heart that they HAVE TO get back to that place, the place where they thought they were going to a CAR SHOW but as it turns out it was not about classic cars at ALL!  It was about the joy in those people at that church, it was about the pressing down upon our very existence that there is something bigger than ME, and whatever it is, it is calling ME, and I MUST answer that call.
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Community by Lauren Schaefer

Lauren Schaefer has been attending Calvary Baptist Church since 2011 and resides in Fort Worth, TX with her son Tevyn. Lauren regularly volunteers in the Boulevard (preschool age) and Park (nursery) areas of Kid City. When she's not cheering on her son's team (Go Eagles!) or serving her church, Lauren enjoys entertaining, game nights with friends, and DIY projects.

Community

In March of 2015 God blessed me with a new home. Before it was even mine I knew I wanted use it to serve Him. I didn't know how I'd do that but I figured I could host an event like the youth during D-now weekend or a life group. It wasn't long before God put it on my heart to foster children and I chose to trust His plan. As I was moving in and getting settled, I hung a sign in the front room with a verse from the book of Joshua that reads "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord". Almost immediately Satan started putting obstacles in the way.

Everything that could go wrong did; plumbing, heating, you name it. Then when I began the process of becoming a foster parent, Satan attacked me even harder. He told me I was crazy. He told me I couldn't do what God was leading me to do. One specific thing Satan said was “You can't even afford to fix your fence. What makes you think you could afford another mouth to feed? How do you think you're going to be able to do this?” I tried my best to ignore him and clung to God's word, hoping He would drown Satan out, but I didn't hear anything.

It was during the prayer request portion of my life group meeting that I found the strength to share what I was going through. This group of ladies, that I believe God stitched together, prayed over me and encouraged me throughout the week.

At the very next life group meeting, one of the men in my life group came up to me and said. "Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. we'll be at your house to fix your fence."

I was taken back,"What?"

He repeated himself.

"I will be at a work conference out of town"

"Well, can we get in the back yard?", he asked.

I replied, "Yes, but..."

"But what?"

"But I don't have any money."

He said "Don't worry about it. We'll figure it out."

I shook my head and said "What do you mean we'll figure it out?"

And he walked away.

Saturday morning came and by the time I got home from my conference they guys were already halfway done. But it wasn't until the next day when the “God moment” came. I was on my way to Church and one of the guys text me and asked "Do you hear God now?" It was like a two-by-four to the head and I broke into tears almost instantly. I had become so focused on trying to hear God through His Word, that I missed Him speaking to me through this group of people!

Community, life groups, are about developing closer connections with people who will circle around you, who know when you're feeling overwhelmed, and they will help you. If you feel like you can’t do something, they'll step in and encourage you.  People to say, “Hey, you might not be able to do that right now, but I will help you! What do you need?” Without a doubt, there's a big reason that community and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ is important. Just seeing God and hearing God work through this group of people absolutely impacts my walk with Jesus.
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Q&A with Ron Adams, Facilities/Outreach Pastor

Ron Adams has been the Facilities/Outreach Pastor for Calvary Baptist Church since June 2006 and is a vital part of Calvary Baptist Church’s ministries.  Ron resides in Grand Prairie, TX with his wife, Crystil, and their two girls.

The Adams enjoy board games, going to movies and just being silly with one another, but their favorite thing to do together is visit Disney World. When Ron isn't serving as a husband, father, or pastor he enjoys camping, sporting events, game nights, and movies.

What does a Facilities/Outreach Pastor do exactly?

I work at keeping the Church campus looking as nice and clean as possible each week so people enjoy getting involved and serving within everything taking place at Calvary. Ultimately we want people to become a fixture within our church.

I also do the planning and running of events that will reach into our community and bring people to church. Outreach events allow the people to see our church family and get to know them on a more personal level - sharing life together and serving together. Some of our outreach activities include:
  • Judgment House
  • Softball for men and coed
  • Volleyball during the summer
  • Bowling during the off years of Judgment House
For softball, volleyball and bowling we welcome and want visitors to sign up and get involved with these activities. What better way to get to know the members of our church than to get involved in the activities that are established.

What is the #1 thing you love most about being Facilities/Outreach Pastor?

Creating an atmosphere that is conducive to learning more about our Savior Jesus Christ! Plus, being able to meet and interact with the people of Calvary on a daily basis.

What is the one question you are asked most?

"Why is it so hot/cold in the sanctuary?"

What many people may not know is we have done diligent study and research, and are teaming with an energy company, to help us set temperature based on the outside temperature and humidity. By doing this, we can minimize energy costs each month. Keeping in mind some people are hot natured and some are cold natured, I do try to find a middle ground to keep everyone as comfortable as possible.

What encourages you?

First and foremost my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Secondly my family! There are times I just don't know what I would do if I didn't have my family right there encouraging me along the way!

What is one thing you wish you could help people understand?

God is sovereign! There is nothing that happens in our lives that HE doesn't allow. We could be on the highest of high mountain tops or lowest of low valleys. Whatever is going on in our lives, God put it there for a reason.

I have found in my own life that some of the most valuable lessons I've learned have come while I was in deepest of valleys. I didn't understand at the time but when God brought me through it, I could see perfectly that it was for my good and I'm a better person today because of it!
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