Janice and I had a relaxing vacation last week that didn’t involve much more than eating and lying on a beach. As is our custom, when we take vacation we visit another church on Sunday. It is always good to worship with other believers, and it is interesting to see how other churches do things. That said, we are SO looking forward to being back with our church family at RPBC this Sunday!

I appreciate Dr. Tommy Doughty preaching in my absence. Several have told me what a good job he did and how much they enjoyed him. That is awesome! I specifically wanted him to preach this past Sunday as sort of an introduction. Rhys, as our Minister of Education, and I have planned 2 special Discipleship Training opportunities for this fall: October 8^th and November 5^th. Dr. Doughty will teach the adult sessions. We will be sharing more information about the schedule and course topics in the weeks ahead.

While I’m writing this, I want to share a concerning experience I just had with a man (lives in another state) who phoned the church office while I was on vacation and asked for the pastor. I returned his call just prior to writing this article. He said he had been calling different churches of various faiths in order to gain an understanding of an experience he recently had. He related that he was awakened from a deep sleep one night by a knock. Thinking it was a friend, he called out to him, but received no answer. Going to the door to investigate, no one was there (he now believes it was an invisible angel). A short time later, he read Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” He phoned me under the guise of seeking an understanding of the meaning of the verse. However, in the conversation he revealed that he interpreted that verse as referencing an angel knocking on the door of one specific person. He believes that he is that person, and that he has been chosen to be God’s messenger; that he is “the one.” Do you see why I need a vacation from time to time???

It is interesting that I am currently leading a Wednesday night Bible Study based upon the signs of the end times. In Matthew 24:4-5 we read, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.”” Folks, this is a real-world example of how we are seeing the end time signs being played out all around us. Don’t let anyone mislead you! Study the Word. Memorize the Word. Meditate on the Word. And, place yourself under the accurate teaching and preaching of the Word so that you cannot be deceived.

This coming August 24^th we are hosting IMPACT Training for Mississippi Baptists in region 5 (eighteen counties in southeast Mississippi). This is training for pastors, church staff, and volunteer leaders of adults, youth, children, and preschool. There will also be a special bonus breakout panel discussion session with Q&A for teenagers and young adults interested in knowing more about a call to ministry. I am asking all of our Sunday School teachers and leaders to attend, but it is open to anyone who feels a call to serve. If you plan to attend, please pre-register at mbcm.org/events, or phone the church office and we will register you. Supper will be provided only for those who pre-register. The schedule is as follows:

5:15        Supper (pre-registered attendees only)

6:00        Worship (to be led by our own Ethan Wilson)

6:10        Keynote Speaker (Dr. Jamie Dew, President of NOBTS)

7:00        Breakout sessions for pastors, adults, youth workers, children/preschool workers,

and the bonus panel discussion breakout

8:30        Dismissal

We also need volunteers to help set-up, serve food, host, security, and childcare. This is a great opportunity for our church, and I hope you will be involved as an attender or volunteer. Mark your calendar!

Finally, we welcome Angie Marchese (church letter) and her grandson, James Smith (profession of faith) who responded to the invitation at the 11:00 service on July 23^rd. Please help them feel welcome!