First Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ

Welcoming, Witnessing & Winning for the Kingdom of God

September 2001

Getting Going Again

September is the month in the Church life when all of the programs of the Church get going again.  Actually, the ministry of preaching and teaching of the Bible never stopped in July and August!  God never stops!  If that weren't true, no one would be saved or delivered and Christians would not grow!  Think of the chaos!

Rally Day is September 9th.  A sort of official day when all Church ministries come together and move forward in action.  This applies to all Sunday and weekly activities.  The highlight this year is the start-up of ministry to and with our youth from Grade 5 through High School.  These formal fellowship and study sessions will be Sundays at 5:44 PM in the Education Building.  Ray Bates and George Scully have been steadily planning and praying for this.  They are counting on your prayers, participation (when requested), and encouragement of participation of our youth (that means you parents and grandparents).  Your encouragement can make a difference.

I believe prayer is the heart of the Church.  We may have a great program, but prayer leads what programs should function and how.  Prayer precedes revival to Biblical life and practice.  It makes it possible to reach the unsaved in our homes and community.  I read about a 93 year old mother and 2 daughters who had regularly designated seats in Dodger Stadium and never missed 1600 home games.  They were not good fans, but totally committed.  The principle of a Christian is total commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the local congregation.  Real commitments are preceded by prayer.

I conclude with the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10:

"Oh that you (Lord) would bless me, indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain."

If we want the Church to grow, we need each one to pray in this spirit and expect God to lead where and when He pleases.

On to victory in Christ.

Pastor Blackley