Mission Moment 10.30.24

Juan Garcia
CBF Moderator and Pastor
Primera Iglesia Bautista de Newport News, Va.

As I ponder what is saving my life right now, I don’t want to sound cliché, but the answer is “Jesus.” He is constantly saving me.

Now, how specifically he is doing that or how I am specifically experiencing his salvation in this season in my life—that’s where it gets interesting. Currently, I have the privilege, along with a member of our congregation, of coaching my son’s soccer team in our city league. That’s something I never thought I’d be doing. I didn’t grow up playing soccer. As a matter of fact, my sport is basketball and when I try to play soccer with some people from our church, I find myself putting my hands instead of my feet to work. Hence, the oddity of my current situation. Yet, God worked things out in a way that I find myself engaging with and coaching a group of kids from different walks of life in a sport that I am still learning myself. 

The experience has been a blessing for me. It has been a breath of fresh air to my otherwise very ordinary pastoral and personal routine. It has been a source of renewal as I embrace these children, check on them during practices and games, show them Jesus’ love, pass on to them the little I know about the sport, challenge them to learn and improve and encourage them not to give up, since the game is not over until it is over. Being able to be the source of love, encouragement and fun to kids who sometimes look like they are lacking those things in their lives, has been to me a God-given and life-giving gift. 

Jesus told his disciples to “let the children come to him,” and that’s precisely what I am trying to do through this unexpected opportunity of coaching my son’s soccer team. And it happens to be that God is using that to save my life these days. 

Prayer, Practice, Ponder: 
Lord, may we never forget that your salvation and life-giving presence can be found in those unexpected opportunities you throw our way. Help us not to miss them, but to embrace them, so we can experience new life.

Pray. . .Give. . .Go.

A Way You Can Help

The relief needs are changing daily. The immediate needs at this time are: generators, heaters, basement dehumidifiers, Visa cards, cash, and prayers. We do not need anymore clothing or cleaning supplies donated for the time being.

That said, there are so many great ways to help our WNC neighbors in need. May I offer what I heard folks saying they needed to better serve hard hit areas like Mitchell and Yancey Counties? HEAT!!! 

They have ample supplies of most other things but REALLY need these on Amazon (but certainly other places, too): heaters, generators and dehumidifiers for basements: Please consider this as a possible way to honor a family member or loved one for early birthday or Christmas present. 

You can ask that it be shipped to: Helene Recovery Coalition, 2002 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28804. This is the staging warehouse serving WNC counties.  Thank you!

Light of Hope Tour

Dining for Jackson

Dining for Jackson Is Working to Aid the Center for Domestic Peace
Tuesday, November 5 at 11:30 a.m.

Last month, Dining for Jackson was scheduled to help the Center for Domestic Peace but they were inundated with calls for help from Haywood and Buncombe Counties due to the flood. Therefore, we will meet on Tuesday, November 5, and work to aid this important non-profit as they work to help not only Jackson County but Haywood and Buncombe as well. Please make every effort to come as the flood victims need our help so badly. We will meet at 11:30 in the Mission and Fellowship Center of Sylva First Baptist Church. 

The services provided by the Center for Domestic Peace include 24/7 confidential access to safety planning, information and support, assistance finding a safe place to stay and access to basic needs – especially since the flooding, free and timely access to licensed therapists, and ongoing help to rebuild their lives after abuse. Their clients have access to support groups, counseling, and a drop-in resource center for supplies and other assistance. Now that western North Carolina has been hit so hard with flooding, there are an even greater number needing our help so please come.

Ending domestic violence in Jackson County is going to take more than just the efforts of this one organization. To be successful in protecting our community, everyone needs to show their support of survivors. You can do this by joining us on November 5 for Dining for Jackson. Let’s advocate for those experiencing domestic violence and help them to take control of the situation they find themselves in and provide encouragement and motivation to persevere through everything they have to face to get to a life free from violence and manipulation. 

Wednesday Night Bible Study

TONIGHT, Wednesday, October 30

Join us for our Wednesday evening Bible study
TONIGHT, October 30 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Gathering Place Room. There will be no meal. Join us!

1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update

It was an eclectic week for 1st Explorers! 
Check out their daily activities from last week:

Monday:  Lori Meservey came to play the organ for the children.

Tuesday:  Game Day:  Telephone, Human Pretzel, Freeze Tag, Bridge Tag

Wednesday:  RAs/GAs/Mission Friends

Thursday:  Generation Kids came to teach about God’s love and played games with 1st Explorers

Friday:  Christian Hartman presented a Bible Question and Answer with the children.  They enjoyed it so much that this may become a monthly activity.  The day ended with Christmas play practice.

Three Ways You Can Help 1st Explorers

1. Assistant Director Kayla Hartman would love to have some folks from Sylva FBC help with the monthly Bible Q&A Time.  Please see her for more details.

2. Anyone who would like to share a skill, present a program, read a story, etc., for After School would be most welcome.  Just let Kayla know.

3. Snacks are always appreciated.  Leave individually wrapped snacks on the cart at the back entrance to the church.  

Women’s Fall Bible Study

Monday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Fall Bible Study will continue Monday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place Room.  We will be studying “Jesus In Me” by Anne Graham Lotz.  Books are available in the church office.

Light of Hope Tour

Men’s Breakfast

Saturday, November 2 at 8:00 a.m.

Please join us on Friday, November 1 at 10:00 a.m. to set up for the Men’s Breakfast.  Then please join us for the Men’s Breakfast on Saturday morning, November 2, at 8:00.  All ages are welcome!

Mission Moment 10.23.24

Kim and Marc Wyatt
CBF Field Personnel, Raleigh, N.C.

Refugee guests of Welcome House Raleigh arrive weary and off balance. With only the possessions they carry in their arms, they are homeless. Life as they knew it back home is gone forever. They are lost. It takes time for folks to regain their bearings and feel at home. Of course, they aren’t home yet. They are in a holding pattern, a pause. We welcome them to beloved community and help them get situated in their new bedrooms. 

The pause can take weeks, even months. Not knowing the future is frustrating and stressful. Every day our guests await news from their agency caseworkers that a permanent home has finally been found. It is an unspoken prayer. Having a home, they hope, will erase some of the loss and replace the emptiness with a promise of a new life. 

Refugees slowly but surely let down their guard. Peace and welcome are strong and compelling influences. Most welcome friendship. It is a sacred space. The ”pause” is a place where humanity is reclaimed. It is where we practice Christ’s presence. The transformation from strangers to friends is shared by all, both guests and hosts. We never grow tired of it. It is lifegiving. 

And then comes the day! They get the news. An apartment has been secured. Our team works closely with volunteers and the refugee agency to furnish the apartment ahead of moving day. They gather their belongings, often much more than they arrived with, and we take them to their new home. A “welcome home” door mat greets them. Their key opens the door. Inside, everything is in its place and every room is ready. After such a long and hard journey, they are finally home again. Their prayers are being answered. No matter how long it takes or how involved the work, we never grow tired of the ministry of welcome and hospitality toward strangers. 

The quote at the beginning of this reflection was written by the elder of a refugee family who were our guests during their “pause” at Welcome House. It now hangs on the wall near the front door. 

Pray, Practice, Ponder
Pray for those who are now experiencing a time of “pause” at Welcome House Raleigh. Pray they might experience this sacred space as healing and restorative, a place where new dreams and new life can begin. Pray for strength, joy and wisdom for those who serve and lead at Welcome House.

Pray...Give...Go.