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Pastor Jay's Mid-Week Memo – Sept. 20, 2023

Dear Church Family,

We are just a little over a week away from our annual Engage Global Celebration – September 29-October 1. It’s hard to believe this is the 10^th anniversary of what has become a highlight of the year for our church. It is always a joy to get to see and hear from our partners around the world as we celebrate what God is doing – and as we look forward to the mission opportunities He has for us in the year to come. God is on His mission and we get to be a part of it!

As we anticipate this year’s celebration, and as you make plans to attend, I want to highlight 3 new things I’m truly thrilled about this year:

1. Prayer walking with Una Baptist Church: As you know, we have been partnering with our friends at Una to help them re-engage their community with the Gospel. This event will be a tangible next step in helping them do just that! Make plans to be at Una on Saturday, September 30 at 9:00am. Teams will receive some brief training, a map and be sent out to prayer walk specific neighborhoods. Those who are unable to walk will pray together at the church. Teams will gather back at Una to celebrate what they experienced, and to pray together for God to continue moving in Una and in the surrounding neighborhoods. I pray this will even help all of us consider how to do the same thing in our neighborhoods!
2. Pastor JP Beaudry will be preaching Sunday, October 1: Pastor JP and his wife Valerie were with us last year and shared testimony of how God is moving in Quebec City where the overwhelming majority of people are not followers. Pastor JP is the Lead Pastor of our church planting partner there, New Life Church. They are continuing to see God move in incredible ways as nearly 1,000 people are gathering weekly in their church! I’m so glad Pastor JP will be preaching for us in both morning worship services that Sunday!
3. Mission Lunch for college students with Cory Singleton and Charlie Worthy: After the 11am service, college students will have the opportunity to hear how they can serve on mission in Los Angeles through GenSend, and in Europe through the IMB. You know how God is moving in our college ministry and we want to keep giving students the opportunity to grow in their faith, use their gifts and even explore God’s call on their lives! Cory Singleton coordinates GenSend in Los Angeles and is a long-time friend of mine. Charlie Worthy is a member of our church and is one of our partners serving in student mobilization with the IMB. This will be a great opportunity for our college students!

Of course, we will unveil our 2024 mission opportunities, hear incredible stories of God’s faithfulness and work and have a wonderful time praying together and encouraging our partners. Don’t miss the 10^th anniversary of Engage Global Celebration!

I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight at Midweek and this Sunday as we walk thru Nehemiah 4 – talking about how to face opposition in our lives as we follow Jesus. Can’t wait – be here and invite someone to join you!

Until All Hear,
Pastor Jay

Pastor Jay's Mid-Week Memo – Sept. 13, 2023

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, support and prayer in response to the announcement of my nomination for President of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Truly, your response has been life-giving to me and my family – it means so much.

Three things I want to highlight this week:

• Let's celebrate 405 people attending the Opening Sunday at Portrait Church, our church plant in Redlands, CA (Greater Los Angeles)! We are so excited for Pastor Jay Stovall, his family and the team God has brought together there. Continue to pray for them as they follow-up with guests and prepare for this coming Sunday.
• Kids Jam, our brand-new worship and music opportunity for grades 1-5 is off to a great start and building great momentum! The aim of this environment is to equip our kids to become worshippers and worship leaders. Monica Hutcheson, one of our ministry residents, and a great team of volunteers are leading so well. They are beyond passionate about what they are doing. If your kids have missed the first few weeks, it's not too late to jump in this Sunday at 12:30pm!
• We are ramping up for our annual Engage Global Celebration September 29-October 1. This year is the 10th anniversary of Engage and will be a tremendous time of celebrating how God is working through our partners around the world! We will also share our Mission Engagement trips for 2024! It all kicks off with the golf tournament on Friday, and there is still time for you to get a team together to play. Get more information on the schedule for Engage and get signed up for the golf tournament by visiting the website fhbc.org/egc.

God is moving at Forest Hills and it is such a blessing to be on mission together! Keep inviting friends, keep praying for God to move, and keep creating the wonderful welcoming environment like you do each week.

I can't wait to pick up our journey through Nehemiah this Sunday – take a look at Nehemiah 3 and how God brought people from all walks of life together to accomplish His purpose. It's so powerful and rich and I'm excited to walk through it with you all!

Love you, praying for you and can't wait to see you soon!

Until All Hear,
Pastor Jay