Featured Stars at New Monmouth Baptist Front and Center

Dear Church Family,

What an exhilarating time we spent last week, as we worshiped together and witnessed the baptism and testimonies of our new members. The church was packed and there was an incredible spirit of love throughout the sanctuary. As elder John O’Neill stated, “my tie was wet with tears of joy, as I listened to the remarkable testimonies of those who stepped forward to join the church.” John’s charge to the congregation along with Gary Steidl’s closing remarks, coupled with Bill Roberts’ prayer were all a reminder of how blessed we are to have such mature and committed church leaders, as we continue to move forward into the future.

It happened. I have been encouraging people to go the extra mile in greeting and welcoming people, and Chris and Tanuja Kailas did just that. When a new visitor came, Chris escorted her over to sit with Tanuja, so that she would feel more comfortable worshiping in a church for the first time. Chris and Tanuja, thanks for your great example. 

When you see a visitor, especially one who is here for the first time, don’t just say hi, greet them with a handshake or a hug, but go the extra mile. Ask them if they would like to sit with you and then spend some time after the service getting to know them.

Vanessa Briggs’ elementary school teacher visited us on Sunday, thanks to Vanessa’s continued encouragement to her to visit. She had grown disenchanted with her church, and she was finally ready to venture out to church again. I sat with her in the Family Ministry Center and was blessed to learn of her relationship with Vanessa, and how that relationship resulted in her presence and her decision to worship with us in the future. 

When was the last time you invited someone to church? The sign of a growing church is seen in the number of people being invited to worship each Sunday. Don’t give up after one effort, but keep asking, keep inviting, and keep praying.

I was so blessed this past Saturday our combined men’s and women’s fellowship program with Scott Fritz and Joe Gratzel, who addressed the subject of suicide. Around 75 people, both young and old, were present for an outstanding presentation, but highlighting the day for me was the music presentation by our talented young people. They sang three selections and their contribution was the highlight of my day. Thank you Mark Best for encouraging and pouring your life into these young people. I feel confident that if they stay together they will one day be using their gifts to bless other churches and other ministries. They are a terrifically talented group.

The newly formed deacon board has been meeting for the last three months and they are presently engaged in a calling and visiting ministry. Teddie O’Neill recently spoke at our monthly meeting, providing training on hospital and home visitation, and each of our new deacons are now stepping out of their comfort zones to reach out to a number of people in our church.

I can’t wait for you to see our new welcome area. Not new in the sense of just built, but new in the sense of being refreshed and updated with a special woman’s touch. You will see new wall hangings, posters, tract racks, all of which are a present reminder of our commitment to welcoming new visitors. Thanks Erin Nicastro for your special “welcoming touch.” Thanks also to all of the Welcome Table volunteers, who each week serve behind the welcome table, helping to make new visitors feel so very much at home

I am encouraged by the increased number on our worship team. Thanks Walt Graczyk for your efforts to recruit new people, both young and old, to this ministry. Just two Sundays ago four of our young people were upfront playing drums, guitar and keyboard along with our adult worship team members.

Every week, we are blessed to have a number of U Turn for Christ members on campus to help address all kinds of facility needs. U Turn for Christ is an addiction ministry with a spiritual component designed to help men find recovery through Jesus. Each week, we have the opportunity to pour into their lives through lunch and a devotional we share. They are a great resource, as they share their time and expertise to help maintain our facilities. Of late, they have done a lot of painting in the downstairs kitchen area. They work under the able oversight of Dennis Durant. Our intentions are to renovate the downstairs kitchen area and plans are now being made for new carpet, new lighting and a new stove.

Thanks to Donna Bisgrove, who once again helped provide a beautiful array of Easter Lilies up front, as we celebrated Easter with the largest attendance we have had in a number of years. 

Thanks also to our custodian Evie Best who is the premier church custodian. I often tell her that she maintains the cleanest facilities of any church I have ever visited. Many first-time visitors will judge a church, not by the sermons, but by the spotlessness of the facilities, especially the bathrooms. No need to worry about that with Mrs. Evie, for our bathrooms, and all our church facilities are immaculate, thanks to her conscientious attention.

Also kudos to Eileen Thomas and Karen Bottari, along with a host of other weekly volunteers who set up such and clean up for our Family Fellowship time on Sundays following the service. We are presently looking for volunteers to help share in this ministry, and if you would be willing to help with set-up and clean-up once every two months, please speak to either one of them. And by the way, if you haven’t visited the Family Ministry Center of late, you need to. You will be amazed at the number of people who congregate following services. There is no better time or place to meet and greet new people.  

I could go on and on extolling the various ministries here at New Monmouth Baptist Church. Suffice is to say, we are blessed by these and so many others who have stepped up to use their gifts in the service of Christ. A growing church is one where there is no “unemployment”. So, if you are currently unemployed and looking for work there are ministry needs available, so why not speak to one or our pastoral staff. I think you will be glad you did.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom