In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. As he made his rounds, he could either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years. Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station.

When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, “Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable.” He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson’s amazement, the engine roared to life.

For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work. And so it is in our lives. A loose connection to God will keep us from being filled with the power of His Spirit. Keep your connection to God tight during these difficult days and you will find that a supernatural power is yours!

One of the good things that has come out of the Corona Virus pandemic is the improvement of our video and on-line ministries. In seeking to keep our church family united during these days of sheltering at home and social distancing, we have developed a ministry called TO GATHER TOGETHER. That has been the theme under which we have been worshipping virtually with live-streamed services since Sunday, March 22^nd. It is also the theme of our weekly postings giving you information and devotionals from various staff members.

Our MISSION TRIP to Cowley, Wyoming, scheduled for July 18^th – 24^th, is a “go” provided that the airlines are flying at that time. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is also scheduled to happen that same week of July 19^th-23^rd.   

Besides our live-streamed worship and Sunday School, we will also be live-streaming our annual NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE on Thursday, May 7^th, at 11:00 A.M. A number of pastors in our Lamar Christian Ministerial Association will be meeting in our worship center to share that patriotic service with you that day. The theme is “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth” from Habakkuk 2:14 which says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.”

You will also find in this month’s Witness information about our giving during this crisis. I am so proud of you for your most generous giving both to our burdget and to our Generations Following Student/Young Adult Building Campaign. Though we are behind in our budget giving, we are actually only about two weeks behind. That’s very good in the midst of a world-wide crisis!   In addition, we have recently crossed the million dollar mark in our fund-raising campaign!

Of course, everyone’s question is: “When will our church reopen for public services again?”   With Corona Virus details changing every hour, perhaps it is easier to say when we will not reopen. We will not reopen before the Public Health State of Emergency expires on May 13, 2020. Please continue to listen to our various social media postings for updates concerning our reopening for public services.

May is going to be an ANOTHER DIFFERENT month! So, STATY SAFE and WORSHIP with us VIRTUALLY!! 

A man was walking along the street one day when he saw a black cat crossing the road.  He thought to himself that he was going to have bad luck that day. Worried about seeing the black cat, he asked his friend what was going to happen to him. His friend replied, “That will depend on whether you are a rat or not.”  In the same way, knowing who we are in Christ will conquer fear in our lives!

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and altered every aspect of our society, including our churches. Locally, it began to turn our world upside down about the middle of March. Sunday, March 22^nd, was our first live-streamed service for the primary purpose of offering our church family the opportunity to worship with us by way of our website (www.fbcbarnesville.com), Facebook, or our FBC app. The week before that, we began our efforts to stay connected with our people through postings on various channels of social media. Those who do not have the devices that give them access to those channels can receive a free weekly DVD of our Sunday morning services and Sunday School lessons.   Simply call the church office and make that request.

Everything we are doing during this time of crisis falls under the title of TO GATHER TOGETHER. I want to thank our church staff for their tireless efforts in working to stay connected to our people, as well as ministering to others in our community during this stressful time. We are committed to observing Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s order of not having more than ten people in a worship/teaching/fellowship space at any time. That, of course, means that we are having to do ministry differently than we have ever done it before!

Everything from weddings to funerals to Easter Sunday services are likely to be impacted by this crisis. At this writing, there are only two events that we are relatively sure will happen. Our MISSION TRIP to Cowley, Wyoming, is scheduled for July 18^th – 24^th. We still have 8 seats open for this trip. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is that same week of July 19^th-23^rd.  At this point, we cannot predict whether events that have been scheduled for the months of April and May will be able to take place.

Besides the live-streamed worship service Sunday at 11:00 A.M., I am also live-streaming my Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30 P.M. We will also post a series of inspirational devotions called “The Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross” each of the seven days starting on Palm Sunday (April 5^th) and going through Saturday, April 11^th. In addition, our other staff members are streaming and/or posting studies and worship services for their ministries.

Allow me to say a quick word about giving. Our church staff is still working full time, and our salaries make up about half of our church budget. Therefore, your regular giving is vital to the continued ministries of our church. You may continue to give online, by bank draft, through the mail or by bringing your tithes and offerings to the church. We ask that if you are bringing your offering to the church, that you call and let us know that you are stopping by. Simply ring the door bell and we will meet you at the door and maintain the 6ft recommended distance. Thank you for your continued support of our church!

Should you need any of our staff, I have posted our numbers below:

Garth Forster (770) 584-2051                        Greg Burrell (770) 584-3297

Russ Jenkins (478) 365-8719                         Jason Teal (912) 978-1449

Jennifer Zeager (770) 843-3852                    Church Office (770) 358-2353

April is going to be a DIFFERENT month, but don’t fear!   Worship with us VIRTUALLY!!