I saw it happening months ago.  James Talarico, a young, articulate, reasonable sounding politician, began making waves in the Democratic party.  He was a rising star, serving in the state House of Representatives and garnering the praise of top Democratic leaders including former President Barack Obama. 

But he wasn’t just turning politicians’ heads.  I saw reasonable, God-fearing Christians begin to take notice of his even-keel cadence and pointed Christian rhetoric.  Unlike many of his liberal Democratic peers, he did not keep his faith in the background from his politics.  Instead Talarico chose to push his faith to the foreground of his political messaging.

He began his campaign for the U.S. Senate by declaring it was time to start “flipping tables” like Jesus.  He began inserting Biblical motifs and scriptural references into his speeches, interviews, and political rallies.  He spoke often of his Christian faith, his grandfather that was a preacher, his seminary education, and his aspiration to be a pastor.

These spiritual talking points caught the attention and fandom of Christian audiences.  I have watched several of my own Christian peers repost his social media content and advocate for his Senate candidacy.  This kind of behavior is historically quite common during election seasons, as Christians often advocate for political figures who represent their biblical convictions.  However, James Talarico is different than his Christian political predecessors.  How so?  Talarico’s version of Christianity is incongruent with biblical orthodoxy. 

Yes, he appeals for Texans to “love God and love their neighbors.”  I can gladly get behind that.  However, he also presents a “biblical” case for abortion.  He awkwardly explained this on The Joe Rogan Show when he said the angel “asked” Mary for her consent before she carried the Savior of the world.  The problem is that did not happen in Luke chapter 1.  The angel informed her, but he did not ask her for her permission.  Further, Mary did not grant God permission, but rather she humbly agreed to submit to the will of God even though it would be costly.  That faith is why we still celebrate her today!

Even if one tried to read consent into that passage, it remains an impossibility to use those scriptures as a proof-text for modern abortion rights.  The irony is Luke chapter 1 serves as one of the greatest pro-life texts in the Scriptures.  Mary goes on to visit her relative Elizabeth who is also pregnant with John the Baptist.  Unborn John was not described just as a “clump of cells” in the Bible, but instead “when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:41).  As an unborn baby, John the Baptist, was the first to worship the unborn Savior.  John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus even from the womb!

Talarico has also declared that God is non-binary even though the Bible tells us God is spirit (John 4:24), and we pray to Him as God the Father (Matt 6:9), through the mediation of God the Son (1 John 2:1).  Talarico has claimed there are six genders, even though Jesus said there are only two (Matt 19:4). Talarico has said same-sex marriage is biblical, even though Jesus said marriage is between a man and woman (Matt 19:5).  Talarico preached from the Gospel of Thomas, even though that book was rejected from the biblical canon.  Talarico has called his own whiteness and masculinity a “virus,” even though the Bible says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

James Talarico’s religious rhetoric must not be applauded by Christians, it should be corrected.  Unfortunately, many Christians are so biblically illiterate that they do not know what is true and what is false when they hear spiritual communication.  This leaves many believers vulnerable and persuadable through false teachers.  Paul warned, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). 

Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44), and Satan still speaks lies to Christians every single day.  One way he does this is by twisting the scriptures to say things it actually does not say.  Satan twisted God’s Word when he tempted Eve in the garden (Genesis 3). Satan twisted God’s Word in the Judean desert when he tempted Jesus to sin against the Father (Matthew 4).  And Satan is still twisting God’s Word through people who Jesus warned would “come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15).

Paul told the church to watch out for false teachers.  He wrote, “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Cor 11:14-15).  Paul said “watch out” because people will look like sheep, act like sheep, and talk like sheep, but they will lead the flock astray.

I want to encourage the church with a few practical points as we listen to religious rhetoric this political season from James Talarico, as well as other candidates on both sides of the aisle:

1. The Bible is the standard.  Do not be swayed by a speaker’s style, focus on their substance.  Is the truth they are proclaiming actual biblical truth?  Or does it just sound biblical due to its theological underpinning?
2. Don’t support “Christian leaders” who teach false doctrine.  The Bible does not tell you to “follow them”…it tells you to run from them! (1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Thess 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:5, 2 John 10)
3. Don’t be scared to speak up.  Some will read this and think I’ve lost my mind.  Why would I call out a well-known leader by name because of his false teaching?  I will because Paul did the exact same thing with Demas (2 Timothy 4:10,) Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Tim 1:15), Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:19-20), and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17). Talarico is not just a politician. He has publicly presented himself as a church-leader, so church leaders must publicly hold him doctrinally accountable.
4. Remember, policy is a part of our character too.  Some will say, “but he’s a nice and reasonable guy.”  Perhaps he is, and I genuinely hope he is.  But character is not only revealed through our personalities.  It is also revealed through our convictions.  Championing convictions that are in clear and direct contradiction to God’s Word says a lot about someone’s character.

I have had these conversations with people individually.  It usually ends with this rebuttal: “But what about rebuking all the bad behavior of other ‘Christian’ politicians?”  That’s a fair question, and I want to be clear.  I am unhappy with all morally egregious behavior from political leaders on the right or the left (and both sides have had their fair share).  And sometimes I do indeed publicly speak to those issues.  However, I don’t all the time for two primary reasons:

First, if I called out every morally bankrupt thing that happens in the political arena, that would become my new full-time job.  It would consume every day of my life, probably make me an unhappy and cynical person, and it would not bear much, if any, fruit in this world.  I firmly believe we are all sinful people who are led by sinful leaders.  And I believe we will all be severely disappointed in our leaders until Jesus Christ returns to reign as the true and righteous King.

Secondly, while bad behavior is always disappointing, bad doctrine is far more devastating.  False teaching literally leads people to hell.  And Pastors are called to protect their flocks by guarding their doctrine closely: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). 

I pray every Christian Pastor and leader remembers the farewell charge that Paul gave the Ephesians elders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”  I do believe James Talarico is speaking twisted things. I just pray the bride of Christ will have enough spiritual discernment to not listen.

Jonathan Spencer

Senior Pastor, Austin Baptist Church

The Men’s Steak Dinner is coming up on Thursday April 16^th from 6-8pm.  I am excited to see our church take this next step in building a vibrant men’s ministry at ABC.  I believe it is imperative for men in our church to build community, accountability, and discipleship with one another.  Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

We will all be sharpened on April 16^th as former Secret Service Agent, Darin Kinder, shares his story and biblically challenges our men.  Darin served on the ground in NYC on September 11, 2001.  Like so many other heroes that day, he chose to run to the disaster rather than from it.  He wrote a book telling his story called, “Bury Me In a Dirty Suit,” and he will challenge men to not run from the fights in their lives but instead remain faithful in the battle.

This event is designed to help disciple our men but also serve as an outreach to our community. I encourage you to purchase a ticket for yourself and another man outside of our church.  We will be serving 16oz Ribeyes and your event ticket can be purchased here: https://austinbaptistchurch.com/event/mens-steak-dinner?d=2026-04-16

Note we will have a lot going on at the church in the next few weeks.  We will begin new carpet installations during Spring Break, and it will take us two weeks to overhaul the lobby, Great Hall, and the Worship Center.  Paragon 360 will also begin installations during that time to set up our new cameras and broadcast equipment purchased through your continued generosity to Light the Way.  We are inching closer to the end of our stated goals.  We need just a little over $300k to complete all objectives!

Thank you for your faithfulness, and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

I find it interesting as I write this on March 3, 2026, it happens to be the Jewish holiday of Purim.  Purim is a joyous, Jewish festival celebrating the ending of an evil Persian plot to annihilate the Jews nearly five centuries before the first coming of Jesus Christ.  This ancient genocidal plot was foiled through God’s sovereign protection, as He worked miraculously through the help of Queen Esther (read the book of Esther for the full story).

Here we are nearly 2,500 years later and Israel still has enemies in Persia (modern day Iran).  And once again, evil and repressive leadership in that nation has communicated their genocidal desire to annihilate Israel (and America).  This desire has been well documented for decades since the Ayatollah took power in that historic land.  However, with the recent elimination of Ayatollah Khomeini, the nation of Iran and the Middle Eastern region as a whole are at consequential moment. 

On this holiday of Purim, I am praying for God once again to protect Israel.  But I am also praying for God to liberate the Iranian people and to open a wide door for Gospel advancement.  After a more recent revolution in the nation of Egypt, our ministry partner, TC Egypt, has seen over 4,000 people come to know Jesus Christ these past 15 years.  May God do a work like this once again now in the nation of Iran!

I encourage you to join me in prayer for the peace and security of Israel (Gen 12:2, Ps 122:6).  But may we not forget to pray for the safety and salvation of the Iranian people. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

I encourage you in a moment like this to be prayerful and not fearful.  Read your Bibles, not just the news.  Spend more time interceding than speculating.  Are we in the last days?  Yes, because God has already poured out His Spirit on us (Acts 2:17).  Is Jesus about to return?  No one knows (Matthew 24:36).  We are simply called to be ready (Matthew 24:44) and be found faithful doing what He told us to do (Matthew 28:18-20).  May God protect our troops, guide our governing leaders, and may He be glorified through this season of turmoil.

NOTE: Some of you know I was scheduled to lead a group to Egypt this week. I was going to introduce church members to our ministry partner, TC Egypt, and I was going to train a couple hundred Middle Eastern pastors.  We were planning to then embark on a special Bible tour throughout that incredible nation.  Unfortunately, we had to cancel the trip due to safety concerns.  The U.S. State Department issued a warning for Americans to evacuate 14 Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt.  While I am disappointed, I do believe we made the wisest decision given the region’s current volatility.  I do look forward to leading more groups back to the Middle East in the days to come to see Scripture come alive and experience the remarkable things God is doing.  Bring a friend this Sunday, and I look forward to unpacking Genesis chapter three with you.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Genesis 2:18 says, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’.”  Everything God created was good, however man’s initial experience in that creation was not good.  God saw it was not good for man to be alone, so he made a helper fit for him. 

This Sunday we are pressing on to week two of our mini-series on marriage.  As part of our Foundations series, we are gaining a foundational understanding of the home.  Last week, we saw that marriage is God’s idea.  We learned what a marriage is according to God’s Word, and this week we will learn how a marriage should function.  We are going to study the topic of husbands and wives, and I pray marriages will be strengthened as we embrace God’s design for the home.

I am very aware that the topic of marriage is a sensitive one.  Some in our church have painfully walked through divorce.  Others were raised in broken homes.  Some want to be married, but God has not opened that door yet.  And many are walking through painful seasons in their marriages right now.  I want to encourage you to not run from these discomforts, but instead lean into God’s Word for direction. “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).  God Word is good, and marriage becomes good when we joyfully submit our homes under it.

If marriage is a tough topic for you, I want to encourage you with this: you are not alone.  Lean into God’s Word and lean into the church.  If you need counseling, we host on-site counseling at our church through partnership with a counseling provider (you can book an appointment online).  If you need encouragement or prayer support, please speak to a minister or your BFG leaders.  God still does miracles, and He can miraculously move in your heart and your home today.  Invite a friend and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am this Sunday.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25).  For the next two weeks, we are going to study the foundation of marriage in Genesis chapter two.  God made us male and female, and marriage was His idea.  Marriage is not a man-made institution, rather it is a God-given gift. 

Genesis provides Biblical and moral clarity on God’s perfect design for the home.  This is important because the home is under attack in our culture.  Divorce is prevalent, sexual sin and gender confusion are rampant, and countless Americans struggle to experience healthy home lives.  But Genesis chapter two reminds us that marriage is a God-given blessing, and there is joy to be found when you build your home God’s way.

I encourage you to prioritize these next two weeks and join us for worship at 8:45am or 11:15am.  Whether you are married, want to be married, or know people who are married, these two weeks are for you.  I encourage you to invite a friend, and let’s commit to build our homes together on the foundation of God’s Word.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).  Jesus explained that farmers have to make a decision about their seed.  They can hold on to their seed and preserve it, but their seed will not bear any fruit.  But if they choose to plant their seed into the ground, in due time that released seed will bring a harvest of fruit.

God has given our church financial seeds to steward.  Light the Way has reminded us of the impact we can make through planting those seeds into Gospel fields.  As part of the LTW initiative, ABC set a goal to “expand our mission.”  One way we are doing this is through partnership with NAMB’s church planting movement that is happening across southern California. Through your generosity, we are funding a church residency program that provides pastoral training and seminary education for aspiring church planters.  Additionally, we have selected one church planter, Pastor Derek Berry, to continue to support through prayer, giving, and sending.

Pastor Berry sent me an update last week about his new church (see his letter enclosed in this week’s addition of the Bridge).  I was so thrilled to see Derek report that his new church just baptized four brand new believers of Jesus Christ!  That is a picture of the fruit of the harvest that we seek.  Thank you for casting financial seed for the sake of the Gospel.  We are just a little over $300k away from being fully funded to complete all of our LTW goals.  I encourage you to continue in your faithfulness through our general fund, “The Great Commission Fund,” but also consider giving above and beyond to help us Light the Way forward together. When you give to the church, you are also giving through the church.

Who can you invite to join us for worship this week?  You can be a part of kingdom work right here and right now at ABC simply by inviting your neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and friends.  Remember, we are called to cast the seed, but it is God who makes it grow (1 Cor 3:6-7).  I’ll see you Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  

Christians are not called to live their lives in isolation.  Because we were made in the image of a relational God, God has also made us for relationships.  We were created to have a relationship with Him, and we were created to have relationships with each other.  This is why the church is described in the New Testament as a “body” with many parts.  We are called to connection with each other, while we are mutually connected to the head of the body, Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to get connected at ABC.  The primary catalyst for connection is our Bible Fellowship Groups that meet at 10am.  This is where people come together to study God’s word, pray, and encourage one another.  Friendships are formed in these classes that spill over to everyday life.  Have you found a group to connect with?  If not, we can help you find one this Sunday at 10am.

I also encourage parents with teenagers to sign up their students for Connection Weekend on February 20-22^nd.  This weekend is designed to facilitate connections for your 6^th to 12^th grader.  These students will connect with God and grow in their relationship with Him through worship, prayer, Bible study, and service.  But they will also connect with each other and build meaningful relationships within their own peer groups.

I want to challenge you with this reminder: you cannot connect if you do not show up.  Connection requires effort, intentionality, and yes, getting over the initial awkwardness that comes with developing new relationships.  But I also want to encourage you with this: that effort is worth it.  God wants you to be known, and there is joy that comes through living in real Christian community.  Don’t neglect the gathering this weekend.  Even better, invite someone to come with you.  I look forward to connecting with you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

I hope you stayed warm and safe during this recent winter storm.  I’m grateful the power outages were minimal around our city, and I am thankful we were still able to meet remotely last Sunday.  I do want to thank our Director of Media Ministries, Stephen Vaughn, for making it possible.  Stephen put many unseen hours into recording, editing, and producing those online worship services.  Because of his effort, we were able to worship together from our living rooms on an icy weekend.

Weekends like last Sunday remind us of the power of media ministries.  Technological resources provide the necessary tools to extend the message of Jesus Christ beyond our church walls.  They help us connect with church members who are unable to gather, and they help us connect with people who have yet to walk through our church doors.  I’m excited we are about to upgrade these critical resources through your continued generosity to Light the Way.

In the next few months, our media partner, Paragon 360, will be installing brand new cameras, broadcasting systems, and worship center video screens.  These resources will provided necessary updates to 15+ year old equipment, but even more importantly they will give us upgraded tools to connect with people beyond our church doors.  After this Phase 1 of media upgrades is installed, we will press on to Phase 2 which includes new lighting and technological security upgrades to our campus.

Thank you for your continued partnership in this effort.  Through Light the Way, we have now eliminated our debt, and we will continue to expand our mission, and extend the message of Jesus Christ in the days to come.  We are approximately $400k from fully funding all Light the Way objectives.  So I encourage you to continue to give your tithes and offerings to the general fund, The Great Commission Fund, and consider giving above and beyond to Light the Way as God leads you.  Together, we will light the way forward at ABC for years to come.

Invite a friend to come experience ABC this weekend!  One simple invitation has the potential to change a life.  I look forward to seeing you this Sunday back on campus at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Join us this Sunday for an incredible time of celebration.  We will give God the glory for what He has done on this special “I Love My Church Sunday.”  We will look back to ABC’s history and reflect on God’s goodness and grace.  We will look forward to ABC’s bright future and celebrate the door of opportunity that God has opened through our debt retirement.

We will have some special guests including my predecessor, Pastor Gary Dyer.  I look forward to bringing him on stage to hear reflections from his time in leadership at ABC.  We will also have a special ceremonial moment at the conclusion of our service where we will celebrate together.  Immediately following worship, we will have a church-wide luncheon offered across our campus.  Please join us for a delicious fajita lunch and enjoy fellowshipping together as a multi-generational church family (buy $10 lunch tickets HERE).

Remember our special schedule for this weekend only: 9am BFGs, one combined worship service at 10:30am, and the church wide lunch at 11:45am.  This is a great opportunity to invite a guest to come and experience the life of our church.  The invitation is simple: “I love my church, and I think you will too.”

P.S. Don’t forget Dr. Matt Gillum will begin his eight-week sabbatical on Monday January 19^th.  Join me in celebrating Matt’s 14 years of service at ABC and pray for him as he takes this time to rest and be spiritually renewed by the Lord.  I am confident Matt will return mid-March with a renewed passion and excitement to serve you and the Lord for years to come.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Happy New Year!  With every new year comes new beginnings.  I encourage you to seize the moment and establish new and healthy rhythms for your life.  Commit to worship with us every Sunday.  Prioritize the sabbath and gathering with the saints.  Commit to a Bible Fellowship Group.  Grow in community this year with like-minded believers.  And as Pastor Nathan challenged us last Sunday, commit to reading the Bible.  Be transformed this year by reading and applying the truth of God’s Word.

Since it is a time for new beginnings, I think it is only appropriate for us to return to the book of beginnings, the book Genesis.  I will kick off a new sermon series this weekend titled, “Foundations,” and we will dive into chapters one through three for the next few months.  These three chapters are foundational to our understanding as Christians.  These chapters explain the foundation of the world, the foundation of man, the foundation of man’s sin, and the brokenness of our world.  The book gives us a foundational understanding of marriage, sex, work, and biblical masculinity and femininity.  This study will take us back to the basics and propel us forward with biblical clarity as we pursue God’s purpose for our lives.

I encourage you to invite a friend this Sunday.  Every church member in the world wants his or her church to reach more people.  But many church members forget they are the primary catalyst for church growth.  God has given every Christian a sphere of influence and has called us into his mission.  Invite the people around you to come and worship Christ this weekend. 

P.S. Save the date for “I Love My Church Sunday” on January 18^th.  We will give God glory and celebrate the beginning of our first debt-free year since we opened our doors here in Four Points.  We are also inviting special guests including my predecessor, Pastor Gary Dyer, to come and worship with us.  BFGs will be at 9am, we will have one combined worship service at 10:30am, and we will have a church wide luncheon at 11:45am ($10 fajita lunch tickets).

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

As 2025 is nearing its end, I want to remind you of our opportunity to make a Kingdom impact through year-end giving.  Thank you for your continued generosity to our general fund at ABC which we call, “The Great Commission Fund.”  The Great Commission Fund provides the resources for our church to advance the Great Commission through our ministries and missions partnerships.  Your tithes and offerings to this fund make ministry possible, including great outreach events such as the recent Sights and Sounds of Christmas.

I also want to make a plug for you to consider giving above your tithes and offerings to our Light the Way generosity initiative.  God has done remarkable things through this church-wide effort.  I look forward to celebrating the retirement of our debt with you in January as we embark on our first ever debt-free year!  However, I also look forward to celebrating the completion of our remaining objections in 2026.  100% of your continued LTW gifts will go toward us fulfilling our remaining missions’ projects, media improvements, and campus security upgrades.  Here are the details of our unfinished LTW business:

• Baptist Community Center – We will provide resources to fund food ministry and campus improvements at this downtown mission center.
• North American Mission Board – Fund Send LA’s church planting residency program and support Pastor Derek Berry’s church plant in northern Pasadena.
• Love For Myanmar – Help build the Healing Trauma Center on the land we have already leased in Yangon.
• Media Improvements – New cameras, screens, and online broadcast systems will be installed in the new year.  We will upgrade our lighting systems next.
• Security Upgrades – We will professionally upgrade our security, adding more cameras and technology systems both inside our facilities and outside in the parking lots.

We need around $600k to complete all remaining Light the Way objectives.  I am confident that God will continue to work through us to Light the Way forward for ABC in 2026.  If God is leading you to partner with us, you can do so HERE. Thank you for your faithfulness, and I look forward to pressing on to week three of our Christmas prophecy series, “The Promise of Christmas.”  I will see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11).  The wise men journeyed far from the east to find the King of the Jews.  As they made their way into the home of Joseph and Mary, they set their eyes on Jesus.  What did their gaze lead them to do?  Worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

This Christmas, I pray you set your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  This weekend we will look to Jesus and worship Him at “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas.”  We will have performances on Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 3pm and 6pm.  All three concerts will have a family-friendly reception immediately following featuring hot chocolate, cookie and ornament decorating, and photo opportunities.

Who can you bring into God’s house to set their eyes on Jesus?  I look forward to seeing you at The Sights and Sounds of Christmas, and at our Sunday morning worship services.  We will unwrap our second Christmas prophecy this weekend, Micah 5:2.  I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

The Christmas season is upon us at ABC!  I cannot wait to see what God is going to do as we set our eyes on the Light of the World this month.  I hope you’re planning to join us for our “Light Up Austin” service day this Saturday December 6^th.  We will take Christmas on the road to local community centers such as the Texas Baptist Children’s Home, the Baptist Community Center, and the Cardinal Point Apartments.  Staff and volunteers will serve local parents and children and provide a meaningful Christmas celebration.  Sign up HERE.

The following weekend, we will host our annual Christmas production, “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas.”  This year we are expanding to three identical performances: Saturday December 13^th at 4pm and Sunday December 14^th at 3pm and 6pm.  We will have a family-friendly Christmas reception following each of the concerts featuring hot chocolate, cookie and ornament decorating, photo spots and more.

I encourage you to invest in our Christmas experiences.  All our service projects, special events, and Sunday services are prayerfully designed to stir our hearts for Jesus Christ during this special season.  However, these events and services are not just for you.  I also encourage you to invite others to join you.  There is no better time to invite someone to church than the Christmas season.  Who can you invite to be with you this Sunday?  Who can you bring with you to one of our Sights and Sounds performances?  Don’t miss the opportunity God has given you to share the joy of Christmas.  

The angel in the shepherd’s field reminds us Christmas is a message of “good news of great joy for ALL people” (Luke 2:10). Invite a friend and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.  I’ll be kicking off our Christmas sermon series, “The Promises of Christmas,” as we look to the OT promises fulfilled through the birth of Jesus.  I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

James 1:16-17 says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”  Thanksgiving is upon us at ABC.  This Wednesday we will give thanks as a church family at our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner (sign up HERE).  And this Sunday I’ll preach a special Thanksgiving message to prepare our hearts for this upcoming Thanksgiving week.

I hope these upcoming days are filled with laughter, good food, and great company.  But I also pray these upcoming days are filled with a spirit of thanksgiving in your home. Take time to reflect on the goodness of God.  Identify the good and perfect gifts the Father has given you.  I hope you know that you are one of those gifts to me.  I’m grateful to serve as your pastor, and I am thankful for the fellowship of our church family.  God is doing a great work at ABC, and you are a part of that Kingdom story.  Thank you for giving me and our staff the honor of serving you every week.

I look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday.  Invite a friend and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  We have much to be thankful for here at ABC.  God continues to pour out His blessings on our church family.  He is growing our church both in width and depth, and He blesses us beyond measure.  We are especially grateful that God retired our debt this year, and we look forward to the big plans He has for our future.

I hope you are planning to join us for our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday November 19^th (buy tickets HERE).  Our food services team will serve a delicious Thanksgiving feast, and we will have a meaningful time of worship and reflection as a church family.  I look forward to hearing testimonies of God’s faithfulness, and I hope you can join us for this special celebration.

This Sunday I’ll wrap up our series, The Generous Life.  I’ll be speaking about the topic of “Generous Impact.”  We will give thanks to God for what He is doing through the generosity of Light the Way, and we’ll look ahead to what He has for us in the future.  Invite a friend and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” This Sunday is Veteran’s Day Weekend at ABC.  This is a special day where we take time in our church gatherings to give honor where honor is due. 

Come early to view the “Wall of Honor” display in our lobby.  This tribute has become one of my favorite traditions at ABC, as it displays the many men and women in our church who have served to protect our freedom.  Additionally, we will have a special moment in both worship services where we will recognize our veterans and pray for our nation. It is important for us to remember our religious freedom comes at a great cost.  Our freedom is protected by selfless men and women who serve in our armed services. 

Did you know 1 out of 7 Christians are persecuted around the world?  May we never take for granted the blessing that God has given the church here in America.  I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday and giving thanks to God for our liberty.  We will press on to week two of our “Generous Life” sermon series, and we will also vote for our debt-free, 2026 Great Commission Fund Budget at the conclusion of both services.  Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

It is hard to believe, but the holidays are just around the corner.  I am so excited to see how God is going to move through ABC during this special season.  But I am also aware that the holiday season can be quite painful for some.  This year, ABC has grieved the loss of 25 believers in our church family.  The holidays can be extremely difficult for these surviving family members and closest friends, as each celebration is a reminder of their recent loss.

That is why we are hosting our first ever “Christmas Memorial Service” on Sunday November 30^th at 5pm.  The purpose of this worship service is to bring glory to God by remembering the ones we have lost in our church family this year.  The service will feature encouraging music, a comforting message, and a time where we will read the names of our church members who have gone home to be with the Lord this year.  We will light candles in their absence as a symbol of our remembrance of them. 

I would like to invite you to join us for this special service.  Your presence will serve as a ministry to these families.  I pray God will use this service to encourage our souls and strengthen these families as we prepare for the Christmas season.  I also hope this service will become a new tradition in our church, as we continue to prioritize our love and care for one another at ABC.

I hope to see you this weekend in worship for a Lord’s Supper Sunday.  I will kick off a new 3-week series titled, “The Generous Life.”  We will look to the Scriptures to examine what it means to live a joyful and generous life for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  I hope to see you at 8:45am or 11:15am

P.S. This is the last call for Egypt!  We still have a few spots available.  Sign up to secure your spot today: https://www.signaturetours.com/JSPencer26

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

This Sunday, we will distribute our updated Annual Report in preparation for the 2026 budget year.  Church vote for this proposed budget will take place on Sunday November 9^th.  Inside this year’s Annual Report you will find highlights of what God has done through the ministry and mission of ABC this past year.  You will also be able to review the proposed 2026 budget and understand how your tithes and offerings will be stewarded in the upcoming year.

I am so excited that this 2026 proposed budget is the first debt-free budget in church history!  Jesus is going to advance the Great Commission through ABC at a new level, as resources are now reallocated to maximize ministry impact.  Accordingly, we are renaming our General Fund, the “Great Commission Fund” this year.  This name change gives clarity to the underlying purpose behind our general fund giving and spending.

Why do we spend money in our budget on facilities?  So we can have a beautiful place to gather and make disciples. Why do we budget significant funds for children and youth?  So we can make disciples in the next generation.  Why do we spend money on personnel?  So our staff can equip the saints to go and make disciples.  Why do we spend money on outreach events?  So we can reach our community to make new disciples.  Why do we give away 10% of our contributions to missions?  So we can obey Jesus by making disciples of all nations.

I am excited to see how God will advance the Great Commission forward through us as we partner together in our general fund giving.  Thank you for your faithfulness and join me in praying for God’s blessing over ABC as we enter this debt-free, fiscal year.  I also encourage you to join me in praying for our guest speaker, Pastor Bryant Wright.  As mentioned Sunday, I am looking forward to hosting one of my mentors this Sunday at ABC.

Bryant is the founding pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Georgia, where he led that church to grow to over 7,000 members during his 38-year pastorate.  During that time, he also served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2010-2012.  He most recently served as the inaugural President of Send Relief, the compassion ministries arm of the SBC.  In his retirement years, Bryant stays active by mentoring young pastors and continuing his broadcasted preaching ministry, Right From The Heart Ministries.  I know we will be blessed by his message this Sunday, so please join me at the 8:45am or 11:15am service to give Bryant a warm Austin, Texas welcome.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

The apostle Paul said, “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3).  Paul was always looking for open doors in ministry.  He longed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help believers mature in their discipleship.  So he kept his heart and eyes open to the people who were crossing his path.  If we want to be a multiplying congregation, we must also adopt this mindset and pray for God to give us ministry opportunities each day.

I’d encourage you to ask two simple questions in your daily prayers.  First, “Lord, who around me needs to know Jesus Christ?”  We’ve established through our series that every Christian is a missionary with a mission field.  So it is wise to pray for God to give us opportunities to witness.  Second, I’d encourage you to pray, “Lord, who around me needs to grow in Jesus Christ?”  We’ve learned God wants to mature all Christians and grow them in ministry leadership.  There are likely believers around you that need discipleship.  You can be like Paul if you simply look for your Timothy.

Simple, faithful prayers and intentional actions lead to Kingdom multiplication.  God wants you to live on mission for him, so where are those open doors in your life?  I hope to see you in church this weekend as we conclude our “Multiply” sermon series.  This Sunday is also our Egypt Bible Tour interest meeting.  If you are considering joining us for this trip of a lifetime, come join me in the Chapel at 12:30pm (more info: www.austinbaptistchurch.com/Egypt).  Invite a friend, and I look forward to worshipping with you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

On October 6, 2024, we launched Light The Way, a two-year generosity initiative designed to eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message of Jesus Christ.  On that kick-off Sunday, ABC carried around $4.5 million in debt.  Exactly one year later, on October 6, 2025, Austin Baptist Church became DEBT FREE! 

This is an incredible testimony of God’s grace and your faithfulness to Him.  Thank you for being a generous church and worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ through your giving.  I’m humbled to serve as your pastor, and I am grateful for what this debt retirement means.  The Great Commission will be advanced even farther, and lives will be forever changed because of your generosity. 

I’m most excited that we will begin “tithing as a church” within our general fund budget.  Ten percent of what comes in, will go out to advance the Gospel through missions locally, nationally, and across the globe.  When you give to the church, you will also be giving through the church.  A debt-free budget is a game-changer for the Kingdom of God.

Thank you for your partnership in this effort.  Today, let’s give glory to God for what He has done.  I also encourage you to continue in your giving to Light The Way, as we still have unfinished business in our missions projects, media improvements, and security enhancements.  I am confident, by God’s grace, these remaining objectives can be fully completed in 2026.  God bless you and thank you for your partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s worship this weekend and give thanks to our generous God.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Jesus had a clear vision for his disciples.  He said his followers will become his witnesses, and they will multiply themselves across the earth.  What began with 120 faithful believers in the upper room of Acts chapter one, has now become a movement of two billion professing Christians across the globe.

This was accomplished through multiplication.  This Sunday I’m going to begin a new sermon series titled, “Multiply: How God Can Advance His Mission Through Us.”  For the next few weeks, we will see how God wants to use each of us to make more disciples and expand his Kingdom even farther.  In conjunction with this sermon series, October will be themed as our “Missions Month.”  Every Sunday you will hear a report of some of the wonderful ministries we partner with as a church locally, nationally, and globally.  This month we are also training our adults in interpersonal evangelism through our Bible Fellowship Groups at 10am.

I encourage you to come expectantly and learn how God can use you to advance his mission right here in Austin and beyond.  Lastly, don’t forget our Egypt Bible Tour is now open for registration: www.austinbaptistchurch.com/egypt.  Come experience the trip of a lifetime and get a glimpse of what God is doing through our church’s partnership with TC Egypt.  I’ll host an informational meeting Sunday October 19^th at 12:30pm in the Chapel for any who would like to learn more.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Our vision at ABC is “to see God light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.”  To fulfill that vision, we must be intentional in building bridges to our neighbors around us.  God has blessed us with a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with some of our closest neighbors at the Cardinal Point Apartments.  Cardinal Point offers affordable housing with free on-site services for families in need.

On Saturday October 4^th, a group of volunteers from ABC will provide dinner and fellowship there on site.  You are invited to come volunteer by simply serving food and breaking bread with our neighbors.  We prayerfully believe this will be the first of many opportunities to relationally engage our neighbors and introduce them to Jesus and our church.  If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to light up your neighborhood, here it is: https://austinbaptistchurch.com/event/cardinal-point-volunteer-supper-event?d=2025-10-04

We have one more week in our current sermon series, “The One Anothers.”  We’ve learned to love one another, welcome one another, forgive one another, bear one another’s burdens, and encourage one another.  This Sunday we’ll conclude our series by learning to serve one another.  We will also celebrate our young families through Parent Child Dedication, and we will take the Lord’s Supper together as a church family.

Lastly, don’t forget our Egypt Bible Tour is now open for registration: www.austinbaptistchurch.com/egypt.  Come experience the trip of a lifetime and get a glimpse of what God is doing through our church’s partnership with TC Egypt.  I’ll host an informational meeting Sunday October 19^th at 12:30pm in the Chapel for any who would like to learn more.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  God cares.  This simple but profound truth gives great comfort to our souls.  He knows our anxieties, He knows the battles we face, and He cares about them.  Last Sunday we saw one way God demonstrates this care is through the care of the local church.  What burden can you help carry for someone else this week?  We are all ministers, and we all have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

One way we demonstrate our care is by also caring for those beyond our church walls.  I had a great trip to Los Angeles with a few staff and church members last week.  We spent time with our church planter, Derek Berry, and his sweet family.  We also had the opportunity to visit an incredible ministry center sponsored by the SBC’s Send Relief.  This ministry is meeting the needs of north Hollywood and pushing back darkness with the light of Jesus Christ.  I’m looking forward to continuing this partnership through your ongoing generosity to Light the Way.  I am especially excited for the group of young adults we will send to serve these ministries in Los Angeles in 2026.

God is doing a great work through our church.  I encourage you to continue to BE the church by loving one another, welcoming one another, forgiving one another, bearing one another’s burdens, and this weekend we will learn to encourage one another.  Invite a friend, and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am. 

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  People walk into the church carrying all kinds of heavy weights.  These weights are invisible, but their presence is undeniable.  Some are carrying heavy anxiety from their home lives.  Marital conflict, rebellious kids, and relational heartache can become unbearable at times.  Others are carrying heavy burdens from their work.  An unquenchable pressure to perform and a to-do list that never ends creates a high level of stress.  Others are facing a personal financial crisis, a serious health ailment, or grieving the loss of a loved one. 

The anxieties in our hearts can be overwhelming at times, but praise be to God for giving us the gift of His church.  The One Anothers sermon series is teaching us how to be the church to one another.  The church is called to shine as a city on a hill, a place of refuge for those who are weary.  We are Biblically called to love one another, welcome one another, forgive one another, and this Sunday we will see we are called to bear one another’s burdens.  How can you help lighten the load for someone in our church this week?  King Solomon said one simple way is to share “a good word” with them today.

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday.  Invite a friend, and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’.”  I hope you are glad when you come to ABC each Sunday.  I truly do believe the gathering of God’s people is a special and sacred thing.  God wants His people to be connected to Him, but He also wants us to be connected to one another.  The One Anothers sermon series is reminding us of how we are called to relate to one another within the church.  So far, we’ve learned we are called to love one another, welcome one another, and this Sunday we will see we are called to forgive one another.

As we continue to learn how to “be” the church, I would encourage you to take your next step at ABC.  It is one thing to attend our church, but it is a much sweeter thing to become a part of the faith family.  What is your next step?  For some, it may be to officially join the church.  Others may need to find authentic community through a Bible Fellowship Group.  Or perhaps you need to check out Midweek or find a volunteer team to serve on.  We have many onramps into the life of our church, so I encourage you to prayerfully find yours this month.

As a reminder, we have relaunched our Citizen ATX podcast show.  We just released a new series titled, “Blueprints: Jesus’ Design for the Church.”  This podcast series will complement our Sunday morning sermon series.  On Sundays, we will focus on how to “be” the church, but in our weekly podcast show we will focus on “what” constitutes a church.  We are covering topics such as the gathering, the great commission, authority, ordinances, spiritual gifts, and more.  Citizen ATX is available on all major podcast platforms, or you can click this link to access content online: https://citizenatx.buzzsprout.com/

I look forward to welcoming you Sunday.  Invite a friend, and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

School is back in full swing which means the college football season is upon us!  This Sunday is College Colors Day, and we are inviting you to wear your favorite team’s colors.  Most of you know I enjoy watching college football, but I also love how football brings a community together.  It gives a reason for people to come together and watch a game.  And it also gives a conversation starter for people to build connections with others.  I hope many connections are made this Sunday as we represent our favorite teams and perhaps even enjoy some friendly banter.

Even though we will represent many different teams this Sunday, our sermon series will remain focused on the one team we are all a part of: Austin Baptist Church.  The One Anothers sermon series is focused on how we can be the church here at ABC.  Last Sunday we saw we are called to “love one another,” and this weekend we will focus on the New Testament’s instruction to “welcome one another.”  How can you make someone feel welcome this Sunday?  It all begins with intentionality. 

We must always be a church that exists for those who are not here yet.  Welcome someone this Sunday, as Christ has welcomed you into His family.  If you are heading out of town for this three-day Labor Day weekend, I wish you safe travels on the road.  For those of us who are staying in town, I encourage you to invite a friend to church, and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

I’m looking forward to seeing you this Sunday as we kick-off our new sermon series, “The One Anothers.”  The Bible teaches that we do not just go to church, but we are the church.  The Spirit of God dwells in each of us, and we are united by the same confession of Jesus Christ.  As Christ-followers, the Scriptures provide instruction for how we should interact with one another as His church.

Did you know the New Testament has over 50 “one another” commandments?  These commandments shine light on what it looks like to live in Biblical community as the church.  For the next six weeks, we will examine six of the most important “one another” commandments, starting with the biggest one: “love one another.”  I hope you plan to join us this weekend for a special Lord’s Supper Sunday.

And don’t forget Midweek is back Wednesday night!  Come experience the life of our church at 5:30pm for dinner, and 6:30pm for classes with all ages.  Go BE the church this week and invite a friend to join you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

One of our core values at ABC is grace.  John 1:14 says “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  The Son of God put on human flesh and walked in a fullness of truth AND grace.  Most people are only strong in one of the two.

Some believers are strong in truth.  They boldly proclaim what God’s Word says and do not fear drawing hard lines in the sand.  However, some of these saints struggle to season their speech with salt, or have compassion for the lost.  Other believers can be strong in grace.  They are empathetic and compassionate, always considering the well-being of others.  However, they care so much they are unwilling to communicate hard truth when they know it will hurt.

Jesus was miraculously able to do both perfectly.  He was bold and prophetic, but he was gracious and kind.  He called out sin, yet he spent time with sinners.  Children found him to be winsome, and the lost found him to be warm.  Admittedly, none of us will ever be perfect like Jesus, but we are called to do our best to imitate his example.

This means we must lift up the truth so all can see the light (Psalm 119:105), but we must also welcome others with the warmth of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful to pastor a warm congregation.  We have some of the most loving people on planet earth right here at ABC.  However, we must not take that for granted.  We must strive to maintain that culture and scale it as we grow.

Who can you be gracious to this week?  Perhaps you could send a text message, a hand-written note, or a thoughtful gift.  You could set aside time from your friends this Sunday to instead look for new people to welcome into our church.  Oftentimes it is these little touches that shine the brightest.  Go shine your light this week.  Be gracious with others as Christ has been gracious with you.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

One of our core values at ABC is impact.  Jesus instructs the church to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Jesus’ followers are called to shine their light and push back against darkness in our world. As we make an impact together, we pray our good works will lead many others to give glory to our Father in heaven.

I am excited to see how God will increase our impact in these coming months.  By the grace of God, our debt is down to the final $1 million!  Through the Light the Way generosity initiative, our church has rapidly paid down our debt in recent months.  The upcoming elimination of our debt will undoubtedly lead to an increase in kingdom impact.  When the debt is paid off, I will encourage our church to begin “tithing” within our budget.  I would love to see us set a baseline for 10% of our contributions to go outward to missions partners.  When you give to the church, you will also give through the church to bless our city, nation, and world.

Begin praying with me about what it could look like for our church to shine farther than we ever have.  Thank you for your generosity to our general fund and to our Light the Way initiative.  I look forward to celebrating the completion of all three LTW objectives in the coming months as we eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message of Jesus Christ.

This Sunday we will press on in our summer sermon series, “Summer Stories.”  I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

One of our core values at ABC is truth.  The apostle Paul describes the church as “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).  We are commanded to lift up the truth, the Word of God, for all to hear it.  But Paul also instructs God’s people to be clothed in the truth.  He says we must “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10).  It is one thing to speak the truth, but it is a much more challenging task to live out the truth for all to see it.

Every day you preach a sermon.  God has given each of us a captive audience through our children, grandchildren, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and even strangers.  The question is, “What sermon are you going to proclaim?”  Unquestionably, your audience is listening to your words.  But don’t forget your decision making and conduct are preaching as well.  I pray your audience hears a message of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control through your actions today (Galatians 5:22).

Let’s continue to be a church that “grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18).  Invite a friend this Sunday and come grow with us.  And I pray you preach a compelling sermon this week.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Here at ABC, we want to see God light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.  This vision statement gives our church clarity in its ministry strategies.  We want to be an impactful church reaching people beyond our church doors.  VBS is one of the pillar events that helps us fulfill that vision.  We’ve experienced a record setting crowd this week with 500+ children and 150+ volunteers.  I am so proud of our church and thankful for the way God continues to use this body to shine His light into our community.

Thank you for your prayers, your service, and your faithful stewardship.  Your steadfast giving makes ministry like this possible.  A healthy church is one with the sound of children in the hallways.  We celebrate that sound at ABC, and I pray God will turn up the volume even louder through more children in the days to come.  May we continue to be a church that prioritizes children and youth ministries.  We do not merely aim to keep them busy.  We aim to lead them into a life-changing relationship with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

Don’t forget this Sunday is our patriotic celebration.  We will feature special choir and orchestra music, and we will honor our veterans in both worship services.  Sunday’s services will then feed into our annual patriotic celebration on Wednesday night, “Freedom Over Austin.”  Take the opportunity to invite a neighbor to come celebrate freedom with the ABC family.  I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am this Sunday.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Last week was a busy one for the staff at ABC.  Several members of our team were in Gulf Shores, Alabama to help lead our student ministry’s beach camp.  As you heard on Sunday, it was a phenomenal week of ministry, and we are so encouraged that 10 students made life-changing decisions for Jesus Christ!  I was also gone last week with a few of our ministers for the Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor’s Conference in Dallas, Texas.  I was overall very encouraged by what God is currently doing through the SBC. 

Overall, church attendance is up, seminary enrollment is up, and baptisms are up across our denomination.  In fact, the SBC has experienced an increase in total baptisms for four consecutive years.  The last time this happened was in the 1990’s!  Additionally, the International Mission Board commissioned 58 new missionaries at the annual meeting, and I was encouraged to hear the IMB has over 1,600 prospective missionaries currently in processing!  That number was only 300 about 7 years ago.

God is doing a great work through our SBC churches, including Austin Baptist Church.  We have experienced similar growth in recent years, and I believe the best is yet to come.  I hope you are encouraged by what God is doing through the SBC Cooperative Program.  This year marked the 100^th anniversary of the CP.  When we give with SBC churches to the CP, we are supporting thousands of missionaries, church planters, and future ministers across our six SBC seminaries.  I look forward to increasing our impact in this effort as we fully eliminate our debt in the days to come.

This week is all things VBS-prep at Austin Baptist Church!  If you walk through our doors this week, you will see decorations going up on the walls and volunteers serving faithfully to get us ready for the big week ahead.  We have over 400 children pre-registered and it is looking like this will be our largest VBS in church history!

Join me in praying for Rachel Tovar and her team of staff and volunteers.  They have a big week ahead of them!  But also join me in praying for the hundreds of children who will come through our doors.  VBS is not babysitting.  VBS is missions.  We are sharing the Gospel every day and praying for God to move in the hearts of these children.  I’ve met so many world-changing Christians in my life who came to know Christ through a Vacation Bible School.  I’m praying for God to raise up a new generation of world-changers through our VBS next week.

Thank you for your continued generosity to our general fund.  Your faithfulness makes ministry like this possible.  May we each continue to be faithful as God is always faithful to us.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

It was a great “I Love My Church Sunday!” Thank you to the many staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make it all possible.  And thank you to everyone who invited a friend to join us for our special day of celebration.  Worship was powerful, and I was encouraged to see our church fellowship together as a multi-generational family of faith. 

I look forward to having another “I Love My Church Sunday” when we fully eliminate our debt in the near future!  I hope you were as encouraged as I was by our Light the Way update.  I love seeing the debt disappear so quickly and seeing our missions and media ministries begin to take shape.  Let’s continue to be faithful in our generosity to the general fund and Light the Way, and together we can eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message of Jesus Christ (more info HERE).

This Sunday I’ll kick off a new sermon series titled, “Summer Stories.”  This summer we will look at some of Jesus’ most famous parables.  Each week we will examine a story told by Jesus and unpack the deep spiritual truth behind it.  But a parable is more than an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  A parable goes after the hearts of God’s people and compels us to respond to his truth.  I’m looking forward to seeing how God will transform us this summer as we gather for a story each week.

This Sunday we will send off two charter buses full of teenagers and leaders to Gulf Shores, Alabama for Beach Camp.  Thank you for your generosity in supporting this effort, and I encourage you to join me in prayer for an impactful week in our students’ lives.  I will also be leading us in the Lord’s Supper this weekend before the message, so may we all come to worship with expectant hearts as we approach the table together.

I look forwarding to worshipping with you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

I Love My Church Sunday is just around the corner!  I hope you’re planning to join us for a special day of celebration on June 1^st.  We will have an altered schedule that morning with 9am BFG’s, one combined worship service at 10:30am, and a church-wide luncheon at 11:30am.  We will offer free hamburgers, ice cream, and fun activities for the kids.

It will be a multi-generational celebration of all God has done, and continues to do, through the ABC family.  Note June 1^st is also “promotion Sunday,” and our ABC Kids and Students will be going up a grade level to their new classes.  It’s going to be an incredible summer kick-off party, so I hope you do not miss your opportunity to invite someone to church.  The invitation is simple: “I love my church, and I think you would too.”

This coming weekend is Memorial Day weekend.  For those not traveling on this three-day weekend, I encourage you to join us in worship this Sunday.  We will continue in our series on David, and we’ll have a special time of prayer for our nation and military families.  Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  We thank God for the brave men and women who have poured out their blood to protect our freedom.  And we thank the Lord Jesus Christ for pouring out his blood to liberate us from sin and death.

It will be a wonderful weekend of worship and remembrance.  I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Our mission at ABC is to lead people into a life-changing relationship with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  I love how we are advancing this mission through our next generation ministries.  ABC invests our finest staff, volunteers, and resources into leading the next generation to Jesus Christ.  From the big events and camps to our weekly discipleship programs, our children’s and youth teams do an incredible job pouring into our kids.

This Sunday is the culmination of that discipleship effort for one class.  It is Senior Sunday, and we’ll be recognizing our graduating seniors at the conclusion of each of our worship services.  We will honor them from stage and pray over them as they launch into their next steps.  Additionally, we will have individualized prayer bookmarks at their individualized tables in the Great Hall for you to pick up.  I encourage you to pray for these seniors by name as they launch to college campuses and/or the workplace.

Thank you for being a generous church and prioritizing our children’s and youth ministries.  As we send these seniors off, may we hold fast to God’s promise over their lives: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).  Bring a friend, and I look forward to worshipping with you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

P.S. Save the date for “I Love My Church Sunday!”  We will alter our schedule on Sunday June 1^st with 9am Bible Study, a 10:30am Combined Worship Service, and an 11:30am Church-Wide cookout and carnival. I hope to see you there for this special day of celebration.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Senior Pastor

It’s great to be back in Austin, Texas!  Thank you for the encouragement and prayers as I was attending my graduation ceremony at Gateway Seminary.  It was a wonderful weekend marked by celebration and time with family and friends.  I’m grateful for the faculty, students, and culture of Gateway.  God has used these past three years to help shape me and my ministry here at ABC. 

I do want to thank Samantha Brown, Hudson Ratcliff, Corbin Smith, and the entire student ministry for a wonderful Youth Weekend!  I was so proud of our students and enjoyed watching the service online from California.  I was impressed by their passion, vulnerability, and poise as they led us on Sunday.  Youth Weekend may be over, but I pray we continue to encourage our students and champion our ministries that reach the next generation for Jesus Christ.

This Sunday is Mother Day at ABC.  We will have a wonderful time celebrating our moms and honoring what they mean to our families and our church family.  We will have special photo spots located in the Great Hall, and it will be an incredible day of worship.  Be sure to bring your entire family and extend an invitation to a mother in your community.

Proverbs 31:28-29 says, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”  Let’s make it a great weekend giving glory to God and thanks to our moms for what they do.  I’ll see you in worship at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Christ is risen!  Easter 2025 was one for the books!  We had an incredible weekend of celebration across four worship gatherings.  It was also a record setting weekend at ABC as we welcomed over 700 in attendance on Good Friday and 2,000+ on Easter Sunday.  We celebrated 8 baptisms and greeted hundreds of new visitors.  I want to thank our staff, choir, orchestra, musicians, and media teams for making these services possible.  I also want to thank Derek Tackett and his facilities team for stewarding our campus so well and making ministry possible.

I especially want to thank those of you who invested in people and invited them to church!  I was personally encouraged to see two individuals I invited attend our church for the first time.  I’ve said it many times, but I believe most Christians would be surprised how many of their peers would actually come to church if they were simply invited.  Easter may be over, but I encourage you keep your eyes open for opportunities to introduce people into the life of our church.  The reality is every Sunday is a resurrection Sunday, and every Sunday is an opportunity for someone to meet Jesus.

This Sunday I’ll be picking back up in our series, “After God’s Heart.”  We began this journey back in January, and I’ll be wrapping up our series on David later this Spring.  I hope you have been encouraged and challenged by this study as we’ve looked to the ups and downs of David’s life.  I pray that we will continue to become a church after God’s own heart.  I pray that we walk in humility with God and passionately pursue his mission for our lives, and for the life of our church.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday, and may God continue to use ABC to light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Christ is risen!  Holy Week is here, and I’m looking forward to celebrating the greatest day in history alongside you.  The significance of the resurrection cannot be overstated as Paul explained it best: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV).  If Jesus did not receive new life, we cannot receive new life either.  But praise be to God that the tomb is empty, our debt is paid, and together we can boldly proclaim, “He is risen indeed!”

I want to invite you to join us for a meaningful weekend of worship.  Our 6pm Good Friday service will set our focus on the cross.  Dr. Stearns and the worship ministry will do a wonderful job leading us in beautiful music, scripture readings, and we will conclude our service with a brief message and the Lord’s Supper.  Childcare is available for 5 and under, but all other kids are encouraged to attend with their parents.

Sunday morning will be a great celebration of Jesus’ triumphant resurrection.  We will offer three identical services at 8am, 9:30am, and 11am.  Our annual egg hunt will commence immediately following the 11am service.  This egg hunt is for all kids 5^th grade and under.  Keep in mind BFGs will not meet on Easter Sunday, but the nursery and Uplift (preschool worship) will be open during worship services for children ages 5 and under.  All older children are encouraged to attend a worship service with their parents on this special day.

Take some time this week to pray.  Thank God for what He has done for man through Jesus Christ.  Ask for God to bless our gatherings this weekend.  Pray for the Lord to bring many new people through our doors to hear of the hope of salvation.  Also, take time this week to invite.  We all know someone who needs to be at church this weekend.  Most people would consider going to church on Easter if they simply received a personal invitation.  You never know how one simple invite can change a person’s life forever so be bold this week.

One final note: part two of my dissertation class will be this Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Great Hall.  Thanks to all who came out, and I’m looking forward to wrapping up the 2-part series this week.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Mark 11:9, “And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!”  Holy Week is quickly approaching, and the world will soon be reminded that salvation has come to the world through Jesus Christ.  I’m looking forward to worshipping with you this Palm Sunday as we celebrate the triumphant entry of King Jesus into Jerusalem. 

The Christian life is one of triumph, not defeat.  The old is gone, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17).  Our sin has been defeated by Jesus Christ and He is our living hope (1 Peter 1:3).  I encourage you to enter this upcoming Holy Week with a triumphant joy!  Share your joy with others by inviting them to join us in worship.  We will offer one Good Friday service at 6pm and three identical Easter Sunday services at 8am, 9:30am, and 11am.

Be here early this Sunday and invite a friend.  ABC Kids Choir will help lead us in worship at both of our Palm Sunday services.  “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:10).  I’ll see you Sunday at 8:45 or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of a true servant’s heart.  The Son of God stepped off a throne, put on flesh, and served us through His life, death, and resurrection.  The Easter season reminds us of what God has done for man through Jesus Christ, but it also inspires us to follow in His footsteps.

This Saturday our church will be deployed for our annual “ABC Serves” event.  Our church family certainly serves in many ways all year long, but every Spring we promote a focused church-wide day of service.  BFGs will be deployed to sites across Austin to be the hands and feet of Christ.  We will be partnering with numerous ministry organizations to meet practical needs and share the love of Jesus.  I hope you are making plans to serve your neighbor this weekend.

Another way you can serve your neighbors is by being intentional with them during this Easter season.  Easter provides the best opportunity all year to invite someone to church.  Lifeway research has found 82% of people would come to church if a friend simply invited them.  This is especially true during the Easter season.  Unfortunately, the same researchers also found only 2% of Christians regularly invite their friends to church.

Let’s be intentional this Easter season!  Make a list of people by name to invite to one of our three identical services (8am, 9:30am, 11am).  Pray for them daily and begin inviting them today.  I am so excited to see what God is going to do this Easter through our church as we invite and invest in the lives of those who are around us.

As a word of reminder, I’ll be offering my doctoral dissertation class on April 9^th and 16^th at 6:30pm in the Great Hall, immediately following midweek dinner.  This will be a two-part class focused on my topic of research: “Meeting the soul-care needs of a growing church staff.”  If you are unable to join, we will record the class via zoom and would be happy to pass on the link afterwards.  Thank you again for your support in my seminary journey, and I’m looking forward to graduation on May 2^nd.

Let’s apply last Sunday’s sermon this week: Be prayerful and Biblical in your daily decision-making.  I hope you do decide to join me in worship this Sunday as we look to the covenant God established with David in 2 Samuel 7.  Invite a friend and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last October we launched a two-year generosity initiative called, Light the Way.  As you may remember, our goal was to raise $5 million above our regular tithes and offerings to help us eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message of Jesus Christ (learn more HERE). God is doing an amazing work at ABC, and I believe even greater things are to come as we reach these three critical objectives together.  I’d like to give you a brief update on how we are doing in these three areas.

First, we are inching closer to fully eliminating our debt.  I am thrilled to report the debt has been reduced to $1.7 million! This is a remarkable number considering the debt was at $10 million just a little over four years ago.  It is incredible to think we could be debt free as a church in the next 12-18 months through Light the Way.  I encourage you to begin praying with me now about the future missions and ministries that will be launched because of this amazing feat.

Second, we are expanding our mission locally, nationally, and globally through LTW.  Here in Austin, we are now feeding over 250 children every weekend through the Baptist Community Center.  We have also updated their outdoor recreation areas in preparation for children and youth outreaches this summer.  In Los Angeles, we are funding a residency program for six aspiring church planters.  In the coming months, we will choose one planter to come alongside in the launch of his church.  In Myanmar, we are in process of purchasing land that will be used to build a Healing and Trauma Center that will minister in the name of Jesus to hundreds of people in crisis.

Third, we have now finalized the design work with Paragon 360, our media ministry partner.  They are going to help us extend the message of Jesus by overhauling our video, lighting, and broadcast technologies over these two years.  We are still waiting for a few more LTW funds to come in before we can launch phase one of this project, which focuses on replacing all cameras and updating our video/audio online broadcast systems.  After that project is completed, we will move on to phase two which will focus on lighting systems and updating our video screens.

Thank you for your continued generosity, and I want you to know your partnership is making a difference for the Kingdom of God.  I encourage you to stay faithful in your pledge commitments for Light the Way.  We are off to a great start, but we still have a way to go.  Thank you for being a generous church, and I believe God will Light the Way forward through us as we advance our mission and expand our ministries in these coming days.  I look forward to seeing you this weekend in worship.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

The apostle Paul reminds us, “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  The day will come where we see Jesus face-to-face.  But as for this moment in time, we do not walk by sight but rather by faith.  Our walk of faith is not a lonesome journey because the Holy Spirit lives in us and serves as our personal comforter and guide.  However, this walk can become exhausting at times.  Trials, temptations, and distractions slow down our progress in our faith journeys.  Paul saw this was the case in the church of Galatia: “You were running well.  Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7).

God is on the move, and He wants us to be as well.  So, what is your next step of faith?  Perhaps it is to join the church or find community through a Bible Fellowship Group.  Maybe it is to be vulnerable and seek help in a struggle with sin.  It might be to leave your comfort zone and begin serving others at ABC.  It could be instituting new spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture reading, and rest.  We are all in different places of our faith journeys, but we all have a next step to take.  God does not want you to get stuck, but instead to make progress in your faith.  Let our staff know how we can help you take that next step this week.

As a reminder, I will be leading a team to Egypt this Saturday.  I will miss seeing you on Sunday, but you will be left in good hands.  Pastor Nathan Wood will deliver a great message as we continue in our sermon series, “After God’s Heart.”  Garrett Ullrich will also be leading worship in both services, and I’m excited to see God work through him as we worship the King.  Please be in prayer for our team and for the many ministries of TC Egypt.  Pray for safe travels and for God to shine His light through us in the middle east.

Invite a friend this Sunday and press on in your journey of faith.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Our mission at ABC is to lead people into a life-changing relationship with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  We advance this mission locally but also globally through strategic partnerships.  For the past three years, one of these partners has been TC Egypt.  Because of your generosity, we are able to help fund a life-changing ministry in the middle east.  TC Egypt offers evangelism and discipleship programs, pastoral training, recovery ministries, and impactful outreaches for youth and young adults. Our church sponsors their newest campus located in Fayoum.

This Sunday we will pray over our fourth short-term mission group that will be sent to Egypt.  I will help lead this group, and we are scheduled to leave for Egypt on Saturday March 1^st.  Our team will focus on pastoral equipping, work and faith seminars, and youth outreach.  We are also assisting TC Egypt in their first ministry leadership conference.  They are expecting over 700 ministry leaders to gather in Cairo for two days of Biblical equipping, worship, and prayer.  I’m looking forward to speaking at this conference and encouraging these Egyptian ministers to press on in their ministry calling for Christ.

I encourage you to do two things in these coming days.  First, please pray for our group and for the continued ministry of TC Egypt.  We are excited to see God is at work in the middle east and fulfilling his prophetic promise to Isaiah, “And the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the Lord and perform them” (Isaiah 19:21).

Secondly, I encourage you to remain steadfast in your generosity.  Gospel impact like this is only possible because of your continued partnership with ABC’s general fund.  When you give to ABC, you do not just give to the church, but also through the church.  I am thankful for our ministry partnerships, and I am excited about the new partnerships that will be formed as we eliminate our debt in the coming months.  I have no doubt God will shine His light even farther through ABC as we grow in our generosity together.

Thank you for your prayers and support in our mission.  I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday as we continue our sermon series, “After God’s Heart.”  Invite a friend and I’ll see you in worship on this special Lord’s Supper Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”  The apostle Paul explains the church can be rightly understood as one body.  We have one head, Jesus Christ, and as members of His body, we are connected to Him and to each other.  And just as God designed a purpose behind every part of our physical bodies, God has also designed a purpose for each of us in His body, the church.

This Sunday you will have an opportunity to find your part to play in this local body, Austin Baptist Church.  We are hosting Ministry Fair in the Great Hall immediately before and after our two worship services.  Tables will be on display to showcase the many service opportunities that can be found at ABC.  Staff members and volunteers will be available to answer questions and help you find a ministry area that fits with your unique passions and giftedness.

Participating in a church will only grow you so much in your faith.  Listening to sermons, attending classes, and fellowshipping with believers will of course be of some benefit.  However, I have found partnering with a church is where the real spiritual growth begins.  There is a difference between sitting in the bleachers and getting in the game of ministry.  God wants every believer to partner on mission and live out their callings through His church.  Have you found your pasture to serve in at ABC?  You will have an opportunity this Sunday at church.

On a sidenote, I’ve had several ask questions about our Citizen ATX podcast channel.  As you may know, we host a podcast show to extend relevant Biblical conversations outside our church walls.  This winter, we are pairing the podcast show with our current sermon series, “After God’s Heart.”  Each week, we are releasing an episode focused on further discussion of the previous Sunday’s sermon.  If you’d like to check it out, you can click this LINK and access the show.  It’s available on all podcast channels and is free of charge.

Invite a friend this Sunday, and I look forward to seeing you in worship this weekend.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

1 John 1:7,” But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”  One of the greatest blessings of church is fellowship.  God wants us to be known by Him, but also known by others.  This is why one of our core values at ABC is authenticity.  I believe God wants each of us to experience an authentic relationship with Him, as well as authentic relationships with believers.  Healthy churches are filled with believers who invest into the lives of others around them.  Life is so much sweeter when we have brothers and sisters who pray for us, encourage us, celebrate with us, and grieve alongside us in seasons of hardship.

Do you have a Christian support system in your life?  I’ve said it many times: you never know how much you need a church until you need a church.  If you need community in your life, be encouraged it isn’t too late to begin building one.  ABC is a growing church, but you can be known here.  We may be too big for everybody to know everybody, we are not too big for everybody to be known by somebody.  The first step to being known is to attend one of our Bible Fellowship Groups.  I encourage you to take a leap of faith and visit a class.  BFG’s serve as the backbone of our church, and they are where community begins to forge.  You can class listings HERE.

I also encourage you consider jumping in on some of the wonderful events we offer week to week.  For instance, this Friday is the Family Fun Fest.  This will be a great opportunity for younger families with grade school children to come together for fellowship and fun.  It is not too late to sign up, and you can do so HERE.  I pray ABC continues to broaden its reach into our community and builds a fellowship that is known across Austin, Texas.  Walk in the light as He is in the light this week, and experience the fellowship God has designed for your life.

I look forward to continuing our sermon series this Sunday.  Invite a friend and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).  Jesus Christ wants every person to build a home that lasts.  This is why our church offers many life-giving ministries for families.  We want married couples to have healthy marriages, healthy children, and leave impactful legacies.  The Lifelong Marriage Conference is another opportunity for married couples to invest in their homes through the ministries of ABC.

I’m excited to welcome back bestselling author and international speaker, Gary Thomas.  Gary has published over 20 books and is an expert in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.  He is going to lead our conference on Friday night, Saturday morning, and he will offer a powerful message during our 8:45am and 11:15am services.

Bethany and I hope you plan to join us for this important weekend.  It is not too late to sign up, so please register HERE.  I also encourage you to invite another couple to be a part of this fun weekend.  If you have not found a BFG, this could be the perfect opportunity to visit one of our many Bible study classes at 10am, before or after your worship service.  Help me make Gary feel welcome this Sunday, and I look forward to worshipping with you.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Greetings from California!  I am currently in southern California to meet with our church planting partners at the North American Mission Board.  As you know, part of our Light the Way generosity initiative includes a new mission’s partnership with the church planting movement that is happening in metropolitan Los Angeles. 

Over the next two years, ABC will help fund NAMB’s church planting residency program in LA.   This program attracts the best aspiring church planters in southern California.  We will come alongside these men of God by helping fund their training and seminary education.  In the coming months, we will prayerfully choose one of these men to partner with in his church planting work.  We will support his church by praying, giving, and sending people to assist in the evangelistic effort.

I do find it providential that God opened this door to us during such a tumultuous season in Los Angeles.  It is heartbreaking to witness the wake of destruction that these wildfires are leaving behind in southern California.  However, I am also encouraged that God is building strong local churches in this same region for such a time as this.

NAMB has planted 79 southern California churches in the last 5 years and witnessed over 700 baptisms through those congregations.  These LA churches preach God’s Word effectively in 14 different languages and minister to the 18 million people who live in metropolitan LA.  God is on the move in southern California, and I believe man’s tragedy provides a divine opportunity for Jesus Christ to do a fresh work in the hearts of people.

Join me in praying for those who are suffering unthinkable loss.  Pray for those who have lost loved ones and pray for those who have lost their homes, businesses, and churches.  Pray for the local church to shine its light through disaster relief efforts.  And pray for these men that God is preparing to send on mission for Him.  I’m excited to see the lives that will be changed forever because of our partnership at ABC.  Because you give, God continues to Light the Way forward as we eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend our message.

Pray for me and our team, and I do look forward to returning to Austin later this week.  This Sunday I will press on in our new sermon series, “After God’s Heart.”  Be sure to join us at 8:45am or 11:15am for a special Lord’s Supper weekend.  Invite a friend and I look forward to seeing you there.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

The Sights and Sounds of Christmas was incredible!  I was so proud of our church as we welcomed nearly 1,500 people to our Christmas presentations.  I was especially proud of our members who took the challenge to heart and brought their friends to church.  Thank you to Dr. Todd Stearns and our entire worship ministry for an amazing musical presentation.  I also want to thank Stephen Vaughn and our media ministry volunteers for making the production possible.  And I of course want to thank Derek Tackett and his facilities team for making our church such a beautiful and inviting place to our community.

We are now officially in the home stretch to Christmas.  I hope you have purchased your gifts and are counting down the days with me.  Make plans to join us for one of our three identical candlelight services (2pm, 4pm, 6pm) on Christmas Eve.  These family-friendly worship services are perhaps my favorite services of the entire year.  We will sing familiar Christmas carols, hear an encouraging message from God’s Word, and have a memorable time of candle-lighting in the worship center. 

Note we will have the nursery open for little ones and our Family Worship Room will also be an available resource for young families.  Who can you invite to experience the wonder of Christmas with you?  Let’s shine our light into our community and invite our family, friends, and neighbors to worship with us on Christmas Eve. 

We announced last weekend we are also looking forward to welcoming back my friend Gary Thomas for The Lifelong Love Marriage Conference on January 24-26^th.  Gary is a best-selling author and international speaker on the topics of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.  I would encourage you to go ahead and save your spot by registering HERE. The best Christmas gift you could give your spouse is your commitment to invest in your marriage in 2025.

Thank you for your continued generosity through our general fund year-end giving.  Your faithfulness makes ministry happen here at ABC.  Thank you for partnering with us in the Gospel to reach our community and world.  Have a great week, and I’m looking forward to teaching on the wise men this Sunday at our 8:45am and 11:15am services.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer