It feels good to finally be back at ABC!  I’ve missed you these past couple weeks, and I appreciate your patience in my delayed return.  We did enjoy our time away on vacation, but as you know we unfortunately had to deal with Covid upon our arrival back to Austin.  But the good news is the symptoms were mild and we are now fully recovered and back to school and work.  Thank you for your prayers, and I’d especially like to thank Dr. Matt Gillum for stepping up to fill in during my absence.

It is indeed a new year, but I know for some it may feel like the same old story.  We are still dealing with the virus, many are stuck in fear regarding the future, and our country is seemingly as polarized as ever before.  Nonetheless, it is important for us to remember that 2022 does not have to look the same as 2021.  While we cannot control the external challenges in our world, we can control our internal responses to them.  My prayer is that each of us will choose to be steadfast in our commitment to Jesus Christ.  This year, each of us can indeed grow to be more holy, we can grow to know Him more deeply, and we can experience Jesus more fully through the fellowship of His people.  2022 absolutely can be a better year if we choose to pursue our Savior in a better way.

Jesus is better than anything, on anyone, this world has to offer.  He is bigger than any problem you or I face, and His grace is more sufficient than any solution we could create.  Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” Jesus Christ is our anchor and He is committed to give you the strength you need to weather any storm.  My prayer is that you and I will cling to our anchor more tightly this year than we did last year. I pray that you will read more of His word, spend more time in prayer, find more opportunities to serve and give, and get more connected in Christian community through His local church. I’m excited about our new study in the book of Hebrews because we’re going to see that Jesus is indeed better, but we will also discover that following Him more closely will lead us to a better life in 2022.

In a couple weeks, you and I will have an opportunity to get better in a practical way.  I’m looking forward to welcoming bestselling author and international speaker, Gary Thomas, to ABC for the Sacred Marriage Conference on January 28-29^th.  The conference will be based on his bestselling book, and Gary will offer practical wisdom and encouragement that will make any marriage better, whether you are newlyweds or have been married for 50+ years.  I encourage you to not miss out on this special opportunity. 

The conference will feature 4 dynamic sessions filled with great teaching, fun giveaways, delicious food, and lots of laughter.  Participants will be seated at round tables, and you’ll have an opportunity to fellowship with other couples at ABC.  This conference will also offer the unique opportunity for multi-generational ministry, as couples of all ages will get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company at the event.  For our younger couples, we are offering free childcare at the church if needed.  If you haven’t done so already, please take the time to register today and join us for what will surely be a life-giving weekend at ABC.  Register here: https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/08a2dc7e-5405-4303-868a-73367db3cffb

Make plans to join us this Sunday.  We are going to be welcoming our new Minister of Senior Adults and Pastoral Care, Bill McGinnis, along with his wife, Anita.  They will be introduced in both services, and you’ll have an opportunity to officially welcome them to Austin.  I’ll also be leading us in the Lord’s Supper, and we’ll be offering our new members class, Starting Point, after each service for those who are exploring membership at ABC.  Invite a friend and make plans to be there this Sunday.  If you need a new start to this new year, you can begin afresh this weekend at ABC.  I look forward to seeing you at 9am or 11:11am.

Happy new year!  I hope you had a blessed holiday break, and I’m praying that 2022 is off to a great start for you and yours.  Bethany and I enjoyed our time away with family, but I’m excited to be back and hit the ground running in this new year.  We have lots of big things on the horizon, including several items this month.  In a few weeks, we’ll welcome bestselling author and speaker Gary Thomas to ABC for our first ever marriage conference.  The Sacred Marriage Conference will be an impactful event for all ages, whether you are recently engaged or have been married 50+ years (register HERE). I’m also excited that we will soon welcome our new Senior Adult Minister, Bill McGinnis, along with his wife Anita.  They will be wonderful additions to our church family, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact that they will make as they move here to Austin.  Our midweek ministries are coming back full force next week, and this weekend is a Lord’s Supper Sunday as I kick off our new sermon series in the book of Hebrews titled, “Jesus is Better.”

2022 is going to be a big year, so I believe it is important for our church family to keep our eyes focused on what lies ahead.  After a year like 2021, it could be natural for us to look back and become content with all that God has recently done in our church.  God blessed us with many new members, record baptisms, and several great staff additions.  Our church faithfully gave, our BFG’s continued to grow, and our children’s and youth ministries were further strengthened.  Our church ministered well to each other’s needs, but we also ministered effectively to our community through new outreach ministries and efforts from our members.  God indeed did a mighty work last year, but Paul reminds us to not become complacent: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:12-13).

As Christians, each of us are in the business of running.  While not all of us may be in the business of jogging on a treadmill, all of us do indeed have a spiritual race to run.  It does not matter your age or stage of life, if you are in Christ Jesus and you still have breath in your lungs, that means God has more track ahead of you.  I believe 2022 will be an even more impactful year for ABC, but it will only happen if we each keep our eyes looking forward.  When you watch a track meet, occasionally a runner will make a fundamental mistake during his race.  He will be off to a great start, but then he will get comfortable and look over his shoulder to see who is behind him.  However, this is a fatal flaw that coaches will always correct in their runners.  Why is it a bad thing?  Because when you look backwards, you always slow down.

I don’t believe God wants ABC to slow down in 2022.  I believe He wants to do immeasurably more than we can ask for or think of (Ephesians 3:20).  But this will only happen if we keep our eyes forward on Him and His high calling on our lives.  Where is God calling you to run in 2022?  God may be calling you to commit to a new Bible reading plan or to get plugged into one of our BFGs.  He may be calling you to step up and serve in one of our many volunteer ministries or go on a mission trip.  Maybe He’s leading you to invest into the next generation through our children’s and youth ministries.  Perhaps He’s calling you to maximize your passion and talent through our choir, music, and AV ministries.  He could be calling you to make tithing a regular discipline for the first time in your home this year.  Maybe He’s calling you to be an encourager and to invest time into those who are hurting or homebound.  Or perhaps He’s calling you to find someone to run alongside you.  Maybe he’s put a neighbor or friend on your heart, and God is leading you to invite them to come and run with our church family here at ABC.

I do not know what God is leading you to do in 2022, but I do know He’s calling you to action.  God has purpose for my life and your life, and if we answer that high calling, I believe 2022 will indeed be a happy new year.  I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.  Bring a friend and bring your Bible, and I’ll see you at 9am or 11:11am. 

The Christmas season is officially in full swing at ABC.  The church is beautifully decorated, we observed our first Advent Sunday, and excitement is beginning to build as we look forward to all that God has for us this month.  When we think about the Christmas season, different words usually come to mind.  For some of us, Christmas is all about family.  We cherish the special time that we get to spend with loved ones this time of year.  For others, the word “busy” comes to mind.  We get stressed as we wrap our minds around long to-do lists and countless events popping up on our calendars.  Some of you may also think about the amazing food, music, and traditions that this season brings unlike any other. 

But when I think about Christmas, the word “generosity” quickly comes to mind.  People tend to open up their hearts this time of year.  As we humbly count our blessings, we often find ourselves trying to be a blessing to others who need it.  Many in our church express generosity this time of year through gifts.  We packed over 300 shoeboxes full of gifts to go to children in need all around the world through Operation Christmas Child.  Angel tree gifts are now starting to pour in as well, and we will soon see hundreds of white bags filled with gifts for our White Christmas on December 19^th.  Some are expressing their generosity through their time.  Choir and orchestra members have been generous with their time through many weeks of rehearsals for our upcoming Christmas concert at, “Merry Christmas Y’all.”  An army of volunteers was generous with their time as they set up all of our beautiful Christmas decorations.  We will soon see hundreds more joyfully serve with us at White Christmas and our special events this month.  And of course, many in our church are expressing their generosity right now through their finances.  Many will generously give to our Lottie Moon missions offering, and so many will faithfully give their tithes and offerings as we approach year end giving.  In fact, nearly 25% of all general fund contributions typically come in the month of December.

I want to thank you for being such a generous church.  It’s my joy to pastor a generous people because I know your generosity is glorifying to our generous Savior in heaven.  We must not forget Christmas truly is a celebration of the generosity of God.  Paul tells us, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7).  On that first Christmas, Jesus humbly stepped away from His throne and glory, and instead, He generously entered the very world that He created.  And our Father generously gave His only son to make room for us to be adopted into His family through Him.  God has richly blessed each of us in Jesus Christ, so it is appropriate that we respond in worship with grateful hearts this Christmas season.  I encourage you to be generous this month with your time, talent, and treasure, and I’m confident that God will continue to bless you as you are a blessing to others.

Be sure to pick up one of our “Christmas at ABC” booklets this Sunday so you can stay up to date on all the amazing things that are happening this month at ABC.  I look forward to continuing our Christmas series with you this Sunday, and I can’t wait to hear from our Children’s Choir as they help lead us in worship this weekend.  Invite a friend to be your guest in worship, and I will see you Sunday at 9am or 11:11.

Last Sunday, we set an encouraging milestone as a church family.  We were honored to baptize three more individuals during our two worship services, which brought us to a new record for the most baptisms we’ve seen in a year at ABC!  I hope you’re as encouraged as I am to see more light bulbs go into our “Let There Be Light” sign, as more people proudly raise their flags for Jesus Christ through believer’s baptism each week.  I’m excited to watch that sign continue to light up, as our God continues to light up the lives of those around us.

The Great Commission will always be the heartbeat of our church.  Before ascending to heaven, the resurrected Christ told all of His followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).  ABC is firmly committed to walking in obedience to Jesus’ words.  We want to see God light up our homes, our neighborhoods, and the world around us.  I pray that God will continue to use ABC to raise up more disciples here in Austin, but I also pray that He will use our church to make an impact all around the world.

This Sunday is an important weekend as it’s themed around this critical mission.  I hope you make plans to join us for “Missions Sunday,” as it will be a unique opportunity to get informed and mobilized in God’s mission through ABC.  This Sunday we’re going to have a special guest speaker from the International Mission Board.  You will be formally introduced to Brother John during our services, but he has decades of leadership experience in the IMB, and we’re thrilled to have him come share a special word about what God is doing all around the world through the faithful efforts of the IMB.

Additionally, this Sunday we will spotlight many great ministry opportunities for you to partner in.  We will have a ministry fair in our Great Hall showcasing some of the key local ministries that ABC supports.  These organizations receive both funds and volunteers from our church, and we want to give you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with their work.  They will be able to answer questions and help you get mobilized in the kingdom efforts they are leading in.  You will also receive a missions brochure in our worship services, and it will spotlight some of ABC’s upcoming missions opportunities for 2022. 

As you know, COVID put a wrench into all of our travel plans these past 18 months, and it unfortunately made a negative impact on mission trips as well.  However, we are working hard right now to offer several great opportunities for you to go on mission with ABC here in our country, and around the world.  Pick up a brochure this weekend and begin praying for wisdom on whether God is calling you to go this coming year.  This Sunday will also be the official kick off to our annual Lottie Moon offering.  We have set a church goal to raise $50,000 above our regular tithes and offerings to go directly to missions during this Christmas season.  Please begin praying now on how God is calling you to partner through this special offering.

We’ve got lots to be thankful for at ABC.  I pray that Missions Sunday will prepare your heart for Thanksgiving as our church “give thanks” for changed lives at ABC, but also for changed lives all around the world.  I pray that God will continue to light up your life this week, and we look forward to you joining us for this special Missions Sunday at ABC.

Last Sunday was a special Veteran’s Day celebration at ABC.  We had a wonderful time worshipping the Lord and honoring our brave service men and women.  I hope you had the chance to drop by the “Wall of Honor” to pay tribute to our local ABC heroes.  If you didn’t, please make sure to do so this Sunday as we are leaving the wall up for one final weekend.  I especially want to thank Christina Mendoza for all her hard work in coordinating this meaningful display.  Be sure to pass on your gratitude to her as well for a job well done.

Last week, we celebrated a big night at Midweek.  Our ABC Student Ministry hosted a special evangelistic event called, “Impact.”  Our Student Minister, Nathan Wood, and his team did a fantastic job organizing an exciting new event for our students.  They offered lots of attractions including golf games outside, inflatables, 9 square, and of course, plenty of free food.  Most importantly, all student in attendance participated in a powerful worship service that evening.  In total, nine students made decisions for Jesus Christ in that service, and several are looking to be baptized in the coming weeks. See the recap video here:

I was so proud of how our students stepped up to invite their friends that night.  In fact, our volunteer team registered 30 new guests that evening, and 20 of our regular students brought at least one of their friends with them.  I loved hearing that one student even borrowed his mother’s minivan so he could fit more friends in the car!  That kind of outward focus made an eternal impact, as 8 of those 9 decisions were made by first time guests that evening.  It’s always amazing to see how one simple invitation can have the power to change someone’s life. 

This makes me think of Jesus’ famous encounter with the paralytic man in Mark chapter 2.  As you may recall, Jesus was preaching in a home, and we’re told the house was packed.  There wasn’t room for anyone else, not even at the door.  But four friends were determined to introduce their friend to Jesus that day.  In their case, they didn’t use a minivan to get him there, but instead they took him up to the roof.   They famously made an opening and lowered the man on a bed.  From there, Mark 2:5 tells us “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’.”  Jesus recognized the extraordinary faith of these friends, and He rewarded it by not only healing their friend physically, but He more importantly healed him spiritually as well.

God rewards the faithful hearts of His followers.  James tells us that “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:15).  The prayer of a righteous person has great power.  Yes, prayers can lead to physical healing, but they can also lead to spiritual healing.  In fact, I would argue that most salvation stories began with unseen prayers from loved ones.  Whether it is parents praying for the salvation of their children, students praying for the salvation of their classmates, or adults praying for their co-workers and neighbors, prayer is always that first critical step in evangelism.  God hears those prayers, and I believe He then opens up doors for us to lead others to Him.  He prompts us through the Holy Spirit when we are to testify to the hope that is in us.  And I believe He also prompts us through the Holy Spirit to invite others to experience the life of our church.  I would contend that one of the most powerful testimonies of Jesus Christ in this world is the authentic worship of His people.  I’ve personally seen that testimony be used by God to draw people to Himself time and time again.

My question is, “who do you need to bring to the feet of Jesus?”  I encourage you to begin praying for that person by name this week.  And I encourage you to follow our students’ example and invite them to worship with you this Sunday.  You never know, one simple invitation could change the trajectory of their life.  I look forward to worshipping with you this weekend on a special Lord’s Supper Sunday.  If you happen to bring a friend, please take a moment to introduce me to them.  I’d be honored to meet them.  Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.

Temperatures are dropping and leaves are beginning to fall.  It’s hard to believe it, but November is already here.  We are just a few short weeks away from Thanksgiving, and from there it will be a full court sprint to Christmas.  I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year.  Yes, our calendars are beginning to fill up, and yes, lots of planning and stress is undoubtedly commencing.  Nonetheless, I’ve found this season can also bring a refreshing new perspective.  As our schedules get more crowded, our minds also tend to see things more clearly.  The holiday season slows us down to focus on the people that matter the most, and on our God who is the source of all our blessings.

Psalm 77:11-13 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.  Your way, O God, is holy.  What god is great like our God?”  I encourage you to slow down this week and remember the deeds of the Lord.  Here at ABC, we have a lot of great things to remember.  Today I’m remembering the 47 lights that have gone into our “Let There Be Light” sign in the Great Hall.  Each light represents an individual who was baptized this year, and each baptism represents a life that has been forever changed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I remember the 130+ new members that have joined our church in 2021.  I remember our new staff members, and the wonderful lay-leaders who have risen up to serve our church.  I remember all the deeds that God has done through our ABC Kids and Student ministries this year.  And I remember the impact that God has made through our church as we’ve seen Him light up our homes, neighborhoods, and the world around us.  As we ponder His work, we should all come to the same conclusion as the psalmist: “What god is great like our God?”

I encourage you to slow down this season and give thanks to our great God.  Give thanks for what He’s doing in our church, but also give thanks for what He’s doing in your life.  If gratitude is not a natural discipline in your life, I encourage you to journal this November and December.  Every day, as you spend time with the Lord, I challenge you to write down three specific things that you are thankful for.  Your list can include specific family, friends, leaders, circumstances, resources, or anything else that you consider a blessing in your life.  James reminds us, “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” (James 1:17).  Anything that you consider “good” in your life is not there by chance.  It’s there because a good Father purposefully blessed you with that gift.  I pray that we all may remember that truth this coming season and give thanks to the Father of lights.

This Sunday, I’ll be giving thanks for two specific things.  First, I’m be giving thanks for an extra hour of sleep!  Don’t forget to “fall back” and move your clock back one hour when you go to sleep on Saturday night.  We should all come to church rested and ready to worship.  But I will also be giving thanks on Sunday for our veterans.  As you know, Veteran’s Day is November 11^th, so we’ll be paying honor to all of our local heroes in church this Sunday, November 7^th.  We will recognize our veterans in our both of our worship services, pray for our country, and we will have a beautiful Wall of Honor display in the Great Hall.  Take some time to drop by this wall, which will pay tribute to ABC’s military heroes.  I encourage you to wear red, white and blue to church this Sunday, and give thanks to the men and women who have served, and are serving, to protect the freedom that we enjoy.  But above all, give thanks to God for giving us the great privilege to live in such an amazing country, and pray that God will continue to bless America in the days to come.

I encourage you to invite a friend to join you this Sunday.  One simple invitation can make a life-changing impact on someone who is around you.  Stay warm, give thanks, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Last Sunday’s Trunk or Treat was a hit!  I hope you were able to participate in all the festivities last weekend.  God blessed us with a huge crowd, and it was an exciting event as we welcomed hundreds of new faces. I was especially proud of our church family for inviting their friends.  I was stopped by many families who wanted to introduce me to their personal guests.  The greatest way to grow a church will always be the personal invitation.  Thank you for being proud of your church and for taking the opportunity to introduce your friends and family to the life of ABC.  I encourage you to invite them back this Sunday to join you in worship.

I especially want to thank everyone behind the scenes who made Trunk or Treat possible. Kati Dobbs and Rachel Tovar did an excellent job spearheading the event with our ABC Kids ministry. Derek Tackett and his facilities team led well through every step of the set up and tear down, and our amazing volunteers truly made it a party!  Thank you to the 39 car owners for setting up amazing displays and going all out on the decorations.  Thank you to our student ministry for stepping up to lead games on the field, and we of course appreciate all of the generous folks who donated candy this past month.  Thank you to our registration teams, inflatable volunteers, parking team, and all of the logistics positions that made the event go off without a hitch.  Trunk or Treat truly is an ABC team effort, and I’m proud of how our church represented itself to our community.

This week we’ve been following up with our registered visitors at the event.  All guests received an email from me and a personal phone call from one of our staff members, and it has been encouraging to hear stories come back from those contacts.  One guest wrote me a note explaining that her family was hesitant to go as they haven’t been to church much.  However, she said her son “walked into the blow up area (inflatables) and was blown away.  He said that he thinks that this is his church.  They all had a fabulous time.  The cars were all fantastic, and yes, everyone was more than friendly.  My son went home and said he wants to come and wants to do Sunday School.”

Stories like these are why we do events like Trunk or Treat.  I know you will not always get to see an immediate return on your act of service or generosity, but I do believe God plants countless seeds into the hearts of our community through events like this.  We will have new first-time guests as a direct result of this event, and I pray that God will continue to light up more homes for Jesus Christ through the intentional outreach of our church.  Thank you for your continued generosity in giving to our general budget, as ministry like this is only possible through your faithful stewardship.  And thank you for showing up big to roll up your sleeves and help make our community feel welcomed at ABC.  Pray for our student ministry as they are up next and preparing for their new outreach event on November 3rd, “Impact.”  We are praying that God will continue to touch lives and reach the next generation for Jesus Christ through Austin Baptist Church.

As we learned last week from Jonah, we do serve a “sending” God.  My hope is that we will continue to go when he tells us to go, because if we do, I believe our church will continue to make an eternal impact on the lives of those around us.  “For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever.  Amen” (Romans 11:36).  I look forward to giving him glory alongside you in worship this Sunday.  Have a great rest of your week.