Yee-Haw! Saddle Up for VBS!

Yee-Haw! It's time to saddle up for VBS 2010, where kids will be roundin' up questions like, "What is God's plan for me?" and "How can I be like Jesus?" At the end of the day, they'll discover that God's Word has all the answers! Each day during the week of June 14-18, we'll ride the range from 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., visiting places like Worship Rally Valley, Bible Study Bunkhouse, and the Big Sky Grill. We'll learn music at Campfire Creek and do crafts at Blazing Star Stables! We even have a REAL Cowboy Pastor that will be sharing his missions experience with us! And for you preteens in 5th & 6th Grades, we have VBX--a new VBS experience for cowpokes your age. Bring a friend or two along!

Don't forget to bring that offering money to throw in the bucket! And while you're at it, bring along a bag of dried beans to share with the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Now, if you just can't get enough of VBS in the mornings, bring a sack lunch along and stay with us for VBSPlus in the afternoons. Monday through Wednesday, pay just $10 a day per child and you'll get more games, more crafts, more music & more fun than you can handle!

Still ain't had yer fix of fun? On Thursday and Friday, go with us to CowboyTown for just $25 a day per child. You'll learn how to groom, saddle and ride a horse, paddle a canoe, cast a fishing rod, and build a campfire. Shoot! I bet you can even make a few s'mores!

Richie McDonald LIVE!

Coming Up...

June Staff Birthdays & Anniversaries

STAFF BIRTHDAYS
June 14   Lauren Cann
June 15   Israel Garcia
June 21   Vi WIlkes

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
June 1     Barbara Sanders, 14 years
June 6     Vicki Wright, 6 years
June 8     Laura Meriwether, 1 year
June 12   Vi Wilkes, 6 years

2010 Committee & Service Group Recruitment

Parents Day Out

Loving God, Loving People In Haiti

Jim Bryson, Lauren Cann and I recently traveled to Haiti. Haiti is a country with extreme poverty and deep spiritual need. Many parents cannot afford to feed their children, so they give them away or abandon them on the street. Before the earthquake there were 380,000 orphans in Haiti. Because of the devastation caused by the earthquake, reports project that the number of orphans has doubled; some even say tripled.

We traveled to Haiti as representatives of the church to better understand how our church might partner with the Global Orphan Project. We visited four orphan villages and two potential sites where we could build a village. Many of the children were excited to see visitors, while in some of the rural areas the children were more reserved and seemed unsure. The children rejoiced at seeing themselves on the cameras. The girls enjoyed getting their nails polished, while the boys enjoyed tossing tennis balls. However, the children appreciated our attention more than anything. I enjoyed their unconditional love, their smiles, and their eagerness to know me. I enjoyed hearing their little voices asking questions and singing in a language I couldn't understand. At a couple of the villages the children sang songs about Jesus. My heart is filled with nothing but love, compassion and hope for these children.

The Global Orphan Project's statement of faith says that, "they exist and operate to share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ." We saw that they are living their statement through the care and support they are providing to orphans and their surrounding communities. They currently have 26 orphan villages in Haiti with plans to build 10 more. A village consists of a church, a school, and orphan homes. Since the schools are privately operated they are able to teach the students about Jesus. Providing a meal and free education to all children in the community allows children to continue living with their parents. This also provides an outlet for ministry to the entire community.

We saw a country and children in need. We felt the spiritual depravity in unreached areas. The children we met didn't touch my heart; they grabbed hold of it and haven't let it go. There are opportunities here for us to serve, to build relationships with orphans and the surrounding community, opportunities to share about our Lord, Jesus Christ. We can love God and love people in Haiti.

Youth Choir Mission Tour

Terrific Tuesday is On the Road Again!

Terrific Tuesdays are on the road again! Kids who have completed grades 1 - 6 are invited to join us each Tuesday June 22 - July 27 for a day filled with fun and adventure. Each week we'll hit the road for an all-thrills field trip to places as close as The Frist and as far as Venture River Water Park in Eddyville, Kentucky. Cost is $20 for registration (includes the Terrific T-Shirt!) and $20 per day.

Registration is open now! Click here for more information and to register.

Give a Pint of Blood and Give Life!

On Wednesday, June 23, from 3 - 7 p.m., we will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive in the Rec Center.

There is an urgent need for blood donations to keep hospitals in the area supplied. For about 45 minutes of your time, you can give a pint of blood and save a life. Anyone 17 years old and up may volunteer. Those who are 16 years old may give with a signed parental consent form.
It's the blood on the shelves today that helps save lives tomorrow. In fact, the supply of types O negative and B negative blood have dropped to emergency levels, so if you're of either of these blood types, we especially need you!

To volunteer to help, sign up to donate, or for more information, contact Ruth Kuzur at
377-3254 or Margi Hawkins at 664-6050.

Crow's Corner

THE IMPACT OF FBC MINISTRIES

Were you affected by the great flood? Of course! Every person in Nashville was affected by it--in a physical way of loss, damage, recovery, or vicariously through the waters that washed over our community and citizenry, in our neighborhoods, around our church, and through the homes of individuals and families in our church family. We each have been affected!

The Lord has given us a great opportunity to respond and you are doing so in incredible fashion. Over two hundred volunteers from within church have and are serving the needs of members and neighbors across the city. Over $10,000 of cash and gift card donations have been contributed to Flood Relief through First Baptist Church, from members and friends of the church and from around the country. The church Benevolence Committee is giving oversight to the distribution of these gifts. We continue hosting volunteer groups from Tennessee, the Carolinas, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas who have served as flood relief and now in rebuilding assistance.

You are praying, sharing, witnessing and helping in hundreds of ways--keep it up! We are serving as the hands and feet of Christ--preaching God's love and care without saying a word! 

As you go, share the Good News--we Love God, we Love People! God is a God of Love and has given His Son that every boy and girl, woman and man, can accept Christ, walk in faith, and have abundant life today with the promise of eternal life in fellowship with God.

As you continue to serve, God bless you. Be faithful; be strong; keep the faith; serve well.

First Moms
Because Moms Need Playdates, Too!

Moms need time together and so do their kids. Each Friday this summer, get together with other moms for a time of fun and fellowship while your kids play. There will also be a few moms' nights out! We'll meet each Friday around 10:00 a.m.

Share Freedom's Story
Building Bridges on July 4

Come and share Freedom's story on Sunday, July 4, as we build bridges with those visiting Nashville for the holiday's festivities. Volunteer for a street team, interacting with people on the streets in the downtown business district and along Riverfront Park, or a hospitality team, hosting downtown visitors on our patio. Hospitality teams will greet people passing by with facepainting, balloons, lemonade and popsicles. Each conversation becomes a chance to share your personal story of freedom in Christ. Contact Scott Allen at scott.allen@firstbaptistnashville.org for more information and to volunteer.

Mountain Movers Men's Chorale

Calling All Men, Boys, Fathers, Sons...

Be a part of our Mountain Movers Men's Chorale on Father's Day, June 20. All males from 7th grade to age 107 (and beyond) are invited to sing with our Men's Chorale for this special event. We'll gather in the Choir Rehearsal Room at 10:05 a.m. that Sunday morning to practice a few songs together. Then we'll lead our congregation in morning worship. Let's fill the choir loft with the powerful sound of men's voices to the glory of God!

It will be a grand day at First Baptist Nashville, and we want you to be a part.

Professionals, Join Us For EQUIP

You and your colleagues are invited to EQUIP, a professional enrichment series designed for the downtown professional. Join us for a time for networking and an informative seminar. EQUIP meets on Tuesdays, June 8, July 23, and August 25, at 11:30 a.m. You can bring your lunch or order a boxed lunch for $5.00. Orders for lunch must be received 24 hours in advance. Drinks will be provided.

Come as early as you wish for lunch and networking. The seminar will be presented at 11:45 a.m. and will conclude by 12:15 p.m.

June 8 - Becoming a Resonant Leader - presented by Deb Tobey, Ed.D.
July 20 - Why Smart Employees Underperform - presented by Kathryn Mastin
July 24 - When Coaching Becomes Mentoring - presented by Deb Tobey, Ed.D.

EQUIP is free and open to all workers and businesses in the downtown area. Contact Scott Allen at equipnashville@gmail.com for more information.