Happy New Year! I hope your 2017 has gotten off to a great start, and that the best is yet to come. That is always the case with Jesus.

For FBC, this New Year brings great excitement. It is hard to believe, but only five years ago our family was praying hard about coming to serve here. God made it clear He was in it, and He led the way! It has been a wonderful season in our lives, and we are excited about sharing this next chapter with you, and looking forward to what God is going to do this year.

As I have shared before, the first part of my pastorate here was a necessary time of mending for FBC. The church was hurting so badly. Many people had left. It was a time to stabilize, heal, and come together.

The second phase was the makeover. This was about laying the groundwork for our future, which included a dramatic renovation and addition to our campus. This has positioned us for the third phase, which we are diving deep into in 2017.

This next phase in the life of FBC is a time of bold mission. We are going to reach boldly into our community and the world with the gospel. Our mission is “To glorify Christ by making disciples who make disciples, in our community and around the world.” That begins with evangelism and prayer, which will be special areas of action this year. That begins now.

Be thinking and praying about 3 people in your life who need Christ. Would you commit to pray for them and share the gospel with them this year? On January 22, we will have a special time in our service to write down those names on a special card which each of us will keep with us throughout the year. We will take time each month in one of our services to pray for these people. Who do you know who needs Christ?

This Sunday we will begin a special three-week long series that will help us launch out into the New Year. The series is called “Reset.” This Sunday we will study Hebrews 10:19-25, as we talk about “Cherishing the Lord’s Day.” What is the importance of weekly corporate worship and Bible Study in the lives of God’s people? This is basic, but we don’t think about it enough. So let’s go back to basics as we reset for a New Year! See you this Lord’s Day.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.