NewsLetter February 2017
OUR MISSION: “TO LEAD PEOPLE TO BE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST” OUR VISION: “TO BE A CHURCH OF ORDINARY PEOPLE USED BY GOD IN EXTRAORDINARY WAYS”
CHURCH INFORMATION CHURCH STAFF Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org
Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org
Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org
Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org
Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org
Jodi Beckendorf, Graphic Design jbeckendorf@fbc-brenham.org
Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org
Stephanie Sheffield, Custodian Manager ssheffield@fbc-brenham.org
Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org
Nancy Jahns, School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org
Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org
Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Dir. mdo@fbc-brenham.org
Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Brenham’s First Baptist Church Contact Info: Ph: (979) 836-2807 Fax: (979) 830-0122 info@fbc-brenham.org Mailing address: PO Box 600, Brenham, TX 77834
LINKS TO CHECK OUT ONLINE CHURCH WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs 2
I N THI S I SSUE:
Church Announcements ..................................................page Church-wide Calendar .....................................................page From Pastor Ross ...............................................................page Sweet Hour of Prayer ........................................................page Music Ministry ....................................................................page Adult Ministries .................................................................page Bible Studies & More ........................................................page Encore Ministry ..................................................................page A Letter from Reba .. ..........................................................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page FBC School .........................................................................page Special Announcements ..................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page Special Events ....................................................................page
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CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRST IMPRESSIONS MINISTRY - Can you smile? Can you shake a hand or hug a neck? Sure you can! That means you can make a difference in someone’s life each Sunday by serving in our First Impressions Ministry. Email Troy at: tsikes@fbc-brenham.org or call 979-836-2807 if you want to make a difference with a smile!
SIGN UP ONLINE:
HONDURAS 2017- July 18-26, 2017 FUGE CAMP 2017- June 27-July 1, 2017 KIDS KLUB - SUMMER CAMP & VBS REGISTRATION -Sign ups available online at fbc-brenham.org. We have fewer beds available this year for camp. So, first come, first served. Please don’t hesitate.
Welcome New Church Members Kristy Van Dyke Sherry Tolbert Steve and Georgeann Butler 3
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR
FEBRUARY: 4-5 7 16 16 20 21 24 22
Home Improvement Weekend 6pm Gym Piecemakers Sewing Ministry Student Center 9:00am Church Office Closed- Texas Ministry Conference for staff Encore Luncheon 11:00am Pahl Garage FBCS Holiday- Presidents’ Day Relocation Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 112 Relocation Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 112 Connecting @ FBC Room 112 4:00pm
MARCH: 5 5 7 13 13 16 21 24 26
Deacons Meeting 2:00pm Room 111 Church Council Meeting 4:00pm Room 112 Piecemakers Sewing Ministry Student Center 9:00am FBCS- Spring Break Begins Finance Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 111 Encore Luncheon 11:00am Pahl House Relocation Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 112 FBCS PTO Garage Sale 3:30pm Gym Churchwide Business Meeting 4:00pm Gym For more information on any of the above events please visit the church website: www.fbc-brenham.org
www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch
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FROM PASTOR ROSS Our church’s Employee Handbook has a provision for our pastoral staff (Troy, Alex, Chad, Charles, and me) that provides for a four week sabbatical upon completion of seven years of service to the church and upon the completion of every seven years of service thereafter. The purpose of providing a sabbatical is to allow for a time of spiritual, physical, and emotional renewal and rest. This year both Alex Morrison and Troy Sikes will be taking, at my encouragement, their four week sabbatical. Alex has served here for 13 years and Troy has served 19 years. This will be their first opportunity for a sabbatical, and I’m thankful for their service and for this opportunity for them. Whenever pastoral sabbaticals come up, someone may think, “Why do they get a sabbatical? I don’t get one for my job.” This is an honest question, and here is my response: -Pastors face a unique set of stressors that impact them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Because pastoral ministry is more than “just a job,” being a pastor has the tendency to be all-encompassing in terms of the identity of the pastor, how the pastor uses his time, and the role of the pastor’s family. The pastor and pastor’s family also faces the unique spiritual attacks that come from Satan and demons. This doesn’t mean other vocations don’t face intense stress; it just means that pastors face a unique set of stressors that provide a good reason to allow them to set aside some time for renewal and rest. -Pastoral burnout is a real and increasing phenomenon. Go to Google and type “Pastor” and “burnout.” Read some of these articles. It will be a sobering read. I can attest from personal experience that burnout is real. Providing a sabbatical helps to mitigate against the potential for burnout. -Providing a sabbatical is way to show a pastor and his family that the church cares. Any loving pastor in a relatively healthy church knows that most people care about him and his family. The challenge can be that sometimes pastors hear more of the critical voices than the caring voices. Providing a sabbatical is way for a pastor and his family to be reminded that the church does cares for his family and him. When you hear that Alex and Troy are on sabbaticals at different times this year, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to do two things. First, write them a word of encouragement and let them know in detail what their family and they have meant to you. Second, pray that God will provide a season of renewal and rest that will enable them to be further used by God. Finally, thank you for making sure that these sabbaticals are available. I appreciate it; the other pastors appreciate it. I’m honored to be your pastor. 5
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER Amazing things, happenings, and events! We have all been astonished, elated, and befuddled by amazing, astounding happenings in our lives and others. God kind of amazing things are still happening everywhere around us. Some say, “Ooh and aah!” Some say, “Why don’t they ever happen in my life?” They can happen in every life. God is just waiting, waiting for our prayers. Waiting for us to ask! When was the last time you humbled yourself, knelt and poured out your burden to our amazing, gracious, awesome, merciful God? What can prayer accomplish in your life, in someone else’s life? It can heal physically, mentally and spiritually. A pastor friend of mine in Texarkana was given more time when my husband and I traveled to his bedside in the hospital where he possibly had only a short time left. After much prayer for him he was awake and talking to us and even laughed a time or two. Now he is back to pastoring his church. What can prayer do? Of course, to God belongs all the glory, honor and praise. We simply made use of what God had made available to us, prayer in the Spirit.
Pray without ceasing
Would you like to see the amazing things God can do just by our asking Him in prayer? Don’t be afraid to humble yourself and ask God. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He loves our prayers. It is a wonderful way to have fellowship with Him. He admonishes us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18 On Thursday mornings at 10:00am the Sweet Hour of Prayer convenes in the garage of the Sycamore House. We’re a small group but where two or more are gathered there He will be also. Come join us and experience the amazing things that God can do if we just ask. “Ask and you will receive, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7 Even if you are a beginner prayer, have no fear. We all are. Come join us in prayer and look for those amazing things God is doing. In the early 1900’s it took only two women praying to bring such a revival to Wales that it is still be wondered over and written about. Thursdays at 10:00 am in the Sycamore House (Come in the door at the top of the driveway.) Also I encourage everyone to get the book “Draw the Circle” and begin your very own 40 days of prayer. Contact the church office. It is time to get serious about prayer.
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MUSIC MINISTRY MEDIA TEAM: Do you have any experience or knowledge as a sound operator? We’ve got some openings for some new recruits and need your help! Interested in learning to operate a camera on Sunday mornings? See Charles Covin or John Hermann. TRADITIONAL SERVICE: This is a GREAT time to get plugged in to the Worship Choir! We’ve just begun preparing to share some POWERFUL songs for our Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday worship services that WE WANT YOU to join us for! Even if you’re unable to commit to Worship Choir year-round, we’d be delighted to have you during the Easter season. We are also planning a Worship Choir fellowship on Thursday evening, February 23rd. See Charles Covin for details! CONTEMPORARY SERVICE: As ALWAYS, we’re looking for more worshipers to help lead out on Sunday mornings! If you enjoy singing, or are proficient at a modern worship instrument and are interested in being a part of our team here at BFBC, I’d love to chat with you! I want to encourage all of you to familiarize yourselves with some of the new songs that, either we’ve introduced recently, or are coming soon to Sunday morning worship! 1. “O Come to the Altar” - Elevation Worship 2. “It is Well” - Kristene DiMarco 3. “Seas of Crimson” – Bethel Music 4. “Praise the King” – Corey Voss 5. “Your Love Awakens Me” – Phil Wickham 6. “The Joy of the Lord” – Rend Collective 7. “A Mighty Fortress” – Christy Nockels (Passion) 8. “Behold” (Then Sings My Soul) – Hillsong Worship 9. “What a Beautiful Name” – Hillsong Worship Blessings, Charles 7
ADULT MINISTRIES PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers started the New Year by lengthening meeting times a couple of hours so more sewing and quilting can be accomplished while we are together. Our January meeting was all about cutting fabric to be assembled into “kits� with the goal of supplying more lap quilts to those in need. We have completed two quilts for the FBC School Auction in March and new projects for upcoming mission trips have been started. We are so appreciative and thankful to all who have made donations of fabric that we use in our ministry. Piece Makers meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month in the Student Center from 9 am until 2 pm. All are welcome to join us as we stitch something for someone to love.
ARE YOU REGISTERED YET?- FEBRUARY 4TH-5TH, 2017 Home Improvement Weekend with Jeff & Debby McElroy. This weekend will engage the whole church family!
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ADULT MINISTRIES CONTINUED
First Impressions Parking Lot Greeting Team. Each Sunday, We have greeters in the parking lots guiding people to a worship service or Sunday Bible Study. With bright yellow vests and friendly smiles, they will also be there to give you a helping hand with anything you need. Presently we need more people on the Parking Lot Greeting Team and our Welcome Guest Greeter Team, if you would like to help us make a lasting impression by serving on our First Impressions Team. Contact Troy at: tsikes@fbc-brenham.org or call the church office at 979-836-2807 if you are willing to serve as an Usher, Welcome Center Greeter or Parking Lot Greeter.
What does every woman’s heart yearn for but the desire to know and be known? Something Abundant Bible study by Angie Nichols and taught by Lynne Hollowell, assisted by Shirley Herring, “is the coming-ofage love story of a child of God maturing into the bride of Christ told through the Biblical precepts of wheat harvest, the threshing floor, and ancient Jewish wedding customs.” Through this study “you will glean an understanding of Christ’s relentless pursuit to bring His bride to a holy place of intimacy.” Join the Virtuous Women’s class in the Pahl house at 9:30am Sunday mornings starting March 5th as we set forth on the journey to become the bride of Christ.
HOME TEAM GROUPS UPDATES! Widows & Single Ladies – “He Chose the Nails” by Max Lucado. 402 Magnolia 1st & 3rd Monday’s 6:00pm Bishop – “Psalms” 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm Yeakley/The More Excellent Way – “Knowing God’s Secrets” by John Hunter Meets at 800 Loesch St. Monday at 6:30pm Schroeder – “Spiritual Warfare” by Dr. Tony Evans 620 Country Place W. Dr. Meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm Atkins – Prayer and fellowship 9250 Lake Dr. Various times and subjects
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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “Jude” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House
Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage
Ladies Bible Studies Studying the DVD series “Redeemed” by Angela Thomas. Wednesdays 6:30pm Sycamore House (Childcare available) Starting 1/11/17
Ladies Bible Study Pastor’s Bible Study Fellowship Class “Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer Time” Studying the book of “John” Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112
“Reclamation” - Nehemiah Rebuilding the Walls Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111
Meets on Thursdays, 9:30- 11:30am, in the Sycamore House
Precept Bible Study Unveiling Revelation in light of Biblical prophecy Tuesdays, 9:00 am Pahl House Garage Wednesdays, 6:30am Pahl House Garage Starting 1/10/17 & 1/11/17
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Joe Hnatek Nelda Van Dyke Nancy Humphrey Mary Kay Billington Louis Ware Dayle Presswood David Karisch Jerry Culver, Sr. Jim White Ernie Lewis Betty Bradley Judy Malone Lynne Stoltenberg Karen Bell Ruby Lange (Kobs) Gerald Byrket Juanita Atkins
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Truett O’Brien Von Allen Karen Drummond Craig Agnew Billie Schulze Alice Henderson Paula Little Sheran McCants Merlene Schumacher Doug Baker Lynn Koronka
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THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING! ENCORE LUNCHEON - Thursday, February 16th at 11:00 am in the Pahl House. This will be a potluck meal. Jennifer Eckermann with Downtown Brenham will be talking about the downtown master plan and the development that is and will be taking place.
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A LETTER FROM REBA
Can you believe it is February already? This month has been nicknamed the month of love. When I think back to my childhood and how we had to find a shoebox to decorate with crepe paper and hearts and cut a slit in the top to eagerly await Valentines to be placed in. At the end of the day we would go home and go through every “But by this all one looking for that special men will know that one. Was the secret crush you had on someone reciprocated you are my disciples, with a special valentine? You might be very happy at if you love one another.” the end of the day or even John 13:35 disappointed. You know we can’t put God’s love in a box, as there is no box big enough to hold it all. It is not meant to be kept on a shelf in a box anyway. It is meant to be shared with everyone we meet in life. God would have us out in the community sharing His love with others. As you think of love this month, let us all focus on God’s love and the importance of sharing it. Go out and share a little love today. Blessings, Reba Pair
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
“The glory of life is to love not to be loved; to give not to get; to serve, not to be served.”
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STUDENT MINISTRY Wow! Disciple Now was an awesome success. We had nearly 100 kids from 3 different churches and more than 50 volunteers. I can’t thank you enough for all your support in prepping for this event especially in bathing it in prayer. Thank you so very much to our Host Homes: Dave & Kacy Kuespert, Ron & Heather Kirby, Charlie & Traci Pyle, Brandon & Kristy Musser, Alex & Nicole Morrison, Steve & Sheila Suders, and Scott & Tricia Schroeder. I know it’s an awesome responsibility taking a big group of teenagers into your home for 2 nights and I appreciate it so much! You guys are truly the best. Thank you so much to our boxcar race sponsors: Copper Hill Farm, Miracle Farm, Must Be Heaven, RITD, Attaway Homes, Lakeway Air, and Brenham Family Practice. The kids had such a great time building, decorating and racing their cars and it is my hope that the memory of their boxcars will also help them remember “Driven,” our DNOW theme and all that we studied. What an awesome pleasure it was for me to see my former student, Ty Haguewood, speaking truth into our students’ lives. I was also excited to get to worship again with my friend, David Knuckles and his band. We go waaaay back and it’s always fun to reunite and serve together. Church family – you are such a blessing and I’m so honored to serve here at Brenham’s FBC. It is your generosity, your heart for students, and your support of me that make events like this so successful. And by the way, when I say successful, I mean reaching students for Christ and growing them in their faith. Thank you so much for participating in the Men’s Cake Bake and for showing up for our students. Our annual fundraiser goes a long way in helping defray the cost of summer camp. We’re headed back to Panama City Beach, Florida at the end of June for FUGE camp. It’s hard to think about summer in the midst of winter (or what we call winter in Texas), but I speak from experience when I say, it’ll be here before you know it! Soon those 2 days of winter we had will be a distant memory and we’ll be praying for a breath of cool air in the summer. Please continue to pray for the student ministry as we plan events and organize things for the summer that will impact our students. And as always, I am so grateful for your prayers for my family. (I have a new teen driver in the house – so covering her in your prayer time is especially appreciated.) In Him, Bro. Chad
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Good Morning, Lord, I want to be a better Christian. Lord, I want to be a better friend. Lord, help me to be a better husband. Lord help me to be a better parent. Lord, it’s so hard to live the Christian life, please make me better.
Have these prayers ever been uttered from your lips or the voice of your heart? Am I the only person who has ever struggled to improve who I am in Christ? These are areas that I hope to improve so that I can be a good example to others and to bring honor to God. Recently, though God has been impressing upon me that my focus has been misplaced. When someone is running a fever, you can give medicine to lower the fever or you can give medicine to cure the infection that is causing the fever. If we are not careful we can fall into the trap of seeking the side effects of Christianity and not seeking the cause of Christianity. This cause is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Even though we may have placed our faith in Him to begin the relationship, we can walk away from the table and concentrate on the work to be done instead of the One for whom the work is to honor. The first and greatest commandment is to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matt. 22:37). We can make things complicated but we simply need to return to the table and eat with Him in fellowship. As we spend time with Holy Spirit, He will direct our steps. As we share our day’s events with Christ, He will comfort and counsel us. As we sit at the Father’s feet, He will work through us for His glory. The bottom line is God calls us into a relationship with Him. As we draw near to Him, life’s problems appear smaller. Obedience becomes more natural. Our lives resemble more of His character. Don’t get lost in seeking the side effects. Seek the One who is the cause of the side effects. Seek the One whose presence will change your life. His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex
Ways to Connect
Sunday mornings: Bible Study at 9:45am in the Klub House Wednesday evenings: Food - 6:00pm in the Gym WedsKidz (1st - 4th grade) - 6:30 to 7:30 in room 224 beTWEENtime specifically for 5th and 6th graders in room 215
THANK YOU
Thank you to Gilbert and Darlene Welty for cooking such great food for the kids, our Wednesday night leaders for their assistance with the meals and for Kacy Kuespert and Nicole Morrison for cleaning the kitchen each Wednesday night. 14
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES The month of candy hearts and oversized stuffed bears has arrived. It’s the month we set aside each year to celebrate our love for those we hold near and dear. And what says “I love you” better than a box of chocolates or cards that play music when you open them? As thoughtful as these things are, Jesus has a few different ways of showing us how much He loves us. And, Jesus shows His love for us by simply wanting to spend time with us. Jesus wants us to come to Him – anytime, anywhere – just come. Jesus shows He loves us by helping us. And, Jesus loves us no matter what. Jesus’ love is SO BIG! That’s what we want our preschoolers to walk away knowing this year. Jesus loves them with a love that is bigger than they can imagine! Blessings, Stacey
Sunday Mornings in February:
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Who loves me? Bottom Line: Jesus loves me. Memory Verse: “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:18 HAPPY BIRTHDAY
CAYD CONARROE
2-02-11
GRAYSON VAUGHN 2-24-14 15
FBC SCHOOL & EEC 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. This month, we will be learning more about the love of Jesus during chapel. We will also be discussing ways to show love to one another. One of the ways our sixth graders show love is through having secret valentines. They each have multiple FBCS and FBC employees that they show love to by doing kind things for several days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Staff members feel so special! It is one of my favorite traditions at FBCS. I challenge each one of us to be intentional and extravagant with sharing love every day. In addition to Texas Celebration donations, we are also in need of scholarship money for the 2017-2018 school year. We give the scholarships out in May. The amount we give is the amount we collect. Most of our families are sacrificing to send their child to FBCS. Hardships come up. Please consider blessing a family by donating to the scholarship fund. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Keep looking where God is moving and join Him! Serving Him, Nancy Jahns
UPCOMING JANUARY EVENTS February 3 6
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March
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100th Day of School Enrollment for CHURCH members Enrollment opens to the PUBLIC Athletic Recognition End of 4th Six Weeks Presidents’ Day – School Holiday for students; EEC open Core Essentials TEXAS CELEBRATION~ Y’all come!
VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED Texas Celebration is on March 3rd. Please continue to be in prayer for the event. We would love for you to be a part of this event by attending and showing God’s love to the families we serve. We are collecting live and silent auction items as well as monetary donations. Please contact Melissa Franke at 836-6411 with questions, to make a donation, or to volunteer. You may also reach her through email at mfranke@fbcsbrenham.org .
THANK YOU Thank you to FBCS office staff, Debbie Patranella , Marie Prenzler, Cherry Fratus, and Megan Pritchard. These ladies work hard to make things run smoothly all year long. They truly have a heart for this ministry and the families we serve! 16
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS CHURCH THANK YOUS: BFB Church, Thank you so much for providing lunch for free lunch at the Baptist Student Outreach at Blinn College. Your support and prayers are great appreciated. Thank you! In Christ, Malicia Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for all the many acts of kindness as well as the beautiful plant when Mother passed from this life to her home with our Lord. We are very blessed to have such a loving church family and caring Shepherds. Love, Sherry Lacy
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FROM TROY’S HEART From My heart... In a few days a very important event will be happening at Brenham’s First Baptist Church, Home Improvement Weekend, February 4-5! I know you are very busy. In the middle of your frantic pace, please slow down enough to do a few things for me: 1. If you haven’t registered for the weekend, call the church office to see if there is still room for you to register. 2. If you are already registered, call the church office to see if there is still room for you to invite a guest who isn’t involved in a church to come to the weekend. 3. If you would like to volunteer, we have a spot for you! We need greeters, servers, clean-up crews, decorators and people to substitute teach in Sunday School so parents can attend the Parent’s Conference. 4. Pray for Home Improvement Weekend. A coordinating team has spent five months planning for the weekend, but without the life-changing power of God, this event will just be another date on the calendar. Prayer changes things!!! Thank you for doing these four things for us. If you have other questions about Home Improvement Weekend, see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our church website. If you still are scratching your head in confusion, please call me at 979-836-2807 and we will figure things out together. I am looking forward to what God will do in the lives and families of Brenham through this LIVE conference. Jeff and Debby McElroy are God-gifted and Spirit-controlled communicators with a passion for the family. See you and your friends on February 4-5!! I love you, Troy 18
SPECIAL EVENTS
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Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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