TALK OF THE TOWN

February Greetings to You, FIBC,

What a month January was for the pastor and people of FIBC! With the help of the Lord, we made it to end of the first month of 2023. Much obliged, Father God. From introducing our 2023 FIBC Theme in four messages to celebrating the 94th birthday of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr to hosting the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc , the denominational home of Dr. King, to being invited to welcome Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband to the Valley of the Sun to our awesome Generations Weekend with our children and youth leading the way in play and worship, I believe WE ARE SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT”, even though we live in a left-sided world.

Tragically, we are grieved by the horrific murder of another young Black man, Brother Tyre Nichols, at the hands of police, this time, at least, five Black Memphis police officers I have added to this newsletter the powerful, prophetic and pastoral statement by President David R Peoples of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. I agree wholeheartedly with his statement. There is much work for us to do to change the culture of policing in the USA to be fair and just, particularly for Black folk and other people of color.

We are excited about February at FIBC since it is African-American Heritage Month as well as “Revival Time” at FIBC. Our 2023 FIBC Theme Focus is LET’S SHIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT” AS A CHOSEN PEOPLE! You and I have a “dual chosenness”: (1) chosen by God as His special people and (2) a chosen race of African descent. Please allow our being chosen, at least, twice, to move us through February.

Keep the faith and be encouraged!

Pastor Stewart