Emily Holladay Senior Pastor emily@ibcfrankfort.com
CONNECTIONS
To Experience & Express God’s Unconditional Love
“This Feels Like Growth”
Volume 5, No. 2 - April and May, 2026
I was talking to one of you recently, and you said, “I know that we are not referencing a specific “thing” that felt spirit of the church these days and all the ways we’ve been able to engage with one another and the community. I cannot even begin to tell you how many contacts I have received over the last month from community partners who have reached out to us because “we know your reputation for being so
because we can dream and imagine what kind of branches will grow through our perseverance.
I once heard a church leadership expert pose the question: “If your church disappeared tomorrow, would your community miss it?” He said that this question speaks more to our mission and discipleship than nearly any other. How are we bearing witness to Jesus Christ if our community would not be any different if we were gone?
ever in pursuit of care for “the least of these.” We are often the first call support. They know we will rally the troops and that, small as we might be, we are mighty in love and generosity. never sit in.” This is growth. Planting
never enjoy the fruit. Planting seeds, providing fertile soil for roots to grow is hard and holy work. It requires us to look underneath what at times seems to spring forth. We stay the course,
Aren’t you grateful to be in a place where we don’t have to think too hard about the answer to that question?
I know I am. I am inspired and encouraged by this church - by each of you - and the way we see growth not just by numbers, but by impact.
It is clear that when you committed to “experience and express God’s unconditional love,” you meant it - and you mean it more every day. Thanks be to God!
Zambia - Field of Hope Update
“I bless the rains down in Africa...” - lyrics from the very popular song, “Africa” by Toto, is the first thing that comes to mind as we express our gratitude today.
This rainy season in Zambia continues to bring abundant rainfall, and with it, a beautiful reminder of hope and provision. Our maize fields have been flourishing, so much so that our field workers had to begin harvesting earlier than usual this year. The continuous rains made it necessary to start sooner to protect the crops from being damaged. The harvested maize is currently being stored in a thatched shelter.
Our field workers have also been blessed with new uniforms and safety boots. They work long hours in the fields, often facing harsh weather conditions, snakes, and the risks that come with handling sharp tools.
Thanks to your generous support, our field workers not only have this protective gear, but they can continue their vital work with greater safety, confidence, and dignity.
We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for standing alongside us in caring for those who work tirelessly in our fields.
Thank you for being a part of the hope that grows in our fields every day.
In gratitude and hope for your support, Stephen Turner Partners in Development
Gratitude from Partners in Development
Dear Immanuel Baptist:
Partners In Development (PID) is extremely honored to receive your contribution for Mama Turner’s Library and student aid.
Your donation will benefit many desperately poor people in Africa. The people we help have no voice, no one to advocate on their behalf, and receive little or no assistance from wealthier non-profit, non-governmental organizations.
Sincerely,
Greg Toulson, Treasurer
Gratitude from Cameroon
Thank you again for your giving spirit. Your willingness to show love to us in action is a clear indication of your Christian fellowship.
Two internally displaced women were assisted into a start-up for food sustainability. The boy, also an IDP, purchased piglets to feed and later sell to be able to continue school. They each received $100.
Our heartfelt gratitude to our IBC family who “Do not forget to do good and to share with others.” Hebrews 13:16 Eny Bunyui
Franklin County Food Pantry
Hello,
I’m delighted to share the link to our very first newsletter from the Emergency Food Pantry. In this inaugural issue, you’ll find a look back at 2025 and an open invitation to join us in 2026 as we continue working to meet the needs of our community. (Follow the link the QR code to see the newsletter!)
To everyone who supported the Pantry with your time, your generosity, and your belief in our mission—thank you. You make it possible for us to help our neighbors and care for
those who need a little extra support.
I hope you enjoy this first edition. Please feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested in getting involved and being part of the solution.
Take care,
John W. Heltzel Emergency Food Pantry Board Member
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
You may have noticed blue pinwheels around Frankfort this spring. They represent happy and healthy childhoods and are planted each April to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM). The purpose of CAPM is to raise community awareness of strategies that strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. The goal is not to focus on educating people about abuse and neglect, rather, it is to help them realize the impact they can have on families in their community and give them tools to prevent the harm before it occurs.
This year’s CAPM theme is “Pinwheels of Possibility,” and I believe it will resonate with you as a member of a congregation focused on experiencing and expressing God’s unconditional love. Like God’s love, childhood
should be full of comfort, grace, opportunity, safety, and security. As neighbors, friends, and Christians, it is our responsibility to support families and our community.
I encourage you to look into protective factors against child maltreatment and research on positive and adverse childhood experiences. We have a lot to be proud of regarding our efforts to help “the least of these” in our community. IBC excels at providing concrete support in times of need for families and opportunities for social connections but what else could we do? What could you do to help a family in need? Sometimes, something as simple as acknowledging that a new parent is doing a great job or sharing a community or church event with a neighbor can have an incredible impact.
There are a ton of ways you can help Frankfort children to experience the lifetime of possibility they deserve. You’ll hear from me throughout the month, but I am available to talk about prevention, what the IRC is doing to meet tangible needs in the community, and what opportunities exist in Frankfort if you’d like to volunteer your time or money to prevent child abuse in April, or year-round.
Please join me in wearing blue on April 26th to celebrate Blue Sunday, an opportunity for faith-based communities across the country to promote our role in preventing child maltreatment.
-Sara Jenkins
Week of April 26
Sherron Jackson
502-229-7019
sdcjjack@aol.com
Week of April 5
Carol O’Connell
502-545-3920
caornc@gmail.com
Week of May 17
Joni Crowe
502-229-0624
jbelly12345@ yahoo.com
Deacon of the Week
Week of May 3
Jennifer True
502-226-8123
Week of April 12
Rhonda Smith
502-319-3038
rhindagsmith@gmail. com
gjtrue81@gmail.com
Week of May 24
Karen Dungan
502-320-1940
kddungan@gmail. com
Week of May 10
Wyvette Williams
502-330-1326
williamswyvette@ gmail.com
Week of April 19
Steve Dooley
502-229-7018
bubdooley51@ yahoo.com
Week of May 31
Mike Hatcher
502-875-0321
mhatc43583@aol. com
The Deacon of the Week is here to support you with any ministry needs or to respond to any prayer concerns.
Please feel free to reach out to them any time during the week of their service!
Norma Barnes
Becky Bishop
Roger Crittenden
Glenn Ison
Sally Jones
Prayer List
Gary Lawson
Amie LeMaster
Scarlett Moore
Ernie Murphy
Glenn Murphy
Mason Smith
Susan Wolfe
For a completely updated prayer list with addresses, please visit www.ibcfrankfort.com/prayer
Holy God, you ask us to care for the orphan, the widow, the immigrant, and the child. To that list, would you add the sick? The grieving? The single parent? The neurodivergent child? The addict? The individual going through a transition? Would you add us? Remind us that your call to care is expansive. Remind us that your call to care knows no end. So help us pay attention to who is on your all-inclusive list, and to love them like you would. -Amen
(Adapted from the Sanctified Art Devotional Cards)
The Lawsons
We want to thank our IBC family for all the ways we have received and felt your love and prayerful support during the last six months. We are thankful to report that we are optimistic about this medical journey. All the tangible and intangible ways you have shown your concern have given us strength and comfort. We are forever grateful.
-The Gary Lawson Family
The LeMasters
Gary and I want to express our sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for your prayers, cards and visits for Amie during these last 2.5 months. We truly appreciate each one of you! Amie spent 51 days in the hospital and 24 days at Cardinal Hill Rehab Center. She is now at her aunt and uncle’s continuing therapy until she can return to her own home. It is a slow progression but we have felt your many prayers through all of it.
-Gary and Jill LeMaster
Curtis Smoot
I want to thank my church family for the kindness you showed me during my retirement celebration. The breakfast, cake, cards, and other expressions of friendship mean so much to me. I am grateful.
-Curtis Smoot
Note from Pastor Emily: We are so grateful to Curtis for his many years of service to IBC as the Facilities Manager. He stepped up when we needed him most, and though we know he may try to act curmudgeonly, we know that he would do anything for anybody.
Though he will miss most of April due to his work at Keeneland, we will still see Curtis most Sunday mornings - he’s not going anywhere!
Doug Henley, who has been sharing facilities responsibilities with Curtis, will now be taking over as Facilities Manager.
PAL Meetings Paused Until Summer
Thank you all for your support as we began hosting a local support group for Parents/Families of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL). Unfortunately, our group facilitator was in an accident earlier this year that required her to undergo a pretty major surgery. For that reason, we had to pause our PAL meetings until she has recovered and has been cleared to drive again. Our hope is that we will be able to
get the meetings back up and running in June.
Joni has been keeping a list of people who have called asking to be notified when the meetings will start back. If you or someone you know would like to be added to that list, please send that information to Joni in the church office at joni@ibcfrankfort.com or 502-223-7601.
Business and Leadership Meetings
Save the Date!
Church Leaders - Deacons, Church Council Members, Sunday School Teachers, Church Officers, and Staff are invited to attend our Church Leadership Retreat the weekend of June 5-6, 2026.
Plans are underway for what should be a meaningful time of discernment and dreaming for our church’s future.
Over the course of the last year or so, we have been considering how our leadership structures are or are not serving us and have been making strides towards ensuring that our systems and structures align with our mission. During this retreat, we will be guided by leading voices in effecting change through church systems, who will help to equip our church leaders to serve more beneficially and discern God’s call for our church more successfully.
Pastor Emily will be sending more information to church leaders soon. If you would like to be included in the retreat or are interested in more information, please reach out to her at emily@ibcfrankfort.com.
Fun and Fellowship Opportunities
Racing Louisville Pride Game
We have been invited by Alan Spade, a friend of Immanuel Baptist Church and former longtime church member, to the Faith Group Fellowship at the Racing Louisville Pride Game. This is the third year of the Faith Communities coming together to support Racing Louisville’s Pride Game, and Alan shared that they are hoping to have 500 people attend from faith communities in Louisville and the surrounding areas (last year, they had 300 people from roughly 15 congregations).
The game starts at 8 p.m., but there will be opportunities to fellowship with the other faith groups before the game. IBC members can meet there or carpool together. Soon, Alan will even be coordinating t-shirts for all the people attending.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Sam at sam@ibcfrankfort.com, and he will work to make arrangements.
Please do not let the time or distance hinder you from attending, if you would like to come. There will be people willing to help drive to and from Louisville, and you may even find some friends willing to share a hotel or AirBNB if you don’t want to try to make it to Louisville and back in the same day!
The Koinōnía Class is adapting well to our classroom (Room 134). I was excited to design signs for our classroom. I chose to incorporate imagery from the “Parents/ Families of Addicted Loved Ones” (PAL) Group (https://palgroup.org/), so they would hopefully feel included in the space.
Since October, we’ve been delving into the topic of immigration. Our primary resource has been Sarah Quezada’s book, “Love Undocumented: Risking Trust in a Fearful World.” As per her website (https://www.sarahquezada. com/), “In Love Undocumented, Quezada takes readers on a journey deep into the world of the U.S. immigration system. Follow her as she walks alongside her new friend, meets with lawyers, stands at the U.S.-Mexico border, and visits
KOINŌNÍA KÍSTĒ
immigrants in detention centers. With wisdom from Scripture, research, and these experiences, Quezada explores God’s call to welcome the stranger and invites Christians to consider how to live faithfully in the world of closed doors and high fences.”
In addition to Quezada’s book, we’ve heard the story of our own class member, Grace Tamnjong, and her firsthand experiences with the U.S. immigration system. We also watched news segments, “Inside CECOT” from “60 Minutes,” and “Inside Dilley” from “PBS NewsHour,” to gain further insights into this important topic.
On March 29th, we gathered in the evening to share a small meal before attending a presentation by my colleague Carol Thompson. In 2021, Carol worked with children affected by the policy of child separation at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX. Then, we had a “Q&A” session with Sarah Quezada about her book and developments since its publishing.
Regarding “functional Christianity,” Brent Irvin is using his skills and experience to pursue admission to immigration court. His ultimate goal is to become a volunteer lawyer with Neighbors Immigration Clinic (https://www.kyneighborsclinic.org/). As per their website, they are “A nonprofit law office that provides high-quality, low-cost immigration representation and proactively organizes our immigrant community to support the flourishing of Kentucky.”
Our discussion of immigration will conclude on Easter Sunday, April 5. The following week, we will begin reading Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wednesday Night Dinners and Program Returns April 15
Wednesday Night Dinners and Program will resume on April 15, with dinner beginning at 5 p.m., and the presentation following at 7 p.m. This spring’s theme is Caring for “The Least of These,” and the programs will feature community partners who provide the type of resources Christ listed in Matthew 25.
The first week, we will hear a report from Sara Jenkins about the work of the Infant Resource Center, along with updates from Pastor Emily and the Missions Team about how our previous Wednesday Night sessions have helped us expand our reach throughout the Frankfort community. It should be an affirming and inspiring time that you will not want to miss!
Please make plans to join us, even and especially if you have not made it to Wednesday Night Dinners in the past. You are welcome to join us for any portion of the evening. Dinner does not require a reservation, but a $5 donation is suggested to help cover the cost of the meal.
For more updates about speakers and topics for each week’s program, follow the church’s events calendar online at: www.ibcfrankfort.com/events
And, make sure you are following our facebook page at: fb.com/ibcfrankfort
Special Guest Preacher: Susan Lockwood
Rev. Susan Lockwood will be our guest preacher on Sunday, April 12. Some of you may recognize her as the former Senior Adult Minister at Faith Baptist Church, who helped us organize our partner events with them!
Susan is an Appalachian Kentuckian - her ancestry rooted in early settlers to Boyd, Lawrence, Owen, and Carter counties. Her other ancestral links are to Georgetown, Lexington, and Frankfort. But her life experience has taken her beyond Kentucky.
She has been an ordained Baptist minister since August 23, 1983, and has served eight congregations as Senior Pastor or Interim Senior Pastor in Metro Chicago, Georgia, Ohio, Connecticut, and Kentucky. She has also served as Associate Pastor of FBC Morehead and as Minister to Single Adults at FBC Gainesville, FL, and Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville. Her most recent position was Interim Administrative Pastor and Minister to Senior Adults at Faith Baptist Church, Georgetown, KY, which she left in January of this year.
Susan was one of the first handful of women pastors in the SBC in 1983, and is featured in the recently released documentary, Midwives of a Movement. She faced opposition on many fronts within the SBC, and eventually moved her credentials over to American Baptist Churches, USA, in 1994. In addition to pastoring ABC churches, she moved to New York City following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center to serve as 9/11 Disaster Response Coordinator for the American Baptist
Churches of Metro NY and then as Director of Disaster Planning & Training for New York Disaster Interfaith Services.
Her theology and praxis are deeply grounded in God’s radical and transforming love that she was taught in SBC Sunday School at an early age, and the vision of God’s kingdom as inviting and inclusive.
She and her older brother, Chip, are graduates of Georgetown Collegeand of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. They grew up in a pastor’s and home missionary household. Chip went into campus ministry, her younger brother John into pharmaceutical quality assurance, and Susan into pastoral ministry, following in her father Quentin Lockwood’s footsteps.
She is married to Bruce Landis, a Library Technology Consultant, and they share three adult children, five grandkids, and currently an English Springer Spaniel rescue, Katee. They live in Jeffersonville, IN.
Upcoming Special Services
Order T-shirts to wear for our Outdoor Worship and Cookout! We are ordering t-shirts to wear during the Outdoor Worship and at other community events. Please place your order by April 15. Forms are available in the church office or online (follow the QR code). You can pay by cash, check, or credit card online.
Finances Through March
2025 Local Ministry and Direct Missionary Support
The annual financial report for calendar year 2025 is available in the office for your review. For your further information, the entities under Frankfort Social Ministries and Direct Missionary Support, within the Missions Ministry budget, are listed below with amounts paid to them during 2025 from the general fund budget. In addition to what was paid from the general fund, please see the last page of the annual financial report for direct designations that were received and/or paid from the designated fund.
As a reminder, these numbers represent what we were able to donate in 2025 to local ministries and direct missionary support. Some of the amounts have changed in 2026, as we have added some partners and some of our missionary partners have retired.
Share Your Thoughts!
Do you have a word of gratitude you would like to share? Or would you like to contribute an article for an upcoming edition of the Connections Newsletter?
We would love to hear from you. Whether you want to thank your Immanuel family for being present in your life in a meaningful way or you want to share about something that you’ve experienced recently, there is room for you in Connections! Send your thoughts - short or long - to Joni at joni@ibcfrankfort.com, and we will be glad to feature you!
Upcoming Lydia Greear Baptist Mission Women Activities
Baptist Mission Women events are open to all women in the church - and friends! Spouses or significant others are also invited to the Potluck Picnic. Please join us for one or all of these events. The more the merrier!
If you have never been to a Baptist Mission Women event and would like more information, please email Joni in the church office at joni@ibcfrankfort.com.
INFANT RESOURCE CENTER
Donate to the Infant Resource Center!
If you would like to support the IRC in tangible ways, please see the Amazon wishlist Sara has put together for the Infant Resource Center. Follow the QR code to order needed items. Anything you order will be mailed directly to the church!
You can also give online through the church website (select “Infant Resource Center” as the fund) or by check to Immanuel Baptist Church.
1075 Collins Lane
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (502)223-7601 www.ibcfrankfort.com
Wednesday, April 1
6:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, April 2
1:00 pm Line Dancing
7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service at First Baptist St. Clair
Friday, April 3
7:00 pm Good Friday Service at IBC
Sunday, April 5
9:30 am Bible Study
10:30 am Easter Sunday Worship with Communion
Monday, April 6
6:00 pm Boy Scouts
6:00 pm Baptist Mission Women - Come cook with us!
Wednesday, April 8
6:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, April 9
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Friday, April 10
3:00 pm Crafting
Saturday, April 11
9:00 am Crafting
Sunday, April 12
9:30 am Bible Study
10:30 am Worship
Monday, April 13
6:00 pm Boy Scouts
Opportunities at Immanuel
Wednesday, April 15
5:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, April 16
1:00 pm Line Dancing
6:30 pm Security Team Meeting
Sunday, April 19
9:30 am Bible Study
10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Missions Meeting
Monday, April 20
10:00 am CCRTA
6:00 pm Boy Scouts
Wednesday, April 22
5:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, April 23
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Sunday, April 26
9:30 am Bible Study
10:30 am Worship
Monday, April 27
6:00 pm Boy Scouts
Wednesday, April 29
5:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, April 30
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Sunday, May 3
9:30 am Bible Study 10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Church Council
Monday, May 4
6:00 pm Boy Scouts
Wednesday, May 6
5:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm Program 7:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, May 7
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Friday, May 8
3:00 pm Crafting
Saturday, May 9 9:00 am Crafting
Sunday, May 10
9:30 am Bible Study 10:30 am Worship
Monday, May 11
6:00 pm Boy Scouts
6:00 pm Deacons’ Meeting
Wednesday, May 13
5:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, May 14
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Friday, May 15
11:00 am Baptist Mission Women Lunch
Sunday, May 17
9:30 am Bible Study 10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Business Meeting
Monday, May 18
10:00 am CCRTA 6:00 pm Boy Scouts
Wednesday, May 20 5:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner
6:00 pm Program 7:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, May 21
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Sunday, May 24
Pentecost Sunday 9:30 am Bible Study 10:30 am Worship
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day Church Office Closed
Wednesday, May 27
6:00 pm Choir Practice
Thursday, May 28
1:00 pm Line Dancing
Sunday, May 31
9:30 am Bible Study 10:30 am Outdoor Worship Volunteer Appreciation 11:45 am Cookout