THE TIDINGSGOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY.

THE TIDINGS (USPS #020005), Published Weekly except Christmas by:Temple Baptist Church, Periodical Postage Paid, Ruston, LA 71270

Postmaster send address changes to:Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270

Phone: (318) 255-3745 • Fax: (318) 255-0134Website: temple.life

THE TIDINGSJune 10, 2020

Vol. 73 No. 24

It is official! The summer season of ministry is here! No doubt, many of you consider that old news since “stay at home” orders and school closures hastened summer’s arrival. But the heat and recent tropical weather serve as indicators that we are indeed transitioning to a different time. And typically, this season is filled with mission/ministry opportunities in our communities and across our globe. In fact, we usually celebrate the beginning of summer mission efforts and look with anticipation for a concerted mobilization of our people. The summer serves as a vital moment in our missionary enterprise! And so, it shall be this year as well!Certainly, life and ministry do look different for us. Even now, I should be preparing to leave for Hungary next week in order to lead English camps in local churches; but as we know, our international trips have been canceled. Similarly, our high school students would be readying for their Boston trips; our college students would be off to work at Christian camps or participating in GenSend; and our children would be eagerly awaiting day camps like WinShape. Much has changed. Yet, I submit to you that God still gives us some tremendous opportunities even now to make a difference. For example, we will host our first LoveLincoln event this Saturday as we seek to minister specifically to single parents/guardians. We will not only provide some physical assistance (a gas card, a meal card, etc.), but we will also offer some free resources to encourage the families in their spiritual journey. We just want to love on our community and be a blessing to these families.In addition, we are on the cusp of our first Staycation Bible School! I have always been grateful that the Lord has given us the opportunity to participate in Vacation Bible School in years past. I love seeing the children overwhelm our campus with their excitement and energy. And how awesome is it to see them learning the love and work of Christ! And while that may not take place at the church building this year, it can still happen in our homes and communities. Sally, Jessica, and the staff have worked hard to produce resources for you to have Bible school in your home and/or community. If you aren’t comfortable being around other people at this time, use this occasion to study as a family. Have a great time together!

And if you are okay with inviting people over, utilize the resources to host a Neighborhood Block Party. To me, this could be a tremendous opportunity to reach even deeper into our communities and share the good news of Jesus Christ!You see, we are finding tangible ways to be missional right where we are. To date, we have recorded 595 gospel conversations that have taken place this year. (Remember that every time you report a gospel conversation to us we add a green ball with that person’s initials to our display, so please send us a message/call/relay those conversations so we can pray and celebrate with you.) To me, that is a tremendous testimony in and of itself! But we haven’t stopped at our parish line in our missionary efforts. We continue to look to support missionary endeavors elsewhere as God gives us the opportunity. For instance, some of our college students are actually serving at camps (e.g. Pine Cove) that are open. In July, a group of 38 high school and middle school students is preparing for a ministry trip to Austin, Texas. And thanks to your continued faithfulness in giving, we have been able not only to fulfill our financial commitments to our missionary partners, but we have been able to increase our support. Last month, we disbursed additional supplements to Story City Church (Los Angeles), Multiply Church (Calgary), and Harbor City Church (Boston). This has been big! Half of Multiply Church’s congregation immediately lost their jobs, and their income plummeted. Our assistance is allowing for vital ministry to continue. Likewise, Harbor City communicated how the funds allowed them to reach their community. If you recall, we had budgeted money to assist our short-term mission team in their soccer camps; but when events were canceled, we forwarded them what we had budgeted. They are utilizing those funds to minister to those who had signed up for the soccer camps! There are so many more examples I can give (and I will in the days to come!), but let me just say that missions and ministries continue! God is good! Yep, all the time! And I am so thankful He allows us to be a part of His work! See you Sunday!

The Pastor’s PerspectiveDr. Reggie Bridges

Youth MinistryYouth MinistryJohn NugentSummer 2020

What a crazy and strange summer this is going to be! So many things are going to be different and out of the ordinary,

but there are still some amazing things happening in our Youth Ministry!

Lunch with John will begin on June 16 for Junior High Students and June 18 for High School Students. Instead of

taking our groups to restaurants, we’re going to host things here at the Family Life Center; students will bring their own

lunch with them at noon. Then we’ll play some safe and socially-distanced games together until 2 p.m. After Promotion

on August 2, students who just completed grades 6-8 will come on Tuesdays; and students who just completed grades

9-12 will come on Thursdays.

Mission Austin will also be happening July 5-11. There are 38 of us going nto Austin, Texas, for an amazing

opportunity for missions and leadership training. Don’t forget about the training event on June 28 in the Youth Room!

Our recently graduated seniors have had so many things they did not get to do as their time in high school ended, but we

will still be taking our Senior Mystery Trip July 13-17. Pray for the 13 seniors as we travel, as we have fun together,

but also as we discuss how God is continuing to call them to epic things in the next chapters of their lives.

The flowers in the Sanctuary are in memory of Harold Atkins,

given by the John Ed Colvin family.

17th Annual Beach Retreat ~ August 13-17 Panama City Beach, Florida

For all college students! Details available at beach.templecollege.life

Contact Casey at casey@temple.life to help financially.

We recognize the past few months have been tough for many people. We believe this time has been increasingly

more difficult for single parents due to schools being closed and many summer activities being canceled.

To serve single parents (and single guardians), Temple Baptist Church and The Springs would like to

provide several things to single-parent families:

-$20 worth of gas-A meal gift card to a local restaurant

-Free resources to encourage single parents/guardians

This come-and-go event will be on Saturday June 13, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Temple Baptist Church parking lot. If you are a single parent/guardian, please come visit us Saturday morning. We would be honored to serve you

during this difficult season!

Music MinistryMusic MinistryJeremy Asher

“Through the storm, He is Lord – Lord of all!” (lyrics from “Cornerstone”)

“How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!”

(lyrics from “How Firm a Foundation”)

Over the past few months of my life, there have been plenty of opportunities for my heart to be anxious. However, the

Lord has used songs of faith and truths from God’s Word to remind me, yet again, that Jesus Christ is a solid rock and a

strong, unmoving foundation. Even the theme from this year’s VBS (or SBS, as we are calling it) reminds us that there is

a firm foundation that is laid in Jesus Christ. When we build our lives upon His truth, there is simply no storm or crisis

that can shake us – our eyes are on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). I hope that you will keep

looking to Jesus, whatever comes. And, I hope you will praise Him today for the confidence He gives us when all else is

shaken!

As you know, the Music Ministry is still in the rebuilding phase. As such, our Patriotic Program will look different

this year. We will be utilizing a small orchestra and vocal ensemble to pre-record our program, which will be broadcast

on Saturday, July 4 (time is to be determined, but most likely around 8 p.m.). The fireworks will follow that night

around 9 p.m., and it will be more spectacular than ever! I hope you will help spread the word about the program and

the fireworks, and let everyone know that it will be on July 4 this year. I love you all and ask that you continue to pray for

our nation, our church, our community, and our families. God is working, so let’s join Him!

Sunday School Classes are still meeting virtually. Would you like to join a class?

We want you to be a part.Jason Walsworth is here to help!

jason@temple.life | 255-3745

the family of Angela Baltodano; the family of Betty Davison, sister

of Jane (Bobby) Andrews; the family of Bill Whittenburg, husband of

Nancy, father of Allison and Preston; and the family of Evelyn Ponder Jordan, grandmother of Ginger (Jeff)

Robinson and Julie (Chris) Harper.

Vacation Bible School is now Staycation Bible School

June 22-26Register online at sbs.temple.lifeRegistration Deadline: June 13

Supply packets will be available for registered participants in The Journey Place on June 20.

Every family that registers will receive a Staycation Bible School

packet of supplies so you can have Vacation Bible School

at home. Also, neighborhood packets will be available for families who want to host

Neighborhood Block Parties.Contact The Journey Place Office to sign up

for neighborhood packets.

Mike Roberts

The Springs’ Newest Membership Candidate

THE TIDINGSGOD’S MISSION FOR TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IS TO LOVE HIM FULLY AND FOLLOW HIM FAITHFULLY.

THE TIDINGS (USPS #020005), Published Weekly except Christmas by:Temple Baptist Church, Periodical Postage Paid, Ruston, LA 71270

Postmaster send address changes to:Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270

Phone: (318) 255-3745 • Fax: (318) 255-0134Website: temple.life

THE TIDINGSLabel here

Core Values: Authoritative Truth • Strengthening Worship

Authentic Community • Intentional TransformationHands-On Missions • Relational Evangelism

Compassionate Servanthood

Vision: To become authentic, loving followers of Jesus,

who are experiencing life transformation through God’s Word, For the purpose of impacting our world.

Week-at-a-GlanceSunday, June 14

9 a.m. - Blended Worship (Sanctuary);

livestream at live.temple.life (Blended Worship);

the gathering Worship (GS)

10:30 a.m. - the gathering Worship (GS);

livestream at live.temple.life (the gathering Worship)

Wednesday, June 17

6 p.m. - Prayer Meeting/Bible Study (Sanctuary),

livestream at live.temple.life

The Church Office is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday, but we encourage you to come to the

office only if it is completely necessary. To stay within

the guidelines given by the CDC and our government

leaders, more information about our ReGathering

efforts can be found at update.temple.life

How can we help? Our staff is here to serve. You can

contact them by calling the Church Office (255-3745)!

We are navigating unprecedented times, but we believe our God is still in control and can use us to share the Gospel in creative and powerful ways!

Church family, we LOVE you and are here to serve you!

Broadcast Hours: Sundays: 9 a.m. Channel 11 (KAQY); 9:30 a.m. 94.1FM (KRLQ); 9 and 10:30 a.m. livestream (live.temple.life)