Jamaica Missions

The Jamaica mission trip is upon us and set for the end of this month. I want to extend gratitude to all of you who see the importance of this short-term mission trip and to the Lord for allowing us to see the impact from attending annually. I am truly excited to see what is in store this year as we continue in football camp community ministry and revisit other mission works in support of Bay Life Baptist. When thinking about all that needs to be done and the impact that can be made, a feeling of anxiety is present with a sense of inadequacy for the task. I think you all can identify with such a feeling when on the cusp of an assignment that is larger than you that God has called you for. However, we know and must practice the principle that through Christ we can do all things. With these thoughts in mind I want to share with you John MacArthur’s words in regard to the 12 ordinary men who were called as His disciples:

“…They were ordinary men in every way. Not one of them was renowned for scholarship or great erudition. They had no track record as orators or theologians. In fact, they were outsiders as far as the religious establishment of Jesus’ day was concerned. They were not outstanding because of any natural talents or intellectual abilities. On the contrary, they were all too prone to mistakes, misstatements, wrong attitudes, lapses of faith, and bitter failure – no one more so than the leader of the group, Peter. Even Jesus remarked that they were slow learners and somewhat spiritually dense (Luke 24:25).

            They spanned the political spectrum. One was a former Zealot – a radical, determined to overthrow Roman rule. But another had been a tax collector – virtually a traitor to the Jewish nation and in collusion with Rome. At least four, and possibly seven, were fishermen and close friends from Capernaum, probably having known one another from childhood. The others must have been tradesmen or craftsmen, but we are not told what they did before becoming followers of Christ. Most of them were from Galilee, an agricultural region at the intersection of trade routes. And Galilee remained their home base for most of Jesus’ ministry – not (as some might think) Jerusalem in Judea, which was the political and religious capital of Israel.

            Yet with all their faults and character flaws – as remarkably ordinary as they were – these men carried on a ministry after Jesus’ ascension that left an indelible impact on the world. Their ministry continues to influence us even today. God graciously empowered and used these men to inaugurate the spread of the gospel message and to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Ordinary men – people like you and me – became the instruments by which Christ’s message was carried to the ends of the earth. No wonder they are such fascinating characters.”

            Inadequacy in regard to God related tasks is a notion from the enemy and a copout to obedience. We must remember that if God calls us for a task, God Himself will provide the grace for its completion in His time and in His way. All we are required to do is abandon self and follow what He says. Therefore, we can boldly step into any task, not in self-confidence but with an assurance that He will complete that which He began! We have a beautiful example in the lives of His disciples and many other biblical figures that God is simply looking for someone to say “yes”, to step out in faith according to His will, He does the rest.

 - Jason Wilson, Worship & Youth Pastor

Summer Reading

Summertime has long been popular for encouraging people to read. Many libraries have reading programs for children, teens and adults. Many literacy campaigns are most active during the summer months. Between most schools being out and it's a popular vacation time, a lot of people find they have some time on their hands, so why not do something instead of vegging out in front of the TV, tablet or laptop? Why not read a book? [*Cue Reading Rainbow theme*]

     If you are like me and you read a lot, sometimes the summer is a nice time to change things up. Read something different and outside of your normal stack. Or finally read that book that's been on your “to-read-shelf” that you keep putting off for whatever reason.

     We can approach Scripture the same way. The summer is a nice time to think about reading those books of the Bible that you normally avoid for one reason or another. Or it's a time to tackle one of those books that you have been wanting to learn more about and understand better.

     But, maybe your idea of summer reading is “light reading”. That's why novels are popular for summer reading. If that is the case for you, then the summer is a perfect time to rediscover the Psalms.

     We tend to avoid the Psalms publicly and privately because, although we wouldn't dare admit it, we have the misinformed idea that the Psalms are the junk food of the Bible. We only turn to this section of Scripture when things are going bad for us. But instead of being cotton candy, the Psalms are rich in theology and the truths that we need to always be reminded about.

     What makes the Psalms great to read and study is that this part of God's Word is generally broken up into smaller, bit-sized chunks that make it easier for us to study, meditate and memorize. These Biblical poems teach us – and connect for us – the lessons and stories found in the rest of the Old Testament. They put things into perspective for us, too, like this one:

LORD, the heavens praise your wonders – 

your faithfulness also –

in the assembly of the holy ones.

For who in the skies can compare with the LORD?

Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?

God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones,

more awe-inspiring than all who surround him.

LORD God of Armies,

who is strong like you, LORD?

Your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 89:5-8 (CSB)

Take some time this summer to read the Psalms. Try reading just one a day. Or even just one per week, and think about it throughout the week. Even the longer psalms will only take a few minutes to read, and then think about it, meditate about it, and praise God for what you discover there, because

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

to sing praise to your name, Most High,

to declare your faithful love in the morning

and your faithfulness at night....

For you have made me rejoice, LORD,

by what you have done;

I will shout for joy because of the works of your hands.

How magnificent are your works, LORD,

how profound your thoughts!

Psalm 92:1-5 (CSB)

 - Ray Perdue, Men’s Ministry Director

Month of Transitions

May is the month that transitions our thinking.  We experience the blooming flowers, the extended daylight, the rising temperatures, and before you know it, everyone’s thoughts are turned to summer.  By the time we’ve celebrated mothers and started planning for Memorial Day, we’ve committed our calendar to a vast array of events, including vacations, cookouts, graduations, and weddings.

In our enjoyment of all those summer events, let’s not forget that summer is one of the best times of year for Gospel service, ministry, and spiritual growth. There are things to be involved in through church or things that can be done by individuals and families. 

·       Vacation Bible School: This is, and should be, an annual rite-of-summer that proves to always be one of the biggest community outreaches of the year.  This event happens because of a small army of committed volunteers, including children and teens.  While VBS is promoted as an educational experience, the real learning happens when individuals of all ages are engaged and invested in the work of the Gospel and serve together for the cause of Christ.   So, don’t just bring your children to VBS, ask how all of you can be involved.  This year’s VBS will be June 17-20.

·       Mission Trips: Our church will be represented in three places this summer.  We will have one church member in the Bahamas and another one in Jamaica working with existing ministries.  Additionally, the church will sponsor a group again for a week-long trip to Jamaica to support one of our missionaries.  This is a trip our church has done for most of the last 10-years.  These are opportunities that provide a hands-on international experience of working in the Gospel.  For everyone who can go, they’re invested and committed…for those who can’t go, the responsibility is to pray and support their efforts.

·       Summer Camp: Our church will, as it has for most of 30 years, take young people from the 4^th through 12^th grades to The Wilds at the end of July.  Located in the western part of our state, near Brevard, this week of camp offers all the traditional hiking, swimming, lake, and game events of most camps.  The real attraction to the Wilds is the biblical training and insight provided to those who attend.  Our group joins with more than a thousand other campers from all over the east coast for an exciting week of exciting activities and spiritual growth.  Want to know more? It may still be possible for 4^th-12^th graders to register, get an info sheet in the gym hallway for more details and visit the website: http://wilds.org

·       The Neighborhood Kids: If you have a desire to reach the children in your neighborhood, then you’ll find a partner with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF).  Among their many ministries, they are sponsors of 5-Day Clubs, which can be held at your house.  You simply open your home for 90-minutes each day during a week.  CEF will send a trained team to teach Bible lessons and lead the activities and songs.  You only have to be willing to be a host-site and help invite the neighborhood kids, ages 5-12.  Find out more at www.cefonline.com

·       Community Outreach: With the longer days and no homework, summer is also a time when the family can be involved in regular monthly outreach opportunities.  Our church regularly supplies a group that goes to serve a meal at the Pathways Homeless Shelter.  In the fall, the church will also send a group to serve with the “Church-Under-the-Bridge” ministry in Greensboro.  See Pastor Jason for details.

Acts 4:32 tells us about the heart of those early followers in Jerusalem, “…the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.”    The passage tells how they exhibited an attitude of service for each other and to their community for the cause of Christ.  May we seek to exhibit a similar attitude toward the opportunities that lie ahead.  Summer may be fun, but for a Christian family, it can also be an important time that has an eternal impact.

 - Dr. Harlie Miller, Associate Pastor

It's a Beautiful Life

I am so grateful it is spring and warmer weather is just on the horizon! Looking forward to the coming months, I am excited about what the season holds for our church and community. Just upon us is the Children’s Easter Celebration where we will host many community families and show them the love of Christ and exalt Him as our Risen savior, a God who is alive and active. Also in April, our spring blood drive will be another way we will engage our community while providing necessary resources to those in need throughout our state. In May, we have a yard/bake sale and carwash to support this year’s Jamaica mission team and we look forward to our special Memorial Day service. In June, school lets out, GAP will be in full swing for summer and VBS will enable us to serve and evangelize children within our church and in our community. With all hands on deck and in His strength, we will accomplish what the Lord has commissioned us to do. To serve alongside you all at Gospel is truly a blessing and I am grateful for the continued opportunity to do so.

With the Lord being who He is and giving all He gave and continues to give, life is absolutely beautiful! In Him do we live, move and have our being. Oswald Chambers highlights the beauty of our life lived in Christ’s so wonderfully in his devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, I would like to share it with you.

“Our Lord’s cross is the gateway into His life: His resurrection means that He has power now to convey His life to me. When I am born again from above, I receive from the risen Lord His very life.

Our Lord’s Resurrection destiny is to bring “many sons unto glory.” The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us the sons and daughters of God. We are never in the relationship to God that the Son of God is in; but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship. When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life, to a life He did not live before He was incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before; and His resurrection means for us that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we shall have a body like unto His glorious body, but we can know now the efficacy of His resurrection and walk in a newness of life. “I would know Him in the power of His resurrection.”


“As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast give Him.” “Holy Spirit” is the Eternal Life working in human beings here and now. The Holy Spirit is the Deity in proceeding power Who applies the Atonement to our experience. Thank God it is gloriously and majestically true that the Holy Ghost can work in us the very nature of Jesus if we will obey Him.”


Praise the Lord, He is the Resurrected King of Glory, I am His and He is mine! His life is living in us and producing the nature of Christ as we reverence Him in all things.

- Jason Wilson, Youth & Worship Pastor