To all the officers, members, and workers who make up our lively church of believers, exercising Sunday programs, experientially involve in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, engaging a common faith and a common community known as First Baptist Church Morrison, I greet you with the joy of Jesus. While we are utilizing transformed and informed disciples to work the works of God for our lives and others in the realm of miracles, using serious prayer and praises, Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

 

As I review our last Theme “The work of the Ministry”, I am well aware that God is moving by His Spirit. I sense a strong move of the Spirit of God in our mist and in our Ministry. Surely, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” has managed to elevate the expectations and experiences of Morrison to a higher level. Thus, we embrace our mission afresh and anew.

 

We are certainly at a time for celebration as we consider the fact that we have achieved another milestone in the life of this ministry. In retrospect we have come a long way in a short time, and to God be the Glory! Since we arrived here, at this site, January 5, 2003, God has been actively at work and I can say with certainty that surely the Lord is with us and has done marvelous things, wherefore we are glad!

 

It is now a time to asses and evaluate. A time to review our purpose and mission, and set direction and course towards our vision, goals and objectives. It is a time to gauge our status and intentionally position ourselves towards new initiatives.

 

Therefore, Vision 2008: With Boldness, is our Ministry Theme for 2008. Because of the boldness of the resurrection, the boldness of the Holy Spirit, the Boldness of the Name of Jesus, the boldness of our transformed lives, the boldness from our opposition and the boldness of our prayers, we will be guided by our destiny to pursue with purpose new initiatives. God has a plan for our lives that is greater than any plan we can have for ourselves. To that end, he has called us into this most holy existence for such a time as this. We are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.

 

Boldly, we are admonished to be fruitful and multiply. Fruitfulness is the mark of the kingdom. Anything that is unfruitful or non-productive is of no value or significance to the kingdom, and according to Jesus, is to be cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, it is our desire and intention to “Grow”. To that end we must now strategically position ourselves for growth. We intend and expect to grow spiritually, numerically, financially, physically, and spacially.

 

As we grow spiritually, there are certain areas that we must maintain growth and development. We must intentionally grow in love and appreciation for God’s word. Preaching and teaching remain paramount in our responsibility toward intended growth. Sermons and lessons continue to reinforce that we are the children of God destined for a greater purpose because of God’s love for us. We are intentionally grounded in spiritual truth and theological integrity to ensure spiritual growth and health so we can become healthy balanced Christians with a realistic view of and approach to God.

 

Vibrant worship is significant for growth. Worship releases joy and gladness which are foundational for effective spiritual strength and service. When one’s heart is truly open toward God in true worship, one becomes conditioned for greater service. It remains our intention for our worship service to be vibrant, exciting, and full of the energy of the Holy Spirit. We enter the sanctuary excited and energized for worship. There is no place or room for dull, non-inspiring, boring, tired, dragging, poorly planned worship. God is not glorified and no one is edified when we fail to do worship with passion and fire. Our worship must continue to seek this high standard.

 

We must develop and maintain a passion for prayer. Intimate and ongoing communion with God both personally and corporately will be our pursuits in prayer. Praying with and for one another will be our template. Prayer keeps our vision clear, our faith guarded, and our joy maintained. Foremost, prayer breeds unity.

 

We must consider the joy of fellowship. Christianity is about a community of faith, with a body of believers fellowshipping for essential spiritual growth. This is the ethical paradign of the ages. Whether we gather for a meal, engage in a social outing, engage in friendly conversations, or respond to the calendar of scheduled activities, its all purposeful for our intended growth.

 

We must grow in our giving. Giving of our time, our talent, and our treasures is most significant to our spiritual growth and development. Giving is paramount and essential in how our commitment is demonstrated. Consequently, love, humility, obedience, accountability, faithfulness, and a continued desire to grow are all ensure by our willingness to give of our time, talent, and treasury. God gave His Son, the Son gave His life, and we must give if we consider ourselves a part of the family of God.