Volume 25, Number 1

January 10, 2016

www.eastmont.org

An Open Letter to the Deacons and Church of Eastmont

From: Bro. Mike Northcutt, Pastor

ach month I meet with the deacons of Eastmont and I

share my dreams and direction of our church. This is
a very important time for me. We pray together. We talk
about all kinds of church stuff. Some preachers dont get
along with their deacons. Me? I couldnt make it without
them. I need them and treasure their friendship and
wisdom. Do we always agree? Of course not. (They have a
right to be wrong. Ha!) But I am a better person and pastor
because of these men. Thank you deacons for answering
Gods call to serve. This church will always be strong as
godly people are leading.
God richly blessed us in 2015. God sent us 77 new
members. We celebrated 44 baptisms. Our seven mission
teams and dozens of micro-mission events were a great
success. Sunday School average increased for the third year
and God sent us new staff. Best of all has been the fresh
new spirit and that is growing. What a really great church
God has given us. More blessings to come.
God called home to heaven twenty two of our church
family. We all sit under spiritual trees that we did not plant.
Many of us are the result of gardeners who labored years
ago. We miss these saints. I ask you to pray for their loved
ones who still grieve. I also ask you to think about what
you are planting for the next generation to harvest. Below
are 13 of my 20 church goals for 2016.
1. I want to be a church that people cant stop talking
about. This is not an ego thing. It is a God thing. Lost
people notice when lives are being transformed. They
stop in their tracks and listen to stories of changed lives.
I want to hear your story in the pulpit, in publications, in
small groups or through video. Your story is moving and
powerful. It gives people hope. When we are excited about
what God is doing at Eastmont people are attracted.

Childrens Policy
Meeting
Page 2

2. I want to increase the passion and size of our Sunday

worship services. Guests usually visit worship first. Our
worship service must continue in excellence and energy.
We must never be passive in praise when God desires
passion. That kind of worship will always attract.
3. Include more people in small groups. We call this
Sunday School and it is by far the best environment for
spiritual growth. Every class should have these goals.
1) Transform lives 2) Care for one another 3) Reach out
to others. As Sunday School goes so goes our church.
4. Involve more people in ministry/missions. Serving
others is a win-win-win. People are helped. We are blessed.
God is pleased. One mission event is better than 50
sermons. People may not join a church to get involved,
but few will stay unless they are involved.
5. Create more conversations with lost people.
Conversions start with conversations. Prayer walks block
parties special events neighborhood visits are just a few
ideas. When we do the possible God does the impossible.
6. I want to refocus our Pastor/Deacon Ministry to
a Prayer/Deacon Ministry. Our people need to know
someone is consistently praying for them. Instead of visits
we will focus on weekly prayer and quarterly notes of
encouragement. Prayer does not always change others,
but it always changes us. People are interested in those
who are interested in them.
7. Clean-up, Brighten-up, and Build-up our facilities.
Examples: Clean sidewalks-windows, walls, rebuild fences,
remodel room 129 and old kitchen. New sound system
in Fellowship Hall. Interior direction sign. Highway
media sign: These will likely cost over $l00K, but these are
investments not expenses.
(Continued on page 2)

A Look Inside...

Womens Ministry
Kick-Off

Page 2

10th Annual
Sr. Adult Lock-In

Page 3

Missions Fair
January 10
Page 3
PAGE 1

(Continued from front)

CHILDRENS MINISTRY
Jeremy Lynch - jlynch@eastmont.org

8. Make Sunday nights more family and fellowship

friendly: The busy church schedule makes it tough on
classes to enjoy life together. Id like to designate five
Sunday nights as Ministry-Family-or Fellowship nights.
No activities on campus. The time might be used for a
class ministry or encouraging fellowship.

Baby Dedication

9. I want to complete our staff ministry team: God has

placed a great ministry staff here. They are highly gifted
and dedicated. Three new ministers have been added
in three years, David Shelnutt is currently providing
superb interim leadership with our students. These new
ministers are younger and will help us reach generations
to come.

Mandatory Childrens Ministry Policy Meeting

10. I want to be a better pastor and church for all

our sick, hurting and at home members. We have an
amazing ministry for those who are seldom able to
attend. The past three years I have been overwhelmed
with additional ministry matters. Staff searching,
publications, music ministry and food service attention
has prevented me from visiting, preparing messages,
even praying for you as I should. Through delegation
and volunteers I hope to share this ministry. Working
together increases the odds of winning together.

January 31 during the 10:30 worship service. Pictures &

info turned in to Karen Bush no later than January 19.

Bible Drill Retreat

January 29-30, 2016 at Shocco; Cost is $40

Leaving on the 29th at 2:30 PM
Sunday, January 17th or 24th, at 4 PM in the fellowship
hall. We will be discussing our new Preschool and
Childrens Ministry policies, preschool worship and new
security updates to our department. This meeting is
mandatory for all parents & childrens workers.

WAM Childrens Music Performance

Performed by our preschool thru 6th graders

January 31 at 5 PM in the Worship Center

Timothy Time - Sunday Nights in February

Worship & Discipleship with Lance & Jeremy
Grades 1-6 at 5 PM in the Fellowship Hall

Dates to Remember

February 7 - Eastmont Pinewood Derby

May 26-28 - 5th - 6th Grade Mission Trip
June 13-17 - Vacation Bible School

STUDENT MINISTRY

David Shelnutt (Interim Student Minister) - dshelnutt@eastmont.org

11. Strengthen our Childrens Ministry and Church

wide security. We are already installing security doors
in childrens areas. We have never had a safety event
occur. We watch and pray diligently. Security cameras
are a deterrent. As our world becomes more complex we
will become more prepared. We will not worry. Nor will
we be nave when it comes to protecting those in Gods
house.

Sunday School

12. I want us to strengthen our growing Hispanic

Ministry by providing resources and leadership
assistance. Two of their pastors are ready to be ordained.

Student Ministry Lock-In and Cake-Off

13. I want us to love and trust God like never before.

Just because we have already found God, doesnt mean
we stop seeking God. Our journey together must not
stall. To reach those no one is reaching, we must do
what no one is doing. God ideas are always better than
good ideas. My 2016 ministry theme is Love deeply-Live
differently.

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9:20 AM, Explore the Bible: Matthew

Youth on Mission - Sunday nights at 5 PM

Mission Project on the 24th

Timeout - Wednesdays at 6:15 PM

DNOW 2016 - February 12-14

Cost is $35 Deadline to sign up is January 31st.

January 17, from 6 PM - 7 AM

Disciple Now Weekend

February 12-14, Theme: The Source John 15:5

Summer Mission Trip

Mission Fuge in Charleston , SC - June 27 - July 2

WOMENS MINISTRY

Womens Ministry January Kick-Off

Saturday, January 23 from 11 AM - 2 PM

Fellowship Meal, Encouragement & Worship
Open to ALL women. Bring a friend!
There is no cost for this event.
Childcare provided with RSVP.
Sign up in the long hallway, in Sunday School or
call 277-6300 to RSVP.

COLLEGE & CAREER

Gene Kim - gkim@eastmont.org

Thursday Night Home Groups

will resume January 14 at 7 PM

Will meet at the Klepacs house (4036 Samantha Lane)

MISSIONS

Billy Dickey - bdickey@eastmont.org (international)

Gene Kim - gkim@eastmont.org (local / national)

Missions Fair

Pursue Conference

Sunday, January 10, at 5pm in the Fellowship

Hall for you (and your Sunday School class) to
learn about upcoming mission opportunities
in 2016. Come see where you can be involved!

Passport NYC

Benefit Dinner & Concert for Missions

February 19-20 - Cost is $25

at Valley View Baptist in Tuscaloosa, AL
March 12-18. An opportunity to engage in different
type of ministry from church planting to unreached
people groups. More details to come.

SENIOR ADULTS
Billy Dickey - bdickey@eastmont.org

Forever Young

Tuesday, January 19, at 10 AM in room 205.

Special Guest: Dr. Teman Knight, Pastor, Heritage Baptist
Covered dish lunch to follow.

20th Annual Sr. Adult Lock-In

January 12, 2016; 9 AM - 9 PM in the Fellowship Hall

Lunch & Dinner will be provided.
* All Day - $15 * Half Day - $8 * Evening - $6
Evening entertainment will be Guy Anderson from
Elkdale Baptist Church in Selma, AL

Tuesday, January 26; 6:30 PM at Gails Down the Street Cafe

Featuring Jerry Thomas, Mike Atcheson & Friends
Proceeds benefit Eastmont Mission Trips in 2016
Tickets $10 & are available at Eastmont, Gails Down the
Street Cafe, from Jerry Thomas, Gene Kim, or Rick Jones.

MENS MINISTRY
Mark Your Calendar

Mens Wild Game Supper - February 11

with special guest Clay Dyer

MISCELLANEOUS

Start your New Year off Right!

First Place 4 Health, a Christ-centered healthy living &

Bible study class. The first class (orientation) is January 17
and is mandatory for new members. Weigh-ins begin at
4:30 and class begins at 5 PM in room 112.

Jr./Sr. & Forever Young Banquet

Financial Peace University

Golden Isles of Georgia (5 Days, 4 Nights)

Handbell Practice

February 9 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

Elvis will be in the building.
Cost is $10 / person
Meal catered by Gails Down the Street Cafe.
Menu: Roast Beef, Vegetables, Salad, Dessert, & Drink
Seats are limited. Contact Billy Dickey in the church
office (277-6300) for tickets or information.
September 5-9, 2016 Only $475/person (double occupancy)
Tour Jeckyll Island, St Simons Island and Savannah!
$50 deposit due at signup.
Contact Cheryl Wells at 277-6300 for more information.

WELCOME TO EASTMONT
Jurgen Kropp (12/22/15)
Transfer of Letter

Lance, Sonya, Joshua, & Caleb Maddox (12/22/15)

Transfer of Letter

Samuel Lynch (12/27/15)

Profession of Faith & Baptism

Is Christmas still visiting your mailbox in the form of

credit card bills? Do you send your kids to the neighbors
house when its bill-paying night? What do crockpots,
umbrellas, and chains have to do with money? Do you
need PEACE in your finances? Check out Financial Peace
University starting January 17th at 4:00 PM in room 114!
Call Beth Huckabee at 356-9526 for more information.
begins Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 5:00pm. As before we
will have a 1 hour practice. We welcome any new bell
ringer. FREE training is provided. We will be working
on music for Sunday worship and preparing for the May
21, 2016 handbell workshop, being held here at Eastmont
Baptist.

An Evening with John Croyle

Friday, February 5, 2015, from 7-9 PM

A Family-Focused Event
There is no cost, but a love offering will be taken.
Visit eastmont.org for more information about the event
and about John Croyle.
Cards are available in the church office if you did not
get to write a note to Art, Joseph or Skip on the night of
their reception.
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The Encourager

Periodicals Postage
Paid
Montgomery, AL

Eastmont Baptist Church

4505 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
The Encourager USPS No. 018-816 is published and mailed
bi-weekly by Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Highway,
Montgomery, AL 36109. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Encourager, 4505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109.

January 10, 2016

Sunday, January 10

8:10 AM
9:20 AM
10:30 AM
5:00 PM

Worship Service
Sunday School
Worship Service
Missions Fair

Monday, January 11

6:00 PM

Ladies Bible Study

Tuesday, January 12

5:30 PM

Aerobics

Wednesday, January 13

5:00 PM
5:15 PM
6:15 PM

Outreach
Fellowship Meal
Adult Choir
Orchestra Practice
Timeout (youth)
Mission Groups
Prayer Meeting

Thursday, January 14
10:00 AM
5:30 PM

Bible Study
Aerobics

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Sunday, January 17

8:10 AM
9:20 AM
10:30 AM
5:00 PM

Worship Service
Sunday School
Worship Service
Discipleship

Monday, January 18

6:00 PM

Ladies Bible Study

Tuesday, January 19

5:30 PM

Aerobics

Wednesday, January 20

5:00 PM
5:15 PM
6:15 PM

Outreach
Fellowship Meal
Adult Choir
Orchestra Practice
Timeout (youth)
Mission Groups
Prayer Meeting

Thursday, January 21
10:00 AM
5:30 PM

Bible Study
Aerobics

Saturday, January 23

11:00 AM Womens Ministry Kick-Off

January 13, 2016

Hamburger Steak, Yellow Rice, Broccoli w/ Cheese, Salad, Dessert, & Drink

January 20, 2016

Chicken Tenders, Corn, Green Beans, Salad, Dessert, & Drink

$5/Adult

$2/Children

(Max. $15/family)

SUNDAY SCHOOL TOTALS

December 27, 2015

Preschool........................... 72
Children............................. 65
Students............................. 55
Adults............................... 516
Total.................................. 708

January 3, 2015

Preschool........................... 80
Children............................. 77
Students............................. 75
Adults............................... 644
Total.................................. 876

WEEKLY GIVING

December 20, 2015

December 31, 2015

General Budget
General Budget
$36,493.78
$28,808.69
Emergency Fund
Emergency Fund
$2,329.27
$855.96
Lottie Moon (to date) $27,228.50

BUS MINISTRY

January 10, 2016

Bobby Edmond - 271-4083

January 17, 2016

Bob Franklin - 731-2046

BUILDING LOCK-UP

January 10, 2016

Randal Stevens, Joe Clements

January 17, 2016

Dallas Vick, Steve Ragsdale, Clint Sides

Office: (334) 277-6300 Fax: (334) 277-6322 Careline: (334) 277-6384 Website: eastmont.org Kindergarten: (334) 244-9324
Prayer Room: (334) 277-8876 E-mail: ebc@eastmont.org Facebook: facebook.com/eastmont Twitter: @eastmontbaptist

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