Mableton First Baptist Church

2004

Easter Sunday School on April 11. It is a great time to celebrate the children.

It's a joy to get together with a former Sunday School class on April 24.

In January, 2004, our Hispanic ministry started its first full semester of English as a Second Language classes. Attendance averaged 30 on Monday and Thursday evenings.

On January 19-29, 2004, a team of volunteers traveled to Pattaya, Thailand to again assist IMB missionaries with Operation Southern Cross. The team included Bill Boyd, Kimberlee Boyd, Russ Danser, Lindsey Kirkland, Michael Scarbro, and Kirby Shaffer. They distributed over 3000 Bibles and copies of the "Jesus" film in Mandarin Chinese to Chinese tourists.

March 21, 2004, a motion was brought to the church that we purchase the property (West house) at 5376 Church Street for $115,000. We had $100,000 in the Building on God's Grace Fund, and would take a loan for $15,000, to be paid off as more BOGG funds came in. This house would be used as the new Lighthouse Community Ministries house, beginning in late May. It would provide added counseling space and storage for ministry expansion. The motion carried with no opposition.

On July 18-31, a team of volunteers traveled to East Asia to assist local missionaries in ministering. Many people heard the gospel for the first time.

Also in July, Clay Willis and Kirby Shaffer led a group of 12 students to McAllen, Texas to work with Vertical Ministries in the colonias of southern Texas. Through a combination of construction projects, Backyard Bible Clubs, and sports camps, the team ministered to the growing Hispanic population of the area.

Joseph York was called as part time Minister of Missions on August 8, 2004. As a result, Russ Danser's responsibilities changed, and his title was changed from Associate Pastor of Missions to Associate Pastor for Children and Young Families.

Our Handyman Ministry traveled to St. George Island, Florida on August 15-20 to assist the local Baptist church in the construction of their retreat center.

Clay Willis resigned as Associate Pastor for Students on August 31, 2004, to become a Church Planter in the Cartersville, Georgia area.

On September 12, 2004, the Personnel Committee recommended that we call Brad O'Kelley as part time Minister of Students. Brad would be attending seminary while working for us. The motion carried.

On September 25, the LCM began a new ministry targeting the homeless within our community. In partnership with the City of Refuge, volunteers prepared and distributed sack lunches weekly to homeless men and women off Veterans Memorial Highway (the old Bankhead Highway) and Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action, and Mission Friends continued to see increases in the numbers of children coming each Wednesday night.

On December 3, the church hosted its annual Parents' Night Out. This gift to the families of our church and the community gave an evening of free child care so that parents could enjoy a night out or go Christmas shopping without children. This year, 31 adult volunteers provided care for 94 children.

On December 11, the Men's Ministry hosted its third annual "From Christmas to the Cross" Road Race. Over 40 people ran in the 5K race that benefitted Mableton Elementary School. The participants were treated to a paster dinner from Pasta Bella following the race, as well as a tour of the From Christmas to the Cross presentation.

Tithes and offerings at year end ($678,250.77) were not meeting budget requirements ($969,868.19). The average Sunday School monthly attendance for 2004 was 264.