Mableton First Baptist Church

2009

Our Vacation Bible School theme this year was "The Boomerang Express". It was held on June 8-12.

We helped with food and supplies for flood victims from the major flood. We made deliveries on September 28.

The Ladies Banquet on November 14 benefitted Operation Christmas Child.

Our Awana choir participated in our Church Street Christmas program on December 6.

Brad O'Kelley resigned as part time Minister of Students in March, 2009, effective in May.

On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, we opened our Church Street Cafe' in the upstairs breezeway area. The area was smartly decorated, and included WiFi, cafe' tables for seating and flat screens for viewing videos or worship services. Shirley Pattison, Church Hostess, and her committee began providing a light breakfast there every Sunday morning before Sunday School as a service to the members.

In August, Aaron Brookshire was called as full time Minister of Students and Education.

The church Constitution and By-laws had been under review for quite some time by the Constitution and By-laws Committee. The members of this committee who worked tirelessly were Neal Hunter, Jon Rowland, Becky Ridgway, Rod Nave, Chris Ayers, Ray Barnes, Rev. Mike Anderson, and Tommy Shoun, before his passing. The final revised draft was voted on and approved by the church on August 16, 2009.

After much discussion, prayer and research, the Children's Ministry Team decided to begin the AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) program on September 9, 2009. This program replaced the Royal Ambassadors, the Girls in Action, and the Mission Friends programs for children and preschoolers on Wednesday nights. The Awana program also included a time for music, replacing the children's choirs. It was hoped that this program would reach further into the community and bring many more children to the church to hear about Jesus. After just five weeks, the average Awana attendance was 75 children per week. The children memorized scripture each week, and the gospel was clearly presented to those in attendance.

Because of the depressed economy and lack of jobs, the Lighthouse Community Ministry House was receiving an increased number of persons asking for help. For the third quarter of 2009, the Ministry addressed the needs of 220 families and distributed 9,320 pounds of food. Even in that economy, God continued to provide the resources needed.

In October, our Kindergarten Ministry received the 2nd Place award for money raised from the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Atlanta District Hop-a-Thon. $1990 was raised for this cause.

Average monthly Sunday School attendance for 2009 was 178. Average monthly receipts for 2009 were $53,989.42. Our Lottie Moon giving totaled $8,033, which surpassed the goal.

A Security Committee was begun, policies and procedures were finalized, radios were purchased, and volunteers were recruited. This team was responsible for monitoring the church premises during Sunday School and worship services.