What's a Puggle?

In many circles, “puggle” is a common term for a baby platypus. However, in children's ministry it is an Awana program for toddlers to learn Biblical concepts.

I have often wondered "at what point can a child start assimilating Biblical truths". As we are learning, children can start understanding the concept of God at a very young age. My youngest who is in the Puggle ministry just the other day told us how God created the moon and how He makes the moon and the sun 'go to sleep' so that we can have night and day. Of course this stems from his lessons that he has been learning each week in Puggles. (They have been studying creation)

This program is a very good barometer of the health of our church. Having our very young children understand that God is the One that created the moon, skies, and everything else shows spiritual growth in even our smallest members. Yes, MSBC is truly blessed to have a ministry for everyone!

Election....a Biblical Word

In a day in which there are so many misrepresentations and misunderstandings of this Biblical concept - a day in which many preachers and churches cower at the thought of dealing with this doctrine, I thank God that I am at a church that listens, studies and is guided by sound Biblical teaching. I thank God that MSBC has grown doctrinally over the past 18 months and that we are now able to grasp truth and not be fearful of what others may say, believe or criticize. Our staff is not scared to preach this doctrine. However, be it understood that they preach it Biblically - not the misrepresented junk out there that misguided individuals may believe about it. Election is a biblical word. You can't avoid it and you can't ignore it and hold to scripture. At MSBC, we have chosen to address it, study it and learn about it because it is SCRIPTURE. Thank you to our staff for keeping us on track!

Monster Trucks!

Monster Trucks at Madison Street make for a FUN Night for our kids/teens!
We had a ball watching the trucks run over cars in the parking lot and listening to the animal educator/trainer/creationist speak about the gibbon monkeys, the owls and the porcupine he brough with him! All of this was part of the Steadfast Student Ministry's Ignite '08 and I am thankful for Bro. Jeff Stockdale and the ministry he has at MSBC! I thank God for the staff that He has given us and for our student ministry leadership team!

Michele Everson
Wife of Pastor Chad Everson and Mom to two monster truck fans!

Renewing Your Mind Book Fellowship

Last night was the renewing your mind book fellowship at MSBC and, in addition to our Pastor, Chad Everson, being there, we had quite a few others involved. We had a great time discussing the book 10 ways to diagnose your spiritual health. I am thankful for this book club and for the leadership of our church taking us through such doctrinally sound and thought-provoking books rather than giving us a little talk on Sunday and sending us on our way. Want to have a better marriage? Want to be a better parent? Ok, step one - make sure your spiritually healthy and you have what you think you have.

Ladies Night Out!

I wanted to write and say Thank You to all those ladies who made our recent Ladies Night Out so much fun! I am talking about the 170 of you who were there!

We pulled this Ladies Night Out together on short notice, given that the opportunity presented itself late. And, in spite of this, 170 of you came and blessed all of us with a warm spirit and great fellowship. I love being with our ladies and enjoying the graciousness with which you welcome visitors. I know of at least 30 visitors there Thursday evening and, after speaking with many of them they each stated that they loved being welcomed as part of the family. That is YOU, ladies, being the Church!

Thank you also to the Women's Resource and Medical Clinic for being willing to work with us and for allowing our ladies to minister alongside you in Starke. We look forward to supporting your work and we appreciate the opportunity to share the Gospel! May God be honored and glorified in all that is done through that wonderful ministry - our thoughts and prayers are with you!