Live The Great

Be on the lookout for new families as they check in to SkyKids at the new Visitor Welcome Booth in KCBT’s foyer! All visiting children and their parents receive information about the ministry, maps of the church, a few treats, and an escort to their classrooms from KCBT’s “SkyCaps” – a group of friendly third, fourth, and fifth grade students. The families also enroll children at this booth, making outreach and follow-up an easy process.

As you invite new families to visit KCBT or see them on Sunday morning, please direct them to the Visitor Welcome Booth located under the large, green arrow that says, “Welcome Kids!”  Spanish translation is available every week.

If you are interested in serving new families and would like to work at the booth, please contact Summer Montgomery at 816.358.0988 x 2016.

This article was written by KCBT Staff member Donna Bruce.

For five days, July 14-19, KCBT members painted the new Raytown Central Middle School. Our force was like an army, over 175 people from all ages and nationalities. Once I looked down a hallway and there was someone from South Korea, Kenya and Costa Rica all working side by side. We used 54 gallons of paint in over 31 classrooms, offices, and hallways.

We had the opportunity to meet the principal, many teachers, support staff, and administrators. They all were thankful for the support and encouragement that was offered to them as well as the students. One exciting aspect of the project was the “extreme make-over” of the teacher’s lounge. We wanted to provide a place of retreat for the teachers who invest their lives every day in making a difference in our community.

Serving as one of the project leaders, I was privileged to observe the ways God moved among our volunteers:

• Jennifer was in the principal’s office–painting this time. Andrea Mixon, the new RCMS principal, was painting right along next to her. In conversation, Jennifer realized she was one of her students many years ago.
• Daryl was begging for more work the next day, so he could bring his disciple to get involved. Jeanne also brought her disciple.
• A young couple new to our church made connections to become involved in the Directions and Crossover ministries
• Larry was excited about the true fellowship in their conversations when he painted on Thursday.

I always say, “You don’t really “own” it, until you clean (or paint) it.” For the people who helped, we feel ownership. Ownership not of a building but of the lives that will be changed by the teachers’ investment. Ownership to pray for everyone who walks through the doors of RCMS. Ownership to sign up again next year.

This article was written by KCBT Staff member Adrienne Anderson.

You’ve been asked to play volleyball this season at Kansas City Baptist Temple. The only problem, your last fleeting memory of spiking a ball over a net was a number of years ago, and even then you didn’t have people coming up to you saying that you should considering becoming a professional. No, volleyball is a whole new world to you.  So, why sign-up?

The league is competitive but in a well balanced way. Yes, people want to win, but there is an understanding that you can have fun while playing a good game. Even if you play more like Kermit the Frog than Kerri Walsh, you will still have fun, and possibly learn how to volley.

There are other bonuses to signing up for Volleyball as well: you can save money! Yes, that is right for only $20 you have almost three months of Saturday night excitement and fun. Do you have kids? No problem! Free child care is provided while you play. So, Instead of asking yourself, “why sign-up?” you might want to ask, “why not?”

In an effort to continue to ensure the safety of your children while at KCBT, SkyKids will begin implementing Electronic Check-In this fall. The system will simplify dropping off your children on Sunday mornings and offer many other safety components for your family. Many of these features are possible only through computer technology. Several training events will take place before the implementation of the system. Further information will be available in our main services at 9:00 and 10:45 AM in the weeks to come. Get ready!

What a difference a dad makes! Saturday, August 23 will be the first opportunity for dads and kids of all ages to be a part of Double Play, a group set-up for fathers and their children. Give mom a morning to herself and enjoy a great time of fellowship with other men and some wild playtime all together! The group will meet in KCBT’s gym from 10:00 to 11:30am. All gym equipment will be provided. Sign-up online today; waivers are required for all participants.  Please direct any questions to Summer Montgomery at 816.358.0988 x 2016.

Junior High Notebooks are available for sale at the Alley through September for $10. They can be purchased with a check made out to KCBT or cash and will be invaluable to students. Why?

These notebooks will give them the information they need in order to keep up on their class-wide Bible reading and memorization, will contain a calendar of upcoming Junior High events, have a place for Sunday morning message notes, a list of their adult leaders, and their prayer journal. This journal will be a regular part of what they will need each Sunday as it will be referred back to for various reasons, including during the messages.

This article was written by KCBT Directions Pastor Dale Moline.

During softball tournaments last Saturday evening (July 20) I was down in the parking lot between games. As I began to walk back to the ballpark there was a young Army soldier dressed in full uniform. I stopped him and introduced myself as a former military man myself. We exchanged some military jargon and experiences. We quickly connected on common ground. He was a very sincere young man who is attending college while serving in the Army Reserve.

The soldier lives in St. Joseph, but was spending the night in Kansas City because his unit was traveling to Ft. Riley early Sunday morning for two weeks of special training. He had seen the bright ball field lights on the hill from afar off. So he drove toward the lights hoping to catch a baseball game, a favorite sport of his.

I pointed toward our church buildling across the street and invited him to visit on a Sunday morning. After a farewell we headed opposite directions. Then the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks. “This may be the only time you ever talk to that young man. Go catch him and tell him about Jesus Christ.” So I ran toward him and called out his name. He did an about face and met me half way.

“Soldier,” I said, “Can I ask you a personal question?” When he replied that I could, I asked if he had any spiritual beliefs. When he replied that he was a Christian I asked him what that meant. He answered that he was a good person who prayed quite a bit.

I next asked if he had ever had an experience with God. He replied, “When I was seventeen years old my life was a wreck and my best friend was killed. My godparents started taking me to church.” I proceeded to tell him those were good things but he also needed a personal relationship with God. I told him about God sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for him and he needed forgiveness for sin and eternal life.

“But how?”he asked. Very briefly I laid out the simple Gospel message. I asked if he would like to pray with me right now and settle the issue. “Yes” he said. I asked him to listen to my prayer and if he agreed with the words I said to repeat them to God because He is up there above those clouds listening to you. He took off is Army cap and prayed the sinner’s prayer. After we said, “Amen,” he finished and sighed some relief.

“Nobody can take your personal relationship with Jesus Christ from you,” I told him. I then suggested he read the Gospel of John and allow God’s Spirit to help him understand what he read.

This young man at Ft. Riley is now a child of God. I invited him to visit our church sometime and ask someone to lead him to Sgt. Moline. I plan to follow up on him in the weeks to come. This was truly a divine appointment. Praise God he uses the bright lights upon that hill!

Matthew 5:14 - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

You probably recognize that phrase from our current series on the Book of Haggai. We are focusing on God’s penchant to use ordinary people like us to the extraordinary.

That will not happen, though, if ordinary people like us continue to offer up spiritual-sounding excuses like the people in Haggai’s day. Returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, they allow the work to come to a screeching halt in the face of sharp attacks after just three years. They continue to convince themselves that it just isn’t time to finish the job. As they do this, though, they somehow are finding time to build their own comfortable houses while God’s house lies in ruins.

God’s prophet Haggai bursts upon the scene to proclaim that it is indeed time to get on with the long delayed project. One of the key phrases of the book is when he asks them on four occasions to consider their ways. Perhaps a way to communicate that same message in today’s language would be something like: If not, why not? If not now, when?

Let’s try on that phrase and see if it fits. Not all of the following situations apply to everyone, but perhaps there is one that has your name on it. If not, why not? If not now, when?

• Make your devotional walk with God a consistent daily appointment.
• Get connected to the church by going through the First Connections Class starting this Sunday.
• Get directed in your spiritual growth by signing up to go through the Directions study.
• Become part of an adult Bible class on Sunday mornings to supplement what you learn in church and discover how much you need community.
• Go on a mission trip this year.
• Join a missionary prayer team.
• Get perfected in God’s plan for your life as you discover your spiritual gifts by engaging in some ministry or service in the church – Sunday school, hospitality team, shuttle bus driver, praise team, audio support, etc.
• Take one of the several specialized courses to be offered on Sunday mornings beginning next month.

See how that works? If not, why not? If not now, when?

We continue our study of Haggai through the first four Sundays of August. On August 31 we will celebrate with the Lord’s Supper, baptisms and testimonies.

Heads Up for September!

On September 6 and 7 we have the opportunity for a missions booster shot as we welcome Dr. Pat Cate to KCBT. Dr. Cate served for many years as president of Christar, a mission dedicated to reaching the least reached. Previously he was a missionary in Central Asia. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic studies and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on extending God’s love to people who live in an Islamic context. He has taught in such outstanding schools as Dallas Theological Seminary and Columbia International University.

On Saturday, September 6, Pat will teach a combined session of Shepherd School of Ministry from 9:00am until noon. Although this is a required event for Shepherd School students, it is open to anyone with no fee and no prior registration. This seminar is called Discover Missions and is designed to be a basic introduction for believers of all levels of spiritual maturity and experience.

Dr. Cate is the author of Through God’s Eyes, a workbook on God’s mission that I have required for several courses and trips and that has been a blessing to those who have studied it. On Sunday morning, September 7, he will be speaking in both Sunday morning services.

Big Changes for September

By now you have probably heard that we are expanding our Sunday morning offering of adult education to three time blocks, including one before our first worship service. This will require some time changes, the relocation of a few classes and a reduction of time between our services. We will also be making some radical changes in our second service by offering a style of worship that is more progressive, while our first service will remain basically the same blended style that we currently have.

These changes will obviously require some adjustment and present a few challenges. However, I can’t express how excited I am to be doing this. There are two primary goals we aim to accomplish. First, we are determined to do a better job of providing venues for community in our church family. This is the only way a larger church can foster the type of relationships that are the glue holding us together as we grow and engage in God’s mission. Second, by making this change in our second service and rearranging the classes that feed into it, we are very intentionally seeking to engage a younger generation into the greater body of Christ.

We’ll be talking about this all month and you have already been receiving handouts explaining these changes. Or, you can read about them on the website. I invite you to join me in prayer as we implement these changes. We had thought to make these types of changes once we completed our campus expansion, but we really believe we can and must do them now in order to go forward in a fully missional way. Or, as Haggai might have said, “If not, why not? If not now, when?

Parents please join your student for our first Sixth Grade activity of the year. There will be a cookout, water games, and sporting events at the Point (5600 Blue Ridge Cut-Off) on Saturday, August 16, from 4:00-8:00pm. If you plan to participate in the water games wear clothing that you don’t mind getting wet!

Students should bring waterguns with them. Parents, if you’d like to help we need desserts, drinks, chips, and/or condiments, please contact Luke Sidebottom. Help is also needed with the grilling and supervising. Hope you can make it!

This article was written by ministry leader Roger Madsen.

Don’t all churches already have a pastor?  Unfortunately, the answer is “No.” If this chart doesn’t break your heart, I don’t know what will.  Image going to a church, or growing up in a church, without even one pastor!  We are blessed! We have many excellent pastors; many churches have none.  Many churches either do no have a pastor at all or maybe the one pastor they do have needs to minister to others in another city or county, and need men of God to fill the pulpit while they are away.  Not including a well deserved vacation now and then – they need a break just like us.

The Circuit Riding Ministry at KCBT consists of a group of men that are called to preach and teach the Word of God primarily to churches. All of the men in this ministry serve the Lord in many capacities at our own church, including Deacons, Ushers, the First Connections class, Directions, Small Groups, Prayer Teams, Discipleship and Missions Trips, Prison Ministry, and many other ministries. They minister where God calls them to minister. Several men are either Shepherd School graduates or are currently enrolled in Shepherd School. Many are licensed to marry in the state of Missouri, as well as perform funerals.

Currently we are ministering at the psychiatric facility in Raytown named Two Rivers. Even though this is not a church, we are welcome to minister the Word of God to people there that are hurting and need help – including many Christians at these faculties.

Several of the men in the Circuit Riding Ministry have been asked to preach and teach at some of our daughter churches when the pastor is out of town or on vacation. They know the men in the Circuit Riding Ministry believe the Word of God as they do, and have that reassurance that we will preach and teach as they would, if present.

This is where you can help. Now that you know the men and the need, your part is essential for this ministry to do what it was designed to do: Minister the World of God to Local Churches. If you know of a church that is without a pastor, or the pastor needs a man of God to fill the pulpit, please contact us. Maybe you know someone who knows of a church that needs our help, please let them know they can contact us. Contact Roger Madsen to help a church or for more information.