Will your church be open this Sunday?

This question has become more and more common over the last couple of months. Each time I answer with “Most certainly and I hope you will be able to join us!” I have felt like my answer has been missing something. Meeting as a church is vitally important. The word “church” simply means assembly/gathering. We are not a broadcast we are a body. However, it takes more than gathering to be a church. Many groups meet together. Some even meet on a weekly basis.

If you join us for a service you will find that more than our doors are open. You will see open Bibles. It is not enough for us to just assemble we must assemble with a purpose.

We love the Word of God at Vision. Not because we think it makes us superior to anyone or any other church but because it is the way we can pursue a greater knowledge of God. This is the reason we provide so many opportunities to study the Bible.

• Sunday Mornings we have LifeGroups (adults) and Sunday school (kids) teachers who lead small groups in lessons and discussions in God’s Word.
• In the services our Pastor teachers verse-by-verse through the Bible. We are currently in the book of Luke on Sunday mornings and alternating between Psalms and Proverbs in the evening services.
• On Monday nights there will be a group of young men studying the Bible around the fire after consuming their weight in pancakes of some other great homemade meal.
• Tuesday nights the building is full with people learning the Bible in our Vision Bible Institute. Courses are available in English and Spanish.
• We meet on Thursday night. Why? There is so much available for us to learn we do not want to miss a chance. This is a big night for our kids to learn the Bible through AWANA.
• Throughout the week there is a wonderful group of young people studying the Bible in the Our Generation Training Center. These students will join the 50+ Bible teachers we have sent out around the world.
• In addition to the Bible teaching that takes place on our campus you will find our church through out the community studying in our one-one-one discipleship program called Foundations.

We could go on and on and list more places and ways families in our church are raising their children in the Bible. We firmly believe it takes more than opening doors for us to assemble as a church. We must also have OPEN BIBLES!

We encourage you to join us. Bring your Bible. If you do not have one we will gladly provide one for you.

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After the service this morning I attended the Vision Bible Institute Informative Luncheon. I had the opportunity to start the meeting with prayer and ended up with a front row seat to hear the teachers speak about their upcoming classes. A free lunch is always something that I get excited about but God brought a level a gratitude to my heart that far surpassed by gratitude for a sandwich. As I sat there I looked around the room and became overwhelmed by the realization my life has been greatly blessed by having so many friends who are committed Bible students.

My life and family is being shaped by the Word of God. There are decisions we make individually and as a family as a response to the sermons we hear on Sunday. Our lives are also being shaped by conversations with our friends. As I looked at my friends at the luncheon I quickly thought of 3 different recent conversations that had really helped me.

Story One

Several of us were sitting in the back of an empty movie theater in Roswell. We have ended another night of our Vision Chapel campaign. I was discouraged that more people hadn’t attended. I was in the battle of the mind and needed truth. My friend Wayne, who loves and studies the Bible, was used of God to give the truth of God’s Word I needed at that moment.

Story Two

I was ending a phone conversation with my mother when I walked into our church foyer. On the call, I learned that my mom needed a biopsy. My heart and mind was filled with fears and doubts. In the back of the auditorium a group of ladies met for the “Card Club.” I went into the back of the room and shared what I had learned with them. My friend Shannon, who loves and studies the Bible, was used of God to give the truth of God’s Word I needed to remember to share with my family and others.

Story Three

On Monday nights me and a friend sit together and talk about all kinds of randomness as our sons practice basketball. Whatever my friend is studying to teach in his LifeGroup is always on his heart and I am thankful when he shares it with me. He shared with me some things he had been learning from the Bible about prayer. My friend David, who loves and studies the Bible, was used of God to give the truth of God’s Word I needed for a later moment. A few days later I was dealing with some restlessness over something that is extremely important to Stephanie and I but is completely out of our hands. I remember what David had said about taking my petitions to the Lord and I did just that and rested knowing I had been heard by the One with ultimate authority in the matter.

All of our lives our greatly influenced by our conversations with our friends. When they love and study the Bible these conversations are used of God to be a great blessing to us. We live in a world that desperately needs more people who “love and study God’s Word” and will be willing to share it in casual conversations with their friends. Rather it was in the Vision Bible Institute or in their personal study I am so thankful my friends study the Bible and are willing to share it with me.

You may never teach from behind a pulpit or lead a small group however do not think that your commitment to study the Bible couldn’t be greatly used to encourage all those around you. One of the greatest aspects of being a member of Vision Baptist Church is that me, my wife, and my kids have so many friends who want their lives shaped by the Word of God. This is evident in the way they teach, live, and even the small discussions they have at basketball practice.

If you would like more information about the upcoming Spring Semester at the Vision Bible Institute please go to VisionBaptist.com/VBI. We would love to help you get registered for the upcoming classes. Your friends, family, and church will greatly appreciate the time you spend studying the Bible.

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When Vision Baptist Church was officially started in March of 2006 we had all the dreams and desires of most church plants. We prayed that God would use our combined efforts to see people come to know Christ and become followers of Him. It was also our desire that God would use our new church plant to be a place that people could be equipped for missions service. Over the last 12 years God has been very gracious to us and allowed us to see this dream become a reality!

In the summer of 2005 a handful of use moved to Alpharetta. We started to learn the “lay of the land” and begin meeting people. One night a group of us decided to go to “Meetup” where people were learning spanish. Being that we spent time together in Peru, South America most of the group knew some spanish and thought it would be a great way to meet some people we could talk to about Jesus and let them know about the new church that would be started the following year. At that meeting we met a very, young Miguel Sanabria. I believe he was a sophomore in HIgh School at this time. Shortly after that night a Bible Study was started in the home of some of the family members of Miguel. He began to hear the Word of God taught. Miguel came to know Christ around this time!

Miguel was the first fruit we saw as a church family! As I look back on those days I think about all the decisions Miguel made. I also think about the time he wondered away from church for a short time and how an invitation to help translate our discipleship material (Foundations) helped bring him back into being an engaged member of the church. There is no doubt God used Vision Baptist Church to help mold his life into the servant he is today. As I reflect on this I can’t help but think about how much this first new disciple helped build and shape our church.

It was because of Miguel we first gathered and prayed for people of Alpharetta by name to come and know Christ. It was through this first convert that we discussed finding a place for our first baptism. It was in part because of our responsibilty to this new convert we worked to develop a discipleship curriculm in spanish. Through Miguel being involved then starting to drift away we began to consider how to help our young people who leave church after high school. In later years God used Miguel to help build the church as he serves our spanish pastor.

The story of any church is the story of God using people to help lead others into a growing relationship with Him. Tonight as Miguel will share testimony of the fact that God has used this church to mold his life we must also remember how God uses new beleivers to help build and shape the ministry of our church. The life of our church and the life of Miguel will forever be connected and that is how it should be.

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Our Student Pastor, Trent Cornwell, has started a series of blog article for our teenagers. The articles are written for teenagers but have strong applications to all of us. We would encourage you check out the website for our Student Ministry. You can subscribe to get articles and read this blog in its entirety.

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The phrase “What hath God wrought?” is first seen in history in the story told by Moses in Numbers 23. Here, at the close of their journey, we find the power of men and Satan combined to curse them. It was  the very thing they deserved, if dealt with according to their sins. But Balaam continues by affirming that no divination is effective against Israel. The point is not what Israel can do, but “what God has done!”

This short phrase from the Book of Numbers was the first words transmitted by the newly invented marvel of the electric.. (read more at StudentsofVision.com)

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Last night we saw an answer to the prayers of many people. It has been our desire for many years now to have the opportunity to serve in the local jail by leading Bible studies. Over the last year, especially, Joseph Reidy has kept this prayer requests before us. We are so thankful this door has been opened to us and we pray it remains open.

After Kason Bloom received word there would be an opportunity for us to send in teams of men and women on  a monthly basis he quickly began recruiting volunteers. Over a two week period nearly 35 people had filled out the information needed for the mandatory background check! God had not only provided an opportunity but He had provided the workers as well!

Last week our church received a visit from the officer who oversees this program at the Forsyth County Jail. She gave us a clear understanding of how to move forward. We are very thankful for her assistance in this matter.

Twenty one of us entered the jail last night around 8 pm and spent approximately an hour teaching God’s Word, praying, and having conversations with inmates. It was an incredibly great night of ministry. We had teams enter into 4 men’s pods and 4 women’s pods. We were able to minister to about 45 men and 40 women!

We were well received and treat with great respect and appreciation. It is our desire to not only teach the Word but to help the inmates realize they to can study God’s Word. We plan to teach the Bible verse by verse, teach discipleship lessons, sing together, pray together, and help answer life’s questions from the Bible.

We have created some guiding principles to help us in this ministry. We want God to be glorified in every moment of time we are given with these men and women.

• Principle One: We will show respect to the dignity of life believing that we all are created in God’s image and deal with the struggles of living in a fallen world.
• Principle Two: We will make it evident that we are not morally superior people who can tell them how to work their way out of their mess. We will show them that God has answers and His Word contains the truth they need in their lives.
• Principle Three: We will avoid profane and vain babbling while being willing and able to give everyman an answer to their sincere questions.
• Principle Four: We will take their prayer requests to God in prayer.
• Principle Five: We will work as a team working together to teach the truth of God’s word in a clear and systematic manner.
• Principle Six: We will emphasize the importance of the local church and give clear Biblical teaching of her role in the life of a believer.
• Principle Seven: We will be full aware that this ministry is a privilege and our relationship with the supervisors is of the utmost importance in regards to see this door remain open to us.

Please pray for this ministry. We are seeking new ways to engage the men and women in the jail in the study of God’s Word. We pray more opportunities open to us in the community like this. We will return next month and will have new volunteers helping lead the Bible studies.

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We had 290 people in attendance Sunday morning with 158 in the main service. We were excited to see a lot of visitors and members in attendance. Pastor preached a challenging message on Spiritual Warfare as we looked through the Bible to see the reality of demonic activity and how Satan is working to destroy our lives.

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Sunday morning we had 243 people in attendance. The Spanish church had another good week with 36 people. Pastor preached a great message out of the Book of Mark called Sacrifice with a Purpose. We looked into the story of Zebedee, the father of John and James. Zebedee gave up so much when his sons went to follow Jesus, and James and John gave up so much when they left to follow Jesus. It is a sacrifice to follow Jesus, but it is a sacrifice with a purpose and great benefit.

During the afternoon time we had some specials with a few special testimonies. We were blessed to hear about how God is working in the lives of people in our church. Nate Fransis preached a message on why we can praise God. He has been good to us and that is why we can praise Him!

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            Dan grew up in a godly Christian home where his dad was a lay pastor. From birth to graduation he attended a church that taught the Gospel. While doing devotions with his mother at the age of seven, he got saved.

            Shannon was raised in the Catholic Church. When she started dating Dan during her freshman year of high school, she heard the Gospel message while visiting his church, Parkview Church of the Nazarene. But it wasn’t until the age of 24 that she decided to put her trust in Jesus and believe in His power to save her. Dan had asked her before if she would like to step out of the pew and go to the altar, but she had always felt too embarrassed. But one particular Sunday, Pastor Graves kept pleading “take Jesus home with you today!” Dan and Shannon just had to look at each other and they started making their way toward the altar. That day, Shannon “took Jesus home with her”.

            They first heard about Vision when they were seeking a Bible-preaching church with sound doctrine. They had just left their previous church and were going through a disappointing and heartbreaking time in their lives. Dan’s office just happened to be located conveniently right next door to Vision’s church building at the time. Brett Broadrick told them about the Thursday evening service at Vision, and they started attending that service.

            The Penrods love Vision because of the discipline here to stick with the Book. They appreciate the doctrine, leadership, and body of Christ at Vision. They also enjoy being part of a church whose members and missionaries live out the Great Commission. They value greatly the friendships they have grown since they have come to Vision.

            Currently Dan mentors, serves in the prayer ministry with his Sunday School, and represents Oceania on the World Evangelism Cabinet. Shannon served in the nursery for over a year and is now open to other opportunities. She is also actively praying for several friends who are not saved. Their family is also involved several community activities. We are blessed to have them serve with us at Vision Baptist Church.

Written By: Anna Skudarnov

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Sunday night we had a special time honoring our five seniors. We are excited about how each of them have been a blessing to our church and our youth group. We are excited to see them showing their love for God by doing ministry in our church! Please pray for each of them as they are entering adult hood. 

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Lemar did not grow up in a Christian home. The only reason he went to church one day at the age of seventeen was because his friend from high school invited him. That night was the night he realized his need for the Savior and got saved.

Latasha grew up in a Pentecostal church that taught speaking in tongues as a commandment. At the age of sixteen, after years of frustration, she finally gave up on salvation altogether. She was always breaking one of the commandments because she could not speak in tongues. And since she was taught that salvation was achieved by works, it seemed like she would never be able to earn salvation.

Just at one of the darkest moments in her life, in 2005, Latasha saw a commercial that had a prayer line. She decided to call. The young lady who picked up the phone explained to her that true biblical salvation is a free gift and not earned by works. Latasha accepted this free gift and began to look for a church.

It wasn’t until 2009, when Lemar and Latasha moved to Newnan, Georgia, that they found a Bible-based church. Bible Baptist Church invited Greg to Vacation Bible School and the whole family started attending church there. When they moved to Alpharetta in 2009, their church suggested they come to Vision and they’ve been here ever since.

Lemar and Latasha value the Bible teaching and preaching at Vision. They are always being challenged to understand and apply the Word of God and speak often of how much God has changed them since coming to Vision.

Not only do they love attending Vison, but they also feel blessed to be able to serve in the ministries here. Currently, Lemar serves on the World Vision Cabinet and represents Sub-Saharan Africa. He also participates in the usher ministry, helping to take up and count the offerings. Latasha is part of the team of greeters at church and she assists in the kid’s Sunday School class. They are both excited to keep serving the Lord alongside Vision.

Written By: Anna Skudarnov

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