First Baptist Church officially entered into a 5 year partnership with the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention's Global Evangelical Relations department in leading "Encouraging Conferences" throughout South America beginning in Brazil. On behalf of FBC, Pastor Clay Hallmark was recognized along with Pastor Davidson Freitas from the Brazilian Home Mission Board on Tuesday, June 23rd during the afternoon session at the SBC Annual convention in Louisville, KY.

Encouraging Conferences will take place in Brazil on September 3, 2009 and in January 2010. Being one of only a handful of churches chosen from among 43,000 SBC churches across the country is a major honor for our church and a testimony to our evangelism (FAITH) and missions commitment in our city, nation, and world.

Praise the Lord for the great week of Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Marion! A record attendance was present to learn how everything in life all "Comes Back to Jesus!" On Thursday 27 older boys and girls from the 3rd-5th grade trusted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard in making VBS 2009 such a huge success! Your hard work and dedication paid big dividends in the Kingdom of God and for God's glory.

Financial Peace University has come to FBC, Marion! On Wednesday night, June 17th at 6:00 pm in GLC Room 311, the Dave Ramsey study will begin. Please note the early start time for this great new study.

Now is the time to learn how to be a good steward of God's money in your own personal finances. Join us on Wednesday night as we hear how Dave Ramsey uses practical ways to manage our finances based on solid biblical principles. The cost for this study is $93.00 per family if you want the materials.

For a short video clip of information about the study click HERE

YOU can have Financial Peace today. Join us Wednesday, June 17th at 6:00 pm

It is time to register your children for another year of exciting Vacation Bible School on June 8-12 beginning each morning at 9:00 am. Also, your child can register for the music camp following VBS each morning. If you child registers for music camp, we will be feeding them lunch before the music camp begins. If you would like to help, we still have room for you. Contact Mama Shirley (Children's Minister) at mamashirley@fbcmarionark.org today.

There will be a special called meeting for anyone interested in finding out more detailed information about the upcoming September 2009 Medical and Evangelism mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya this Wednesday night, May 27th at 7:30 pm in the FBC Fellowship Hall. We were able to make special arrangements for Jeff and Kathy Deasy, IMB Missionaries to Kenya, to be with us to lead this special meeting. If you are even thinking about going to Africa, you need to be at this meeting or have someone present for you. This is a one time only opportunity to talk with the missionaries with whom you will work in Africa before the trip leaves in September. Please be present and help us spread the word.

The 4th Annual FBC Missions Golf Scramble will be held on Monday, June 1st at the Marion Golf and Athletic Club. There will be free lunch beginning at 12:00 pm and the tournament will begin at 1:00 pm. The format of the tournament is a 4 person scramble. The cost of the tournament is $60.00 per player.

The tournament is being played to benefit the summer international mission trips. Presently we are seeking hole sponsorships and door prizes. If you would like to help with by providing either of these, email Pastor Clay Hallmark today at clay@fbcmarionark.org.

On Wednesday night, May 13th at 6:30 pm, come and experience the live musical and drama SURVIVOR BABYLON in the sanctuary of FBC, Marion. This musical combines over 75 children singing, doing drama, and retelling the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, his giant statue and three Hebrew boys who refused to compromise their faith. In this musical you will be introduced to King Neb in a new way as a special guest actor becomes "K- Dog the regal rapper" who commands the people to "bow or burn in the furnace"

Make your plans to be present for this huge event.

Town Hall for Hope will take place Thursday, April 23rd at 7:00 pm in the GLC Multi-purpose room at First Baptist Church of Marion. The Town Hall for Hope is your opportunity as a Christian to sit down with people in our community and our church for a nationwide town hall meeting led by nationally known Christian author and speaker Dave Ramsey. Thousands of venues across the country will host the even including FBC Marion, broadcasting Dave's live presentation. In the opening half hour, Dave will offer straight talk about the present economy, recession, foreclosures and more. He'll carefully explain where we've come from, where we are now, and what we should be doing with our money as Christians during this time. Then, Dave will spend an hour answering questions live! Seating is limited to the first 75 people who sign up to attend. Sign up in the office today or email Pam at pam@fbcmarionark.org to sign up for this event.

The Easter Sunday message from 4-12-09 has been added to the website (http://www.fbcmarionark.org/?q=node/14) as well as to the iTunes podcast.

Senior Joe Dunavan was awarded the great honor of Eagle Scout on Monday night, April 13, 2009 here at First Baptist Church. As a member of Troop 72, Joe has served with honor and distinction. He accomplished his service project here at FBC by removing the carpet and laying tile outside the church's fellowship hall last year. The ceremony was held in the FBC sanctuary and a reception followed in the Fellowship Hall. Dick Howard served as Master of ceremony which included participation by our own Jimmy Blackford, J. Southard, and Joe's parents, Mark and Kim Dunavan.