On Friday night, August 21, 2009, the Girls in Action (GAs) of FBC hosted a reception for all the teachers, administrators, and staff members of our local school districts. Teachers enjoyed receiving some gifts, as well as lots of great food and snacks. The girls wanted to show these important people in our community just how much they are appreciated.

Currently, here are some of the immediate needs at our mission church, New Hope Baptist Mission. If you can help, please contact Pastor Clay Hallmark at clay@fbcmarionark.org and/or Hannah Johnson at hlhjohnson@gmail.com to meet these needs! Here are some of our needs:

NEED # 1: We need youth workers for Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, and we have a desperate need for bus drivers and riders.

On Sunday, August 9th, First Baptist Church licensed two of its young men into the gospel ministry. Bobby Wheeler, Jr and Jake Fauber both received certificates of license from Pastor Clay Hallmark during both morning worship services. The members of FBC recognized the gifts of God in these young men and are committed to pray for them and help them as they begin serving our Lord.

Two mission teams from FBC, Marion have recently returned from mission trips to Brazil. Rob Rash led the first team to Brazil at the end of June doing ministry work in Sao Jose do Rio Preto. The mission team worked alongside Brazilian Home Mission Board Missionaries and mission pastors in the work of evangelism. God blessed the faithful work of this team as they saw 97 people pray to receive Jesus as their Savior.

On July 17-25, Pastor Clay Hallmark led a team of 9 to Brazil to work alongside Pastor Davidson (Assoc. Exec. Director of the Brazilian Home Mission Board and pastor of FBC, Heliopolis) and Pastor Fabio (Mission Pastor) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Working downtown and in the poor area of Sinimbu, the team saw 95 people pray and receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. We praise the Lord for the work of these teams God used in the work of the Kingdom of God.

The New Hope Baptist Mission had VBS this past week being led by a church from Owasoo, Oklahoma. The follow report came to us from Pastor John Rech:

Here are the results from our VBS this past week at New Hope.

Sponsored by the recreation ministry of FBC, twelve men traveled to Falcon Ridge Country Club in Jackson, Tennessee July 10-11 for a weekend golf outing. On the final day Rob Rash brought a devotion to the group on a man's aligning his life with God's word and will (like he would align his golf ball). Final day pairings were Gene Spragins and Tim Lawler vs. Clay Hallmark and Tim Vines; Rob Rash and John Doherty vs. Kip Herron and Max Herron; Tommy Robinson and Jake Robinson vs. Randy Cozart and Randy Cozart, Jr. The final day winners were Gene Spragins and Tim Lawler. Everyone had a great time at the outing.

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.