November 2005

Welcome to First Baptist Church. 
Revelation Revival:  Thank you Dr. Mel Poe and Bro. Arnie Forman for the  excellent leadership you provided for us druing our "Revelation Revival".  By the time you read this article, our series of revival meetings will be over and what a wonderful experience we had.  It has been said, that we are all the products of our times-and our generation has not encouraged revival thinking.
Church growth experts say the culture has changed and the revivals of the past are gone. Our forefathers lived in a moral climate that gave a respectful hearing to the gospel message.  Yet, I wonder if the culture has ever truly accepted "real" Christianity.  Religion-yes! Christ-no!  History records say that George Whitfield had tomatoes thrown at him while preaching the gospel.  In England, Wesley's enemies actually turned a bull loose in a field where he was preaching.  Maybe it's not a harder culture, but rather a more complacent culture that we live lin.  People aren't turning the bulls out, placing us in prison or throwing tomatoes, they're just not coming because they don't care. 
Let's stop playing the blame game and point the finger of responsibility at the Church.  It's time for us to take responsibility for our actions or lack of actions.  Responsible leaders don't blame-shift or dodge responsibility.  We can and must do something about it.  Revival, true revival can happen, but it will mean time alone with God in heart searching, confession of sin and a total sell out to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Thank you First Baptist family for your faithful suport of our "Revelation Revival". 

Looking Ahead:
1.  Pray for and bring your boxes for our annual Samaritan Purse Shoe Box "Christmas Child" ministry.  The dates are October 30th-Nov. 13th.

2. Thanksgiving Supper:  Nov. 19th:  I am looking forward to this inexpensive night of food, fun and fellowship, planned by the hospitality team of First Baptist. Make sure and get your reseervation in early for a great program and lots of food. Please note this CHALLENGE GOAL for the KBHC:  Everyone is asked to bring pennies to our Thanksgiving Supper in order to complete our first 'mile of pennies' for the Ky. Baptist Home for Children.  We are currently $200.00 short of our goal of $840.80. If we go over our goal, we will start on our second 'mile of pennies'.

3. Personal Word of Gratitude:  At this Thankgiving time of the year, my wife and I would like to express how thankful we are for the honor and privilege of serving this great and wonderful church.  God bless you-we love you and thank God for you.  See you on Sunday as together we open our hearts and mind to the two-edged Sword of God's Word.

Because of Calvary,
Bro. Hale - Ps. 16:11