Dear Parents (and LOFBC members),
Disciple Now (DNow) is one of our most important events of the year in the Student Ministry at Lone Oak First Baptist Church. Traditionally DNow has been a weekend event in the spring when we take our students to Jonathan Creek for a three day action and spirit packed adventure diving into God’s Word together. This year, however, we have decided that such an important event in the lives of our students deserves much more than just the three day weekend of March 17-19 – and we want YOU to be a part of it!
We want to invite YOU to join us beginning Wednesday, March 1
for our DNow Wednesdays as we dive into our theme – OVERCOME.
Now you might be thinking, “What does DNow have to do with me? I’m not a teenager?”
We believe this would be an outstanding opportunity for all of us to learn and be reminded how to OVERCOME through the power of God who is present in our lives. Our hope is to not only ignite our students to desire to know God and His power to OVERCOME in Christ, but also to ignite the whole family to live in the power available to us through the Holy Spirit.
For four weeks, we will hear testimonies from men and women who have OVERCOME life’s challenges through the power of Christ in their lives. Although they have faced some of life’s toughest storms, their faith in God has remained. Last month, through Dr. Dan’s sermons, God reminded us that we were not only given talents and gifts to be used by him, but also a story. Come join us as we hear the stories of how God refines and strengthens our faith as we OVERCOME in him.
Jeff Richard | Wednesday, March 1 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
A finger stick test during Jeff and Stacie Richard’s son, Nate’s, five year old wellness checkup revealed that Nate’s hemoglobin was low. Days later, they were called in and given the devastating news that Nate had cancer. Nearly 2 years into the 3 1/2 year treatment schedule to keep his leukemia at bay, Nate became ill with an infection that his body could not withstand and he passed on to heaven June 24, 2009. In the midst of this tragedy, Jeff and Stacie continue to see God’s grace as Nate’s Wish, a foundation started to help children fighting cancer as well as encourage their families, is carried out. It is their hope that Nate’s Wish encourages every child and teaches them that they are one of a kind and they are wonderfully made.
Daniel Dunn | Wednesday, March 8 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
Daniel has no doubt his recovery from a near-fatal fall almost 6 years ago is a miracle. The then 36-year-old Dunn, an avid outdoorsman, was hiking on Memorial Day at Burden Falls in southern Illinois when his life changed forever. In an attempt to rescue a friend who was falling, they both fell 75 to 100 feet over the waterfall. Daniel sustained multiple life threatening injuries including a fractured skull and vertebra. The accident has given him a heightened awareness of the importance of sharing God’s love with others.
Brian Arnett | Wednesday, March 15 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
Brian’s story is a story of redemption, God’s grace, and faith. After years of struggling with alcoholism in private, God’s circumstances forced Brian to deal with his demons. Brian entered into rehab. It was here, during one of the hardest challenges of his life, he overcame his addiction through the power of Christ. While Brian still affirms alcohols effects on him today, he overcomes this temptation through the help of family, friends, and most importantly his faith in God.
Missy Jenkins Smith | Wednesday, March 22 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room
On December 1, 1997, a 14-year-old freshman boy who had been bullied for years walked into the Heath High School lobby and randomly fired a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol. Three students were killed. Five were injured. Missy was one of the critically injured students. She was left paralyzed from the chest down. But just hours after the shooting, Missy did the unthinkable: she forgave the shooter, accepted her disability and reclaimed her life. Missy’s story is one of love, faith, forgiveness, courage, and determination.
But wait, there’s more!
We would also like to invite you to join us for Worship
on Saturday night, March 18
at Jonathan Creek Camp and Conference Center.
Worship will begin at 7:30 pm
in their new Worship Center.
(Directions can be found below or by following the link here: Directions to Jonathan Creek)
Thank you for your commitment to pray and support the high school and middle school students at Lone Oak First Baptist Church. We look forward to all God will do in the month of March, as we all learn that we too can OVERCOME!
In Christ,
Patrick Greer & Joe Yarbrough
Student Ministry Team