River Region's Journey July 2013 by KeepSharing

Volume 14, Issue 2

Feature Articles

JU LY 20 1 2 Columns page 2

page 20

Publisher’s Note Jason Watson

Hang in There!

by Karen Wingate The Church is not perfect, nor the people in it. Find out how to persevere through tough times at your church and with the Church at large.

page 4

Pastor's Perspective Joe Martin, Venture Church

page 12

Dave $ays Dave Ramsey

page 22

page 14

2012 River Region Church Directory

Shine

Kim Hendrix

page 18

Our listing of local churches will get you started in the search for a congregation to join and place to call home.

The Intersection Bob Crittenden

page 32

Grace to You John MacArthur

page 36

Resources for a RIGHTeous Life

by Jason Watson God never meant for us to make it through the Christian life without His help. He’s provided resources that we must depend upon and you’ll find them here.

page 34

Counselor’s Corner Pamela Boswell

page 38

Family Teams for Christ Lisa and Mike Conn

page 42

Got Life? Elaine Britt

On Our Cover . . .

Tim and Kristan White are seen in front of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Montgomery with their children: Julia (age 12), Kate (age 9), and Jakob (age 5). The Whites have attended Aldersgate for seven years and live in Montgomery. Call 334.213.7940 today!

In Every Issue page 6

On the Bookshelf page 8

Around Our Community page 40

Event Calendar page 44

Movie Reviews 1

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Publisher’s Note by Jason Watson

River Region Churches Are a Blessing!

Our Mission River Region’s Journey is committed to connecting all those who profess Jesus Christ as their Savior, regardless of denomination. Our aim is to share information and resources that promote a fulfilled, Christ-centered life. Further, we seek to reach unbelievers with the life-changing truth of God’s Word.

Editor

DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com

Publisher

Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com

Research Editor Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers Pamela Boswell Elaine Britt Lisa and Mike Conn Bob Crittenden Kim Hendrix John MacArthur Joe Martin Dave Ramsey Jason Watson Gail Welborn Karen Wingate

Advertising Opportunities ads@readjourneymagazine.com 334.213.7940

Cover Photography

Savannah Bowden Photography

Ad Design

Tim Welch, Welch Designs

Distribution Team Wendy McCollum Richard Ward Lesa Youngblood

Have you seen any moving vans in your neighborhood? Summer is the time we welcome so many new families to the River Region. Of course, many newcomers have moved to our area as part of their service to our country. The River Region loves being home to such fine citizens who protect America and enhance our community. Even though the number of military families moving to town are many, there are also plenty of others who have moved here for reasons like jobs and quality of living. We are tremendously blessed that all our communities here in the River Region work hard every day to make it a great place to live. One major factor in the quality of life we experience here is our high number of excellent churches. Churches in the River Region are deeply involved in many aspects of community life. Not only do they offer ministries that bless lives on their church campuses, they also get out and serve others by being the hands and feet of Jesus. We regularly spotlight these kinds of ministries each month so you’ll be aware of how God is at work in our community. Where do you go to church? Some of you just moved to town and are just beginning to look. Others of you grew up attending church regularly but have stopped going. Then there are some of you whom God has pierced your heart recently, and for the first time you have a conviction that you need to find a church so you can learn more about Him and how He can make you whole through the sacrifice His Son, Jesus, made for you on the cross. Whereever you find yourself, we want to help you get connected with one of our great churches. Every July we dedicate River Region’s Journey to helping you see the value in getting connected to a local church. Together with the excellent articles in this issue, we also publish the River Region’s Foremost Church Directory starting on page 22. You can use our listing to locate a church by zip code, and then find out more about the church’s size, style of worship and the ministries they offer. Keep this issue on hand as you make your visits. After each visit you can sit down as a family and make some notes by the church’s name and then begin praying about where God is leading you to get more involved. Churches do bring such a blessing to our community, but that’s because those who attend them are being blessed first. As God ministers to His children through the church, they then carry His life-changing love to their neighborhoods, workplaces and schools. Our area churches want to bless you, too. If you’re not a part of a church, please make an effort to find out how your life can be enhanced by their ministries. Read through this entire issue and then choose a church to attend this Sunday. You won’t regret it!

River Region’s Journey is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. For information, call 213-7940 or FAX to 213-7990. River Region’s Journey is copyrighted 2012 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in River Region’s Journey are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region’s Journey has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

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Pastor’s Perspective

Pastor Joe Martin, Venture Church

Stephen and the Stiffnecks I’ve been working through Acts and recently came to the text concerning the arrest and martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6:13-7:42).Stephen is arrested by a mob and brought before the council under the same charges that Jesus was accused of; blasphemy of Moses through alteration of the law and blasphemy towards God through hostility towards the Temple (Acts 6:13-14). While Stephen is on trial, he quickly turns the tables on his prosecutors. He begins by addressing them with respectful terms like “brothers and fathers,” but by the end of his address, he calls them “stiff-necked” and “uncircumcised.” What breaks my heart is that the claims that Stephen makes against them could just as easily be leveled at me. He essentially tells them that they have rejected the law because they have rejected God’s messengers time and time again. By rejecting those who speak for God, they were rejecting not only the Law, but God Himself. These are the same people who received the “living Word” through Moses at Mt. Sinai (Acts 7:38), and then made a lifeless idol to worship (Acts 7:41) instead of the God who had delivered them from the Egyptians and slavery. When we choose to worship anything other than God, we are not only rebelling against Him, but we are stating our preference for the absence of God. When we ignore the law, we are saying we are wiser than God, that we know better. This is cosmic treason, and yet we continue to give our adoration and praise to God’s things instead of Him. Stephen goes through a highlight reel of Israel’s history from Abraham to Moses, and both Israel and God are thoroughly consistent. Israel River Region’s Journey • July 2012

is constantly rebellious, God is constantly merciful. As much as the Bible tells us about the character of our God, it also paints a picture of man’s heart apart from the regenerating work of the Spirit... and it is not a pretty picture. Even the patriarchs who we hold up as pillars of faithfulness and obedience have these moments where they just get it really wrong. They decide to orient their hearts around something other than God, as we often do. We have been given the name of the Messiah to carry as a banner for His glory, but we often set that banner down for the sake of holding up another. In that moment, we decide that we love “this thing” more than we love Jesus. We decide that it is more worthy of our affection and praise. This is what the rulers had done with the Law. They had made their lives more about a system than the God the system was supposed to honor and exalt. This is an easy trap to get caught in. You can be so wrapped up in a systematic theological framework that you miss God. These men were so wrapped up in keeping the law that they missed the Messiah. Just as they had rejected the prophets who told of the coming redeemer, they had rejected the Living God Himself and executed him on a tree. The Law was how they related to God, and they could not see or fathom how He could work or operate outside of that framework. God was doing something different through Jesus, and they had become so “stiff-necked” they could not see it. So when he shows up talking about tearing down the temple and rebuilding it in three days, or when he declares all food clean and touches 4

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lepers, they don’t know how to process it. If the Law was how they understood God, then the temple was how they localized Him. This in spite of Isaiah 66:1-2, where God states specifically through His prophet that He does not dwell in houses made by men. The tabernacle and the temple pointed forwards towards something much greater in Christ. Yet once again, the leaders of God’s people reject God for His things. What does this teach us about how to relate to God? How can we avoid being “stiff-necked and uncircumcised”? We have to find our joy and significance in the works of God, not in the works of our own hands. The people of Israel rejected the law and worshipped a golden calf and “delighted in the works of their hands” (Acts 7:41). They rejected Jesus, whom “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Col. 1:19), for the worship and adoration of the Temple that their fathers had built. This is a warning to all believers not to find our identity or worth in what we can construct or manufacture. We are limited to creating out of what has already been created. We should instead turn our hearts to the God who creates “ex nihilo” or “out of nothing.”

Joe serves as the Pastor of Preaching and Vision for Venture Church, a new SBC congregation in the capitol city. He is married to Brittany and they have been blessed with three wonderful children and an overfed cat. For Advertising Information:

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Our Statement of Faith

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In keeping with Protestant theology, we believe that the Bible, as contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is fully inspired by God and therefore inerrant in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the only essential and infallible record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. The Bible is perfect in every way and shows us how to become and live as Christians. The way of becoming a Christian is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who came to us, born of a virgin, in full human form while remaining fully God. Jesus was, and is, perfect, and was crucified so that others could live. Three days later He rose from the dead, never to die again. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. Those who have faith in Jesus as their Lord in this life, and Savior from damnation in the next life, now live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, becoming more like Jesus everyday. We believe that God is one God. The one God has three persons: the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as God is one, so also, all believers are to be one. We believe in the unity and fellowship of all those that have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We are one in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. *All editorial content published must be in agreement with our Statement of Faith

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On The Bookshelf

by Gail Welborn

Your Church is Too Safe

by Mark Buchanan, Zondervan Publishers, 2012, 240 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-0310331230, $18.99

“When did we [as a church]…make it a priority to be safe instead of dangerous…nice instead of holy… cautious instead of bold…self-absorbed…” instead of loving and Christ centered? This is the question Pastor Mark Buchanan asks in the introduction to Your Church is too Safe. If the love in your church doesn’t draw the world to your church, “it’s irrelevant.” Because “… love is the music of heaven…and we are intended to be a replica of the Father’s voice thinly echoed in our own,” writes Pastor Buchanan. He questions if that is the tone in many of today’s churches where church pews seem filled with believers who seek their own comfort instead of providing comfort to others. What about dying to self and living for Christ? If the real “…story of the gospel is love…the main theme of the Gospel is relationship.” That sense of relationship, love, acceptance and the power of God are what people expect to find in church... in the eyes, expressions and actions of pastors and parishioners attending worship.

Doing Well at Being Sick

by Wendy Wallace, Discovery House Publishers, 2010, ISBN-13: 978-1572933873, #10.99 http://doingwellatbeingsick.com/biography/biography.html

What do you do when your body betrays you and no longer works as it once did? Wendy Wallace faced, and continues to face, that challenge. In Doing Well at Being Sick she teaches others how to overcome and rise above the debilitating experiences of acute or chronic illness. After enduring several heart attacks, lung, skin and bladder cancers, lupus and many other illnesses, the author has struggled with serious health issues multiple times for more than twenty years. This book draws on those experiences to share with readers how to live a joy-filled life in spite of pain and disabling chronic illness that teaches readers how to find the strength to continue. Some books just beg to be read, both as a story as well as a teaching tool, and this is one of those books. If you or someone you know struggles with acute or chronic illness this inspiring and practical book is for you. Not only does Wendy’s story provide hope, she teaches readers how to make wise choices with sound, practical advice from one who struggles in the pit of chronic illness.

#1 Man: What Every Dad Desires, What Every Daughter Needs

by Mike Silva, Mike Silva International, 2011, 119 Pages, Paperback, ISBN-13: 9780557845330, $15.00

If fathers want to raise mature, self-reliant, loving, forgiving daughters who look for “Mr. Right,” instead of settling for “Mr. Right Now” Silva’s daughters recommend his new release—#1 Man. Within its pages, Mike Silva, father, Promise Keepers leader and communicator shares how he learned to mentor and meet his daughters’ needs. The author’s four daughters offer their own point-ofview at chapter’s end. Silva writes, “It all begins with you,” [fathers] where he compares parenting daughters to a “roller-coaster ride” before he shares the fathering principles he’s learned the hard way. The equation might read like this: Unconditional Love, plus Time, plus Life Experience, divided by a wise wife, times God’s Grace Nine chapters and an epilogue include fathering tips on pride, selfishness, acceptance, forgiveness and more. He reminds readers that a father’s relationship with his daughters mirrors that of their own relationship with their Heavenly Father. This is an excellent book for fathers and daughters!

River Region’s Journey book reviewer Gail Welborn lives in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

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Upcoming Musical Features Local Actors

The King’s Theatre presents “Captive Faith” - an exciting, original musical based on the Biblical story of Naaman. Written and directed by Anna Lofgren & Rob Pace, with music composed by Rachael Morton & John Rajan, this production involves around 25 families from the tri-county region. Be inspired as an Israelite slave girl chooses to have faith - even in captivity - and watch God use a bad situation for good! “Captive Faith” will be presented at Fountain of Grace Church (881 McQueen Smith Rd in Prattville) and admission is free! Presentations are August 3rd & 4th at 7 p.m. and August 5th at 6 p.m. The whole family will enjoy this fun and inspiring story! For more info, go to www.KingsCourts.com or call (334) 285-7357.

Harvest Family Church 20th Anniversary Celebration Camp Meeting

Harvest Family Church would like to invite you to join us for our 20th Anniversary Celebration Camp Meeting on Sunday, August 5th through Friday, August 10th. Sunday services will be at 8:45 and 10:30 AM and 7 PM. Monday through Friday services will be at 7 PM. Our special guest speakers will be Kevin and Anne Durant, Phillip Slaughter, Joe Morris and Shekinah Glory. Nursery through Elementary classes will be provided for all of the services. We are located at 7245 Copperfield Drive in Montgomery, AL. For more information about the meetings visit our website at www.harvestfamilychurch.com or call (334) 277-1156.

Relay for Health and Wellness 2012

Woodland United Methodist Church Sponsors Back to School Blast Saturday, July 28, from 8-11 a.m. Woodland UMC, 4428 Wallahatchie Road, Pike Road (intersection of Vaughn & Wallahatchie Roads) For all children ages K5-12th grades. Free school supplies (including bookbags to first 600 children, pencils, paper and other supplies); health screenings (blood pressure, diabetes, vision, hearing, & dental screens); fun & giveaways (such as free school shoes in limited sizes/amounts-first come, first served); games & prizes; snacks; free haircuts & much, much more... Everything is FREE!!! Call the church office at 272-7230.

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July 28, 8:00 am—12 noon Host Church: Mount Gillard Missionary Baptist Church, 3323 Day Street, in Montgomery Reverend Henry M. Carnegie, Jr. Theme: Restoring The Temple of Christ For More Information, please contact: Mrs. Choona Lang at 334-233-8750.

Rush of Fools Concert

Send your church’s news to deanne@ readjourneymagazine.com by the 15th of the month! River Region’s Journey • July 2012

Rush of Fools will be in concert at Vaughn Forest Church on July 27-28. Call 334-279-5433 for more information or tickets. 8

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Hillsong Live Event

Hillsong Live is coming to the Birmingham Boutwell Auditorium Sept 18th, 2012 For ticket info: www.premierproductions.com

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Empowerment Training for Women

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Lighthouse Upward Soccer Camp a Success

Lighthouse hosted Upward Soccer Camp for ages 5 to 6th grade. The kids had a blast as they learned the fundamentals of soccer which included dribbling, passing & receiving, shooting, & footwork. More importantly, they learned about the love of our Savior. Lighthouse is looking forward to beginning an Upward Soccer League starting in August. If you would like to participate in our Upward Soccer progam please call 334-271-4200.

July 17-22; Women in Ministry International (WIMI) presents Empowerment Training For Women who know that God has called them to impact this generation for Him and to leave a legacy that will shine for future generations. This is the training that will equip them by providing the necessary tools, resources, encouragement and support. Weekdays 5:30PM-9PM, Saturday 9AM-4PM, Sunday Graduation; Where: Fresh Anointing House of Worship, 4870 Woodley Road, Montgomery, AL 36116. For more info call Paula Stallworth (334) 613-3364 or www. womenintl.net or forwomenintl@gmail.com.

Lord’s Supper Series

July 8th will begin a 4-weeks series on the Lord’s Supper at First Presbyterian Church on Vaughn Road. In both the sermon and Sunday School they will be examining how God uses the Lord’s Supper as a means of giving His children more of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Sundays at 9:25 am. Call 279-1379 for more info.

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Go Fish Coming to Frazer on August 11

Dove-award winning Christian Children’s music performers Go Fish will be in concert at Frazer’s Wesley Hall on Saturday, August 11 at 4:00 p.m. The group strives to create music with solid scriptural content to help kids learn the Bible and have fun doing it. Parents may find themselves tapping their feet and singing along too, though, since the Go Fish mission statement is “to make great music for kids that won’t drive parents bonkers”! Jamie Statema, Jason Folkmann and Andy Selness are the guys behind the music that now consistently sell out children’s concerts across the nation and have even appeared on the Today Show. With six album releases and three Vacation Bible School curriculums among numerous accolades under their belt, Go Fish promises to become a beloved musical treat to parents and kids. But the guys have only one aim in all of their music. “We’re just different. Our music is almost secondary,” says Jamie. “We take pride in our work and art, but our priority is sharing the Gospel and teaching the Bible to kids. Our success doesn’t depend on the next radio single. The only people that matter to us are parents, kids and children’s pastors. “ Go Fish created the Bible curriculum that will be used in this year’s Frazer Vacation Bible School, so many Frazer children will already be familiar with their music and videos. Their tagline, “Meaty Message, Upbeat Praise Party, that’s Go Fish” is exactly what you can expect on August 11th. For ticket information visit www.frazerumc.org/gofish or www.itickets.com.

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You may have already heard that Baptist Health was recognized in the Top 15 health systems in the nation. But now there’s more winning news. Out of nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide, Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery was recently named one of the Top 100 Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters when it comes to quality, safety and patient satisfaction. And we are the only hospital in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi to make the list. So if you are one of our employees or physicians, you should be feeling pretty good right now. And if you’re one of our patients, well, you should be feeling great. Call 334.213.7940 today!

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Dave Says...

by Dave Ramsey

made to create

SEW BERNINA 51 N. Burbank Dr Montgomery, AL 36117 334-274-0887 www.berninausa.com

Guidelines for Giving Q. My husband and I are debt-free, and we have $100,000 saved. We like to give, rather than loan, money to family members if they’re having financial problems. Can you give us some advice on how to establish giving guidelines? A. First, you can’t give to a level that it starts to make you worry about your future. Your first obligation is to your own household. Once that’s done, you can help family members and your immediate community as best you can without weakening yourself. The big thing in this scenario, I think, is to make sure you’re helping someone get back on their feet. You’re not helping when you give a drunk a drink, so you have to ask yourself if your generosity is really helping them or if you’re simply enabling irresponsible behavior. I’m not saying this because I’m a control freak. I’m saying it because I don’t believe in investing God’s money unless I see a positive return on investment. In human terms, that means helping someone get out of a mess they’re in, while at the time seeing that they are working to make sure they never end up back there again. If they’re buying cigarettes or lottery tickets with the money, then you’re not helping them. Taking this stance isn’t mean, and it doesn’t indicate that you don’t love your family. It means you’re loving them well and want what’s best for them. Q. I’m about to graduate from college, and I’m following your plan and River Region’s Journey • July 2012

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trying to focus on my future financial situation. Is the current down economy a cyclical thing and just part of life?

A. It is. There are always cycles in the economy. I know you hear all this talk about this is the worst recession since the Great Depression, but that’s a bunch of bull. It was worse in 1982, when the Jimmy Carter era came to a close. We had double-digit inflation, double-digit unemployment and home interest rates were at 17 percent. The current situation has been kind of long and boring. Things haven’t really rebounded quickly. Instead, they’ve just kind of wallowed around and crawled along. There are a lot of theories as to why it’s happened this way, but the truth is it’s a part of life. Just like you have good and bad times in your personal life, there will always be good and bad times in your financial life. That’s why you need a solid, common-sense financial philosophy that works when things are up and when things are down. The principles I teach about not having debt and investing conservatively over the long haul work every time. Right now, I’m tempted to invest like a wild man and put every dollar I can find into investments, because everything is on sale. It’s a great time to buy real estate and put money into mutual funds. The best time was about a year and a half ago, but the deals are still there. Just keep investing and working your plan. The idea that you’re graduating at a bad time and never going to have a good life is just plain wrong. There’s always some good and some bad out there, and the cycles will always come and go. Dave is the author of The New York Times best-selling book Financial Peace. He is also the host of the nationally syndicated The Dave Ramsey Show, and is a regular guest on television. All of his financial counseling is based on biblical truths. You can hear Dave from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., weekdays, on WLWI 1440 AM or online at www.daveramsey.com. Send your questions to askdave@daveramsey.com. He resides with his wife Sharon and their three children, Denise, Rachel, and Daniel, in Nashville, Tennessee. For Advertising Information:

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

SHINE!

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by Kim Hendrix

Enjoy the Moment Jeremiah 29:13-14: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” As I sat with a group of moms recently at a pageant our daughters were participating in, one mom said, “I told my daughter to just enjoy the moment! Stop worrying about whether things are going to be perfect tonight or tomorrow or the next day, enjoy the moment!” Isn’t that the truth? Sound advice for all of us. Worries, anxiety, control—are you familiar with any of these feelings? We all tend to jump ahead of whatever it is we’re doing—if we’re planning for the school year, parents start worrying about

getting the right fit as a teacher or their child making the team; if we’re starting a new job, we have anxiety over whether we’ll get the boss’ approval in the end; or if we’re in a competition of some sort, we focus on the win and often miss enjoying the many moments leading up to the final “score”. If we’re not careful, worries, anxiety and the need to control can hold us captive and block the blessings of peace, joy and trust. So how do we let go of these feelings and truly enjoy the moment? I suggest the key is seeking Him. If each day we begin with a prayer of, “Dear Lord, allow me to see you today, to feel your very presence—in the work place, athletic arena, park or grocery store and yes, Dear Lord, in my home! Please help me to enjoy the moment.”

Psalm 19: 1-2: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” People often comment on God’s artwork—the sun setting and rising, a beautiful rainbow, an amazing sunburst and the list goes on and on. He shows himself to us in beautiful moments everyday---whether it’s through his creation of

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the sky and sun or through people. When my daughter was about 6 years old we were standing in the driveway pointing out cloud shapes in the sky when she said, “There’s a dolphin, wait now it’s changing to a bird or look at that boat!” As we picked out formations she said, “Wouldn’t it be neat if God is up there doing this for us? He sees us playing this game, so he’s changing all the shapes to make us happy.” God wants us to want Him. He’s thrilled when we choose to seek Him first above all things in this life. Above victories, success, the perfect situations at work or school—do we seek Him above all things? Last month a young man named Webb Simpson won the U.S. Open—an underdog who came into the prestigious golf tournament having a “so-so” year. Simpson and his caddie, Paul Tesori, are described as sharing great spiritual faith and strong family values. Near the end of the tournament when everything was on the line, this young man on the verge of winning or losing it all told his caddie, “It doesn’t matter if we win 15 tournaments and 15 money lists, in 30 years, it’s not going to matter because we’re going to heaven anyway.” That’s enjoying the moment. Simpson’s yardage book had scripture written on every page, so as he studied the distance to the hole and considered his next move, he never lost sight of whom he’s seeking first. As summer ticks away at a pace that always seems too fast for students, parents and teachers—let’s take time to enjoy the moment. Spend time with friends and family, celebrate a new friendship, marvel at the face of a newborn baby, all the while looking upward. God just might be doing something for you at that very moment. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the precious moments of every journey in this lifetime. Please help us to let go of any worries, anxiety or the desire to control and open our eyes, ears and hearts to you. In the name of your precious son, Jesus Christ, we pray… Amen.

NEW

Inflatables

Kim Hendrix is the Director of Development at Saint James School in Montgomery. She leads the Shine Your Light ministry at Frazer Memorial U.M.C. and recently ended a 26 year career in television news. Kim and her husband Scott, have a 11 year old daughter, Annie, who brings them great joy. Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

July Vacation Bible Schools Aldersgate UMC

6610 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Operation Overboard When: July, 9-13, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Optional supper $2, 5:30 p.m. Ages: 3 yrs – 5th grade Register at www.aldersgateumc.org or 272.6152.

Blue Ridge Baptist

4471 Jasmine Hill Road, Wetumpka Theme: Amazing Wonders: Aviation When: July 22-26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A family night musical performance will be held July 29th at 6:30 p.m. Van pick up for children is available. Call 567-4325.

Calvary Baptist Church

8197 Decker Lane, Montgomery Theme: Bug Zone: Transformed by Our Big God When: July 9th-12th from 6pm-8pm Ages: K-4 through 6th grade. Look us up on the web and pre-register your child at calvarymontgomery.org/events, or you can call 334284-3737 if you have questions.

Cornerstone Christian 301 Dalraida Road, Montgomery Theme: Adventures on Promise Island When: July 8-12; 6:15 p.m. until 8 p.m. Ages: Pre-K, age 3 - Rising 6th

Visit www.vactaionbibleschool.com/ccc2012 Call 273-8595.

Eastdale Baptist

400 N. Burbank Dr., Montgomery When: August 13-17; Time: to be announced Call 272-6460.

Evolve Church

4500 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: To Be Announced When: July 29-Aug. 1; 6:30 thru 8:30 p.m. Call 224-1879.

Frazer UMC

6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery Theme: Praise: Where kids get down and lift God high When: July 9-13; 9 a.m. to 12 noon Ages: Rising 4 year olds (as of Sept. 2 of 2012) thru rising 5th graders. Call 272.8622.

GracePoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Hwy, Wetumpka Theme: Space Quest When: July 9-13, 6:30– 8:30 p.m. Ages: 3yrs.-6th Grade Call 430-1535.

Harvest Family Church

7245 Copperfield Drive, Montgomery Theme: SKY VBS When: August 5-10, 7 pm nightly Ages: 1st graders through 6th graders For more information call (334) 277-1156.

Hayneville Baptist

1180 State Hwy 21 N, Hayneville, AL Theme: Amazing Wonders: Aviation When: July 15-19, 5:45 - 8:30 pm Ages: Completed Pre K - 6th Grade Email: hbc@connecthbc.com or call 334-548-2620

Holy Spirit Catholic Church 8570 Vaughn Road, East Montgomery Theme: Sky: For God All Things Are Possible When: July 9-13; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 277-1989 or register online @ www.holy-spirit-church.com.

Lakeview Baptist Church 9225 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery Theme: Amazing Wonders: Aviation When: July 9-13; 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ages: K3-6th grade. Call 213-3080.

Landmark Church of Christ

1800 Halcyon Boulevard, Montgomery Theme: Super Heroes of the Bible When: July 8-11, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Ages: 3 years thru 6 grade Call 277.5800.

Love Center Full Gospel

3659 Debby Drive (Lecroy Shopping Center) Theme: Fishin’ on a Mission with Jesus When: July 25-27, from 6-8 pm nightly Dinner will be served at 5:30 Ages: 3- 8th grade welcomed For more information call 334-315-6851.

McGehee Road Baptist

2877 McGehee Road, Montgomery Theme: Rocky Point Lighthouse Dates: July 20-22, Times: To be announced Call for details at 262-0689.

Millbrook Presbyterian 3480 Main Street, Millbrook Theme: Case of the Puzzling Parables When: July 9-13; 6:15-8:15 p.m. Ages: Entering K4 thru 6th grade Call 285-4031 to register.

Taylor Road Baptist

1685 Taylor Road, Montgomery Theme: Amazing Wonders: Aviation When: July 16-20, 8:45 a.m. to Noon Ages: 4 year old through completed 6th grade. Call 271.3363.

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

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Come Worship With Us!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

The Intersection:

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Christian Cultural Commentary by Bob Crittenden

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Celebrating American Independence Imagine this – a nation founded on the principles of the Bible, where God’s heart is expressed in the laws and conduct of the people. What an amazing system of government and an atmosphere of goodness that could be! Now, consider these words: “Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”

That was a quote from the Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III*. That’s correct – our second President and a

signer of the Declaration of Independence envisioned a society where God was relied upon, character was foremost, and the principles of Scripture were revered and applied. And he had a chance to help design the governmental system that would help to facilitate this type of nation. Adams was one of 56 signers of the Declaration. According to Founding.com, a project of the Claremont Institute, the Declaration of Independence contains a theological teaching because the ultimate source of our rights and duties is God. There are four references to God in the Declaration:

• Congress appeals “to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.” • The signers, “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” pledge to each other their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.

• The “laws of nature and of nature’s God” entitle the United States to independence. • Men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”

There was a strong thread of faith running through the lives and words of these brave, devoted founders of our nation. In an era where we flock to movies depicting super

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“heroes”, we have some real-life heroes whose determination and insight we still benefit from today:

Samuel Adams

After the British capture of Philadelphia, Adams delivered a rallying cry:

2416 W. Cloverdale Park Montgomery, AL 36106 334.834.8990 www.fumcmontgomery.org

“Numerous have been the manifestations of God’s providence in sustaining us. In the gloomy period of adversity, we have had ‘our cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.’ We have been reduced to distress, but the arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely in humble confidence on Him who is mighty to save.” --Tony Perkins, Heritage.org, “Who Are Your Favorite Founders?” by Alex Adrianson, July 3, 2011

grass withers

The flower fades but the

Thomas Jefferson

and the

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God?” --Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII*

word of our God

will stand forever.

John Hancock

“Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual...Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.” --History of the United States of America, Vol. II*

Isaiah 40:8

Join us for worship, fellowship, and service.

Benjamin Rush

“The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!” --The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush*

Sunday Morning Worship 8:45 & 11 a.m.

Charles Carroll

Worship Service at Cloverdale School Sunday at 6 p.m.

“On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation, and on His merits, not on the works that I’ve done in obedience to His precepts.” --David Barton (WallBuilders), CBN.com

These are just some of the documented quotes which can give us some insight into the mindset of our Founding Fathers. I would dare say that these men were dependent on God, and in order to freely express that reliance, they were convinced that they had to be independent from what they saw as an oppressive British government. They were apparently dedicated to establishing this nation on a firm foundation consistent with Biblical principles. To many, to discuss and even teach schoolchildren the religious heritage of our nation is a violation of the so-called separation of church and state. I do believe that the faith of these founders was so intertwined into their lives and their philosophy of government, that it was impossible to separate faith from government. The departure from our firm foundation has resulted in a host of social ills that we are having a difficult time addressing. The challenge for government today is to legislate in a manner consistent with God’s principles and to depend on His wisdom. Prayer for our leaders and the selection of our leaders is critical. Today, as in 1776 and throughout the ages, God’s Word holds the answers to our societal challenges.

Dr. R. Lawson Bryan Senior Minister

* - From Christian Quotes of the Founding Fathers, About.com Bob Crittenden is host of “The Meeting House”, heard weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on Faith Radio, 89.1FM in Montgomery. Described as “the intersection of faith and culture”, the program features Christian music and conversation about a variety of topics. Learn more by visiting www.meetinghouseonline.info. Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Hang In There

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Don’t Give Up on the Church

by Karen Wingate

Remember when teenagers plastered their walls with poster art? One amusing poster depicted a wide-eyed, desperate cat barely hanging from a high bar by its claws. The caption read, “Hang in there, baby.” Yeah, right. The first time I encountered a church in upheaval, I felt like that kitty, barely holding on to a bar covered with the slippery sins of people I trusted. I felt let down, betrayed. Since then, I’ve seen churches lie wounded and defeated on the battlefield of God’s Kingdom. Churches that allowed sexual predators to assume leadership positions. Leaders whose lust for control rather than humble service caused the congregation to lose face in the community or whose violent tempers erupted during Communion services. Abigail Van Buren once said, “A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” She was right. The church should dispense medicine to heal our sinful brokenness and offer us salve for our souls. What a betrayal when the congregation oozes poison that corrodes key leadership and repels fringe believers. As one friend told me, “I have enough havoc at home; when I come to River Region’s Journey • July 2012

church, I expect it to be a haven; not another source of discord!” When you see your congregation broken by immorality, dissention, or power struggles, what should you do? How can believers possibly stay faithful when Christ’s representative on earth can’t even do it? Should you just abandon the idea of the organized Church? Should you flee to safer pastures? Jesus’ letters to seven churches in Revelation 2-3 reassure us that we should not give up on the Church because He knows what is happening, He will be the final judge, and He will reward those who “hang in there.”

The Good, the Bad and the Indifferent

Christ established the Church to be the expression of His love to the world. Yet Jesus’ description of these seven churches shows that problematic churches have existed since the first century. He describes churches that desired leadership under false pretenses (2:2), prostituted themselves to the ways of the world (2:6,14,15), infiltrated the church with false doctrine (2:20-22), and became arrogant in their self-sufficiency (3:17). 20

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At some point, every Christian faces the painful truth that the Church is flawed and fallible. The world’s corruption seeps into a local congregation when an elder molests a teenage girl, a contentious minority forces out a faithful minister, or vicious gossip ruins the reputation of a youth worker. The fallout leaves many feeling confused and ashamed that the church is capable of behaving so badly. How can we win the world to Jesus when we cannot act better than those we are trying to save? Jesus knows evil will seep into the church. Yet our Lord does not accept an “Oh well, no one’s perfect” attitude either. Dissention, false doctrine and immorality are serious issues. As evident in Jesus’ words to these seven churches, he expects church leadership to deal forcefully with the problems. He assures the reader that if the local leadership won’t deal with the immoral and the troublemaker, He will. He told the church at Ephesus that, unless they repented of forsaking their first love, He would allow the church to die by removing its witness (2:5). He warned the Pergamum church He would personally fight against those who allowed sexual immorality For Advertising Information:

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(2:14-17). Jesus used strong imagery to tell the Laodiceans what He would do about their apathetic attitude toward matters of the kingdom, saying He would spit them out of his mouth like something vile (3:16). Jesus does not mince words when he says, “ . . . I am He who searches hearts and minds and I will repay each of you according to your deeds (2:23).” Our ability to hold on to our own faith rests in the confidence that God will bring justice to those who have perverted His word and victimized His children. In the meantime, the faithful remnant may have to watch their congregation collapse like a house of cards in slow motion. It is hard to remain faithful to an institution that has let you down. Hard, but not impossible.

Enduring the Heartache

The temptation to quit is strong. I’ve heard people say, “I believe in Jesus but I don’t want to have anything to do with the Church.” Jesus concludes each letter with words for the individual believer: Hold on to what you have. Don’t let go of your faith. Don’t give up on the Church. If you hold on, you will be rewarded for your faithfulness. No matter how your congregation acts, you are responsible for your faith. We can’t allow the wrongdoing of others to shipwreck our commitment to Jesus. As one lady told another who wanted to leave our church because of some small infraction, “God forbid that I should let anything come between me and my worship of Him!” Jesus gives a good reason for perseverance through a dark period of congregational life - “so that no one will take away your crown (3:11).” More often, believers struggle with whether to leave their dysfunctional congre-

gation for another. After all, didn’t Jesus tell the disciples to wipe the dust off their feet? Didn’t Paul and his companions leave cities to minister more effectively in others? You may need to leave a congregation that has all but died spiritually. Before you do, consider whether you have done all you can to serve the Lord and His people in that location. First, look for the faithful remnant within your congregation. In each letter, Jesus spoke to the faithful. He pointed out the good that was happening in several of the churches, He commended the Thyatira Church for their faith, love, service and perseverance. Look at what God is doing in your congregation and join Him there. So often, my husband and I have seen church problems escalate because uninformed people kept phone lines busy. Paul tells Timothy, “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly (2Timothy 2:16).” We need more Christians who will courageously tell other church members, “I don’t want to discuss this issue; it is not encouraging or beneficial to either of us.” Finally, safeguard your faith and seek support from other believers. Just as a caregiver tending an aging parent or disabled child needs respite, you may need to find strength and support through another venue so you can remain strong for your congregation. Join a small group Bible study at another church, serve in a parachurch organization or partner with another church member to pray together, making the commitment to not discuss church problems, but to focus on building each other’s faith. As in any dark period of your faith walk, remember Jesus’ reassurance in Matthew 28:20, “I will be with you always.”

Before you leave a broken congregation, ask yourself:

• Why do I go to church to serve or be served? • How have I been part of the problem? • How can I be part of the solution? • How can I love other church members deeply from my heart? (1 Peter 1:22) • Who needs my prayer support? • Who do I need to forgive? • How can I promote healing and unity? • How can I encourage my church leadership? • How can I safeguard my faith so I don’t give up on the Church-at-large? As you feel your hands losing their grip on the high bar of your faith, imagine Jesus wrapping His hands over yours, giving you the strength to hang on until He comes to take His purified bride to the reward He has prepared for her. Hang in there! Karen Wingate is a contributing writer and pastor’s wife.

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Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

River Region Church Directory 36043-Pintlala

Pintlala Baptist Church 73 Federal Road, (334) 281-9439 Email: info@pintlalabaptist.com Web: www.pintlalabaptist.com DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Gary Burton WT: Sunday, 11 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Children, Youth, Youth & Adult Choirs

36054-Millbrook

Goodship Missionary Baptist Church (see their ad on page 10)

1554 AL Hwy 143, 334-285-0094 Pastor: Mack H. Parker DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 10:40 a.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m. WS: Traditional MIN: Sunday School, Youth, Bible Study Destiny Christian Center 1852 Hwy 14 East, (334) 358.1313 Web: www.destinycc.com DN: Non-denominational Pastor: Ricardo Rodriquez WT: Sunday, 8:25, 9:45a.m. and 11:15 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 1200-1400 MIN: Small Groups, Youth, Meals for Homeless, Children, College Grace Community Church 3515 Highway 14, (334) 285.4655 Email: gracecommunityonline@gmail.com Web: http://sites.google.com/site/gracecommunityonline/ Pastor: Mike Wilkinson DN: Cumberland Presbyterian WT: Sunday, 10:15 a.m.; Wednesday, 6 p.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Sunday school, Youth, Bible Study, Discipleship, Mens, Womens, Missions, Faith Training

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

Journey Church 435 Shiela Blvd, Prattville, (334) 351-9994 Web: www.myjourneychurch.com DN: Non-denominational Pastor: Mike Mozingo WT: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 10:30 WS: Contemporary AT: 400-800 MIN: Small Groups, Childrens, Youth, Missions and Outreach Millbrook Baptist Church 3431 Browns Road, (334) 285.4731 DN: Baptist Pastor: Mike Ingram WT: Sunday, 10 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Youth, Seniors, Childrens, Music, Womens, Mens, Daycare Millbrook Presbyterian Church 3480 Main Street, (334) 285.4031 Email: mpcaoffice@gmail.com Web: www.millbrookpca.com DN: Presbyterian (PCA) Pastor: Dr. Rev. Steve Muzio WT: Sunday, 10:15 a.m., 5:30 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Youth/Children, Womens, Seniors, Mens, Fellowship Groups, VBS, Mission Trips New Life Church of Millbrook 4230 Millbrook, Hwy 14, (334) 285.6996 DN: Non-Denominational Pastor: T. Allen Cova WT: Sunday, 10:00 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Young couples, Womens, Men’s, Seniors, New Life Christian Academy Victory Baptist Church 5481 Main Street, (334) 285.5082 Email: info@victorymillbrook.com Website: www.victorymillbrook.com DN: Independent Baptist Pastor: Steve Sanders WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m. 22

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Pas DN: WT: WS: MIN

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250 Cen Ema Web DN: Pas WT: WS: MIN WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Juvenile, Jail, Children’s Church, Junior Church, Nursing Home Ministry Well Spring Community Church 1881 I-65 Access Rd in Millbrook, (334) 220-0560 Email: link on website Website: www.wecometowellspring.com DN: Community Church Pastor: Michael J. Beale WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.. WS: Contemporary AT: Under 150 MIN: Prayer, Childrens, Weekly Community-Based Small Groups, TeamBased Ministry, Servant Evangelism, Missionary Discipleship

36064-Pike Road

Centerpoint Fellowship (see their ad on page 23)

Off-Center Video site at 1445 Wilson Park Drive (Pike Road Jim Wilson YMCA), (334) 356-3076 Email: cindy@centeringlives.com Web: www.centeringlives.com DN: Non-denominational Pastor: Don Darling WT: Sunday, 9:30 WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Children Ministry, Youth, College, Missions and Small Groups at main campus First Presbyterian Church 9299 Vaughn Road, (334) 279.1372 DN: Presbyterian Church in America Pastor: Reed De Pace WT: Sunday, 9:25 worship WS: Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: Support Groups, Bible Studies (all ages), Childrens, Youth, Seniors, Mens, Womens, Family Pike Road Baptist Church 4790 Pike Road, (334) 272.7690 Email: pikeroad@aol.com Web: www.pikeroadchurch.org For Advertising Information:

DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered Pastor: Tim Dilbeck DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Wednesday 5:30 p.m. WS: Contemporary AT: Under 150 MIN: Childrens ministry, Missions Woodland United Methodist Church 4428 Wallahatchie Road, (334) 272.7230 Website: www.woodlandontheweb.org Email: office@woodlandontheweb.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Rev. Tim Meadows WT: Sunday, 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Seniors, Discipleship, Childrens, Youth, Music

36066, 36067-Prattville

Camellia Baptist Church (see their ad on page 15)

201 Woodvale Road, (334) 365.0231 Email: info@camelliabaptist.com Web: www.camelliabaptist.com DN: Baptist Pastor: Reverend Mark Stokes Associate Pastor: Rev. Bo Mills WT: Sunday, 10 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: AWANA, Childrens, Youth, Singles, Womens, Mens, Missions, Music, Upward

Centerpoint Fellowship (see their ad on this page)

2500 Legends Circle (Marriot Legends Capitol Hill Conference Center) Prattville, (334) 356-3076 Email: cindy@centeringlives.com Web: www.centeringlives.com DN: Non-denominational Pastor: John Schmidt WT: Sunday, 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 800-1200 MIN: Children, Youth, College, Missions and Small Groups

First Baptist Church (see their ad on page 42)

138 S. Washington Street, (334) 365.0606 Email: mail@fbcprattville.org Web: www.fbcprattville.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Dr. Travis Coleman, Jr. WT: Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 800-1200 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Mens, Womens, Mission Friends, Choir (all ages), Moms Day Out, Kindergarten, Adult Discipleship, MOMM Calvary Baptist Church 431 W. 4th Street, (334) 365.5213 DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 11 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Youth, Seniors, Children East Memorial Baptist Church 1320 Old Ridge Rd. , (334) 365.7500 Email: plima@eastmemorial.org Web: www.eastmemorial.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Glenn Graham, Jr. WT: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ; Wed. night at 6:30 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 800-1200 MIN: Student, College & Career, Singles, Childrens, AWANA, Seniors, Womens, Mens First Presbyterian Church 211 S. Chestnut Street, (334) 365.6387 Email: kay@fpcministries.org Web: www.fpcministries.org DN: First Presbyterian Church of America Pastor: Bryant Hansen WT: Sunday, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Youth, Community, Womens, Mens

First United Methodist Church 100 E. Fourth Street, (334) 365.5977 Web: www.prattvillemethodist.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Rob Couch WT: Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 400-800 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Singles, Older Adults, Support Groups, Mom’s Day Out, Preschool Fountain City Baptist Church 492 East Main Street, (334) 365.2034 Email: link on website Web: www.fountaincitybaptistchurch.org DN: Baptist Pastor: Rick Moore WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Sunday school, Childrens, Teen, Older Adult, AWANA, Music (adults and youth), Mens, Womens, Missions and Outreach Fountain of Grace 881 McQueen Smith Road, S., (334) 365.5511 Email: info@fountainofgraceac.us Web: www.fountainofgrace.us DN: Christian Missionary Alliance Pastor: Tony Butler WT: Sunday, 10:40 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: Under 150-400 MIN: Youth, Sunday school, Women of Grace, Music, Sound, AWANA (during school year) Glynwood Baptist Church 376 N. McQueen Smith Road, (334) 361.9180 Email: glynwoodbc@knology.net Web: www.glynwoodbaptistchurch.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Reverend Bruce Hose WT: Sunday, 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 400-800 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Music, Prayer, Seniors, Mom’s Day Out w/ A Beka, Bible Study and prayer Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

am-

Centerpoint Fellowship Church at Pike Road Jim

Join us for a celebration of God’s goodness through praise and worship, followed by a life-applicable Bible-based teaching by senior pastor John Schmidt via video. Come casual and enjoy our service that starts at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Jim Wilson YMCA at New Park. Nursery and children’s program provided.

For more information contact our office at (334) 356-3076 or visit our website at centeringlives.com

Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered Heritage Baptist Church 1357 S. Memorial Drive, (334) 365.2372 Email: office@hbcprattville.org Web: www.hbcprattville.org DN: Baptist Pastor: Roger D. Parks WT: Sunday, 10 a.m., 6 p.m. (summer); Regular worship schedule: Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: AWANA, Youth, VBS, Childrens Church, Adult, Music and Missions Trips Hunter Hills Church of Christ 330 Old Farm Lane, N., (334) 285.2700 Web: www.hunterhills.org DN: Church of Christ Pastor: Don Campbell WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Singles, Support Groups, Leisure, Small Groups Riverside Church 242 Interstate Commercial Park Loop; (334) 491-2345 Web: www.riversidearp.org DN: Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Pastor: Greg Duke WT: Sunday, 10 a.m. WS: Blended/Contemporary AT: Under 150 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Small Groups, Good News Club, Local & Foreign Missions. Voice of Victory Church (10 min. from Prattville) 449 County RD 165, Autaugville, (334) 365-2031 Web: www.vovc.org DN: Word of Faith Pastor: Mac & Sandra Gober WT: Sunday 10a.m and Wed., 6:30p.m. AT: under 150 WS: Contemporary MIN: Prison, Youth, Children’s, Adult, Senior, Young Professionals and Invasion Evangelism

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

36092-Wetumpka

Blue Ridge Baptist Church 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., (334) 567-4325 Web: www.blueridgebaptistchurch.net Pastor: Rev. John Carney WT: Sunday, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. WS: Blended AT: under 150 Min: Childrens, Adult, Youth, College, Prayer and Missions First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge Street, (334) 567.5191 Website: www.fbc-wetumpka.org Pastor: Dr. James Troglen DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Mens, Womens and Older Adults First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., 334-567-7865 Email: link on website Web: www.fumcwetumpka.org Pastor: Kevin Kelly WT: Sunday, 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens ministry, Youth, Hispanic Ministry, Young adults, Missions, Prayer and Adult ministry

MIN: A fully graded Bible study program, Music ministry, Weekday ministry, Childrens ministry, group studies. Mulder Memorial UMC 3454 Firetower Rd., (334) 567-4225 Web: www.mulderchurch.org Pastor: Craig Carter WT: Sunday, 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 400-800 MIN: Childrens ministry, Adult, Youth, Missions and Prayer Redland Baptist Church 1266 Dozier Road, (334) 567.8649 Web: www.redlandbaptistchurch.com DN: Baptist Pastor: Bryce Cox WT: Sunday, 11 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Senior, Adult, Choir and VBS

36104-Montgomery

First Baptist Church (see their ad on page 17)

Grace Baptist Church 304 Old Montgomery Hwy., (334) 567-3255 Email: info@gbcwetumpka.com Pastor: John Adair WT: Sunday, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wed. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Sunday school, Adult, Youth, Childrens

305 S. Perry Street, (334) 834.6310 Email: link on website Web: www.montgomeryfbc.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Rev. Jay Wolf WT: Sunday, 8:30, 11 a.m., and 6:15 p.m. WS: Blended AT: over 1500 MIN: Preschool, Childrens, Youth, College, Singles, Adults, Seniors, Internationals, Music, Special Needs, Community, Television, School of Fine Arts, Support Groups, Counseling Center

Mountain View Baptist Church 1025 Rifle Range Rd, (334) 567-4458 Web: www.mvbaptist.info DN: Baptist Pastor: Anthony Counts WT: Sunday, 10:30a.m, and 5:45 p.m.

2Cities Church  128 Lee Street , (334) 294-7263  Email: info@2cities.org  Website: www.2cities.org Pastor: Rev. Brian D. MacDonald  DN: Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)

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DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered WT: Sunday, 9:30 a.m..  WS: Blended AT: under 150  MIN: Men’s and Women’s Bible studies, Community Groups, City Outreach, Childrens Church of the Highlands 201 Tallapoosa St (located in the Montgomery Performing Arts Center inside the renowned Renaissance Hotel) (205) 980-5577 Email: Erwin@churchofthehighlands.com Website: www.churchofthehighlands.com/campuses/Montgomery Pastor: Chris Erwin WT: Sunday, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 400-800 Ministries: Small Groups, Outreach & Missions The Episcopal Church of the Ascension 315 Clanton Ave., 334-263-5529 Email: staff@coascension.org Website: http://www.coascension.org Rector: John Coleman DN: Episcopal WT: Sunday, 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Music, Children, Youth, Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Food Pantry, Shut-in, Outreach, Stephen Ministry, Tutoring New Church @ 301 Dexter 301 Dexter Ave., (334) 263-0549 Email: dexterave@bellsouth.com Website: www.dexterave.org Pastor: Rev. Anthony “Tony” McCullough DN: United Methodist WT: Sunday, 10 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Friday Focus lunch, United Methodist Women and 301 Dance Club New Life Church of God in Christ (Annex 3) 600 Columbus Street, (334) 558-0258 Email: pastor@nlcogic.org Web: www.nlcogic.org DN: Church of God in Christ

Pastor: Elder Terry Ellison Co-Pastor: Elder Kylle McKinney WT: Sunday, 11 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: Under 150 MIN: Gospel Radio Station WXVI 1600 AM, Childrens, Youth, Singles, Job Skills Center, New Life Theological Institute, Stages (Strategies To Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Mens group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry, and much, much more. 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112 St. John’s Episcopal Church 113 Madison Avenue, (334) 262.1937 Website: www.stjohnsmontgomery.org DN: Episcopal Rector: Rev. Robert C. Wisnewski Associate Rector: Evan Garner WT: Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays, 7 a.m.; Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 12:05 p.m. MIN: Christian Education, Youth, Childrens, Adult, Missions and Outreach, Homeless ministry Trinity Presbyterian Church 1728 S. Hull Street, (334) 262.3892 Email: office@trinitypca.org Web: www.trinitypca.org DN: Presbyterian Church in America Pastor: Claude E. McRoberts, III WT: Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Summer schedule: 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 400-800 MIN: Adults, Childrens (Catechism Classes and Pioneer Clubs), Youth, Missions, Choir, Preschool, Singles

36105, Montgomery Snowdoun Baptist Church 6564 Norman Bridge Road, (334) 280-0217 Web: www.snowdounbaptist.com DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Steve Campbell

WT: Sunday 11 AM and 6:30 WS: Traditional AT: Under 150 MIN: Worship, Children, Youth, Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Missions, Music

36106-Montgomery

Evangel Church (see their ad on page 29)

3975 Vaughn Road, (334) 272.4882 Web: http:evangelchurch.me DN: Assembly of God Pastor: Michael Rippy WT: Sunday, 9 a.m. (classical) and 11:00 a.m. (contemporary) WS: Contemporary AT: 400-800 MIN: Sunday school, Adults, Childrens, Seniors, Youth, Evangel Christian Academy, College, Young Adult Service on Sunday night

First United Methodist Church (see their ad on

page 19)

2416 W. Cloverdale Park, (334) 834.8990 Email: info@fumcmontgomery.org Web: www.fumcmontgomery.org DN: Methodist Pastor: Dr. R. Lawson Bryan WT: Sunday, 8:45 a.m., 11 a.m. and Wed. night at 5:30 WS: Traditional AT: 800 to 1500 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Young Adults, Adults, Seniors, Mens, Womens

Vaughn Park Church of Christ (see their ad on

page 14)

3800 Vaughn Road, (334) 272.2665 Web: www.vaughnpark.com Pastor: Brad Sullivan DN: Church of Christ WT: Sunday, 10 a.m., 5 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 400-800 MIN: Benevolence, Childrens, Deaf, Adults, Evangelism, Family

Appointments are necessary

Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered

Life Center, Happy Hearts, Inner City, Womens, Life Groups, Mens, Missions, Nursery/Toddler Worship, Singles, Music, Youth

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Cloverdale Baptist Church 608 E. Fairview Avenue , (334) 265.9223 Website: www.cloverdalebaptist.net Email: info@cloverdalebaptist.net DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Mike Chitwood WT: Sunday, 11 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday,6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: Under 150 MIN: Sunday school, Preschool Academy, Fun and Fellowship, Seniors, Youth, Choir for all ages Eastwood Presbyterian Church 1701 E. Trinity Blvd., (334) 272.3103 Email: missions@eastwoodchurch.org Web: www.eastwoodchurch.org DN: Presbyterian (PCA) Associate Pastor: Rev. Bart Lester WT: Sunday, 10:55 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 400-800 MIN: Missions, Counseling, School, College, Youth, Women, Military Heritage Baptist Church 1849 Perry Hill Road, (334) 279.9976 Web: www.hbcm.net Pastor: Teman Knight DN: Southern Baptist WT: Sunday, 11:15 WS: Blended AT: 400-800 MIN: Childrens, Student, Adult, Singles, Special Needs, Seniors, Music, Drama, Missions, Childcare Development Center New Life Church of God in Christ (Annex 1) 1615 Mulberry Street, (334) 558-0258 Email: pastor@nlcogic.org Web: www.nlcogic.org DN: Church of God in Christ Pastor: Elder Terry Ellison Co-Pastor: Elder Charles Clark

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

WT: Sunday, 10 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: Under 150 MIN: Gospel Radio Station WXVI 1600 AM, Childrens, Youth, Singles, Job Skills Center, New Life Theological Institute, Stages (Strategies To Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Men’s group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry, and much, much more. 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112

Capitol Heights Baptist Church 2514 Madison Avenue, (334) 264.6461 Email: link on website Web: www.capitolheights.org DN: Baptist Pastor: J. Warren Culver WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Worship & Music, Childrens, Families, Mens, Seniors, Students, Womens, Angel Food

New Life Church of God in Christ (Annex 1) 1801 East Trinity Blvd., (334) 558-0258 Email: pastor@nlcogic.org Web: www.nlcogic.org DN: Church of God in Christ Pastor: Elder Terry Ellison Co-Pastor: Elder Rodney Brannon WT: Sunday, 8:45 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: Under 150 MIN: Gospel Radio Station WXVI 1600 AM, Childrens, Youth, Singles, Job Skills Center, New Life Theological Institute, Stages (Strategies To Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Men’s group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry, and much, much more. 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112

Capitol Height United Methodist Church 2000 Winona Avenue, 264-2464 Website: www.capitolheightsumc.org Pastor: Jackie Slaughter WT: Sundays at 10:30 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Missions, Youth, Adult, Pray and Bible Study

36107-Montgomery

Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church (see their ad on page 24)

1436 East Washington Street, (334) 265-1807 Website: www.pilgrimrestmbc.org Pastor: Rev. Walter E. Ellis DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 8 a.m. & 11:15 a.m., Wednesday Prayer Meeting 6 p.m., Bible Study, 7 p.m. WS: Blended MIN: Sunday School, Youth Mentoring, Youth Choir, Women’s, Bible Study

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Cornerstone Bible Church 341 N. Madison Terrace, (334) 262.3706 Email: cornerstone.biblechurch@yahoo.com Website: www.cornerstone-biblechurch.org Pastor: Myron Price DN: Independent Bible Church WT: Sunday, 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: AWANA, Play Group for moms with young children, Prayer and Bible Study Groups

36108-Montgomery

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DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Mens group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry, and much, much more. 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112 Rosa Parks Avenue Church of God 1701 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, (334) 265.6008 Web: http://netministries.org/see/churches.exe/ch22420 Pastor: James R. Marshall DN: Non-denominational WT: Sunday, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. AT: under 150-400 MIN: Youth, GED Program, Bible Study, Singles, Seniors, Counseling, Choir Strong Tower at Washington Park 1516 Mobile Rd., (334) 782-0226 Email:info@strongtowerawp.com Website: http://www.strongtowerawp.com Pastor:Terrence Jones Assistant Pastor:Alonzo Brown Jr. DN:Independent WT: Sundays at 11 a.m. WS:Multi-Cultural AT: under 150 MIN: women’s ministry, evangelistic outreach, girls praise dance team.

36109-Montgomery

Dalraida United Methodist Church (see their ad on page 26)

3817 Atlanta Highway, (334) 272.2190 Email: info@dalraidaumc.org Web: www.dalraidaumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Ed Deabler WT: Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Adult Bible Study, Seniors, Choir, Local and Global Missions, Food Closet

Call 334.213.7940 today!

All Saints Episcopal Church 645 Coliseum Blvd., (334) 272.2591 Email: link included on website Web: www.allsaintsmontgomery.com Priest in Charge: Reverend Mathew Grunfeld DN: Episcopal WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Outreach, Childrens, Womens, Mens, Youth Cornerstone Christian Church 301 Dalraida Road, (334) 273.8595 Web: www.cornerstone-cc.org DN: Non-denominational Pastor: Jay Thompson WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: Sunday school, Childrens, Youth, Womens, Seniors, CC Quilts, Neighbors in Christ, Church Camp, CTN Ministries Covenant Presbyterian Church 5 Arden Road at Atlanta Highway, (334) 272.1133 Email: covenantpcmgm@bellsouth.net DN: Presbyterian Church in America Pastor: Lee Bloodworth WT: Sunday, 11 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Traditional, Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: Mens, Womens, Seniors Dalraida Baptist Church 3838 Wares Ferry Road, (334) 272.2412 Web: www.thedalraidadifference.org DN: Baptist Pastor: Rick Evans WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Music, Sunday school, Discipleship, Childrens, Youth, Ladies, Seniors, FAITH Outreach, Missions Eastern Hills Baptist Church 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, (334) 272.0604 Web: www.ehbconline.com

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Pastor: Dr. Rick Marshall WT: Sunday, 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m., 6:00 p.m. (praise & worship service) WS: Traditional AT: 400-800 OL: Spanish MIN: Womens, Mens, Childrens, Youth, Missions, Hispanic, College, Singles, Older Singles, Older Adults, Music, Pastoral Care, Preschool, Daycare and Homeschool. Eastmont Baptist Church 4505 Atlanta Highway, (334) 277.6300 Web: www.eastmont.org DN: Baptist Pastor: Mike Northcutt WT: Sunday, 8:10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. WS: Blended AT: above 1500 MIN: Preschool, Mens, Womens, Childrens, Youth, College & Career, Singles, Older Adults, Music, Missions, Families, Small Groups Morningview Baptist Church 125 Calhoun Road, (334) 272.2304 Email: info@morningview.org Web: www.morningview.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Shawn Merithew WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Children’s, Youth, Older Adults, Prayer, Missions, Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy Perry Hill United Methodist Church 910 Perry Hill Road, (334) 272.3174 Web: www.perryhillumc.org Email: office@perryhillumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Anna Tew WT: Sunday, 10:30 and 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: Under 150 MIN: Youth, Adult Choir, Childrens Programs, Mission Outreach, Ladies Prayer Group, Boy Scouts The Rock Church 3401 Harrison Road, (334) 260.0984

July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered Email: link on website Web: www.therockofmontgomery.org DN: Inter-denominational Pastor: H. Nelson Cash, Jr. WT: Sunday, 10 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Prayer, Discipleship, Youth, Childrens, Local Outreach, Rock School (grades K3-12) University Church of Christ 5315 Atlanta Hwy, (334) 386-7320 Web: www.ucoc.org DN: Church of Christ Minister: Randy Medlin WT: Sundays, 8:30 a.m.10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 400-800 MIN: Youth, College, Prison and Childrens St. Paul Lutheran Church 4475 Atlanta Highway, (334) 272.6214 Web: www.stpaulmontgomery.org Pastor: Reverend Carey Elam DN: Lutheran WT: Sunday, 8 a.m. (blended), 10:30 a.m. (traditional) WS: Multiple Styles Offered AT: 150-400 MIN: Youth, Choir

36110-Montgomery

Chisholm Baptist Church 2938 Lower Wetumpka Road, (334) 262-6437 Interim Pastor: John Gaines DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wed. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Hands of Christ Highland Gardens Baptist Church 2014 Johnson Street, (334) 263.0294 Email: link on website Web: www.hgbaptistchurch.org Pastor: Earl B. Wise DN: Baptist

WT: Sunday, 11 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Children, Youth

36116-Montgomery

Aldersgate United Methodist Church (see their ad on page 33)

36111-Montgomery

New Life Church of God in Christ (Main Campus) 4116 Narrow Lane Road, (334) 558-0258 Email: pastor@nlcogic.org Web: www.nlcogic.org DN: Church of God in Christ Pastor: Elder Terry Ellison WT: Sunday, 8 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Gospel Radio Station WXVI 1600 AM Children’s, Youth, Singles, Job Skills Center, New Life Theological Institute, Stages (Strategies To Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Mens group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry, and much, much more. 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112 Westminster Presbyterian Church 2515 Woodley Road, (334) 281.2241 Web: www.westminsterchurch.echurch.ws/ DN: PC USA Pastor: Rev. Candasu Vernon WT: Sunday, 10:25 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Music, Outreach, Sunday school, Womens Whitfield Memorial United Methodist 2673 Fisk Road, (334) 281.2467 Email: office@whitfieldumc.org Web: www.whitfieldumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Rev. Francis Turner WT: Sunday, 8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Children, Youth, Older Adults

6610 Vaughn Road, (334) 272.6152 Email: email@aldersgateumc.org Web: www.aldersgateumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Rev. Glen Pugh WT: Sunday, 9:45 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. WS: Multiple Styles Offered AT: 400 to 800 MIN: Kid Stuff Interactive Children’s Ministry, Youth, Music (all ages), Young Adults (College & Career), Seniors, Stephens, Walk to Emmaus & Chrysalis , Weekday Children’s Ministry Day Care & After School Programs, Men’s, Women’s, Wednesday Night Connections Dinner & Small Groups, Youth and Adult Sports, Food Pantry, Library

ChristChurch (see their ad on page 5)

8800 Vaughn Rd., (334) 387-0566 Email: info@christchurchxp.net Website: www.christchurchxp.net DN: Anglican Pastor: Rev. John-Michael van Dyke WT: Sunday, 9:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II WS: Traditional AT: 400-800 MIN: Seniors, Adult, Young Families, Students, Children, Pastoral Care, Outreach, Parish Life, and Music

Frazer UMC Asbury Campus (see Frazer’s ad on the inside front cover)

4540 Narrow Lane Rd., (334) 281-8971 Email: info@frazerumc.org Web: www.Frazerumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Rev. Robert Spicer WT: Sunday, 10:00 a.m. WS: Traditional & Gospel AT: 150-400 MIN: Nursery and Children Other: Ministries available at Frazer Main Campus

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River Region’s Journey • July 2012

www.ReadJourneyMagazine.com

For Advertising Information:

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Frazer UMC Hispanic Campus (see Frazer’s ad on the inside front cover)

3711 Eastern Blvd., (334) 495-6460 Email: info@frazerumc.org Web: www.Frazerumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Mario Aman WT: Sunday, 10:00 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Nursery and Children Other: Ministries available at Frazer Main Campus

Gateway Baptist Church (see their ad on page 37)

3300 Bell Road, (334) 272.9494 Email: link on website Web: www.gatewaybaptist.com Pastor: Alan Cross DN: Southern Baptist WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Small Groups, AWANA, Military, Childrens, Student, Youth, Seniors, Men and Womens, Gateway Academy, Military Calvary Baptist Church 8197 Decker Lane, (334) 284.3737 Web: www.calvarymontgomery.org DN: Independent Baptist Pastor: Dr. Paul Spargo WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Mens, Womens, Married, Single, Senior, AWANA, Preschool, Children, VBS, Bus ministry, Youth Eastern Meadows Church of Christ 8460 Vaughn Rd., (334) 273-0001 Email: easternmeadows@emcofc.org Website: www.emcofc.org DN: Church of Christ Minister: Steve Housley WT: Sundays, 10:00a.m. and 5:00p.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Youth, College, Young Adult, Senior, Mens, Womens, Educational, Missions Fresh Anointing International Church 150 East Fleming Rd., (334) 613.3363 Email: info@anointedchurch.org Web: www.anointedchurch.org DN: Independent Pastor: Kyle Searcy WT: Sunday, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 800-1500 MIN: Singles, Nursing Home, Prison, Childrens, College, Drama, Angel Food, Marital Counseling, Intercession, Fresh Start Christian Academy Lighthouse Church 3560 Bell Rd., 334-271-6502 or 334-271-4200 Email: lighthousechurchmontgomery@yahoo.com Web: www.lighthousemontgomery.org Pastor: Dr. Mickey A. Kirkland DN: Non-denominational WT: Sunday, 10:45 a.m. and Wed. 6:45 p.m. WS: Combination of traditional and contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Home of Lighthouse Christian Academy, Kids for Christ, Teens for Christ, Upward Sports

Connecting http://evangelchurch.me or call 334-272-4882

We want you to feel welcome and connected at Evangel. Our guiding philosophy is “Connecting to God. Connecting to Others.” Whether you are single, married, divorced, with kids or without – we’ve got something for you at Evangel.

3975 Vaughn Rd Montgomery, AL 36106

Messiah Lutheran Church 6670 Vaughn Road, (334) 277.4213 Email: messiahlutheran@aol.com Web: www.nonprofitpages.com/messiah DN: Lutheran Pastor: Rev. Randy Jones WT: Sunday, 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Womens, Childrens, Music, Mens New Life Church of God in Christ (Annex 5) 5600 Carriage Hills Drive, (334) 558-0258 Email: pastor@nlcogic.org Web: www.nlcogic.org DN: Church of God in Christ Pastor: Elder Terry Ellison Co-Pastor: Elder Eric Lee WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 400 to 800 MIN: Gospel Radio Station WXVI 1600 AM, Childrens, Youth, Singles, Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered Job Skills Center, New Life Theological Institute, Stages (Strategies To Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Mens group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry. 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112 New Life Church of God in Christ (Annex 2) 5000 Patterson Road, (334) 558-0258 Email: pastor@nlcogic.org Web: www.nlcogic.org DN: Church of God in Christ Pastor: Elder Terry Ellison Co-Pastor: Elder Theodore Williams WT: Sunday, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: Over 1500 MIN: Gospel Radio Station WXVI 1600 AM, Childrens, Youth, Singles, Job Skills Center, New Life Theological Institute, Stages (Strategies To Achieving Godly Experiences in School)Tutorial program, Educational Programs, Man to Man Christian Mens group, Christian Womens Council, Drama Guild, Youth Step and Drill Teams, Mime and Dance Team, Youth for Christ Choir, Sanctuary Choir, Caregiver, Hospitality, Community Outreach Ministry, 24 hr Prayer Line 284-1112 Pinedale Baptist Church 4785 McInnis Road, (334) 288.0832 DN: Southern Baptist WT: Sunday, 11 a.m. (summer schedule) WS: Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: Sunday school, Childrens, Brotherhood (Mens Ministry), Womens Ridgecrest Baptist Church 5260 Vaughn Road, (334) 277.0011 Email: info@rbcmontgomery.com Web: www.rbcmontgomery.com DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Dr. Michael Cassity WT: Sunday, 10:45 a.m., 6:00 p.m.

WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Preschool, Childrens, College, Student, Mens, Womens, Singles, Seniors

WT: Sunday, 5pm WS: Contemporary AT: under 150 MIN: Venture Kids, Common Groups

Young Meadows Presbyterian 5780 Vaughn Road, (334) 244.1385 Web: www.youngmeadowspca.com DN: Presbyterian Church in America Pastor: Dr. Jim Simoneau WT: Sunday, 8:15 and 11 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Choir, Adult Growth Groups

Christ Community Church 8285 Ryan Road, (334) 273.8110 Email: mail@christccm.net Web: www.christccm.net DN: Non-denominational Pastor: Keith Waldrop WT: Sunday, 10:00a.m WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Childrens, Student, Mens, Womens

36117-Montgomery

Frazer Memorial United Methodist (see their ad on the inside front cover)

6000 Atlanta Highway, (334) 272.8622 Email: info@frazerumc.org Web: www.frazerumc.org DN: United Methodist Pastor: Dr. Tim Thompson and Rev. Patrick Quinn WT: Sunday, 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. WS: Multiple Styles Offered AT: Over 1500 OL: include Chinese as well as Spanish; American Sign Language and Korean interpreters available MIN: Children, Students, Singles, Men, Women, Adult Sunday School and Life Groups, Older Adults, Hispanic, Chinese, Music, Recreation, Community and World Missions, Stephen Ministry, Support Groups, Counseling Clinic, Financial Peace, Marriage and Parenting, TV, and many more.

Venture Church (see their ad on page 21) 2323 Bell Road, (334) 224-1214 Email: info@theventure.org Web: www.theventure.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Joe Martin

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Christian Life Church 6000 Monticello Drive, (334) 271.3800 Web: www.clconline.com DN: Inter-denominational Pastor: Steven Vickers WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 400-800 MIN: Childrens, Missions, Prayer, Womens, Mens, Prison, Youth, Worship East Lake Community Church 395 Ray Thorington Rd. (@ Churchhill Academy) (334) 799-7424 Web: www.eastlakecc.org Email: chat@eastlakecc.org DN: Non-denominational Pastor: Chad Harrison WT: Sunday, 10 a.m. WS: Contemporary; Blend AT: under 150 MIN: Home groups, Childrens (Family ministry), Singles, Local community ministries GracePointe 1565 Ray Thorington Road, (334) 271.2525

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Only 1 /Mountain 2 hours from Huntsville Located on top of Lookout in Mentone, AL. Only a 3 hr drive.

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Dr. Larry & Susan Hooks, Owners/Directors • Donna Bares,Asst. Director

1 & 2Week Sessions for Ages 6-16

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first I had campfires every night. Icamps felt close to God. giggled a lot is with friends and counselors. time flew by! thehorse. Southeast’s best all-around for girls,IRiverview annew oasis of fun, friends andThe happiness... I Exciting felt safe and secure. Iinclude: gained confidence in myselfPool,Tennis, through the world around me.” activities Riding, Heated Canoeing, Ropes Course, Climbing Tower,

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FLAG TWIRLING • CHEERLEADING • RIFLERY • ARCHERY • TRIP DAY • GOLF

We don’t wonder anymore how it happened, that one summer could bring such happy memories.

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• H ORSEBACK R IDING • S WIMMING • T ENNIS • C ANOEING • D ANCE • A EROBICS • G YMNASTICS • B EACH V OLLEYBALL •

• R OPES C OURSE • C LIMBING T OWER • O UTDOOR L IVING S KILLS • C AMPFIRE F UN • C OUNSELOR -I N -T RAINING •

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

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DN: Denomination WT: Worship Times WS: Worship Style(s) AT: Attendance OL: Other Languages MIN: Ministries Offered Web: www.grace-pointe.com DN: Church of Christ Pastor: Scottie Harris WT: Sunday, 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 150-400 MIN: Children’s, GPS, Caring Groups, Young Families, Young at Heart, Men’s, Women’s, Global Missions Grace @ Bell Road 5 Bell Road, (334) 272.4930 Email: info@discovergrace.org Web: www.discovergrace.org DN: Evangelical Presbyterian Pastor: Scott Lawry WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: Women’s, Men’s, Missions, Children’s, Life Groups, Outreach Harvest Family Church 7245 Copperfield Drive, (334) 277.1156 Email: office@harvestfamilychurch.com Web: www.harvestfamilychurch.com DN: Non-Denominational Pastor: Bill McNeese WT: Sunday, 8:45 and 10:30; Wednesday, 7 p.m. WS: Contemporary AT: 150-400 MIN: Children, Youth, Women and Men’s. Lakeview Baptist Church 9225 Atlanta Highway, (334) 213-3080 Email: link on website Web: www.lakeviewbaptistchurch.cc DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Rev. Paul Hubbard WT: Sunday, 10:45 am. WS: Blended AT: Under 150 MIN: Childrens, College and Career, Seniors, Womens, Music, Student, and Young married.

Landmark Church of Christ 1800 Halcyon Boulevard, (334) 277-5800 Email: Christians@landmarkchurch.net Web: www.landmarkchurch.net DN: Church of Christ Pastor: Buddy Bell WT: Sunday, 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 800 to 1500 MIN: Children, Youth, College, Recovery, Inner City, Life Groups, Missions, Life Center Legacy Church 2323 Bell Road, 334-396-2001 Web: www.thelegacychurch.org Pastor: Rev. Doug McCurry DN: Anglican WT: Sundays, 10:30 a.m. WS: Contemporary AT: under 150 MIN: Small Groups, Childrens Memorial Presbyterian Church 2130 Bell Road, (334) 274.1018 Email: contact@memorialpres.net Web: www.memorialpres.net DN: Presbyterian WT: Sunday, 11:00 a.m. WS: Traditional AT: under 150 MIN: Mother’s Day Out, Womens, Youth, Adults, Seniors, Food Ministry, Music, Childrens St. James United Methodist Church 9045 Vaughn Road, (334) 277.3037 Web: www.sjlife.com DN: United Methodist Pastor: Allen Newton WT: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Contemporary), 11 a.m. (Traditional) WS: Traditional & Contemporary AT: above 1500 MIN: Mens, RENEW Womens Group, Childrens, Youth, Small Groups,

College & Young Adults, Celebrate Recovery, Dance Team, Senior Ministry, Upward Soccer Taylor Road Baptist Church 1685 Taylor Road, (334) 271.3363 Email: trbc@taylordroad.org Web: www.taylorroad.org DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Andy Hepburn WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. WS: Blended AT: 400-800 MIN: Childrens Missions, Preschool & Children’s Choirs, Youth & Adult Choirs, Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Womens, Youth and Adult Bible Study. Thorington Road Baptist Church 450 Ray Thorington Road, (334) 396.9376 Email: contact through website Web: www.trbclife.org Pastor: Wade Rials DN: Baptist WT: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. WS: Blended AT: 150 to 400 MIN: Childrens, Youth, Mens, Womens and VBS Vaughn Forest Baptist Church 8660 Vaughn Road, (334) 279.5433 Email: link through website Web: www.vaughnforest.com DN: Southern Baptist Pastor: Dr. Lawrence H. Phipps WT: Sunday, 10:30 WS: Contemporary AT: 800 to 1500 OL: Spanish and Korean MIN: Preschool, Student, Singles, Older Adults, Worship, Hispanic, Korean

If your church was not listed in this year’s church directory, please email deanne@readjourneymagazine.com or call 334.213.7940. We’ll be sure to add you in future Church Directory issues.

B ASKETBALL • S OCCER • A RTS

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D RAMA

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Grace to You

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by John MacArthur

Do We Need the Local Church? The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the importance of local assemblies. In fact, it was the pattern of Paul’s ministry to establish local congregations in the cities where he preached the gospel. Hebrews 10:24-25 commands every believer to be a part of such a local body and reveals why this is necessary. “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the lev-

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

el of intimacy that is required for carefully stimulating fellow-believers “to love and good deeds.” And it is only in this setting that we can encourage one another. The New Testament also teaches that every believer is to be under the protection and nurture of the leadership of the local church. These godly men can shepherd the believer by encouraging, admonishing, and teaching. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 help us to understand that God has graciously granted accountability to us through godly leadership. Furthermore, when Paul gave Timothy special instructions about the public meetings, he said, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Timothy

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4:13). Part of the emphasis in public worship includes these three things: hearing the Word, being called to obedience and action through exhortation, and teaching. It is only in the context of the local assembly that these things can most effectively take place. Acts 2:42 shows us what the early church did when they met together: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They learned God’s Word and the implications

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of it in their lives; they joined to carry out acts of love and service to one another; they commemorated the Lord’s death and resurrection through the breaking of bread; and they prayed. Of course, we can do these things individually, but God has called us into His body-the church is the local representation of that worldwidebody-and we should gladly minister and be ministered to among God’s people. Active local church membership is imperative to living a life without compromise. It is only through the ministry of the local church that a believer can receive the kind of teaching, accountability, and encouragement that is necessary for him to stand firm in his convictions. God has ordained that the church provide the kind of environment where an uncompromising life can thrive.

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Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God’s Word, John MacArthur is a fifthgeneration pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four grown children and fifteen grandchildren. John’s pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You.

Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Counselor’s Corner by Pamela Boswell

Daily Forgiving Is there someone you know who makes your heart beat faster, your breath shorter, your throat tighter or your stomach more acidic every time you see or think of them? If so, there is a very good chance that you have been offended and have not granted that person forgiveness. Responses to the suggestion of forgiving an offender can range from “I will NEVER forgive him for what he did” to “I’m just not ready” to “It’s a process. I’m working toward it. Don’t rush me!” Some will even say, “When he can show me he is really sorry, I’ll think about it.” These responses usually indicate ignorance of what the Bible teaches about this issue. One of the most common themes of Scripture is forgiveness. The entire Bible points to restoring our broken relationship with God through the forgiveness of our sins offered in Jesus Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:18). This verse connects our being forgiven by God to our responsibility to forgive others: “Be tenderhearted forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32) Also, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” ( Matthew 6:14) And, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18: 32b-33) “OK, you have made your case for granting forgiveness. Enough already! How many times must I forgive, and what about forgetting?” The disciples asked Jesus how many times must we forgive? His response indicated every time that we are asked. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4) “But is harder to forgive others when they have offended you over and over again!” Yes, but it’s not impossible, as Jesus explained to the disciples who thought they needed more faith to obey his command. River Region’s Journey • July 2012

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ” (Luke 17:5-10) Jay Adams suggests that there are three things you must commit to do that will aid in forgetting the offense and restoring feelings. The first step is to not bring up the offense to the person again in a manner to hurt them or manipulate them. Second, do not talk about the offense to anyone else. And finally, when the thought of the offense comes to your mind, think on something else. Do not dwell on the offense. With time it will occupy less of your thoughts. Not only are you required by Scripture to grant forgiveness, but you must be quick to ask forgiveness of others when you have sinned against them. The first step in doing this is viewing the wrong that you have done as God views it. I am not talking about a difference of opinion or perspective... I am talking about sin. Realizing that you have not only sinned against another person but also against God should lead you to repentance. Repentance means not only stopping what you have done or are doing, but turning to something else that is good and just and right. Something that is pleasing to God. This leads to confession. You must go to God and the person you have sinned against and confess specifically for what you have done. After the confession, forgiveness is requested. Saying “I’m sorry” is not good enough. You must request 34

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of them a willingness to forgive. At this point, the “ball is in their court” so to speak. If they are a believer, it is obligatory for them to forgive you, although not necessarily to trust you. While it is their duty to forgive you, it is your duty to earn back their trust when it has been broken. One other step that is often necessary is restitution. When something has been taken or broken it is the offender’s responsibility as far as possible to bring about restoration. Examples of this are all through the New and Old Testaments. (For example, when Zacchaeus repented he restored fourfold to those from whom he had taken.) When should this all take place? As quickly as possible. Matthew 5:24 says to leave the altar and get right with your neighbor before approaching God. The longer you nurse an offense and dwell on a wrong the longer the seeds of bitterness have to take root and grow in your heart. (Hebrews 12:15) If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you will be called upon to ask for or grant forgiveness before too long. Are you prepared to do so?

Pamela Boswell is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Horticulture Business in 1980, she and her husband moved to Orlando, Florida where she worked and they started their family. Moving back to Montgomery in 1995 she pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling from Auburn University Montgomery, which she received in 2001. She has 8 years experience in a non-profit organization obtaining extensive experience with troubled children and their families. She has recently received certification from the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors having been supervised by Lou Priolo. Pamela currently leads a small group Bible study at Trinity Presbyterian Church finally accepting that she is an “older women” according to Titus 2. For Advertising Information:

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

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Resources for a

RIGHTeous Life by Jason Watson

As the designer of our bodies and minds and the entire creation, God gives us a way to live that works “rightly.” We call it a righteous life. When we ignore and disobey His regulations we live wrongly, and instead of receiving the fruit of blessing we bring harm and hurt into our lives (bad fruit). Because so many people are calloused towards God or have been deceived, they have no idea that they’re living a sub-par life. They’ve been desensitized to the rot of death in their choices. Even Christians still struggle to follow God’s regulations too since the enemy (flesh/old nature) still lives inside us and wars against any Godly actions or thoughts we have. But God hasn’t left us to a losing battle. He’s given us the resources to have victory in living “rightly” for His honor.

1- God’s Love, Grace & Faithfulness is Greater Than Your Failures. God calls us into a relationship with Him even while we are His enemies. He does this through the work of Christ’s atonement. God chose you and the Bible River Region’s Journey • July 2012

says that nothing can separate those who are “in Christ” from the love of the Father (Romans 8). Even when we’re not faithful, God always is! Therefore even when you sin and choose to disobey, don’t lose heart; God still loves you and sees you as righteous, as you are clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

2- His Spirit Actually Lives Inside You.

When God called you to be His child in Christ, He also placed His Spirit inside you. His Spirit brings God’s truth to the forefront of your mind and wars directly against your Flesh Nature. We commonly refer to this work of the Spirit as “conviction”. In the past, before we came to faith in Christ, we walked without the Spirit and our hearts we’re calloused towards God’s ways. Thankfully now, by His Spirit, our hearts are pricked when we disobey and we’re empowered to say “No” to the deeds of the flesh and “Yes” to the fruit of the Spirit.

3- The Word of God Trains Us in Righteousness.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and 36

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is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God inspired men to write down His creation story, His plan of redemption and His regulations for a blessed life. The more we take in God’s Word, the more prepared we are to say “No” to the lies of the Devil, our Flesh Nature and the World. When we choose to disobey God in sin we’ve been deceived in our thinking to believe that there’s a better way than what God has revealed to us in His Word. Eve and Adam we’re deceived in this manner by the Devil in the Garden of Eden, but Jesus, when tempted in like manner in the wilderness by the Devil, upheld God’s Word as the only true truth.

4- We Stay Alert By Prayer.

Even Jesus, who never sinned, spent hours upon hours praying. If Jesus believed prayer was a necessity, then how much more should we? Colossians 4:2 says to, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Consistent with this verse, well known American Pastor John Piper describes proper prayer as a For Advertising Information:

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wartime walkie-talkie. He writes, “Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den…Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for: Prayer is for the accomplishment of a wartime mission.”

5- Other Christians Equip You and Cheer You On Towards Holiness.

You’re not the only child of God living in this world. God has designed Christians to be one body with many parts. We are directed to come together so that in our unity a greater expression of God’s goodness can be displayed to the world and we will be spurred on towards holiness by one another. In coming together we all receive the spiritual fruit and blessing of each other’s God-prescribed gifting. This interaction takes place as the church gathers together in worship, over a meal, in ministry to neighbors or in prayer - all centered around God’s Word. One of the tactics of the Devil is to separate us from the pack. The more alone we get the more easily we’re able to be deceived because no friend is there to help counter any false thinking. God wants to bless your life through fellowship in a church. Every Christian should have regular and personal interaction with a variety of people in the church. Do you meet with your pastor, elder or Sunday School teacher regularly so they can speak the Word of God into your life and encourage you? Do you have a small group of close Christian friends who you meet with every week or two and who know you well enough to encourage you in your daily walk with the Lord and even challenge you in your thinking when necessary? This kind of life-on-life intimacy with other believers is part of God’s plan for blessing your life. There are a few other resources God has given us, too, but these five should be a part of your life on a daily basis interacting with each other. Well, I have to ask... are they? If not, then what’s informing you about how you should live?

blank. Now, I’m not talking about beliefs like Coke is better than Pepsi. I’m referring to world view beliefs that we perceive as truth. Thoughts like: I believe happiness is the most important thing, so as long as I’m happy, it’s okay. Or: I believe what’s right for me may not be right for you, but I’ve got to go with what my heart is telling me. Listen to your friends and maybe even yourself and see how often truth claims are coming out from the view that truth is born from inside each individual. This is what’s referred to as Relativism. When truth is relative, it means that we all get to come up with our own truth. With seven billion people in the world, that means we can have seven billion different versions of truth. Sounds absurd, I know, but if one person gets to define what truth is for them, then why can’t everyone else? And don’t dare say that someone’s truth is wrong or that your truth is more true, unless you want to be considered judgmental and narrow-minded. We live in a saturated culture of relativism that leaves little contrast for seeing life differently. Yet, here’s the problem with relativistic thinking. Truth isn’t found inside you. And thank goodness for that since we’re all selfish to the core. Non-Christians

are expected to have a wrong view of truth, because only Christians can understand that truth comes from God. As I mentioned above, Jesus combated the lies of the Devil’s temptations with God’s truth found in the Scriptures. Adam and Eve didn’t and the world has been broken ever since. Because God made our world and you and me, He knows how we’re all supposed to function. And we’re not in the dark on this either. Some truths are common to everyone and knowable just by living among God’s creation. This is known as General Revelation. Other truths about the world and our lives are considered Special Revelation, meaning they’ve been revealed to us supernaturally by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. Unlike the false foundation of autonomous living, his Special Revelation tells us that God is our Creator and sovereignly reigns according to His plans and purposes. This is what we Christians should base our lives on and what we can appropriate through the five resources above in order to live righteously. Jason Watson is the publisher of River Region’s Journey, along with four other regional magazines. He has a passion for seeing believers live a full life in Christ. If you would like to have Jason come and speak to your congregation or group, please email him at jwatson@keepsharing.com.

The False Foundation of Autonomous Living

One of the most common phrases I hear among non-Christians and Christians alike is: “I believe _________.” Fill in the Call 334.213.7940 today!

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Family Teams for Christ by Lisa and Mike Conn

Preserving Our Family’s Stories in the Hearts of Our Children About 10 years ago, our family continually bombarded homes and fortificacelebrated Independence Day with Mike’s tions. The populace retreated to caves in mother in his hometown of Vicksburg, Misthe hillsides, where the women and children sissippi. The city was proudly putting on a took refuge as the men continued the fight. huge fireworks display to celebrate the 4th. Food became increasingly scarce as the days Arriving downtown before dark, we secured of the siege passed, forcing soldiers and a good observation seat along a low brick civilians alike to subsist on half-rations, and wall, unwittingly disturbing some fire ants. I then, even less. Eventually, the besieged had taken Mike’s large, white handkerchief people ate whatever they could find, includto swat them off our daughter. We relocated ing wild cane, horses, mules, and even rats. a few feet away, and waited as more people Mike’s Memories arrived. In the Mike was born and raised in the historic city of Vicksburg, located high midst of our on the bluffs of the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. His mother’s conversation house is only a few blocks from “Old Man River”, which brought countand the general less opportunities for fun (and trouble) during his growing-up years. excitement, a One day, Mike and his older brother, Johnny, built a raft from scrap large lady sat lumber they found along the river banks. When it was ready, the two down on the boys hopped onto the raft and were immediately caught by the swift bricks close to current and carried out into the middle of the wide river. Johnny made us. Suddenly, a quick decision to dive off the raft upstream of a barge anchored in the she jumped up river. He yelled at Mike to do the same, but Mike, being younger and less and began to dance around, experienced with the river currents, hesitated. When he did jump in, it brushing at was too late to catch the rope from the barge. Johnny let go of the rope her legs and and swam close to Mike, urging him toward the bank. Mike remembers backside. his older brother continually encouraging him to keep swimming. Finally Instinctively, nearing total exhaustion, Mike felt the sandy bottom of the river’s edge I jumped up, touching his belly. It was an experience he will never forget and one the too, and started brothers didn’t tell their mother about until they were grown. vigorously

whacking her ample behind with Mike’s hanky. I think I choked out the words, “fire ants” before the lady made a hasty retreat and the real fireworks began. Later, Mike’s mother started chuckling at the memory, and before we could reach our car, we were all laughing hysterically! The story is now a favorite family memory—a story that will be passed on to our children’s children. Mike grew up hearing stories of the American Civil War—stories that took place right there in Vicksburg. The city was surrounded and attacked by the Union Army under the leadership of Generals Grant and Sherman. Held under siege for 47 long days, the families of Vicksburg were forced to endure much hardship as the shelling River Region’s Journey • July 2012

Clean water was just as scarce and many resorted to drinking from the river, which caused much disease and death. As the story was told to Mike during his growing up years, when Confederate General John Pemberton tried to surrender, General Grant delayed meeting with him for two days in order to ensure a more politically advantageous surrender on the 4th of July. Many more people died needlessly of starvation and disease during those two days. Finally the surrender was official on July 4, 1863. The embittered residents of Vicksburg did not celebrate the 4th of July again for 82 years, until 1945. Growing up exploring the bayous, cliffs, and caves of Vicksburg, Mike, his 38

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brother, and their friends often unearthed artifacts of the Civil War. The boys found a cannonball, countless minie balls, and even a pistol. In 1899, the Vicksburg National Military Park was created through an Act of Congress, preserving the infamous siege line and the historic heritage of Vicksburg. One of America’s most beautiful national memorial, it is the burial site for 17,000 Union soldiers, 13,000 of whom are unknown. As a teenager, Mike loved to ride his black quarter horse, Lady, through the military park, imagining he was charging forts and dodging bullets. Lady was special to Mike because he bought her with his own money made from working at Mississippi Hardware after school and during summers. Mike’s and Lady’s adventures came to a halt one day as they crossed an iron bridge in the military park. Park rangers were waiting for him and blocked off each end of the bridge. No more riding horses in the National Military Park! Today, a gigantic American flag flies over the Mississippi River Bridge close to Mike’s childhood home. Residents are honored to purchase a new flag whenever the old one becomes ripped and torn from the constant winds over the river. Seeing that glorious flag proudly flown over one of the largest rivers in the world, I remember not only the civil war, but the earlier battles fought during the Revolutionary War to win our country’s freedom and independence. I thank God for those brave men and women who sacrificed all to give our country liberty. May we always preserve our nation’s story and our family stories in the hearts of our children. God bless America! Lt. Col Mike Conn and wife, Lisa, founded Covenant Family Ministries when Mike retired from the Air Force in 1997. CFM is an independent marriage and family education ministry committed to partnering with churches, organizations, and individuals in Montgomery and across Alabama to build Family Teams for Christ. Married for over 30 years, Mike and Lisa have three wonderful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. For Advertising Information:

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Community Calendar Christian Community Calendar Christian Ongoing Happenings

AGLOW International meets every third Thursday, 9:30 at the Montgomery House of Prayer. All women welcome to join together for praise, prayer and an anointed message. Contact mboudousquie@yahoo.com. Beacon Light Ministries, Food Ministry is open on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Please bring I. D. and Proof of Government Assistance. Capitol Heights UMC, 2000 Winona Ave., Montgomery offers Parenting Classes beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays. 264-2464. Christchurch, 8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, offers a Women’s Enrichment Bible Study led by Jeanne Dean on Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in Canterbury Hall. All women are welcome. Childcare for ages birth-4 years is provided. Call 387-0566 x 201 for more info. Christchurch offers a men’s Bible study led by Fr. John-Michael van Dyke, on Thursday mornings on the 11th floor of Goode Medical Bldg, Jackson Hospital. Breakfast is served beginning at 6:45 a.m. and teaching begins at 7:15 a.m. Call 387-0566 x 201. Church of the Highlands meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. downtown Montgomery in the MPAC theater located in the Renaissance Hotel, 201 Tallapoosa Street. Visit churchofthehighlands.com or call 1-205-980-5577. Chisholm Baptist Church, 2938 Lower Wetumpka Road, Montgomery, holds Sunday morning Bible study (9:30), Morning worship (10:45), Tuesday prayer breakfast (8:30) Wednesday evening prayer service (6 pm) and Senior Body and Soul Group (every 1st Tuesday at 1 pm). Email jbass9784@charter.net or call 262-6437. Dexter Avenue UMC, 301 Dexter Avenue, offers a Friday Christian Night Club with Ballroom Dancing every Friday at 6:30 P.M. Cost is $5 for a one hour lesson, devotional, and 3 hours of DJ music. People of all denominations are welcome. First Presbyterian Church, 9299 Vaughn Road, hosts Family Night every Wednesday beginning at 5:20 p.m. with supper, followed by a study on prayer. Everyone is welcome. For more information call (279-1372). First Presbyterian Church, 9299 Vaughn Road, hosts a Men’s Prayer Breakfast every Friday morning, 6 a.m. The Youth of First United Methodist Church, Montgomery every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. for Wednesday Night Live, a time of praise and worship in “the attic”. Also, every Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. is MYF which includes a snack supper $3.00 followed by activities, small groups and lots of fun! Visit www. fumcmontgomery.org or call 334-834-8990. First United Methodist Church will host Terrific Tuesdays. Please come and join us for fellowship, a program and lunch. Terrific Tuesdays will meet each Tuesday in room 204 of Wesley Hall. Fellowship time will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a program at 10:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. The cost of lunch is $2.00. Every fourth Tuesday the time will extend until 3:00 p.m. for bridge, games, and other activities in room 203 in Wesley Hall. For additional information please contact NeeNee Webb at 8348990. Good News @ Noon is an interdenominational Bible study, held at the First Baptist Community Ministries

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

Building on Adams Street, Thursdays, at noon. Small cost for hot lunch. Call 272.1133. Hall Memorial CME Church, 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, offers Bible Study Tuesdays at 5:30 P.M. and Wednesdays at 6: 30 P.M. For directions or information call 334-288-0577. Email HallMemorialCME1@aol.com or visit www.HallMemorialCME. blogspot.com. iConnect.coffeehouse provides a place for women to experience meaningful fellowship with women seeking genuine connection. Meetings will be held in the Atrium at Frazer UMC 3rd Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. For more info, call Frazer’s Women’s Ministry at 495-6391. Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Road, invites all to Wonderful Wednesdays starting with a $3.00 meal at 5:30 pm (RSVP 277-4213 by Monday noon), worship with eucharist 6:15-7:00 pm, and adult choir rehearsal and Catechism class for 7th-9th graders at 7:00 pm. Please call for Wednesday schedule due to seasonal breaks. For information, call 277-4213. Mt. Gillard Missionary Baptist Church, 3323 Day Street, holds Wednesday Bible Study in the church Fellowship Hall and lasts for one hour. Please come and participate in roaming the Bible learning God’s word through teaching. The Rev. Henry M. Carnegie, Jr. is the teacher and pastor. Mid-day Bible Study begins each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Evening Bible Study begins each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Call 233-8750. New Freedom Worship Center, 6004 –A East Shirley Lane, Apostle T. Briggs~ Pastor; Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Open Door Christian Faith Church, 1601 Dewey St. Montgomery, offers Women’s Prayer Mondays at 5:00, Men’s prayer Wednesday at 5:00, followed by bible study at 6:00. Couples ministry held every 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00. Pastor William Cromblin, and the Open Door Church family invites you to “come experience the move of God. For more info, call the church at 334-269-6498. Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Rd, sponsors a Bluegrass Jam in the Church Fellowship Hall on the third Saturday of each month from 9AM - 12AM. All Bluegrass Artist plus Fans are invited to attend. Attendance is FREE. For information call Kathy@ 272-3174. Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Rd, hosts a Wednesday Night Supper and Revive! program each week from 5:30pm til 7:00pm. Reservations are required by noon on the Monday prior to the supper. Cost is $4 per person or $12 per family. Call 334-2723174 for more information or to make reservations. The River of Life Church, 116 County Road 40 East (Pine Level Community Center) Prattville. You are invited to “A Place of New Beginnings. Services are held each Sunday: Early Worship 9:15 a.m.; Sunday School 10:30 a.m.; Worship Service 11:00 a.m.; Evening Worship 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday: Adult Bible Study 6:00 p.m.; Teens, “The Genesis Project” 6:00 p.m.: Royal Rangers, Stars & Prims 6:00 p.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Nick Edwards invites you to “come experience God in a personal way, feel loved by all and know that you belong”. Call 334-657-0392 or visit www.theriveroflifechurch.net. Saint James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road, offers S.N.A.G. (Sunday Nights About God!) This program 40

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starts at 5:00p.m. and ends at 6:30p.m. Childcare is provided for small groups until 7:00p.m. Don’t forget this program is available for all children! Saint James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road, offers Wild & Wacky Wednesdays! Wednesday night supper starts at 5:15p.m. We will start checking children in at 6:00p.m. This program ends at 7:30p.m. and childcare is provided until 8:00p.m. for small group participants. Call 277.3037 for more info. St. Mark UMC, holds a Men’s Bible Study every Friday morning at 6:30 a.m., at the Arby’s at EastChase. Call 272.0009. Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 706 E. Patton Avenue, “Clothes Closet” is open to the public each Thursday morning from 10 a.m. – Noon. The Men of Saint Paul host a free Men’s Prayer Breakfast the Third Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall. The Men’s Prayer Breakfast is open to all men of all ages. Come and share your concerns and needs of our Men of today. For more information, please contact (334) 354-1897. Bible Study is held each Wednesday, 6-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Farrell J. Duncombe is the teacher and Senior Pastor of the church. Come and join us for Sunday School each Sunday at 9 a.m. and Morning Worship at 10 a.m. Need transportation, call (334) 264-7618. For info call 286.8577 or www.saintpaulamemontgomery.com. S-STOP, a commUNITY Bible study for Singles. Souls Strengthened Together for One Purpose. Psalm 46:10 “BE STILL and know that I am God.” Meets at Prattville Christian Academy on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. For info email sstop04@gmail.com. Women at The Well Ministry meet at Remnant Worship Center on Endover Street off of Court Street behind the Feed and Seed Store at 1:00pm every 1st and 3rd Saturday. We are women who desire and have a heart to see broken, crushed, hurting women be transformed through the one man who can fulfill their every need...JESUS...THE POTTER. All women of all denominations are welcome to come and share the Word of God together....to encourage, and build one another up through the words of our testimonies. Evangelist Linda McCall, 334-220-1924 for more info.

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This Month July 11-13

On July 11-13 from 9am-12noon, Saint James UMC will be hosting Summer Sport Xtreme 2012, a sports camp for rising 1st-5th graders. Each athlete will get to play baseball, basketball, kickball, and soccer. The $75 registration fee includes a camp t-shirt, 9 instruction hours from college and high school athletes, a daily snack, and a daily devotional. Each sport instructor will not only teach sport specific skills, but will also teach sportsmanship through Biblical principles. For questions: email wsmithart@huntingdon.edu or call 334-481-0743. Register online: http://www. sjlife.com/#/ministries/recreation.

July 14

On July 14 at 8 am, Saint James UMC will be hosting Bodies In Service 3 Mile Run/Walk. For Advertising Information:

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The registration fee is $20 before July 7 ($25 late registration). Proceeds from this event will go to benefit Root Ministry and the work of Honduras missionary Morgan Hayden. Read about Morgan’s journey through her blog: rootministry.blogspot.com. For more information call Race Director: 334-744-0011. Register on Active.com.

July 17-22

Women in Ministry International (WIMI) presents Empowerment Training For Women who know that God has called them to impact this generation for Him and to leave a legacy that will shine for future generations. Many women who know that they are called by God have questions and concerns or feel restricted in some way. This is the training that will equip them by providing the necessary tools, resources, encouragement and support. Weekdays 5:30PM-9PM, Saturday 9AM-4PM, Sunday Graduation; Where: Fresh Anointing House of Worship, 4870 Woodley Road, Montgomery, AL 36116. For more info call Paula Stallworth (334) 613-3364 or www. womenintl.net or forwomenintl@gmail.com.

July 27-28

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Rush of Fools will be in concert at Vaughn Forest Church on July 27-28. Call 334-2795433 for more information or tickets.

July 28

A Relay for Health and Wellness will be held from 8:00 am—12 noon at Mount Gillard

Missionary Baptist Church, 3323 Day Street, in Montgomery. Theme: Restoring The Temple of Christ. For More Information, please contact: Mrs. Choona Lang at 334-233-8750. Woodland UMC will sponsor a Back to School Blast from 8-11 a.m. at Woodland UMC, 4428 Wallahatchie Road, Pike Road (intersection of Vaughn & Wallahatchie Roads) For all children ages K5-12th grades. Free school supplies (including bookbags to first 600 children, pencils, paper and other supplies); health screenings (blood pressure, diabetes, vision, hearing, & dental screens); fun & giveaways (such as free school shoes in limited sizes/amounts--first come, first served); games & prizes; snacks; free haircuts & much, much more... Everything is FREE!!! Call the church office at 272-7230.

August 3-5

info, go to www.KingsCourts.com or call (334) 285-7357.

August 5 through 10

Harvest Family Church would like to invite you to join us for our 20th Anniversary Celebration Camp Meeting. Sunday services will be at 8:45 and 10:30 AM and 7 PM. Monday through Friday services will be at 7 PM. Our special guest speakers will be Kevin and Anne Durant, Phillip Slaughter, Joe Morris and Shekinah Glory. Nursery through Elementary classes will be provided for all of the services. We are located at 7245 Copperfield Drive in Montgomery, AL. For more information about the meetings visit our website at www.harvestfamilychurch.com or call (334) 277-1156.

August 11

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July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Got Life?

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by Elaine Britt

Got Gatherings? Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another… Hebrews 10:25 Imagine yourself at a business or committee meeting - with one exception to the norm. In this instance, you are the only one who talks. Take a moment and place yourself there. All are gathered, anticipating rousing discussion and valuable input …and you alone seem to have a voice and an opinion. How would that work for you? Regardless of your wealth of knowledge, I fear the outcome would be less than optimal. Scripture has much to say regarding our togetherness as Christians. Romans 12:4-5 explains that, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same

function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Likening us to a body with many parts, we can conclude that functioning separately would be less than successful. A lone finger, ankle, or ear would appear quite bazaar if observed running loose, attached to nothing. So we, functioning alone, cannot expect to please God. Jesus himself chose to be alone only when he set himself apart to meet with his Father in prayer. Not only did Jesus allow himself to be surrounded by humanity, but his disciples did likewise after his ascension. Acts 4:32-35 reveals that they went well beyond this as: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they

had… and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. From time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. While we are not called upon to dwell this closely with our fellow believers, the Biblical model clearly underscores the importance of our interaction. Why is gathering and interaction so vital to our journey as believers? Why

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Building the lives of young people on Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone.

NOW REGISTERING K5 THRU 12TH GRADES At Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy, our goal is to equip students with the knowledge, skill and vision necessary to be effective leaders and servants for our Lord Jesus Christ. Morningview Baptist Church • 125 Calhoun Road • (334) 356-7788 • www.ccamontgomery.org River Region’s Journey • July 2012

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can’t I live out my faith at home, absorbing Biblical teaching from TV and the internet? Doesn’t God meet each one of us where we are as we reach out to him in prayer? The answer is twofold, involving what we have to offer to others and what we need to receive from them. Yes, God indeed meets us wherever we are individually, but Scripture also tells us that, ‘For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them’ (Matthew 18:20). We each possess amazing qualities and gifts from God and we are each ‘wired’ differently. No one will benefit from your ‘gifts’ if you are not present. Not only that, but you may not become aware of your unique abilities unless and until you are in the midst of those who will recognize and acknowledge them. Regardless of our opinion on the matter, God did not spend his creative energies on someone with nothing to offer! Pondering this, what never ceases to amaze me in varied gatherings of believers, whether in a study or social setting, is the extent of wisdom available for the taking. Further, the sources of this wisdom would be perplexed to learn

Call 334.213.7940 today!

that they were regarded as such. Oswald Chambers explains, “Who are the people who have influenced us most? Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine liveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.” Whether or not we are aware of it, we are each a valuable part of the ‘body.’ Beyond our need to contribute, we also require input. The Lord quickens our spirits and reveals truths through his Word, the Bible, certainly. Equally if not more so, however, we are taught by others as they share their personal revelations. Revisiting the meeting where you are the only one in attendance with a voice, so we limit our capacity to grow in faith by restricting our association with fellow believers. A strong example is offered by pastor and Bible scholar Ben Witherington III in

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his study book On the Road with Jesus. He tells of a current author whose work includes 2095 words. This author issued a worldwide request for volunteers to each have one word tattooed in a visible place to complete the story. The response was overwhelming. Witherington proposes, “What if the message of Jesus can be truly and fully understood only… when it is incarnated in us, and only together as a living group can we make sense of it, with each one of us having but one piece of the puzzle to contribute to that understanding of the story?” Let us each make the effort to gather with fellow believers, doing so with spiritual eyes and ears open, availing ourselves of the treasure that surrounds us, thereby supplying our inimitable ‘piece of the puzzle.’ Elaine Britt, husband Tim, and teenage son Kevin reside in Montgomery, with son Bryan at UAH in Huntsville. She counts her family as a great blessing. By profession, Elaine is a 30-year-veteran Interior Decorator and owner of Carriage House Interiors. By God’s calling and to her great joy, she is a writer, whose published works include stories in A Cup of Comfort Devotionals; Lord, I Was Happy Shallow; and Heavenly Patchwork; one book, Messages, as well as various articles in several magazines and e-zines.

July 2012 • River Region’s Journey

Movie Reviews Reviews provided by MovieGuide: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment Ratings are based on production quality and moral acceptability. See details below. ***Reviews do not necessarily reflect views of the publishers of River Region’s Journey.

For Greater Glory

Hardflip

Quality: *** Moral Acceptability: -1 (Caution) Starring: Andy Garcia, Oscar Isaac, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Santiago Cabrera, Ruben Blades, Eduardo Verástegui, Eva Longoria, Peter O’Toole, Alma Martinez, Bruce Greenwood, Bruce McGill Genre: Drama Audience: Older children to adults Rating: R Content: Very strong Christian worldview about Christians standing for Jesus in the face of secular humanist, socialist dictators who want to destroy the church, surprisingly with no particular theologies that might offend other Christian denominations, plus a strong evangelical message that’s strongly against totalitarian, communist dictatorship and supports religious freedom; no foul language; strong but not gory or graphic wartime violence includes shootings, knifings, bayonetings, hangings, fights; no sex, just kissing between married couple; no nudity; alcohol use; smoking; and, strong American government officials and one weak American ambassador, corrupt Mexican officials, and priests go to war. FOR GREATER GLORY is a memorable movie. In 1920s Mexico, the power hungry socialist president tries to shut down all the churches. He calls for draconian measures and tells his cronies he will enforce them with an iron fist. He proceeds to send the Federales to shoot innocent people in churches, including executing priests. All over Mexico, a resistance starts. The movement and its people are called the Cristeros because of their commitment to Christ. The movie focuses on Enrique, whose wife is a very committed Christian. Even though he’s not a strong Christian, he fights for the Cristeros because he believes in religious freedom, and he loves his wife. FOR GREATER GLORY has some wonderful scenes and great characters. Andy Garcia does a terrific job as Enrique. Some scenes are so haunting they embed themselves in your memory. That said, there are too many subplots and characters, which slows down the plot a little. Even so, FOR GREATER GLORY is a very important, captivating movie that needs to be seen. It’s a powerful argument for Christian liberty in the face of tyranny, but caution is advised for some violence.

Quality: *** Moral Acceptability: +1 (Wholesome) Starring: Randy Wayne, John Schneider, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Michael, Sean Michael Afable, Louise Griffiths, Sean Michael Afable, Matt Ziff Genre: Drama Audience: Older children to adults Rating: PG-13 Content: Very strong Christian, evangelistic worldview set in the world of skateboarding gangs with some illicit behavior, usually rebuked; one obscenity; some fighting, mother collapses with a brain tumor, skateboard gangs scuffle, mild fighting, boy tries to commit suicide on alcohol and drugs, gang leader threatens a couple people; no overt sex but discussion of having child out of wedlock; no nudity; alcohol use and abuse; drug use; and, boy forges mother’s name on a check to enter into skateboard contest. HARDFLIP is a compelling movie with a Christian worldview. Caleb is an angry, alienated teenage son of a single mom. After his mother collapses from a brain tumor, Caleb comes across love letters from his father. His father didn’t want the responsibility of a son but has been sending checks every month, which his mother never cashed. Caleb finds out his father is a wealthy architect developer. He confronts his father. He also forges his mother’s signature on a check to pay the entry fee in a skateboarding contest. After his father pays his bail, Caleb contemplates suicide. Will he ever get his life together? HARDFLIP has been shaped into a movie with a compelling storyline. It’s also a movie with a lot of evangelistic content. A homeless man appears in several scenes with signs representing biblical wisdom. A famous British skateboarder tells Caleb about Jesus Christ. The essence of the story is to forgive others, then to forgive yourself. This occurs on many different levels. There’s some skateboard mild violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and verbal battles in HARDFLIP. However, the conclusion is very redemptive, uplifting, and satisfying.

The previous reviews are a selected sample of informative reviews from MOVIEGUIDE: A FAMILY GUIDE TO MOVIES AND ENTERTAINMENT, a syndicated feature of Good News Communications, Inc. To subscribe to MOVIEGUIDE which includes a complete set of at least 10 reviews of the latest movies as well as many informative articles, please visit our web site at www.movieguide.org or write or call:”MOVIEGUIDE,” P.O. Box 190010, Atlanta, GA 31119 (800) 899-6684. What the ratings mean: Production Quality: (1 to 4 stars) Moral Acceptability: -4 (Abhorrent), -3 (Excessive), -2 (Extreme Caution), -1 (Caution), +1 (Wholesome), +2 (Good), +3 (Moral), +4 (Exemplary)

River Region’s Journey • July 2012

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... is believing that smokeless tobacco will not leave a mark on your life.

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