Free Will BaptistFamily Ministries

he word “Christmas” brings many images to our minds – presents, family dinners, snow, vacation from school, a few days off work and yards filled with lights and decorations, as well as carols around the tree and reading the

Christmas story in Luke 2. I pray our thoughts would turn first to what Christmas really is and the reason we celebrate during this season. The Christ Child came to bring peace to our hearts and salvation to the world through His death on the cross. Jesus was born so He could die for us. From the cradle to the cross, His love is evident all around us.

Our goal at Family Ministries is to demonstrate that love to our young people each and every day and share the promise of the Cradle and the hope of the Cross so they will seek a personal relationship with Christ.

Thank you for always being there for us and your faithful, generous support. Great things are happening, and you enable us to continue serving our young people. Please help us make Christmas a special time for them this year with your gifts and financial offerings so they, too, can make loving memories of faith and family. We appreciate you so much. God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

In His Service,Rev. Frank Woods Executive Director

Winter 2013/2014

Christmas is...The Cradle To The Cross

Below are honor/memorials given from June 8, 2013 – October 31, 2013. If your gift has been omitted, please call 423.278.1564.

Cut form and mail your gift to:

90 Stanley Lane, Greeneville, TN 37743

Remember a loved one through a memorial or contribution in their honor.

Donor:

__________________________________

(Choose One):o In Memory Of o In Honor Of

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Acknowledgement Sent To:

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T

Rev. Frank WoodsExecutive Director

Thank you for always being there for us and your faithful, generous support.

In Memory DonorCarl K. Barlow First FWB Church - RickmanDonald Ralph “Donnie Barton Baileyton Masonic LodgeWilliam E. “Willie” Church Bill & Ann CarterFannie Elizabeth Collier Frances S. Adams, Bobby & Rebecca Byrd, Rhonda Hawn, Pleasant View Baptist Church, Parker’s Chapel, Smith Sisters & FamiliesDeborah DePoy Thomas & Cynthia Ault, Arlene Avery, Mark Avery, Paul DePoy, William & Sherry Jagger, John & Merry Johnson, First FWB Church-Rolling Prairie, Michigan City Municipal Band, Melody Povlack Velma DeBoy First FWB Church–Dunkirk, Joy Johnson, B. J. McCowan, Bonnie PruittTruman Davis Frank & Shirley WoodsJanet Ruth Gober, Rev. Vernon Gober Ruthie B. GoberCathy Holcombe Frank & Shirley WoodsArden Russell Hunsucker Linda L. DraperBarton Horne, Edward Horne, John Horne, Wanda HorneJunior Horne, Johnnie NorrisHarold Jones Dawnita SnyderLanny David Justice Baileyton Masonic LodgeKenneth Looney Frank & Shirley WoodsJohn & Ruth Plyler Joe Ray & Judy ShortSherman Pritchard, Jr. Gail PritchardCatherine Rauls Faith FWB Church - Jonesboro, ARPatsy Peoples Smith Bill & Ann CarterEvelyn “Billie” Snapp Cheryl W. Farthing, First FWB Church-White Pine, James & Mildred Gray, Bob & Barbara Griswold, Clo & Coley Hayes, Pete & Pat Kammer, John & Alice Penn, Shirley Schahrer, James & Audrey Vick, Stanley & Janice WilderCarmen Alexander White Baileyton Masonic Lodge

In Honor DonorHelen Lusk & all mothers Donald LuskRev. & Mrs. Jason Willaford Larry & Rita Hampton

Christmas Is... Cherishing Loved Ones

&90 Stanley Lane, Greeneville, TN 37743

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PAIDNashville, TNPermit #380

n August 20, Family Ministries was honored to host Dr. Ben Carson as

guest speaker for our annual Hope Center Celebration. An overflow crowd heard Dr. Carson share his heart for our nation. We want to say a huge “THANK YOU!” to all who made this night such an amazing success. From January through September of 2013, 462 families have

been served with clothes given to 500 children, over 1,000 packs of diapers have been distributed, and we have seen 85 babies born!

For 19 years, Bro. Jack Taylor has held a fall rally for Family Ministries in the upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. Each year, Jack enlists more churches who respond in tremendous ways! This year’s rally was held on October 3rd, at First Free Will Baptist Church in Livingston, TN. Pastor Derrick Copeland and his

church served as wonderful hosts by providing special music and a delicious meal. Rev. Derek Bell, Director of Development for

Family Ministries, brought the message. This year was a record year as approximately 45

churches participated, and the offering totaled $76,109.03! This is a testament to the wonderful blessing of God and

a lot of hard work on the part of Jack and Betty Taylor. Thank you to all the churches and pastors that helped make this rally such a special event

October 24th was the official ground breaking for the “School Expansion Project!” This will give our school staff and young people the space needed to ensure a quality educational experience. Next to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing our young people with a good solid education is of the utmost importance to their future success. Currently, we have about 75% of our $1 million goal. We have an individual that has offered to match

up to $100,000 if our churches help us raise $100,000. Every dollar you give will be doubled!

Please consider helping us reach that goal. Your gift may be doubled by one, but multiplied by God!

The Family Ministries is also celebrating our annual Primitive Quartet Singing that is just around the corner. Join us on Friday, November 29, 7pm, at Valley Forge FWB Church, Elizabethton, for an evening of praise and worship.

Mark your calendars NOW for our big day to be held October 18, 2014, beginning at 10 a.m. We will be celebrating 75 years of service in Tennessee, Virginia and Arkansas. It will be a huge day filled with worship, sharing memories, food and fun activities for all ages. Be sure to plan on sharing this momentous day with us.

Christmas is... so many things all wrapped up in one day. But all the wonderful things we celebrate pale in comparison to the fact Jesus was born to die for us, and that’s the message our young people need to hear. It may be told through Wal-Mart gift cards you send so that house parents and foster parents can buy needed items, as well as maybe a longed-for gift. This is a huge need for us. It’s heard when churches bring gifts and spend time with young people who may have no family to wish them a Merry Christmas or speak kind words to them. Christ’s love may be shown through a check marked “Christmas” inside a card that brings tears to our eyes as we read it and a smile to faces that open gifts bought with that check.

You can have a part in making Christmas a time of love, joy and peace for others. Will you prayerfully consider what you can do for young people who need to see God’s love lived out? Even though you may never see the faces of those you help, the love shown by your actions will have a lasting impact on their lives. Please call 423-278-1564 and make a difference this Christmas!

The Hope Center is also gearing up for its annual Operation Christmas Child for the children of their clients who are 2 and under. If not for this program, some would have no gifts to open, and the loving spirit of Christmas is so evidence in the wonder of a child. They are presented the gospel message of the Christmas story and give gifts made possible by donations. For more information on how you can be involved, please call Sharon Hodgens at 423-638-5433.

During the holidays, many of us share a treasured tradition of decorating the Christmas tree together as a family. Unfortunately, many of our young people have never had that experience. So, we strive to help them make memories of special times as part of a family. Through our caring house parents and foster families, they are able to make happy memories of special holiday times. Each of our on-campus cottages, along with the Florence Crittenton home in Arkansas and all of our Foster Families, ensure the twinkling lights and shiny tinsel reflect more than just a tree, but that our young people are in a place of peace and

comfort, surrounded by love and the joy of the season.Would you like to be a part of sharing your love of family with

others? There are several ways you can do this. Make a year-end gift to make Christmas a great memory for those we serve. You may also want to consider being a foster parent or house parents who give of themselves to give others a home. We would love to give you more information about these possibilities.

The Oaks experienced a great summer camp season. Hundreds of young people and adults experienced the beauty of God’s creation while drawing closer to the Creator. This winter, take advantage of our year-round facilities and enjoy rocking on the porch by the huge outdoor fireplace. Christmas carols always sound great outdoors!

Both The Laurels in Wise, VA, and Governor’s Bend in Erwin, TN, have big, roaring fireplaces in their living room areas. These provide a comfortable, cozy place for the residents to pull up a rocking chair, chat about their day and reminisce about many Christmases spent with family. Our assisted living facilities are beautiful, safe places for our seniors to enjoy life and fellowship with friends.

Christmas Is... Celebration Christmas Is... A Time Of Giving Christmas Is... A Roaring Fire

On Oct. 20, Judy Moss, her dog Lucy & Pete Chitwood, first residents to call Governor’s Bend “home”, cut the celebratory birthday cake, commemorating the facility’s one year anniversary.

O

Ben Carsonr

Christmas Is... A Family Tree

School expansion project ground breaking.

Next to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing our young people with a good solid education is of the utmost importance to their future success.