| Registration for kids will not open until May 1st. For now, we’re just recruiting volunteers. We have around 15-20 already signed up but we still need another 15-20 volunteers. If you are in town and available please consider jumping in to serve!
We need help in the following areas:
5 more volunteers in Preschool
5 more volunteers in Grades 1-5
5 more volunteers in Piece Kids
For those who don’t know what Piece Kids is, it is a ministry Broadview has to families with special needs children. This ministry is also available on Sunday mornings. (We had taken a break due to COVID-19 but now we are brining it back online. If you know any families that might be of interest of well served by this ministry please contact Robin.)
We have a VBS volunteer training on May 13th at 6PM.
We will need everybody signed up before then.
The last thing I’ll say about VBS is that this year we are capping the attendance. This was originally due to concerns with COVID and taking proper measures to ensure social distancing and the like. The lack of volunteers is also a factor in why we are limiting the number of kids for this year.
I say all this to say that when registration opens on May 1st you’ll want to register your children ASAP to ensure they get a spot! I believe the cap is 100 children so be sure you act fast. If you serve in the VBS, your children will for sure be able to participate.
Block Party at Broadview West
The second event that’s coming up in a few weeks is a big block party at Broadview West. In 2006 Broadview planted a campus on the West side of Abilene just north of Dyess Air Force Base on Military Dr. (6500 block to be exact) Over the years Broadview West has grown into a tight knit family and provides an important ministry to the neighborhoods surrounding the church.
Here lately, when new people from our South 27th location hear about Broadview West they say things like, “Oh really? I didn’t even know we had another campus.” Some of that is because Broadview West functions more like a stand alone church than it does a “multi-site” model that you see in larger churches. Even so, it’s important that every member of Broadview understands and appreciates the ministry at Broadview West.
What is Broadview West?
To help you understand the ministry at Broadview West and the relationship between the South 27th location and the campus on 6500 Military Drive, let me try and describe the basics. Broadview West has live preaching every Sunday and is under the direct leadership of Pastor Vernon Ferguson. That means we do not pipe in my sermon via video nor do they typically use the same preaching calendar. Broadview West is not a replica of the ministries that take place at the South 27th campus. We tried that early on but it didn’t prove to be a very effective model for that particular context.
That said, even though Broadview West isn’t a “multi-site” of Broadview, it is an extension of Broadview’s ministry to the city of Abilene. We are “one church” in the sense that we share the same budget, are under the same spiritual leadership (Pastoral Team), constitution and by-laws and hnew to the same mission and vision. Therefore we are ONE church family. We just “do church” in two different locations. (much like we “do church” in three different services at the South 27th location)
Throughout the year we have events where members from both campuses can worship together (conferences, church-wide meals, Monday night prayer, etc). We also have a “Vision Night” every year around August or September and we bring both campuses together to celebrate what God is doing in our church.
COVID threw a monkey wrench in most of the shared gatherings last year and there have been so many new people join our church at the South 27th location that many of them simply don’t know about the ministry at Broadview West. That’s why we’re going to have a “Family Gathering” at our West Campus and do a “shared outreach event” through a Block Party.
Join us May 22nd at 5PM!
We will host the Block party on May 22nd from 5:00-6:30PM. We will have hot dogs, air castles, fun and games and a great time. We will need people to help out with cooking and setting up and tearing down so if you’re able to help please reach out to Tiffany and let her know.
For those that don’t know, I ministered at Broadview West from 2006 to 2010 (after which I was involved in the pastoral transition that took place in 2013). Broadview West has a special place in my heart and always will. I can’t wait for both campuses to get together and for newcomers at both locations to see the unique impact of being one church in twolocations.
Embrace Grace Shower
In sticking with the theme of serving our city and being personally engaged in the mission and vision of Broadview, I want to close this week’s update with information about Embrace Grace. Embrace Grace is a ministry to single moms in our church and the city of Abilene. Specially it’s a ministry that walks with single moms during their pregnancy. We want to make sure they have the necessary love and support to welcome a new child into this world.
For moms that don’t have a “church family,” we want to model what a church family looks and feels like. One of the ways we do that is through Baby Showers that bless the socks off these new moms and offer some financial assistance in what is otherwise a VERY expensive season of life.
This semester’s Baby Shower will be on May 1st at 2:00PM in the Main Building Fellowship Hall.
Please consider stopping by to meet these special moms and celebrate the new life they are bringing into the world.
Three percent of every dollar you give to Broadview goes to a “local missions” fund that supports ministries like Embrace Grace. That means we are able to buy car seats and strollers and other big piece items. But we also want you to be involved at a personal level. Even if you can’t attend the actual shower, you can still be personally involved.
On Sunday morning you’ll see a Embrace Grace kiosk in the Gathering Place with “item tags” hanging on a banner to be taken. Item tags include things like diapers, baby toys, outfits, diaper bags, bouncer seats, wipes, blankets, burp cloths and more. (see full list here)
When these moms discover that so many people personally invested their time and money into blessing them and investing into the life of their child it really speaks a powerful word of love and support. It’s an easy and IMPORTANT way for you to communicate the truth of the Gospel to these single moms.
So this Sunday I hope that EVERY ITEM TAG is missing from the Embrace Grace kiosk and that we receive more than enough donations to cover the needed items for this year’s shower. You can donate here if you want to just support the project financially.
If you have any questions or want to be personally involved in this ministry at a more direct level I know Janet would love to speak with you. You can reach out to her here.
Conclusion
That’s it for this week! You can read about more upcoming events below if you’re interested. Also, you’ll see our church is catching up from being behind budget earlier this year. A special thank you to those who have given above and beyond their usual tithes/offerings to support the ministry of our church. The Lord is moving in a fresh way in our congregation and I’m so thankful for His presence in our worship services.
I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we continue our study in the book of the Revelation and then again on Monday as we gather to pray. If you have an unchurched friend or family member then consider inviting them THIS WEEKEND and join me in praying for God to move in a special way.
Until He Comes,
Pastor Wes |
