New Service Times and Schedule

On September 8 we are moving to three worship service hours! The schedule is as follows:

• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (first service)
• 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM (second service)
• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (third service)

During each hour we will offer Adult Life Groups and Preschool Life Groups. We also offer several other ministry opportunities for families during the morning:

• Elementary Life Groups -- 1st - 4th Grade (9:00 AM and 10:15 AM)
• BOOM! Children's Worship -- K5 - 4th Grade (10:15 AM and 11:30 AM)
• FLYTE Preteen Ministry -- 5th - 6th Grade (10:15 AM and 11:30 AM)
• Students -- 7th - 12th Grade (10:15 AM)
• Special Needs (Younger Children at 9:00 AM and Older Children at 10:15 AM)
• En Espanol -- (Life Groups at 10:15 and Worship at 11:30 AM)

Saturday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:1‐2) 

2 Timothy is about endurance. Specifically endure or persevere in your faith. In chapter 1, Paul urged Timothy to remain loyal to Christ, warning him about certain disloyal workers. In light of that, Paul encouraged Timothy to persevere and not back down. In chapter 2, Paul focused squarely on how to persevere. In the first 13 verses, Paul used several illustrations from ordinary life (teachers, soldiers, athletes, and farmers) to teach us principles on how to eliminate the drain of spiritual power, enabling us to persevere.

How do we persevere? First Paul teaches us ways to be strengthened. Let’s focus here on just the first illustration that Paul uses, a teacher. Paul’s command in verse 2 is to take what you have heard and pass it on to others. By the way, this is a test of a reliable disciple. Do you take the things you are taught and teach or deliver it to others? This is The Teacher Principle: Transfer What You Learn. In other words, you can’t just keep gathering and gathering information. You must you share what you hear and learn with other people.

You gain strength by giving to others what you learn. You can’t build strength by watching every Bible video you can, by attending every Bible study you can, and then hoarding it for yourself like a sponge. In fact, those that do this are actually the weakest spiritually, making it difficult to stand in face of difficult circumstances.

Let me ask you this by way of illustration: Do you attend church or other Bible studies and take notes on what you hear? Are you one that really likes to see the outline of what the teacher is saying? Then let me ask you this: What do you do with those notes? Do you ever look at them again? Do you place them in a drawer at home? What does Paul say we are to do? Take it and pass it on to someone else! If you don’t, you are breaking the teacher principle.

I have not had the opportunity to visit the Dead Sea but I have learned some things about it. It is almost 1,400 feet below sea level, making it the lowest elevation point on earth. As a result, everything flows into it but nothing can flow out. Therefore, it has an extremely high salt content and nothing can live in stagnant, overly salty water. Guess what? That’s why they call it the Dead Sea. Everything in – nothing out. Sadly, this describes the lives of some believers, taking in teaching and preaching week after week and not ever taking what is taught and passing it on to others. Even more sadly, this is most true about sharing the good news of God’s free gift of salvation and eternal life!

Believers who choose to live this way are most often undernourished spiritually and, consequently, are underdeveloped, confused, disoriented, and immature in the things of the Lord. There is much activity in their lives, but little spiritual fruit; much talk about Christianity, but little conviction; high moral proclamations, but little accountability; doctrinal convictions, but much compromise. Begin the journey to spiritual health by passing to others what you take in. Experience spiritual strength like never before!

SATURDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for our Life Group teachers that their weekly lessons will overflow from what God is doing in them week by week. Pray for the new Life Group that will be starting September 8 led by Eric and Helen Brantley that God will bring the people who need to be there, that God will bless with rich, new relationships and a renewed spiritual hungering.

2. Pray for our church as we seek to be faithful disciples. Pray that the staff that are working to develop helps for individuals and small groups identify where they are in the disciple making process and how to continue to grow.

3. Praise the Father for a fruitful kick-­‐off of our Ignite Marriage Ministry. Pray that we as a church will be able to support marriages within the church. Pray for families to take necessary steps to protect and build healthy marriages.

4. Pray that the individuals of Apex Baptist are compelled to share Christ with throughout our community, that evangelism and making disciples will become the main goal of their every endeavor at work, at play, at school, with family, with friends, with total strangers.

5. Pray for our men’s ministry. Praise God for raising up godly men who lead their families and our church. Ask the Father to help them stand strong for biblical values in manhood.

6. Pray for women’s ministry. Praise God for women who desire to serve God with their lives. Ask the Father to help them stand strong for biblical values in womanhood.

7. Praise the Lord for our many senior adults who have not resigned from serving the Lord and growing in His might. Pray for them to continue to use their gifts in the church. Pray for the many who struggle with living alone, medical concerns, decisions they are faced with maybe for the first time.

2013 Deacon Nominees

Here are your 2013 Deacon Nominees! We'll be holding a short business meeting on Sunday, September 8 in all three worship services to vote!

LANCE RICHTER AND FAMILY

Name: Lance Richter
Wife's Name: Jeani Richter
Kids Names and Ages: Benjamin – 16, Joseph – 13, and Alexis – 6
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Usher, Upward Referee and Coach Commissioner, Date Night Director, AV in Youth, Small Group Leader Youth and Youth Teacher
Testimony: I was raised Jewish and attended Temple until I was 12 years old. Growing up, it was a struggle being in a divorced home situation. However, looking back, I know God was directing my path. God continually allowed people to share the love of Christ with me even though I initially rejected Him. At 16, God put Jeani and her family in my life. Over the next several years, they witnessed, answered questions and shared Christ’s love with me. I started attending church off and on throughout college. One evening after a deep discussion over the Bible, I felt a peace I had never felt before. At 22, I surrendered my life to Christ and thank God daily for opening my eyes and heart to His love!

SEAN WHALEN AND FAMILY

Name: Sean Whalen
Wife's Name: Katrina Whalen
Kids Names and Ages: Colin – 16 and Ryan – 12
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Sanchez Life Group, Youth Group Chaperone, Former 2nd Grade SS and Awana leader for 10+ years.
Testimony: I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior in Akron, Ohio, in January 1987 -- it was clear that I had hit bottom in many areas of my life and that if I kept driving, I would probably be dead (or in jail). In short order He blessed my with a beautiful and Godly wife (Katrina), brought us to the Raleigh/Cary area in 1993, and blessed us with kids in 1996 and 2000. And the time since? "Wow... what a ride!" Iam am so thankful for the ways God has chosen to move in my life. He's challenged me to grow in my knowledge of Him through things like teaching 2nd graders. He's helped me totally and thoroughly put my reliance on Him through my cancer diagnosis and treatments.

BRUCE TILLEY AND FAMILY

Name: Bruce Tilley
Wife's Name: Marsha Tilley
Kids Names and Ages: Thomas – 24, Andrew -- 23, Joseph -- 20, Charity -- 17 and Daniel – 15
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Help in youth department chaperoning and with small groups, past deacon, work with REALL MEN team.
Testimony: Jesus has been working in & on my life for over 40 years now. I gave my heart to him when I was 7. I depend on Him daily to lead me in the plan He has for me in my family and business. God is worthy of our love and life.

JEFF CABLE AND FAMILY

Name: Jeff Cable
Wife's Name: Michele Cable
Kids Names and Ages: Tanner, Gray, Emily, and Maxton
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Usher, Small group leader with youth.
Testimony: I prayed to receive Christ at the age of 8 years old. Started walking with Jesus on a daily basis at the age of 14 and have stayed that way ever since. As a result of letting Him have control of my life, I share this hope with others that I come in contact with as the Holy Spirit leads me. I strive to lead others to Jesus by living for Him each day. As me and my wife tell our children we are here to put a smile on Gods face. Make each day count for the glory of Him who gave us His best so we should give Him our best.

MEL HUGHES AND FAMILY

Name: Mel Hughes
Wife's Name: Michele Hughes
Kids Names and Ages: Jamie and Whitney Hughes (Preston and Davis) and Will and Beth Anne Hughes (Norah).
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Choir, Youth Dept, Deacons
Testimony: Raised in the home of a Southern Baptist minister. Going to church was never an option. Accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 9 years old while sitting on the porch w/ my Dad on a hot August afternoon. My spiritual growth ran hot and cold through college and early marriage years. Wake up call came when my oldest son accepted Jesus as his Savour and I realized I had little influence in his decision. From that time till now I have sought Gods direction, His grace, and His mercy. He has been so gracious to my family and every opportunity to serve Him is humbling.

WARREN LAMB AND FAMILY

Name: Warren Lamb
Wife's Name: Kristi Lamb
Kids Names and Ages: Nathan – 27, Joshua – 24, and Hannah – 19
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Children's Sunday School, Youth Events
Testimony: I grew up in a home with strong Christian values and attended church regularly. I believed that I would go to heaven since I was a good person. It was around the time that God blessed Kristi and I with our first child that I realized that I did not have all of the tools to be the head of our family. We began searching for answers and began attending Apex Baptist Church in 1985. It was at this point in my life that I began to study and understand God’s Word and what his plan was for my life. It became clear to me that my salvation was dependent on my acceptance of God’s gift to me, His son Jesus as my personal Savior. I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior in 1986, and I am thankful for God’s gift of eternal life.

BRIAN SMYRSKI AND FAMILY

Name: Brian Smyrski
Wife's Name: Leigh Ann Smyrski
Kids Names and Ages: Maddie – 11, Emma – 8, and Andrew – 6
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Co-head of Safety and Security Team Previously served as Awana leader, College Sunday school teacher, scholarship team, preschool Sunday School teacher, and Assistant coach for Upwards basketball.
Testimony: I grew up unchurched and came to a low point in my life in my early 20's. At that time I recognized that I needed a relationship with Jesus Christ and received salvation. I was baptized, married my wife, joined Apex Baptist Church and grew in my relationship with Christ. Through the trials that our family experienced with my son's health issues, my relationship with the Lord grew to the complete commitment to the Lord I have today.

JESSE DAVIS AND FAMILY

Name: Jesse Davis
Wife's Name: Celena Davis
Kids Names and Ages: Seth – 10, Luke – 6, and Eli – 2
Areas of Service at Apex Baptist: Worship/Praise Team, Personnel Committee
Testimony: I've always had a desire to worship Jesus ever since I came to know him personally during High School and I've been singing for Him ever since! Lately, he has been putting a burden on my heart to lead my family in a closer walk with Him. He is focusing me much more on teaching our family bible study, prayer time, and just spending more time talking about Him with my three boys so they grow up to be warriors for Him!

Friday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

Crowds of people came to hear [Jesus] and to be healed of their sickness. But he often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:15b-­‐16).1 

I believe that the eternal fruit that has happened in our midst this past year has been due to God's grace unfolded first through prayer and then the efforts of many people! LORD, a big thanks for Pastor John Mark challenging us to grow in this area.

It’s been a privilege to serve our church in the area of prayer; God has done so much in the way of building this ministry these past twelve months – over a dozen weekly prayer groups, hundreds of people getting the Monday Prayer Feed, a weekly blog on prayer, etc. But I believe God wants to continue to lengthen, widen and deepen this ministry of prayer at Apex Baptist. Private prayer brings public power! Please join with me in praying towards that end.

A relationship with the Father and the ability to bring the needs of others to God’s throne of grace and mercy are among the greatest gifts God has given to mankind (Heb 4:16). However, in order to function in these capacities, times of solitude with the LORD are absolutely essential.

We must publicly worship and pray, consistently proclaim the wonders of God, and do the daily tasks of life and work; however, vital to all these things are times of solitude with God. And yet how few of us strongly desire these quiet times with the LORD of life or quickly turn them into an obligation, a reading assignment, or study session.

Isaiah 26:9 declares that one day God will have a people who say, “My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.” Wow! LORD, help me to have that type of a heart! May I follow in Jesus’ footsteps, especially as mentioned above.

Jesus withstood the many demands that pressed upon his life in order to have times of solitude with God. As followers of Jesus, if we are too busy for regular times of solitude, our lives and values are out of priority. In fact these quite times, away from the press of life, are essential for sustaining our effectiveness and quality of life in God.

Unfortunately, our alone times with God are easily stolen from us by things of lesser value. But what could be better than to sit quietly in God's presence, fellowshipping with him? I wonder how different things would be, if our question was not "How much time must I spend alone with God?" but rather, "How much time am I allowed to spend?"

Maintaining regular times of solitude in our lives is the gray door that few walk through, because it is unappealing. Yet behind that door are the glory of God and the life of God and the key to all that is good and holy. In our natural body, it is the unseen organs that are the most vital to the life of the body; so also is it with the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12ff). Praying 1 See also Mark 1:35, Matt. 14:23, and Luke 9:18. often in secret (Matt 6:5-­‐15) is definitely a vital but hidden ‘organ that pumps blood’ into every area of our individual and community lives.

FRIDAY PRAYER PROMPTS 

1. Lord, continue to build ABC into a house of prayer; help our leaders to:
a. Seek your heart above all else (Jer 10:21).
b. Not cave into the pressures of life (Matt 26:40) or the demands of ministry (Acts 6:1-­‐7) that call them away from prayer and the preaching of your Word.

2. Thank you LORD for the dozens of people that serve our Treasured Friends, our ministry to our shut-­‐ins. May we care for them with your heart of love and continue to see them as precious in your sight and vital to our church.

3. 2014 National Day of Prayer: LORD, use our church to gather and serve the great Apex area on May 1st.
a. LORD, we want to at least double the churches and people involved in this event from last year.
b. Give Pastor John Mark, Peter Dubbelman and those serving with them favor with the pastors of other churches, as they approach them to join this effort.

4. Prayer Guide: God we want to utter your prayers that usher in your kingdom to our lives, our families, our church, ...
a. Use this booklet for that purpose; don’t let the words on the page be dry and lifeless. Help us to pray your prayers, straight from the Bible and your heart and purposes.
b. Give Peter and those who assist him in this effort your heart in these matters.

5. LORD may your administrative blessing be on our church:
a. Help us to do things ‘decently and in order’.
b. Keep our people safe as they travel in our vehicles on mission for you.
c. Pour open the windows of heaven upon us with such a blessing that we are not able to contain it.
d. May our people work as unto you in the kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, security, transportation, … areas of our church.
e. Strengthen and protect us through the Sunday morning safety and security ministry of our church.
f. Help us to be wise stewards of the resources your give us.

Thursday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

You are probably familiar with the old hymn ‘It Is Well’. It was written around 1873 by Horatio Spafford following a time of great grief for him. He had just lived through two major traumas.

The first was the great Chicago fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially (He had been a wealthy businessman) and the second was the death of all four of his children following the collision of their ship with another while crossing the Atlantic. Spafford’s wife ‘Anna’ survived and sent him the famous telegram, ‘Saved alone’.

Several weeks later as Spafford’s own ship passed the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words of comfort and hope. Be sure to sing through verses four, five and six.

"IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL" 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well, with my soul."

It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal.
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul.

THURSDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for the safety and health of our new Worship Leader and his family as they move to NC.

2. Pray for a good time of transition as the new Worship Leader joins the Apex Baptist Worship team.

3. Pray for the development of and rehearsal time for the Christmas Production.

4. Pray for the continued development and maturity of the worship team: Instrumentalists, Singers, Tech personnel.

5. Pray the leadership will continue to follow the Lords leadership in the selection and presentation of music for worship each week.

6. Pray that the Apex Baptist congregation will be freed to worship in Spirit and in Truth each time they gather to praise the Lord.

Wednesday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" (David Livingstone) 

You're probably familiar with William Carey, known by many as the Father of the Modern Missionary Movement. Carey, after being called to missionary work in India, became part of the Serampore Trio-­joined by Joshua Marshman and William Ward. Together they preached, translated Scripture, began a school, and loved the Indian people with the Gospel.

Three times a year (January, May and October) they would gather together and read out loud what was known as the Serampore Compact of 1805. This document is amazing, and well worth the read. Click here and youcanreaditinitsentirety. 

A few highlights:

1. "It is absolutely necessary that we set an infinite value on immortal souls." Is that how I feel about people? The man at the auto shop who works on my car? Our pediatrician? The driver in the car that cuts me off on the way to work? The one who hurts me deeply with false accusations? 

2. "It becomes us to watch all opportunities of doing good." Is that how I live my life? Am I constantly looking for and aware of opportunities to love and to serve other people and to point them to Christ?

3. "Let us give ourselves up unreservedly to this glorious cause. Let us never think that our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, or even the clothes we wear, are our own." Have I given myself unreservedly for Jesus to use? Am I only willing to serve and love when it is convenient or when it is not difficult to do so? Do I recognize that everything in my life is a gift from the Great Giver of all Good Things? Definitely check out the compact when you get a minute! 

WEDNESDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for our preschoolers and elementary students on Sunday mornings. Pray for their protection and that the Word of God would begin to take root in their young hearts and that they would fall passionately in love with Jesus.

2. Pray for our preschool and elementary teachers and leaders. Pray that God encourages them in their ministry to the children in their class and that he would give them vision and passion as they teach the Bible each week.

3. Pray for our Children's Ministry as AWANA begins on August 28. Pray for our AWANA leaders-­that God would multiply their time each week--and pray for our children involved in AWANA-­-that they would treasure God's Word and that each Wednesday night would be encouraging to them in their walks with Jesus. Pray that AWANA would become a vibrant evangelistic ministry in our church!

4. Pray for wisdom as we begin planning for next summer's VBS-­-June 22-­‐27. Pray that God would bring many unchurched families to our week of camp and that He would use that week to do some mighty and marvelous things that only He can do!

5. Pray for BOOM! on Sunday mornings! Thank God for our BOOM! leaders and their passion to see kids worship Jesus with everything they've got! Pray that God would continue to grow BOOM! and that it would be a place where children feel welcomed and loved!

Tuesday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

Chapters four and five of the book of Revelation contain an amazing description of heavenly worship. John saw a throne in heaven with a rainbow surrounding it. Flashes of lighting and sounds of thunder were coming out of the throne. There were four living creatures who day and night proclaimed: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” (4:8). John also saw twenty four elders who knelt down and cast their crowns before the throne saying: “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (4:11).

John saw God the Father as the One seated upon the throne with a scroll sealed with seven seals in his right hand. He saw God the Holy Spirit as seven lamps of fire burning before the throne. He saw God the Son as the Lamb who was slain.

One of the elders called John’s attention to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David; when he looked, he saw a Lamb who was slain. An angel was asking: “who is worthy to take the scroll from the hand of the One sited on the throne?” Nobody in heaven or on earth was worthy to take the scroll. Finally, one of the elders said to John that the Lamb who was slain was worthy to take the scroll. When the Lamb took the scroll something remarkable happened. The whole creation worshiped the Lamb. Like a symphony in crescendo, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders were followed in praise by the thousands upon thousands of angels, who were followed by every created thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-­‐10)

We are purchased people, bought by the blood of Jesus to be a kingdom of priests to worship Him. Having a time to worship God privately is something that all believers can and ought to do, but having the experience of worshiping God corporately with believers from other races, languages, and nationalities is like participating in a heavenly experience. Jesus redeemed us from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Together we can worship God.

I am so glad that at Apex Baptist, we are willing to experience a piece of heaven worshiping God with people from different races, languages, and nations. Currently during the time of worship in our en Español ministry, the Lord has given us people from 11 different nations. We have a new song to sing, the song of the redeemed, the song of praise and gratitude for having all of our sin forgiven and for making us a new creation in Christ. We have a new position; he has made us a kingdom of priests and we will reign with him. What a privilege and honor!

TUESDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for wisdom for pastor Alex to lead our en Español ministry. To finish his doctoral work (comprehension exams in October 7 & 8, and for dissertation).

2. Pray for leadership development in the different ministries en Español; women, men, married couples, singles, worship, greeters, youth, life groups, home groups.

3. Pray for numerical growth; that we develop a heart to reach out to the lost.

4. Pray for spiritual growth. We want to emphasize the vital aspect of being a disciple of Christ.

5. Pray for increasing integration with the English speaking church as we transition to a new schedule of services. We want to have the opportunity to serve and interact with other ministries in the church.

6. Pray for the Medical-­‐Dental Van ministry (April 11-­‐12, 2014). Pray that we can recruit volunteers to serve in the different medical-­‐professional capacities, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, medical doctors, optometrist, and nurses.

Monday Devotion & Prayer Prompts

In the past few weeks I’ve read the New Testament book of Acts again, and God’s word continues to scream at me that American “Churchianity” is not biblical Christianity. At the end of almost every chapter, I said “WOW,” either to myself or just bursted it out loud. Certainly there are some “WOW” things happening in some American Churches, but those are the exceptions rather than the norm. In Breakout Churches, Thom Rainer reports that 8 out of 10 American churches are in decline or erosion (174) – Yuck!

So what was different about the Early Church? What made it so powerful? I believe there are many lessons we can learn from them, but we must note at least two. First, prayer was a major priority for first century Followers of Jesus. The Early Church was born during a prayer meeting (Acts 2). The early Church prayed and God showed up to save souls, to purify the Fellowship (Ananias & Sapphira), to heal the sick, to set the captives free and so much more. In the American Church prayer is often neglected, stagnant, minimal or an after thought. Let’s pray boldly this week – just as the Early Church did.

Secondly, the Early Believers lived the Gospel. They didn’t just understand that their purpose was to advance the Kingdom of God – they did it. The researchers behind Breakout Churches found inconsistencies in declining churches’ in their willingness to practice their beliefs. “The clearest example of this reality was in the area of evangelism. They might believe that Christ is the only way of salvation, but they are unwilling or unable to share the Gospel with non-­‐Christians” (177). In contrast, Breakout church members, like Early Church Members, “are passionate about reaching others for Christ personally” and “do not expect all evangelism to be done by the staff or a select few from the church” (177).

The early church prayed fervently, then put feet to their prayers and “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) -­‐ good lessons!

MONDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Lord, forgive us for being lame in our prayer lives. May we make prayer a top priority in our personal lives, in our families and in our church.

2. Set us free Father from our timidity, our insecurities, our fears and from our unfruitful past. Lord Jesus, wreck us with your love. As we pray, give us “Christ-­‐like eyes” to see others as you see them. Then, grant us wisdom and sensitivity to respond redemptively.

3. Lord we certainly pray defensively for the protection of our students, but like the Early Church, we also pray for their boldness. Their schools are tough, but ripe, fields for evangelistic harvest. Empower them to be salt & light on their campuses. Give them persistence & courage and help them to work together to advance your Kingdom’s Glory. Help us as parents and church leaders to equip our children for evangelistic success and to model a disciple-­‐making lifestyle.

4. Give us wisdom Father as we sharpen our church’s mission efforts. Use us to be a blessing to our local, regional and global ministry partners.

5. The Bible is our guide for our individual lives and for our church. Grant us courage to follow its examples and principles.

Hopes for the Congregational Fast at Apex Baptist Church

During the week of August 18-24 our church will be praying and fasting for a spiritual breakthrough in our personal lives and in our church body. Anyone who fasts should consult their doctor before going an extended amount of time without eating. There are many different types of fasts that members of our church will participate in.

First, some will do what is called a “normal fast.” These people will only drink water and fruit juices during the fast. Others will do what is called a “partial fast.” This type of fast is when a person only eats fruits and vegetables.

Other people will abstain from something other than food for the purpose of prayer. The goal of any fast is to abstain from something in order to spend time in focused prayer to God. In his book, The Power of Prayer and Fasting, Dr. Ronnie Floyd offers nine outcomes or results of the congregational fasts that his church has done. My hope is that God would stir in our hearts and accomplish these same things.

1. Focus – I pray that God delivers great clarity to our congregation. We are in a wonderful season of ministry and I pray that He allows us to focus on the things that He desires and that we would not be distracted.

2. Wonder – I pray that we get a bigger glimpse of God than we have ever understood before. I am specifically praying that this would affect the way we worship.

3. Sensitivity – I pray that we will be more in tune and sensitive to the Holy Spirit in our lives. I pray that we will follow where he leads us.

4. Unity – A church wide fast will unify us to accomplish the mission God has for us. I am praying that God brings generations together in unity of purpose and direction through this fast.

5. Growth – I pray that God will grow every person participating spiritually through this week. I pray that this fast is spiritual fuel that will launch many into a new season of growth.

6. Anticipation – I am praying that this will affect the worship services in that we will come expecting God to speak to our hearts and then respond to Him.

7. Enlargement – I am praying that God enlarges our vision as we pray and fast. My prayer is that God helps us see the harvest fields ready for harvest.

8. Engagement – I am praying for a renewed engagement in our church. I am praying God would urge many who are not serving into service.

9. Advancement – I pray that the Gospel will advance across the street and around the world because of this week of prayer and fasting.

*First posted at www.johnmarkharrison.org on 8/17/2012