The question of “baptism” comes to mind regarding church membership. There are many factors and a few facts that come to the forefront when speaking about baptism, it’s requirement for membership and finally baptism and its relationship to the historic Baptist church. It is

Water is Essential to Baptism

That water was and is essential to the rite is the common belief, and the ground of this belief is the oft-repeated mention of water in connection with its administration in the New Testament. “And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” (Acts 8:38, NIV) The symbolism, and that’s all that baptism is to a Baptist, is that sin is pollution and that water is the cleansing element of that pollution.

The meaning of the word “baptizo”

In the English version of the Scriptures, the Greek words “baptizo”and “baptisma,” are Anglicized, not translated. The primary and ordinary meaning of the word “baptizo,” is to dip, plunge, immerse, bathe, overwhelm; and its secondary and figurative meaning involves its primary meanings. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16, NIV) The emphasis in this verse is not on the formula, belief + baptism = salvation. The emphasis is for salvation is belief then baptism not as a salvation instrument but as a confirmation event. There are instances in New Testament scripture where an unbaptized person is welcomed in heaven. Here is one of those,

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:39–43, NIV)

Without the activity of baptism and by the weakest Statement of Faith the Thief on the Cross was welcomed to paradise (Heaven) by Jesus. According to the New Testament the activity of baptism does not yield any salvific value.

Matthew states “Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:6, NIV), Mark adds “The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Mark 1:5, NIV) and John adds, “Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.” (John 3:23, NIV); and Luke, in Acts 8:35–39, relates of Philip and the eunuch, “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:35–39, NIV)

Baptism is a volitional act on the part of a believer and follower of God, Christ and The Holy Spirit and specifically a believer in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

The Practice of the Early Church

This has been demonstrated in the New Testament passages above. These passages clearly indicate that the first century disciples baptized believers by immersion. This practice continued among Christians for 1300 years. The first account we have of sprinkling or pouring was in the middle of the 2^rd century. From that time on, A. D. 250, sprinkling was permitted, but only in a case of necessity, death being imminent. It was not considered regular baptism but was called “clinic” or “sick baptism.”

In AD 1549 the Church of England made an exception in favor of baptizing by sprinkling for “weak” children and within 50 years it became the norm for children and adults to this day. This completely ignored the biblical precedent and model that had been practiced for the preceding 1300+ years. Some various other early church fathers all were steadfast in their belief of immersion. Barnabas, a writer of the apostolic age says, “We indeed go down into the water.” Another is Tertullian in AD 200, “We are immersed.” As Protestants we often look to Martin Luther, a Priest who stood up against the indulgences of the Roman Catholic Church, the father of the Reformation, our breaking away from the Roman Catholic church. His statement concerning baptism is the genesis of our beliefs today, “Those who are baptized should be deeply immersed.”

Baptism is NOT Essential to Salvation

Baptists do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation, for baptism is mentioned in the New Testament as distinct from the gospel of salvation. The Gospel is available to all who have faith.

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:10–17, NIV)

Examination of this passage does not yield any discussion of baptism as a salvific act. I would maintain that this passage definitively separates baptism from salvation. Baptism then becomes a demonstration for the world of the work that Christ has done inside the believer. It is a step that believers are instructed to take as a part of the discipleship process that brought you to faith in Christ. That process is embodied in this passage,

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20, NIV)

As a summary then, make disciples of all nations, lead them to faith in Christ. Then baptize them, as a pattern that is laid out in this passage. Then continue the discipleship process by “teaching them everything I have commanded”, you the person that encouraged their faith and brought them to a place where they committed their lives to Christ.

The formula that Christ laid out in this passage unmistakably is for believers, people who have by their own choice committed their lives to Christ. This passage by inference would preclude the baptism of infants. An infant does not have the capacity or the moral choice to take part in a discipleship process that would lead them to a “call on the name of the Lord” (see Romans 10:10-17 above) and enter into a conversion of a renouncing of their formerly sinful ways and dedicating their lives to Christ and a new path of life, a life to be lived abundantly in Jesus Christ.

Objection to being Re-Baptized

“But I have already been baptized in my infancy, and it is needless now to repeat it” What was done for you as an infant, and without your consent, is not binding on you. It was not you that did it, but others for you. The decision for baptism was that of a parent or love one, not a personal decision. It was their intent that the child to grow up and be a faithful follower of Jesus. If that child is now coming to the church to request membership, then, it is safe to assume the desire of the parent/loved one has come to pass! Believers baptism for that now adult/child is not re-baptism as it is a fulfillment of the expressed desires of the parent, loved one and or sponsor when that child was an infant and incapable of making a conscious decision concerning faith in Jesus Christ.  It is your duty to obey the Matthew 28 commands. Scriptural or Christian baptism, as instituted by Christ, is an immersion in water and a confession of faith in him; and is intended to be a public profession of your own faith in Christ; hence, it follows that any other act is not a Scriptural baptism such as Christ requires; and a person sprinkled in infancy, when faith and a confession of faith are impossible, does not meet the pattern of the New Testament.

Infant Baptism

The Roman Catholic Church is consistent. It does not claim that infant baptism is taught in the Bible or was administered by the apostles; but it does claim that that church is God’s representative and vicegerent on the earth and has a right to change or institute ordinances. As infants were unable to exercise faith, “sponsors,” in number from two to a hundred, were ingeniously supplied, who professed, in behalf of the infant, to repent, renounce the devil and all his works, and to believe the doctrines of the gospel. Anecdotally, it has been reported that the Roman Catholic church began baptizing infants during the Plague of 700 AD. This gave parents some solace in the loss of their child.

The Baptism of Households

The apostles generally baptized whole households, is no proof that they baptized infants; for who can prove that those households contained infants? Multitudes of households contain none.

But, happily, as to four out of five cases of household baptism mentioned in the New Testament. The Spirit of God has expressly indicated that the households of Cornelius, of the Jailer, of Crispus and Gaius

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” (Acts 10:44–48, NIV)

and of Stephanas,

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)” (1 Corinthians 1:10–16, NIV)

were composed of believers; of persons able to believe, to rejoice, to speak with tongues, and to minister to the saints. As regards the fifth, the household of Lydia, it is impossible to show that Lydia had any children, or that she was even a married woman.

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” (Acts 16:13–15, NIV)

Christ Blessed the Little Children

It is true that Christ blessed little children and said: “Of such is the kingdom of heaven”; but the fact that he blessed them, is surely no reason why we should baptize them. He only blessed them, and his example authorizes us to do nothing more; and when he said: “Of such is the kingdom of heaven,” he meant that all those who belong to the kingdom of heaven become like little children, that is, childlike, obedient, trustful.

This act of blessing little children, which occurred near the close of Christ’s earthly ministry, instead of proving the baptism of infant children, proves the reverse; for if infant baptism had been known to the disciples, they would have understood the object of the parents in bringing their children to Christ, and would not have rebuked them for so doing.

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13–16, NIV)

Infant baptism is not the pattern in the New Testament. This baptism has no salvific power in the child’s life. This baptism is practiced in a similar fashion to the Baptist baby dedication. It is drawing together of the parents, extended family and church family in a covenant relationship to raise up the child.

In summary a compromise position seems to be in order. The position of this church is to be biblically faithful to all the direction that is given in the New Testament concerning baptism as well as all the other commands that Jesus has instructed us in. Hence, any believer in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, resurrection and future coming that requests baptism will be baptized by complete immersion. This will allow the church to celebrate outwardly what has happened inwardly in the person being baptized.

This testimony and baptism, in a public forum, unless accommodation needs to be made for illness or incapacity, should be celebrated by all of those in attendance.

Infant baptism will not be accepted as a method of believer baptism and church membership for the reasons outlined in the preceding pages.

In deference to those believers in Christ,  “sprinkled” as believers from another tradition (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran to name a few,) membership will be granted based on their profession of faith. Baptism by immersion will be strongly encouraged as a testimony of their faith in Christ.

This is the acknowledgement of their salvation experience in another tradition, that sprinkles or pours over believers and validates the inward salvific work that has been completed and recognized by the organization where the baptism was completed.

January 5, 2019

Greetings from Pastor Jeff!  I sit at my desk on the eve of The Sunnyside First Baptist Church Annual Meeting and I am a-m-a-z-e-d what God has done in our lives this year. This body has had some major blows this year with the deaths of Pastor Tim and Grant Smith. During this time, you were determined to continue to look ahead and find a Pastor to shepherd this church. I am amazed that you could all even breathe and then to focus on the search process was only by His strength. It was during this time that I thought that God had left me behind and did not want me in full-time ministry in His church. I could not, did not understand what lessons he was trying to teach Jill and I and what His timetable was… I’M NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER HERE!!

When things began to happen, they happened very quickly!!! Before we all knew it, I was moving to Sunnyside and was starting my full-time ministry on September 1, 2018.  These four months have been a whirlwind, I have preached nearly every week, we have planned and delivered a successful Advent Season. This was topped by attendance of 115 on Christmas Eve. I had a part of that, Worship Team, Children’s Bell Choir had a piece, cookie and candy makers were very busy making and distributing great treats. The Adult Sunday School class gave 125 candy bags of course with an orange in the toe. The Church was decorated perfectly, the worship team spent extra time and did some last-minute changes without a hitch. It was awesome, and I was a-m-a-z-e-d at His work in our church.

As we begin 2019, I want us to pray more!! Someone will say, “but we pray every week and we pray on Monday’s, isn’t that enough???” In a word, “NO!” This is God’s church; Sunnyside First Baptist exists because God has a plan and sees a future for this body and for these people. AMEN? It is our job to discern what that plan is and how can we can “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” and reach our community and our world with a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Please pray daily for me, for this church and the ministries we have, pray that God would trust us with one more person that needs to commit their lives to him through a relationship with Jesus Christ. “He who began a good work in you will see it to completion.”

There is change in the coming weeks in the makeup of the churches in Sunnyside. The Methodist Church around the corner from us is closing, the last service will be January 6^th. This is very sad… We have also heard of stressors on other churches in our community. Pray for the churches in Sunnyside and the souls that God sees fit to draw.

Let’s cast a little vision…beginning this week, we will divide the work of the church and ministry into eight different teams. This will allow many servants to be involved in the ministry here. One of the identified items that draw visitors back to a church is that there may be a job, a role for them in the ministry of the church. I’m excited to see what we can do as a team to shine brightly. It will take work and understanding and patience and love for each other. This will require that we are ALL ready to pitch in and make this work. The Elder’s have asked that we form and begin a small group ministry after a few years’ hiatus. We will begin that process in the second quarter. We will look at and tighten up everything we do and how we do it. The goal is to make it more efficient, more fun, more interesting and more inline with our mission and vision for the church. This is God’s church and he has brought us, collectively here to build and grow it and reach the world for Jesus.

I have an open-door policy. If you want to see me for any reason, please give a call and I will do what needs to be done to see you as quickly as possible. Don’t be afraid to call at any time!! Here’s to 2019!!

Pastor Jeff

“Happy New Year To You and Yours” I have heard that said 80 million times in my life, okay maybe only 79 million. I’m not going to say that anymore and I hope that you will join me. We, as followers of Christ, have two jobs that the Lord has left with us. Love the Lord God with all your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength and Love your neighbor as yourself loosely translated as “friend.” This is not the place or my point to get into a deep theological discussion of those commands. Where I want to spend some time is with the second of those commands, “Love your neighbor as your friend.” There are also some cultural boundaries that we come up against being American in those words. What does it mean to love your neighbor? I think, well I know, that there is “action” and “activity” built into those words. When we treat our physical neighbors, the cashiers at McDonalds and your favorite Taco joint, the Customer Service Representative on the phone and the UPS driver with love, stick with me don’t get stuck here. When we treat those, who serve us with respect, honor and decency we are “loving our neighbor as our friend.”  Why would we do this???? If you are a follower of Christ, He commanded us to bring to this sick and dying world, a message of peace, hope, joy, love and Christ to the whole world. To preach the Good News and bring them into fellowship with us and into a relationship with Christ.  Be on the lookout this year, for those opportunities that Christ has set-up for us to share the Love of God, to Love our neighbors.

Loving your neighbors can look very different in very different contexts. There is this idea that you would not let your neighbor, love him or not, walk into a den of vipers and be killed. But would you clear your neighbors garbage cans from the street if they were on vacation? It is these little things that show of the love of God to the people around you. As you know I minister to a small group of people in Central Washington. They DO NOT pick and prod about music, they just love the Lord. I can respect that totally. Would you be inclined to stop on the side of the road, when you see car that has broken down? Or would you just keep going? I understand safety considerations… So you can’t stop and get out. Tell them you will call the Police and they will send help. At least you have done something to Love your Neighbor.

I’ll leave you with the text on sign in my office, “Always Pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a Heart that forgives the worst,  A mind that forgets the bad and a soul that never loses faith in God.”

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

Hello Sunnyside First Baptist Church!! Its Pastor Jeff, this is the second newsletter that I have sent you without being in Sunnyside. That is a about to change… for the better! I will be moving to Sunnyside over the Labor Day weekend. My first day in the office will be September 3^rd and I will be preaching on September 9^th.

We have packed a zillion (Okay maybe not a zillion) boxes. My back, knees and legs think it is that many. We will have volunteers in University Place to help load the moving truck and here in Sunnyside to help unload. After the Labor Weekend, Jill will return to University Place while we wait for our house to sell and close. At some point she will give notice to her employer and join me here in Sunnyside to make our home here, in the parsonage. We are very ready for this part of our journey in ministry to begin.

One of the many measures of effectiveness of ministry is answering this question, “If Sunnyside First Baptist Church closed tomorrow would the community miss us?” I believe that we have received part of the answer just this week. The answer was “Yes, you would be missed!”  Our church was recognized this past week by the Sunnyside School District with the Golden Apple award for community support in the schools. The cost for us was small, in dollars but for families it spoke volumes. I am reminded of the scripture in Proverbs, “he who is generous to the needy honors him.” (Proverbs 14:31b) and also what Jesus said about ministry to the “least” in Matthew 25:35-36,  “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” We honor Jesus by following his example in our community.

One of the things that you will learn about me is that I am a man of prayer. If you have a need in your life that you would like prayer, please ask, I would be honored to pray with you. In that regard, I have a prayer need for Jill and me. Please pray that our home sells quickly, there is a family out there that is looking especially for a house like ours to make their home.

If you are receiving this newsletter and you are not a regular attender I would ask this, try us again for the first time and see what you have been missing.

Pastor Jeff

Hello friends and members of Sunnyside First Baptist. I am writing this just a day after our HUGE, ANNUAL Thanksgiving dinner that was served yesterday, 11/18/2019. It was our first T-day celebration. I have some observations from the day. It is like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what needs to done, and who is doing it. There are many folks that bring this together each one deserves our “Thanks” and appreciation. I’m not going to try say one name because then I will forget many others. I do appreciate our Youth Group and their willingness to pitch and help clean up. Sunnyside First Baptist has the best kitchen crew on the planet!!!

On to the task of ministry. We are coming to the end of our “Grace + Nothing” sermon series. I have interacted with several of you concerning the series. Beyond the usual “great sermon” (which I deeply appreciate.) Several people have talked with me about the “rewiring” that is happening in their heads. From a rules-based life experience to a GRACE driven life. This is a big shift!!! Many people have lived their lives under rules and really turned their backs on the Grace and Mercy that was paid for, once for all by Jesus on the Cross. I hope that this series will continue to transform you into what God intends. We are all in process and this is a big change for some folks. Don’t leave it behind we have started to build something great! Our next stop will we be Advent. The four Sunday’s up to Christmas. Our theme this year is “Faith, Hope, and Love and the Greatest of these is Love.” Come on… Join us for the Christmas season! You will find something familiar in our friendship and fellowship and I pray you will be challenged to grow in ways you never knew possible!!

Jill, my wife, my friend, my partner-in-crime has begun making the change that has been 3+ months in the making. She will be here in Sunnyside for the majority of time between now and well… forever. After 32 years as an employee of Multicare Health System in Tacoma, it is time to move on. It will be bitter sweet for her, leaving relationships and contacts that she has had in some cases for all of those 32 years. She is looking for a job, of course it is not going to look anything like her position at Multicare. Please pray for her as she dives in head first to the job market.

FINALLY, I have a surgery date. For those of you that have been praying for me, walking (albeit not very well) with me during the past three months. I have finally gotten on the surgery schedule to have my back fixed. Technically it is L3-L4 Laminectomy with neurogenic claudication. For the not so technical it is PAIN IN MY BACKSIDE! I will be having surgery on 11/29 in Tacoma. I’ll be in the hospital overnight and then a couple of days in Tacoma and then home to Sunnyside for 2-3 weeks of rest and rehabilitation.  PLEASE PRAY THAT ALL THE DETAILS WORK THEMSELVES OUT AND PRAY FOR A SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL EXPERIENCE! Thank you

Pastor Jeff

Hello it’s Pastor Jeff. It has been my privilege to Shepard this church for the last 59 days… Yes, it is only been 59 days!!! Jill and I are absolutely amazed what God has done in our lives in the last 3 years. We are incredibly blessed to be called here to minister to this church family and to the community in which we live.

Recently one of our church members suddenly and unexpectedly got very ill and the medics took him  to the hospital. I got the message and quickly responded that I would be at the hospital very shortly. By the time I got there was already other church members and family present. WHAT A TESTIMONEY TO THE LOVE AND CARE THAT YOU HAVE FOR EACH OTHER. This kind of stuff doesn’t always happen in the church today. Well done Sunnyside First Baptist Church. You are amazing!!

If you haven’t been here for a while, try us again for the first time. We are continuing the sermon series, “Grace + Nothing” an in-depth study of the Letter to Galatian Church. We are asking the tough questions about living  a Grace based life and the freedom that it brings.

Our Family Night’s are once again being held in the Youth Center. Come and share a hamburger, hot dog, fries and a shake. Proceeds are used for the Youth Mission trip, Summer 2019. Once again, we are coming together to just enjoy community with each other. That is the beginning of something great here at Sunnyside First Baptist! We will also be coming together the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving to share a HUGE meal together, this will be our first time… I’ve already picked out the loose pants that I’m going to wear. We sure do now how to gather together around the table and break bread together! Come join us we’d love to have you!

Before November ends we will be already deep into the holiday season. Sunnyside First Baptist is continuing a couple of major efforts to look outside our walls to the community in which we live. Shoebox’s have already been distributed to those interested in participating in that ministry. We will also be providing filled backpacks to the area foster kids this year. These are just a couple of the ways that we celebrate, by spending our holiday time looking out and caring for each other.

Then of course Christmas will be upon us… We are already planning our Christmas eve service and I think that we are going to do something that has not been done here for a number of years… stay tuned.

I hope this newsletter finds you well, if you would like prayer, a visit or just a phone call please let us know it would my privilege to try and meet your needs

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

Newsletter 10.1.18

It appears that Fall has begun the Yakima Valley. I am told when the Hops begin to be harvested it is time to begin weatherizing the house. It is a good thing to be your Pastor. I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know, praying with you, sharing your burdens and even a few laughs. Please as you are led, give me a call or email and I would love to meet with you.

Jill and I are loving it here! We love the friendly people, your wonderful restaurants and Taco Trucks. It is an adventure. Little by little the Parsonage is coming together. Many thanks to the Elders and many others who have helped us to get our living space moved into, painted, fixed, replaced and cleaned. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

We had my first Elder Board meeting last week and I just want you to know that your Elders that have been at the helm are prayer and spirit driven! There is a great spirit in the room and it is my pleasure to serve with them.

We are continuing our series from Galatians, “Grace + Nothing.” This book could be subtitled, “The Gospel of Grace.” Paul when he was Saul, was a horrible persecutor of church and its people. He regularly participated in the “sport” of feeding Christians to the lions and wanted to see the church wiped from history. The problem with that is that God saw him as “chosen” to bring the Gospel to the gentiles. How could that ever happen? Only by a miracle! If you don’t know the story, on a walk to Damascus, the Lord blinded him and began to work in his heart and mind. Three days later, yes three days the Lord lifted his blindness, gave him a new name, Paul, and set him on FIRE for the Lord. He was soon visiting communities and asking for lodging when just a short time before he was on a rampage against the very people he was now eating a meal with in celebration. Paul made a very successful trip through Galatia and planted numerous house churches. He went back later and found that the church had walked away from the Gospel and from Grace and had returned in many ways back to Judaism. During each of the messages from Galatians, Paul will make a correction of the people or their practices. Know that this study is not easy, I hope you will be free of the legalistic bonds that you have been accustomed to in your life. I hope that we can exchange that for a Grace filled life in the way you approach God and others in your life.

Just a couple of personal notes. We have taken our house in University Place (Near Tacoma) off the market. Over the next 18 months or so we will do some needed remodeling and putting the house back up for sale in the Spring of 2020. By the time you receive this all of our furniture will be moved into the Parsonage, and it will fill a bit more like home. Jill is in the process of looking for employment in Sunnyside and has had some results from the hospital. She is still working in Tacoma and we are making the drive to and from Tacoma and Sunnyside a couple of times a month.  Lastly, if you were here my first week in the pulpit, you know that I took and spill after wandering a bit far to one side. No injuries at first but now I am experiencing sometimes severe pain in my legs and lower back. I have had an MRI and now just waiting for the next steps. Please pray for me.

Hello Sunnyside First Baptist Church!! Its Pastor Jeff, this is the second newsletter that I have sent you without being in Sunnyside. That is a about to change… for the better! I will be moving to Sunnyside over the Labor Day weekend. My first day in the office will be September 3^rd and I will be preaching on September 9^th.

We have packed a zillion (Okay maybe not a zillion) boxes. My back, knees and legs think it is that many. We will have volunteers in University Place to help load the moving truck and here in Sunnyside to help unload. After the Labor Weekend, Jill will return to University Place while we wait for our house to sell and close. At some point she will give notice to her employer and join me here in Sunnyside to make our home here, in the parsonage. We are very ready for this part of our journey in ministry to begin.

One of the many measures of effectiveness of ministry is answering this question, “If Sunnyside First Baptist Church closed tomorrow would the community miss us?” I believe that we have received part of the answer just this week. The answer was “Yes, you would be missed!”  Our church was recognized this past week by the Sunnyside School District with the Golden Apple award for community support in the schools. The cost for us was small, in dollars but for families it spoke volumes. I am reminded of the scripture in Proverbs, “he who is generous to the needy honors him.” (Proverbs 14:31b) and also what Jesus said about ministry to the “least” in Matthew 25:35-36,  “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” We honor Jesus by following his example in our community.

One of the things that you will learn about me is that I am a man of prayer. If you have a need in your life that you would like prayer, please ask, I would be honored to pray with you. In that regard, I have a prayer need for Jill and me. Please pray that our home sells quickly, there is a family out there that is looking especially for a house like ours to make their home.

If you are receiving this newsletter and you are not a regular attender I would ask this, try us again for the first time and see what you have been missing.

Pastor Jeff