Aid-Ukraine

I want to personally thank you for your heart of love and support for the victims of the brutal war in Eastern Europe. This entire conflict is a sad and avoidable reality that never had to happen in the first place. The political aspect of any war has to always remain secondary to the heart of the Christian.  The fact is, there are over 5 million people who have been displaced due to the war, most of them leaving home with only the clothes on their backs, and their earthly possessions reduced to a few plastic bags or a backpack.

We’ve witnessed an incredible undertaking by God’s people to step up to the plate and answer the call for help.  I’m pleased to report that as of Thursday of this past week, seven tractor trailer loads of supplies have departed from the Hearts with Hands warehouse for Ohio.  As of today, all the supplies have arrived safely and are now being processed and labeled per European Union Customs protocol, to be transferred to Poland then carried by truck to the Ukraine. A large portion of the supplies will be taken to the warzone by air.

We were also able to designate an entire shipping container of supplies for Camp Cristi in Romania.  This camp has been housing, feeding, and caring for dozens of Ukrainian families since the war began.  Many of these families are Jews who are seeking relocation back to Israel where they will continue their lives.

We praise the Lord for His blessing, His leadership and His provision that allowed all of this to come to fruition.  It makes my heart leap for joy to see three ministries come together with the same focus and same vision for the glory of God! Let’s continue to pray for Ukraine and all the people who are in harm’s way.

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A Mom Who Can, A Mother That Must…

From the conversations that I’ve heard recently between mothers, both my own family members and mothers outside of my own family, there is a kind of fear about raising children in the world we live in. Young women who are pregnant see a questionable future for their children. As a result, anxiety levels are elevated. It’s hard for parents to imagine what kind of world their children will awaken to in another five, ten, or so years. Many people ask themselves if they should have children at all. 

Our world has always been a dangerous place to live.. But in some ways it is as dangerous now as it has ever been. Mothers are raising children in a day where they face a very, very troubled world and a very hostile world. Hostile to families, aggressively hostile to families, hostile to marriage, therefore hostile to their children. We also are facing the fact that in our lifetime this is the first time that true Christians have become public enemy number one. And the system is coming at us with a fierceness. Never in the history of the world have we been exposed to as much trouble as today. 

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The God of Great Provision

We must believe in a big God! Children, teens, young adults must know Him in that manner! We always want the next generation to be better, to learn faster, to embrace God as early as possible.

Psalm 78

1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

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Exciting Spring at TBC! 

This year has been filled with wonderful services, lives being changed and new opportunities to serve!

Celebrate Recovery continues with new energy to impact special needs in the lives of many. We are blessed to have such a committed team of volunteers.

Our new Grief support group, GriefShare, opened with a wonderful response. Annette Anderson has taken the leadership role for the new ministry and has already blessed many broken hearts!

The Men’s Fishing trip was special this year. The men met for a special service at Wrightsville Beach’s, Silver Gull Resort, late in the evening in the shadow of the famous Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier, we honored the life of David Hensley, Sr. The men formed a horseshoe of prayer into the ocean, as we helped David Hensley honor his dad!

Ladies’ prayer groups are growing in numbers and faithful prayers cover our church families. We thank the Lord for their love for all of us!

My joy has been working with the Heritage Keepers this year. The Bible study every Wednesday morning has been a highlight of my week. The planned trip to the Ark filled the bus in just 48 hours. We are looking forward to Pastor Winston and Miranda hosting the Keepers on Wednesday, May 25th at Lake Julian for a picnic.

Just a sample of the many blessings here at our church!

You are loved,

Pastor Ralph Sexton

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