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June 18, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Week of Sunday, June 21st
This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. The Back2School Rally, a local effort begun in 2008 to meet the needs of children and teachers in Watauga's school systems, provides approximately 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for elementary students each year. This year's rally is on July 25th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You can get involved by volunteering at the Backpack Stuffing event on July 21st at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Watauga Sanctuary, or by checking in at 8:30 AM on rally day to serve on the parking team, prayer team, concessions, or more if you'd like to serve. You can also support this ministry financially through the button below.Give toward the Rally Sunday, June 21st 9:30 am Growth Groups - Bible Studies for all ages. 10:45 am Congregational Worship - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Monday, June 22nd Deacons Meeting - 6:30 PM Wednesday, June 24th Wednesday Evening Growth Group - 6:00 pm in Room 117 Midweek Student Service - 6:00 - 8:30 PM in the Chapel Friday, June 26th Men’s Softball Game - Come support our young men at 8:45 PM at the Hurst Softball Complexas they face off against Hope City. They will be playing Away at field #3. Upcoming Events Missions Dinner - June 28th at 5:00 p.m. At this special dinner, come learn about local, national, & international mission opportunities within our church, and enjoy a dessert auction to raise funds for missions. This Sunday’s Order of Service Welcome Call to Worship Scripture Reading • Psalm 150 Prayer of Praise Adoration Congregational Song • Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord) Congregational Song • Jesus Messiah The Work of Christ Scripture Reading • Ephesians 2:6-10 Congregational Song • Jesus Paid It All Prayer The Word of God Message • Saved by Grace Alone • Ephesians 2:6-10 Response Congregational Song • I Am Not My Own Benediction Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest. Giving Emphasis for the Month - The Back2School RallyGive Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:45 am.
6124 Plum St. Watauga, TX 76148
June 11, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Week of Sunday, June 14th
This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12
Jesus taught us these words in John 8. He is the Light of the world, the one who transfers from the kingdom of darkness into His kingdom of light. Your children will have the opportunity to see and hear this truth proclaimed in so many ways this week at VBS. We would love to have them with us, so sign up today!Register for VBS Sunday, June 14th 9:30 am Growth Groups - Bible Studies for all ages. 10:45 am Congregational Worship - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Monday, June 15th Vacation Bible School - 6:00 - 8:30 PM Tuesday, June 16th Vacation Bible School - 6:00 - 8:30 PM Wednesday, June 17th Wednesday Evening Growth Group - 6:00 pm in Room 140 Vacation Bible School - 6:00 - 8:30 PM Thursday, June 18th Vacation Bible School - 6:00 - 8:30 PM Friday, June 19th Vacation Bible School - 6:00 - 8:30 PM Saturday, June 20th Men’s Prayer Breakfast - 9:00 AM in the service area. Upcoming Events Missions Dinner - June 28th at 5:00 p.m. At this special dinner, come learn about local, national, & international mission opportunities within our church, and enjoy a dessert auction to raise funds for missions. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the food will be served at 5:30 PM! Please RSVP at fbcwatauga.org/dinner. Back2School Rally - June is our giving emphasis month for the Back 2 School Rally, an undertaking to get backpacks and school supplies to the children of our area. You can give to this ministry at fbcwatauga.org/give, help stuff backpacks on July 21st at 10:00 am, or volunteer at the July 25th rally. This Sunday’s Order of Service Welcome & Baptism Call to Worship Scripture Reading • Psalm 149:1-5 Adoration Congregational Song • How Great (Psalm 145) Congregational Song • In Christ Alone Scripture Reading • 1 Corinthians 15:54-56 Congregational Song • I Am Not My Own Prayer The Word of God Message • Made Alive in Christ • Ephesians 2:1-5 Response Congregational Song • All Sufficient Merit Benediction Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest. Giving Emphasis for the Month - The Back2School RallyGive Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:45 am.
6124 Plum St. Watauga, TX 76148
June 4, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Week of Sunday, June 7th
This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. Decorations on the walls, kids in the halls, and the Gospel story at the center of it all. That’s what’s coming the week of June 15th: Vacation Bible School. There is something so joyful about hearing from the lips of children, “Jesus is Lord!” Do you want to hear your children learn about, praise, and proclaim the name of Jesus? Register your child today!Register for VBS Sunday, June 7th 9:30 am Growth Groups - Bible Studies for all ages. 10:45 am Congregational Worship - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Wednesday, June 10th Wednesday Evening Growth Group - 6:00 pm in Room 117 Midweek - Doors open at 6:00 pm for student ministry service in the Chapel. Thursday, June 11th Praise Team Rehearsal - 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Friday, June 12th Men’s Softball Game - Come support our young men at 7:45 PM at the Hurst Softball Complexas they face off against Gateway Elites. They will be playing Home at field #3. Upcoming Events Missions Dinner - June 28th at 5:30 p.m. At this special dinner, come learn about local, national, & international mission opportunities within our church. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the food will be served at 5:30 PM! RSVP at fbcwatauga.org/dinner Back2School Rally - June is our giving emphasis month for the Back 2 School Rally, an undertaking to get backpacks and school supplies to the children of our area. You can toward this ministry at fbcwatauga.org/give, help stuff backpacks on July 21st at 10:00 am, or volunteer at the July 25th rally. This Sunday’s Order of Service Welcome God Scripture Reading • Psalm 74:12-17 Prayer Congregational Song • All Creatures of Our God & King Congregational Song • From Everlasting (Psalm 90) Man Scripture Reading • 1 Chronicles 29:14 Offertory Congregational Song • I Am Not My Own Christ Scripture Reading • Hebrews 1:3-4 Congregational Song • Give Me Jesus Prayer Message • God’s Power In Christ • Ephesians 1:20-23 Response Congregational Song • I Am Not My Own Benediction Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest. Giving Emphasis for the Month - The Back2School RallyGive Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:45 am.
6124 Plum St. Watauga, TX 76148
May 28, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Week of Sunday, May 31st
This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. Sunday, May 31st 9:30 am Growth Groups - Bible Studies for all ages. 10:45 am Congregational Worship - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Church Family Picnic - 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Northfield Park (7804 Davis Blvd, Northfield Pk Trl, North Richland Hills, TX 76182). Let’s kick off summer together with great food, fellowship, and fun! We can’t wait to see you there! Wednesday, June 3rd Wednesday Evening Growth Group - 6:00 pm in Room 117 Student Ministry Movie Night - 6:00 pm at Pastor Nathan’s House Thursday, June 4th Praise Team Rehearsal - 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Friday, June 5th Men’s Softball Game - Come support our young men at 6:45 PM at the Hurst Softball Complexas they face off against the Saints. They will be playing at field #4. Upcoming Events Vacation Bible School - 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm on June 15th - 19th. Each summer, we host a free, fun, and informative VBS for children in Kindergarten - 6th Grade. We have bible study, music time, recreation, snacks, crafts, and more! It is a great time of learning and discipleship for your children. Sign your child up below!Register for VBS This Week's Message "Prayer for Spiritual Insight "
| Pastor Dennis Hester • Ephesians 1:15-19 Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest.Give Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:45 am.
6124 Plum St. Watauga, TX 76148
May 21, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Week of Sunday, May 24th
This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. Sunday, May 24th 9:30 am Growth Groups - Bible Studies for all ages. 10:45 am Congregational Worship - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Monday, May 25th Memorial Day - Church Offices Closed Wednesday, May 27th Wednesday Evening Growth Group - 6:00 pm in Room 117 Friday, May 29th Men’s Summer Season Kick-Off - Come support our men as the Summer Softball Season kicks off in the Hurst Church League — their first game is at 9:45 PM at the Hurst Softball Complex against Mercy Culture on field #2 as the Away Team. Saturday, May 30th Guns with Garrett - Young adults are invited from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to go shooting at Alpine Gun Range (5482 Shelby Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76140. Cost is $5. Upcoming Events Vacation Bible School - 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm on June 15th - 19th. Each summer, we host a free, fun, and informative VBS for children in Kindergarten - 6th Grade. We have bible study, music time, recreation, snacks, crafts, and more! It is a great time of learning and discipleship for your children. Sign your child up below!Register for VBS This Week's Message "We Have a Future in Him"
| Pastor Dennis Hester • Ephesians 1:11-14 Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest.Give Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on , Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Sundays at 10:45 am.
6124 Plum St. Watauga, TX 76148
June 12, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Strength In Weakness
Believe it or not, summer is my favorite time of the year. I love the heat, the break from classes, and much of the hustle and bustle that happens during the other 8-9 months of the year. I love being outside, in or near the water. But summer, despite all the things I love about it, also brings other events and commitments that require my time and attention, like VBS, camps, mission trips, and this year, school! To be completely honest, at the start of this week, AKA the start of VBS prep week, my attention was pulled from my duties to this church and ministry by outside events and forces, and by the end of day Monday, I was spent, drained, weary, just all but completely ready to crash and burn. But God, in His great mercy, reminded me that in my weakness, He is strong, in my exhaustion, I can find rest in Him, and I can bring my worries, fears, and anxieties and lay them at His feet. Our God is a God, not of chaos, but of order. And in the middle of the chaos I was feeling, God brought me order and peace. As we continue to prepare for a great week of Vacation Bible School, I am certain that there are forces waging war against us, that there is an enemy who is seeking to bring about chaos and confusion, but my prayer for you all is this: that you would know God’s sovereignty, know that God is trustworthy, and know that He is in control. You are not alone in the battle. He is already victorious, so let me share with you the words of Job, who was no stranger to grief, struggle, or chaos himself: “The Job replied to the LORD, I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?’ Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know” (Job 42:1-3 CSB). If you’d like to hear the story of Job through song, might I recommend Ryan Proudfoot’s A Man Called Job. Please be in prayer for VBS next week, for all who will be involved, from the children to the families and the volunteers. Please pray for the Lord to move mightily, that even now we would be guarded from the attacks of the enemy, and that the Gospel would be proclaimed. Amen. Victoria Hurst THIS SUNDAY Order of Service Welcome & Baptism Call to Worship Scripture Reading • Psalm 149:1-5 Adoration Congregational Song • How Great (Psalm 145) Congregational Song • In Christ Alone Scripture Reading • 1 Corinthians 15:54-56 Congregational Song • I Am Not My Own Prayer The Word of God Message • Made Alive in Christ • Ephesians 2:1-5 Response Congregational Song • All Sufficient Merit Benediction NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are highlights from our Weekly Bulletin. See this Sunday’s bulletin here. Missions Dinner • June 28th at 5:00 PM At this special dinner, come learn about local, national, & international mission opportunities within our church, as well as a dessert auction to raise funds for missions. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the food will be served at 5:30 PM! Please RSVP at fbcwatauga.org/dinner. Back2School Rally June is our giving emphasis month for the Back 2 School Rally, an undertaking to get backpacks and school supplies to the children of our area. You can give to this ministry at fbcwatauga.org/give, help stuff backpacks on July 21st at 10:00 am, or volunteer at the July 25th rally.
May 15, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
May Flowers
“April showers bring May flowers.” And what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims! Well, more realistically, the month of May usually brings graduating seniors, not pilgrims in the strictest sense. This year we have three graduates! In a slight change from previous years, we will celebrate these seniors with a new gift. Each senior will receive a Bible gifted by the church, filled with encouragement written by you! We will have those Bibles set out, along with the students’ names and photos, in the main hallway before and after service on Sunday, May 17th. This will be a great opportunity for you to swing by their Bible on the way into service and jot down a kind note in the pages of their Bible or highlight a favorite verse for them. There will also be a place to leave a card if you’d like. Please be in prayer with me for these graduates as they head off to college and start careers. We are a “sending church,” and sending out graduates into the world is our most regular practice of sending disciples into the world to bring the light of Christ to the nations. Blessings, Pastor Nathan THIS SUNDAY Growth Group Lesson: The Futility of Pleasure and Wealth • Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Order of Service Call to Worship • Hebrews 9:11-14 Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery Praise • Hebrews 9:15 Offertory Oh, But God In Christ Alone Prayer Proclamation In Him, We Are Forgiven and Whole • Ephesians 1:7-10 Response Oh, But God The Lord’s Supper Benediction NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are highlights from our Church Center Bulletin. See the full calendar and more at www.fbcwatauga.org. Men’s Prayer Breakfast and VBS Workday • Tomorrow at 9:00 AM Whether you wish to worship in prayer or through service to the Lord, we would love to have you with us tomorrow morning. The Men’s breakfast will be in the kitchen, and the VBS workday will take place in the chapel. Church Family Meeting • May 17th at 6:00 PM Our quarterly family meeting will be this Sunday at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This is a great time to hear reports on how we are doing as a church missionally, financially, and more. All church members are encouraged to take part. Missions Dinner • June 28th at 5:30 PM At this special dinner, come learn about local, national, & international mission opportunities within our church! Please RSVP at www.fbcwatauga.org/dinner so the team knows how much food to prepare. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and the food will be served at 6:00 PM! SAVE THE DATE May 16 — VBS Workday May 17 — Church Family Meeting May 31 — Church Family Picnic Jun 15–19 — Vacation Bible School Jun 28 — Missions Dinner Jul 6–10 — Student Camp Jul 20–24 — Kid's Camp Jul 25 — Back2School Rally Jul 26–30 — Student Mission Trip
May 8, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
It Is Done
I have been rereading C.S. Lewis’ allegorical works, The Chronicles of Narnia. As I have read, my appreciation for these stories has been renewed, with little snippets piercing my heart and mind in ways they had not before. There is a particular moment in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe that I wish to briefly share and reflect on, for in it, I think we can find an encouragement that we can so easily forget. “You have a traitor there, Aslan,” said the Witch. Of course everyone present knew that she meant Edmund. But Edmund had got past thinking about himself after all he’d been through and after the talk he’d had that morning. He just went on looking at Aslan. It didn’t seem to matter what the Witch said. You see, Edmund was a traitor. He sold out his own blood and kin to the White Witch, who wished to imprison them forever in stone. He thought the Witch would make him a king, one with pleasures eternal at his fingertips. What he discovered instead was slavery, a trench in the endless cold at the behest of a harsh and cruel master. What’s worse is that Edmund chose this journey. He could have ventured on with his brothers and sisters to the place where Aslan, the great Lion, was—a place of warmth, safety, and assurance. Yet, he decided a way in the cold and darkness. But Alan rescued Him regardless. Edmund was free. Once enchained and forced to toil in the snow, now he gets to walk freely beside Aslan. After reconciling with his family, there was nothing more to be said. It was done. Not even the Witch’s taunts could cause Edmund to lose heart. Do you know, Christian, that when Christ saves you, it is done? You need not rehash, relive, and dwell on what used to be anymore. The old is gone, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17). Heed not the temptations from the enemy to think, “I am still a traitor, a sinner, condemned.” In Christ, you are free! What the enemy throws at us matters no more. What we used to be is gone. When Christ says, “It is done,” there is nothing more to be said. Because of this, we can lay aside every sin and hindrance that ensnares us and confidently look to our King who saves us (Heb. 12:1-2). Completely saved, the work is done The curse, the grave is overcome For with that dawn, there rose a King Now heaven's smile shines over me In Christ, Mathew Hurst THIS SUNDAY Growth Group Lesson: The Futility of Human Wisdom • Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 Order of Service Call to Worship • 1 Peter 1:13-16 Prayer of Adoration Only A Holy God Prayer of Confession Assurance • 1 Peter 1:17-19 Completely Known, Completely Loved Revelation • 1 Peter 1:20-21 Jesus Strong And Kind Prayer Message • In Him, We Have Purpose • Ephesians 1:4-6 His Mercy Is More Benediction NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are highlights from our Church Center Bulletin. See the full calendar and more at www.fbcwatauga.org. VBS Workday • May 16th at 9:00 AM VBS is coming soon, which means you have an opportunity to help out even now! Join us at 9:00 AM in the Chapel to make crafts, assemble decorations, and more as we prepare for Vacation Bible School this summer. Church Family Meeting • May 17th at 6:00 PM Our quarterly family meeting will be at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This is a great time to hear reports on how we are doing as a church missionally, financially, and more. All church members are encouraged to take part. How do I submit a prayer request? Want to pray for others in our church? Visit www.fbcwatauga.org, click Next Steps, and select “Pray With Us” to view requests, submit your own, or sign up for email notifications. SAVE THE DATE May 16 — VBS Workday May 17 — Church Family Meeting May 31 — Church Family Picnic Jun 15–19 — Vacation Bible School Jun 28 — Missions Dinner Jul 6–10 — Student Camp Jul 20–24 — Kid's Camp Jul 25 — Back2School Rally Jul 26–30 — Student Mission Trip
April 3, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
A Blessed Friday
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” Blessed is He who not only became poor in spirit, but gave up His spirit on account of us. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Blessed is He who mourned for us lost sheep so that we might be forever comforted in Him. “Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.” Blessed is He who humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross, so that every knee on the earth will bow to His name. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Blessed is He who filled Himself with our sin, the sour wine, so that we might be filled with His righteousness. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Blessed is He, the all-merciful One, who instead of scorn, cried out, 'Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!' “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Blessed is He who was the purest in heart, so that those with hearts defiled may be made clean and stand before God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Blessed is He who made peace between us and God so that we might be adopted in His family. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” Blessed is He who was despised and rejected by men so that we may be with Him in paradise. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Blessed is He who has earned the due reward for His suffering - power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Oh, glorify Him crucified! It is finished. Amen. Today is Good Friday, and we will remember, mourn, and rejoice in the cross of Christ with Northside Church at 6:30 PM at their place of worship (6750 Denton Hwy, Watauga, TX 76148). Today is Good Friday, but Sunday is coming. Let us rejoice and be glad for this saying is trustworthy: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! Blessings to you all, Mathew Hurst
March 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
The Throne of Grace
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16 I would reckon many of us struggle with that passage these days. How could Jesus be tempted “in every way” as we are? After all, Jesus didn’t have a cell phone or unlimited internet access. Technology has made it so much easier to sin against God, and didn’t Jesus lack all of this technology? So then, how could He possibly have been tempted in every way we are? Of course, did Christ not have godly power and authority? Could not the Jesus who was involved at creation also gain access to all the many things we cherish today by a simple abuse of His power? Wasn’t this the point at which Satan targeted the Lord for temptation? In Matthew 4 (Luke 4; Mark 1), Scripture details how the devil sought to tempt Jesus into utilizing His power and status as the Son of God. He advised Him to make bread from stone, or to throw Himself off the temple to watch angels come to the rescue. Just as Christ was tempted in all of His ability and authority, we are tempted through the various privileges we receive. Our material blessings, earthly authority, or personality traits all become targets of temptation. We, like Jesus, are tempted to use what is ours for personal pleasure instead of purpose. Jesus certainly has faced what we face, as the Son of God has always had far more ability and privilege than we do. Let us then rejoice that we can indeed approach the throne of grace that He might help us in our time of need. Blessings, Nathan McEndree THIS SUNDAY Growth Group Lesson: Don’t Desert Your Mentor • 2 Timothy 4:9-22 Order of Service: GOD Call to Worship • Zechariah 9:9 Prayer of Praise May the Peoples Praise You MAN Confession • Zechariah 9:10 Prayer of Confession Behold Our God CHRIST Assurance • Zechariah 9:11 Nothing But the Blood of Jesus Prayer Message • Paul - A Prisoner of Christ | Acts 21:7-14 RESPONSE Christ Is Mine Forevermore Benediction • Hebrews 13:20-21 NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are highlights from our Church Center Bulletin. See the full calendar and more at www.fbcwatauga.org. Provo, Utah Mission Trip Interest Meeting • This Sunday! Is God calling you to the mission field this August? Join us immediately after our service on Sunday for a vision meeting about our trip to Provo, Utah, where we'll bring the Gospel of Christ to the Mormon community alongside our partners at Mosaic Church and the Walker family. Whether you feel led to go or to support those who do, come hear the vision and seek the Lord. Joint Good Friday Service with Northside Church of the Nazarene • 6:30 PM Join us next Friday at Northside Church at 6:30 PM, where we will have a joint Good Friday service with a dear sister church. Invite your neighbors as we look to the cross of Christ together. Church Softball Our men's softball team has been back at bat this Spring season! They would love your support by coming out to the games and cheering them on (and praying for them that they don't pull something). Every game is located at the Hurst Softball Complex (2104 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, TX 76054). You can check out the rest of the game schedule here, or below: 3/27 • 8:45 PM (Field 1) 4/10 • 9:45 PM (Field 1) 4/17 • 8:45 PM (Field 1) 4/24 • 7:45 PM (Field 1) 5/1 • 9:45 PM (Field 1) 5/8 • 6:45 (Field 1) SAVE THE DATE Men’s BBQ Fellowship • May 2nd National Day of Prayer • May 7th at Keller City Hall Church Family Meeting • May 17th Church Family Picnic • May 31st at Northfield Park Vacation Bible School • June 15th - June 19th Missions Dinner • June 28th Student Camp • July 6th - 10th Kid's Camp • July 20th - 24th Back2School Rally • July 25th Student Mission Trip • July 26th - July 30th
March 13, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Remain
Sometimes when we read God’s Word, we have to actively look for things that stand out to us. And other times, by the Spirit of God, things just seem to leap off the page and straight into our hearts. That was the case for me earlier this week as I studied 1 Timothy. After Paul greets Timothy, he encourages the young pastor to “remain in Ephesus” (1 Timothy 1:3b), to correct the false teachers there and continue to shepherd the local church. Timothy was dealing with all kinds of issues in the church of Ephesus: false teachers (1:3), petty arguments and discussions (1:6), disorderly church conduct (2:1-16), and even demonic influence (4:1-4). Timothy had his hands full as a young elder! Yet, Paul urges Timothy to remain there in the thick of it, to endure it. Timothy was challenged to face the mire head-on despite his youth (4:12) and illnesses (5:23). He was to feed the sheep that would bite him. In light of this, my eyes turned inward, and I asked the Lord, “When things get hard, Father, do I remain with You and what you called me to, or do I try to take the easy road?” It is so easy for me, and I believe all of us, to want to avoid conflict or think that when things are hard, that is the time to move on, to get out of a situation, to flee, or even to distract ourselves. The only thing Timothy was called to flee was the greed and love of things of this world (6:9-11). Too often, those are the very things we run to instead. Life challenges us, so we pursue distractions on social media, numbing our minds. It often is easier to complain or argue about the political or social lives of other people rather than take stock of how we are living ourselves. We pay attention to so many other things, just to find temporary fulfillment rather than resting in eternal hope. Friends, our flesh longs for comfort, ease, and distraction, but the Christian walk is one with a cross on our backs (Luke 9:23). Each day is a fight to “pursue godliness, faith, hope, endurance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Every day, we are to flee that which takes our eyes off of Jesus. We are called to remain in this fight, but not without hope, for though we bear our cross, we follow the Savior who bore our sins. We train and fight in godliness “because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (4:10). You may think yourself weak today. The fight at hand may seem too great. The truth is, you are weak, and the fight is too much for us to bear alone. But just as God strengthened Paul to suffer for the Gospel (1:12), so too does He strengthen us to endure and go on, to remain in Him. Whatever your age, your health, or whatever the challenge may be, let’s keep fighting the good fight, friends. Soli Deo Gloria, Mathew Hurst Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17). THIS SUNDAY Growth Group Lesson: Stay Strong • 2 Timothy 3:1-17 Order of Service Call to Worship • Psalm 115:1-3 The God We Love (Nicene Creed) Confession & Assurance • Psalm 115:4-8; Romans 8:29-39 The Steadfast Love of Christ Dedication • Psalm 115:9-13 Psalm 34 (Taste & See) Prayer Message • Acts 19:21-41 | Don't Let Greed Control You I Surrender All Benediction • Psalm 115:14-18 NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are highlights from our Church Center Bulletin. See the full calendar and more at www.fbcwatauga.org. Provo, Utah Mission Trip Interest Meeting • March 29th Is God calling you to the mission field this August? Join us immediately after our service on March 29th for a vision meeting about our trip to Provo, Utah, where we'll bring the Gospel of Christ to the Mormon community alongside our partners at Mosaic Church and the Walker family. Whether you feel led to go or to support those who do, come hear the vision and seek the Lord. Giving Focus of the Month: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Each month, we spotlight a different giving focus tied to our Acts 1:8 mission — reaching our community, state, nation, and world. This month, we're giving to the Annie Armstrong Offering, which has supported North American missionaries since 1895. Every dollar goes directly to missionaries spreading the Gospel across North America. If the Lord leads you to give above and beyond your regular offering, you can do so at www.fbcwatauga.org/give. SAVE THE DATE National Day of Prayer • May 7th at Keller City Hall Church Family Meeting • May 17th Church Family Picnic • May 31st at Northfield Park Vacation Bible School • June 15th - June 19th Missions Dinner • June 28th Student Camp • July 6th - 10th Kid's Camp • July 20th - 24th Back2School Rally • July 25th Student Mission Trip • July 26th - July 30th
February 27, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
DNOW Weekend
Hey friends, Starting tonight, our students are participating in DiscipleNow Weekend here at the church building. If you don't know what that is, it is basically two days filled with teaching on Scripture, fellowship, and praise to Jesus. It's a time for students who know Jesus to dig deeper into the Word and to build lasting relationships with each other. It is also a great opportunity for students who may not know the Gospel to hear of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I am especially excited for this weekend. It was about 17 years ago, at a weekend just like this one, when the Spirit opened my eyes to my sinfulness and my desperate need for a Redeemer. I learned then that the Son was bigger than the nails that crucified Him, and that He is far, far greater than the sin that covered my heart. I would be lost and destitute if the Father had not shown mercy on me through the Son that weekend. All that to say, I am watching and praying expectantly for the Lord to save, just as He saved me in February of 2009. Would you join me in doing the same? THIS SUNDAY Growth Group Lesson: Stay Strong • 2 Timothy 2:1-13 Order of Service: Call to Worship • 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 In Christ Alone Build My Life Guided Prayer Oh, But God O Praise The Name Message: Transfer of Ownership • Colossians 1:9-14 Yet Not I, But Through Christ In Me Benediction NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are 3 highlights from our Church Center Bulletin. See the full calendar and more at www.fbcwatauga.org. Week of Prayer for North American Missions (March 1st - 8th) The Southern Baptist Convention sets aside a week to pray specifically for the missionaries taking the Gospel to unreached communities across the U.S. and Canada. This year, that week is March 1–8. These missionaries depend on your prayers. Download the prayer guide to follow along with daily requests. Giving Focus of the Month: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Each month, we spotlight a different giving focus tied to our Acts 1:8 mission — reaching our community, state, nation, and world. This month, we're giving to the Annie Armstrong Offering, which has supported North American missionaries since 1895. Every dollar goes directly to missionaries spreading the Gospel across North America. If the Lord leads you to give above and beyond your regular offering, you can do so at www.fbcwatauga.org/give. Weekly Prayer Meeting, Sundays at 8:50 AM Every Sunday morning, we gather in the sanctuary at 8:50 a.m. to pray before our worship service. We'd love for you to join us as we seek the Lord together, praying for our church and asking Him to save the lost among us. SAVE THE DATE Joint Good Friday Service with Northside Church of the Nazarene • April 3rd, at Northside Church National Day of Prayer • May 7th at Keller City Hall Church Family Meeting • May 17th Church Family Picnic • May 31st at Northfield Park Vacation Bible School • June 15th - June 19th Missions Dinner • June 28th Student Camp • July 6th - 10th Kid's Camp • July 20th - 24th Back2School Rally • July 25th
February 20, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
A Family On Mission
Dear Church Family, Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:8, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” That Spirit-filled mission didn’t cease with the Apostles. It continues with us, His church. We call ourselves a “family on mission,” and we want to be faithful to that calling, not just here, but to the ends of the earth. Imagine for a moment, standing on a street corner in Provo, Utah, sharing the true Gospel with someone who's never heard it before. Picture yourself serving alongside Guatemalan believers in a village where the name of Jesus is transforming entire families. See yourself praying alongside others, lifting up fellow members of this church who are out on the mission field, proclaiming Christ and Christ crucified. By the grace of God, this soon won’t be imagination; it will be our reality. God is calling our church to two mission fields later this year: Provo, Utah, in the first week of August, and Xela, Guatemala, in the last week of October. We’ll be partnering with local missionaries in both areas. There will be more info to come, but what can you do now? Begin praying and seek how the Lord would use you in these mission works. He may call you to go or to stay and serve another way, but let us seek Him together! These are but the tip of an iceberg, for mission work doesn’t only happen far away: it happens here. We invite you to join us in prayer over how we could minister to local Senior Living centers and how we could be more involved with Pregnancy Help 4 You. The Lord also opened the door for Bear Creek Bible Church and us to begin a Christian club called First Priority, a student-led club that shares the hope of Christ at Keller High School. There is more we could share, and we'd love to tell you in person! Mark your calendar for Missions Night on June 28th at 6:00 PM for dinner and a chance to discover how God might lead you in our various missions opportunities. In the meantime, be on the lookout for your Missions Team on Sunday mornings once a month, where we will be available to share more details and answer questions. May His kingdom come and His will be done in and through our church! Your Missions Team, Dave Parks Hannah Bell Victoria Hurst Dustin Aiello Daniel Monk THIS SUNDAY Growth Group Lesson: Hold on to the Gospel • 2 Timothy 1:1-18 Order of Service: Call to Worship • Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Prayer Loving the Lord Holy, Holy, Holy Being a Symbol to the World For the Cause Repeating His Words • Psalm 119:33-40 Speak, O Lord Prayer Message: Is Your Heart Teachable? • Acts 17:5-21 Come Unto Jesus Benediction • Deuteronomy 10:12-16 NEXT STEPS & EVENTS These are 3 highlights from our Church Center Bulletin. See the full calendar and more at www.fbcwatauga.org. Men's Prayer Breakfast Tomorrow! Join us for Men's Prayer Breakfast at the church at 9:00 AM! It is free, but any donations given will be greatly appreciated. Men of all ages are welcome. Wednesday Night Bible Study Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in room 117, John Wilson leads our Wednesday Adult G3. This small group is perfect for parents who are dropping their kids/students off for our Midweek activities or if you can’t participate on Sunday mornings. Giving Focus of the Month: The Hope Fund Each month, we'll spotlight a different focus in alignment with our Acts 1:8 mission, impacting our community, state, nation, and world through strategic giving. This fund allows us to care for any physical and financial needs of our church family. In some cases, it is used to meet special needs in our community. It is administered by the deacons and pastors. If the Lord leads you to give above and beyond your regular offering, you can give online at www.fbcwatauga.org/give. SAVE THE DATE Joint Good Friday Service with Northside Church of the Nazarene • April 3rd, at Northside Church National Day of Prayer • May 7th at Keller City Hall Church Family Picnic • May 31st at Northfield Park Vacation Bible School • June 15th - June 19th at FBC Watauga Missions Dinner • June 28th at FBC Watauga
December 20, 2025 • 2 Minute Read
A Care-Full God
“God doesn’t care.” This is a phrase I have been pruning from my vernacular. It has grown to be a common phrase amongst even the most mature of Christians. “God doesn’t care what church you attend. He cares about your faithfulness.” “God doesn’t care what job you have; He just cares how you work.” I myself said in a sermon earlier this year on Acts 2: “God doesn’t care about your age, but will freely pour out His Spirit on the young and old alike.” While all these statements touch on the truth, when we look at the Scriptures, I don’t believe we could ever characterize the Triune God as care-less in any form. We serve the God who pays attention to our cries. (Psalm 5:1-3) We serve the Lord who remembers and looks after us. (Psalm 8:4) We serve the supplicating Savior who prays for and advocates for us before God the Father. (John 17:20-26; Hebrews 8:1-6) How could we ever say that the God who feeds the birds, clothes the wildflowers, and fixed the boundaries of the earth does not care? (Matthew 6:26-30; Job 38:5) How could we speak of the God who, before the foundation of the world, loved us to the point of death on a cross as reckless or careless in any of His attributes or ways? (Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 2:8) Perhaps I am being dogmatic on what some view as semantics. Yet, as believers who should be truth-tellers of the God of truth, shouldn’t we be all the more careful how we speak of the counsel of God? God cares about what job you have. He cares about what music you listen to. He cares about the choices you make in life. He cares about YOU! What better comfort is there than that in our ever-increasingly careless world? God cares.
October 1, 2025 • 2 Minute Read
50 Years of Faith in Action
On May 4, 2025, our church family honored Roland and Nita Gorman for more than fifty years of faithful service at First Baptist Watauga. Their lives are a testament to steady obedience, humble service, and a heart fully devoted to God. Roland’s journey of faith began at age eleven when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was baptized here in 1973 and ordained as a deacon just a year later, a calling he has carried faithfully under multiple pastors, chairing the deacons several times and stepping into leadership whenever the church needed guidance. One of Roland’s most vivid memories is of the church’s building projects. “The Mayor of Watauga, some of our members, and even local 7/11 employees did the labor,” he recalled. “We did not have the funds to hire professionals. We were not trained carpenters or electricians. But it still stands!” That story reflects the spirit of service that has defined the Gormans' ministry: ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things through God’s power. Over the decades, Roland poured himself into nearly every area of church life. He taught Sunday School, led boys in missions, sang in the choir and with the Sweet Spirit Singers, served on countless committees, and participated in mission trips to South Dakota, Missouri, and Alaska. He and Nita opened their lives to ministries from prison outreach to senior adult ministry, always serving wherever there was a need. When asked about their shared ministry, Roland said, “We just served and have always helped each other. It’s not about us, it’s how God used us and others to accomplish His goals.” Together, they taught, prayed, cooked, and led, even serving as messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention. Their partnership is a model of what it looks like to labor side by side for God’s glory. Even after decades of service, Roland’s heart remains focused on what matters most. His encouragement to others is simple: “Love and take care of the children. Continue missions. Support the SBC. Above all, keep praying!” Honoring Roland and Nita reminds us that God’s work is accomplished not through the strength of a few, but through the faithfulness of many. May their example inspire each of us to step into the places God has called us, serve with joy, and keep our eyes fixed on Him who deserves all glory.
September 1, 2025 • 2 Minute Read
Rallying Together
Back in July 2025, we completed our 18th year of the Back to School Rally, and we rejoice that two children accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Amen! This is the very reason we work so hard to put this event together each year – to share the Gospel. In our very first year, eighteen years ago, there were no backpacks or campus-wide gatherings. We simply partnered with one school—Watauga Elementary—and furnished 200 grocery sacks filled with school supplies. By the second year, Sertoma of Watauga joined in, and together we began serving all four Watauga schools. That year, 1,000 backpacks filled with supplies were distributed, and the event was hosted on the campus of First Baptist Church, Watauga. We were among the very first groups in the metroplex to provide school supplies in backpacks—seventeen years ago! Today, we are thankful that so many groups have joined in this effort across our community. I’ll never forget about ten years ago when more than 2,000 children and their parents filled our campus for the rally! Over the years, we’ve also been blessed to partner with the Watauga Police Department and Fire Department. One especially memorable year, pink firetrucks came to the rally to honor those suffering from cancer. Families lined up to take pictures with the trucks and even signed their names on them! For the past ten years, Victory Tabernacle has faithfully presented a puppet show at the rally, sharing the Gospel in a way children can understand. Many have come to Christ through these creative and powerful presentations. Though our attendance has decreased in recent years as more organizations have stepped up to provide supplies, we remain committed to the calling God has placed on us: to take care of the children of Watauga. Praise God for all He has done through this event over the years. He gets all the glory! Amen.
July 1, 2025 • 2 Minute Read
Magnified Moments
Have you ever paused to consider the vastness of the universe? If you visited our church during the last week of June 2025, you couldn’t have missed the Magnified theme of this year’s Vacation Bible School. From walls filled with giant ants to a dog the size of a car, to oversized butterflies and flowers—it was a breathtaking display of God’s spectacular creation. Yet, as stunning as the decorations were, the most beautiful part of VBS wasn’t what hung on the walls. It was found in the people—those who came to serve and those who came to be served. This year, Brittany, Petra, Helen, Jeanie, and I had the privilege of spending the week with a wonderful group of 5th graders. We watched them laugh through games, enjoy crafts, learn about missions, sing with joy in choir, and dive into Bible study. For me, three moments stood out most, and I hope they encourage you as they did me. The first came each evening as our 5th graders settled into their chairs. Those few minutes became a highlight—full of goofy dances, silly questions, and genuine conversations that built real connections. They were small moments that opened big doors for future talks about the Lord. The second came during Bible study, where twelve students shared openly about how God was at work in their lives. They asked deep questions about the gospel and spoke honestly about the storms they faced—moving to new places, sickness, school struggles, and peer challenges. Yes, even children face storms, and it was powerful to see them comforted by the truth that Jesus walks with them through every one. The third was seeing the joy of serving alongside so many volunteers. That joy, however, didn’t begin the first night of VBS—it began months earlier during craft days. Those times of preparation turned into times of fellowship. I met new faces, watched youth carefully construct giant flowers, and shared in laughter and encouragement. Many of those same youth went on to serve during VBS, and the relationships we built during craft days have continued to grow. Serving at VBS was more than a week-long event; it was an opportunity to experience God’s love magnified in every detail.
June 16, 2025 • 12 Minute Read
Life's Unwanted Detours
On the first 4700 miles of a 14k+ trip, Susan and I have faced several unwanted detours. These redirections have come in many ways, and each have had interesting outcomes. Though we may get frustrated, especially when the detour is caused by our own failure, we are continuing to learn the true meaning behind one of the most miss used passages of scripture. We are confident that, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Before I go any further, let me remind you of a couple truths from this text that are often ignored when it is quoted. First, the text does not teach that all things that happen to us are good. Certainly, rotten stuff comes our way. Sometimes, we face pain because of someone else’s sin. Sometimes, our pain is caused by our own sin or simple mistakes. Other times, we face pain and suffering simply due to circumstances that come from living in a fallen world. What may be the most challenging for a believer is that sometimes our Heavenly Father not only allows but plans and orchestrates things that cause us to suffer to discipline us and mature our faith (1 Peter 1, Heb. 12:3-6). Jesus assured His disciples that “in this world you will have trouble.” (John 6:33) Second, Romans 8:28 does not promise that all things work together for good for everybody! The text is a promise made specifically to believers who meet two criteria. They must be His kids (called according to his purpose). And, they are actively pursuing a relationship with Him (those who love God). Susan and I can have confidence in God’s plan and purpose for us even in the unwanted detours of life because we know that we are His and we are seeking to follow His will because of our love for Him. In just the past week, we have been challenged with at least four different types of challenging detours. Each could have cause great frustration and anxiety. In all but one case, we found that by keeping our focus on our Lord we have been able to walk in the peace and joy that only He provides. [I’ll confess that when the detour was caused by my own stupidity that I got frustrated for a short while.] Additionally, in EVERY case, the Lord has provided something through the detour that worked out much better for us than our original plan. The Planned Detour Our plan included leaving Johnston Campground in Banff National Park on Monday morning and driving up through Jasper National Park. I’ve told many people that I believe this is the most beautiful and awe-inspiring stretch of road that we have every traveled – and we’ve travelled much of all 50 states and several Canadian provinces. Leaving Jasper, we planned to head North to the beginning of the famous Alaskan Highway beginning at Dawson Creek and travel the length of the ALCAN through Whitehorse, Yukon. However, in Glacier National Park, we began to encounter a lot of smoke. Upon investigation, I learned that almost 100 wildfires were out of control in NE British Columbia. Those fires would be right along our route. Not wanting to deal with the smoke, we planned an unwanted detour to travel west from Jasper and get “behind” the fires. This would be a detour of several hundred miles but only added about 40 miles to our trip. Though we planned the detour, the short notice ended up causing some frustration that I’ll detail later. Besides, we’d miss a few of the iconic mile markers along the first few hundred miles of the Alaskan Highway. In spite of our frustrations, this unwanted detour took us to some incredible places that we’d have otherwised missed. We saw a lot of wildlife and enjoyed the scenery so much that we plan to retrace some of those miles on the way back down to the states. Along the way the Lord provided people and experiences that really blessed us each day. Unplanned Detour – Caused by Me This unwanted detour was caused by my mistake. After getting over the mountains west of Jasper, I began trying to plan for where we would camp that evening. We stopped off at the visitor center at the Mount Robson Provincial Park to get some information. It had a beautiful view and a lot of good information, but the service was a bit lacking and caused a little frustration. I picked a couple providential park campgrounds that would be about the correct distance for our travel that day. I was using a booklet provided by the parks system that had a small inset map of each region. I picked a park that looked right along our route, headed NW out of Prince George. This is where I made my mistake! After traveling over 30 miles toward that campground, we got stopped in a construction zone. As I sat there, I reviewed my travel plan on the “big map” and found that I was going the WRONG WAY! In fact, the way we were headed would take us directly back to the area of the fires near Dawson Creek. We had learned that smoke was no longer the only problem. The highway had been shut down in two locations with over 200 miles of highway closed. We had no other choice except to continue through the construction, get back in line, and travel back through the construction and back to Prince George. By now, we were tired and realized that my mistake had taken us over 60 miles out of the way with a two-hour delay. By the end of the evening, we eventually found a campsite along the correct route. The Lord blessed us with one of the only sites left in the area. A fellow traveler from Texas met us in the campsite and help us find the spot! It was a beautiful site and provided just the rest we needed. Unplanned Detour – Not Caused by Me Though this unplanned detour was caused by my mistake, some detours in my life have been created by other means. The birth, suffering, and death of our first-born daughter is one example of this kind of detour in our life. Though we were earnestly seeking the Lord, we ended up facing years of painful challenges. I started to write that they eventually ended at Katie’s graveside, but that would not be true. Though those years hold many great memories, they also created many scars. Even today, we periodically feel the sting of Katie’s suffering and her passing. Leaving our campsite this morning, I knew I needed to get gas soon. The first two places we came to that were supposed to have fuel were closed. Such is the challenge of traveling in remote places. The problem was that I had planned on one of these two being open and we were about to be in trouble. Instead of panic, we prayed. There was one more place on the map that we hoped would have enough fuel to reach. If we took it easy on the accelerator, we might just make it. Our “Distance to Empty” indicator was showing under 20 miles when we pulled up to the above ground fuel tanks. This wasn’t where we hoped to fill up and it wasn’t what we had hoped to pay for fuel. However, on this unwanted detour, the Lord provided again. While I was filling my tank, a young trucker walked up and told me about a wreck that had just happened a few miles down the road. He said that it could take hours to clear. He gave me some great advice on getting around the wreck that probably saved us at least an hour. The Lord worked through this unwanted detour to save us hours. If that wreck had been before the fuel pumps, well that would be a different story. When I think of these kinds of unwanted detours, I can’t help but remember the life of Joseph in Genesis. He experienced several unwanted detours after the Lord gave him a great vision. From the pit, to a mansion, to prison, to the palace, none of the detours were a part of his plan, but they certainly were used for his good, for his family’s salvation, and for God’s greater purpose for mankind. Helpful Detour – Following Good Advice The providential encounter with this trucker also provided and answer to a prayer that we had been lifting up the past few days. We were struggling with whether to include a trip all the way to the Artic Ocean that would include pulling our trailer over 1080 miles of gravel road. I love the idea of the challenge, but the main reason to go beyond a certain point would be just to be able to say that we had been there. Susan and I had been trying to decide and just were uncertain. While visiting with the afore mentioned trucker, he told me he was from Tuk –the small indigenous village at the end of the road on the Artic Ocean. When I told him we would be camping on the Dempster Highway at the Tombstone Mountains, he answered our prayer. He let us know that the road was in worse shape than usual. There was planned construction this summer to deal with its conditions. He said the best part of the trip was the Tombstone Mountains and a certain distance beyond. Once you pass that area, the scenery just wasn’t worth it. He recommended we camp at Tombstone Provincial Park and leave our trailer there. We could then drive a couple hours beyond the park and enjoy the best of the road without the stress. This was already something I had specifically considered and prayed about. Just a few hours later, the Lord intervened with another individual to meet our needs. When closing our trailer earlier this week, it became evident that a key component of our camper would not last the whole trip. I needed to repair a bracket that would require an experienced welder or metal fabricator. My backup plan was a fix I could do myself, but I was uncertain of its effectiveness. After leaving the trucker and making the detour he suggested, I found a welding shop that I had a peace about. He looked at my bracket and said he was willing but was unsure that he could do what I needed without removing the bracket from the trailer and I know that would be a long task and practically impossible with our schedules. When I told him my “plan b,” he said that was a great idea. He felt that would hold better than a weld on the thin metal. A few miles down the road, as I stopped in a big parking lot to take care of it, I found a couple other issues that I hadn’t seen. By me doing the repairs on my own, I was saved a LOT of issues that were on the near horizon. The Lord used two unwanted detours to work things out “for our good.” He provided great advice from a providential meeting with the trucker that came from one unwanted detour to provide an answer to prayer – a detour that would come from following the trucker’s advice. I am certain the Lord orchestrated these unwanted circumstances to provide the advice needed for tomorrow’s detour. As long as I take the advice, I’m certain we’ll find the “good things” God has for us down the road the next few days. Trusting the Lord in the Detours Every unwanted detour can be frustrating. Many can be downright painful. When we are faced with unwanted detours, whether we have a say in them or not, we have a couple directions we can take. We can get anxious, panic, get made at God, blame the cause of the detour, or blame others for our mistake (or sin) that caused the detour. If we take this route, we will never find peace and will be regularly frustrated throughout our journey on this earth. There is another route we can take. When faced with life’s unwanted detours we can take them to the Lord in prayer. We can turn to His Word for guidance. Scripture is filled with men and women who faced unwanted detours – some trusted God and some didn’t. Consider Job’s unfair life of suffering. Take a look at how David responded to the spear chunking of King Saul. Maybe even revisit the story of Joseph and see how God took horrible circumstances and used them for His glory. This evening, I am grateful for the detours. The unwanted detours have provided new experiences. We’ve found new friends. We’ve learned a little more about ourselves and we’ve learned to lean on the Lord. I think I’ll take the trucker’s advice. He knows the territory and he has been where we want to go. He knows the dangers and the beautiful blessings of the land. I also think I’ll continue to trust in the Lord, His word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He’s been there. He knows the terrain of the blessings and even the sufferings. When life brings us to a detour, I’m certain that it will result in our good and His purposes – whether we initially like the detour or not.
April 1, 2025 • 4 Minute Read
Laying Foundations
With each new generation, it seems that sin is not only more acceptable but also praised. What once was wrong is considered right, and what is good, what is true, is now wrong. Just as concerning is that many kids have unsupervised, unlimited access to social media that molds their morals and worldview. Influences that are rarely Christ-like. This is why I believe children’s ministries, like AWANAs, are more important than they ever have been. I didn’t grow up attending church often. I didn’t even know what Vacation Bible School (VBS) or AWANAs was until I came to First Baptist Watauga. Having been a Christian now for over twenty years, I recognize how having a firm foundation in the Bible would have been valuable in my early days as a believer. It may have prevented me from making some of the poor choices that I did! So, when I had my son Damien, I knew that I wanted to establish a firm foundation for him early and be an active bricklayer in the process. It was also around that same time that God was calling me to serve again (I have a BA in Ministry & Leadership from Dallas Christian College). He placed on my heart a desire to help build up future generations in Christ. So, in 2021, I signed up to volunteer at AWANAs. For those who are not familiar with AWANAs, it is a children’s ministry designed to help children learn and grow in their knowledge of Scripture. Each week, the children learn about the Bible, memorize scripture, compete in game time, worship in choir, and partake in large group lessons with Victoria. At first, signing up was intimidating! Did I really want to lead children who are full of energy and strong-willed? Did I want to be accountable for the discipleship of children that weren’t my own? I honestly wasn’t sure, but I could not say no to God. Now, four years in, I look forward to every Wednesday. God has an amazing way of using what is uncomfortable to help us grow the most! Through AWANAs, I have grown in patience and grace. I have been ,challenged to deepen my understanding of how to answer the tough questions. Such as, “If God is all good why did Satan rebel?” and “If everything on earth has a beginning and end, how is God eternal?” And the classic, “Will there be dinosaurs in heaven?” Kids are curious, smart, and impressionable at this age. I saw quickly how not being able to answer a question can impact their spiritual development. I was convicted that I should always be equipped to answer every question (1 Peter 3:15 – “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”). I want to always be ready at any time to answer every question. This conviction led me back to be a student of hermeneutics (the study and interpretation of the Bible) and apologetics (defense of the faith). But AWANAs is more than teaching the kids about the Bible. Most of the kids in our ministry do not attend this church. Many of them come from a Christian background, but not all. Some have accepted Christ, but not all. Some have great home lives, but not all. But all of the kids deserve someone who is there for them when they walk through our doors. As a volunteer, I get to be a positive influence—encouraging them, laughing with them, loving on them, and sometimes helping them make better choices. I have the opportunity to be the example of Christ they need in this world every Wednesday. We may not be the ones who lead these kids to Christ, but we are pouring the concrete for a firm foundation for those who come to Christ later in their life. By pouring into these children now, we are helping shape a generation that will stand firm in faith and carry His light into the future.
March 3, 2025 • 5 Minute Read
Longing for a Place Called Home
The air is changing once again. It’s that “not-quite-Winter, but not-quite-Spring” atmosphere that seems to drum up something deep inside all of us. Suddenly, more children are biking in the streets. People are strolling in the parks, and the occasional green-thumb is preparing their garden for the coming season. It’s in this in-between period that I find myself longing for home. That vast yearning of the heart and soul that says, “This is where I belong.” The problem is, my heart can’t decide where that is. There has always been this right-ness inside of me when I am in nature’s midst. I recall the first time I visited Colorado to see my dear friend, John. In that first visit and each time after, I would say to him, “I was born for the mountains.” There was something about the vast waves of stone topped with the timbers of the San Juan that resonated with me deeply. Likewise, when Jen and I honeymooned in the Arkansas Ozarks during Autumn’s peak, the serenity of the saturated hills and settling leaves left me feeling completely at peace. It felt right. Be that as it may, nature is not the only place that stirs my heart this way. My wife, Jen, looking out at the sunset on the final night of our honeymoon. As much as I like to think of myself as a Texas country boy, I am, at heart, a child of one of the largest cities in the United States. Though I didn’t grow up in Houston proper, the older I got, the more I came to appreciate metropolitan life. I adore historic city architecture. I love gazing at each spire of a skyline. Some of Jen’s and my favorite dates involve taking the train into downtown Fort Worth, simply wandering the streets, and admiring the variety of buildings. But more than the architecture, I am always in awe of the sheer diversity of people that make up a city—old and young, black and white, English and Spanish speakers, and countless other voices weaving together in a constant hum. Just as I feel at home in nature, I feel that same deep sense of belonging in the heart of the city. Jen and I at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the heart of Indianapolis. So, why does my heart feel equally at home in both nature and the city? Which one is right? I’ve come to believe that the answer is both. In fact, I think God intended it that way. I believe these deep seated yearnings are gentle reminders to all of us that this world is not our home. With “eternity in [our] hearts,” (Eccl. 3:11) these things point us to our future home with the Lord: Heaven. The bookends of God’s Word gives us a two-sided image of a dwelling place untainted by sin. First, Heaven will be a return to the Garden, a place abundant with “every tree whose fruit contains seed” and “every green plant for food” (Gen. 1:29-30), and a place where “the river of the water of life, clear as crystal” will flow (Rev. 22:1). For believers, we have assurance that our Shepherd will one day lead us to “green pastures” and “quiet waters” (Ps. 23:2). The serenity and peace we experience in creation now are only a glimpse of the far greater beauty that awaits us in Heaven. Second, Heaven will be the place where the City of God dwells. The diversity of any earthly city will pale in comparison to the “multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language” gathered in God’s city (Rev. 7:9). Its walls will be made of “jasper, and the city [will be] pure gold clear as glass” (Rev. 21:18), making even the grandeur of Dubai seem like a collection of mud huts in contrast. The hum of this city will not be a cacophony of noise and chaos. Instead, it will be a symphony of praise, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:12). But it isn’t the breathtaking beauty or the vast multitude that makes Heaven truly special. At its heart, the greatest joy of Heaven is this: our Lord—our Savior, Redeemer, Friend, and King—will be there. Revelation 22:3-5: The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever. So believer, if you’re like me, searching for that place that feels like home, let me encourage you: stop searching here. This world only declares God’s glory (Ps. 19:1); it is not our final dwelling place. Instead, look ahead with patient joy to what is coming—when, with the keys to Zion City, you will walk beside the King in His glory. _____________________________________________________________ Prudence: And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion? Christian: Why, there I hope to see Him alive that did hang dead on the cross; and there I hope to be rid of all those things that to this day are in me an annoyance to me: there they say there is no death and there I shall dwell with such company as I like best. For, to tell you the truth, I love Him because I was by Him eased of my burden; and I am weary of my inward sickness. I would fain be where I shall die no more, and with the company that shall continually cry, Holy, holy, holy.” Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan (1628-1688)
February 15, 2025 • 4 Minute Read
The First 20 Years
Twenty years ago today, February 15, 2005, I stepped through the doors at 6124 Plum Street as the new pastor of First Baptist Watauga. It was late on a Tuesday morning. I had preached my last sermon at May First Baptist on the 13th and it seemed appropriate to begin my official first day exactly halfway through the month. THE FIRST DAY My first duty was to meet with the Transition Team that had helped the church through a difficult interim period (if my memory is correct, that was Jimmy, Richard, and Tim). I only remember a few highlights from that first day. After meeting with those key leaders, I enjoyed dinner with my good friend Deron Biles and his family that evening. I asked Deron during dinner if there was a key person that I might visit that night outside of the leaders I’d already met. He suggested I get to know Dennis Serratt. So, I ended that first day with a wonderful day developing a new friendship with a special person who has become a partner in most every aspect of ministry. Since that day, the Lord has taken us on a wonderful, sometimes, winding journey. Susan has suggested that my first official day was the 20th since that’s when I preached my first sermon as the “preacher” of my new church. I believe however that my calling is to pastor the church – not just preach! That’s why I consider Tuesday the 15th as the start of this new journey. Many great memories come from those early days. I immediately got to work alongside a wonderful young man named Eric Costanzo. Jaye Biles had launched a choir in the interim and the Lord led her to be our worship leader for the first several years of my pastorate here. Miss Elaine, Zack, Kevin, PM, and many others have brought joy in the early years of this journey. ONE STORY HELPS SUM UP THIS WONDERFUL CHURCH FAMILY Because I began this new role in the middle of February, Susan and the girls remained in May during the week to finish out the school year. Susan was teaching special education while Kari, Kelsey, and Libbie all attended school. I would stay at Watauga during the week and they would join me on weekends. Our oldest daughter, Katie, had passed away on July 1st the previous year. Her passing coupled with the dramatic change including moving to the city, a new home, and changing churches put tremendous stress on our family. In early April, I remember speaking with Susan about a difficult situation one of our girls was facing. I returned home early in the week to help them. During that time, the deacons for FBC Watauga called a meeting. I remember getting a phone call from the Deacon Chairman after late that evening that initially worried me. If you’re a pastor, you can imagine getting that call immediately following a deacon’s meeting while you were out of town – a meeting you had just missed and in the first couple months of your ministry at the church. Thankfully, it wasn’t “that kind of call.” In fact, it was quite the opposite. I was told by the chairman that the deacons wanted me to take as much time as necessary over the next two months to care for my family. “Your family is most important. You’ve already accomplished more here that we expected in a year. Take care of your wife and girls during the week. We’ll see you on the weekend. Once school is over, you’ll be here full time.” I began to weep on the phone and had a hard time stopping when I got off. They loved me and loved my family. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. GOD’S HEALING I had been greatly blessed by my deacons, church family, and the community of May, TX. It was uncomfortable to leave that all behind when the Lord called us to Watauga. The love shown by the deacon body of Watauga FBC in those early days was a wonderful comfort and encouragement as we began this new journey still grieving and trying to heal from our deep loss. ONWARD Tomorrow I begin the 21st year as the pastor at First Baptist Watauga. I rejoice in the Lord’s healing and help. I rejoice that I have the privilege of serving Him and pointing every day to the Great Shepherd of my soul and head of this church. What a privilege it is to serve such a great Lord alongside such wonderful people.
December 9, 2024 • 4 Minute Read
This Is Why I Serve
I joined the worship ministry as a vocalist at First Baptist Watauga at 16 years old while I was a junior in high school. Although I would be hard-pressed to refer to myself as a mature Christian at the time, I distinctly remember sensing the call to get involved with the worship ministry. This was a months-long battle I had in my head about whether or not I could or should join. My doubts about serving often revolved around two thoughts: “You’re not good enough vocally.” “You’re not a good enough Christian.” Funny enough, I couldn’t get over myself until Pastor Mathew somewhat jokingly asked me if I had considered serving and I said, “Well, actually I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” What began as a casual conversation quickly led to me serving on the platform for the first time just weeks later. I vividly remember battling impostor syndrome throughout the entire worship set—before, during, and after. I felt like I didn’t belong among this team of excellent musicians and Godly people who were also serving the Lord. Despite what I felt, I still believed I was taking a proper step of obedience, regardless of what my anxieties told me. Still today, there are times I feel that I am not good enough to serve in worship ministry. But God’s word tells us that it’s not about us being good enough. Instead, Scripture tells us that He equips us for the tasks He calls us to do (Heb. 13:20-21, 2 Cor. 9:8). When we are called to serve the Lord, we must trust in His ability to prepare us for the task, both in spirit and in the flesh. He has this in mind even from birth, as He gives us gifts to accomplish His purposes (1 Pet. 4:10-11, Rom. 12:6-8). I firmly believe that God gave me the ability to sing to use for His glory, not my own. My service on the worship team is an act of obedience, using the gifts He gave me to glorify Him and spread the Gospel. Simply put, it doesn’t matter what you feel or think you’re capable of. He will use us where we are to accomplish His purpose, minister to His people, and bring glory to His name. Another valuable lesson I’ve learned about being “good enough” is that we serve a God who surpasses all our shortcomings. It’s never been about us being “good enough.” It’s only ever been about being faithful. Think back to the moment of Salvation. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are saved by grace through faith and not of ourselves. Starting our walk from this place of faith sets the stage for an attitude of faith in our service. In the apologetic work Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis would argue that all of the goodness that a Christian experiences originates from Christ within them. A lost person will strive to do enough “good” to earn the approval of “good” men, whereas the Christian is made good by a loving God from whom all goodness originates. At its core, isn’t service about showcasing how God is shaping us to be more like Him, so others might see His character through us? Because of this, we should serve unashamed knowing that the Lord will continue to sanctify us, inside and out, as we are faithful to Him. In the four years that I’ve been in the worship ministry, I have seen God work on my heart and ability in both big and small ways. I’ve developed musically by learning to play guitar and sing harmony. I’ve also grown as a leader by planning services and leading worship for our student ministry several times. Most importantly, I can say I’ve grown drastically in my faith. I am a more patient, honest, and kind young man than I was four years ago. I’ve learned that worship is not just songs we sing at church, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a heart posture of knowing the Lord and walking in His ways. It is an understanding of who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. That is what this worship ministry has meant to me. Being a part of it has discipled me as a young Christian, and I am looking forward to seeing how God will continue to use me in this ministry and how he will use the ministry to develop me as a better worshiper of Him.
