2012 Events Update
Standing on the Overlook of a New Year
January 2012
I love the mountains. Whether it’s the mountains of west Texas, the Appalachian mountains in the east, the Rockies in Colorado or Canada, the Cascades in the northwest, or the Sierras in California, I’ve ridden and driven them all. Even the Alps in Europe and the mountains of Central Asia. I not only love the sights, what I love is stopping at the lookouts, just taking in the breath-taking views. I find these views riveting, captivating, wondering what’s over the next ridge, what little towns are hidden away from view, wishing I could pedal my bicycle through those narrow roads, just taking in the beauty everywhere.
That’s how I feel at the beginning of this new year of 2012. I feel like I’m looking out at all the events, days, weeks, and months ahead of us as if they were all parts of the mountain scene described above. Every event is a mountain range – all kinds of people and volunteers hidden from sight but knowing they are there already in motion.
What you will see below is an overview of the main events to come in 2012 here at DBC. We have not included every event – only major events. It’s like we’re looking at only the main mountain ridges (knowing that all kinds of life and events are taking place below the high points).
I pray it will be year of transformation. I pray it will be year of outreach. I pray it will be a year of growth. I pray that as we reflect over and study each word and phrase in the book of Ephesians this year that God will use His Word to transform our lives anew, afresh, and with new vigor. I pray for His work in us. I pray not for success in the activities but I pray for the success of His work in us. I pray that we will be His disciples. I pray that we will make disciples like He did. I pray that we will be the witnesses He commanded us to be.
As we embrace 2012 and stand at this overlook, two passages come to my mind.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (John 15.7-8).
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3.20-21).
Let’s seek God together for a great year.
Joyfully and expectantly,
Pastor Hal
January
11 All Wednesday night ministries begin
27-29 2012 Missions Conference
25 – Evening Evangelism training w/ the Dubins
27 – Church-Wide Dinner; Guest Speaker: Heather Mercer
28 – LIFE Groups host missionaries
29 – Missions Sunday; Guest Speaker: David Dolan
February
17-19 Men’s Retreat
Led by Wes Bentley of Far Reaching Ministries, a missions organization that trains South Sudanese military chaplains to share the gospel, teach the Bible, and represent Christ to the men in their armies. They now have nearly 300 chaplains deployed to armies in South Sudan. Wes will be leading our men in a study entitled “Behind Enemy Lines, Getting Into the Battle.”
March
6 Simple Truths – A Parenting Seminar with Mary Flo Ridley
In 1986, Mary Flo Ridley began presenting a popular parenting seminar in the Dallas area. At that time, she and her husband, Dave, had two children ages four and one. They have now been married for over 30 years, have three grown children, and one grandchild. Mary Flo graduated from Southern Methodist University, is actively involved in her church and community, and loves being a wife, mother and friend. Learn more at http://www.maryflo.org.
11-13 Senior High Camping Trip
24 Men’s Ministry Breakfast
30-31 Junior High Lock-In
April
13-15 Women’s Retreat
Led by Eva Bleeker. Eva has an MA in Christian Education and an MA in Media/Communications from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is currently a chaplain with Baylor Hospital and on part time staff with Skillman Bible Church. Eva will be teaching on the five women listed in Christ’s genealogy in the book of Matthew – Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba, Rahab, and Mary. We will learn how God used their extreme faith to implement his plan of giving Israel her Messiah.
May
9 End of Wednesday night ministries
June
Jun-Aug Back Yard Bible Clubs
Hosted in homes of DBC families. Goal: 5 Back Yard Bible Clubs. Training provided by Child Evangelism Fellowship will be held in February for host homes. We desire to impact our communities through our homes with this strategic ministry.
9 Men’s Ministry Breakfast
25-29 Pine Cove Base Camp at DBC
9 am-4 pm; Ages: entering 1st-5th grade; Cost/kid: $225 (scholarships available). Scholarships are available for need-based applicants, and tax-exempt contributions for scholarships are accepted. Online registration opens January 16 at www.pinecove.com.
July
6-15 DBC Romania Mission Trip
9-13 Summer Kids Club at DBC (New VBS)
9 am-12 pm; Ages: 4 yrs - entering 5th grade; Cost/kid: Free. Space is limited; volunteers welcome. Online registration opens March 1. Contact Robin at rdembicki@dallasbible.org for more info and to be a part of this summer ministry to young kids.
30-Aug. 3 KidShine Performing Arts Day Camp
Ages: entering 3rd-8th grade; Cost: $150; Registration and information at http://www.kidshineonline.org. Registration is NOW open with a 10% discount available in January. There are also second child discounts available. There are plenty of spaces open for kids entering 4th-8th grade. Space is very limited for entering 3rd graders. The website explains how kids spend the week preparing for a Friday evening (7 pm) Christian musical. The outstanding KidShine team leads this Christian day camp with 16 years of nationwide performing arts ministry experience. Our church and community are invited to attend the Friday night performance. Your kids will love this week! Register now!
August
3 KidShine Musical
24 Men’s Ministry Kick-Off BBQ
September
5 Wednesday night ministries begin
8 Women’s Ministry Kick-Off Luncheon
October
20 Men’s Ministry Breakfast
31 Family Fall Festival
December
2 All-Church Christmas Party
12 All Wednesday night ministries end
DBC Community Pantry
We are off to a GREAT start stocking our pantry shelves under the direction of Brian and Michelle Pant! Our immediate purpose will be to supplement food for households/families in need within the DBC family. Our future intentions will be to be able to open the pantry to our immediate community (local apartments). This will occur when we are confident that we can keep the pantry stocked on a regular basis.
As the New Year approaches and you are getting back involved with your various ministries please remember the DBC Community Pantry. If once every 2-3 months our individual ministries would do a food drive – just two cans a person can make a huge difference in the stock on our shelves. If the outside groups you are a member of could partner with DBC in this effort that too would keep us going! The ways to contribute are endless and basically effortless. When you’re buying your groceries pick up a couple of extra cans or boxes of Mac & Cheese, cereal/pasta or rice. Make this a “family mission” for 2012!
This is an exciting undertaking and we pray that the body of DBC will embrace the beginning and sustaining of an outreach that could potentially help hundreds in our community. Pray for and with us as we move forward with confidence that God will be glorified!
International Friendship Partnership
With more than 2,000 international students, representing more than 90 countries just miles away at UTD we truly have the nations in our backyard. Do you want to be part in reaching them for Christ? One way to accomplish this is through the Friendship Partnership ministry.
Through partnership with an international student, relationships can be developed through weekly contact and monthly activities (i.e. grocery shopping together, sharing a meal together, going to a ballgame together, etc.) As trust and friendship are built, one can look for ways to communicate Christ in a way that is understandable to the international student.
Just this past Fall we have already seen one student come to Christ and others becoming more open to spiritual conversations. Look for information in the coming weeks about how you can be involved or contact Mike Standish at standish.mike@gmail.com.