I Love My Church Testimonies

Lives have been transformed through the support of the church body at First Baptist Raytown. Here are just a few of the stories:

 

 

 

 

 

and what happened after Brad’s testimony …

More reasons why you love FBR

I love FBR because they through God gave me my family back and reunited me with God. After almost 2 years of separation, my wife and I are back together and loving each other and God more than ever before. We prayer together, read Scripture together, attend FBR all on a daily, weekly basis. Thanks FBR. We love you.

- Brad Outersky and family

I love First Baptist Raytown because when I was growing spiritually First Baptist of Raytown had what I needed and for that I will always be thankful for meeting my every need for that time.

- Donna

Reason 2 of 100 Reasons: Because it is a praying church. A woman came up to me in the church parking lot and told me she has prayed for me since seeing “a couple of us old goats” honored as two Jima survivors at our 4^th of July patriotic service a couple of years ago. What a blessing! What a church! What a savior!

– Jerry Ingram

As a family we love First Baptist Raytown because the feeling of love you feel when you enter in the church, the dedication to God the church demonstrates, and the ongoing activities and programs they have for the members and non-members of the church.

When I married my husband almost 34 years ago, one of the first things I remember telling him was “Honey, there are no friends like Christian friends at church.” He hadn’t been raised in a church and was skeptical to say the least about my desire (and need) to be involved with a church family. How wonderful that he’s had these years to see and experience what I meant. I can’t begin to imagine how we would have gotten through life’s tragedies without our church family.

I love First Baptist Church of Raytown because it has birthed a desire within myself and children’s heart to learn more about the word of God. I also love the fellowship with the members here – its warm, loving environment. God is present here!!!! I feel renewed with each Bible study and Sunday service and closer to our Father.

Reasons you love your church

I love my church! We have been members for 43 years. Our sons grew up here. Their wives grew up here. They were saved here, married here, baptized here, ordained as a pastor and a deacon here. Our grandchildren are here; our grandson has been called to the youth ministry. We have been loved and continue to be loved by this church. When my wife of 55 years went to join our two sons in heaven, this church loved us through it all. God is as work here and we are excited to be a par of what he has done and continues to do.

We love you,
Clyde Jordan and family

I love my church because there are people there who love the Lord with all their hearts, minds, souls and strength, and they seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteous.  It’s so good to be among God’s people. That’s it in a nutshell.

- Linda Adams

Why do I love my church? I love my church because of what we can find here. We can find comfort in times of distress, peace when life brings chaos, encouragement when facing adversity, blessings when hit by hardships, happiness in the midst of sorrow, relief from disaster, strength in time of suffering, confidence in uncertainty, consolation during times of trouble, and support when facing opposition.

We can find friends when we’re friendless, family when we’ve been orphaned, fellow Christians that are like-minded and a place where worshiping God is held in higher regard than rank, gender, or good deeds. What do I love most about my church? It’s where we can find the love of Jesus Christ.

- Bob Bently

Reason 1 of 100 reasons: As a youth in pre-WWII days I lived on the streets in Raytown and got into every kind of trouble – nothing to do!! Our church ministers to the Raytown area – especially the ROC – keeping youth off the streets and near to God.

– Jerry Ingram

I have been attending this church for six years. It is where I worship. It’s where I work out. It’s where I work at even (at the ROC Café). My life revolves around this congregation. It is my home. It is a sanctuary.

– Chelsea Allen

I feel God in this place. Recently, our family purchased a home in Independence, my mother in law asked me last weekend if I had found a new church yet, one closer to home. I said no; I can’t leave FBR, that church has been my home for 1 1/2 years, I don’t intend to leave. Plus driving to Raytown I get to visit my favorite coffee shop too! (Benettis)

– Kimberly Clark

I love my church because I came at the darkest saddest point in my life at I was met with love – with care – with a family I have never experienced. It was not about anything material – this church loved me – me as a child of God. And that was something I’d forgotten. I am so thankful for this church. I am home.

– Lisa Hood

I Love FBR because the people of the church are so uplifting; when I’m down and feel love, they help bring my heart back to the right place.

– Keith Echelmeyer

Because together we are Christ’s Bride.

– CiCi

Why Sandi Jeffries loves First Baptist Raytown

John and I were married 45 years ago and moved to Raytown to teach school. We promised a groomsman of his that we would try his church upon moving. When we drive by it seemed like such a BIG church but we had promised! The first Sunday we were welcomed with love and enthusiasm and taken to our Sunday School Department by Dick Cole. It was a good experience but I hated being separated from the security of my “lifelong Baptist” husband. My SS teacher sensed my shyness and never called on me to pray or read from my new bride’s Bible. Jana and Jerri, who had always been Baptist, fit right into their Sunday School classes. After nine months of Brother Cole’s preaching, seeing my husband up early reading his Bible and learning more about Jesus, I sensed a need for something greater in my life. I had always seemed full and happy. One morning Iris Cole was called to come and talk to me when a fellow SS friend invited me to her home full of tears and (later I learned) conviction. Iris shared with me and introduced me to Jesus as my PERSONAL Lord and Savior. I had always loved Him and prayed to Him and God but I did not know the full story of what He had done FOR ME on that “Old Rugged Cross!” HE DIED FOR ME!!

Jana as a young girl already had asked Jesus into her heart as Lord and Savior. Jerri soon felt conviction for her young life and asked Jesus into her heart also. Later even before Juli and Johnnie were born, they were dedicated to God and His will for their lives. They later each heard God’s Word and responded with surrender to Jesus. I remember Johnnie had sat on Brother Cole’s lap at our home and accepted Jesus. When he felt ready he was told to come down and publicly let the church see he had given his life to Jesus. That next Sunday morning he was ready! When the invitation was given he just stood there throughout the invitation. Later at home I asked him about it and he said “the preacher said if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior come and tell the church. I didn’t think I could talk over that microphone.” These are all precious memories to me! God showed us His unconditional love in this church and He helped us learn about Him and grow. Jerri was married in this church. Juli was married in this church. Our first granddaughter, Candice Mozley Coit accepted Jesus in this church and was married in this church. This church has been the center of our lives! When God called Juli home to be with Him in Heaven her Celebratiuon of Life was in this church. My very best friends I met in this church and love them as family. God loves this church and has a very special plan for it! We have seen Him in action through the years in our loves and the life of this great church. That is why I LOVE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF RAYTOWN.

– Sandi Jeffries

FBR staff loves our church

I love my church because of what it is – the people. From the staff to
the choir to my Bible Study class, I have more brothers and sisters than
my mom and dad ever knew about! I love coming to church on Sunday
morning and worshiping the living God. I love serving here – choir,
pageant, media, just to name a few areas. You may think I HAVE to love
this church because I work here, but that isn’t why I love it. I feel
working here gives me an advantage because I work closely with the best
staff in the world and I meet more members than perhaps I would
otherwise. But as long as I keep finding ways to serve outside of my
work responsibilities, I will keep meeting and loving this wonderful
body of Christ.

- Trudy Buehler, Worship Ministry Assistant

I love FBR because my church family loves me and cares for me. As a
church staff member, I feel this is truly a profound statement, because
I know a lot of staff members at other churches who sadly cannot say the
same about the churches they serve.

When my young daughters and I were going through a difficult time in our
family a couple of years ago, we were surrounded by members of the
orchestra, choir, my Bible Study class, as well as other members of the
congregation. These members loved on us and demonstrated that love
through providing meals for us, financial assistance, childcare, and
prayer support. I couldn’t have made it through this dark valley in my
life without the support of this great church.

I praise God for FBR and its members. For over 12 years, I have been
proud to serve such a great body of believers!

- Larry Jones, Director of Instrumental Music & Stewardship Development

I love my Church because it (the people) are my family.  My mother, sister, brother and various other relatives lives in St. Louis, so I consider my friends here, my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I also love my job in the student ministry.  Ty is one of the most talented Student Pastors I have ministered with.  He has a passion for God and sharing that passion with our students.  It truly is a blessing to see our grown “students” going into ministry themselves … and seeing other students who marry and stay here to raise their families to love Jesus and take leadership as young adults.  Our two sons were raised at FBCR and gave their hearts to Jesus and was baptized here.

- Kay Bradley, Student Ministry Assistant

Because we’re a family brought together by the love of Jesus. We’re not perfect, but forgiven. We love each other deeply and take care of each other!

- Sam Stookey, Lead Office Manager, ROC Fitness Center

First Baptist Raytown demonstrates Christ’s love in action.  People are tired of empty words…they are looking for something real!  They want to know they are loved and our church demonstrates this in many ways.  I love how we reach out to the community, our schools; to those in need…meeting physical needs in order to reach them for Christ!  Jesus is our perfect example.  He wasn’t concerned about their socioeconomic status; whether they wore the right clothes or spoke the right way…He loved them and ministered to them right where they were at!  FBR has demonstrated “love in action” to our family on many occasions but I will always remember the love poured over us when our daughter was hospitalized in 2006, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  The news was life-changing for all of us and our church family was right there, providing the emotional, physical and spiritual support we needed during that time.  In James, Chapter 2, James addresses “faith without works” and how our faith, without works, is dead.  In Matthew 7:20 it says “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  I love my church for demonstrating “love in action” – through good works, ministering to one another as well as the lost, that they may see good fruit produced in us, for the glory of the Lord!

- Robin Moore, Pastoral Ministry Assistant

When You’re In Love

You’ve Got It Bad

When you first fall in love, you do crazy stuff. You stare at your love interest from across the room. You talk on the phone or text with them for hours at a time. You talk about serious subjects, and then turn around and talk about silly stuff. You poke fun at each other. You give each other cute little nicknames. You buy extravagant gifts for them, even when you probably can’t even afford it. You want to spend every available moment with this person even when you should probably be busy doing something else.

You freely give of your time and money to someone you care about because you love them. You will go without; you will sacrifice whatever it takes because of a passionate connection. It’s truly unbelievable what we do when we’re in this estatic state of love.

God Is Crazy In Love With You

This is even true of God’s relationship with us puny human beings! He created us humans back in the Garden of Eden in order to have an intimate relationship with us. But then we messed the whole thing up. Through our great-great ancestors, Adam and Eve, we all inherited our sin nature. We erected a wall of sin that hindered a connection with our Creator.

God’s Word is His love story for us. Over thousands of years, He has demonstrated this crazy kind of love for us. He has yearned to spend time with us. He has sacrificed for us. He gave His only Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity, as The Way to buy us back to Himself. God through Jesus loved us so much that He gave His very life for us.

Loving Is Giving

Loving through giving cuts against the grain of our sin nature, though. In our sinful, fleshly state, we make love about taking because we are selfish. Sure, when we first fall in love, it’s easier to give because we’re on an emotional high. We’re crazy in love and not thinking straight. But over time, we slip into old patterns. The “high” is gone and we get selfish once again.

When you boil down true, mature, Godly love to its core essence, it’s all about giving. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE…” (John 3:16). When we truly love someone or something, we will give everything we have for them. We sacrifice our time, our energy, and our resources for those we love. Some in this world have even had to lay down their very lives for those that they loved.

Do You Love God?

So, the question that begs to be asked is “how crazy in love with God are you?” Are you seeking to spend time with Him on a regular basis? When you wake up in the morning, are your first thoughts about communing with your Father? Sure, we all have schedules and are busy in our own little worlds. But, we do make time for those who truly have our affection. Do you get in the Word on a regular basis? Are you in prayer at regular times throughout the day? Our love for God is evident through how much time we spend with Him.

Finally, are you giving back to God in a crazy, nonsensical way? Are you giving back all your talents and abilities in service to Him? And, are you giving your financial resources back to Him in order to build up His Kingdom? Love God through giving back to Him. He gave His only Son on a cross at Calvary for you.

I Love My Church Day

This Sunday, September 18, all of us have the opportunity to demonstrate our love for God and His church through giving a special offering above our regular tithe and Great Race giving. Your church needs to “catch up” on a $300,000 shortfall in budget giving from the beginning of the year. Please pray for our church as well as your part in a special love gift this week.

Let’s all demonstrate together how much we love God and our church through giving generously to His Kingdom work.

Giving is a test of the sincerity of our love

A Special Offering For Poor Christians In Jerusalem

In a few of the Apostle Paul’s letters to various churches, we read about the taking up of a special offering to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem who have faced persecution for their faith in Christ. In Romans 15:25-27, we read of Paul’s account that he gave to the church at Rome:

Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

Paul had a burden for these poor believers living in the city of Jerusalem. As an itinerant preacher and missionary to the Gentiles throughout the Roman Empire, Paul knew that there was money and resources available in other, more affluent parts of the Roman Empire among the Gentile believers. He appealed to these Gentile converts to give generously in order to help their fellow Jewish brothers in the Lord.

Generosity Encouraged Through Example

In 2 Corinthians 8, we read of the Apostle Paul encouraging the Corinthian church to also be generous givers. He gives this church the same example that he gave to the Romans – the churches of Macedonia.

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

The example of the churches in Macedonia is a powerful one for three reasons. One, these believers gave generously in spite of their own trials and poverty. Paul doesn’t elaborate on this point, but these churches apparently were not extremely well off themselves, but he mentions that they gave beyond their ability. Two, these churches actually begged Paul for the privilege to give to the saints in Jerusalem. They wanted to be a part of the financial gift that Paul was collecting. And third, these churches exceeded the expectations of those collecting the gift.

A Test of Love

Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to follow the example of the Macedonian churches, but then he issued a new challenge to them in 2 Corinthians 8:6-8,

So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

The first part of the challenge was to finish the job on taking up a collection for the Jerusalem saints. Titus had already visited the church at Corinth on at least one other occasion to encourage this church to give, but apparently these Corinthian believers had not finished the task. Paul was asking them to complete the collecting of the gift.

The second part of the challenge was to give out of love. Paul tells these believers in Corinth that he is in no way commanding them to give. Rather, he is testing them to see the sincerity of their love. Do you truly love God? Do you truly love the universal church body? Do you love these poor Jewish Christians at the church in Jerusalem?

Paul confronted this church to actually demonstrate their love through giving. He used as an example the determined action of the Macedonian churches. In essence, he tells the Corinthians, “hey, I can really tell that the Macedonian Christians really love God and their brothers and sisters in Christ because they gave a lot in spite of challenging times. Now, I’m testing the sincerity of your love through completing your giving so that we can take this gift to Jerusalem as soon as possible!”

If We Love God And Others, Then We Will Give

Although the purpose of this gift has long passed into the pages of Biblical history, one universal truth still stands. If we love God and if we love others, then we will give. We will give financially to support the ministries of our church. We will give to help those who are less fortunate. We will respond to our church leaders when a need is made known to us.

So, church, let me ask you this one question, today – “Does your giving truly demonstrate how much you love God and His Church, the Body of Christ?” If so, then the evidence of that love should be reflected in our wallets, check books, and bank accounts through generous giving.

A Special Offering For FBR

On I Love My Church Day, Sunday, September 18, all of us have the opportunity to demonstrate our love for God and His church through giving a special offering above our regular tithe and Great Race giving. Your church needs to “catch up” on a $300,000 shortfall in budget giving from the beginning of the year. Please pray for our church as well as your part in a special love gift next month.

Let’s all demonstrate together how much we love God and our church through giving generously to His Kingdom work!

Growing in Christ: Caleb’s Story

Below is a touching testimony from a proud mom and a thankful church member. It is so great to see how the ministries of First Baptist Raytown are making an impact in the lives of children.

Caleb Fisk

Hi, FBR! I’d like to introduce you to our son, Caleb. Well, actually his name is Joshua Caleb Aaron, but we call him Caleb. Caleb was born on the same day as the new First Baptist Raytown building was dedicated – April 11, 1999. This year, he will be 11 years old. He’s rather excited about turning 11 on the 11th. What excites us, his parents, is watching Caleb grow in Christ together with this growing church.

Our family of five began attending FBR in October of 2006. Caleb accepted the Lord as his personal Savior during Pageant that Christmas, and was later baptized at the same time as his sister, Rachel, who had been saved during Upward soccer. We immediately noticed a change in Caleb’s attitude after his salvation – a softening towards others and a gentle spirit about him.

As he grew, Caleb enjoyed participating in church activities as much as possible. At first only participating in Sunday School and Upward sports, but after a rockin’ first summer at children’s camp (The joy of turning at one point during the children’s worship service at camp and seeing his hands lifted high, eyes closed, singing to his God, was amazing! but I digress.), that fall he expanded his activities to include Royal Ambassadors.  I will never forget his words to me as we drove home from his first RA Congress: “Mom, it was so cool. There were no girls, just a bunch of us guys, and we got to worship, Mom!” His evident enthusiasm for worshiping his Lord and Savior touched my heart; I will never forget how he said that to me that day.

From there, Caleb expanded his church activities even more in the fall of 2009 after another rockin’ summer at children’s camp, and that fall added Bible Quiz and Children’s Choir to his repertoire. In Bible Quiz, out of 187 quizzers, Caleb ranked 15th in the first two months of quizzing, and wound up with an 8th place trophy, his team finishing in 3rd place. He was self-motivated in his attitude toward Bible study, and his accomplishments were reached of his own accord in that effort. Likewise, he’s coming into his own in choir, even trying out for a part and getting it, as a dancer in the upcoming spring children’s musical Everyday Heroes. He loves singing to his God.

I can see how his Christian walk is affecting his school life, where teachers remark at what a great person Caleb is; he loves school, and is excelling in virtually every area. He is also well liked by most. In Cub Scouts or baseball, whatever the activity, he shines with integrity, discipline and good will.  He blesses this mother’s heart.

I am so thankful for FBR and the way God has used it to grow my son as well as our family, individually and as a whole, in their relationships with Christ.  I just thought that now would be a great time to say, thanks! We love First Baptist Raytown.

Sincerely,
Laura Boatright-Fisk

Caroline’s Story: Big Hearts, Big Vision, and Big Passion

When I came to FBR five and a half years ago, I found a church that captured my heart. I love this church because of the people I found here: People with Big Hearts, Big Vision, and Big Passion.

Immediately, I found big hearts in orchestra and a Bible study class. Since I play the viola, I joined the orchestra and found a place to use my talents. But more importantly, orchestra drew me in and has become my second family. Here I am loved for who I am and I belong. I have also found this sense of family and belonging in my Bible study class. It is a place where we can pray for each other’s needs (no need is too small) and help each other through life’s trials. We also get to study God’s Word more in depth and apply it to our every day lives.

The next thing I found amongst the people at FBR was a Big Vision – a vision that extends beyond themselves and beyond the church and into the surrounding community, the greater Kansas City area, and into the world. One example of this is the Heart of America Christmas Pageant, in which I have played my viola since I started here. The goal of the hundreds of dedicated people who help put this production together is to tell as many people as possible about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus through drama and music. And this is just one of the myriads of ministries that you can find at FBR that are reaching out to the people around us.

Lastly, you can’t have Big Vision without even bigger Passion and expect to get your vision accomplished. Now that I have the privilege of working on staff as the Instrumental Music Assistant, I not only get to see all the hard work that our lay people put in but also the tremendous amount of passion and energy that our staff gives to this church and it’s vision to tell the world that Jesus died for you and me so that we may live!

– written by Caroline Jones, member since 2004
Caroline is the Instrumental Music Assistant at FBR.

Why James loves his church

I have read all the posts about why folks love my church and they are all wonderful. I had a hard time putting into words why I love my church until I really forced myself to examine the question. A church is a church and all churches have buildings, people, pastors, music, good times, bad times, etc. I have to say that I love my church for all those reasons. But I love my church because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is at work here and God has called me here.

My journey with FBR started a number of years ago when I started attending a young adult ministry called Metro. Shortly after I started attending, the ministry had a need for a piano player. I just happened to fit the bill (God’s working perhaps?). After I got comfortable with playing the songs that were on each week, this huge thing called Pageant started gearing up. You may have heard of that. Well, the need arose again for someone to lead the band for a few weeks because our worship leader was heavily involved in the pageant, and, again, I seemed to fit the bill (God’s working perhaps?). Then a year later, the worship leader had an opportunity to take a full-time ministry position with another ministry in the city and the need arose for someone to take his place. Guess what, I seemed to fit the bill again (God’s working perhaps?). After years had passed since I came here and first started to volunteer, the need arose again for a job that I seemed to fit the bill for, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled to join the staff of FBR (God’s working perhaps?).

I could continue with so many of those examples of how God was at work in my life individually and through the ministries of FBR, but it’s a blog, not a memoire. I love my church because God is at work here and I am a firsthand witness to it. I have family here. Not just people I am close to, but people that the bond is much deeper, stronger than friendship can be. They are truly family to me and I am excited to see how God’s working in their lives, my life, and in my church!

–written by James Harding, member since 2005
James is the Director of IT at FBR.