From the Pastor’s Desk

April 3, 2025

Dear EBC Family,

This week, I had the incredible blessing of attending a pastor's retreat with a group of faithful ministers. During these two days, Pastor Ronny Gaines from FBC Clarksville shared powerful insights that I'm eager to bring back to our church family.

One teaching particularly struck me. Pastor Ronny drew our attention to 1 Corinthians 10:12: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." He illustrated this warning with the story of King David—a man after God's own heart who, despite years of faithful service, allowed a season of complacency to create distance between himself and God.

In that vulnerable state, David's small compromises cascaded into devastating sins: lust that led to adultery, followed by deception, and ultimately murder. Each attempt to cover his tracks only caused him to sink deeper into the quicksand of sin.

This powerful reminder shook me: No matter how strong our faith appears, we must remain vigilant. Satan seeks opportunities when we let our guard down. When we begin to think, "I would never fall like that," we become exactly the target the enemy seeks. We must not be ignorant of his schemes.

This is why fellowship with one another is essential. We need:

• Authentic relationships where we can be honest about our struggles.
• Trusted brothers and sisters who will speak truth into our lives.
• Regular accountability that helps us recognize our blind spots.

Pride tells us that we are strong enough on our own, but wisdom acknowledges that we need each other. As your pastor, I'm committed to creating a church culture where we can be genuinely transparent and supportive of one another. 

I left this retreat with renewed conviction for our church family: We are stronger together than we ever could be apart. May God grant us the humility to depend on Him and each other as we press on in the faith.

"Two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Announcements

• Deacon Installation - This past Sunday the church voted to appoint Rick Gallegos and Thomas Gidley as deacons. Both candidates received a majority vote. This Sunday we will have a special deacon installation service. 

• New Website & Church Logo - If you haven't seen it already, you may see our newly updated website and logo at excellbc.org.

• Office Renovation - Our church office is currently undergoing renovations. I will still be working at the church everyday, but I will be working in our main church building. If my car is in the parking lot, you can know I am at the church. If you need to talk or stop by, feel free to contact me by phone, and I will be happy to assist you. My number: (228) 344-8911.

• Next Wednesday Night - Next Wednesday night we will have our monthly fellowship meal and business meeting.

• Nashville Mission Trip - Al & Karen will be leading a mission trip to engage Somali Muslims in Nashville on May 3. If you are interested in going, please contact Al Hodges in person, or at (804) 306-3274 or alhodges@gmail.com. 

• Volunteers Needed - We are in need of additional volunteers for the following areas: worship team, media/technology team, nursery/preschool, and kitchen/hospitality team. We are also looking to start a new K-2nd grade Sunday School class, and we are looking for a volunteer to teach this class. We will also need a new lead teacher for our 3-5 old class (Emma Hanson will no longer be able to lead this class once she has her baby this summer). These are great opportunities to serve at our church. Please let me know if you are interested!

• Men's Breakfast - The next men's breakfast is on April 12 at 8 AM. We will have the privilege of hearing a devotional led by Mike Hinson.

• Emma Hanson's Baby Shower - There will be a baby shower for Emma Hanson at 2:30 PM on April 12. A sign-up sheet is located in the foyer.

• Classical Conversations - Classical Conversations is a homeschool group in our community that has requested to use a few of our Sunday School classrooms on Tuesdays each week from 8am - 3:30pm. They have offered to pay the church $40/month for utility usage, and they have also offered to vacuum and clean our upstairs hallway and classrooms. I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider this request as we will discuss it in our next business meeting.

• Bible Study Fellowship - The women's group for Bible Study Fellowship meets at our church on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. Anyone is welcome to visit the class. If you would like to officially join, visit bsfinternational.org, and then click "Find a Group." Once you have located the group meeting at Excell Baptist Church, click "Request to Join" and someone will be in touch with you about enrollment. 

• Membership Matters - Our next membership course will begin in this Sunday. This class will meet on April 6, 13, and 27. All current & prospective church members are welcome to attend. This class will meet in the choir room during the Sunday School hour.

• Theology For Breakfast - I am starting a men's discipleship group that will meet on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month at Starbucks at 6:30 AM. This group will be focused on reading a theology or ministry book together. If you are interested in participating, please let me know! Our first meeting will be on May 2.

Upcoming Events

• April 12 - Men's Breakfast (8 AM)
• April 12 - Emma Hanson's Baby Shower (2:30 PM)
• April 17 - Maundy Thursday Service (6:00 PM)
• May 3 - Nashville Mission Trip (10:30 AM)
• May 10 - Youth Ice Cream Social (6:00 PM)
• June 13 - Blooming Onion Cook Off
• June 29 - 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
• August 8 - Church Game Night
• August 31 - 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
• October 10 - Chili Cook Off
• November 30 - 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
• December 5 - International Missions Meal
• December 14 - Holiday Meal

In Christ,

Hunter Hanson