Newsletter for January 21, 2026

Join Us This Wednesday for Family Night at 6 PM!

We will be continuing our 4-week series:
"Getting to Know the God We Trust."

Discover who God truly is as we dive into His attributes and character. Come grow in faith, ask big questions, and deepen your understanding of the One we worship. Don’t miss it!

On The Menu
Ham, Dressing, Mac and Cheese,
Sweet Potato Soufflé, Green Beans, and
Dessert (Christoffel Vlaai or Jezeble Cookies)

Just a reminder that we will have a Sunday School teachers’ meeting this Sunday, January 25, at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. All teachers and assistants are encouraged to attend as we plan for the future of our Sunday School ministry.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Don’t Miss the On Mission Celebration!
We’re excited to be part of the upcoming On-Mission Celebration. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from missionaries serving with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (GBMB), the North American Mission Board (NAMB), and the International Mission Board (IMB).

This is more than an event — it’s a call to live “on mission” at home and around the world.

Here’s What’s Happening:

Saturday, January 31

• Mission Fair at 10:00 AM at Bethel Baptist
  Come explore how God is moving through missions around the world. Missionaries will have tables set up and will be available to share about their ministries. Lunch will be provided. This is an event for all ages, and it’s especially a great opportunity for youth and children to engage with missions in a hands-on way.
• Evening Gathering at 5:00 PM at Morningside Baptist
  Our church will join with Morningside Baptist, Grace Fellowship, and Wellspring Baptist for supper and a time of hearing from missionaries Samuel Ayala, Emory Lussi, and Beverly Lussi.

Sunday, February 1

• Sunday School – We’ll hear from Twyla Jackson, a North American Missionary.
• Morning Worship – Guest speaker Matthew Gibbs from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board will share with us.
• Evening Gathering at 5:00 PM at Bethel Baptist
  All the churches in the Turner Baptist Association will come together again for supper, followed by worship and time with more missionaries.

            Sunday Evening Missionary Speakers:
            Children: Kerry and Twyla Jackson
            Youth: Jason Jones, Beverly Lussi, and Emory Lussi
            Adults: Matthew Gibbs (GBMB), Stephanie Carr (NAMB), and Frank Moran (IMB)

Make plans to attend this special weekend. Be inspired. Be equipped. Be on mission.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with what God is doing across Georgia, North America, and the world!

Choir Practice starts back on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
We would love to have you.

Join us for a time of food and fellowship as we take a trip to
The Canterbury Kitchen at the Mayberry Diner in Albany.
Friday, January 30, 2026

Departure: 10:00 AM from the church parking lot
Return: Around 1:30 PM

This trip is a great opportunity to enjoy a meal together and connect with one another.

Sign up in Sunday School or fill out the form below to reserve your spot.
We hope you’ll join us!

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions.
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2026 . . . . . . . .  $343,528.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . .  $19,818.93
Received to Date . . . . . . . .  $14,943.23      
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,606.31
Tithes Received this week . . . $3,378.90

In the late 1500s, Jesuit missionaries began traveling to China with a different approach to sharing the gospel. They didn’t come just to preach; they came to learn the culture, the science, and how people thought. One of the most well-known was Matteo Ricci.

The concept of measuring time was not new to the Chinese people. For centuries, the Chinese had used sundials, water clocks, and large astronomical instruments to track time and seasons. What was new were the European mechanical clocks that the Jesuits brought with them. They brought small, precise timepieces powered by gears and springs instead of flowing water. These clocks impressed Chinese scholars and officials, not because China lacked timekeeping, but because the technology was different and precise.

These gifts helped the Jesuits build relationships with Chinese leaders and gain access to influential circles. Their knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and engineering showed respect for Chinese culture and demonstrated genuine care for learning. And through those relationships, they were given opportunities to share the message of Christ.
The clocks didn’t convert anyone on their own, but they opened doors.

This approach closely mirrors what we see in Acts 17, when the Apostle Paul visited Athens. Paul did not begin by criticizing their beliefs. Instead, he observed their culture, acknowledged their religious devotion, and even referenced their altar “To an Unknown God.”

Paul said: “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”
(Acts 17:23, ESV)

Paul met people where they were. He spoke their language, understood their worldview, and used something familiar to introduce them to the gospel. In the same way, the Jesuit missionaries didn’t introduce the idea of time to China, but they offered a clearer way to measure it, which helped open hearts and conversations.

Many people are not rejecting God because they have never heard of Him. They are rejecting Him because they think they already understand Him. But when we as disciples share the unchanging gospel with wisdom, humility, and cultural awareness, it can seem different to a non-believer. Almost like seeing an old teacher through a clearer lens.

Our mission is not to water down the message. It is to communicate in a way that the listener can understand. We can’t assume words like sacrifice, justification, or sanctification can be understood by a non-believer.

Just as Paul used Greek culture to point people to Christ, and the Jesuits used science to build bridges in China, we are called to present the gospel in ways that speak clearly to the world around us without compromising the truth.

The message never changes. But the way we share it can make all the difference.