It's that time of the year when virtually every major media outlet in the world of news, entertainment & sports publishes their annual “Best of…”, “Top Stories” or “Year in Review” lists. In a tip of the hat to that grand old tradition, I’ve decided to compile & share my own personal list of ministry highlights for the past year at Mount Hermon Baptist Church. Here goes!
1. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
Mount Hermon has a long and inspiring history of missions giving. That history reached new heights this past year. After closing out 2006 with a record-setting $70,000 Lottie Moon offering, we set out to do it again in 2007. As I write these words, we’ve already exceeded $60,000 in receipts with one more Sunday remaining in 2007. That means that in the past 13 months, Mount Hermon has given more than $130,000 to support the vital work of the more than 5,000 IMB missionaries serving around the globe! Hallelujah!
2. Mission Trip to Cambodia. 2007 was also a year for greater hands-on involvement in missions. In May, a team of 6 Mount Hermon members
responded to an urgent plea for help from one of our IMB missionaries in Cambodia. On short notice, our team traveled across the Pacific to work with missionary kids while their parents were involved in an important annual spiritual retreat. Traveling to Southeast Asia was by far the most far-reaching mission trip our church had ever taken. And this was the first step in a continuing hands-on ministry relationship with our friends in Cambodia. In fact, we'll be taking another team to Cambodia in May 2008.
3. Mission Trip to Greece. In July, 46 Mount Hermon youth & adults took part in the most far-reaching youth mission trip in our church’s history. Working in conjunction with the SBC's International World Changers, our group was involved in a wide variety of ministry projects in the historic city of Thessaloniki, following in the footsteps of the
Apostle Paul, who planted a church there in the 1st Century AD. Our young people made a significant impact in the ancient city, which today has a metropolitan area population of over one million. Much noteriety was given to a major beach cleanup project involving several of our people. Team members were given special recognition by the mayor, interviewed & photographed by a local newspaper, and filmed on location by a local television crew, in each case faithfully giving glory to Jesus Christ.
4. Mission Trip to Baltimore. Another contingent of youth & adults traveled up to Baltimore, Maryland around the 4th of July to work with a new church plant as part of our North American Mission Board’s PowerPlant ministry. This was the second successive year we had undertaken an endeavor like this, as Mount Hermon youth also participated in a PowerPlant project in Richmond in 2006. (By the way, in 2008 our youth will be involved in hands-on mission work in New Orleans, as that city continues to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.)
5. Calling of Whitney Clarke. In October, Whitney Clarke became our new Minister of Preschool & Children. A product of Mount Hermon, Whitney returned to our community after earning a seminary degree in Texas, marrying, and living overseas for a time in Japan. Whitney has been a wonderful addition to our church staff. She and her husband Randall, the Chaplain at nearby Hargrave Military Academy, and their daughter Catie are a real blessing to us. I personally look forward to working with her for years to come.
6. Calling of Josh Mark. In November, Joshua P. Mark was called as our new Minister of Youth & Young Adults. He officially begins his duties with us January 1, 2008. Born in Canada, Josh grew up in Bradenton, Florida. After graduating from college, serving with a church in British Columbia, and attending seminary in the Pacific Northwest, Josh came back to Bradenton and served with in a church there. He and his bride Elisabeth “E.B.” will soon be in Danville. I look forward to their arrival and I am excited about their future ministry with us.
7. Sanctuary Renovation/ Organ Installation. Just in time for the Christmas season, our new Rodgers organ was delivered, the spacious, newly remodeled stage area was completed, and new lighting was installed. The changes added a considerable amount of space to the platform, expanding the potential for our choir, orchestra, creative arts team, and drama ministries. The renovations also gave the front of the worship center a whole new look with a friendlier, more open feel. I’m excited about the possibilities for the future.
8. Marriage Conference Weekend. In September, we held our first annual ministry event to strengthen marriages. Several married couples (and couples preparing for marriage) were
blessed by the teaching ministry of Murrill & Deborah Boitnott. It was truly a highlight of the year. From now on, every other year, we will host an event like this at Mount Hermon. In alternating years, we will lead groups from our church to off-site marriage enrichment retreats. In October 2008, for example, Sandy & I plan to take a large Mount Hermon contingent to Ridgecrest, North Carolina for a Festival of Marriage weekend. Then, in 2009, we’ll bring a special guest conference speaker on site once again.
9. "Discover Mount Hermon". This newly-developed seminar for seekers and prospective
members debuted this year. Led by yours truly (with assistance from the New Member Team) this special quarterly luncheon event provides an opportunity for people to meet the pastor, learn more about our church—who we are, what we believe, how we function, etc.—and be presented with the Gospel. This not only helps clear up many questions in the attendees’ minds, but it also has already proven to be an effective, non-threatening “ice-breaker” that motivates people right then and there to make a personal commitment to join the church and/or follow Christ.
10. Choir Christmas CD. Our adult choir worked very hard this year recording a beautiful new CD entitled, “The Joy of Christmas.” Our choir has done CDs in the past, all of which have been well received. This was their first ever seasonal recording, however.
The new music was presented live to our congregation & community on December 8th & 9th. Subsequent sales of the CDs were brisk throughout December, with many people wanting to share them as Christmas gifts. Most importantly, as in the past, these CDs are an extension of the worship ministry of our church by which we are able to reach out and touch others.
Wow! A lot of things happened in 2007. Of course, there are countless immeasurables & intangibles that you cannot easily compile in a list like this. For example, broken hearts mended, wounds healed, relationships restored, sins forgiven, joy reclaimed, freedom achieved, encouragement extended, devotion deepened, growth experienced, etc. You get the picture. But I certainly thank God for all of those wonderful victories as well!
Yes, it's truly been a great year at Mount Hermon. I just can't wait for 2008!
Pastor Danny
1. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
Mount Hermon has a long and inspiring history of missions giving. That history reached new heights this past year. After closing out 2006 with a record-setting $70,000 Lottie Moon offering, we set out to do it again in 2007. As I write these words, we’ve already exceeded $60,000 in receipts with one more Sunday remaining in 2007. That means that in the past 13 months, Mount Hermon has given more than $130,000 to support the vital work of the more than 5,000 IMB missionaries serving around the globe! Hallelujah!2. Mission Trip to Cambodia. 2007 was also a year for greater hands-on involvement in missions. In May, a team of 6 Mount Hermon members
responded to an urgent plea for help from one of our IMB missionaries in Cambodia. On short notice, our team traveled across the Pacific to work with missionary kids while their parents were involved in an important annual spiritual retreat. Traveling to Southeast Asia was by far the most far-reaching mission trip our church had ever taken. And this was the first step in a continuing hands-on ministry relationship with our friends in Cambodia. In fact, we'll be taking another team to Cambodia in May 2008.3. Mission Trip to Greece. In July, 46 Mount Hermon youth & adults took part in the most far-reaching youth mission trip in our church’s history. Working in conjunction with the SBC's International World Changers, our group was involved in a wide variety of ministry projects in the historic city of Thessaloniki, following in the footsteps of the
Apostle Paul, who planted a church there in the 1st Century AD. Our young people made a significant impact in the ancient city, which today has a metropolitan area population of over one million. Much noteriety was given to a major beach cleanup project involving several of our people. Team members were given special recognition by the mayor, interviewed & photographed by a local newspaper, and filmed on location by a local television crew, in each case faithfully giving glory to Jesus Christ.4. Mission Trip to Baltimore. Another contingent of youth & adults traveled up to Baltimore, Maryland around the 4th of July to work with a new church plant as part of our North American Mission Board’s PowerPlant ministry. This was the second successive year we had undertaken an endeavor like this, as Mount Hermon youth also participated in a PowerPlant project in Richmond in 2006. (By the way, in 2008 our youth will be involved in hands-on mission work in New Orleans, as that city continues to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.)
5. Calling of Whitney Clarke. In October, Whitney Clarke became our new Minister of Preschool & Children. A product of Mount Hermon, Whitney returned to our community after earning a seminary degree in Texas, marrying, and living overseas for a time in Japan. Whitney has been a wonderful addition to our church staff. She and her husband Randall, the Chaplain at nearby Hargrave Military Academy, and their daughter Catie are a real blessing to us. I personally look forward to working with her for years to come.
6. Calling of Josh Mark. In November, Joshua P. Mark was called as our new Minister of Youth & Young Adults. He officially begins his duties with us January 1, 2008. Born in Canada, Josh grew up in Bradenton, Florida. After graduating from college, serving with a church in British Columbia, and attending seminary in the Pacific Northwest, Josh came back to Bradenton and served with in a church there. He and his bride Elisabeth “E.B.” will soon be in Danville. I look forward to their arrival and I am excited about their future ministry with us.
7. Sanctuary Renovation/ Organ Installation. Just in time for the Christmas season, our new Rodgers organ was delivered, the spacious, newly remodeled stage area was completed, and new lighting was installed. The changes added a considerable amount of space to the platform, expanding the potential for our choir, orchestra, creative arts team, and drama ministries. The renovations also gave the front of the worship center a whole new look with a friendlier, more open feel. I’m excited about the possibilities for the future.
8. Marriage Conference Weekend. In September, we held our first annual ministry event to strengthen marriages. Several married couples (and couples preparing for marriage) were
blessed by the teaching ministry of Murrill & Deborah Boitnott. It was truly a highlight of the year. From now on, every other year, we will host an event like this at Mount Hermon. In alternating years, we will lead groups from our church to off-site marriage enrichment retreats. In October 2008, for example, Sandy & I plan to take a large Mount Hermon contingent to Ridgecrest, North Carolina for a Festival of Marriage weekend. Then, in 2009, we’ll bring a special guest conference speaker on site once again.9. "Discover Mount Hermon". This newly-developed seminar for seekers and prospective
members debuted this year. Led by yours truly (with assistance from the New Member Team) this special quarterly luncheon event provides an opportunity for people to meet the pastor, learn more about our church—who we are, what we believe, how we function, etc.—and be presented with the Gospel. This not only helps clear up many questions in the attendees’ minds, but it also has already proven to be an effective, non-threatening “ice-breaker” that motivates people right then and there to make a personal commitment to join the church and/or follow Christ.10. Choir Christmas CD. Our adult choir worked very hard this year recording a beautiful new CD entitled, “The Joy of Christmas.” Our choir has done CDs in the past, all of which have been well received. This was their first ever seasonal recording, however.
The new music was presented live to our congregation & community on December 8th & 9th. Subsequent sales of the CDs were brisk throughout December, with many people wanting to share them as Christmas gifts. Most importantly, as in the past, these CDs are an extension of the worship ministry of our church by which we are able to reach out and touch others.Wow! A lot of things happened in 2007. Of course, there are countless immeasurables & intangibles that you cannot easily compile in a list like this. For example, broken hearts mended, wounds healed, relationships restored, sins forgiven, joy reclaimed, freedom achieved, encouragement extended, devotion deepened, growth experienced, etc. You get the picture. But I certainly thank God for all of those wonderful victories as well!
Yes, it's truly been a great year at Mount Hermon. I just can't wait for 2008!
Pastor Danny
