This time last year we were preparing to restart in-person worship with very strict protocols. Today, we are preparing to relaunch our ministry to preschoolers, children, youth and young adults! Last summer we adjusted to a temporary normal. One year later we are taking a bold step of faith to once again become a neighborhood church for northeast Birmingham.
The Opportunity
Our neighborhood once boasted the presence of multiple Southern Baptist Churches. Most were tucked away in neighborhoods. But two were prominently located on opposite ends of The Parkway. Much has changed since those “glory days” of church life in northeast Birmingham. But some things have not. There are 75,678 people who live within a 10-minute drive of 700 Huffman Road. More than half of them are under the age of 40. More than half of them are not closely connected to a church. People still need Jesus. And Huffman Baptist Church is still uniquely positioned to live out the Great Commandment and fulfill the Great Commission.
Living the D-Life
We are called to make disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. And on Sunday afternoon, June 6th from 2:00 to 6:00, you and I will have an opportunity embrace a simple, biblical process for equipping believers for a lifestyle of making and multiplying disciples. This training is for everyone, and it’s going to be a great afternoon. I hope you will join us. We will have sign-up sheets available in your Sunday School rooms, but the easiest way to sign up is by visiting https://huffmanbaptist.org/living-the-d-life-signup/
North Park Partnership
In last month’s article I shared how God had led us to a potential partnership with a larger area church. That church is North Park Baptist Church in Trussville. As many of you know North Park was once known as Roebuck Park Baptist Church and was our neighbor just a mile away on Roebuck Drive. Please join me in praying that God will call some of their members to be missionaries who serve alongside us for a time as we make Jesus known among our 40,000 neighbors who are under the age of 40.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is July 18-21 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. It’s going to be great! We will have food. We will have worship. We will have arts and crafts. And music. And of course, we will teach preschoolers, children and youth about Jesus! North Park is planning to send some workers and children. And I know of at least one adult child of a Huffman member who is planning to help out and bring her children, too! All we need is you! Be looking for signup sheets in your Sunday School rooms, or volunteer to serve by visiting https://huffmanbaptist.org/vbs-volunteer-registration/
Grand Relaunch
Riding the momentum of a successful VBS, we will have our grand relaunch of Sunday morning ministries and the grand reopening of our children’s building on July 25th. It’s going to be a big day! I have invited Dr. Joe McKeever to be our guest preacher that morning. Many of you will recognize Joe as the artist who has contributed hundreds of cartoons about church life to publications like The Alabama Baptist. As an added treat, Joe will be sketching children and adults in the children’s building that day.
Grand Relaunch #2
One of the great blessings of the past fourteen months has been the intimacy of our Wednesday night online gatherings. We have laughed together. Prayed together. And grown together through God’s word. But on August 11th, we will return to a full schedule of on-campus ministries on Wednesday nights. Be looking for details in the coming weeks. And get ready to enjoy some of Treva’s cooking!
Huffman Homecoming
We will wrap up the summer with our first Huffman Homecoming on Sunday, August 22nd. I have already had conversations with some former members who are incredibly excited about coming home to Huffman for the day. This will be an opportunity to celebrate our rich heritage, reconnect with old friends and family, and share what God is doing at HBC. Save the date. You will not want to miss it!
Preparation & Prayer
Now, that I look at everything coming up, I think I’m going to take a vacation while I still can! Seriously, there is much work to be done, and I appreciate the way that so many of you have already jumped in to help with cleaning out the first-floor of the children’s building. Additionally, the Facilities Team is making plans for repairs and facility upgrades. We are grateful for the faithful generosity of previous generations of Huffman members who established The Next Generation fund, which will make these facility investments possible!
During June and early July we will conduct a number of community outreach events to help us invite our neighbors to VBS. These are still in the planning process, so be looking for weekly announcements.
Prayer is the greatest preparation we can make. Here are some specific ways to pray this summer:
- Pray for workers who will help with Vacation Bible School and other new ministries.
- Pray for the 75,678 people who live within ten minutes of HBC.
- Pray for our partnerships with Kingdom Family Christian Fellowship and North Park Baptist Church.
- Pray for your church staff.
- Pray for people to come to know Christ as a result of our efforts.