The most crucial time in the relay race is the baton exchange. How many Olympic runners have lost their race trying to pass the baton to the next runner? The same is true of our passing the responsibility of the gospel to the next generation. Paul spoke clearly of the importance of these issues when he declared to Timothy, “And the things that you’ve heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who will teach others also.” ( 2 Tim 2:2) This is one area that we must get it right! Dr. Thom Rainer wrote about this recently in the Facts and Trends magazine published by Lifeway. He pointed out that the generation born between 1980 and 1991 is known as the “millennial generation”. According to extensive research, only 15% of these young people are followers of Jesus Christ. We are dropping the baton! We must do better to reach them and equip them. My prayer is that North Central will be a place that properly disciples and equips the next generation to multiply the gospel for years to come! Look for some young person to encourage-some younger believer to disciple!  Don’t drop the baton!

Tonight I had a meeting with the older guys at the youth camp. I asked them what God was doing in their lives-I wanted them to vocalize what they sensed Him saying to them. I was so encouraged! One young man shared that he felt God leading him to take the gospel overseas! Another sees himself doing youth work in the future in a local church! All of this is evidence to me of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that God has given us to work with youth. What potential is wrapped up in everyone of these lives. Here is the question:  Are we being faithful to the calling on us as a church to give them the truth and are we as adults modeling the life of a Christ follower to them?

What a tremendous blessing it is to be with our youth here at Camp. We are at the Word of Life Camp in Hudson, Florida probably 30 minutes north of Tampa. God is working in a great way in this camp. There are 417 students here from 20 churches. We have students in 4 different cabins. Our older guys are grouped together and our younger guys are grouped together. It’s the same way with the girls-thus making the 4 cabins. Each day is made up of incredible worship and Bible Study. The students are challenged to completely sell out to Christ, making Him Lord of their lives. I am really praying that the momentum from this camp will propel our students to continue in a radical walk with Christ. Why is it that so often we see believers get fired up about Christ at something like Camp or the Connect Conference and then it wears off? I know that God is able to conform us to his image and for that change to last!  Lord do it in me!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome new and returning college students to Gainesville, Florida for the Fall Semester 2009! What a wonderful opportunity the Lord has given North Central Baptist Church to touch the lives of thousands of collegians throughout our storied 74 year history. Our lives are enriched by your presence in our church and community.

I want to give you Five reasons why you will love it at NCBC!

1. Our people love College Students. That’s right. From the front door to the Small Group Bible studies, our people will give you encouragement and love.  Our college ministry is led by the finest College minister that I know of anywhere, Zach Allen.  He and his sweet wife Shelly have been pouring into UF and Santa Fe students at a record pace.  Zach has assembled a team of leaders that you will love. These leaders are sold out to make this a place that is Biblically relevant for you.

2.  We won’t candy coat the gospel.  When you come here, you will hear the Word of God. In the sermons preached and Bible studies taught our message is simple–surrender to Jesus Christ and experience the magnificent Grace of God.

3.  You can get your hands dirty in ministry here.  I mean that, from mentoring a youth, to the lost man in Gainesville who needs the gospel, we will give you a way to make a difference.  Isn’t that what you want to do anyway? Sure you’ll take chemistry in Leigh Hall but why not also count for Christ through your local church?

4.  We love the nations here.  Our church loves missions.  We are taking college students to Brazil for them to share Jesus.  Many have left our ranks to go all over the world for Christ. We have an international ministry that is awesome.  You like missions?  You’ll like North Central.

5. This place is full of surprises. For years God has blessed our people in unique ways.  Some started pouring into youth here.  Others were called to missions here.  MANY majors are changed by our students. (I think that happens everwhere!) And get this–you may meet your wife here!  Oh yea, that happened to me when I was minding my own business as a college student at North Central.  This beautiful girl named Kelly caught my eye and the rest is history!  I am forever grateful for this place.

So check us out.  We are a New Testament Church that wants to be on mission with God in the world.  Come along with us.  I think you’ll love it!

In my last blog, I pointed out that as Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and in the midst of that persecution, they remained faithful. (Acts 14) What do you do when people try to worship you? That is exactly what happened next when Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra. Paul healed a lame man and the people thought that the two men were gods. They called Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker. They called Barnabas Zeus. There was a legend that Zeus and Hermes visited Lystra years before and so the people were all worked up that it was happening again.

How would you respond? My tendency would be to relish in the spotlight momentarily. Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes.  This was a way to visually show their disapproval of the idolatrous worship of the people of Lystra.  They said, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.” In spite of the people being out of control to worship them, Paul and Barnabas wouldn’t allow it.

Great lesson for us.  Run from idolatry.  Embrace Humility

I am very thankful for the 41 people
who are involved in our Strategy for
Souls Evangelism Equipping Ministry.
Just into our second week we have
already seen one precious soul come
into the Kingdom! As we sow the seed
of the gospel & water it with love &
care, I believe that many will be converted
by the Lord. Let me ask our
church family to pray for those going
out each week. Remember this is not simply a group of
people learning how to share their faith. We each desire
to obey scripture in fulfillment of 2 Timothy 2:2 by discipling
witnesses who will disciple others. Spiritual reproduction is
the goal! The “hot house” of spiritual growth is evangelism.
All of the men of North Central & our guests are invited to
the Men’s Fish Fry scheduled for Friday night, March 20 at
6:30pm. What is better than fried fish, hush puppies, & all
the fixing’s? The fish will be great, but the fellowship, centered
on Jesus, will be even better. The fellowship that
men experience centered on the gospel of Jesus is very
special & challenging. I want to encourage all of our men
to buy a ticket for an unchurched man that you can
bring. This will be a great event to introduce him to North
Central. Tickets are just $4 & are available in Sunday
School.
Ladies, you have a retreat coming up April 24th & 25th. I
am really excited about this special time for you that is
centered around the Anne Graham Lotz Conference in
Jacksonville, Florida. Anne Graham Lotz is the daughter of
Evangelist Billy Graham & has been used of the Lord in a
phenomenal way with women all over this country.
Women are packing auditoriums to hear her encouraging
message of total commitment to Christ. You don’t want
to miss this.
We are showing a movie on Sunday night, March 29th
from 5-7pm in the main auditorium. Fireproof is the name
of the film that was produced by the Sherwood Baptist
Church in Albany, Ga. This is one of the most powerful
Christian Films that I have ever seen. We are doing this to
give you an opportunity to invite unchurched people to
hear the gospel. I promise you, the gospel is powerfully
presented in this film. I will share following the film as well.
The film’s plot centers on the marriage relationship. Believers
will be encouraged & challenged to do whatever is
necessary to strengthen their marriages. Our church will
be offering a seven week Bible study follow up course
that will begin in April for all those interested. I believe this
will be a wonderful night for all marriages & those
unchurched individuals that are invited.
I look forward to our children’s music recital scheduled for
Sunday night, March 15th. This is always a highlight for the
kids.
It is a joy to be your pastor. The Lord continues to bless us
in unusual & special ways. Oh yes, one more thing. I want
you to pray about giving sacrificially to our Seminary
Scholarship Fund. As you know we just gave our church
approval to 3 future seminary students who are coming
right out of our church! There will be more to come, I
pray! I want us to raise $30,000.00 to help us bring this fund
up to where it needs to be. We will take a special offering
on Easter Sunday. Pray about what you are to give to
help send the next generation to push back the walls of
darkness!

What is a quality that will truly make the difference in any marriage, family, nation, and church? I believe that the key quality can be summed up in the word-INITIATIVE. I’m thinking about initiative in this way–the catalyst that gets you to start and complete what you know God has called you to do.

In Scripture, we see examples of this great quality. David was bringing food to his brothers who were fighting in war and he heard Goliath taunting the people of God. He took the initiative to go defeat the giant and the spiritual and physical impact was felt by the entire nation. Paul was an initiator.  He pressed and pressed under the leadership of the Holy Spirit to pioneer the gospel to new cities.

We can learn about certain qualities by studying the opposite character traits that we sometimes find in Scripture. North Central been engaged in a series of Bible studies on Sunday nights in the book of Proverbs.  Last night we studied the Sluggard.  By studying the lazy man (Sluggard) we learn the importance of initiative. Derek Kidner, in his commentary on Proverbs, gives us some good insights on the Sluggard.

Consider the following:

1.  Sluggards will not begin things.  Proverbs 6:9-10

2.  Sluggards will not finish things.  Proverbs 19:24

3.  Sluggards will not face things.  Proverbs 22:13

4.  Sluggards are restless with desire.  Proverbs 13:4

We must not allow ourselves to remain lazy.  I heard the story years ago about Charles Schwab, the president of the Bethlehem Steel Company who was discouraged with the progress of his own life and business.  He hired a consultant and offered to pay any price if the consultant could help him be more productive.  The consultant said, “I’ll tell you what I think, you try my advice, and then you pay me what you think it’s worth.”  His advice centered around a simple “To-Do List”.  He said to Schwab, “Start by writing down several things that you need to get done.  Number them by priority.  Work on number one until it is complete and then go to number two.  Continue in the same way until you have completed your list.  If you come to the end of your day and the list is not complete, make the uncompleted items your first priority for the next day and add to them, working down your priority list.”  Schwab tried it and was very pleased with the results.  He paid his consultant $25,000.00.

I have found this method to help me get more done in my life.  It helps me take the initiative to follow what I sense God calling me to do.

What about you?  What is the dream that God has put in your heart for your family, your church, your business, and your ministry.  Make sure that you ask the Lord for initiatve and then write it down and go to work!!

I can not believe that it is already December! This is my favorite month of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Please make sure you are involved in worship on the Sundays leading up to Christmas. You can find printed in our Lifeline all of the different fellowships that will be taking place in the month of December. These are special times of encouragement and fellowship; why not bring someone with you who needs to know the love of the Lord Jesus that we share together here at North Central.

Our Lottie Moon Christmas offering goal is $16,000. Every penny goes directly to the International Mission Board. They rely heavily upon this offering. Our church is dedicated to world missions. I encourage every North Central member to give a generous gift toward our Lottie Moon Christmas offering.

I want to encourage you to get your tickets early for one of the two performances of our dinner theater. Brother Michael and all of our musicians have been working hard to make this a wonderful Christ exalting evening. Your Christmas will be made by this special dinner theater. I want to encourage you to buy at least two extra tickets for someone who needs to know the love of Jesus Christ. You will make their Christmas, particularly if they meet Jesus for the first time.

David Champagne, a phenomenal trumpeter and my friend from Jacksonville, will be here on Sunday morning the 21^st. This is our last Sunday worship service before Christmas day. I promise you that you will not be disappointed when you hear David’s wonderful testimony and his phenomenal ability with the trumpet. This will be a special morning as we worship our Lord together.

Christmas Eve with the Lord’s Supper has become one of the favorite traditions here at North Central. Last year was my first Christmas Eve service as your Pastor. To share a worship experience with other believers and family on such a special day is unique and extremely meaningful. This service is exactly one hour in length. Your Christmas will be marked by your worship experience on Christmas Eve. This will be a great service to bring family and friends to as well.

The entire focus of our church centers around the Lord Jesus Christ. This baby in the manger truly is the greatest person of all history. He is our sovereign God who left Heaven’s glory to reconcile lost men to God. Oh what a Savior! Halleluiah!

Sincerely,

Calvin J. Carr

What a tremendous blessing it was to
have Bob Tebow speak on Homecoming
Sunday this past weekend. I believe
that we set a new record for a Sunday
Morning worship service at 456! More
than the number, the Lord Jesus was
lifted up, souls were saved, & God’s
people were encouraged. I appreciate
the work of our entire church family in
inviting many to be with us.
You folks are simply the most loving people in the world.
Almost weekly someone tells me how you have welcomed
them to our services. Let us never take this for
granted. Many folks come to church searching for encouragement.
If they don’t get it here, where will they get
it? I’m thankful that the message of the gospel is a message
of hope to those who turn from sin to the Lord Jesus.
God will set us on the right track if we will just turn to Him.
I’m thrilled to announce that Rick Lawrence will be our
speaker for the Harvest Festival Banquet on Sunday night,
November 23 at 6 pm. All North Central families are invited
to dinner together as we reflect upon God’s abundant
blessings on this precious fellowship of believers. If
you are new to our fellowship, you won’t want to miss this
event. Brother Rick Lawrence will speak to us all that night
under the theme: One Passion—One Purpose. We have
one passion-to know Christ, & one purpose-to make Him
known. Bro. Lawrence was interim Pastor here at NCBC
for the 6 months prior to my coming last October. He is a
man of God & endeared his life & ministry to our people.
I’m indebted to his leadership & the preparation given to
the church during those days. What a thrill to have him
back!
The Banquet will be the culmination of a 3 week Stewardship
emphasis in the church. We are encouraging all
of our people to embrace Biblical principles of giving. This
begins with tithing. The Bible says, “The tithe is the Lord’s.”
The truth is that a believer can live more comfortably on
90% than he ever could on 100%. We will take the next
several Sundays & talk about Stewardship—Bible Style!
Let me encourage you to continue to keep praying for
friends, neighbors, & family who need the Lord. Pray for
them at least 2 times a day. Pray for 4 opportunities to
invest in their lives this fall to build a bridge for the gospel.
Consider inviting them to a service or perhaps to a Sunday
School fellowship. Our wonderful Christmas Dinner
Theater would be another great event to consider. Tickets
will go on sale soon.
It truly a joy to be your Pastor. Thank you for your prayers
that sustain me & my family each & every day.

In our study of Proverbs on Sunday nights, we have come across an interesting truth as it relates to one of the most familiar scriptures in the Bible. Proverbs 1:7, who some say is the key verse in all of Proverbs, reads, “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (NKJV)Bruce Waltke defines the “fear of the Lord” as, “that affectionate reverance, by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to the Fathers’ law.” He goes on to share that the beginning of knowledge contains the idea of a personal relationship with God rather than only a head knowledge of God. In other words, the reverence and humily we feel for the Lord is what is the foundation for our on-going relationship with Him.

When you think about something being the “beginning” what do you think of? Some would say its like the first thing that you do, and then you accomplish sequential steps in the process, each time moving on and leaving the old behind. This would be like running the bases on a baseball field. Once you hit first base, you leave it behind and move on to second, then third, then you come home and a run scores! The word “beginning” in Proverbs 1:7 is not describing a horizontal journey in which you begin by fearing the Lord. Instead, the word “beginning” in Proverbs is describing a vertical picture. It’s like a stack pole in which “fearing the Lord” is at the bottom of the vertical stack pole and everything else is stacked upon that foundational truth. Proverbs is saying that you begin your relationship with the Lord by being in awe of Him and you never leave that behind. It actually is the foundation upon which your entire relationship with God exists. Our relationship with Jesus Christ begins with us walking in the fear of the Lord. We humbly veiw his incredible glory and want our lives to line up with His Word and His Ways. If you and I will hold on to our initial overwhelming view of Almighty God, we will be able to build our christian lives upon that solid foundation. Any other foundation will ultimately crumble, most likely sooner than later. We should be so grateful for the close intimate relationship that we have with Jesus, but we should never let ourselves swell with pride that we forget His incredible glory and power. Our ability to know Him intimately is not of our doing, but is the result of His marvelous grace. Isn’t He Awesome?