Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas  Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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“End Strong”
by Tom Goodman
November 10, 2004

I’m hearing so many great things from you about the Purpose-Driven Life Campaign.  Tomorrow is the last day of our forty-day reading plan, but it’s not the last day of the campaign.  Here are three ways to “end strong”—

First, participate with your small group to discuss the last of the Five Purposes.  God wants you to impact your world with the gospel.  This Sunday, November 14, our study will reinforce what you’ve learned about missions and evangelism in your daily readings on the subject.

Second, let me know of your interest in joining Hillcrest.  About one out of every six people participating in our campaign is not yet a member of Hillcrest.  Isn’t that great!  If I just described you, I hope this campaign has been a good introduction to our church.  If you’re ready to join Hillcrest—of if you just want more information—come to my “Discover Hillcrest” class!  It’s scheduled for this Sunday, November 14, right after the morning service.  Lunch is provided free of charge, and the class will run until 2:30 p.m.  We’ll have child care for those under the age of 8. Also, we have a “Discover Hillcrest Kids” class for ages 8-12 and a “Discover Hillcrest Youth” class for grades 6-12.

If you’ve already taken this class but you haven’t followed up with baptism or membership, now’s the time to cross that line!  Contact me at tom@hbcaustin.org or 345-3771 and tell me you want to be presented as a new member on Celebration Sunday, November 21.

Third, help us get ready for Celebration Sunday by telling us how the campaign has impacted you!  We’ll end our campaign on Celebration Sunday, November 21.  We’ll celebrate with baptisms, the Lord’s Supper, and thanksgiving!  On that day, I want to read off a bunch of your comments and stories.  I was moved by the comments of a man whose father died two weeks ago.  He told me how he was sitting on the airplane, crying over his loss and reading “Day 25” in his book—a chapter on how we are “Transformed by Trouble.”  He said the whole campaign has been meaningful, but that one day by itself made the whole campaign worth the effort.  Wow.  Tell me how the campaign has impacted you.  The deadline for your written comments is Wednesday, November 17, so drop me a line at tom@hbcaustin.org.

The readings are over tomorrow, but let’s do these three things to “end strong” as we finish up the campaign!

Tom


P.S.—Wasn’t the Ministry Fair wonderful!  My thanks to all the hard workers who made it happen.  Builders, we loved the clack-clack of hammers as you actually built a little church building during the Fair!


Important Notes:

Discover Hillcrest—Special Purpose-Driven Campaign Edition:  Sunday, November 14.  The class will be held right after the morning service, AND LUNCH IS PROVIDED!  The class is for those who want to become members, and for those who just want to learn more about Hillcrest.  Topics include:
      o  The most important thing you need to know about Jesus
      o  What we teach about baptism
      o  Four fundamentals of spiritual growth, using the acronym “H.I.L.L.”
      o  How to “connect” with others in the church
      o  How to help us reach others for Christ and church involvement
      o  How to worship
While I teach the adult class, BJ teaches "Discover Hillcrest Kids" for children ages 8-12, and Jim teaches "Discover Hillcrest Youth" for students in grades 6-12.  Childcare is provided for children under the age of 8.
Be an Upward Basketball Prayer Partner!  Would you be willing to pray daily for 100 days for our Upward Basketball season—for the players and their families; for the coaches, referees, and other volunteers?  If you will sign up as an Upward Prayer Partner, we’ll give you (1) a prayer calendar with a specific recommended prayer for each day, and (2) a short list of players and coaches to keep in your prayers.
Come to the Upward Prayer Partner Kick-Off this Sunday, November 14 at 5:00pm to learn more about it and to kick off this season of prayer.
You can sign up right now by going to www.HillcrestAustin.org/prayerpartner.html.
New Chapter:  I’ve added a new chapter to The Anchor Course at www.anchorcourse.blogspot.comReading these chapters will help you explain the faith, and forwarding these chapters to your seeking friends will help them explore the faith.



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