REPOST: First Baptist Church Gulfport kicks off 2015 with concerts

 NANCY BAKER FAUL/SPECIAL TO THE SUN HERALDFirst Baptist Church Gulfport is at 12190 Mississippi 605. | Image Source: sunherald.com

On Sunday, First Baptist Church Gulfport will present the Children of the World International Children's Choir in the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

As part of the World Help Organization, the children's choir is made up of members from such places as Uganda, Brazil, the Philippines and India, and they perform throughout the United States to raise awareness of children who are in poverty throughout the world.

According to the World Help Organization website, this year's Rescue Tour is about rescuing children both physically and spiritually through meeting immediate and long-term needs.

The concert is fitting with the church's motto, "Here, There and Everywhere," referring to the great commission set forth in the Bible in Matthew 28:16-20.

First Baptist Gulfport, established in 1896, now sits on 35 acres on Mississippi 605 a mile north of Interstate 10. The first service in the present church was held in August 2008 after it moved from its downtown Gulfport property following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

First Baptist Gulfport also plans to host a Ron Meyers Productions presentation of Big Daddy Weave in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, with special guests Jason Gray, Citizen Way and Lauren Daigle. Tickets can be purchased at itickets.com, at the Lifeway Christian bookstore in Gulfport or through the Big Daddy Weave website. General admission is $18 in advance or $25 at the door. Special artist circle seating is available for only $30.

Big Daddy Weave is a five-man Christian music group originally formed while four of the members were attending the University of Mobile together. The group has since garnered a Dove award and has been honored at the ASCAP Christian Music Awards. Big Daddy Weave will perform songs from their latest album, "Love Come to Life" as well as crowd favorites from their earlier ventures in the music world.

Jerry Nance, associate pastor for traditional worship and seniors, said he is very excited to be able to bring these concerts to First Baptist.

"We here at First Baptist Gulfport love our music and fellowship, and the people we touch in the community," he said.

"It is our hope that those who come will be blessed by the performers, blessed by our members and blessed by God. Everyone is welcome here at this church no matter who you are or what your background."

Missions both locally and around the globe are supported by First Baptist Gulfport and its members. The church plans to send missionaries to Haiti again in February to help poverty-stricken people.

Understanding God’s plan for you

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The Bible states that when God created the world, he carefully designed a plan for each of His people.

In Jeremiah 1:5, God reveals: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” In this particular verse, it shows that God already knows what’s in store for each person even before birth.

For most Christians, understanding God’s plan is one of the most important things to discover in life. Yet, there are many questions like “How do I know God’s plan for me?” or “What is my destiny? Am I going to live a fruitful and joyous life?”

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Regardless of life’s circumstances, Christians must understand that the Bible is filled with clear statements that justify God’s will to all of His people.

Matthew 6:25-26, for example, declares: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”

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Here, it clearly shows that people can rest assured about God’s promise. God has great plans for each person. It may not always bring joy and happiness, but His words clearly show how much he loves mankind. Hence, His love is His greatest promise.

Pastor Chad Everson of Trinity Baptist Church helps people find the true meaning of Christian living. Follow this Twitter page for more of God’s wisdom.

Seeing the world through the heart: Why faith is important

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Today, many people question the authenticity of the Word of God, amid the plethora of news reports and media stories on science and facts. People are told of the importance of evidence. Dramas and novels detail the challenges in finding the balance between what one believes and what one knows.

The emphasis on science has led to a more enlightened world – wherein one has an understanding of how things work and their purpose. However, though people know, for example, why lightning strikes, they fail to appreciate the beauty of such phenomenon. Science indeed has paved the way to understand and learn about so many things, but for many church ministers and theologists, this also led to some people abandoning their faith. Churches are seeing dwindling numbers of Sunday service attendees. Members started asking their ministers for proof about God’s existence. For some people, the Bible just won’t do.

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But where does the wanting to know end and faith begin?

There are many ways to strengthen one’s faith. Some of them include reading the Bible, while others suggest a more proactive church attendance. Whatever route an individual decides to take to grow his faith, the important lesson to remember is that faith is pertinent to one’s existence. There are some things that will never be proven by science, and belief is not meant to be factually validated. Faith is one’s way of prescribing meaning to the world - a means of making life less scary and more wonderful.

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Learn more about how ministers like Pastor Chad Everson help strengthen the faith of their congregation here.

Faith formation: Why it needs to start early

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It is often said that the first seven years are critical in child development. Parents therefore focus on how they nurture their children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. However, not much attention is given to the child’s spiritual development.

Thus, creating a faith-based educational system has many benefits, including having the child grow as a more responsible and community-focused adult. Furthermore, it is important that these lessons start at an early stage, when the child is still receptive to difficult concepts.

Studies have suggested that teaching faith modules to adults is slightly more difficult because an older person already has a host of biases and prejudices about the world. If the faith lesson conflicts with these established biases, the individual may become less inclined to listen. Children are more open to these programs, particularly if they see their parents following and practicing the same strategies and beliefs.

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Faith formation is also a positive parenting technique. Parents who share their faith to their offspring report having a stronger relationship with their family. This may also strengthen the parent’s personal faith. This is because by employing simple ways to explain spiritual concepts to their children, they find the underlying truth of what is written and preached. How does this work exactly? When dealing with people of the same age, individuals tend to use "big" words to explain simple ideas. However, this strategy shifts when dealing with a child. Adults will use simple words that a child can easily understand. By doing so, the core (or the truth) of the message is revealed. This benefits both the parent and the child.

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Pastor Chad Everson of Trinity Baptist Church helps members find meaning in their lives with Christian-based sermons. Follow this Twitter feed for more gospel truths.

Defining a good Christian

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A Christian, by definition, is a person who adheres to Christianity. He or she reads the Holy Scriptures, prays, and attends the holy mass every Sunday.

The meaning if being a Christian, however, changes when coupled with the word “good.” Many people, believers and non-believers alike, propose that one of the essential messages of God is to be a good person.

In the third chapter of Philippians, Paul gives one of the best definitions of being a good Christian, in its true sense:

Worships in the Spirit of God. Paul notes that “The first mark of a Christian is that they are those who worship in the Spirit… they are true to their circumcision.” By this, he means that men should not worship “flesh” or physical bodies—men’s source of life should be God.

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Has glory in Christ. As a person, this defines one’s faith in Jesus Christ alone. Moreover, “to glory” him means having affection and desire to do well in the name of God, in times of both light and darkness.

Puts no confidence in the flesh. This last line refers to human inclination to sin. As God’s creation, one must not boast before God. Hence, we must remain humble as we are all created equal.

Remember, a true Christian is a good Christian. We need not worry about our spiritual image, but rather focus on Christ and his glory.

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Pastor Chad Everson of Trinity Baptist in Southaven, Mississippi helps people understand the true meaning of Christian living. Visit this blog for more words of wisdom and enlightenment.

Providing guidance and support to those who seek to strengthen their faith

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” --John 3:16

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All are born with sin, and the wages of sin is eternal death. But because of God’s infinite mercy, He has given His believers a way to be delivered from sin and to be saved. When Christ died on the cross, He did so to cleanse the world of sin, and to give people a chance for redemption.

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Salvation is within the reach of everyone. Hence, salvation is God's ultimate gift, through Jesus Christ, and to receive it, one must repent from sin and have absolute faith in God. Believers must open the doors of their hearts and let Jesus in, make Christ the Lord and Savior of the lives, and allow Him to rule their being so that God’s perfect plan will be fulfilled .


Salvation is the work of God, not men. Baptism, church membership, and good works are vital in helping believers walk the right path and do God's will, but they are not necessary for salvation.

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Faith, like salvation, also comes from God. Everyone has the capacity for faith, and it can be strengthened even further through meaningful prayer, worship, Bible study, practicing repentance, serving others, and spreading the Word of God.


The Bible also teaches the importance of listening to church leaders and elders. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." 


Pastors like Chad Everson know the critical role they play in providing guidance and support to believers. Pastor Everson, for example, has been guiding fellow believers in growing their faith for close to two decades now. As the senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Southhaven, Mississippi, he helps the ministry uphold the belief that the infallible and authoritative Word of God is laid out in the Holy Scripture, and that only through grace and faith that one can be saved.

Follow this Facebook page for Pastor Chad Everson for more Bible-based truths about growing your faith in God.