Saturday, December 31, 2011

Heartbroken and Angry

I was deeply heartbroken and angry all at the same time as I read this link 3-Year-Old, Grandfather Dead After Murder-Suicide. Heartbroken as a result of the reality that an innocent child never had the opportunity to seize what was set out for them, angry that senseless, heartless incidents such as this occurs.

My prayer this year as a result of people finding their voice, we will no longer have to read headlines like the one linked above.

Find your voice.

Make some noise,
C

CRAZINESS

This Sunday our church community is not going to focus on New Year's resolutions that quickly disappear as fast as they arrived, but we are going to focus on one thing.


If there is one thing I am going to focus on this year is the passion God birthed in me to make some noise, to speak against violence. I am quickly realizing sometimes God calls activists of love to things that many will classify as simply craziness. The beauty in the end, we will all see it was simply an act of divine obedience. 


Looking forward to the craziness.


Happy New Year,


Make some noise.
C

Monday, December 26, 2011

Dreams

The older I get the more I realize that dreams aren't created to give us a good night's rest, in fact they are created for just the opposite. They are birthed to cause us to lose sleep. What's keeping you awake? Keep moving, dreams can come true...

Make some noise.
C

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Have you heard?

John 1:14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Merry Christmas, may you find your day be filled with cherished memories that are made right before your eyes, great food, and most of all incredible moments of joy as you recognize the birth of our hope, Jesus.

-C

Friday, December 23, 2011

Highlights continued...

Having the privilege to watch our staff exemplify what it truly means to fellowship through Re:turn Feast

Seeing our church provide presents for kids in 3 apartment complexes and those that attend our church

Having the honor to take my Unkie to rest in peace

Highlights continued

Here are some more highlights, in no particular order

Watching my family grow right before my eyes...


Seeing Stop The Violence Becoming a true MOVEMENT, instead of just an event.

Watching a homeless brother, Brenner I have worked with for over 13 years get off the streets.

Adopting Lexi

Getting a copy of Sheri and my book translated


Watching Keevan become a young man of God, having a drive that will inspire the world

Highlights

As 2011 rapidly nears an end, I thought I would post some of the highlights of my year, in no particular order.

Our church providing 2 water filters for Brian to take to Brazil.


Aroz and Heather having Alerie!
Our church providing almost $2000 dollars to help orphans.
Living out the conviction to be present.











Seeing 60 plus people get baptized in just a few short months



Remembrance

These next few days as Christmas nears, I pray you take time to (PAUSE), take a deep breath and remember what Christmas challenges us to do with our lives.

Please don't forget to join us for our unplugged Christmas Eve worship service that starts at 6pm.

Merry Christmas,
C

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Keep your fork


One of my favorite aspects of Christmas dinner, is when someone tells you to Keep the Fork. Join us tomorrow, as we investigate why followers of Christ should keep their fork.

Make some noise.
C

Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Eve


Join us this Christmas Eve at Mission Abilene as we celebrate the birth of Christ with unplugged worship, a Christmas message full of joy and a sweet time to pause from the chaos the season brings.

Begins at 6pm,
C


Thursday, December 15, 2011

A Legend Goes Home

For those of us that have been in ministry for many years in Abilene and the surrounding areas there is a name that stirs up great memories deep within our soul. H.B. Terry, a man that was and still remains an incredible influence on my life went home this week to be with His Maker. This past July, H.B. came out of retirement as a funeral director to help with burying my Unkie. His words that he shared with me that day, I'll never forget. He said, "Brother Chad I came out of retirement because I wanted to be the one to take your Unkie home. H.B. lived his life as a beautiful example of what it means to follow Christ, there is no doubt that there are thousands upon thousands that have a home in Heaven as a result of his service to God. Brother H.B.,thank you for inspiring all of us that came behind you to do all we can to be obedient to the call of Christ.

Reverend H.B. Terry Jr
Abilene

Homer Brown Terry, Jr., 84, died Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Hendrick Medical Center.
Born in Trent, Texas on May 24, 1927, he was the son of Jeffie A. (Howell) and Homer Brown Terry, Sr., and in 1929 moved from Trent with his parents to Baird, Texas to a farmhouse only a few miles from Clyde. At seven years of age he began first grade in Baird Public Schools, and in 1939 began the sixth grade in Clyde Public Schools, graduating from Clyde High School in 1945.
As a boy he worked with his Daddy on the farm, and in 1941 began working for Pyeatt's Grocery in Clyde during his high school days, and later for Patterson Funeral Home and BBB Drug Store both in Clyde. In 1943 his family moved from the farm into Clyde where his parents had a laundry and his mother a dress shop, "The Rilla Frances Shop". His father died suddenly in 1945.
In 1945, H.B. joined the U. S. Navy and after training began his service as Seaman First Class in San Francisco and Portland, Oregon aboard a mine sweeper AM164 circling the Pacific from Guam, Okinawa, Hawaii, and other islands.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy, H.B. attended The Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science from 1946 to 1947. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Elsie Faye Tarrant, on February 8, 1947 in the First United Methodist Church in Clyde, Texas.
He began working at Wylie Funeral Home in Baird in 1947 as a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director from 1947-1953.
On November 8, 1936, he was converted and baptized at nine years of age at First Baptist Church in Clyde. Having felt God calling him to preach at age seventeen, he surrendered his life to the gospel ministry of God on January 15, 1953 at a revival meeting at First Baptist Church in Baird. On August 30, 1953, H. B. was Licensed and Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel at the same church, Rev. Riley Fugitt being the pastor. He immediately enrolled at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene as a freshman and graduated with a B.S. Degree in 1958. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth from 1959-1961. During his years in HSU and the seminary, he pastored three Baptist Churches, Johnson's Chapel Baptist Church (Aspermont), Denton Valley (Clyde) and First Baptist Church, Tuscola.
The other two churches H.B. Terry served were Bethel Baptist Church in Eastland, and Temple Baptist Church (now Lytle South Baptist Church) for 17 years. After resigning as pastor there in 1982, he served as a part-time staff member of Visitation at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene (1982-1983). During his ministry he held Gospel revival meetings in many churches over the Big Country area, and in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas and California. Since 1982, he had been a member and Deacon at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, where he also served as teacher of the Adult Men's Bible Class (The Master's Class) and usher, as well as on various committees at the church, including the Missions Committee and Finance Committee. He also served on the Pastor's Search Committee at Pioneer Drive when both Dr. George Gaston and Bro. Stan Allcorn were called to be pastor.
Over the years he also served on numerous boards and in other capacities - Board of Trustees at Hendrick Medical Center (20 years); Moderator of both Cisco Baptist Assn. and Abilene Baptist Assn.; Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas; and Board of Taylor County American Heart Assn. He also served as a Chaplain at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.
Since 1969, he had been a member of Abilene Kiwanis Club, serving as chairman for Volunteers in the Annual Pancake Fund Drive and chairman of the Spiritual Aims Committee. H.B. was a Master Mason - member of Abilene Lodge #559, and a 32nd Degree Mason of Scottish Rites in Dallas.
H.B. had re-entered his funeral director career with John and JoAnn Hamil in 1983 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Homes and had worked with Robert and Karla Hamil since they began The Hamil Family Funeral Home in May of 2005.
His parents and two sisters, Jean Higgs and Rilla Frances Mahoney preceded H.B. in death.
H.B. is survived by his wife of 64 years, Faye Tarrant Terry of Abilene; son, Homer Terry III of Lewisville; and grandson and wife, Ben and Annette Terry of Dallas. Survivors also include his brother-in-law, Hugh Tarrant of Amarillo; nieces and nephews, Cathy and Jim Smith, Becky and Duane Fox, David and Cindy Mahoney, Terry and Janice Higgs, Gary and Joyce Ann Higgs, Tommy Alan and Diane Higgs, Judy Tarrant Favor, Linda and Hugh Tarrant Jr., Melvin and Mary Ann Martin and Bobby Martin; cousins, R.W. and Dale Terry, Sue and Ted Getterman and Dene McLeod; and special family, Chuck and Cathy Wolf.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 16, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Reid officiating, assisted by John Fanning and Gary Higgs. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Missions Department at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

One Gift

Have you ever thought about the one gift Jesus wants from you this Christmas? Join us this Sunday to find out what's on his wish list this Christmas that only you can give Him.

Make some noise
C

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

King's Table 2011


If you had fun at RE:TURN FEAST, you'll love this event as well.

Make Some Noise.
C

The perfect gift

One of the most difficult and stressful parts of the Christmas season for most is finding that perfect gift for their beloved. The sad reality is I have found myself in that challenging circumstance from time to time. Join us this Sunday as we investigate what the best gifts are to give as we continue our series: Gifted.

Stay warm and as you do that please pray for our homeless friends on the street.

Make some noise.
C

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The perfect gift

One of the most difficult and stressful parts of the Christmas season for most is finding that perfect gift for their beloved. The sad reality is I have found myself in that challenging circumstance from time to time. Join us this Sunday as we investigate what the best gifts are to give as we continue our series: Gifted.

Stay warm and as you do that please pray for our homeless friends on the street.

Make some noise.
C

Monday, December 5, 2011

Warm Prayer

Tonight as you grab your blanket and cuddle up to the heat of your house I beg you to pray for those that are residing on the streets. At times like these the harshness of the life of homelessness becomes a reality.
Make some noise.
C

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Generosity

Once again today I was left speechless as a result of the generosity displayed by Mission Abilene's community. Through your efforts more than $1600 dollars was collected for www.ricebowls.org...in fact there is still change to be counted. Because of your generosity orphans across the globe will have many meals.

Make some noise.
C

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Christmas Eve Service

New Series: Gifted


Join us this Sunday as we start a new 3 week series called Gifted.

10:45 AM

Make some noise.
C