These are extraordinary days at National Heights. God is at work in this place! VBS is right around the corner. Thank you to Jane Brown, Becky Woodall, Jan Weaver, and our wonderful VBS teachers and staff for all your efforts to make this another astounding year of VBS ministry. In addition, this month we will welcome two new staff members that I believe God has prepared for just this time in the life of our church.

   First, a word of thanks to all those who have done such superb ministry during our interim. Our youth coaches and parents have gone above and beyond the call to keep our youth ministry going strong. Jane Brown has been a tremendous blessing leading our Preschool and Children's ministry. Our host of volunteers and workers have stepped up during this time to insure that NHBC ministries did not miss a beat during this important time. Now God has led our church to fill these two vital areas of ministry leadership, and we are blessed with those He has called to be a part of the NHBC staff.

   Brian Miller, our new Youth Minister, comes to us with extensive training and experience in student ministry. In addition to serving as a youth minister in churches in Missouri and Kentucky, Brian's degree from Southern Baptist Seminary includes a concentration in youth ministry. He has recently served as a youth care counselor at a children's home, working with students in crisis situations. He also has a passion for involving students in ministry and missions, having served as the Associational Coordinator for the Waco World Changers Project. Brian and his wife Sara have a love for youth, and a deep desire to reach them for Christ and help them grow in their walk with the Lord. We are blessed to have Brian coming to serve the Lord with us.

   Many of you know and love Jeanne Carpenter, our new Preschool and Children's Minister. Jeanne and her husband Sid are long time members of National Heights, having served in ministries throughout our church. Jeanne has taught children in our Sunday School, VBS, Children's Choir, RA's and GA's, in addition to serving in NBHC ministries throughout our church. What you may not know about is Jeanne's extensive experience and training in childhood education. She has worked in the Springfield Public School system for fifteen years, most recently serving as the secretary at Disney Elementary. Before Disney, Jeanne served at Williams Elementary, forming relationships with educators and administrators at Williams and other community schools. She has gone above and beyond the call of her staff positions, attending classes, workshops and training at Drury and elsewhere on subjects including classroom management, mandated reporting, crisis prevention, and more. Repeatedly, we have been told how much the children and staff of Springfield schools will miss Jeanne's presence, gifts, and talents. We are blessed that God has led such an extraordinarily qualified educator like Jeanne to accept this important ministry position at NHBC.

   Over the next few weeks, take time to welcome Brian and Jeanne in their new ministry roles. Consider how you can be a part of our Preschool, Children, and Youth ministries. Most importantly, pray for our church as we unite together in the power of Christ to reach the children and families of our community with the gospel. I can't wait to see what God is going to do through you! 

The Big Picture is more than Children's Choir. We use the creative arts to worship God! We've been learning how we can use our many talents and abilities to worship and glorify God. Come and watch as the children show us what they've learned. The program will feature singing, hand bells, chimes, drumming, scripture readings, art projects, storytelling, and more. 

As new Youth Minister Brian Miller and his wife Sara will be moving to Springfield from Waco, Texas, we will welcome them to the church family with a housewarming party in the fellowship hall Sunday evening, June 10, at 7:00 p.m. Please bring a gift to help them establish their new home here. Gifts of everyday items such as food staples, cleaning supplies and paper goods are suggested.

Get ready for camps at Baptist Hill...

Vacation Bible School

June 11-15

All kids ages 4 through 6th graders are invited to tour some of the world's most marvelous natural wonders and encounter God like never before.

Bring the entire family for dinner, visit kids' classrooms and enjoy their special presentation of VBS music!

Monday - Friday

June 4 - August 10

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Baby Shower Invitation

You are invited to a baby shower honoring Emily & Bobby Phillips on June 23 at 10:00 in room 521. Emily & Bobby are expecting a girl and they are registered at Babies R Us. Nursery colors are sunshine yellow, spring green and pink. If you have questions, please see Becky Chittenden.

School Supply

Shower Invitation

In a few weeks Kendra Weatherford will leave for her first teaching position in a third grade classroom and friends in the church family are hosting a school supply shower for her. The date is June 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. There will be a suggested list of school supplies posted soon. You are invited! If you have questions, please see Marti Blattert.