February 12, 2016

Marc's message on Sunday is entitled"The Love of God.". It is based on 1 John 4:7-12, 16-19. Read and meditate on this scripture passage for Sunday as you prepare for corporate worship.

"Our church family has been so good to us."

That's what RBC member Rodney Strickland said to me on Tuesday. We were at the funeral service for his mother, who had passed away a couple of days before. Rodney was referring to his SS CONNECT Group (meals), RBC deacons who had visited and stayed in touch, our ministry staff for visits and contacts, and church members who had contacted, prayed, brought food, and offered support.

I want to echo Rodney's words and say "Thank You" Ridgecrest family, for loving and caring for each other in times of need. Oh, and by the way, I heard similar statements over the past few days from church members Harry and Ellen Oakley (loss of Harry's sister), Rodney and Gail Hicks (loss of Gail's dad), and Richard and Paula Ray (loss of Richard's mom). It is not often that we have this many church related deaths in such a short period of time. As I attended funeral services and family visitations, RBC was there to Share and Care.

In these days of cultural drift, loving and caring for one another in Jesus' name is a bright and shining testimony of our faith. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to "Bear one another's burdens, ands so fulfill the law of Christ." Thanks for your continued demonstrations of love to one another.

To read the rest of Pastor Marc's From the Heart click HERE

In case of inclement weather, we will post information on our WEB SITE, on the RBC Facebook page, and send out an email to let you know if any activities on our campus have been cancelled.

Doors open at 5:25 PM on Sunday. The event will begin at 6:00 PM. For those of you who are registered you will be able to pay at the door.

Here are the Growth Intensives that will be offered on Sunday afternoon, February 21. You can begin signing up this Sunday via the insert in your bulletin.

The First Bible - A Survey of the Older Testament( Al Huffman)

A look at the purposes and themes of the books of the Old Testament that reveal the "Red Thread" which leads to the Messiah. This Intensive will help you have a better understanding of God's purposes as revealed through the Scriptures written prior to the first coming of Jesus.

How To Study the Bible (Jarrod Gunn)

This Intensive will ask and answer the following questions:

How can you choose between so many Bible translations?
What are the steps to understanding, interpreting, and applying any passage of Scripture?

The goal of this course will be to teach you how to approach a text of Scripture and understand not only what it meant when it was written but what it means for us today.

Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask - Part 2 (Will Murrell)

This Intensive is designed to give you a primer on Christian apologetics. The course tackles some of the toughest questions that a Christian could be asked. Some examples:

Doesn't evolution mean that we have no need for God to exist?
Why trust the Bible when it's a book based on myths and is full of contradictions and mistakes?

Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People (Shay Reyner)

This Intensive will look at practical ways that believers over the centuries have found helpful to draw close to God. We will explore such things as the disciplines of pondering, the discipline of "chewing the cud", and the discipline of slowing. This intensive will give you some very practical tools to help you abide in Christ.

Membership Matters (Marc Francis)

Interested in becoming a member at Ridgecrest or finding out more about who we are and what makes us tick? This Intensive is the first step you need to take if you desire to join our fellowship. You will learn among other things:

What does it mean to be Southern Baptist?
What are the distinctives of Ridgecrest?
Why does membership matter?

Conversations With the King (Ben Cranford)

This Intensive will look at the purpose and power of prayer. We will look at the Lord's Prayer as an example to follow for our prayer life and we will explore some foundations to a personal prayer life. A few things we will deal with include:

How to listen as well as how to talk WITH (not to) the Father
How to use Scripture to guide your conversation
Tips on developing an intimate prayer life

What's the Big Deal About the Bible( Stuart Corle)

This Intensive will deal with the following issues designed to help you have complete confidence that the Bible is indeed God's Holy Word:

Where did the Bible come from in the first place?
What do we mean when we talk about terms like inerrancy, inspiration, authority, transmission, and canon of Scripture?
Why is the Bible God's Word and not the Quran or the Book of Mormon

Our AWANA Clubs are partnering with Stop Hunger Now to help end hunger around the world. On Wednesday, March 23, the AWANA clubbers will participate in a Stop Hunger Now Event where they will package 10,150+ meals. Not only are we packaging the food, but we are also paying for all of the food and supplies. In order to reach our goal of 10,150+ meals, we have to raise $2,944.08. To learn more about Stop Hunger Now, our packaging event, or to donate toward our event, click HERE.

If you are on Facebook and not yet a part of the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Group then you are missing out on a lot of good communication. You can go HERE and request membership.

Women's Ministry Discipleship Retreat

March 11-13, 2016

Myrtle Beach, SC

You can download a Registration Form HERE

or pick one up in the Breezeway

Discipleship Challenges for 2016

1) Memorize Romans 8 - This is one of the greatest chapters in all of Scripture. Memorizing this chapter - about 1 verse per week - will help you combat sin, walk in the Spirit, pray more confidently, trust God's plan for your life, and help you abide in His love. Check out the Ridgecrest Facebook Group on Wednesdays for help with this and to stay on pace.

2) Read the Bible through in one year - We are using what is called the F260 Reading Plan - a plan that will take us through 260 of the most essential passages in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. it is a very manageable plan of about 2 chapters per day, 5 days per week. You can find it HERE. It's not too late to start.

*May 12-19 - Haiti (This trip is full)

*August 1-8 - Haiti

Contact Shay Reyner if you are interested and want more information (sreyner@Ridgecrest.cc).

Dates on the Horizon

February 14 - Valentine's Banquet

February 21 - RBC Institute Growth Intensives

February 28 - Laughter and Latte

March 11-13 - Women's Discipleship Retreat

March 20 - Laughter and Latte

April 17 - RBC Institute Growth Intensives

May 12-19 - Haiti Team 1

May 29 - Memorial Day Weekend Fellowship

June 5 - Durham Bull's Game

July 11-15 - Vacation Bible School

August 1 - Haiti Team 2

Memory Verse of the Week
Verse 5
" Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."