Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the Earth!

by Jay Harris

In Acts 1:8 Jesus commands us to be his witnesses.  He addresses the spectrum of our witness by giving us the picture of ever-increasing, concentric circles; our hometown, state, nation and world (my now translation).  One way that you as an individual or you as a church can invest in Christ's witness in each of the circles mentioned is to invest in a new church start and do it in each of your concentric circles. 

 I visited this week with Dave Arden, a Church Planter Catalyst in Phoenix.  He is joining a handful of church planters who are bringing the cold water of the gospel to the dry, empty and thirsty Phoenix area of over 4 million people by starting a new church!

 Here is the challenge: Prayerfully consider connecting with a new church start in Tarrant County as well as one in Texas, one within the US and one in another country.  We can help you discover these possibilities with relationship we have established in each of the circles of impact.  Let's talk- Jay

Rev. James D. McGinlay takes "early retirement" at 82, but not retiring from preaching.

Rev. James D. McGinlay, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lakeside for the past 22 years, was born in Ontario, Canada into a preacher's home. In his formative years, that home moved from Ontario to New Jersey, to Pennsylvania, to California and then New York-- all his father's pastorates.

As a young man, sports was a big part of Jim's life and his talents took him all the way to the New York Yankee's organization until a knee injury ended a promising career.

At college time Jim attended Bob Jones University and then off to Southwestern Seminary and preaching all along the way. In his nine years in evangelism he graced the pulpit in over 500 churches across America.

His pastoral ministry included five churches, Archer City, Lubbock, and Greenville, Texas. Then off to Phoenix, Arizona and finally in 1993 to his present pastorate, The First Baptist Church of Lakeside in Fort Worth.

All this with Ms. Dottie at his side for just under 59 years.  He still calls her his college sweetheart. And they are blessed with two children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

At 82 Jim says; "God called me to preach, He didn't call me to quit.  When will I quit?" he says:  "When I'm unable to stand -- or I get dingie."  (ding-e)

For 22 years he has led First Baptist Lakeside with the same theme he has used since being called to preach at age 17:  "Holding forth Christ,  the light that never goes out."

After preaching for 65 years and pastoring over 54 years, it is easy to see that in his church, in his preaching and in his life, for Rev. Jim McGinlay,,,, that "Light" has certainly never gone out.

Sunday, May 3 has been designated Jim McGinlay Day at First Baptist Lakeside, Ft. Worth where he has pastored for 22 years. 

But though he is retiring from the pastorate, Bro. Jim will continue to preach the gospel in the churches in our area. 

Oh that our Lord will continue to raise up "God called" preachers and pastors like Rev. James D. McGinlay.

The W.I.N. Wheel is a tool from LifePlan and StratOp that helps individuals and teams focus on What's Important Now (W.I.N.). It comes to us from Coach Lou Holtz. He taught his football players to focus on what's important now in every situation in a football game.

Suppose your team scores and goes up by seven. What's important now?

Suppose the other team scored and is now winning by seven. What's important now?

What's important now when your team turns the ball over?

How could you fruitfully use this tool in your personal life? How could you use it with your leadership team?