They made it to Thailand. Learn more on Mark’s blog https://markchinmd.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/thailand-6-1/
Annual Meeting
I am pastor of a Baptist church. As a result we like to discuss everything. Last Sunday was our annual meeting. Now for those of you who read my posts and are not Baptist will find this…interesting. In fact, many protestant churches have ceased operating in this manner because it does take away from the ministry at times. This kind of church government often slows us down. Fact is the board does a good job of making sure we do the “business” of church and when we contest every little thing we are not really trusting those that lead. (That is for another blog).
But the fact is: we are Baptist and so we bring the church body together to look at the budget. What happens is we usually get sidetracked by little things like: phone bills, copier costs, and do not give thanks for the larger things. Baptisms, growth, global outreach but of course that could just be the preacher whining.
I was really sad on Sunday but then I read something the Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor said. Here goes: “I think there is no suffering greater than what is caused by the doubts of those who want to believe. I know what torment this is, but I can see it, in myself anyway, as the process by which faith is deepened. What people don’t realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross.”
Well dear brothers and sisters up we get! Back on the path. Keep me in your prayers as you are in mine. God bless you and may God wrap you in His loving warm arms this day! Amen.
via WordPress http://halak.org/2015/01/20/annual-meeting/
Annual Report 2014 in Review
2014 was a very busy year at FCBC. Check out the report for pictures and information about what we did.
Welcome To FCBC Fresno
For over 135 years First Chinese Baptist Church has faithfully ministered to those of Asian heritage in Fresno. In 1882, Mrs. Frances Potter, a missionary and wife of the pastor of Fresno First Baptist, expressed her interest in the Chinese people and opened her home to them and taught different classes, especially English. In 1884, she founded the Chinese Baptist Christian Center. Today we are a diverse congregation reaching out to its neighborhood, the city and the world. Our Savior has blessed this fellowship throughout its history and we work together to make a difference in the lives of our families and city.
Our vision is to provide a place for every member to Worship, Fellowship, be Discipled, Discover his or her Ministry and/or Mission and to move out in Evangelism. As each believer acts on this vision our church continues to grow which enables us to make a difference in the Asian community, our city and the world.
We Hope You’ll Join Us
The members of First Chinese Baptist Church, are concerned about the increase in anti-Asian sentiment and the accompanied rise in hate crimes in our community nationwide. While the horrific mass-shooting in Atlanta, Georgia were the most brutal, the attacks on Asian-Americans, especially seniors, are deeply alarming to us. It is a problem when Asian-Americans feel vulnerable and unwelcome in the country they are proud to live in.
As a church serving the local Asian-American community, we feel it is important that we show our support to local, state, and national efforts to combat anti-Asian sentiment, including:
Educating our members about how to identify and report hate crimes, including providing Chinese language materials,
Reaching out to other local Asian churches to share support and resources as needed, and
Contacting the Fresno city government to show support for an Asian-American community liaison and participating in city outreach to the Asian-American community.
Weekly Service
Service starts at 11 am. You can join us in person or online.
Our Sunday morning services feature a variety of different worship styles throughout the month. Depending on when you visit you may hear our Bell Choir or the Praise Team — and of course preaching from the Word.
