Dear Morningside Church Family,

What a difference a year can make! You may not realize it has been almost exactly one year (51 weeks) since the people of Morningside voted unanimously to launch our Freely Campaign to invest in the Next Generation. For over a year, you have been giving to this project, but it was at our Church Conference in January 2021 that you decided to follow God’s guidance and step forward together.

At that meeting, we looked over architect’s drawings and considered a construction budget that both inspired and intimidated. “What if,” I challenged you, “we prayed and asked the Lord to bless us with the faith and funds” to do this work? What would it say about us if we took this step? What would it say about our Lord if he answered us and made a way?

As everyone stood in strong support and affirmation of the Freely Campaign, I confess I felt two emotions very strongly that day. I was, first and foremost, elated to be pastor of a people ready to step out in faith—together and in perfect unity. Secondly, I felt a tremor of anxiety that not-the-Lord-but-I had led us to this decision. Sure, we had prayed. Yes, the Elders and Finance Committee had affirmed our plan. But what if it was me, and not Jesus, who was leading?

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1a

As you know, there is only One who is Head over his body, the church. His name is Jesus—not Jonathan! While he has promised to build his church, he makes no promise to build anyone else’s.

As I write this letter, we are mere weeks from finishing construction, acquiring our new Certificate of Occupancy, and receiving delivery on the furnishings. And if that weren’t amazing enough, I am ecstatic to report that the Lord has accomplished all this having provided every dollar we’ve needed along the way. Although you voted a year ago to allow the possibility of borrowing some funds to complete the project on time, God has made a way for us to do this work with no help from the bank! Our God has supplied all our needs!

In the words of Paul the Apostle,

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

I invite you to join me this Sunday as we celebrate the newest wing on the house the Lord is building here at Morningside! I have much to announce. We have much to celebrate. You won’t want to miss it!

Your Servant in Christ,

Last quarter the congregation nominated a new slate of deacons that began serving on January 1st of 2022. Our new deacons are Brian Hale, Sam Oliver, CJ Repass, Rick Stallings, and Michael Urquhart. We will have our yearly kick-off meeting in mid-January, at which point the family ministry lists will be distributed. You will be contacted by your deacon by the end of February.

I would like to thank the following men that will be rolling off the active list after serving the prior three years: Mike Allmond, Brandon Cryar, Chris Deal, Keith Heard, Jason Jay, Greg Lang, Phil Martin, and Mike Ussery. They have adapted and served well in these unprecedented times.

As we wrap up 2021 and move into 2022, I would like to take a moment to recognize Bob Gilson for the outstanding job he has done as Treasurer for the last four years. During his tenure, Bob has been a steady influence as the Church dealt with a change in Pastoral leadership, the search and hiring of a new Senior Pastor and the impact of the Covid pandemic on our church attendance and finances. Through it all, Bob was there to keep us in good financial position as a church and we owe Bob a big thank you for a job well done.
Although we fell short of our Budget requirement for the year, we have been blessed that God has provided resources to meet our ministry needs. As we move into a new budget year, I encourage each of you to remain faithful in your giving in support of our mission of reaching others and leading them to a relationship with God. Together we can meet our ministry and financial goals of the church.

The arrival of 2022 has brought many exciting changes to family ministry at Morningside and we anticipate a thrilling year of ministry ahead. The most obvious change is the near completion of the Next Gen Center on the second floor of the Family Center. There are a few critical finishing touches that are in progress, but we look forward to occupying the space in the near future. As students and college students begin to utilize the new space, the entire family ministry will be housed under one roof in an environment that is convenient, safe, and aesthetically compelling. We look forward to announcing a Grand Opening date soon!  
 
Wednesday night Breakout has recently relaunched for 2022 with a new leadership team and a new focus. We are continuing to learn the musical, Star Quest, which is a fun production featuring Scripture memory songs and hilarious speaking parts. Each Breakout will also feature Bible study, crafts, and games.
 
Elementary Bible Fellowship has recently expanded to feature divided classes based on age and additional leaders. Currently, we are studying God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the Wilderness Wanderings as we focus on the truths that "God Keeps His Promises, God Deserves Our Worship, and No One is Like God."
 
Also, beginning in February, Pastor Zach will lead a parenting-focused Bible study during Bible Fellowship in Phil Martin's class. We will view a 12-15 minute portion of Paul David Tripp's recent simulcast, Parenting: It's Not What You Think, study Scripture together, and have roundtable discussion and reflection from the teaching.  
 
Thank you to the dozens of parents and leaders who are leading in Breakout and Bible Fellowship this semester! We are thankful to serve together in the thrilling task of discipling our kids and strengthening our families. 

The Recruitment Committee nominates, and the Elders affirm, Chris Deal to serve a three-year term as a Trustee. Chris will join Bob Jordan (2020-2022) and Jason Jay (2021-2023) filling the vacancy left by Winfield Flanagan, who is rolling off.

The Personnel Committee held our first meeting of 2022 on January 13th. At the meeting we thanked Dennis Walsh for his service over the last three years and welcomed Seth Johnson as our newest member. Those serving on the committee this year will be Larry Coger, Gary Holmes, Sherri Callaway, Seth Johnson and Teddie Ussery. Our Deacon representative is Sam Simmons and our Elder representative is Jim Pass.
 
Following Kathy Powell’s retirement as Business Administrator, we promoted Carol Gallups to Finance Manager. Carol received a raise to go with her new responsibilities in this area. Working alongside Carol, Bob Gilson has stepped forward to serve as Facilities Manager. Bob’s responsibilities will include managing and maintaining the physical plant, major utilities, HVAC, etc. We are so grateful for Bob’s willingness to serve the church body as an unpaid staff member!
Pastor Jonathan reported that he is conducting annual staff reviews working to strengthen relationships and overall performance as we move into 2022. We have also made some shifting of staff hours to allow our church office to be open on Friday mornings. We are very excited to see what God is going to do as we prepare for the grand opening of the second floor of the Family Center. Pray that the Lord continues to bless this effort providing us the resources and staff as needed to serve the Lord as we grow! We look forward to a great year!

The Global Ministries Committee monitors, coordinates, and leads in the numerous mission opportunities and ministries of Morningside Baptist Church. Please see a committee member or contact the church office if you want to serve in an area of ministry.

Last quarter (October – December 2021), Morningside gave to the Brown Bag Ministry, Morningside Cares, Safehouse, Operation Christmas Child, Lottie Moon, and other ministries supported by our mission. Gifts of time, manpower, service, prayer, and donations were thankfully received. The Lottie Moon offering totaled $12,291.46. Operation Christmas Child received 226 shoeboxes for children around the world. Our Weekday Preschool families and families at Blackmon Road Middle School were supported as well.

The Committee is preparing our 2022 calendar. We are looking at several mission opportunities for the year. Locally, we will support a Columbus Baptist Association initiative called Crossover 907. The event will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022. You can learn more at CrossOver907.

During the last two months of the fourth quarter, the volunteers on the building and grounds team donated almost 200-man hours of labor for projects around the church campus. Those volunteering their time were Mike Allmond, Mike Babb, Mike Jones, Ed Karnotski, Chris Deal, Dan Snow, Dewey McCabe III, Bill Holmes, Zach Walsh and Bob Jordan. In early November they trimmed pecan trees on the campus and cleaned up the fence line shared with one of our neighbors. Repairs were made to exterior sanctuary doors along with restroom doors and cabinet hinges in the Family Ministry Center. Two days in November were devoted to construction of the set for the CSU performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in the sanctuary. Following a water leak in the Fellowship Hall, Mike Allmond and Bob Jordan took care of the water damage and sheetrock repair, including repainting some walls.

Morningside Bereavement Ministry had one family that we were blessed to serve and comfort in their time of grief on December 4, 2021. Two of our faithful teams prepared and served food. The family was thankful for the meal, our love and compassion, and the use of the fellowship hall so that they could be together.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 
~2 Corinthians 1:3-4