The Personnel Committee met and interacted several times during the 2nd quarter, primarily focusing on updating several individual job description and compensation forms with current detail. All necessary personnel forms have been reviewed, signed, and filed appropriately at this time. We also spent time proof reading and making some formatting adjustments to the MBC Employee Handbook to better reflect our current state and to ensure alignment with the necessary MBC policies & compliance requirements.

The student ministry enjoyed a wonderful 2nd quarter with steady attendance and participation. For our Sunday Night Gathering we finished our Gospel of Luke study. We welcomed many return guests and enjoyed the after-church activities. On Wednesday nights we finished the Experiencing God series. We had many great discussions and look forward to our next mid-week study in August. We also celebrated our 2025 graduates, and we look forward to welcoming our upcoming 6th graders once the school year starts. In the third quarter the student ministry plans to start the school year off with a progressive dinner in August and a serve day in September.

The NextGen ministry had a busy 2nd quarter working with our partners in education, and the Young Family Ministry. Barbara Port and I have been in frequent communication with our partners in education to meet the needs of both Blanchard Elementary and Blackmon Road Middle School. The NextGen families look forward to continuing our Supper Club at the Walsh house in September.

In Bible Fellowship, the Young Families group has been going through a study called “Overcomer” by Dr. David Jeremiah. The study focuses on taking up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) in our everyday lives and has fostered great discussion and helped bond the group together.
 
All families are invited to go to the Columbus Clingstones game with us on July 27. Sign up online or via the Church Center app.

The Children’s Ministry had several events and students on campus since the last quarter. We teamed up with Weekday Preschool to host our annual egg hunt and over 100 kids participated. The Reading Program with Blanchard wrapped up in May and graduated 12 students with the help of our faithful volunteers. VBS took over our campus in mid-June. We averaged over 100 kids each day and collected over 1,000 non-perishable items that were donated to Brown Bag of Columbus. We are gearing up for the Fall Kickoff to welcome students back to campus for Wednesday Nights. We have a Kids Movie Night planned for 8/29. Details to come. To serve in Children’s Ministry, please email Barbara Port, bport@morningsidebaptist.com.

During the 2nd Quarter, our Women’s Nite Out feasted at Jason’s Deli, Ezell’s, and Chicken Salad Chick. We then visited Kiku’s Express Restaurant in July.

W.N.O. will meet at Deorio’s in August and the new B. Merrill’s in September. We will keep the 3rd Thursday of each month as our time.

The Tuesday Morning Bible Study finished “Revelation” by Jen Wilkin at the end of June. Oh my, it was something.

We are starting an 8-week study on Titus, “Displaying the Gospel of Grace” by Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless. It starts on August 12th, 9:30, in the Fellowship Hall. When you order your book, be careful and select the Bible Study Book with Video Access and not the eBook.

The Pop-Up Event for the 2nd Quarter was the Columbus Botanical Gardens, and we just had our Pop-Up for the 3rd Quarter, the Chris Hess and Friends gospel sing to benefit Valley Rescue.

We have decided to combine our Craft and Game Nites and meet on the first Sunday of each month starting in September.

The ministry is always looking for ways to connect us as we grow in our relationship to God and each other. Please share your opinions and suggestions with us.

The Widows's group has not met during the summer months.  We are looking forward to starting up in September.

Morningside Christian Preschool ended the school year in May. Although bittersweet to see our students graduate and move up, we are excited to welcome our new students come August 12th. We are still actively seeking one more teacher to join the team. If you are interested, please call Barbara Port (706)366-2478. If you are interested in becoming a substitute, contact the preschool as well. Blanchard’s Reading Program is seeking volunteers to help K-2 students during the school year. For more information on any of these opportunities, email preschooladmin@morningsidebaptist.com.

I am grateful to report that the Bereavement Committee hasn’t received any requests for meals during the second  quarter of 2025. What a blessing!

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