Dear Church Family,

  We are very excited for the men and women of the church to have some exciting opportunities for growth and outreach in 2024 and beyond!  Our women are hosting the “IF” conference February 23-24.  We have a good start to registrations and are hoping for many more to join in on the nationwide conference.  The speakers are going to be excellent, the food delicious, and the fellowship even better!  I want to encourage all of our women to step out and register today!  This is a great way to invite women outside of the church to something very special!  Pray and invite other women!
  In April we are kicking off the new men’s ministry with an Ironmen’s breakfast at FBC.  Come on Saturday, April 13 at 8:30 a.m. for a great breakfast, a great challenge, and fellowship! Please be thinking about what other men you can invite to help us kick off a ministry that will help us grow and stretch.
  We have some exciting news to share with you.  The governing board has asked Gideon Schwarz to come to serve as our Ministry Intern specializing in the Youth Ministry.  He will mainly work with our teenagers for the youth group, Sunday School, and our outreach activities.  He will only be part-time and will hold a full-time job in the Decatur area.  He will also learn other parts of ministry as time allows.  He is married to his wonderful wife Charis.  Gideon is also the younger brother of Isabela Hanisch our Children’s Director.  Be sure to get to know them when they move to the area in March or April.
  Isabela and Brenton are also starting a new group called a “Family Group” with three families coming from outside the church and two families from inside First Baptist.  
  On January 14^th we had wind chills around 30 below zero and we canceled church that day.  If you missed an opportunity to give that day you can always do so by mailing a check, bringing it to a service, or giving online on our website www.decatur-church.com, and click the “Give” button in the upper right corner of the homepage.
Thank you to everyone who gives to the ministries at First Baptist!
    Lastly, please also pray for the Lord to bring us the right people to help serve in the positions of Worship Director and Pianist. 

In Christ,

 Pastor Chris