NewsArchives - First Baptist Church Petersburg

FBC Petersburg News Archives

WORLD CHANGERS COME TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS

What is World Changers? World Changers, started in 1990, as a mission experience packaged by the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Christian students (middle school age to college age) instead of going on vacation with their parents or hanging out with friends, choose to sleep on hard floors and work all day in the heat. And to top it off, they each have to pay their own way to participate in this program. The Mayors office and the local Community Development office choose the homeowners. The homeowners selected to receive assistance in the renovation or repair of their homes must be below the poverty level and physically or financially unable to do the work on their own.

On Saturday July 18, 2008, students representing 16 churches from all across the United States arrived at the middle school in Rochester and settled in. There were a total of 320 people at this project. They were then divided into 27 crews and met their project co-workers for the first time. Their breakfasts and dinners were served at their lodging. Everyone came together in the evening for a time of inspiring worship. Area Churches hosted the noon meals.
One crew of 16 students and leaders were at their host church, the First Baptist Church of Petersburg on Sunday July 19 to meet and talk to the people who would be supplying this crews noon meals for the week they would be working on their roofing project. The students were elated to see First Baptist pull into the driveway, on
North Grand Street
in Springfield, each day with their lunches and ice-cold drinks. After lunch there was a devotional time on the job site. Even though the students were working in less than desirable conditions, never did you hear anyone complain. When asked why they did this kind of hard and hot work they replied “we are doing this because we love Jesus and Jesus called us to go serve and help people”.
The World Changers completed all their jobs on July 26^th and are planning to be back in this area next year.

FBC Holds Christmas Program

On Sunday, December 16th at 6:00pm, First Baptist Church of Petersburg held it's annual Childrens Christmas Program. Many were in attendance for this uplifting program that spoke of the good news of Jesus Birth.

Set in the home of "Grandpa George" the peaceful Christmas Eve was upset by three children whining about the quality - or lack of - presents this year. Add to that all the bad news of current events and things looked pretty bleak for this Christmas - not one bit of good news. It looked as if there was no hope being offered this year.

Suddenly, all Grandpa Georges grandkids showed up to wish him a Merry Christmas. As the kids sat down, Grandpa George reminded the children of what Christmas was all about - it's about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As Grandpa George read them the Christmas Story from the book of Luke, and as they sang "Away in a Manger", "The First Noel", and "Go Tell it on the Mountain," Grandpa George, the children and all in attendance were reminded of the good news of Jesus Birth and the hope He provides.

Rather than a bleak Christmas with all the bad news in the world, Christmas once again became about good news - the good news of the salvation we can receive through Jesus.

If you would like to know more about why the birth of Jesus is good news, and the hope He provides, please visit the How to Become a Christian page on this website. We hope you have a blessed and happy Christmas as we remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

FBC Participates in Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Petersburg First Baptist Church once again participated in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Lottie Moon was a Southern Baptist missionary to China for 39 years in the 1800's. She turned down a marriage proposal and left her job, home and family to follow God’s lead to the mission field. Throughout her career, Lottie Moon wrote numerous letters home, urging Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support. One of those letters triggered the first Southern Baptist Christmas offering for international missions - enough to send three new missionaries to China.

In remembrance of Lottie Moons dedication and efforts that helped send new missionaries to China, every year at Christmas time, Southern Baptist churches across the country collect special offerings that are completely dedicated to missions. Every penny of the offering goes to the International Mission Board’s overseas budget, supporting missionaries and their work.

This year, our focus has been on the former Soviet Union. With 284.1 million people and 387 different people groups, much work is needed to bring the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to those who still need the gospel. The Christians that are there are few in number and they need missionaries to bring them good, solid, Biblical training to help them grow and disciple new believers.

Our goal at Petersburg First Baptist Church for 2007 was $1,400. During the months of December and January, we have raised a total of $1,420.00. Thank you so much for your support of this worthy and necessary ministry!

International Students Visit First Baptist Church

On Sunday, November 18th, 2007, four international students visited First Baptist Church of Petersburg as part of the annual Illinois Baptist State Association International Student Conference. Francisca Fernandez (on left) from Spain, Silvane Murta (front center) from Brazil, Ato Appiah from Ghana (in yellow shirt) and Behialu Bekera (right) from Ethiopia were hosted by two FBC families on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. These four students were among 35 international students who took part in the conference this past weekend.

The conference, held every year, allows international students who are studying in the United States to experience life with a typical American family for an evening and attend church with their host family on Sunday morning. The students come to the Illinois Baptist State Association building on Stevenson Drive in Springfield, IL., from colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri for the conference. Once they arrive on Saturday, they attend a seminar that familiarizes them with the manners and customs of the home life of most Americans, as well as attending breakout sessions that cover topics such as what to expect in an American home, dinner conversations, and what to expect in an American church service.

As well as attending the seminar, the students toured the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Saturday.

On Saturday afternoon, the students met their host families, and were taken home to enjoy a typical American Thanksgiving meal, and an overnight stay. The students also enjoyed an evening of getting to know their host families on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, the students attended the host family's church with their hosts in order to see what a typical American church service was like. Many of the students come from different religious backgrounds and have never attended a service at a Baptist Church.

The students were returned by their host families to the Baptist Building on Sunday afternoon for their trek back to their respective schools. While the students were able to gain personal insight into the lives of a typical American family, and learn more about our faith, the host families were blessed as well. They had the opportunity to learn more about another culture and make lasting friendships with people from another country. The host families also had the opportunity to share their faith with their guests, many who have questions about Christianity.

Visiting with us at FBC Petersburg this weekend were Francisca Fernandez from Spain and Silvane Murta from Brazil; both attend Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Francisca is a Vascular Surgeon (Attending) who is in the United States for further study, while Silvane is a Science Major working on her Doctorate. Both women were hosted by Bill and Marguerite Hodges.

Also visiting were Ato Appiah from Ghana and Behialu Bekera from Ethopia. They were hosted by Dean and Mihaela Sexton. Both young men are in their freshman year at Westminster College in Fulton, MO., studying computer science. Both families are grateful for the opportunity to be a host family and enjoyed getting to know more about their guests. The church family at Petersburg FBC also enjoyed getting to know our guests during Sunday School and the morning Worship Service.

The Illinois State Baptist Association will sponsor the International Students Conference again next year on the weekend before Thanksgiving.