My first ever mission trip was to the Bahamas. I know what many of you are thinking right now; “Mission trip to the Bahamas, huh? Really suffered for the cause, there, didn’t you?!” It wasn’t what you would be led to assume, though, for several reasons. First of all, we didn’t go to the standard islands and areas most people frequent when they head to the Bahamas. We didn’t see Grand Bahama or...
Much like everybody else, I find many of my waking hours occupied contemplating the new realities and possibilities created by the COVID-19 outbreak. Honestly, it is impossible to escape it at this juncture. All of our normal distractions have been infected. March Madness has been turned into March Sadness as all tournaments have been canceled. Likewise, professional athletics have been put on an...
We find ourselves in crazy times. I mean, we always think that’s the case, for one reason or another, but right now, things are literally insane. With the outbreak of the Coronavirus and its subsequent development to pandemic status, the world appears to be coming undone. You know things have gotten serious when the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA all make the decision to either play in empty arenas or...
One of my favorite movie series’ of all time is Pirates of the Caribbean. I watch the original trilogy at least once a year, all of which are currently available on the Disney+ app. The reasons I love these movies are legion, but not the least is the relevant themes that persist throughout the course of the story. At first blush, the movies appear to be about an absent-minded captain seeking...
Last week, I had to make my bi-yearly visit to the doctor’s office. I got my CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) several years ago so that I could drive our church bus when necessary, and in order to maintain it, the Department of Transportation requires that I have a physical done once every two years. I had time last Friday morning and the deadline for getting the paperwork in was fast...
Aaron Bartsch is the recently minted Director of Facilities and Maintenance at First Baptist Church, or as we like to call him around the office, the Minister of Maintenance. He has also served on our Deacon Board and plays bass guitar for our worship team. Most people at First Baptist are aware of these facts, but what you may not know is that Aaron is an actual, real-life Samurai. I’ve seen his...
“Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order.” I don’t really know who David Gerrold is, but I’m grateful for this quote that is attributed to him. While it certainly presents a painfully dark and narrow view of life, there are times when it paints a fairly accurate picture of the struggle I feel in my heart. For any...
I was greatly amused by a meme I recently saw while scrolling through Facebook. It was a simple white background with words over the top. It read, “We are 5 months into 2020 and it’s still January.” Though we have turned the page on the calendar and made our way into February, the slow slog still continues. My daughter made a profound assessment of the last month and change. As we prepared for...
I have done dozens of baptisms over the years. Of all of the things I do as a pastor, I find baptism to be particularly meaningful as it is a very public declaration of faith in obedience to the command and call of Jesus and because of the beautiful symbolism it demonstrates. I find myself getting emotional every time I lower someone into the water and pronounce the words, “Buried with Him...
My son decided he wanted to start playing basketball again this season. We signed him up to play for a local league called “Enter His Courts.” One of my favorite parts about “Enter His Courts” is what I like to call the “Come to Jesus Moment” that takes place before each game. The “Come to Jesus Moment” plays out in two ways. After my friend and the league director, Tim Goodpaster, sits all the...
Jeremy Myers is the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Seymour, Indiana, where he has served since 2017. He has over 25 years of experience in local church ministry and not-for-profit leadership. He has a passion for helping emerging and existing generations learn to make space for each other and caring for the under-served and marginalized. In 2016, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, with his thesis focusing on developing connections between senior adults and youth in the church. He is a passionate and gifted communicator and is regularly invited to speak at retreats, camps, conferences, and other events. He lives in Seymour, Indiana with his wife Robyn, their two children, Mikayla and JJ, and their Golden Doodle, Evie.
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