What's Behind The New Logo?

CHANGE

HAS COME TO HATTIESBURG

www.FirstHattiesburg.com

FROM THE PASTOR

G

od has given me a vision to build a church for people who have been burned by religion. A place where people are excited and passionate about changing their city. Ever since I was a young teenager I have felt God leading me to try to make a difference in the lives of people who feel trapped by hurt, loneliness, addiction and brokenness. I believe we (First Hattiesburg) are becoming a people who care about being salt and light in a dark and decaying world. I see us being a people and a place of grace where truth is both taught and lived out in a world that has lost it’s direction. First Hattiesburg is a church full of real people with real problems. That is why amazing things are happening here. When people honestly seek God, he moves powerfully in their lives. Every week we see examples of God taking broken lives and making them whole. In the next few pages you can read the stories of people like this. God has rocked their lives and now they can’t help but share this with others. If you’re searching for answers, then come visit us on Sunday morning and experience how God heals broken hearts.

what is

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ehind

the new logo?

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hen people become excited about God and His plan for their lives and this world, they are no longer willing to settle for the status quo. That is why First Hattiesburg looks and acts a bit differently than most other churches. God has given us a unique vision to show this city that He is still moving, still working, and still putting broken lives back together. God is exciting and powerful, and as a result, the church should be the same. From our children’s activities to our worship, even to the design of our new building, everything is designed to help people connect with Jesus and with each other. When you first walk into First Hattiesburg, you may find that it does not look like you expected it to. But give it a shot! You might find yourself having fun while God is busy doing something special in your life. Our logo is more than “just a pretty face”! It tells a story. It symbolizes our strategy, based in God’s Word, for leading you to know, love, and follow Jesus. Read on to find out what’s behind the new logo.

Jesus

it’s all about

A

t the center of the First Hattiesburg logo is the cross. It reminds us that our faith is centered around Jesus Christ who gave His life for us on the cross. Through the cross Jesus tore down the walls that separated us from God. When we have Jesus at the center of our lives, we seek to please Him, even in the most routine and simple acts. Life takes on new meaning and purpose when you look at everything and realize, it’s all about Jesus.

BUILD WITH

BRING IN

TRAIN UP

SEND OUT

bring in “

M

y heart has always been to reach out and love people. I love people and I love my church, so I am always inviting people to come with me. Investing in people and inviting them to church is what comes natural to me. In fact, I search for people that I can share my faith with. The great thing is that it’s so easy to invite people here because the environment’s so welcoming and full of energy. I tell people this is the place to be, because our pastor and staff have a heart for reaching out, and it’s not your typical church where you can blend into the background. We encourage everyone to get plugged in and there are all kinds of ways to do that.

“

P

eople who have felt what it is like to have Jesus as the center of their lives understand the need to share that experience with others. There is an excitement and joy that they want everyone to experience. At First Hattiesburg we encourage those who have experienced what Jesus is doing to bring friends and family to church with them, so that they can see for themselves. To those who are hurting and looking for answers, we want you to know that God has a plan and wants to heal your broken heart.

it’s so easy to invite people here because the environment’s so welcoming and full of energy

b

build with “

A

few years ago I got pregnant. I was 29 and not married. So we got married and had Riley. She was the best thing that ever happened to me.

My history with church was on and off, but I would usually go with whomever I was dating. I expected a big church like First would be very impersonal, but I had such a great experience and Riley had so much fun that we continued to come. I eventually started helping out. I taught a class in Vacation Bible School, and I helped teach Team Kid on Wednesday nights.

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T

he Bible refers to a new follower of Jesus as a “baby”. Babies grow, which brings the color green to mind. Of course, growth does not just happen in babies. Even the most mature adults are still growing and changing. At First Hattiesburg, we want to help people grow in their faith within the context of a spiritual

The church didn’t save me from my problems, it helped me get through them

family or community. The Christian faith is not a goit-alone experience. It is meant to be lived out in relationship with others. That’s why we want you to build relationships with other believers. Everything is better when we done together.

It was almost immediate the great increase in my faith, and the Lord began to use this church to bring my faith to the forefront of my life. I later went through a divorce and thought I would have to move home because I was a stay-at-home mom without a job. But the Lord opened a door, and a position became available in the Children’s department, where I work now. The church did not save me from my problems, but it helped me get through them.

Kathryn Cooper

Bill Bustin

train up “

T

“

I

was the poster child for what not to do. Sex, drugs you name it. Sin was fun at the time and easy, but eventually I became burned out and began feeling cynical and jaded about people and life. Finally, I grew tired of going down the road to destruction. I told my roommate Jason, after a long night of binge drinking, my soul hurts. Jason and I got a call from Jeff Powell, a minister at First. We went and met with him and Jason got saved in KLV RIÀFH DQG , JRW P\ relationship with Jesus back on track. Today, my life is completely different than it was six years ago. I serve the youth and mentor to them. I explain to them not to live like I did. I’m surrounded by people who love me and let me serve their kids. I have accountability partners and people that take time to invest in my life. If I had to compare my life then to now, it would come down to hope. Back then I hoped I didn’t get this girl pregnant, I hoped I wouldn’t be arrested, I hoped these drugs wouldn’t kill me. Now my hope is in God and his will for my life.

he ultimate goal for a Christian is to become like Jesus. Jesus once said that a student cannot be above his teacher, but after the student has been fully trained, he will be like his teacher. This is why you must be trained in your faith, to live out the teachings of Jesus. Just as an Olympic athlete trains constantly in order to win the gold medal, followers of Christ must “train”, in order to know Him better, to love Him more, and to follow Him more faithfully. At First Hattiesburg we provide Bible learning experiences in group settings, where you can learn to apply biblical truths to your everyday situations. We also encourage you to “feed yourself ” spiritually. Practices such as studying the Bible, prayer, and memorizing Scripture contribute to a growing relationship with God. No matter where you are, you can always find people in front of you encouraging you to run towards them, someone beside you pushing you along, and someone behind you who needs a challenge to join you where you are.

I told my roommate Jason, after a long night binge drinking, my soul hurts

Chris Canoy Christy Buse

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send out “

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ust as Jesus sent out his earliest followers on a mission to share the good news of the kingdom of God, we too are to do the same. Our goal is to join together to meet the spiritual and physical needs of our community, both inside and outside of the church. While we offer several “mission trip” opportunities throughout the year, our primary focus is on “our own backyard”, Hattiesburg, MS! As a church we feel strongly that God has called us to be a church for the unchurched, for those who have given up on church. So we consider our church family to be missionaries that we send out into their own communities.

“

I

’ve experienced more in the short time I’ve been at First than I have in my whole life. I joined First Hattiesburg VL[PRQWKVDJRDQGLPPHGLDWHO\GRYHKHDGÀUVWLQWRWKHLU foreign missions. This summer, I spent one week in South America that changed my life forever. We could see in the faces of the villagers we went to, that they were glad we were there. I saw 3,000 people receive the medical care that they desperately needed and over 400 lives led to Jesus. Not only have I been able to minister to people abroad, but I’ve been able to do it right here in my home town. I teach third and fourth grade Bible drill, where kids learn about the Bible in a fun way. My mother and I are also apart of the White Glove Team. We help straighten up the worship center before each service and set up the refreshment room for other volunteers. I would encourage anyone who’s not involved to look into it and pray about where God can use you. It’s such a rewarding feeling and there’s something for everyone.

I spent one week in South America that changed my life forever

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“Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house” It has been an honor and blessing to be a part of such a vision as this.

- Charlie Finegan

CHAIN ELECTRIC C

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Luke says this “No one lights a lamp and hides it. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light” For the Chain Family, it has been our pleasure to be a part of the glowing history of First Hattiesburg.

- Bob Chain

Paul said “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” Thank you church family for allowing our company to play a role in God’s design for the future of First Hattiesburg.

- Larry Albert

Pat L. McKenzie, Inc. Proverbs says “He who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” It has been exciting opportunity for my company to be a part of a cool new church.

- Pat McKenzie

for your

Calendar SEPTEMBER 25

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD

27

LAST SUNDAY IN DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

30

CELEBRATION SERVICE AT LINCOLN RD.

OCTOBER

ALL OCTOBER IS BRING YOUR CAMERA TO CHURCH MONTH

FUN RUN

4

FIRST SERVICE AT LINCOLN RD. CAMPUS

FOR MORE EVENTS AND DETAILS VISIT

FIRSTHATTIESBURG.COM

MALONE

E CORNELL MALONE CORP

“Now the house was full of men and women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on” We did not build the roof to stand on, but we did plan on covering 3000.

- Cornell Malone

Sunday 8:30 AM Bible Study for older adults

Wednesday 4:45 PM

Dinner is served in the Student Building Auditorium. Cost: $5/adults; $3/children

6:00 PM

Backyard Kids Adult Bible Studies

6:30 PM Youth Worship

8:00 PM

College Worship

First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg 4142 Lincoln Rd Hattiesburg, MS 39402

9:30 AM

Preschool Sunday School Children’s Sunday School College Bible Study Adult Bible Study Worship Service

11:00 AM

Preschool Extended Session childcare Children’s Sunday School Youth Bible Study Adult Bible Study Worship Service

www.FirstHattiesburg.com