God continues to pour out His favor and blessings upon Great Hills Baptist Church, and what a joy it is to hear of our church being radiant, passionate followers of King Jesus here in Austin, Texas.  Thank you for being so kind, compassionate, and encouraging in your Christianity.  Dave Kinnaman in his book, Unchristian, says one of the top three reasons the unchurched do not like us as Christians is we are, well, basically just known to be mean!

 Let that never be said of us here at GHBC; may God help us be salt and light, and love people like Jesus loved people, never compromising our convictions but always loving and caring for others.  (Kinnaman’s national survey of young people outside the church revealed the following perceptions they have of people inside the church: antihomosexual [91%], judgmental [87%], and hypocritical [85%].  See Kinnaman, p. 27.)  May God help us be more like Jesus and less like the Pharisees.

One of the ways our church is reaching out and ministering to others is our TV ministry on KVUE.  Our media volunteers are doing a great job speaking to those who watch the broadcast and call in for assistance. Last week one of our members was able to lead a 55-year-old man to Christ!  This week we received a letter from an 84-year-old woman who wants to purchase the DVDs each Sunday.  She writes, “If I didn’t live so far away I would love to be a member of your church.  At my present age I can’t drive that far.”  What a blessing from a sweet, godly lady!

This Sunday morning I am preaching from Luke 4:16-19 on The Incomparable Christ—let’s all come meet, worship, learn, fellowship, and be changed to resemble Christ.   Please come expecting to meet the Lord in a special way as we observe the Lord’s Supper right after my sermon. Take some time this weekend to think about the passion of Jesus — His death, burial, and resurrection, and how these sacred events changed all of history and will change our futures eternally!

If you have not yet already done so, please mark your calendars for Saturday, August 21, as we help Illuminate Austin with our neighbors in 78702.  I am praying that many of our people will come and help out and pray and work as the Lord leads.  Pray for me as I preach the gospel on this day.  May God move in wonderful ways as the radiant church shines brightly for Christ and men see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

My wife and I love our new church and feel blessed to be here and financially support GHBC.  As you can tell around our church campus, there is a lot happening!  We are getting a new roof, new waterproof paint, and are having many of office windows waterproofed.  Let me encourage you to continue your faithful giving to our Raise the Roof & Lower the Debt campaign all the way through October.  Also, don’t forget to support our operating budget, especially during these summer months as many in our church family are away on vacation. Enjoy your vacations, but do not forget your tithes and offerings here at GHBC, the radiant church that seeks to shine for Christ.

I’ll end with an appeal for help in three wonderful areas of BLG ministry.  Our Preschool, Children’s, and Special Friends ministries all need faithful workers to love and teach our children and Special Friends.  Please pause right now and ask God if He wants you to serve His children in this way beginning this fall. Thank you.  

Danny Forshee
Luke 4:18-19