The Essential James

This Sunday, at New Church, we’re beginning a new teaching series that I believe will take us to a new level as a church!  It’s called The Essential James, and it’s going to be one of the most practical series we’ve ever done—a fresh approach to spiritual growth straight out of the book of James.

In order to provide an even more unified experience, we came up with what we call “The Essential James Reading Challenge.”  You can read all about it HERE.

We would love for your to participate, and if you are into Twitter at all, we ask that you use the hashtag #EssentialJames for any tweets that are related to what God is teaching you through your reading and through this series.

So, that’s it—4 weeks and one book.  It’s The Essential James.

T. J.

Ministry of The WARRIOR

Last Sunday at New Church, we wrapped up The WARRIOR series by honoring dads on Father’s Day and by giving away what we called a Tailgate Prize Package to one lucky dad.

We also took a look at an encounter between a social outcast and the greatest WARRIOR to ever live—Jesus—whose ministry was marked by love, compassion, and sacrifice.  We learned that the ministry of The WARRIOR is about giving before gaining.

You can listen to the complete message by clicking HERE.

T. J.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Erin Reece

This week’s Volunteer Leader Spotlight honors Erin Reece.  Erin has an amazing story of how God worked in her life to get her to Winston-Salem, so she could be a part of the team that helped start New Church!  Erin took a HUGE step of faith, and God provided all of her needs and took care of every detail.

Erin works as a nurse for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and she volunteers on our Host Team on Sunday mornings.  She also fills in as needed in our Newbies (birth-4 yrs) environment.

I asked Erin 2 simple questions regarding her connection to New Church, and here’s what she had to say:

Why New Church?

Last summer I was finishing up my last semester of school and was praying about what to do when I graduated. God started laying 2 Corinthians 4:18 on my heart, “as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”  The vision of New Church to help people far from God experience new life in Jesus Christ is doing just that. New Church is changing the way people will spend eternity by introducing them to Jesus. So, I am a part of New Church because I wanted to be a part of a church where I could grow in my relationship with Christ as well as serve and help others grow in theirs. 

Why volunteer?

I volunteer because I came to a point in my life where I was no longer content sitting in a chair on Sunday mornings. I see serving as a way to worship, and a way to show my love for God by showing His love to everyone who walks through the doors of our church. 

Thank you for allowing God’s Word to speak to you, and thank you for following him, Erin!  God is pleased by your faith, and I am honored to serve along side of you “…to help people far from God experience new life in Jesus Christ!”

T. J.

The Essential James Reading Challenge

Next Sunday, at New Church, we begin a new teaching series called The Essential James.

We’re going to spend 4 weeks exploring one book—a fresh approach to spiritual growth straight out of the book of James.

There are 5 chapters in the book of James, and as you know, there are 5 weekdays in each week.  We invite you to join us as we read one chapter each day (Monday–Friday) for 4 weeks.

So, there it is, The Essential James Reading Challenge.  It’s pretty simple, but if you commit to be a part of it, you will read through the book of James 4 times in 4 weeks.  And when that happens, you are guaranteed to grow in your faith.

T. J.

Father’s Day at New Church

Father’s Day at New Church is going to be special!  Not only are we wrapping up our current series, The WARRIOR, but one lucky dad will win a Tailgate Prize Package that will allow him to grill on the go!

I can’t think of a better day for the finale of a teaching series that describes how to be a man of character, integrity, and honor than Father’s Day!

So start the day off right, and bring your dad to New Church this Sunday!  He will be honored, and as a bonus, he’ll have the opportunity to walk away with a nice prize package!  See you Sunday at 10 AM!

T. J.

Character of The WARRIOR

Your character isn’t determined by who you pretend to be but rather by who God knows you to be!

Ananias and Sapphira found this out the hard way.  What they did was good, but the motives behind what they did were wrong.

Proverbs 16:2 says, People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

We can’t fool God because he knows what’s in our hearts.  To listen to the message from Week 3 of “The WARRIOR” series, click HERE.

T. J.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Barbara Coalson

Barbara Coalson is the focus of this week’s Volunteer Leader Spotlight! Barbara is a single mom who has more energy than anyone else I know, period! She works for Wake Forest Baptist Health as a Staffing Analyst in Nursing Administration.

Barabara volunteers in our Next Generation ministry and works in the area of Child Check-in for Newkidz (K5-5th).  She was one of the first people to commit to help us launch New Church, and God has done some amazing things in, and through, her life in the last year.

I asked Barbara to answer 2 simple questions, “Why New Church?” and “Why volunteer?”  Below is what she had to say:

Why New Church?

I attend New Church to serve God and fulfill his purpose for my life.  I have no doubts God put me in New Church for such a time as this.  I had been feeling a piece was missing in my life and was praying for God to show me where He wanted me to serve Him and find usefulness in my life.  New Church came to me as a clear answer to this prayer.  I stand in awe of how He has taken people from all walks of life to fulfill His purpose at New Church and bring together people who otherwise might not attend church.

Why volunteer?

Why not?  It has never occurred to me that I should just be a seat warmer.  I don’t think God means for anyone to be just a taker and not give back.  When I take inventory of my life and all the blessings He has bestowed on me I couldn’t imagine not giving back.  “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28) – who are we not to follow in His example?

Well said, Barbara!  We are so grateful to have you as a Volunteer Leader at New Church, and it is an honor to serve Jesus, and others, with you!  Thanks for following the example of Jesus!

T. J.

We Had a Party

You can click on the icon to the left to read the latest edition of the New Church newsletter.  It includes a video of our first ever Baptism Party, Volunteer Leader Spotlights from the month of May, and the teaser video from our current teaching series, “The WARRIOR.”

Thank you to those who continue to support what God has called us to do through prayer and through giving financially!  If you’re in the Winston-Salem area, we would love to have you as our guest in our Sunday morning worship experience!

T. J.

Mind of The WARRIOR

Week 2 of The WARRIOR series dealt with “The Mind of The WARRIOR.”  The main point of the message was pretty simple: Input Determines Output!  

In other words, what we put into our hearts and minds will determine our actions and what we say.  To hear more, you can listen to the entire message by clicking HERE.

T. J.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Dustin Williams

This week’s Volunteer Leader Spotlight is focused on Dustin Williams.  Dustin is married to one of our staff members, Sabrina, and together they have 3 beautiful daughters, Chloe, Laken, and Kamdyn.  Dustin works for AT&T as a Customer Service Agent in the repair department.

On Sunday mornings, Dustin serves in our Newkidz area as a small group leader, and he also runs the media during the large group teaching time.  In addition to his roles in Newkidz, he is a huge help with set-up on Sunday mornings.

Thank you, Dustin, for all you do to help make New Church a fun place for elementary aged kids to learn about Jesus!  We’re glad you’re a part of the Volunteer Leader Team!

T. J.