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Celebrating the past, embracing the present, looking forward to the future
Merry Christmas from the SYBA!
Imagine if an alien from another planet came to visit earth during this time of year... What do you think that they would discover and conclude about Christmas? Would they conclude that it is about: Santa... or a Savior? Rudolph and the Reindeers... or a Redeemer? Jingle Bells... or Jesus? Happy Holidays... or Merry Christmas?

There should be no confusion as to what Christmas is all about. Look at the first five letters of Christmas. It is CHRIST. The Old Testament speaks of the coming Messiah in numerous places. One of my favorite Christmas passages is from the book of Isaiah:
 Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus comes to earth as a human. For unto us a child is born.
Jesus came in heavenly deity. Unto us a Son is given.
This is speaking of Jesus’ eternal being. The birth in Bethlehem was not Jesus’ beginning. There was never a time when He was not. God’s Christmas gift came in the person of deity wrapped in the package of humanity.                                        

R.G. Lee says, “Jesus is the only one born with no earthly father but an earthly mother. He had no heavenly mother but a heavenly Father. He was older than his mother and yet as old as His father."

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
 
Look at Jesus, our Savior. As the Wonderful Counselor, He has the best ideas and strategies. Let’s follow Him.
As the Mighty God, He easily defeats His enemies. Let’s hide behind Him.
As the everlasting Father, He loves us endlessly. Let’s enjoy Him.
As the Prince of Peace, He reconciles us while we are still His enemies.

Let’s welcome Jesus this Christmas. Let’s tell others about Him. Who will you invite to the special Christmas services that your church is hosting? How can you reach out to your friends and neighbors this Christmas season and share Jesus? Pray for your lost family, neighbors, and friends and share the true meaning of Christmas. Our family recently watched Why the Nativity put out by David Jeremiah. What a great way to share the reason for the season by inviting friends, neighbors, or family over to watch and discuss it with you. Here is the link to the movie: https://www.davidjeremiah.org/whythenativity
 
Merry Christmas! May we all remember the reason for our celebration this season and share the greatest gift of all with those around us.
Noel Williamson, Executive Director
Encourage Pastors and Ministry Leaders
Please plan to join your fellow SYBA pastors for monthly prayer. All pastors welcomed - senior, youth, associate, worship, etc.

  • Iredell County
1st Wednesday of every month
January 4 @ 8-9 am, SYBA office
  • Davie County
2nd Wednesday of every month
January 11 @ 8-9 am
Miller's Restaurant Directions
All pastors welcomed
senior, youth, associate, worship, etc.

January 24 at 11:30 am
at the Upper Room, Statesville

RSVP to Noel at nwilliamson@sybaptist.org by Thursday, January 19 at 3pm
Mobilize to Share Christ's Love
SYBA Food Pantry
New Year
New Days -- New Times
TUESDAYS: Afternoon appointments begin at 1:00pm
THURSDAYS: Morning appointments begin at 9:30am
Beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2023 the SYBA Food Pantry will have new days and times! Volunteers are needed. Contact Mary Jane at mhoover@sybaptist.org or call (704) 873-4372.
Appalachian Backpack Ministry

Partnering together to share the love of Christ: 592 well-filled backpacks along with food and cold-weather clothing were delivered to 2 schools in Harlan County, Kentucky. Below are a few outstanding God moments from the mission trip:

  • A teacher was gathering up coats for several children in her classroom. I asked if I could help. She said that a mother had told the children in the teacher's class not to judge her children because they did not have a coat. The mother told them that not everyone could have a coat. The teacher was gathering coats for each of the children and the mother. I found a bag and she was able to provide for all their needs. - The coats that you donated are keeping a family and children warm during the cold weather.

  • A volunteer was working with a child when the child asked them where the mission group was from. She told them that the group was from NC. The child asked how far that was from them and the volunteer said 5 hrs. The child looked at volunteer in wonder and said 'You drove 5 hours to give me a backpack'. The volunteer said yes because we love you and want you to know that God loves you. - Your time is not wasted when you volunteer to help those in need.

  • A child started crying as they heard the story of Jesus. Volunteers worked with the child, and she accepted Christ as her Savior. When the volunteer asked her why she was crying she said 'Her uncle had disappeared, and they think that he is in the lake. She said that she did not want to die and go to hell. She wanted to go to heaven." She got a lot of hugs and kisses. - Your compassion for a hurting child helped her to see the love of God.

  • The Acteens and their families from Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, TX hand-knitted around 600 hats and scarfs for the backpack ministry. The children liked the hats so much they did not want to take them off! Many saw where God was moving and became involved with His work. People are being blessed.

  • Western Avenue Baptist Church Quilting Group donated lap quilts for this trip. The lap quilts were placed in the cafeteria and the teachers/staff were able to pick out a lap quilt. They were so thankful to receive and to be remembered. - God cares for ALL of His children and blesses those that take care of the little ones.

  • A little boy got so excited when he opened his backpack and saw the HULK in his bag. He pulled it out and wanted to keep it with him. - God guided someone to provide for this young man's desire for this toy.

  • Someone donated a fishing rod and lures. I asked the counselor if she knew someone that loved to fish. She said that she knew exactly who that person was. She showed him to me when he came into the gym. I worked with him and he was so excited to get the new fishing equipment. Thank you for donating something that this young man needed. - God knows what is needed and how to provide for His own. God bless you.

  • A request was made for thermal underwear. The school counselor told us that some of the children are living in homes with no electricity, heat or running water. He said they needed something to keep them warm. There were 3 boxes of thermal underwear for the children. - These kids may be in harsh conditions, but you made it a little bit warmer for them.

Thank you to Mary Jordan for her dedication to the Lord shown through this annual Appalachian Backpack Ministry.
Send SYBA Your Prayer Requests!

Our staff and our prayer team are ready to pray for your needs — whether they are great, small or somewhere in between. Your requests will remain confidential as we seek the Father’s will on your behalf. If you have a praise report from an answered prayer, please share that as well — we will celebrate God’s grace and goodness with you!
Do More Together!
Young brunette woman over isolated yellow background shouting through a megaphone
What is Your Church Planning?

Do you have an event planned that you would like to invite those outside your church to?

Please send Shelley Williamson information at swilliamson@sybaptist.org and we will include it in the next newsletter!
Diamond Hill Seeking Associate Pastor for Family Discipleship Ministry

Seeking candidates who possess spiritual gifts and calling to minister to our families and their children, with emphasis on partnering with parents to equip and assist them. Candidates will serve in leadership as an Elder and Associate Pastor and will develop and implement a program for discipleship for our children and youth. Seminary or Bible College training and prior experience considered an asset.

If interested, please contact Pastor for Preaching & Vision Larry Holleman at Pastor@diamondhillchurch.com or 704.437.2623 or office@diamondhillchurch.com.
For more info about Diamond Hill - DiamondHillChurch.com
Resources
Recent assessments by the North American Mission Board and N.C. Baptists show that more than 50% of Baptist churches need substantial reconstruction. The state convention desires to be on mission with you and your church by providing this conference to show unique plans and tools to help slow decline and assist in modifying internal and external focuses.

Who is this conference for? All churches -- Those who need reconstruction and those who have the desire to partner with those needing reconstruction.
Worship Leader Training
with Kenny Lamm January 26, 2023

Is worship not hitting the right note? Practical, proven training equips worship leaders with the understanding and tools to overcome spectatorship and renew transformative worship.

Click here for more info. and to sign up. Space is limited
The NC Baptist Foundation has four educational scholarships available for students. You may view the requirements and guidelines of those scholarships here.

Applications for the scholarships will open up online January 1 and will end at 5pm on February 15.
Throughout 2023, N.C. Baptists will be sharing resources for praying for the nations.
Will you consider participating?

January 16 - February 14
The first 30 days will focus on unreached people groups in North Carolina.

February 15 - December 31
The remainder of the year will focus on N.C. Baptist missionaries and church planters.
By signing up, an individual will receive weekly emails that will include several missionary highlights and prayer points for the week.

Each email will also include access to download a full prayer guide, prayer cards, slides and promo graphics. These will also be accessible at PrayNC.org.
You are SYBA!
Thank you!!!
SYBA Donations (Sept 1 2022 - Nov 30 2022)

Total Receipts $51,760.02
(as of Nov 30, 2022)

Total Budgeted Receipts $48,054.24
Received vs. Budget $3,705.78
[PO Box 5249, Statesville, NC 28687]  [704.873.4372]  [Sybaptist.org]