White Water Rafting Anyone???

Brainerd Baptist Church is putting together a trip to tackle the Ocoee river, and we would like to invite you and your friends and family to come along! This is a perfect opportunity for you to invite your friends and co-workers to enjoy an extreme afternoon riding the white water down the Ocoee river.

When: Saturday, May 5th Rain or Shine

Time: Departing - 11:30am
Returning - 7:00pm

Cost: $25 a person. Please also bring some money for dinner as we will be stopping at a fast
food restaurant on the way back.

Information: You must be at least 12 yeas old. Children aged from 12 to 18 must have a parents signature on the wavier form, which you can pick up at the BX Welcome Desk. Please eat lunch before we leave, and you may bring a small snack if you would like. All items need to be water resistant.

How do I sign Up? Please fill out the sign up sheet, as well as a wavier form. Please turn in all
your information at the BX Front Desk. Payment must be made before the trip and checks can be made out to Brainerd Baptist Church.

For More Information Contact: Ryan Goss
423-624-2606 or Ryan@brainerdbpatist.org.

BX Car Show

Muscle , Hot Rods, Tunies, Early Model A, Early V-8, Trucks, and more!


When: Saturday, May 12th 9am-2pm Rain or Shine

Where: Brainerd Crossroads

Why: This is a great way to build relationships with your neighbors and co-workers who love cars!

Types of Cars present: Corvettes, Sports Cars/ Race Cars, Model A, Early Ford V-8, Antique/ Classic, Muscle, Trucks, Rods and Tunies.

If you are interested in help with this event or know of someone who would like to put their car into the show please contact Ryan Goss.

More Information:
Ryan Goss
Ryan@brianerdbaptist.org / 423.624.2606

Movie Night

Charlotte's Web

Here at the BX this Friday, April 13th. The movie will be starting at 7pm sharp. The doors will open at 6:30pm. We will be showing the movie in the Crossing. Bring a friend and enjoy a fun free movie with your family!

March Madness

I can tell that march madness is in full swing. Last night we had just about 40 people at open gym. I had to climb over three people just to get into the gym. OK, so it wasn't that full, but it was great to see everyone, and meet some new friends. Last night the Lord has really laid it on my heart to share the Gospel. At about eight o'clock, I got their attention and started right into it. These are a great bunch of young men, and they are really respectful and quiet when someone is speaking. Last night there was no major decisions, but the Lord helped remind me that I've planted a seed. I was talking with a friend of mine last night, and they encouraged me that the average person will hear the Gospel 7 times before they except Christ into their hearts. I heard this fact before, but it was good to know that maybe for some it was there first time hearing it, maybe it was there 6th time hearing the Gospel. I've come to understand that more and more people will listen to you, and do not mind you asking about there spiritual life. The hardest part, is opening up my mouth, After that the Lord helps me! I hope you are encouraged to share the Love of Christ with someone today. Take a friend golfing, or go bowling, or find something fun to do, and share what Christ has done in your life. Tell your friends, family, co-workers about Him.
My prayer for you all is to know, love, and become closer, and more like Jesus Christ every day!

Saved by Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ.
-Ryan

3 on 3 Men's Basketball Tournament

Brainerd Crossroads is putting together and 3 on 3 Men's Basketball Tournament! First let me give you some of the information:

Date: March 30th & 31st

Time: March 30th, starting at 5pm, and Saturday, March 31st tentatively starting at 8am
Age: 18 and older

Cost: $10 a person

Sign-up Deadline: March 18th

You will get all the information through the church website, and email. I would also like to ask for volunteers who might not want to play, but who would be interested in helping this tournament be successful. If you would like to help please contact me @ 423.624.2606. I hope to see you out there playing hard for the Lord! May the Lord bless you through this week!

--Ryan

B-Ballers came out of the Woodwork!

Last night as I walked into the gym, there were already 25 people ready and waiting to play basketball, at our open gym! Just as I was about to get started about 10 more people walked in, and by the evenings end we had about 37 people, wanting to play basketball! It was very exciting. I got to meet some new faces and see some old faces as well. During the devotional time I shared about sports ministry and how we can use our talents and gifts to praise the Lord (Colossians 3:23). It was a great time, and I was very encouraged to see everyone come out and play. Next week, I hope to see everyone back again. I will be sharing about worshiping God in the sports arena. I was thinking about how many people we had last night and if we keep getting these kind of numbers will might have to have extend our hours!!!

--Ryan

I'm no Michael Jordan

We have started back up with Open Gym Basketball here at the BX. I must say that it is going well, We have been averaging about 20-25 people each week, which is great! I have really enjoyed getting to meet the guys who come regularly. The really cool thing about sports is that no matter where you are from or what you did, it brings people together. It is the universal language and it brakes down all kinds of cultural boundaries. It is great to use sports as a way to develop relationships, and share Christ. So whether on the court, field, or mate, wherever our arena of competition is, you have the opportunity to impact the lives of the people you come in contact with by your actions and your words. So, next time you compete be intentional about playing in a way that will bring God all the glory, and honor as well as being a example for Him!
I hope to see you soon!

--Ryan

Someone Is Always Watching

So I have been running a lot these last couple of months. There is a wood trail that I run through and in our apartments we have a fire place. So for the last month or so I have been running with a Army issued Ruck Sack, which I have been filling with wood for my fire place. One of my neighbors has seen me run and about a week ago, she stopped me and asked me what I was doing. I informed her that I was running to pick up fire wood, and to train, and she said "Well next time you get firewood, get me some." I replied with the southern "Yes ma'am".
Two days ago it was about time for my run, it was dusk, and the sun was beginning to hide behind the mountains, and time was not on my side. I found my trail, filled up my ruck sack full of wood, finished my run, and headed back to my neighbors. I knocked on the door, and immediately began unloading the firewood. She came to the door with a smile when she saw that I had actually got some wood for her. This is where the story get interesting.
She stopped me and asked me why are you trying to get in such good shape? My normal answer of 'I just like it' was not going to do, I felt the Lord leading me, so I said, "Well, The Lord gave me this body, and the gifts, talents, endurance to run, and so I want to stay in shape for Him." She did not look surprised by this answer, and she gazed out past her porch light to see that it was dark. She turned her focus back to me and began questioning again. "Why, are you running out side at this time of night, we are not in the safest neighborhood. If I was a thief and want anything from you I could kill you, and I know you do not care any protection with you, I do not think it is safe." Calmly I said " Do you really want to know why? This is going to blow your mind. You want to know?" She gave an anxious nod. " Well, Ma'am, I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, and because I believe in him, he has promised through His word that, when I die I will be in heaven. Now what I know of heaven is that it is a perfect place, a place without pain, tears, sadness, and in the presence of the Lord. So my question for you is, what would I lose if someone took my life?" She paused for a moment and replied "Nothing...you would have gained everything."
I finished with saying "Then I have nothing to fear." We made small talk after that for a couple minutes. I left that conversation not realizing what the Lord had done. I have been running for months now just because I love to run. I did not realize that people were watching. The Lord was using my passion of running as a door way to share with someone about Christ, and the freedom we have in Him.
There is always someone watching. There is always someone noticing the things you do. God will use your passions to further His kingdom. I hope you are encouraged by this short story and you are reminded that God is Awesomely Big!

- Ryan-

Movie Night at the BX

We had a wonderful turn out for our Movie Night last Friday. We watched "Facing the Giants", and we had about 200-225 people come and watch this movie. We had popcorn, and all different kinds of candy, and the room was filled with bean-bag chairs, blankets, and foldable chairs. It was a wonderful environment and setting for the movie. Our pray is that the movie "Facing the Giants" will stir the hearts of those individuals who may not know the Lord who attended. We were very encouraged to see a big crowd and are excited to plan for another Movie Night soon! Check at the BX for local times and listings.

--Ryan