We are truly living in challenging days. Parts of the world are in political upheaval and others are facing equally dismaying issues. Food, fuel, and other costs are steadily rising while incomes have either stagnated or declined. Haiti has lost over 3,000 people to cholera and continues to deal with governmental corruption. Many around us are facing serious health issues, family struggles, and financial devastation. It would be so easy to throw our hands up in frustration and discouragement, but let’s not forget that God is sovereign. He is still in control. As dark as things may appear, His light still shines brighter. We need to keep our eyes focused on Him as we go through these days. We, as believers, have such a great opportunity to share the hope that is found only in Christ Jesus. This is a great time for Ocean Park Baptist Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we share and show His love around Jacksonville Beach and beyond.
As I write this, the new church sign is in the process of being set up between the Ed. Building and the Sanctuary. Thanks go to Mike Rawson and Jerry Benton for their labor and to everyone who contributed financially. The sign is just one way we hope to connect with our community. We also seek to connect through ongoing ministries, like Angel Food Ministries, and evangelistic outreaches, like our upcoming Beaches Community Health Fair on April 9th. I pray we will continually seek ways to connect with our community so members of our community will hear how they can connect with God through Jesus Christ.
I look forward to gathering with you once again to worship our Lord this Sunday. We will continue our focus on Christianity According to Jesus as we look verse by verse at the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7.

In His Grace,
Russell

I am so thankful to have been able to attend the 25th annual Pastor’s Conference at FBC Jacksonville this year. The theme of the conference was Endurance and all the seminars and sermons dealt with various aspects of enduring in ministry. I was greatly encouraged and renewed as a pastor and a Christian. Every once and a while, we all need to be reminded of why we are here on this earth. God has called us to endure - to keep on serving, keep on reaching, keep on praying, and keep on growing. He has called us to stay faithful to Him as He has been so faithful to us. I am thankful for FBC Jax and all they do to help pas-tors through this wonderful conference.
As I walked the campus of FBC and sat in the massive auditorium, several things ran through my heart and mind. I remember sitting in the auditorium that seats thousands and hearing the choir made up of hundreds of voices, accompanied by a beautiful sounding orchestra. I met several staff members who led many different impacting minis-tries. As great as FBC Jax is, it is not Ocean Park. I am so thankful I serve in this fellowship of believers. We have been given a task that no other church, no matter the size, has been called to. We may not be as big in number as some churches, but we are just as big, if not bigger, in heart. Don’t compare Ocean Park with other churches and feel discouraged. Instead, confidently know that God has a purpose for this church and praise Him because you get to be a part of it.
I look forward to worshiping our great God and King with you this Sunday. We will continue our focus on Christianity According to Jesus as we look verse by verse at the Sermon on the Mount.
In His Grace, Russell