Jesus is a figure unique in both history and theology. He is a man who lived some 2,000 years ago, but he is the only man who has ever lived of whom it can also be correctly said, was also God.

The Bible teaches that Jesus was one with God at the creation of the universe and that he was instrumental in the work of God throughout history. Jesus was known as God's Son. The entire Bible talks about the fact that, at the exact time laid out in God's plan, Jesus would born as a human baby to a mother whose pregnancy was the result of God's unique intervention, and that his life—and his death—would have a special significance for us all.

Jesus lived his life of about 33 years in perfect relationship with God. During the final three years of his life he selected, taught and trained a special group of followers to preserve and spread his teaching. Then, in spite of the fact (or perhaps because of the fact) that he lived a life in perfect relationship with God, he was falsely accused and executed by the religious and governmental authorities of the day.

Although it sounds terrible at first glance, his execution is really Good News, because the Bible tells us that since he was God's Son and lived in perfect relationship with God, his death was the only death that could pay the penalty for OUR inability to keep God's Law. And, even greater, the Bible tells us that Jesus did not remain dead. He was miraculously restored to a new and complete life. In fact, the Bible tells us that, although Jesus no longer appears in the world in his physical form, he is with God in heaven and still active as a spiritual presence in the world with whom we can have a personal relationship.

And, the best news of all is that by believing what the Bible says about Jesus, and trusting that his death paid the penalty for YOUR sins (your inability to keep God's Law) that God forgives you for your sins and you not only will have a relationship with Jesus today, with all the power and meaning that it provides, but when your life on earth is over, you will continue to have an active relationship with Jesus forever in Heaven.

You will find the story of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; the books of the Bible known as the Gospels, a word which means, of all things, "Good News!"

Over the years, the word "witnessing" has come to mean something which it was never intended to mean. For some, it has come to represent a process of attempting to influence another person into believing what I believe. For many, that idea and practice is not only distasteful, it is, because of that perception, something in which many simply chose not to be involved.

The true concept of witnessing just means to tell what you know. In Christianity, it means begin willing and able, first, to describe your own personal relationship with Jesus, and, second, being able to tell someone else how they can experience that same relationship.

At Green Acres Baptist Church we have discovered that there are all sorts of ways to share that information. The way we have found to be most effective, however, is the NetWork strategy. NetWork is an organized way in which we train and involve a large number of our church members in an ongoing process of telling others about their relationship with Jesus, and helping those people understand how they can have that same relationship.

NetWork occurs throughout the year at Green Acres. If you would like more information about betting involved with us in NetWork, contact the office of Tim Roberts, our Minister of Adult Education and Outreach 903-525-3249 educate@mail.gabc.org

As you begin finding your way around the church, and finding your place in The Body, we suggest that if you have already done so, you begin looking for several things right away.

A Place to Get Acquainted
One of the first steps into the Green Acres experience is the quarterly Pastor's Discovery Dinner. Once every three months, the Pastor spends a Sunday afternoon with as many new members, and prospective members as possible. During the Discovery Dinner, you will get the best overview of who we are, how we do things and what we believe that you will find in one place anywhere at Green Acres. Not to mention getting a delightful dinner in the process. Call our New Member Coordinator's Office at (903) 525-1153 or send an email to candyc@mail.gabc.org for the date of the next Pastor's Discovery Dinner.

A Place to Belong
In a church the size of Green Acres, we know it's sometimes easy to get lost in the crowd. The best way to avoid that danger is to immediately get involved in Sunday Morning Bible Study. In SMBS you will find people with similar interests and needs, and people who are looking for relationships just like you. These are the folks who not only will learn with you each week, they will be there when you need encouragement, when you need someone to listen or when you need someone to help you celebrate. We offer a whole catalogue of SMBS opportunities for all ages (click this link, or pick up your copy at the Welcome Center in the Worship Center). We suggest you check out the options, "shop around" for just the right group, and then plug-in to that group before another week goes by. If you need help choosing where to start looking, any of our Staff members will be glad to help. View our schedule of Sunday Morning Bible Study groups.

A Place to Serve
Although Sunday Morning Bible Study (SMBS) is probably the most vital choice you will make in your first days at Green Acres, you may find that you have interests, skills or gifts that go beyond the scope of the SMBS experience. If that is the case, we offer over 300 Volunteer Ministry Opportunities in every area of our ministry. You will find these opportunities outlined in "Find Your Place in the Body," our Volunteer Ministry Guide. Check our our most recent Guide, or stop by the Welcome Center in the Worship Center foyer to pick up a copy.

We have learned that folks who get involved at Green Acres tend to be happier, more fulfilled and tend to stick around far longer than folks who just come to watch. If you know the area of ministry in which you want to get involved, we suggest you call the office for that ministry (visit our Contacts page) and find out how to plug in. However, if you're still not sure what you'd like to do, or where to get started, you might try one or all of the following.

The Pastor's Discovery Dinner
One of the first steps into the Green Acres experience is the quarterly Pastor's Discovery Dinner. Once every three months, the Pastor spends a Sunday afternoon with as many new members, and prospective members as possible. During the Discovery Dinner, you will get the best overview of who we are, how we do things and what we believe that you will find in one place anywhere at Green Acres. Not to mention getting a delightful dinner in the process. Call our New Member Coordinator's Office at 903-525-1153 or send an email to candyc@mail.gabc.org for the date of the next Pastor's Discovery Dinner.

Sunday Morning Bible Study
In a church the size of Green Acres, we know it's sometimes easy to get lost in the crowd. The best way to avoid that danger is to immediately get involved in Sunday Morning Bible Study. In SMBS you will find people with similar interests and needs, and people who are looking for relationships just like you. These are the folks who not only will learn with you each week, they will be there when you need encouragement, when you need someone to listen or when you need someone to help you celebrate. We offer a whole catalogue of SMBS opportunities for all ages (you may also pick up your copy at the Welcome Center in the Worship Center). We suggest you check out the options, "shop around" for just the right group, and then plug-in to that group before another week goes by. If you need help choosing where to start looking, any of our Staff members will be glad to help.

Volunteer Ministry Guide
Although Sunday Morning Bible Study is probably the most vital choice you will make in your first days at Green Acres, you may find that you have interests, skills or gifts that go beyond the scope of the SMBS experience. If that is the case, we offer over 300 Volunteer Ministry Opportunities in every area of our ministry. You will find these opportunities outlined in "Find Your Place in the Body," our Volunteer Ministry Guide. View our most recent Guide, or stop by the Welcome Center in the Worship Center foyer to pick up a copy.

To protect our members' privacy, we do not post the hospital list online for general viewing. To find out which church members are ill, please contact Arlene Huckaby in the Pastor's office at 903-525-1118 or arlene@mail.gabc.org.

If you or someone you know has experienced the pain of divorce, we can offer help through this difficult transition. Our Divorce Care program meets throughout the year, offering compassion, understanding, and Biblical guidance. Please call the Single Adult Ministry at 903-525-1123 to register for this course. Also, the Green Acres Counseling Ministry provides excellent one-on-one guidance throughout the week and is available by appointment, 903-533-1817. We believe God has a wonderful plan for your life and can help you weather any storm that life sends your way.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Although many cultures and traditions consider a specific age as the point at which children become accountable to God, the Bible does not specify such an age. What we sometimes call the "age of accountability" is really more of a "point of understanding." It is an age when a child comes to understand that he is a sinner and needs forgiveness for his sins.

During the normal maturation process, children begin to become aware of the fact that some things are "right" and some things are "wrong." They also begin to learn that there are consequences for their choices, both positive and negative. As they begin to understand the concepts of right and wrong and the accompanying consequences, and they begin to apply those concepts to themselves, they begin to learn that they will be held accountable for their personal choices and, as a result, will experience the consequences of those choices.

As that awareness is combined with clear and appropriate teaching about God's love and God's law, children will begin to understand that God will also hold them accountable for their choices. At that point, we would generally say that a child is at the "point of understanding." This is the time that sound and gentle guidance may be offered that will allow the child to also understand the part that Jesus plays in the process of their choices and their consequences.

At Green Acres we believe that children need to understand some basic concepts to be able to be saved or to know Jesus.

* They need to know what sin is
* They need to know that they are a sinner
* They need to believe that Jesus in the only one that can save them from their sins

When a child reaches the point that they understand how to be saved he becomes spiritually responsible and accountable to God for his sins thus, "the age of accountability."

It is important that parents allow their children to take the appropriate steps towards God at their own pace and realize that each child is uniquely created by God.
If you would like more information about children and Jesus, or if you would like to make an appointment to visit with someone, contact Lanette James, our Minister of Childhood Education, 903-525-1122 children@mail.gabc.org.

At the end of each worship service, we give an opportunity for people to respond called the "invitation." During this time, worship participants who desire to join Green Acres may come to the front of the worship center where they will be greeted by a minister of the church. You will then be escorted to a private reception area where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the process of membership, fill out appropriate paper work, and have your picture taken. Alternately, you may come to the Bethany Suite after the conclusion of the morning worship services and speak with a decision counselor there. During the week, contact the church office (903-525-1100), and we can schedule an appointment with one of our staff at your convenience.

To be a member of Green Acres Baptist Church you must first be a Christian who has been scripturally baptized. You may join by a "statement" of your faith or by moving your membership "letter" from another Baptist church. If you have not yet followed Jesus' example in scriptural baptism, you can discuss it with one of the decision counselors or schedule a meeting with one of our ministers.

If you have questions before joining, you can learn more about Green Acres in several ways. On Sunday mornings, come by the Information Desk in the grand foyer, or come to the Bethany Suite after a worship service. We also host a quarterly Pastor's Discovery Dinner especially for all new members and interested guests. Contact Candy Coan, New Member Coordinator, for more information at 903-525-1153 or candyc@mail.gabc.org.