After 100 days in office, the President of the United States is publicly evaluated by the media to determine the direction that he is leading the nation.  I wanted to pause this week and make some observations after 100 days as Pastor of First Baptist Duluth.

First, I have been warmly received by a gracious congregation.  Attendance at FBCD worship services have increased over 20%.  Twice we have had in excess of 900 in worship; Easter and Vacation Bible School (VBS) Sunday.  On two other occasions, we exceeded 700.  There is a weekly excitement in the air anticipating what God is going to do in our midst.

I set as an early goal that we would be fervently evangelistic and attempt to have baptism every Sunday morning.  To date, we have baptized 22 people in the past 16 Sundays.  Our greatest evangelistic effort was VBS.  There were 55 families identified as prospects and 30 salvation decisions during VBS week!

As we complete the summer and enter the fall, the deacons are going to lead out in two important church-wide initiatives.  First is the discovery, development, and deployment of our spiritual gifts.  Our deacon body has been through a one-day seminar to begin this process.  I will be leading an eight week series from the pulpit on “Developing a Servant’s Heart.”  This initiative could result in hundreds of people finding new avenues of ministry opportunity.

The second initiative is the development of a comprehensive strategy for ministering to the diverse people groups in the Duluth community.  Deacons and other church leaders under the mentoring of North American Missionary Dr. Bob Burton will conduct a strategy session to prepare FBCD to engage our ever-changing community with the Gospel.

If the next 100 days are anything like the first 100… I can hardly wait.  God is obviously moving in our midst.  Be sensitive to His leading and jump on board.  Get involved!  I am so blessed to be your pastor!

Bro. Mark