Pastor Ricky Powell

Fort Caroline Baptist Academy: Help Us Spread The Word!

Located at 11428 McCormick Rd. The mission of Fort Caroline Baptist Academy is to provide a secure, loving and disciplined environment where children can grow to their greatest potential and build a spiritual foundation.

FCBA Offers:
• Certified Teachers
• Low Teacher - Student ratio
• Focus on foundational skills
• Challenging curriculum
• Secure building
• Weekly chapel services
• Weekly physical education classes
• Seasonal productions
• Stanford Achievement Testing
• Daily carpool
• Field Trips
• Active Parent Teacher Partnership
• Catered Friday lunches
• LOW TUITION
• Extended day available

Call the Academy office at 904-642-3210 for more information and a tour of the Academy. Or visit www.fcbajax.comfor more information. Last day for enrollment April 30th.

Come take a tour and see what makes FCBA unique!

Who Am I---Casting Crowns

This is one of the coolest videos. The group performing used white gloves and a black-light to visualize the message of the song, "Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns. I love the video, and the song is one of my favorites. Let it speak to your heart.

Fort Caroline Baptist Academy Is Accepting New Students Now

Are you looking for a great Christian school with small classes and some of the most affordable tuition in Jacksonville? Fort Caroline Baptist Academy has fabulous teachers who are committed to excellence. Our students have great test scores. We are making room for your child! Come grow with us! Your child will be forever grateful.

Fort Caroline Baptist Academy, 11428 McCormick Road

Questions? Contact Evelynn Livingston or Teresa Costner in the school office. 642-3210

Just When I Thought It Was Safe To Go Back Into The Yard

Say hello to my little friend. He greets me every Spring when I begin to work in my yard after Winter. I know that he won't hurt me, but he may make me hurt myself as I try to get away from him! I found him this morning as I pulled weeds from the flower bed. I was already on edge as I moved around the beds because two ducks which were resting in my shrubs startled me as they flew out over my head. Do you know how hard it is to look manly when you just jumped out of your skin because of two ducks? I hope the neighbors did not see me! Now every time I hear a lizard rustling through the leaves I imagine that it is a giant Anaconda lying in wait for me. I think I need to hire a lawn service to take over the yard work so I can stay inside where it is safe. Or maybe I'll send Donna out there. She isn't afraid of anything!

What Does Your Money Accomplish At Fort Caroline Baptist Church?

As FCBC expands its facilities to reach more people with the Gospel, it is vital that we act as good stewards of God’s resources. Your tithes and offerings fund our ministry priorities and needs. Your generous support makes all of our life-changing ministries possible. We believe God has called us to do great things for His glory! Thank you for your faithful and generous financial support.

I. Our Missions Ministries
Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). 

This sending occurs each time we give our tithes and offering through our church.  Our gifts through the Cooperative Program (Southern Baptist Convention and Florida Baptist Convention) broaden our reach to enhance our witness to 131 countries, beginning here in our own state. You are also helping to start a new church in Cuiaba’, Brazil.

Our church has a part in Associational missions as we give to support mission ministries closer to home (Jacksonville Baptist Association).  Local mission projects-the food bank, children’s home, nursing home and jail ministries-are supported not only by our gifts but by our involvement.

II. Our Pastoral Ministries
Luke recorded that Jesus sent out the seventy-two witnesses.  He stated that “the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7). 

God has led our pastor and our ministerial staff to this church to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:11ff).  Through preaching, teaching, and counseling, we are reminded of God’s eternal care over us.

III. Our Christian Education Ministries
“It was he (Christ) who gave - some to pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for work of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up - attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13) 

Christian growth is a key to deepening our effective service to Christ.  By providing trained leadership, Bible study resources, Vacation Bible School, and a strong focus on missions, we help Christians grow toward mature disciples. 

IV. Our Worship Ministry
The psalmist encourages God’s people to “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things” (Psalm. 98:1) 

Music is a vital part of our worship experience each week.  We are blessed with trained and talented musicians and committed laypersons whom God has placed among us.  These musicians help us regularly express love, devotion, praise, and thanks to our Savior while giving people an opportunity to use their spiritual gifts and talents in service to the Lord. 

V. Our Supportive Ministries
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:4). 

Ministry is a never-ending process.  Materials are needed, supplies are purchased, meetings attended, communications sent out - all with the purpose of keeping our membership informed and trained to do the work of the ministry.  Some of these activities complement all the ministries of our church, while others support a specific activity. Fort Caroline Baptist Church could not accomplish its mission without these supportive ministries.

VI. Our Building and Grounds Ministries
“...and I have built the temple for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel” (1 Kings 8:20)

Our church buildings have been erected in honor of God and as a gathering place for all who would come to learn from Him.  Our buildings also offer a comfortable and convenient place where we can be equipped to share Christ’s Good News with a lost world. We must maintain it and expand it as necessary.

Our Mission/Purpose: Fort Caroline Baptist Church exists to glorify God by helping people love God, love others, and serve the world.

The Great Commandment
"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV)

The Great Commission
"'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen." Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)

We believe that a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a great church!

Imagine A Place… Building Dedication Ceremony

Mark your calendar and plan to be present for an historic day in the life of our church. On April 19, 2009 we will celebrate the completion of phase 1 of our expansion project. I have asked our former pastor, Jimmy Patterson to come and preach in both morning services. Pastor Jimmy is the most gifted expositor of God’s Word you will ever hear. His wife Amy will also inspire you through her music. You will want to invite your family members and friends to join you for worship and Life Group on this great day!

After the second morning service we will gather outside the new Preschool/Children’s building for a brief dedication service. At this ceremony we will offer gratitude to God for the completion of the effort, dedicate the facilities to God's glory and purposes, express appreciation to those who labored to bring it to pass, and welcome our neighbors to our campus. There will be an Open House immediately following the ceremony.

Here is what I need you to do:
1. Pray for God to be glorified in a mighty way.
2. Be present in a Life Group.
3. Help your Life Group contact all the people on your ministry roll with an invitation to the group.
4. Bring a building fund offering over and above your regular budget giving.
5. Be in your place of service (ushers, nursery workers, choir members, etc.)
6. Be prepared to welcome and assist many guests to our campus on that day!
7. Give the closest parking to guests and those who need it most.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

A Priceless Document

As I write this, I am looking at a Vacation Bible School certificate of completion. It is dated July 7-11, 1980. It reads, “The Vacation Bible School of Corinth Baptist Church at Lake Park, Georgia, for enrollment attendance and cooperation awards this certificate to Richard Powell.” The certificate was signed by the Youth Department Teacher, Winston Yingling, the VBS Director, Carolyn Lineberger, and by the Pastor, Frank O’Brien. The certificate is not impressive to look at. I doubt anyone would give me a penny for it. But I wouldn’t sell it for a million dollars. Do you know why? Because this certificate reminds me of when I first heard the Good News that Jesus Christ could and would save me from my sins! It was through VBS that I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. How can I ever repay that team of dedicated, compassionate people who volunteered a week of their time to tell a 12 year old boy about Jesus? How can I ever thank them for the difference salvation has made in my life?

I suppose they would say, “Ricky, don’t try to repay us. Just follow our example. Do for someone else what was done for you. There are children in your neighborhood who need to know the Lord. Reach out to them through VBS and tell them that Jesus loves them!” That is exactly what I am going to do. Our church is forming a team of dedicated, compassionate men and women who will reach boys and girls for Jesus through VBS during the week of June 14-19. The theme for this year’s VBS is, “Boomerang Express. If you are already on the team I say, “Thank you.” If you have not yet signed up to help, do it today. Call the church office and say, “I want to make an eternal difference in a child’s life. How can I help in VBS?” 

Do you have some fond memories from your VBS experiences? I would love to hear them!

Here are some other ways you can help reach boys and girls for Christ:   

• Volunteer to help during the week of VBS.

• Invite the children in your neighborhood to VBS.
• Pray for God to work in the hearts of the boys and girls and their families.
• Pray for your staff and fellow VBS workers.
• Lead your Life Group to follow up on the people God sends to us.