Originally sent to distribution list on 7.16.24. Posting here for convenience.
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Hey, friends!
Thank you for your interest in our church planting journey this last year. These monthly newsletters have been a joy to write, and I trust a blessing to receive. We have valued your prayers and support along the way, and now the time has come. It’s time to plant Coram Deo Baptist Church.
As we launch next month, we’ll continue sending regular updates but they will come from the church instead of me. There’s nothing for you to do, your subscription will remain. However, for those newly subscribing they will do so at the church website.
As we prepare for the season ahead, here are a few updates to keep you in the know.
Sending Ceremonies | July 20 and 27
Our core team is composed of couples from two Pillar Network churches: Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina, and Fairview Baptist in Apex. As a way of formally “sending out” these couples, both churches will hold a time of commissioning at the close of their upcoming Sunday services: Redeemer on July 20 and Fairview on July 27. You are welcome to attend either. We’ll celebrate what God has done through these two churches to form Coram Deo. Indeed, churches plant churches. There once were two, it’s about to be three!
Covenant Sunday | Sunday, August 3
We have secured Willow Spring High School as our place of Sunday services through next June. We held one preview service there last month that went great! Our next service will be our “covenant service” when Coram Deo will be born. It will be a normal order of worship, but closing with a time for our core team to sign our church covenant, adopt our church documents, and install its elders.
The service is open to all. Friends, family, first time guests, are all welcome. We want people to see what God has been doing through our core team, and then witness the birth of a new church. Like being in the hospital to watch a couple become first time parents, there aren’t many services like August 3. Take advantage of the opportunity to be in the room. If you can make it, we’d love to see you there.
A special word of appreciation is owed to four churches who will supply volunteers for this special service — Redeemer (Fuquay), Fairview Baptist, Piney Grove Chapel and Redeemer (Cary). Our core team needs to be in the service, obviously! These churches will make that possible. Thank you!
Core Team Training
It’s been a great season. I’m so proud of our team, and thankful for the grace God has shown us. We’ve trained in the Scriptures, bonded together and grown to love the local church all the more. We’re more committed than ever to the mission of making disciples.
This month we’re reading Deep Discipleship by J.T. English, which we would highly recommend. We have only two meetings left before our covenant Sunday. Pray that we’d finish well. It’s been a great journey, but we’re ready to plant!
Elder Candidates
Thank you for praying that God would raise up elders among us. At this point we’ve identified two men among the core team members of Fairview who meet the qualifications for elder and desire the office (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). These men are Bob Hedrick and Sterling Tharrington.
Last month these men were favorably assessed by the elder body at Fairview, who will recommend them on July 27 to serve as Coram Deo elders. Bob and Sterling will join me in making a three man elder team upon covenant Sunday, August 3.
Please continue to pray for the Lord to raise up more elders at Coram Deo. A growing church needs a growing leader body. It would be our desire to install at least one more elder in 2026, and more to later follow to relieve those first installed.
NAMB Team Members
The North American Mission Board partners with church plants to assess and endorse local missionaries to serve as team members of new churches.
Here at Coram Deo, we have the privilege of being served by two highly qualified persons to fuel disciple-making efforts, coordinate our ministries, and promote the gospel in our city.
Our team members are Haley King and Amanda Cole. Both of these ladies serve in vital roles for our mission success. To learn about their ministries and how you can support them, visit our Coram Deo leadership page, and spread the word!
Giving
Thank you for your continued financial support. If you or someone you know would like to make a contribution, please use our online giving link via Church Center or send your gift directly to:
Coram Deo Baptist Church
PO Box 308
Angier, NC 27501
Though staff salaries went live July 1 and we’ve made a few purchases recently (e.g., storage trailer), our current account balance is $92,536. We are in a great place because of your generosity, but please continue to give. Expenses will only increase. Sound equipment is next! Thank you in advance.
Special note — we picked up another financial partner: Pritchard Church in uptown Charlotte. Thank you pastor Chris Richardson!
Praying
These continue to be our prayer requests each month. Your prayers strengthen our efforts and move us along in this journey. Thank you. I’ve updated the content from last month.
Property Search | Though we have a temporary space at Willow Spring HS for gathering, we continue the search for land to build a permanent facility. Pray the Lord would provide, and grant us wisdom and clarity in the search.
Please also pray for staff office space. It’s not an absolute need, but what a blessing that would be!
Music Leader | We have been blessed with great leadership for our preview services. Please pray the Lord would provide a male musician who is an experienced leader of music ministry teams and able to take the lead come August.
Eat Local!
Living on mission requires that we do life in our community. We build relationships not to just make friends, but to share the gospel and make disciples. One easy way to meet people is to eat at local restaurants. Each month, we’ll highlight a different place to eat. This month is the favorite of favorites: Sunni Sky’s Ice Cream | 8617 NC Highway 55 S. Angier, NC 27501
If you’re a local, this spot really needs no introduction. Folks have pledged to survive their whole summer on just Sunni Sky’s! It’s a small building, gravel parking lot, and cash only – but some of the best ice cream around. With over 130 flavors, you’re bound to find one you like. My go-to is the creme brulee. Just saying.
Resource of the Month
At the close of each newsletter, I promote a resource to help us prepare to plant. This month we’re promoting The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. It’s a short classic that has stood the test of time. Jesus is the model disciple-maker. Men were his method. He needed no program, he only needed 12 men. And he changed the world. Get your copy soon, and pass on to a friend.
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I close this newsletter by paying tribute to John MacArthur who passed away Monday afternoon, July 14. For over 50 years he pastored Grace Community Church in southern California. There were few men like “Johnny Mac” as he was often called. God used him greatly to model expository preaching, raise up preachers, and serve as a bulwark of biblical truth in our modern age. I stand in a long line of men who say, there is no preacher that has influenced me more.
I had the privilege to meet him in the spring of 2011 at The Shepherd’s Conference there at Grace Church. Warm, humble and courteous he was to me and my friends that day. Though he was a lion in the pulpit, he was a lamb with the people. The world is surely different today without him. May the Lord raise up more men to walk in his wake.
Come, Lord Jesus. Coram Deo.