PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

MARTIN BLUFF BAPTIST CHURCH is celebrating the dedication of a brand new, 17,000 square foot, state of the art, 500 seat Worship Center and Ministry Building.

FROM:

Martin Bluff Baptist Church

7417 Martin Bluff Road

Gautier, MS 39553

Contact Person: Eric Smith 228-497-4395 or 228-218-7177

On Sunday, June 24^th at 10:00 AM, Martin Bluff Baptist Church located near the Hickory Hill community of Gautier is celebrating the dedication of a 17,000 square foot, state of the art, 500 seat Worship Center and Ministry Building.

The Martin Bluff Praise Band will launch the celebration with heart-stirring, inspirational worship. The band will set the stage for a motivational, bible saturated message from the Pastor. Pastor Eric Smith stated, “The people of Martin Bluff Church created the new ministry space for everyone! On Sunday, June 24^th at 10 AM we’re going to celebrate, debut, and dedicate the new facility. We’re inviting everyone to come join us on this special day as we experience first hand what God can do through faith!”

The dedication service will begin at 10 AM and it will highlight some of the significant milestones in the history of the church. There will be singing, special video presentations, live interviews and a message. A cookout with hotdogs, hamburgers, and fried chicken will follow the dedication service. Childcare will be available for children birth through 4 years old. Lunch will be provided for all!

Martin Bluff Church is located at 7417 Martin Bluff Rd in Gautier. For additional information please visit the church website at mbbchurch.com or telephone Eric Smith (228) 218-7177 or (228) 497-4395

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The church is the greatest force for good on the planet earth! The source of the church’s life transforming power is the risen Christ. In Matthew 28:18 Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” Jesus received His authority from God the Father. He received His authority to conquer sin and death as He lived in submission to the will of God. As He faced the most heinous of all deaths, He prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36, ESV).

Jesus surrendered completely to the will of the Father and was given all authority. God gave His Son all authority for the benefit of the church! In Ephesians 1:22 & 23 we read, “And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and He gave Him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body;”

As a church we operate with Kingdom authority as we are completely surrendered to our Leader, Jesus Christ. God is at work assembling His body known as Martin Bluff Church. He has uniquely gifted each member to make a difference. As His church, we should be the greatest force for good in our community! Every member of Martin Bluff is a minister and every ministry matters!

Maybe you’d like to discover your place of ministry through Martin Bluff. Let me tell you what you can do. Approach any ministry leader and ask, “How can I help?” Together, as we are completely surrendered to God’s will for us, we will be a great force for good!

This morning in my devotional reading I came across Psalm 127:1-2,

"1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves."

After reading these verses, I thought of the Martin Bluff Church team. Martin Bluff is the church I have the joy of pastoring. Many of us are engaged in the labor of building the Lord's house - the church. Participating in the leadership of a dynamic church can be challenging. According to v. 1, when all is said and done, unless the Lord is working in and through us we work in vain. The Lord builds his house, we don't. Jesus said it like this, "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18).

So, building a church God's way is a spiritual venture - Jesus does the building! Yet, it requires much of us. In Proverbs 14:4 we read "Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest." Being fruitful, whether in church or at home or on the clock, is demanding and it is God honoring. So, keep your shovel out because there is some stall mucking to be done! Jesus is going to build His church, we have the privelege of participating!