December 2013

Merry Christmas, 2013! - Happy New Year, 2014!

1Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, Praise his holy
name. 2Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits-3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love
and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so
that your youth is renewed lie the eagle’s. 6The Lord works
righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.8The Lord is
compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in
love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger
forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us
according to our iniquities.11For as high as the heavens are
above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as
far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our
transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his
children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are
dust.
Psalms 103 NIV

Kingdom Work

Those two words sum up the man I am privileged to call friend
and brother. I am honored that he calls me his Pastor. Justin lives
in the moment – always aware that there are people in his path
who need Jesus and always prepared and excited to witness and
share The Good News. Rather than waiting for people to find
him, Justin sets out daily to seek the lost, the hurt and the
broken. I see him taking Jesus to the people both in the
traditional church setting as well as in new, unconventional ways.
At Germanton Baptist Church Justin accepted God’s call to take
on the role of teacher for the C3 Sunday School Class. He has
steered this class from its inception. C3, Christians Connecting
to Christ, is an adult class with the sole purpose of living out
their name. Many of the class members are the movers and
shakers within a busy church, and Justin is keenly aware that this
very population is at high risk for burnout. While utilizing the
Henry Blackaby “Experiencing God” study over this past year,
Justin’s class has experienced consistent growth in numbers and
in spiritual fruit. Justin and Lisa serve as mentors, teachers and
prayer warriors for the C3 class and GBC reaps blessings as a
result of the work they are doing. I’m well aware Justin could be
using his gifts anywhere, and I’m so thankful he chose to be
obedient to God’s calling to lead this class in his home church. In
doing so he reaches countless families and touches an untold
number of lives by leading a Sunday School class that then goes
out into the world armed with a newfound, strengthened Christ
focus. The time and dedication he devotes to ministering to class
members and their families far surpasses one’s typical
expectation of a Sunday School teacher.
Beyond the walls of GBC Justin answered God’s call to begin work
in the inner city of Winston Salem. Justin became aware of a
large city church, Mineral Springs Baptist that was closing their
doors. Their move out of the city would leave a “God gap” in an
environment where most people have already been written off.
Through much prayer and the working of the Holy Spirit Justin is
pursuing relationships with other inner city churches and
pastors. Those relationships are paying off and have already
begun to bear fruit. Another inner city congregation purchased
the empty church building and they have been receptive to and
thankful for Justin’s efforts to assist them as they determine how
God wants to use them and their new building for His Glory.
Those relationships have allowed Justin and Lisa to meet with
staff at Mineral Springs Elementary and Middle schools. These
inner city schools sit in the shadow of the old Mineral Springs
Baptist Church building and the principals and staff are excited
that Justin and Lisa want to love, give and share with their school
kids and families. With Justin’s vast people experience, his
devotion to evangelism and his daily commitment to walk by
faith and not by sight, I am excited to see all the many things
God will do through him.
I believe in Justin’s call to full time faith ministry. The fruits of
his labor – treasures that won’t rust or decay – are evident in his
home church. Those fruits are just as evident in the numerous
churches throughout our state and beyond who call upon him
for leadership, teaching and direction. Congregations and
pastors in those circles know the name Justin Jones is
synonymous with wisdom, insight and most importantly the love
of Christ. Presently his work continues bearing fruit in new and
unconventional environments reaching beyond traditional
comfort zones. I believe so strongly in his call, and in his
faithfulness to answer that call, that my family and I have
pledged to be financial partners with the J. W. Jones Evangelistic
Association over the past year and for the upcoming calendar
year as well. I believe so strongly in our God’s promise that He
will supply my needs as I focus my words, my prayers and my
finances on His Kingdom Work.
Rev. Jeff Stephens
Senior Pastor
Germanton Baptist Church

Thank you, Jesus, for ...

A warm home on a cold winter’s day - for many in the
United States and around the world are homeless
Beautiful fall leaves that display your glory all around
me
The privilege of living in freedom in the United States
of America-the greatest country - with all our faults
The privilege of seeing you at work in the lives of our
TeamKids, our Christians Connecting to Christ Sunday School
Class, and Germanton Baptist Church
Health and strength to serve you where you lead
Food to eat, clean water whenever I need it - because
millions around the world do not have this blessing
My job with Christie’s Hallmark - Many Americans are
unemployed.
Being with family and friends on September 16, 2013
at Berea Baptist Church, Greenville, SC to witness the baptism of
my nephew, Pace McWilliams Howell. I’m thankful for my
freshman at Wade Hampton High School. God has gifted him
with intelligence and a kind, gentle spirit.
Eternal, abundant life through Jesus Christ my Lord
Your faithfulness to provide for all my needs
May God grant you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday
season as we focus on Jesus, The Reason for the Season.
With love and gratitude, Lisa