First Notes: Big News You Can Use
Dear First Baptist Family,
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you’re a bringer of good news to others.
Sometimes you bring good news just by being who you are. The Bible says, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s good news, but our own lives, too” (1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT).
Other times, you’re called to speak good news. You can share the difference God has made in your life. You can tell them about our church family and how there’s always room for one more.
Today I want to share some good news. God is doing great things through our church and I want you to know about it.
Introducing Madie Shehan Coffer as Our Candidate for Children’s Pastor
The Children's Pastor search team has worked diligently for over six months to identify candidates, interview the best ones, and prayerfully discern the right fit for this important ministry. I serve as an ex officio member of that search team, and we believe that we have found the right person: Madie Coffer.
Some of you may remember Madie as the wife of Brandon Coffer, who used to be our pianist before becoming the worship director for Central Methodist Church here in Knoxville.
Madie has been serving as the children's pastor there for about 18 months and has other experience working with children's ministry. She studied early childhood education and also took extensive courses on leadership during her time at Carson-Newman. Madie has a clear calling to ministry and great vision for the future.
This Sunday, February 22nd, we will have a brief business meeting at the conclusion of each worship service to congregationally cast our votes to call her as the next Children’s Pastor. I hope you can be present. It's going to be a great Sunday!
Update on the 15% Mission
Our mission is this: We Help People Find and Follow Jesus. The statement captures our goal of continuing to reach people for Christ and disciple them in His way. Our mission involves all of us, as each of us is called to share the good news and help bring others to be a part of our congregation.
We have a big dream as we think about fulfilling this vision: the 15% mission. We are asking God that over the next 20 years, God would give us the opportunity and help us to have a spiritual impact on 30,000 people in any given week throughout the city of Knoxville. That would be 15% of the population - hence, the "15% Mission." It's a vision for reaching our greatest potential.
Why 15%? First, that percentage represents a hundredfold where we currently are (although our TV audience is already around 3000 individuals in homes, nursing homes, etc., where we already have an impact). Second, many social scientists think 15% (or a number close to that) is a "tipping point” — a point at which the whole culture is impacted by the movement, not just the 15%. So the spiritual impact (fruit of the Spirit, people coming to Christ, discipleship, the poor being assisted, and so on) would be felt all through our region.
The 15% mission is audacious, but not reckless. We believe it is possible and that God is leading us to be the most faithful, city-changing, servant-leading church that we can be.
In this first year, we’re focusing on foundations: the systems, relationships, and momentum that will carry us through the next 20 years. Where are we now in the 15% mission? You could break down our spiritual impact like this:
In person worship Average of 300/week
Television participants 3000/week
Facebook worship participants 600/week
Listeners to Prayer Power radio 1000/week
Prayer power daily devotions 60/week
Homeless neighbors CareFirst average 75/week
Other service/gathering opportunities 100/week
Total in 2025: 5135
Currently we have a spiritual impact with 1.7% of our city’s population. That’s not bad at all — but we are a long way from the goal of 15%. Let’s begin where we are, stay in step with the Spirit, and keep reaching out to share the good news and invite people to connect through our fellowship.
First Community is Moving to the Chapel
Starting March 1, we are relocating First Community Worship to the Chapel (below the Sanctuary). Worship will begin at 8:45 am, with Coffee & Conversation from 8:30–8:45 with our ministers.
The Chapel will offer a more welcoming, intimate worship space, easier access to parking, and a better experience for visitors and families. Please pray for our church as we make this important move.
Ash Wednesday and Lenten Lunches
Finally, I hope that you will take part in our Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday at 6 PM in the sanctuary. It's an opportunity to begin the season of Lent with a spiritual focus and a posture of humility.
This Wednesday, we will also begin with our Lenten Lunches as we do each year. We gather at 12pm for a brief time of worship, then enjoy a fellowship meal for a donation on each Wednesday during Lent (except for the week of Spring Break). This week's Lenten Lunch will be at Church Street United Methodist Church.
I hope you can use the news I'm sharing today! I'm excited for what God is doing in our fellowship and grateful to be on the journey with you.
Much love,
Pastor Brent McDougal
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you’re a bringer of good news to others.
Sometimes you bring good news just by being who you are. The Bible says, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s good news, but our own lives, too” (1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT).
Other times, you’re called to speak good news. You can share the difference God has made in your life. You can tell them about our church family and how there’s always room for one more.
Today I want to share some good news. God is doing great things through our church and I want you to know about it.
Introducing Madie Shehan Coffer as Our Candidate for Children’s Pastor
The Children's Pastor search team has worked diligently for over six months to identify candidates, interview the best ones, and prayerfully discern the right fit for this important ministry. I serve as an ex officio member of that search team, and we believe that we have found the right person: Madie Coffer.
Some of you may remember Madie as the wife of Brandon Coffer, who used to be our pianist before becoming the worship director for Central Methodist Church here in Knoxville.
Madie has been serving as the children's pastor there for about 18 months and has other experience working with children's ministry. She studied early childhood education and also took extensive courses on leadership during her time at Carson-Newman. Madie has a clear calling to ministry and great vision for the future.
This Sunday, February 22nd, we will have a brief business meeting at the conclusion of each worship service to congregationally cast our votes to call her as the next Children’s Pastor. I hope you can be present. It's going to be a great Sunday!
Update on the 15% Mission
Our mission is this: We Help People Find and Follow Jesus. The statement captures our goal of continuing to reach people for Christ and disciple them in His way. Our mission involves all of us, as each of us is called to share the good news and help bring others to be a part of our congregation.
We have a big dream as we think about fulfilling this vision: the 15% mission. We are asking God that over the next 20 years, God would give us the opportunity and help us to have a spiritual impact on 30,000 people in any given week throughout the city of Knoxville. That would be 15% of the population - hence, the "15% Mission." It's a vision for reaching our greatest potential.
Why 15%? First, that percentage represents a hundredfold where we currently are (although our TV audience is already around 3000 individuals in homes, nursing homes, etc., where we already have an impact). Second, many social scientists think 15% (or a number close to that) is a "tipping point” — a point at which the whole culture is impacted by the movement, not just the 15%. So the spiritual impact (fruit of the Spirit, people coming to Christ, discipleship, the poor being assisted, and so on) would be felt all through our region.
The 15% mission is audacious, but not reckless. We believe it is possible and that God is leading us to be the most faithful, city-changing, servant-leading church that we can be.
In this first year, we’re focusing on foundations: the systems, relationships, and momentum that will carry us through the next 20 years. Where are we now in the 15% mission? You could break down our spiritual impact like this:
In person worship Average of 300/week
Television participants 3000/week
Facebook worship participants 600/week
Listeners to Prayer Power radio 1000/week
Prayer power daily devotions 60/week
Homeless neighbors CareFirst average 75/week
Other service/gathering opportunities 100/week
Total in 2025: 5135
Currently we have a spiritual impact with 1.7% of our city’s population. That’s not bad at all — but we are a long way from the goal of 15%. Let’s begin where we are, stay in step with the Spirit, and keep reaching out to share the good news and invite people to connect through our fellowship.
First Community is Moving to the Chapel
Starting March 1, we are relocating First Community Worship to the Chapel (below the Sanctuary). Worship will begin at 8:45 am, with Coffee & Conversation from 8:30–8:45 with our ministers.
The Chapel will offer a more welcoming, intimate worship space, easier access to parking, and a better experience for visitors and families. Please pray for our church as we make this important move.
Ash Wednesday and Lenten Lunches
Finally, I hope that you will take part in our Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday at 6 PM in the sanctuary. It's an opportunity to begin the season of Lent with a spiritual focus and a posture of humility.
This Wednesday, we will also begin with our Lenten Lunches as we do each year. We gather at 12pm for a brief time of worship, then enjoy a fellowship meal for a donation on each Wednesday during Lent (except for the week of Spring Break). This week's Lenten Lunch will be at Church Street United Methodist Church.
I hope you can use the news I'm sharing today! I'm excited for what God is doing in our fellowship and grateful to be on the journey with you.
Much love,
Pastor Brent McDougal
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