Twenty-five years ago, on a Tuesday morning, my brother first shared the awful news. My seminary classmates and I were on a short coffee break. My brother had just arrived on campus, and he came into the breakroom with a sense of urgency. “Had we heard the news?” he asked. None of us knew what he meant. “What news?” a professor asked.
In words I will never forget, Noah said, “Two air liners have flown into the World Trade Center. Our country is under attack. It's an act of war. Turn on the tv.” Before I, or another student could react, a professor replied. “How is that even possible? It must be an accident.” Someone immediately turned on a television, and the whole seminary went silent.
For the rest of the day, we stayed glued to televisions and other sources of news. We felt the shock and horror of the terrorist attacks as they unfolded. We saw fear on the reporters’ faces and panic in the streets. We watched President Bush’s reaction and waited for his official response. We called our family and friends. We worried what might happen next.
The tragedy of September 11, 2001 was hard to fathom. Countless families felt the sudden shock of death. Parents lost children. Children lost parents. Husbands lost wives. Wives lost husbands. Co-workers lost friends. Friends lost friends. And first responders made the ultimate sacrifice. That day 2,977 souls suddenly passed from life-to-death into eternity.
But as awful as death is, and it stings every time it comes, God has conquered death through Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:55-56). Death does not win. It has been defeated. But the victory over death only comes through belief in Jesus Christ. “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life” suffers a second death even worse than the first (Rev 20:15).
After that horrible, tragic day, one of my seminary professors challenged us. “Gentlemen, we are in a spiritual war for the souls of men and women.” He wasn’t merely teaching a Bible class. He was preparing us for combat in a world hostile to the gospel. From that point on, seminary classes took on a new sense of urgency and clarity about our mission to declare the gospel.
Brothers and sisters, our church is a gospel outpost behind enemy lines. When we gather for worship, meet in groups, participate in evangelism, and engage in missions, we are fighting in a spiritual war for souls. The evil one is a terrorist. He hates King Jesus and opposes our church. But we must continue declaring the glories of Christ to a lost and dying world.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Working for the Church
Since 1894 in the United States, on the first Monday in September, people around the country celebrate Labor Day. This federal holiday, meant to recognize laborers, now marks the official “end of summer” and the start of football season. What was originally a Monday away from work has become a long weekend or weeklong vacation.
All of us live hectic lives, and we need breaks. In fact, this rhythm of work and rest first appears in the creation week. For six days God created the universe, and on the seventh day he rested. God further encoded sabbath rest with the fourth commandment. Ultimately, the sabbath points our weary and burdened hearts to rest in Christ (Matt 11:28).
While we long for sabbath breaks, and we find rest in Christ, we must also recognize the importance and necessity of labor. Yes, we must work for an income and to cover our expenses. But I also want you to consider the work we must do for the gospel. Paul encourages us not to become weary in doing good—especially with the church (Gal 6:9-10).
My parents and grandparents, and others from their generations, once planned family outings, vacations, and breaks around their participation in the church. They delayed leaving for road trips, shortened holiday weekends, or attended a local church on vacation so they could worship and witness. Some even boasted of “perfect attendance.”
Multiple church surveys are now reporting an uptick in church attendance and participation among younger generations of Christians. Two decades of overall decline in churches may be trending toward renewal for the next generation. Young adults are expressing interest in Christianity, and new believers are committing to local churches.
As you celebrate Labor Day this weekend, enjoy some rest, recreation, and football. If you are out of town, visit a like-minded church in that area. Also, pray for our church. Ask God what “work” he wants you to do in our church. With Christ stirring the next generation, we should be excited and engaged about showing up and reaching them.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Operation Christmas Child
Last Sunday night we celebrated Operation Christmas Child (OCC) with a lovely meal, an incredible testimony, and an inspiring presentation. Susan D, and our church's OCC team, along with OCC leadership from metro Atlanta, showed us the impact our shoeboxes make for the gospel. Something as ordinary as a shoebox can completely change someone's life for eternity.
All of us were moved by Kristiana's testimony. She shared about growing up in Riga, Latvia amid dire circumstances. God took Kristiana and her two younger sisters from an alcoholic mom to an orphanage intended for boys. They lived without knowledge of the gospel until they unexpectedly received OCC shoeboxes. Later a Christian couple in Atlanta adopted Kristiana and her sisters.
My family gets excited about packing shoeboxes. When Miles was 7 and Madeleine was 5, I asked them, "Who are we packing our shoebox for?" I expected Miles to say a boy and Madeleine a girl. But, without hesitation, Madeleine replied, "We are packing our box for Steven." That autumn we talked about Steven and prayed he might receive our shoebox and believe the gospel.
From this side of eternity, we have no way of knowing if Miles and Madeleine's shoebox made it to a boy named Steven. However, I do know our shoebox made it to a boy who needed the hope of Christ and the promise of the gospel. In heaven, maybe God will show us how he glorified himself through our Christmas shoeboxes, gospel tracts, godward conversations, missions trips, and more.
Over the next few weeks, you can participate in Operation Christmas Child with our church. You can serve with Susan D's team, pack a shoebox, donate items for our packing party, attend our packing party on Sunday, October 11th, volunteer for collection week November 16th-23rd, or serve at the OCC processing center. Most of all you can pray for the gospel to bear much fruit through these efforts.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Behind the Scenes
On Monday morning a former church member sent me a text. He wanted to meet before lunch. Fortunately, I was able to adjust my schedule and meet him. He presented "an offer I could not refuse." He volunteered to replace all the air filters in the church only for the cost of the materials!
Our brother did not arrive with fanfare or a desire for attention, and he did not charge an hourly rate for his labor. Instead, he simply served behind the scenes in honor of Christ and the church. God, in his grace, sent this man, his grandson, and one of our deacons to refresh our HVAC system.
Running a church building like ours requires a lot of behind the scenes maintenance and ongoing expenses. I am grateful God has provided this valuable resource for our ministry and the many people who sacrificially gave to build it and give to maintain it. I am also thankful it's in good shape.
But our church is not a building, and our ministry is more than property maintenance. Our facilities allow us to declare the gospel, make disciples, and gather believers in the heart of Milton. God has given us this valuable asset, and we must steward it for the sake of the gospel and kingdom.
I often say, "See a need. Meet a need." This applies to our facilities, Bible studies, and other ministry efforts. Truly, the church is the people of God, following the Spirit of God, according to the Word of God, to fulfill the mission of God. Together we glorify Christ in Milton!
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Honoring Christian Educators
For most of us, we have fond memories of at least one teacher from our school days. This teacher stands out from all the other teachers we had. Perhaps they sparked your interest in history. Or maybe they guided you to an aha moment with math. Or maybe they simply saw you when you felt unseen. Or maybe they affirmed your abilities when you doubted yourself.
Clearly, God uses educators to make a difference in our lives. In my case, God blessed me with multiple teachers who made an impact on my heart and mind. I am especially thankful for several Christian teachers who impacted my public school education. George and Shirley Toadvine (real names) were two of the best.
Before I sat in Mr. and Mrs. Toadvine's high school classrooms, they were already accomplished educators, and they had served as missionaries in South America in midlife. After a few years on the mission field, a health issue forced them to move back to the United States. They returned to their hometown, and they resumed teaching in my local high school. Their joy was contagious!
Before moving to South America, Mr. Toadvine had been the principal at my high school. After they returned from the field, he taught upper level Spanish. He was an amazing, engaging, humble teacher; and he made me want to speak Spanish. Mrs. Toadvine masterfully taught Pre Calculus, and she inspired me to excel. Both of them shared their Christian faith and affirmed mine.
God has blessed our church with multiple educators. We have retired public school teachers and administrators, and we have several active public school teachers. We also have a few Christian school teachers, and we have more than one homeschool family. In all of these contexts, God is using our members to make a difference educating children and supporting parents.
This Sunday, after the sermon and before the benediction, we will recognize our local schools and our educators. We support the work our church members are doing in their schools and with their students. God continues to use Christian educators to make a difference in the hearts and minds of their students, and we can bless our educators with our prayers and appreciation.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
The Right Priorities
For many of our families, this weekend marks the end of summer break. While the warm weather and sunshine will continue through September, our vacations at sandy beaches or sleepy mountains are drawing to a close. I am thankful for this season with my family, and I trust you enjoyed some time away with yours.
Next week as school resumes for our children and students (and teachers); our schedules will fill with extra-curricular activities and traffic will lengthen our morning and afternoon commutes. Amid all the hubbub of these routines--whether we are parents, grandparents, or singles--we must prioritize what matters most--Christ and the church.
Far too many of us--myself included--allow other people to order our priorities. They have expectations for us to run to this practice, or attend that concert, or be at this meeting, or take that excursion. All of these expectations can fill our schedules and leave us feeling overwhelmed. How can we possibly keep all these priorities?
Simple put--we can't. At some point, all of us must say no. We cannot do everything. If we merely go with the flow and stay busy, we may suddenly careen over an unseen, dangerous waterfall. Eventually, football, band, cheer, baseball, school, career, and other things fade away. They are all meant for a season of this life, but they should not consume our lives.
When I was a young father, an older dad told me: "When your son turns 18, he may no longer play sports or be in the band, but he can still have Jesus and the church. Those things are eternal." Sadly, some parents minimize Jesus and the church to prioritize school and extra curriculars. Yet, I think more Christians need to push back on other people's expectations and prioritize eternity.
None of us will choose the right priorities every time. But we should strive to live for Christ and the church even when it costs us a position or an opportunity now. Jesus and his bride should not be neglected. Paul's words to the Corinthians seem apt: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Cor 4:18).
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Sunday Evening Groups
After receiving input from our Awana and Rooted volunteers as well as our church families, the majority of people prefer Sunday evenings for children and student ministries. Therefore, the elders have decided to shift Awana and Rooted back to Sunday nights for the 2026/27 school year. Awana and Rooted start back on Sunday, August 9th from 5:30-7:00pm.
Jen M will continue coordinating Awana while Craig B and Andy B will lead youth group (Rooted). I am grateful for Jen, Craig, and Andy and other volunteers who invest in our children, students, and parents. This is an important discipleship ministry for our church, and God is adding new families and their children/students.
I also want to encourage you to consider volunteering with Awana and Rooted. Both teams need reliable adults to set a godly example for our children and students. You can serve as a group assistant, a teacher, a memory verse listener, a game helper, small group leaders, and more. Our team coordinators will train you, and your participation will make a difference.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Patriotism vs Nationalism
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States last week, I have been reflecting on our country. I am deeply grateful to be an American, and I enjoy the freedoms this country affords me as a Christian. When my family lived in the United Kingdom, it gave me a new appreciation for America and the rights and privileges we often take for granted. But living overseas, I also learned the difference between patriotism and nationalism.
Across the United Kingdom, and in other European countries, people commemorate Remembrance Day every year on November 11th. Taking a line from John McCrae’s poem “In Flander’s Fields,” red poppies symbolize the blood of soldiers who died for their country; and red poppies appear everywhere from lapels to displays. Impressive stone monuments also mark villages, towns, and cities with sobering memorials for the “war to end all wars.”
As a Baptist pastor in Scotland, ministers from the Church of Scotland, invited me to participate in our local Remembrance Day ceremonies. At first this surprised me. I have English and Scottish ancestry, but I am not a British citizen. The USA supported the UK in WWI and WWII, and I am grateful for our “special relationship.” However, I wrestled with co-leading a memorial service for Remembrance Day in Britain as an America.
That’s when I learned a valuable distinction between patriotism and nationalism. With patriotism, we can feel pride and gratitude for our home country. Patriotism recognizes our “homeland” and promotes common good beyond a country’s borders. Nationalism, however, turns patriotism into division. Nationalism divides nation-states and distinguishes particular governments. In Europe, nationalism has caused numerous divisions and wars.
As a Christian, I gladly celebrated Remembrance Day with my British brothers and sisters. It made me more patriotic toward America and deeply grateful for the UK. Every autumn, I proudly wore a red poppy on my lapel, and I prayed alongside Church of Scotland pastors and other believers with sincere respect for British patriotism. I am thankful for the UK; and I am thankful for the USA. Patriotism allows me to honor both countries. Nationalism promotes differences.
So, as we reflect on the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is good to be patriotic and wave the American flag. Give thanks for the country where God brought you into this world. Thank God for our founders and their Christian values. Rejoice over the incredible freedoms we share and defend. Honor the soldiers who serve our country and those who have died defending it. But do not idolize the United States above other nations..
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Rev 7:9-10).
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
Pastoral Appreciation
After much prayer and consideration, last Sunday Pastor Dan accepted a call to become the senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Pastor Dan will finish his ministry with us next Sunday, June 28th. I am incredibly grateful for Dan, Rachel, Judah, Sophie, and Charlie. The Webb’s love our church, and we love them. Their upcoming transition brings a mixture of sadness and thanksgiving.
To show our appreciation, next Sunday we are celebrating Pastor Dan's ministry and saying farewell to his family. During morning worship, Pastor Dan will be preaching his last sermon with us. Then, immediately after worship, everyone is invited to a luncheon to honor Dan, Rachel, Judah, Sophie, and Charlie. This will be an opportunity for us to publicly say thank you and goodbye to the Webbs. It will be a bittersweet day.
Please lift up the Webbs and Calvary Baptist in your prayers. Ask God to guide Dan and Rachel through the move, to help them sell their house here and buy a house in Lynchburg, to protect Rachel during the final stretch of her pregnancy, and to bring baby Webb once they are in Virginia. Also, pray God will unify Calvary around their new pastor, and intercede for God to bless their church with a season of change and growth.
Finally, pray for Milton Community Church as well. The elders are in the process of receiving resumes and talking to prospects about a full-time assistant pastor of worship and a part-time pastoral assistant for children’s ministry. Finding the right men involves a process, and the best candidates are not usually available right away. Pray for God to direct our church and the men God has prepared for us as we all seek God’s will.
See you this Sunday for Father’s Day! Our discipleship hour starts at 9:00am, coffee fellowship at 10:00am, and worship at 10:30am.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan
P. S. This Sunday, for Father’s Day, we are commissioning parents with infants and toddlers. It will be a special day as we publicly recognize these young families and pray for them to raise their children to love and obey God. I am looking forward to seeing all the babies!
Church Officers
Good elders and deacons bless the local church. God calls men to serve as elders, and the church affirms their calling. These men lovingly shepherd our members, joyfully lead our ministries, and faithfully teach God’s Word. All of our elders (and deacons) have busy lives with multiple roles and responsibilities outside our church, but they devote time and energy to bless each of us.
Good elders and deacons also strengthen the local church. Godly elders and deacons organize the members for service (Eph 4:11-13). With deacons, in particular, God gives men and women a willingness to serve, and the church affirms their desire. The deacons focus on the practical details of church life, and they recruit others to help them meet these needs.
While good elders and deacons bless and strengthen the church, the members (which includes the officers) do the work of ministry. The members give money, volunteer time, serve needs, share ideas, foster unity, and glorify God. The church’s mission and vision takes every member doing their part both big and small. Thank you for being committed to our church.
On Sunday, in our quarterly members’ meeting, the church will be asked to affirm (or not affirm) four men for elder and two for deacon. Tom Goodrich wants to return to elder service after a two-year sabbatical. Danny Baker, Tommy Gravitte, and Rick Palmer are eager to continue serving as elders for second terms. Benjamin Curlee and Bo Wooden, are ready to serve second terms as deacons.
I also want to thank two men for completing deacon terms. Eric Webb has served two terms. He has devoted himself to our church and organized teams. Eric doesn’t plan to stop volunteering, but he will enjoy a break from duties. Andy Bagwell is completing one term. He is stepping back from to focus on being a new father. Andy will continue helping with worship and youth while he cares for his family. I am grateful for Eric and Andy's faithfulness.
See you this Sunday for our discipleship hour at 9:00am, coffee fellowship at 10:00am, worship at 10:30am, and our members’ meeting and luncheon at 12:00pm.
In Christ,
Pastor Nathan