New Highland Baptist Church Podcast

Prayer is the key to spiritual liberation. Prayer DOES yield fruit. Prayer will free you from the chains that bind you both physically and mentally. There is victory in song. When God speaks, do you have your ignorance on or are you praying? If nothing else, be fervent in prayer and sing a song.

“Green Pastures and Still Waters:The Church as the Good Shepherd’s Flock” by Dr. F. Scott Spencer A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio (B.A.), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Westminster Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and the University of Durham, England (Ph.D.), F. Scott Spencer currently serves as Professor of New Testament and Biblical Interpretation at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. Prior to joining the BTSR faculty in 2002, Dr. Spencer taught at Wingate University in North Carolina for thirteen years. He is married to Dr. Janet Spencer, who teaches English at the Maggie Walker Governor’s School. They have two adult daughters, Lauren and Meredith (and two cats, Oscar and Lucinda). Dr. Spencer has published six books and numerous articles and reviews in academic journals pertaining to his interests in Jesus and the Gospels, the book of Acts, and the role of women in the New Testament and early church. His most recent book is Salty Wives, Spirited Mothers,

Rev. James Briggs, Jr. is a native of Dallas, Texas.  He received his bachelors of science degree from Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City as well as a Masters of Divinity degree from The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He has faithfully served in ministry for over twenty years in several different capacities.  He willingly admits that the greatest blessing that he's received from God to date is his lovely wife Evette.  He's convinced that there are many more blessings headed his way, but there are non greater than the apple of his eye. The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond graduate who shows the most promise in the area of pastoral ministry is awarded the New Highland Baptist Church Pastoral Ministry Award each year. In 2015 the award was presented to James, who is currently seeking a pastorate position. During his transition from seminary to full-time congregational ministry, James is researching and writing, with the hopes of publishing several articles and sermons in the comin

Psalm 24 is a Psalm of praise or a liturgical Psalm. As we come to the Lord's table, how "clean" are we? The CDC has a five-step guideline for cleaning hands. As we gather at the table, here are five steps for us as Christians: 1. Wet our hands = come to the Word and do what it says. 2. Lather = take careful stock of who we are in the sight of the Lord. 3. Scrub = get down on hands and knees and confess our unworthiness. What do you need to give up? 4. Rinse = recognize what Christ has done for us. Rinse in the grace and mercy of Christ himself. 5. Dry = Go! Become the hands and feet of Christ himself. Blessed by God, saved by God, see the face of God!

Ron Crawford became President of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond July 1, 2007.  Prior to becoming BTSR’s second president, he served as pastor for 27 years, including two congregations in Virginia (Vandola Baptist near Danville, and Lakeside Baptist in Richmond), First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina, and his most recent pastorate at College Park Baptist, Orlando, FL. While in Virginia, Dr. Crawford served as president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and as president of the Virginia Baptist General Board. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Crawford earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1977 and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1985, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1993, he earned his Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

How does the sparking, passionate faith meet the day-to-day mundane part of life? Peter's doubt started in the boat. "Lord, if it's you..." The disciples in the boat kept it afloat. They were part of the team. What would have happened if they'd all stepped out? The wind quieted when Jesus joined them in the boat and they worshiped Him. You time at the oars matters! God sees you faithfully rowing.

Ken presently serves as Team Leader for Empowering Leaders at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Ken has been serving in this leadership position since May 2008. Jesus is coming whether we prepare or not. Don't miss Him. Jesus reminds us to be: 1. People of grace. 2. People of humility. (Give ourselves away.) 3. People who live by the fruit of the Spirit.

Our children attended CentriKid Camp at Eagle Eyrie and our youth went on a mission trip to Danville with Impact VA. Their testimonies were shared with us in our worship service.

Dr. Valerie Carter is a native New Yorker, a widow and has two adult sons.  Rev. Carter serves as the Executive Director/Treasurer of the Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia and formerly served as the Associate Pastor for Glocal Ministries at the Bon Air Baptist Church and the Director of the Hillside Baptist Center both in Richmond.  Continuing for 18 years, Valerie teaches sociology at Reynolds Community College, Richmond. Rev. Carter earned a BA in Sociology from Adelphi University, New York; Master of Divinity from The School of Theology at Virginia Union, Master of Science in Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University and the Doctor of Ministry degree from the Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond. Championing the causes of marginalized people at home and around the world, Rev. Carter’s life mission is to empower the poor, challenge the rich, and to inspire and mobilize all Christ followers to be on mission with God. Speak life. Show compassion. Don't count people out!

NHBC recognized our high school and college graduates on June 7th. The podcast includes testimonies from the following graduates: Nick Verham Nicholas Clay Barrett White Hannah Mathews Arthur Petrey Then Rev. Rusty Lee interviewed the graduates, asking them five questions. 1. How do you describe your faith to someone else? Answered by: Josh Long 2. Where do you experience God and how? Answered by: Nicholas Clay 3. Who continues to be a significant person in your faith formation? Answered by: Nick Verham 4. What would you tell the next generation? Answered by: Kelsie Karnes CONGREGATIONAL LITANY FOR GRADUATES Leader: We are gathered together to celebrate the accomplishments of members of our community. People: We give blessings to you and for all that you have achieved and many more achievements yet to come. Leader: One part of your life’s journey is complete. You will prepare to begin another phase that will take you to unimaginable places. As you prepare for your next journey, we hope t

Love each other as I have loved you. Love is more than a feeling. Love is a verb when Jesus used it. People will know we are followers of Jesus by the way we love. Love is a COMMAND. Love is SACRIFICIAL. Our love DEFINES us. What if we really lived love instead of just talking about it?

Donald J. Campbell is the Stewardship Strategist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and a Capital Stewardship Services Campaign Consultant. Don’s degrees include a Bachelor of Arts from John Wesley College, Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University. Don is married to Janet Marion Campbell. They have 6 grand children and 3 great grandchildren. The Campbells live in Richmond. As a pastor Don has served churches in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia. In addition to the pastorate Don has worked in the area of Stewardship & Development as a staff member of John Wesley College, as a trustee of the Southern Baptist Stewardship Commission and with several state conventions. Trained in the area of fundraising and development and then, in the conducting of Capital Campaigns by Resource Services Inc. of Dallas, Texas keeps him busy serving churches throughout the commonwealth. As a consultant Don works with a team of individuals se

There are three lifebloods needed for life: 3 minutes of oxygen 3 days of water 3 weeks of food....and your spirit. What needs to be pruned from your life to follow Him? Stay connected to the divine vine and bear much fruit.

One of our best sources of wisdom for us is the sages in our midst. In a survey, folks over 95-years-old said that if they had to live their lives over again, they would: 1. Reflect More 2. Risk More 3. Do more things that will live on after they are gone What kind of future do we want to create for the children?

1. The Light FOR the World is GOD. 2. The Light OF the World is JESUS. 3. The Light TO the World is US (BELIEVERS.) Jesus came as the light of the world to reveal something...the way to heaven. Is light important, and does it really matter to you? We must brighten the corner where we are. GPSH: God Plus Savior = Heaven

The stones weren't private markers. They were public. Joshua 4:24 Where do we celebrate the spiritual markers in our life? Where do we look back and say, "I saw God here, and I saw God here?" We must share what God has been doing in our lives with the church body. Crossing the Jordan was a miraculous event that paralleled the parting of the Red Sea. We must also mark well the miracles of God in our lives. How can we mark these today? There are many options! Be creative. Pull them out often. Preserve the memory of God's power for all to see. Hopefully our church is doing that.

SERMON NOTES - Jesus, The Children and The Disciples Reject - to refuse to accept (someone or something) Rebuke - to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprimand. Disciple - any follower of Christ Outcast - a person who is rejected from home or society Questions for reflection... Who are the "children" in my world? What kind of a disciple am I? How can I bring people to Jesus? People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17 (NIV)

Were the disciples asking "What's next?" after the crucifixion? Did Jesus give the disciples a Mission Impossible? Yes, Jesus DID give the disciples a Mission Impossible and to US as well. Jesus is CLEAR: Just as God has sent Me, I send you! You just never know who is on a mission from God. Jesus' resurrection was the start of "Say So Spirituality" when Jesus says "GO!" because He said so. Do we live in an "as if" world? As if I am going to give up _____ for God. We need to live in the world with our Say So Spirituality. Where Jesus was sent, SO we are sent. We cannot keep God in a box, but we have to be on a mission for God.

Fear is a natural reaction to the resurrection. Easter gives us a new opportunity in life....no more "well that's just life." Jesus is our way to a new life that is never ending. Mark 16 ends so abruptly because it is a never ending story that WE continue to write today. The resurrection story is only the beginning. Keep sharing the never ending story because it's such an important story.