Welcome to our summer interns!

This summer, we are delighted to welcome three gifted interns who will serve, learn, and lead among us in meaningful ways. Together, these three bring energy, calling, and unique gifts, and we are grateful for the opportunity to invest in their growth as they, in turn, strengthen the life and witness of our church.

Harrison Pugh and Constance Potter join us through a three-way partnership with CBF Global, CBF Georgia, and FBC Griffin, while Danielle Bowlin returns for her third summer as our youth ministry intern. 

Harrison Pugh will serve in Music and Worship Arts alongside Ellee Hilley, learning to thoughtfully plan worship services that are theologically rooted—shaping a flow that invites the congregation into worship. He will help coordinate the behind-the-scenes elements of worship, including ProPresenter and tech teams, scheduling a rotation of musicians, while also leading both band and congregation, primarily in the Connexion service. His work will occasionally extend into Celebration Service planning and will occasionally take him to The Woods to lead our senior adult worship music. A talented guitarist and vocalist who shares his music across multiple states, Harrison is a student at the University of Georgia with plans to attend law school.

Constance Potter, also a student at the University of Georgia, studying Human Development and Family Sciences, with the intention of being a Speech Language Pathologist has a deep love for children and will serve as our Children’s Ministry intern under the guidance of Lori Welborn. She will help design and lead Sunday School and children’s worship, while also contributing to Vacation Bible School, children’s camp, and ongoing faith formation throughout the summer. She will work with Lori on other special projects involving our children this summer. 

Danielle Bowlin is a student at Truett McConnell University majoring in Nursing and a minor in Christian Studies with an emphasis in Women and Student Ministries. For the third summer, Danielle will partner with Seth Brown and Associate Director Taylor Brown in our FBCYTH ministry, investing in small groups, planning engaging summer activities. She will also help lead our students at BaseCamp, a youth summer camp designed to strengthen the faith of our teenage students. 

Each intern will start in Mid-May and their internship will conclude July 31st. Be sure to say hello and welcome them as you see them throughout the summer!

Sabbatical Update

“God is never a set of concepts to be understood, but a relationship to encounter. In this way, the spiritual life is always a journey.”  - Christine Valters Painter, The Soul of a Pilgrim

I praise God for answered prayers. Many of you prayed for me to arrive safely in France with all my luggage and those prayers were answered. I was able to begin my pilgrimage, going straight from the airport to Notre Dame Cathedral. They reopened it in December of 2024 after five years of reconstruction efforts. It was lovely, but so crowded with tourists that it was not conducive to prayer or meditation.

Contrast that with the church in St. Jean Pied-de-Port at the beginning of the Camino de Santiago. I was able to slip into a pew and soak up the silence on the night before I began my walk. One of our church members had encouraged me to leave the shepherding behind during this sabbatical and remember how to be a sheep. It struck me as deeply symbolic that this church’s Paschal Candle contained the image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, carrying a lamb on his shoulders (see the image below). I needed that.

The first day of walking lived up to the hype. I was told that it would be hard, but it was extremely hard! 15 miles of walking over the Pyranees with about 4000+ ft. of incline along the way is a tough way to spend a day. To say that I feel whipped tonight would be an understatement. Taking our church member’s advice, though, I found my self repeating the 23rd psalm as I walked: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” God took care of me over a tough day and met me in the faces of new friends and fellow pilgrims - Ben and Sue (both retired Marines) from Idaho, and Roger from Germany.

Yes, it was physically demanding, but the beauty of this region is breath-taking (see pictures). I started today in the fog, not being able to see much of anything. That soon opened up into one of the most glorious vistas I could have imagined. Words (and even the pictures) certainly fail to do it justice. I arrived exhilarated and grateful for the generosity of our church to make this trip possible. Please continue to pray for me in the weeks ahead - that God will remind me that I am a sheep, a member of the Good Shepherd’s flock.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Steven

Grace Notes

a weekly blog written by Senior Pastor, Steven Norris

An Invitation to Hope

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare’s love-struck Juliet utters. “That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.” For many of us, our names have significance that derive from family name, someone significant (friend, president, national hero), a biblical name, or even a prayer for the new babe (Faith, Hope, Charity, Grace). 

The ancient Hebrews thought that names did more than just identify someone or something; they described something about the very essence of a person. Often, when a significant event or turning point happened in a person’s life, their name was changed because their fundamental character and identity had changed as well. 

For example, Abram (“exalted father”) became Abraham (“Father of many nations”). Jacob (“trickster” or “deceiver”) became Israel (“One who wrestles/strives with God”). Simon became Peter; Saul became Paul.

What is God’s name, and what does it mean to “hallow” it? “Hallowed” is not a word used often, unless it is in the context of Halloween. It means simply “to make holy” or “to sanctify.” Therefore, we might translate the prayer, “Our Father in the heavens, may your name be holy.” Here, he is echoing one of the Ten Commandments, which instructs the faithful not to take the Lord’s name in vain. 

Such holiness extends to the person of Jesus. In Acts 4, Peter’s speech before the religious leaders emphasizes the power of Jesus’ name to effect healing and that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he states that it was God’s pleasure to exalt Christ so that his name would illicit worship and reverence. 

The early believers were referred to mockingly as “Christians,” meaning “little Christs.” We keep God’s name holy by what we attach to it (or not). When the lives of Christians don’t look any different from the world around us, we are not keeping God’s name holy. When we are stingy with our resources and fail to reflect the generosity of God, we fail to keep God’s name holy. When we live disintegrated and compartmentalized lives — being one person on Sunday and a different one Monday through Saturday — we are not hallowing God’s name. God’s name is taken in vain when politicians use it merely to garner favor from a specific voting block. God’s name is taken in vain when it is invoked toward selfish ends. 

By contrast, God’s name is hallowed when we affirm the inherent value and worth of all people created in God’s image. God’s name is hallowed when the character of the church reflects the expansive love of the God who is worshipped there. God’s name is hallowed when there is insistence of the truth, no matter where it may lead. 

The invitation to hallow God’s name is to recognize that there is more going on in the world than we can see with our human eyes. It is about being led by a different set of values than the ones adopted by popular culture. It is to hear and respond to the invitation of God: “Be holy as I am holy.” 

We regularly spotlight ministries that are supported in part (or in full) by your contributions to the regular budget at First Baptist Griffin. If you would like to read more stories like this one, please visit our website: fbcgriffin.org/your-giving-in-action.

Life Song

by Lori Harvey

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up: do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

     A faithful FBC lady used this verse as a devotion during the last week of the spring session of Lifesong. These words certainly hold truth for what is going on within Lifesong Ministries, which meets here at FBC. For those of you who are not aware, Lifesong Ministries is a non-profit Christian Women’s Job Corp. This ministry was formed with the purpose of educating, encouraging, and empowering women. It provides no-cost training and life skills to women who desire to change their lives but lack resources.

     Lifesong Ministries was begun in 2007 by Nancy Anderson. God gave her a heart and a vision for helping women who wanted to improve their lives. Originally, the classes were held at New Mercy Baptist Church, but since 2021 our church has been the ministry’s home. Although many women within our church and others from the community work together, Jenny Flowers is the chairman of the ministry, and she is a certified teacher for the Jobs for Life program. Classes are held twice a year with two eight-week sessions, one in the spring and one in the fall. Our church even has a designated Lifesong classroom and office on the third floor.

     During these eight-week sessions, the women in these classes learn about jobs, resources, and opportunities within our community. They are taught computer skills, interview skills, and financial training, as well as much more. Each student takes a personality assessment to help them decide on a career goal. They also develop a resume and get advice, from numerous professionals within the community from healthcare to banking. Most importantly, biblical principles are incorporated into every aspect of training. It is truly amazing to see all that goes on over the course of eight weeks and how much these women grow and change in the process.

Community Garden Update

The garden is fully planted and the plants are peeping over the soil. We have cucumbers ,okra, squash, bush beans , tomatoes, bell and jalapeño peppers. Zinnias as well as sunflowers are also planted. Ms Lori and the kids planted and created Jimmy Jimerson, our Scarecrow, on May 6.  Patrick has rebuilt another bed so we have more room for planting!  Update courtesy of Viki Bozeman.

We need helpers as we keep the garden watered! Please be a part of this amazing ministry!  You can sign up with the button below.

May is for Church Missions

May flowers are in bloom, and so is generosity shown through our Church Mission Offering! This fund supports local mission projects in our church and city. Past church mission offerings have accomplished much good — consider this short list as an example: the offering has helped to establish our church’s Community Garden, to retrofit a bus into a mobile grocery store in Sumter County, to support first-time college students from Griffin-Spalding County Schools, to raise money for the End the Wait Foundation that supports kidney transplant patients, and much more.

     We believe in a grace that gives generously. God has called us to use our resources to make a difference for the Kingdom of God throughout Griffin and Spalding County. As part of our Church Mission Offering emphasis for 2026, we would like to share stories from a local partner in ministry called Spalding Samaritans. Our prayer is that in learning more about this special ministry, you will be led to pray for their work and to ask God how you might be part of it.

Please consider how God is calling you to give above and beyond your regular tithe to partner with us this year through the Church Mission Offering. You can do so online or by marking the “Church Mission Offering” space on your giving envelope.

Spalding Samaritans: Uplifting Our Neighbors through Essential Support

Volunteers from the Spalding Samaritans have graciously shared some of their reflections and stories from working in this ministry. Lisa Rohlfing had this to say: Spending time with our clients is truly humbling. I'm reminded of a young man with an intellectual disability who was determined to keep the apartment he'd shared with his late mother. Unable to work or drive, he sold his plasma every five days just to cover his rent and bills. Moments like these at Spalding Samaritans remind us that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.

Linda Hayden shared this story. I began volunteer work at Spalding Samaritans because of the need to learn again. I had no idea really what Spalding Samaritans did as a ministry, but I was determined to branch out for new insights. I did not realize either that people needed this type of help; I learned quickly that anybody can have an emergency that often makes a need for assistance. These unusual circumstances can be such things as injury sustained from a wreck that leaves a person in rehabilitation; a massive hospital bill due to an illness and no insurance; or a move that required many new deposits and connection fees that left no income for rent, groceries, and utilities. Linda goes on to say this: Accountability measures are in place for the program. The first measure requires a budget to be completed with the volunteers who assist. Each client must complete the budget that shows the difference between the monthly expenses and actual income. We then make suggestions that might help the individual to consider ways that costs could be lessened. The second measure involves asking the client how the following month's bills will be paid. The responses are often telling as to whether or not the individual desires to find a way to handle expenses themselves. Other regulations are in place as well. I welcome these regulations. Will I continue as a volunteer? Absolutely! IO encourage others to join our efforts as the work is rewarding.

Check back next week to hear more reflections from this vital ministry.

Caregivers Clothes Closet

The Clothes Closet is in need of rolling carts, backpacks, belts for men, tennis shoes and dress shoes (in good condition). If you have any of these items in your closet that you are no longer using, please consider bringing them to the Welcome Center at FBC so they can find a new life with someone in need in our community. Thank you!

Benevolence Ministry

Our Benevolence Ministry and Caregivers Clothes Closet serves the public each Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (with the exception of holidays). If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, then please contact the church office. The Caregivers Clothes Closet is in need of blue jeans of any size (but especially boys, sizes 4-16 and larger sizes for men), as well as adult-sized book bags. You will find drop boxes in the Welcome Center on the Hill Street side of the church and in the Welcome area on the Family Life Center side of the church. Thank you for supporting this ministry and those who are vulnerable in our community.

Five Loaves & Two Fish Food Pantry

If you would like to be part of this ministry team, or if you would like to donate canned or boxed food goods, please contact Justin Keiser or the church office. Donation boxes are located in the Welcome Center and in the Family Life Center.

Mark your calendars now for this quintessential semiquincentennial musical event this summer! FBC is hosting a free patriotic organ concert to Celebrate America on Tuesday, June 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The featured performer is the retired Organist for Arlington National Cemetery, Randall Sheets. The evening will also feature a community choir. All are invited.

Singers from across our community are invited to join a special combined community choir for this concert. Rehearsals will take place at the church on Sunday, June 28 from 2:00-3:00 p.m., on Monday, June 29 from 7:00-7:45 p.m., and on Tuesday, June 30 before the concert.

In case you missed it: Ukulele at CBF-GA

Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule

Church Library

Drop by the Church Library on Sunday mornings (10-11:30 a.m.) or Wednesday evenings (6-8 p.m.) to pick up a great book, a video, or a magazine to enjoy.

Around the Neighborhood

If you are looking for something fun to do with your family in the coming weeks, you might consider these local events. (Look for FBC in the program when you attend.)

2nd Saturday in Downtown Griffin takes place this weekend. Local businesses encourage visitors and local entertainment will be on display. Learn more HERE.