Baptist Home Church,

     October offers us a great opportunity for outreach to our community through “The Trunk of Treats” fall festival event. I love the cooler weather that October brings, and the changing of the season becomes more obvious. The leaves on the trees turn their beautiful colors, and it is a wonderful time of the year. 
     “Trunk or Treat” offers us the opportunity to touch our community and to give a witness for the Lord Jesus. Thank you for bringing lots of candy to provide for the children who will be on our campus on October 31. Also, thank you for being willing to serve by either hosting a trunk or serving in many of the other ways that will be needed for the fall festival event of trunk of treats. Adam Furr and his Sunday school class are coordinating the event, so get in touch with them. Be sure you volunteer to serve. It’s going to be a great night.
     Also in the month of October, you will begin to see an increased number of media advertisements concerning the fall general election. On November 3, the general election will be held, and as a citizen, a Christian citizen, I urge you to be an informed voter, understanding the values and the policy positions that each candidate supports and then voting biblical values.
     The last day to register to vote is October 9 at 5 PM. If you are not registered, you can go online to ncdot.gov and register that way. Early voting begins Thursday, October 15, and the general election is November 3. It is of the greatest importance that Christian men and women participate in their government after prayerful consideration, voting for those candidates whom we best believe will uphold Christian values that include the protection of the unborn in their mother’s womb, that support the biblical view of marriage and the family, and that demonstrate reverent fear of God.
     I encourage you to read the article in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Decision magazine, “online September 2026 issue about Why Christians Must Vote in the Midterm Election”

Please do not be negligent in failing to vote in the General Election on November 3. All it takes for evil to succeed is for good people ( God’s People) to do nothing.

Pastor Robert Jackson

      On Sunday mornings, we’ll finish our journey through the book of James in our Genuine series. Throughout James, we have returned again and again to one central truth: “What we do reveals what we believe.” Genuine faith isn’t merely something we talk about on Sunday. It changes how we speak, how we treat people, what we pursue, how we respond when life becomes difficult, and ultimately how we live. As we finish James, our hope is that students will recognize that faith in Jesus is meant to shape every part of who they are.
      Then, we begin a new series through Colossians called Revealed. Our landing principle for this series is: “Our identity is revealed in Christ’s supremacy.” Students are constantly being told to discover who they are through accomplishments, popularity, relationships, appearance, athletics, or what other people think about them. Paul points us somewhere completely different. Before we can rightly understand who we are, we need to understand who Jesus is. Colossians gives us an incredible picture of the supremacy of Christ, and over the coming weeks we want our students to see that Jesus isn’t simply an important part of life; He is Lord over all of it.
       October also puts us into the second month of Basecamp: Preparing for the Climb. By this point, the excitement of beginning a 90-day devotional may have worn off, and that is actually part of the purpose. Spiritual growth isn’t built only through big moments. It is often built through the ordinary decision to return to God’s Word again tomorrow. Basecamp was never intended to be about completing a checklist; it is about developing a rhythm students can carry long after these 90 days are over.
       As we move through October, my prayer is that our students won't simply become busier with church activities but will become more deeply rooted in Christ. We want The Refuge to continue being a place where students are Grounded, Growing, and Going; grounded in the truth of Scripture, growing in their relationship with Jesus and one another, and going into their schools and community with the gospel.
       Please continue asking your student what God is teaching them, encouraging them in Basecamp, praying for them, and reminding them that following Jesus is worth building their life around.

Deposits for Fall Retreat (Nov 13-15) are due Sunday Oct. 20th
Fall Retreat Deposit:  $100

     When the former pastor concluded his ministry, the ministry of the church did not cease. It merely entered into a time of transition. It is my privilege now to serve as your transitional interim Pastor as we go on this journey together through this season of change. A typical transitional period of ministry can be 18 months to two years. It will be my joy to serve as your guide and resource on the journey as we work and pray together in reviewing our heritage, our mission, our leadership, our ministry partners, and look forward to the future when a new pastor is called and a new season of ministry begins.
     My wife, Linda, and I are enjoying meeting you and sharing in the ministry of BHC during this season of transition. We are excited about what God has in store for BHC in the days ahead. God speaking through the Prophet Jeremiah said: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (29:11).

Pastor Robert Jackson

September always feels like a fresh start. School is back in full swing, schedules are filling up, sports and activities are underway, and everyone is settling into a new rhythm. In the middle of all of that, our desire for students is simple: that following Jesus wouldn’t become just one more thing on the schedule, but the foundation for everything else. This month, we’re challenging our students to take ownership of their faith: to grow personally, encourage one another, and live in a way that points the people around them toward Jesus.

 On Sunday mornings, we’re continuing our series through the book of James called Genuine. Our theme throughout this series has been: “What we do reveals what we believe.” James challenges us to move beyond simply knowing the right answers. Genuine faith shows up in how we handle pressure, how we treat people, the words we use, the decisions we make, and the way we live every day. Our hope is that students begin asking a simple question: If I genuinely believe what I say I believe about Jesus, how should that change the way I live?

 Beginning September 1, we’re launching Basecamp: Preparing for the Climb, a 90-day devotional journey designed specifically for our students. Just as all climbers need a basecamp- somewhere to rest, to recenter, to prepare, and to acquire everything needed to keep climbing. The same is true for following Jesus. For 90 days, we’ll be challenging our students to take roughly five minutes each day to pause, open up the Scriptures, and lay the groundwork necessary to walk after Jesus their entire lives. They’ll consider foundational issues of their faith, including salvation, worship, obedience, spiritual growth, decisions, relationships, stewardship, ministry, and mission. It’s not meant to be a book club or a 90-point checklist. Rather, it’s meant to establish a rhythm: Stop. Get in the Word. Listen to God. Prepare to climb.

 Lastly, one of the things we’ve been talking about with our students is the kind of student ministry they want to help build. They have set some exciting goals for this year:

• Be courageous and bold in their faith and put that faith on display at school. 
• Grow together spiritually by encouraging one another, checking on each other, and strengthening their own foundations. 
• Reach other students by inviting friends, sharing what God is doing, and finding ways to serve and connect with students throughout our community. 
• Take ownership of the ministry by looking for ways to serve, lead, encourage, and make The Refuge a place where other students can encounter Jesus. 

We continually remind them that students reach students. They have relationships, proximity, and opportunities that no adult leader can reproduce. Our job isn't simply to build a ministry for students. We want to equip students to live on mission and build a ministry with them. This school year brings many things to our students. There will be great days, tough days, successes, failures, doubts, challenges, and a whole lot of surprises. We cannot prepare our students for everything that will happen to them. However, we can give them something that will keep their feet on the ground during these events. September is all about this.

Pastor Evan

As we turn the page to a new school year, it's hard not to pause and thank God for His in- credible faithfulness over the past several months. We have watched Him work in ways that only He can; students taking steps of faith, lives being changed through His Word, meaningful conversations, families growing together, and countless moments that reminded us that God is still at work among the next generation.

As students head back to school in a few weeks, they'll constantly feel pressure to fit in, to look like everyone else, think like everyone else, and chase what everyone else is chasing. But Scripture reminds us that followers of Jesus are called to be different. As we get ready for schools kickoff on Wednesday nights we are looking at identity. Our identity isn't determined by popularity, grades, athletics, or social media. Our identity is found in Christ. We don’t have to fit in to belong. During our time together, students will discover that when we know who we are in Christ, it gives us the courage to live differently, make wise choices, and remain faithful even when the world encourages us to compromise. Our prayer is that students would leave each week confident that following Jesus isn't about blending in; it's about reflecting Him.

On Sunday mornings we have been going through new serie titled “Genuine” out of James. James reminds us that authentic or genuine faith isn’t just something we profess but rather something that changes the way we live and what we do in our daily rhythms.Genuine faith is seen in the way we respond to trials, resist temptation, treat other people, speak with our words, and live out God's Word every day. Our hope is that students won't settle for a faith that is merely talked about, but will pursue a faith that is active, growing, and evident in every area of their lives. As we begin another school year, we'd love for you to pray with us:

• Pray that students would find their identity in Christ. 
• Pray for boldness to live differently in their schools. 
• Pray for friendships that encourage spiritual growth. 
• Pray that every student would grow in genuine faith and love for Jesus.

If your family has a student in middle or high school, now is a great time to invite a friend!
The beginning of the school year is one of the best opportunities students have to bring someone with them. Thank you again for partnering with us as we seek to help students become Grounded in God's Word, Growing in their faith, and Going into the world to make Jesus known. We're excited to see what God will do this fall!

to convey all that you and your families mean to me and Tammie.wept, and witnessed together.we have experienced success. We endured covid, we changed some traditions, we’ve seen
growth and we’ve seen decline, but through it all we have sought to remain faithful and true
to the word of God.Wednesday night service.word be your compass, His light, His source of leading and your constant companion.the Lord your God will all your heart.” Be definitive in your love for God. Let your conduct
be evident to all who see you and know you, that you love the Lord your God.on your life, both on you and through you. You may ask, “How long should I serve?” The
answer is until God calls you home. Joshua 24:29 “Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of
the Lord, died.”you. I know God has great plans and a great purpose for Baptist Home Church. Also know
for sure, you are loved. Time or distance can separate us from the Love of God. Know for
sure that you also will be missed. We do not look forward to the separation. Our hearts
break at the thoughts of the changes we all will go through. So, we ask that you pray for us
also. We rejoice to know that one day soon we will gather around the throne of God to
worship Him together forever and ever.Kingdom and to make much of Jesus.Baptist Home Church.

God Bless in the Journey ahead!
Pastor David Jones

       When difficult moments come, they don't create our character, they reveal it. Our prayer is that each student would develop a faith that is rooted deeply in God, so that when challenges arise, they will stand firm with courage, conviction, and confidence in the God who remains faithful through every season.
      And there is no better way to continue this journey than at Camp Caswell this summer. As part of their theme “Shine”, we'll continue studying the book of Daniel and discover what it means to live as lights for Christ in a world that often pulls us in the opposite direction. Just as Daniel and his friends remained faithful in Babylon, we want our students to learn how to stand firm in their faith and shine brightly wherever God has placed them.
      We also want to say thank you to our church family for your incredible support. Through your generosity we raised over $3,100 for camp. Thank you for investing in the next generation and creating opportunities for students to encounter God in meaningful ways.
      As camp approaches, we would love for you to join us in praying for our students and leaders:

• Pray that students would be open to hearing God's voice and responding to His leading.
• Pray for salvation and life-changing spiritual growth.
• Pray that students would build meaningful friendships and Christ-centered community.
• Pray for safety in travel and throughout the week.
• Pray for our leaders as they teach, disciple, and care for students.
• Pray that distractions would be removed and students would focus on what God wants to do in their lives.
• Pray that students would return home encouraged, challenged, and ready to shine for Christ in their schools, homes, and communities.

The Caswell Crew for Summer 2026 

Karley Lankford, Audrey Dancy, Ashley Battle, Ian Limon
Nate Lankford, Gavin Oplinger, Trenton Church
Zoey Detter, Aidan Murphy, Adam Furr
Owen Wyatt, Brayden Byrd, Misty Hoover
Micah Parsons, Brentley Brown, Breanna Battle
Corbin Brown, Alexia Miller, Kirstin Miller
Elijah Smith, Mason Overton, Evan Owen