On December 12-14, First Baptist Wentzville and the HOPE Food Pantry partnered with LINC for their annual Christmas Store. Individuals, retail stores, churches, Toys For Tots and community groups donated new unwrapped toys for boys and girls ranging in ages of birth to 18 years. Families that had an emergency need were able to schedule an appointment for one of the three days for their own shopping experience. A loveable “elf” was there to greet them upon their arrival and played The Annual Christmas IQ Test with them until it was their turn to shop. 

Each shopper was accompanied by a personal shopper (one of the many volunteers) who walked through the store with them while they made their selection. This gave the volunteer and shopper an opportunity to connect on a personal level. The volunteer had an opportunity to discuss the real meaning of Christmas and share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ with them. 

Because of all the generous donations, shoppers were able to select seven gifts for each child and additional smaller items to be used as stocking stuffers. Because of the kind donations from the Solid Rock Preschool our families could also then select a winter hat, gloves and scarf for each of the children. 

A new addition to the Christmas store was the idea of giving back. After all the gifts were selected, shoppers were encouraged to write a note of thanks to all who donated and, if they had the means, to make a small donation of their own to support the Crisis Nursery. 

Because of the generosity of the community, 222 children were blessed with a bountiful Christmas. Additionally, gifts for 100 more children were sent to a government agency that was unable to secure gifts to cover their requests for assistance. 

   At FBCW we have a special ministry that the Lord called me to initiate about in the 1980's.  We asked for volunteers who would agree to become part of a team that would pray when called upon for those in emergency situations.  We have seen this ministry grow through the years and have witnessed miracles. We now have a Prayer Team of over 40 faithful people who are notified when one of our fellowship is in need of prayer. We praise the Lord for their faithfulness and commitment to pray.

   What a marvelous gift we have been given from the Lord.  In His word, He tells us to call upon Him and He will hear and answer our prayers.  He also says in James that we have not because we ask not.  In Thessalonians, we are told to pray continually or always be in an attitude of prayer.  This is God's plan for us to be able to communicate with our Heavenly Father.  Just stop and think -as lowly humans- we have the blessed privilege to speak to the King and Ruler of this universe, just by calling out to Him, saying, "Father" and He hears us and will answer according to His will and purpose.  God longs for us to fellowship with Him through prayer.

   We were reminded of how much God wants to work through us by means of prayer in 2017.  11 Chronicles 7 :14 tells us how much He wants to use us when He said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  Through the ministry of Franklin Graham thousands of people gather in each of the 50 state capitols to pray for America and the coming election.  We saw God work through those prayers and we have a President who is seeking to bring America back to the godly principles that we were founded upon.  This Christmas we were encouraged to once again say "Merry Christmas” and nativity scenes were once again on display in the White House.  Congressman are gathering every Monday morning for Bible study. God is giving American one more chance to turn back to Him.  Praise the Lord.

   Taking time to call upon the Lord is spoken about in Psalm 46, He says, "Be still and know that I am God." That calls us all to make time in this fast-paced world, to get quiet before the Lord and communicate with Him in prayer.  When we learn to do this, we find that His peace will abide with us.  It pleases the Lord when we call upon Him in prayer and trust Him to guide us day by day.

   My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Keep praying and trusting,
Karen Gibbs