WELCOME BACK

Blog

First Focus

WELCOME BACK

The Basement Logo, the college ministry of First Baptist Church of Tallahassee (FBCTLH)

August 21 and 28 marks the start of another school year for FSU, FAMU, and TCC. For decades First Baptist and its members have loved on college students. I know it’s been that way for the 50 plus years I’ve been a member here. Every year new and returning students come to the church on the hill with the green steeple, and I’m sure it won’t be any different this year.

For those returning students, they’re coming back to a church where they have experienced the love and support from a family of faith — a church that has served and loved them as well as showing them how to love and serve the community in which they live. They’re coming back to a church that loves the Lord and a church that teaches the truth found in the Holy Scriptures. For the new students, they are searching for that kind of church, and it’s up to us, the First Baptist family, to show them they’ve come to the right place.

I’m excited about the possibilities that God is setting before us this year in the college ministry. We’ve got great Bible study leaders for both Sunday morning and Wednesday nights. Art and Julie Pitts, Keith and Angelia Gaskins, Jeffrey and Sarah Crane, Fumni and Abena Ojetayo and my wife, Tina, are all people who love the Lord and teach the unvarnished truths in God’s word. Oh, and did I mention they truly love college students? We’re gonna feed them, play with them, encourage them, teach them, and watch them grow and serve the Lord.

Over the years, the college ministry has turned out some great civic leaders, governmental leaders, and church leaders. There are former college ministry students serving Christ all over the world. The return on the investment we as a church have made in their lives is undeniable. It is my prayer that, just as in years past, our church family will continue to make the investment in the lives of the college students that walk through our doors and that new students this year will be one of the returning students next year.

I’m thankful God is allowing me to serve as the Interim Minister to College Students, and I’m thankful for your support in ministering to college students. In the coming weeks, I ask that as you see college students around our campus, you be your warm welcoming selves and show them we can be their church home and family during their time in Tallahassee. Please join me in loving students as they walk through our church doors.

To God be the glory. Great things He hath done.

— Clay Mason