Minister's Blog

Digging Deep in 2026!
Last year I took off from my usual routine of reading the Bible through to try and slow down and focus a little more in my devotional reading. In 2026 I plan to work through the entire Bible once again using the M’Cheyne Reading Plan. This plan can be accessed through the YouVersion Bible App or the ESV Bible App. It gives the reader four passages a day for use in personal and family devotions. In the year, if I am faithful, I will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. I think I have convinced Christina to read it with me. A little accountability always helps! One of the blessings of using an app on my phone is the ability to listen to the scriptures for review or to catch up. Studies have shown reading is better for comprehension, but we do not need a study to know listening is better than nothing!
Email or text me if you want to get in on reading the Bible through using the M’Cheyne plan. I will send you a link to the plan in those apps and will put you in a text group for accountability. We will also have the EBC Family Catechisms available this Sunday for you to pick up and use in 2026. It is always edifying to walk through the Catechism and meditate on the doctrines of the faith, along with memory verses and support scriptures.
Let’s all resolve to dig deeper in 2026! Prayer and God’s Word are great places to start. We cannot overstate the blessings that come to those who seek Christ. He is faithful to meet us there.
5th Annual Men’s Retreat: Saved to Serve February 6-7
Our annual men’s retreat has become an event I look forward to as one of the highlights of the year. Each year we headed to Camp Harris for a time of retreat, teaching, and fellowship and were blessed. Over the years, we have prayerfully considered how we should focus our time and the subjects to cover in our Bible studies. Our themes and studies were developed by our leadership team as they considered what our men’s ministry needed to grow at that time. Each year we have seen many encouraged and grow as men got to know one another better and sought to grow closer to the Lord.
This year’s theme is Saved to Serve. Our theme verse is Mark 10:45, for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. We have seen our men’s ministry grow and men come to Christ or experience spiritual renewal over the past several years. One of the marks of true discipleship is a desire to serve the Lord in every area of life, but especially His church. We want men to understand their calling and be equipped to serve. Our church is so blessed to have so many godly examples among the older men of our church. There are several that come to mind that have served faithfully for as long as 50-60 years. They have been found faithful in their marriages, homes, community, and the church. This needs to be the goal of every Christian man. I hope every man in our church will sign up! It’s going to be a great time!