We had a great time this weekend at the Parenting Teenagers Workshop. In our area, many churches come together during Disciple Now weekend for the times of worship and fellowship. As I talked with Ben Hjalmer, I asked how we could make this a more family-equipping weekend. What normally happens in Disciple Now is some great discipleship moments for teenagers but …
There are 613 commandments contained within the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Out of those 613, the 10 Commandments have served Jews and Christians for the ultimate standard of right and wrong. Within those 10, we view 1 of those commands as the commandment for children: Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in …
I am excited to report that I have already made some great progress in the writing of the prayer Bible study curriculum with the Kendrick Brothers. After a few weeks of study, writing, and working with some test groups, I have been amazed at what God is already doing through his Word to increase people’s prayer lives. I spent Monday and Tuesday in Albany working …
I talk about the need for family discipleship often. My doctoral focus was on equipping parents to evangelize their children. My current job expects me to equip homes to be the primary discipleship environment for our families. My most frequent requests to speak center around family discipleship. I champion family discipleship regularly. I love seeing when it is happening in …
After preaching Sunday morning, teaching on cults Sunday evening, I went home to get a few hours of sleep. My alarm woke me up at 3:45 AM Monday morning so I could get to the airport to make it to an early meeting in Nashville. While the conditions were tiresome, I was eager and humbled at the opportunity. I am …
Moses had led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. Due to some disobedience on his behalf, he could not lead Israel into the Promised Land after shepherding these obstinate people in the wilderness for 40 years. Moses died on the border being able to see in the distance the goal for which he had been striving. After Moses’ farewell …
One of your children’s most beloved books in your home might soon be your high school yearbook. Your children know you as a responsible (or somewhat responsible) adult fully equipped with bills, a job, and a minivan, yet before they ever knew you, a lot of your life had already been lived. Seeing your extracurricular activities, fashion statements, and funny …
After a year hiatus, I am bringing back the Agnew Christmas Tree Decoration Extravaganza. This year had 5 of us running around like crazy finishing up the tree in less than 3 minutes. Quite impressive I might say especially since we had some dead strands of lights and had to redo the lighting schematics.
Fun times – I love my family!
At Family Camp, we want to help your family make a memory for a lifetime.
We know that it is very easy for a family to drift away from one another. Special events and summertime trips are often reserved for parents paying for their children to go on trips with other people. Oftentimes, many children and teens have their most pivotal, spiritual moments away from their parents.
We need to change that.
It’s time to bring the family back together.
At Family Camp, your family will be able to enjoy a week that is unlike any other week in your year. Imagine a week that is part vacation, part marriage conference, part spiritual renewal, part youth camp, and part adventure and you get a taste of what Family Camp is all about.
In recent weeks, I’ve been wading in even more concerning foster care. Our city, state, and country are in desperate need of foster families.
The video above tells a story of a foster family with the gospel as the focus.
If you would desire more information on foster care, we hope you can join us for our Homes for Hope meeting.
There are 153 million orphans worldwide. While that number is overwhelming, there is something you can do about one of them.
Your one life can change one life.
You are invited to attend a Homes for Hope information session which will educate and equip you about how you can help the orphans of this world.
On this evening, you will learn how you can help with:
Please plan to attend. This night will be a great introduction for many and a tangible list of next steps for all of us.
We will meet at the Family Life Center at North Side Baptist Church on Thursday, November 13th from 6:30-8:00.
Help us provide homes for hope.
It was a joy to preach last night to the wonderful family at Wellford Baptist Church. They put on the Deuteronomy 6 Conference focusing on the family. It was a great time in worship and a great time afterwards just sharing with all the great people there. We talked about the need for family discipleship. The problem for many churches …
There are 153 million orphans worldwide. While that number is overwhelming, there is something you can do about one of them.
Your one life can change one life.
You are invited to attend a Homes for Hope information session which will educate and equip you about how you can help the orphans of this world.
On this evening, you will learn how you can help with:
Please plan to attend. This night will be a great introduction for many and a tangible list of next steps for all of us.
We will meet at the Family Life Center at North Side Baptist Church on Thursday, November 13th from 6:30-8:00.
Help us provide homes for hope.
Great time at this year’s Fall Festival! Thanks to all who came and helped!
I believe children of every age know what it is that their parents love. Whether it’s somebody or something, our words and our actions declare those things that have our hearts. They are observant enough to see what it is that wakes us up in the morning and lingers on our minds until we drift to sleep. As your children …
In my time as a pastor, I have been asked many different questions. Without a doubt, one of the most frequently asked questions is this: So how far is too far? In most contexts, people are asking it in relation towards dating and what is allowed physically in a relationship. The problem with that question is that it is a self-referentially …
I’m often asked what is the biblical method to become married. Is it through dating, courting, or something else. Honestly, it’s arranged marriages. I’m actually in favor of those. If that concept frightens you, then depend on God to arrange your marriage. Let him set the rules, the boundaries, and the timing. If you have determined that you think you …
It was more obvious back in the day when another god had a family’s allegiance due to the shiny statue in the living room. Nowadays, idolatry might not be as blatant but that does not mean it is absent. The lures of this world have many homes within their grasps vying for every ounce of devotion a family can muster. Fathers …
In my new role as Family Pastor, I am putting together some steps to help families grow in Christ. One of our first shots at this is something we are calling Family Night. We will meet together on Saturday, Sept. 27th from 6-8 in North Side’s Family Life Center. Bring your family to join with other families for North Side’s …
God’s plan for your family is not complex. We make it that way, but it really is not. This is the plan – God wants to reconcile the world to himself and he plans on doing that through Christ-following parents teaching their children to follow Christ and it multiplies from there. Abraham’s Job Let me show you how this began …
The Agnews love to be outside. It is always fun sharing adventures together in the fresh air. When we were teaching the boys to throw and kick the ball years ago, something unique happened one evening in the front yard. I attempted to share the ball with the boys, but their favorite thing was not to have the ball themselves. …
I had the extreme privilege to preach at the Perry Correctional Institute’s church service yesterday. I had visited them a while back and gotten connected with them due to my involvement with the Courageous curriculum. It was great to reconnect with these dear brothers in this level-4 security prison. After leading worship at North Side in what were some really …
One of the highlights of Family Camp was taking my children on their very first canoe ride. I had the three children (ages 6, 6, and 2), while Amanda and Tammy were in another canoe. You might think I was brave, but I think it would have more dangerous being in the canoe with Amanda and Tammy with how jumpy and …
I mentioned earlier this week that my job has changed. Serving as a Family Pastor has unique challenges. For some people, they may think that I am going to provide specific help in family situations. For others, they think that I will be overseeing all children’s and student ministries at the church. Some people may think I will provide the …
I woke up at my normal time today. I walked into the same office. But I have a very different job. Today, I started my job as Family and Worship Pastor at North Side Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC. We made the announcement yesterday of some major changes in the coming days with our church. One of those was concerning …
My sons hear me say lots of things. They have gotten very accustomed to my voice. I was amazed at how even last night, all three of my children sat through an entire worship service on the front row where Daddy preached. They stayed quiet and content the whole time. I was so proud of them! While my sons at …
Parenting a 2-year-old is a complicated endeavor. There is a unique complexity concerning my daughter’s unrivaled cuteness accompanied by her escalating rebellion. As of late, Gloria has developed this new strategy when I discipline her (I know, I know, “What could a child this cute ever do wrong?” Trust me — there’s original sin under all that pink [Ps. 51:5]). Whenever my daughter is called out …
Family Camp 2014 was incredible! I will be sharing some stories later, but for right now, enjoy our end-of-the-week recap!
Here’s a quick video recap from Day 1 Family Camp! It’s been an amazing week so far!
I would appreciate your prayers today as I travel to Perry Correctional Institute which is a level 3 security prison for men. The movie Courageous has been used in the prison and had an impact on many of inmates. A group of the inmates are about to go through The Resolution for Men Bible Study which I had the privilege of …
When I was asked to preach at a camp at Columbia International University, I quickly said yes. I was excited to be with them for many reasons, but one reason was that I finally got to walk around a path that was legendary for me. I had never been to that school. I have friends associated with CIU and have …
Happy Birthday, Amanda! With every passing year, you grow in grace and beauty. You stole my heart when I was 16, and yet you somehow manage to take more of it day by day. I often say to others that I “outkicked my coverage” when I married you. I am simply way out of my league. And one day, you …
After swim lessons tonight, the boys loaded up in the truck to head home. Reviewing the day, we discussed swimming, funerals, and eternity. Speaking concerning the gloriousness of heaven, I tried to engage their minds with the greatest thoughts possible. Eli said, “If heaven is that great, does that mean we won’t have to do dishes there?” “Well, that’s not …
I remember the first thought that I woke up with ten years ago today. After only actually sleeping for a few hours in my doublewide trailer, I awoke with the sunrise and thought to myself: “Am I ready to get married today? I still like to play video games.” Amanda, you must understand that the person was never in question. …
I’ve had some great followup conversations and messages from Sunday’s sermon. One came in the form of an email regarding something I said concerning PKs (preacher’s kids). In the application section of the message, I stated: Don’t expect pastors to care for your family at such a level that they cannot care for their own family. Scripture is clear that …
I’ve been so encouraged by the messages, texts, and conversations I have received from yesterday’s message. It seems to have struck a nerve for sure. It is so encouraging to know that people want to step up and reach their families for Christ. I shared concerning a lot of camps and events that are happening this summer, but I wanted to …
It’s hard to imagine that it has been six years since you were born. While I wasn’t physically by your side at that moment, God was, and he had been preparing your forever family for a long time. This morning I tried to imagine the setting of your birthdate. I tried to visualize the rough conditions and the unsure health status of …
My wife went with some friends to see the movie, Moms’ Night Out. She enjoyed the movie, but as a stay-at-home mom, I think she simply enjoyed the night out more. This is the synopsis of the movie: All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and fun – a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order …
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