July 2009

theVogel family
For the love
of the DomiNIcans
Kaitlyn, Teri, Lindsey, Steve, & Zach

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of SPRINGDALE & THE CHURCH at PINNACLE HILLS

 July 2009
A message from Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor

Investing in People
The end of July marks the first year church financially. When you make financial investments into this
anniversary of Andy Wilson as our Executive ministry through the giving of the tithes and offerings, it enables
Leader of the Ministry and Operations. us to touch people’s lives and to be used by God in a significant
Andy has done a tremendous job learning the way. Please be faithful, weekly, in the giving of the tithes
ministry and then immediately leading and offerings. We need your assistance to reach our Summer
the ministry into growth. I’m thankful Program of Giving goal and without your gift, regardless of how
for his and Becky’s commitment to Christ small or large it may be, ministry will not take place. We need
and their love for our church, and we pray small gifts, we need medium-sized gifts, and we need large gifts.
that God will give them many years with Most of all, we just simply need you to obey God and give the
us in this position of leadership. Andy, first tenth of all God has given you just like His word describes it.
please know we love you and appreciate I am thankful for so many families in our church that continually
everything you do for our church. do this.

Speaking of investing in people, another Just one other note concerning investing
one of our young men just graduated in people, Andrew Miller left on July 1
as the leading graduate in his school of this year to spend two years as a
at Liberty University. Brad Mayes, the Journeyman with the International
son of Ben and Sue Mayes, received Mission Board in the country of Japan.
the Academic Achievement Award We commissioned Andrew on June 21
in Intercultural Studies at Liberty and what a great moment it was. I am so
University. He is going to continue his proud of this young man; he comes from
seminary education and move forward in a tremendous family in our church and
pursuing God’s call to his life. Brad is a brilliant young man with now has the opportunity for two years to change the world. This
a tremendous future. Let’s pray for God to use him to change is another reason our financial gifts are so important, because
the world. without our church giving, it would not be possible for this young
man to join the International Mission Board to do what he has
Investing in people is exactly what this summer has been about been called to do for these two years. We must give more and we
on both of our campuses. We have seen people come to Christ, must do everything we can to help lead other churches in a great
we have seen people’s lives changed, and we have seen God commission resurgence.
do some amazing things, like 117 people baptized at the foot
of the crosses! I cannot wait to hear the stories that are still yet May the Lord bless you and give you a great summer. Let’s
to be told for all that goes on in the rest of our summer. When continue strong.
you invest in people, you send the entire ministry to a new level.
One of the greatest ways to invest in people is to invest in our

is available to view online at www.fbcs.net or www.churchph.com.

Real Life is published monthly by First Baptist Church of Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills.
For any inquiries, please call 479-751-4523. Cover photo by Brian Armas.

July 2009
3
 u

If you would have asked Steve Vogel when

he was just a boy what he wanted to

be when he grew up, he wouldn’t have

hesitated with his answer.

He wanted to play baseball.

the REAL
BIG LEAGUE by Angela Slaughter
A s he grew, Steve’s dream
of playing baseball
professionally pushed
him to work diligently
toward his goal, and
by the time the young
athlete graduated from
high school in 1983, he was drafted into the
minor league. Nevertheless, Steve resolved to
first attend college with the hopes of being
drafted again after his college career.
That same year, Steve accepted a scholarship
to Grand Canyon College in Phoenix, Arizona,
and in his freshman year, his team won
the NAIA National Baseball Championship.
Steve’s future had never seemed brighter, and
his dreams of playing the sport professionally
were just within reach.
Until one day in 1985 that changed
everything.
As Steve participated in a training exercise,
a misstep caused him to fall, tearing all the
ligaments and cartilage in his knee, as well
as fracturing his knee cap. The devastating
injury marked the end of his athletic career
and lifelong ambition of playing professional
baseball. “I was very angry and confused,”
Steve described. “I had trained to be a
baseball player my whole life, and in one fell
swoop, it was over.”
In 1988, Steve married his wife, Teri, and
together, the couple had two daughters,
Lindsey and Kaitlyn, and a son, Zach. Like
his father, Zach fell in love with the sport of
baseball at a very young age, and Steve saw
an opportunity to give himself over again to
the game. This time, not as a player, but as a
coach. “I knew that God had given me special
abilities in baseball and that I should use
them for His glory… so I turned to coaching.”
Steve began coaching Zach’s baseball teams
when Zach was only five years of age. Over
the next five years, Zach’s teams won two
league championship titles, as well as the
California District 7 Championship. Once
again, baseball was alive for Steve Vogel, and
though he wasn’t holding the bat, his passion
for the game burned just as strong.
But in yet another strange turn of events,
when Zach Vogel was just eleven years old,
doctors diagnosed the boy with a heart
condition that, like his father’s knee injury
years before, brought his baseball career
to an abrupt end. “I was very confused and
distraught,” Steve said. “I could not figure
out why God had taken baseball away from
us again.” Little did Steve know that God
had already set into motion a great plan for
the former baseball star, one that very much
centered around the sport he loved.
In 2002, two years before Zach’s diagnosis,
Steve’s wife and daughters had approached
him with the idea of the entire family going
on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
Steve admits, “I tried to think of every excuse
as to why we couldn’t go.” But in the end, he
relented. While in the Dominican Republic,
the family had the opportunity to minister
in a variety of ways to people who inhabited
one of the poorest areas of the world,
many of whom lived in one-room buildings
made of cardboard or scrap wood with no
electricity or running water.
The mission trip had nothing to do with
baseball, but it had planted a seed deep
within Steve’s heart. After Zach’s diagnosis,
Steve began to see God’s plan unfold,
and it was a simple one: Use the game of
baseball as a tool to reach the people of the
Dominican Republic for Him. “Before, I had
always focused on either playing or coaching.
It wasn’t until a year after that was taken from
me [with Zach’s diagnosis] that my heart was
opened to what God really intended.”
Since their first trip in 2002, the Vogels have
returned to the Dominican Republic four
times, utilizing the many doors God has
opened to share the gospel in a way that, in
Steve’s words, “naturally draws the Dominican
people.” Through their baseball ministry,
the Vogels have seen hundreds of children
Pictured from top to bottom: Steve teaching the fundamentals
come through the baseball clinics, with many
of fielding grounders, a group of 14 and 15 year olds who
of them receiving Christ. Steve describes
participated in a baseball clinic in Los Alcarrizos, Steve
that the basic principles used in baseball are and Zach with their good friend Miguel, a local boy who
utilized to teach the boys how to be godly they met on their very first trip - August 2008
men. “For example,” Steve explains, “we talk
about how if you want to be a good baseball
player, you have to practice. The same the Lord in whatever area He opens and are
applies in being a Christian. We have to read excited to see what He has in store for us.”
His Word and pray to practice becoming the
person God has called us to be.” Steve Vogel had a big baseball dream. Little
did he know, God had an even bigger one.
Today, the Vogels partner with a ministry And while Steve never knew the thrill of
called International Youth Initiative. The playing the game he loved in a stadium
family participates in prison ministry, surrounded by thousands of cheering fans,
youth and university outreaches, as well as there are hundreds of young men in the
outreaches using baseball clinics and games. Dominican Republic who, no doubt, see him
Just this month, on July 3rd, Steve and Teri as a hero—a man who not only taught them
Vogel, along with their children, made their to swing a bat, but who pointed them to
fifth journey to the Dominican Republic. The the cross.
family is focusing this mission trip on prison
ministry and youth baseball clinics. “Through
these mission trips, our family has been Steve and his wife, Teri, live in Cave Springs and
forever changed. We are on fire for serving are members of The Church at Pinnacle Hills.
July 2009
5
 Springdale Campus
F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H o f S P R I N G D A L E | 479-751-4523 | www.fbcs.net

Weekly Schedule & Upcoming Events

Sundays Preschool Ministry Connection Groups
8:15 a.m. Preschool Play Days “Bite-Size Theology”
Connection Groups Thursdays in July Sunday mornings, May 31–August 16
9:15 a.m. Preschool Play Days are fun days planned for parents in Adult Connection Groups
Worship Service and their preschoolers to connect with each other,
friends, and neighbors. Leadership Camp
Kidz Church (grades 1–5) July 2 from noon–2 p.m. - “Springdale Aquatic Center” Sunday, August 16 from 4–7 p.m.
DiscoveryLand Preschool July 9 from 9–11 a.m. - “Fun City” Our annual leadership camp for all Connection
July 16 from 9–11 a.m. - “Tyson Park Picnic Day” Group leaders.
10:55 a.m. July 23 from 9–11 a.m. - “Art Day”
Connection Groups July 30 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. - “Murphy Park Picnic &
Aquatic Center”
Register online at www.fbcs.net. Please register by
Young Couples Ministry
Wednesdays the Monday before each “Play Day.”
Volleyball/Cookout
5:30 p.m. Friday, July 10 from 6–9 p.m.
24/7 Café and Building opens Children’s Ministry
Summer Family Fun RESCHEDULED!
6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 7 from 6:30–9 p.m. at Murphy Park
Orchestra Rehearsal Ice Skating at the Jones Center and the Springdale Aquatic Center
For grades 3–5 completed We will eat together at 6:30 at Murphy Park and at
6:45 p.m. Thursday, July 2
Study of the Parables - Chapel 7:00 we will go to the Springdale Aquatic Center
for an evening of fun with the family! Invite your
Choir Rehearsal 5th Grade Trip to Silver Dollar City friends and their children. For more information,
Thursday, July 23 contact Staci at stacis@fbcs.net.
7:00 p.m.
Kidz Inc. Inside Out
Water Wars
24/7 JV Overdrive (grades 6–8)
24/7 Varsity Overdrive
For grades K–2 completed
Thursday, July 30
Women’s Ministry
(grades 9–12)
Flavour 2009
Student Ministry Monday, August 10 from 6–8 p.m. in the Theatre
Have dinner, fellowship with friends, and hear our
guest speaker Mary Kay Beard’s incredible life story.
Overdrive at the Movies Cost is $5. Register online.
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the 24/7 Building
A summer message series for students “Living Proof LIVE”
Beth Moore Simulcast
King of the Beach Volleyball Tournament August 28–29 at our Pinnacle Hills campus
Wednesday, July 29 at 5:30 p.m. “Living Proof Live” is a life-changing weekend with
biblically-sound messages from Beth Moore. It’s a
chance to be spiritually renewed along with
Campus-Wide Event thousands of other women. Connect with friends
and experience a fresh encounter with God! Cost is
End of Summer/Fall Kick-Off Cookout $15. Register online at www.fbcs.net.
Sunday, August 23 from 4–7 p.m.
under the South Porte-Cochere
Come celebrate the end of summer and help us kick
off the fall. Food and drinks will be provided.

8 R E A L life
 “Our lives were touched in
ways no one ever expected.”

6:30–9 p.m. at Murphy Park &

the Springdale Aquatic Center
Join our Young Couples Ministry as we enjoy a night at the park
together. All couples and families are welcome to come!
 Pinnacle Hills Campus
T H E C H U R C H a t P I N N A C L E H I L L S | 479-271-7799 | www.churchph.com

Weekly Schedule & Upcoming Events

Sundays Student Ministry Women’s Ministry
9:15 a.m. Life Connect Groups Women’s Friendship Dinner
Worship Service (simulcast) Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in the Student Building Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Gatheria
Creation Station (preschoolers) Come and join a Life Connect Group. Not only will “Women Sharpen Women” - This will be a very
you be able to study God’s word, but you will be able special evening hosted by Jeana Floyd. We will
Kids Worship (grades 1–5)
to meet and form relationships with other students celebrate how women sharpen our lives and bid
Life Connect Groups (grades 6–12) in your grade. farewell to Kathy Ferguson. Cost is $12. Contact Kim
Connection Groups at 271-7799 for more information.
FUEL grades 6–12
10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Student Building “Living Proof LIVE”
Financial Peace University Enjoy a fun-filled evening of worship and praise! Beth Moore Simulcast
10:55 a.m. August 28–29 in the Worship Center
Worship Service Martial Arts Class “Living Proof Live” is a life-changing weekend with
Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Student Building biblically-sound messages from Beth Moore. It’s a
Creation Station (preschoolers)
A self-defense class led by Kevin James. chance to be spiritually renewed along with
Kids Worship (grades 1–5) thousands of other women. Connect with friends
Connection Groups and experience a fresh encounter with God! Cost is
Campus-wide Event $15. Register online at www.churchph.com.
5:00 p.m.
“Letters to the Seven Churches”
Family Night at Murphy Park &
with Scott Kaufman
the Springdale Aquatic Center
Focus Groups
Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m.
Tuesdays Come join us for a picnic at Murphy Park then fun Riders for Christ
at the Springdale Aquatic Center. Bring your family Meets the first Saturday of each month
and friends to this free event and enjoy the food Contact Carol at carolk@churchph.com for
6:15 a.m.
and fellowship! more information.
Sharpen Men’s Bible Study

Exit-83 Young Singles

Wednesdays Pre-Marital Conference Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in Surge
Exit-83 is a great way to get in fellowship with other
young singles and also get some awesome teaching
10:00 a.m. “I Thee Wed” for Better or Worse from God’s word!
Daytime Connection Group Friday, July 17 from 6–10 p.m. &
Saturday, July 18 from 8 a.m.–noon in Surge
12:30 p.m.
This is highly recommended for engaged couples The Next Level 30–40 Singles
Weight Watchers Monday nights at 6:45 in the Lifestyle Room
seeking a strong Biblical foundation for a healthy
and life-long marriage. Cost is $50 per couple and A community of single adults navigating life
6:30 p.m.
includes materials, a light dinner, and continental together. A place to take faith and authentic
Choir Rehearsal
breakfast. Register and pay online. For more relationships to the next level.
(will not meet 7/1 & 7/8)
information, contact Michelle Holden at 271-7799.
7:00 p.m. 180° 40+ Singles
FUEL (grades 6–12) During the summer months, the 180° group will
Prayer Ministry be meeting every other week at various locations.
Please contact Donna Rowley at 903-0538 for
Saturdays Prayer Link
more information.
If you would like to request prayer or would like the
7:00 a.m.
opportunity to pray for others’ requests, e-mail us at
Men’s Link Bible Study
prayerlink@churchph.com.

10 R E A L life
 Pre-Marital
Conference

Friday, July 17 from 6–10 p.m. &

Saturday, July 18 from 8 a.m.–noon

This is highly recommended for engaged couples seeking a

strong Biblical foundation for a healthy and life-long marriage.
Cost is $50 per couple and includes materials,
a light dinner, and continental breakfast.

Register and pay online at www.churchph.com.

Cost is $12. Contact Kim at 271-7799 for ticket information. For more information, contact Michelle Holden at 271-7799.
 Employee of the Quarter

Debbie Francis
Debbie is extremely dedicated to her job, often working long hours in our Print Shop to
serve our church and our people. She does her job with an extreme dedication to
excellence. She pays fanatical attention to detail, often exceeding expectations, and is
always looking for ways to improve her area. Debbie serves others and does it with a great
attitude. She is often the one we run to at “the last minute,” and we all have given her
impossible deadlines to which she responds with a “get-it-done attitude.” She often saves
the church and school monies by doing things in-house and coming up with a better way.
And after her work day, she is a talented violinist and much-appreciated volunteer in our
Worship Ministry. Congratulations, Debbie, and thank you for all that you do!

s u m m e r

Program of 16 weeks:

GIVING
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
May 24 thru All times are CST.

September 6 International Television

Daystar Sunday 4:30 p.m. (Ch. 6)

Local Television
KHOG Sunday 9:30 a.m. (Ch. 7)
Family 45 Sunday 5:00 p.m. (Ch. 21)
Weekly goal: 16-week goal: Tuesday 7:30 p.m.

$287,500 $4,600,000
Thursday 9:00 p.m.

Live Radio (Northwest Arkansas)

FamilyFM Sunday 9:30 a.m. (89.3 FM)
www.R onnieFloyd. co m

Automated & Online Giving

Your tithes and offerings can be automatically drafted from your bank account.
Download an authorization form online. You can also give online via PayPal.