EASTMONT BAPTIST CHURCH 

// AUGUST 22, 2021 // VOLUME 30 // NUMBER 17

ART LONG
A Letter From Your Assistant Pastor ALONG@EASTMONT.ORG

If my math is correct (and my grades in that subject from first grade through college would attest that I could be wrong)
then thirty-one years, seven months, and four days ago (as I write this on August 16, 2021) was my first day as Assistant
Pastor here at Eastmont. Bro. Mike learned of me through Kelly's sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Bill Barringer (they
will be our neighbors in Greenville). My nephew and niece, Brent and Kristen, were friends with Beth and Michael
Northcutt. I was living and working at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN at the time. I met with the personnel
committee in the latter part of 1989 and preached a trial sermon one Sunday evening. No one was more surprised than I
that you voted to call me as your first Assistant Pastor. I was so nervous I couldn't remember my own name!
The only thing I promised the personnel committee was that I would love Eastmont's members. I have fulfilled that
promise for almost half my life. Of course, you and all past members made that an easy promise to keep. You and the
hundreds that preceeded you have been our family. You are not just people I serve or serve with, but you are truly family
and friends. The motto, "faith, family, and friends" is real at Eastmont. I have a lifetime of memories to treasure as long as
I live. It has been a privilege and an honor to be your Assistant Pastor and College and Single Adult Pastor. I have had the
opportunity to serve with the best ministerial and support staff ever assembled over these three decades. Bro. Frank,
Billy, Gene, Lance, Cleve and others will continue to lead you now and in the future and I pray that you will fully support
them with your prayers and followship. William Carey said, "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."
The apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Ephesus seems to support Carey's statement. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
On behalf of Kelly, Jacob, Katelyn, and myself, we thank you for loving us for all these years. We love you!
My prayer is that, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord cause His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up His face to you, and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bro. Art
(Philippians 1:3-6)
 OUR CHURCH
FAMILY

WELCOME TO
Gene Kim
Ron & Gale Mallory (8/8/21) Missions Pastor

Transfer of Letter

SYMPATHY TO
Margaret Copelin and Hazel
Culpepper in the loss of their
brother, Earl Culpepper, who passed
away on August 4, 2021.
Charles and Jane Andrews in the loss
of their son, David, who passed away
on August 10, 2021.
Allison Terry in the loss of her father,
John E. Jones, who passed away on
August 13, 2021.
The context of this verse is suffering and exile. We might expect God to
call them to patiently endure, but that’s not what he does. He tells them to
immerse themselves in their cities and work toward their prosperity.
We too are living in a city where God has placed us and our calling is the
same: pursue its well-being. We are here for a reason, and Eastmont is
here for a reason. We should pray for our city, seek peace in our city, and
look to be a blessing for our city. Our focus should not be just what’s best
for me and my family, but what’s best for our community.
You may have heard that God has recently opened the door for Eastmont
to partner with Goodwyn Middle School. Principal Douglas Taylor and his
staff have been welcoming and receptive to Eastmont’s partnership with
them. They have needs ranging from building and maintenance to student
mentoring. We will present opportunities to partner with them in the
coming weeks, and months, and perhaps years. We are inviting you to join
us as we together seek the welfare of our city. Begin praying that our
service in tangible ways would lead to eternal transformations. Let’s plant
and water some seeds, and watch God provide the growth.

Ministry Happenings
Visit our website or social media for details
Music & Worship Senior Adults
lmaddox@eastmont.org bdickey@eastmont.org
Forever Young Choir - Aug. 24 & Sept. 7 @ 9:00 am Forever Young-
WEDNESDAY September 21 @
Student Choir & Student Jam returns September
NIGHT 12th. Watch for details 10:00 am in
Kidz Choirs postponed. Watch for updates Fellowship Hall.
FELLOWSHIP Picking, Grinning &
MEAL Students College Singing will be our
cmallory@eastmont.org gkim@eastmont.org special guests!
August 25 Sunday Nights @ 6:00 Calloway Gardens
GrowthTracks+
Hamburger Steak, Corn Nuggets, Dinner and Bible trip in late Nov./early
Online Bible Study
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Yellow study at the Kim Dec. Cost is $200. Call
LifeGroup leader home Karen in the office
Squash, and Salad
lunch - August 22 for reservations.

September 1 following the 11:00 Children

service
Pancakes, bacon /sausage, fruit, ltruitt@eastmont.org
orange juice/milk/chocolate milk Time Change - Mission Friends, RAs, and GAs will
have a new start time of 6:00 pm beginning
August 25th
 MEET YOUR
BY THE NUMBERS

Building and WEEKLY GIVING

Maintenance Team
AUGUST 1
GENERAL FUND $29,692.80
EMERGENCY FUND $1,059.50
AUGUST 8
Pictured (from left to right):
Bill Jones, Joe Clements, Allison Mills, Don Lewis GENERAL FUND $26,120.62
Eastmont is blessed beyond measure by this group of hard-working people! The EMERGENCY FUND $1,872.50
Building and Maintenance Team works diligently to keep our facility clean and ready
for us to enjoy on Sundays, Wednesdays, or during the week. LIFEGROUP TOTALS
• Joe Clements has been Building Superintendent at Eastmont since March, 2018. He AUG. 8 AUG. 15
and his wife, Donna, have been a part of Eastmont for more than 35 years. They have PRESCHOOL 24 23
three adult children. When asked what he enjoys about working at Eastmont, Joe CHILDREN 64 48
said, “Serving Jesus.” STUDENTS 44 50
• Don Lewis came to work at Eastmont in November, 2019. Don and his wife, Billie, ADULTS 388 375
have two children and five grandchildren. He is a fan of all sports and is a huge Auburn TOTAL 520 496
and Pike Road Patriots fan. He has been a member of Eastmont for 37 years. When
asked what he likes about working at Eastmont, Don said, “The interaction with really
good people!”
• Allison Mills started working at Eastmont in December, 2019. She and her husband,
Josh, have two little boys. She enjoys art, hiking, fishing, biking, and building things.
When asked what she likes about working at Eastmont she said, “Eastmont has an
amazing team of people that understands and are caring through hard times. They are
my family!”
WEEKLY
• Bill Jones is the newest member of our staff, beginning in May, 2021. He has been a
SCHEDULE
member of Eastmont for 19 years. Bill enjoys reading. When asked what he likes about
working at Eastmont, he said, “All the helpful, friendly people on the staff and the laid Sunday
back atmosphere. 8:30 am Worship Service
The next time you see one of these team members, let them know how much they are 9:45 am LifeGroups
appreciated! 11:00 am Worship Service
Coming Up At Eastmont (Live Stream
August 29 Retirement Celebration for Available)
Art and Kelly Long 5:00 pm Handbell Choir
Fellowship Hall
Wednesday
3:00 - 5:00 pm
5:00 pm Fellowship Meal
October 31 Trunk or Treat 6:00 pm Choir / Orchestra
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Rehearsal
Timeout
Join our Facebook group,
(Student Worship)
Stronger: Developing Spiritual Disciplines,
Prayer Meeting
to encourage and challenge one
Mission Friends, RAs
another on a journey to develop
& GAs (Kids Missions)
spiritual disciplines.
 Periodicals Postage
THE ENCOURAGER Paid
Montgomery, AL
EASTMONT BAPTIST CHURCH
4505 ATLANTA HIGHWAY
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36109
The Encourager USPS No. 018-816 is published and mailed
bi-weekly by Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Highway,
Montgomery, AL 36109. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Encourager, 4505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109.

IN THIS ISSUE

A Letter from Your

Assistant Pastor

Spotlight on Missions

Meet Your Building and

Maintenance Team

Coming Up at Eastmont

SERMON SERIES

CONTACT US
Office: (334) 277-6300 Careline: (334)277-6384 Prayer Room: (334) 277-8876
Email: ebc@eastmont.org Website: eastmont.org
Facebook: facebook.com/eastmont Twitter: @eastmontbaptist
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm