Once again, I have laid down the gauntlet - this is The October Challenge. Once before I challenged you to get 300 people on one Sunday, but it was tough because it was Summer and people were out of town and on vacation. Now I’m offering this challenge one more time, except this time it’s Fall and it’s much easier to reach this goal. It’s simple: You invest and invite and get 300 people to attend Forest Park Carthage on a Sunday in October and if you reach this goal, I’ll get a blue mohawk (Carthage blue color, of course). You’ve got 4 Sundays left to accomplish this. You can do it!

300. it’s the perfect score in a game of bowling. It’s the name of a great action movie. It’s also the goal we’ve been shooting for all summer. It all comes to a head this Sunday, August 28. I have laid down the challenge. You invest. You invite. You bring a friend and if we reach 300 people THIS Sunday, you we will see me get a mohawk in front of everyone at church. I’m writing this blog because I sincerely believe you can do it. If each of you just invites one person, you’ll knock this out easily and my head will be shaved. Let’s do it Carthage! 300.

Tomorrow is a great day for Forest Park Carthage as we go out as a church and bless all 5 elementary schools in our city. We’ll be bringing 150 gift bags to give to each of the teachers of the 5 schools, as well as special gift bags for all 5 principals. I hope you’ll join us as we show these teachers and faculty our love, support and respect for what they do in our community.

If you’d like to join us, come out to the church at noon tomorrow (Monday) - wear your FP Carthage t-shirt and come with a smile. We’re going to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our schools.

Also, don’t forget we’re collecting supplies to bless our school nurses. We’re giving them the 3 things that they usually have to pay for out of their own pocket (tissues, wet wipes and…

We need your help! Many have been asking to help Forest Park members and people in the community with tornado relief. Please feel free to pass along the following ways to help:

-FPBC.net: The Forest Park website has been updated to discover tornado needs and updates (visit fpbc.net or forestpark.tv)

-Facebook: Follow Forest Park on Facebook (Joplin Campus, Carthage Campus, North Campus, or Students)

-Facebook: Pastor John Swadley is posting needs every day, so request to become his friend on Facebook

-Monetary Donation: Please make check to Forest Park Joplin Campus, write “Tornado Relief” on the Memo Line, and mail to:

Forest Park Baptist Church
725 S Highview Ave
Joplin, MO 64801

-Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)