PROVIDENTIALLY PLACED

When we moved to Gig Harbor for seminary (1977) I had planned to eventually do mission work in Alaska. But God worked to encourage us to start a church here since this was a growing area. So we gathered a team of seminarians and had our first service September 7, 1980 in Arletta. In 1995 a rental church we were in sold so we prayed and the Spirit reminded me of a letter I had received that resulted in us buying our current site where we met in a barn until 2005 when we built our current auditorium. Later we felt led to maximize our site. Plans were drawn and now await approval for a permit to build and to extend our current auditorium by about 47%. We will nearly double the foyer, replace the old house with a new class room facility on one level, full basement for storage and a new fellowship hall and kitchen. See the complete plan in the booklet in our foyer or see the details by clicking here. http://www.discoverybaptist.org/facilities-expansion

Watercolor painting of proposed new facilities by Adria Hanson.

Later we realized how well located we were with a new hospital, new bridge, new stores, new houses and lots of new people. On the map I realized God had providentially placed us in the center of the Gig Harbor peninsula. The mission field was coming to us fast. Jake Nelson, our building deacon who works with the city, told me with the new home sites created last year plus new developments going in now we will have close to 750 new home sites available by spring. There are 178 new sites on Hunt street within two miles of the church. There is not much land left in the city so more homes will be built outside the limits. The mission field is coming to us so we need to be ready to witness and disciple people to Christ and His Word.

A recent survey says by far the religious composition of adults in Washington state claim to be Evangelical Protestants (25%). That means many who come here will already have some understanding of the Gospel while 75% will not. Our project title has been “Building for the generations to come.” They are coming and we are working to be ready.

Our Baptist Network NW (BNN) Revolving Fund has the funds for us according to Nelson Zarfas who spoke last Sunday. See it on LIvestream. A building is not a church but only a tool to help the church (God’s people) do ministry better. It is what happens inside the buildings for the generations to come that really counts. Pray with us as we move ahead to build for the generations to come.

Pastor Mark

SO LONG, SEA, & SALT GROUP GROWTH

Last Sunday Nancy and I rushed to Salem, OR to say “so long” to a former pastor, mentor and BNN director, Carl Hill. He died recently at 97. We arrived after the service started, got a chance to meet many old friends and greet his wife. He was our pastor while we were at Corban and later was an encouragement when our church started. We thank the Lord for allowing us to know him.

Then we headed to the “sea” at Cannon Beach. Paul Hayes, Chris Rogers, Enriko Stigter, myself and our wives were there. Our team led music for the pastors and wives Refresh retreat. I met with our regional BNN council as we planned for future multi-church events as well as discuss our new building project. Our team also had strategic discussions with other leaders about how to help reach others for Christ in our region etc.. We also heard a series of messages by Pastor Bryan Hughes on Romans 8:28 that took us deeper into this amazing verse by looking at five important words in the verse. The fellowship time with many other folks in ministry was very encouraging as we visited, walked the beach, rode bikes or just rested.

Meeting of our DBC team outside the chapel of Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center.

This weekend our weekly “SALT” groups are multiplying to six groups. It is a good time to join one. S.A.L.T. stands for Saints Applying Living Truth. Here are five reasons you should consider attending a SALT group.   

    1. Because it will assist you in applying the truth of the morning message in a deeper way through a give and take discussion format where you can ask question or contribute application. 

    2. Because you will meet other believers and grow in the Lord together as you get to know each other better.

    3. Because in the Bible the church met corporately in large groups as well as small. Act 2:46  Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart…

    4. Because it is a place for families because young and old can mix and share in fellowship and prayer. Acts 2:42   

    5. Because it is a good place to bring guests who may be seeking but fear going to church.    

Groups start the week of September 16 as listed below. Note that some have new name designations based on location changes. For the complete address and leader phone numbers check the bulletin front each week or look them up on the online Community directory. If you have not joined the community then this is a great time to do that by going to Community.DiscoveryBaptist.org

•Gig Harbor South (Mark Suko Home, Sunday, 6:15pm)

•Gig Harbor Central (Campbell or Porter Home, Sunday, 6:15pm)

•Peacock Hill (John Kerr Home, Monday, 6pm)

•Gig Harbor North (Willie Clark Home, Sunday, 6:15pm)

•Key Peninsula (Karman Storset Home, Sunday, 6:45pm)

•Burnham (Dann Ledwick Home, Thursday, 6:30pm)

S.A.L.T. refers to Saints Applying Living Truth as they become the salt of the earth.

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY

When my beloved and I were married in 69 we would never have imagined being grandparents someday. But in God’s providence we became parents, grandparents and now great grandparents.  

Psalm 127:3 comes to mind.  “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Both of us only knew our grandparents briefly. Both of our sets of parents died relatively early so most of our children didn’t know what a grandparent was. But the Lord has blessed us to be able to see three generations. We are thankful.

In keeping with National Grandparents Day today (9/9/18) we are blessed to announce the birth of our first great grandchild. Philippa Jane Whitaker Suko was born 9/4/2018 to Jorge & Naomi Whitaker Paris in Valdivia, Chile. All is well down under.

Little Philippa Jane will bring changes to our family with some young aunts and uncles. She is our first South American so that means we’ll need to learn some Spanish too. It will also expand our need to pray for her along with the others.  Our prayer would be as the psalmist prayed in Psalm 71:18 “And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.”

-Pastor Mark