|
August 27, 2009
Our new part-time Praise & Worship
Leader for our upcoming contemporary worship service is Andrea
Burks. Last Sunday morning (8-23-09)
Andrea received a 96.5
percent majority vote to become part of our ministry team.
We thank the Lord for sending us
such a gifted, talented and spirit-filled woman.
Keep Andrea in your prayers as she
will be working hard in the month of September organizing our praise
and worship team.
Auditions:
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PRAISE TEAM AND PRAISE BAND AUDITIONS will be
held on Sunday, August 30 after the 10:30am service. Audition forms
are available on the info counter in the foyer or from Dick Hamel.
Training for Contemporary
Bible Fellowship Groups Leaders:
Today: 4:30 PM - Room 109 (Aug 30)
Contemporary Worship Coming
Soon
Our in-house contemporary worship kickoff will be on Sunday,
September 27 at 9:15am in the main worship center.
Members will be assigned to small Bible fellowship groups and will
have a chance to meet their new teachers before the community-wide
launch.
Our community-wide launch will be Sunday, October 4 at 9:15am.
This will be an opportunity to welcome many new people who will be
in attendance.
|
| August 18, 2009
Dear Church Family: (From Pastor
Ron & Committee)
As you know, the vote taken on July 26 concerning the steering
committee's recommendation to begin our contemporary worship
schedule was approved by a vast majority (92 percent). This vote
also approved the millennial outreach budget (designated funds).
Included in that budget was the financing for the position of a
Temporary Part-Time Praise and Worship Leader for the contemporary
worship service. But as we stated in that recommendation to the
church, the committee would come back to the church in August with
the person to fill that position. We believe we have found that
person.
After much prayer and consideration, the Millennial Steering
Committee along with the Personnel Committee makes the following
recommendation:
We recommend Andrea Burks to fill the position of Temporary
Part-Time Praise and Worship Leader for the upcoming contemporary
worship service. This position (not the person) was approved by the
vote taken by the church on July 26, 2009. This position will be
financed by the millennial outreach budget (designated account) not
by the church budget. (See Contract and Conditions on reverse side.)
ANDREA BURKS
Bio/Experience
Life at FBC
From my first days as a rug rat in the nursery, I grew up attending
First Baptist Church of Pensacola, where I was active in Girls in
Action, Vacation Bible Schools, children's camps, children's choir,
middle school choir, high school choir, tons of youth events, Sunday
School, Disciple Now, mission trips, and the praise and worship
team. While in Bob Morrison's high school choir and ensemble group,
I had wonderful, blessed opportunities to go on summer choir tours
where we got to sing in a prison and do other mission projects.
These tours were packed full of singing in various churches, theme
parks, and elevators. I count it an honor and privilege to have
taught youth and young adult Sunday School, led worship at VBS and
youth events, and been a member of the praise and worship team.
Singing
For years I have been singing at sporting, church, and school events
and leading worship in various places. In college, I led worship for
the FSU Greek ministry on campus. One of my favorite ways to worship
God is through song. Music is such an amazing gift we have been
given to connect with and hear from our Heavenly Father. I love
using music to glorify and lift Him up.
What I Am Doing Now
I am currently working on my Master's degree at Troy University on
New Warrington Road for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am
pursuing licensure as a Mental Health Counselor. I work downtown at
a mental health clinic as a psychometrist, where I administer
testing for our neuropsychologist. I also work part time at Troy
University as the graduate intern.
The Most Important Part
All of the above is absolutely worthless without the reason for it
all, the cause of Jesus Christ. I have gone on and on about myself
and cringed the whole way down, but I kept going because I knew that
I would eventually get to this paragraph. Nothing I have done means
anything without Christ. My life belongs to Him. I am so imperfect
and so flawed. I have nothing apart from Jesus. He is my reason for
waking up each morning. He is the reason why I sing.
Contract and Conditions
The following is the proposed contract, recommended by our Finance
Committee in May 2009.
1. That the salary package be $7,500 per year for two years, broken
down to $625 per month, which breaks down to $145-$150 per week.
(This money is to come from the millennial outreach designated
account.)
2. That the position is temporary (two years and three months).
3. That a 30-day notice can be given at any time by the part-time
person and/or the church if this arrangement needs to be terminated
during that two year/three month period.
4. That her role as Praise Leader for the Contemporary Worship
places her under the supervision of our fulltime Minister of
Worship, Bro. Dick Hamel, and that she will report to Bro. Dick in
all matters under his supervision and direction.
Letters of Recommendation
Below are excerpts from three letters of recommendation for Andrea
Burks:
1. Letter from Barry Howard,
Pastor of First Baptist Church of Pensacola:
"I am writing to affirm Andrea Burks as a candidate to serve as
Worship Leader for the new worship service being launched at Myrtle
Grove Baptist Church. It has been my privilege to serve as Andrea's
pastor at First Baptist Church of Pensacola since July 2005. At FBCP,
Andrea has been involved in student ministries, music ministries,
and missions. During these past four years, as I have become better
acquainted with Andrea through church and community activities, I
have noted her seemingly boundless energy, her Christ-centered
passion, her servant heart, and her quest to discover God's
leadership for her future. With great appreciation for Andrea's
potential, I commend her as a candidate to serve as Worship Leader
for the new worship service at Myrtle Grove."
2. Letter from Tina Gallant
Helms, Worship Leader, First Baptist Church of Pensacola:
"I have known Andrea Burks for the past 7 years. Her love for God
and for people is evident in every part of her life. During the time
she served on the praise team at First Baptist Church she was very
well respected for her vocal abilities and willingness to help
others in any way. Her hilarious sense of humor and kind hearted
spirit wins the heart of everyone she meets. She is a sensitive yet
bold communicator of the gospel and her diligence, energy, and love
for life made working with her a joy. I highly recommend her as the
worship leader for your contemporary service. You can count on her
to follow the Lord in every situation and that is the attribute that
allows her and will continue to allow her to be successful in
anything she pursues. She is a blessing in my life and will be a
blessing to your church."
3. Letter from Al
Stubblefield, President, Baptist Health Care:
"Ms. Burks has shown a passion for ministry and for using her
unique, God-given gifts in music in ministry for many years. I think
you are familiar with the caliber of the music program at First
Baptist Church under Bob Morrison and Andrea has been involved in
that music program in every stage of her life. And she has not only
been involved, but has led and excelled in everything she has done.
Probably the greatest asset that she has is her transparency of her
passion for worship. Watching the way she totally immerses herself
in the worship experience is inspiring and truly leads me and others
into a deeper worship experience because of her presence. She would
endear herself to your flock and I believe you would be most
fortunate to have her as part of your ministry team at Myrtle Grove
Baptist Church."
|
