As we near September, I would like to reflect for a moment upon the history of this fellowship while looking ahead to our future.

This year, we will host “Homecoming Revival”. Why would we host this series of meetings now?

In Mark, Chapter five, we see the authority of The Lord Jesus. Jesus demonstrated power over the circumstances of the demoniac. Jesus demonstrated power over the evil spirits. The demonstration of the power of Jesus Christ provoked a response from bystanders and the man himself. There are many things that can be said about this text, but I want to share a thought on just one verse.

After the man was free of the demons in chapter five, verse nineteen, he makes a genuine request. He who had been possessed begged Jesus to allow him to travel with him. There is certainly nothing wrong with this request, except it was not the will of the Master.

The bystanders were afraid, and they asked Jesus to leave the area. They rejected what they saw and wanted no part of it. Jesus knew the only way to reach them was for one of their own to be with them, and the one he chose for this task was the demoniac.

“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19

Sometimes, we have a hard time understanding the ways of God. In the time I have been at Lavonia, I can say I have struggled to understand His ways on many occasions.  To the man in the scripture, it seemed the natural thing was to travel on with Jesus to the next stop. After all, the people had rejected and pushed this man out of society just like they were doing to Jesus. That, however, was not the instructions from the Master. He instructed the man to stay and to be the light where he was. There are many potential reasons for the man being encouraged to stay home and share about his experience, but the message the man had to tell might be the greatest.

The message the man was to share was the gospel, which is the same gospel we should all be able to preach. The man was set free, and his witness demonstrates the value of one life to Jesus. As far as we know, this one man was the only reason Jesus came to this side of the sea.

Jesus commands the man to go and to proclaim his gospel witness in Decapolis. Decapolis was ten Greek cities on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, including Damascus. The instruction was to go, but that is the instruction to each believer: Go be a witness and share the gospel.

This Homecoming Revival is a special time where men who have, at various times in the history of Lavonia Baptist Church, grown up, been born again, served, and pastored. In the years that have followed, they have obeyed the call of the Lord Jesus to Go! As a result, this will be an opportunity to reconnect, to hear firsthand what God is doing, and to one more time, give praise to our great God for his abundant grace!

This will be a time of celebration, fellowship, worship, and going… we will begin 126 years looking ahead. While many portions of the plan might be unseen currently, we walk by faith that our Savior, our God, our Sustainer, our LORD will GO before us as we GO far beyond anything we could ever imagine.

I pray you will make plans to join us for this celebration! Come GO with us!

Pastor Tripp Biggerstaff

Pressing Onward to the Prize

To our Lavonia Baptist Church Family,

In the fast pace of life, it can be easy to lose sight of our spiritual journey. The Apostle Paul, however, gives us a powerful reminder in Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul’s words inspire us to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with Christ and the eternal hope that lies ahead. Like a runner in a race, we are called to persevere, leaving behind distractions and embracing the forward motion of faith.

Growth is never a static process. Just as a seed must break through the soil to reach the sunlight, we too must face challenges and setbacks as we mature in our walk with God. These moments are not defeats—they are opportunities for refining, learning, and trusting in His plan. When we press on, even when it feels difficult, we are declaring that our faith is firmly rooted in God’s promises. The prize isn’t just what awaits us in eternity—it’s also found in the transformation of our hearts and the deepening of our connection with the Lord.

As a church family, let us encourage one another to keep moving forward. Whether you’re taking your first steps of faith or running steadfastly in the marathon of life, remember that you are not alone. God is with you, cheering you on, and we are here to walk beside you. Let us press on together, keeping our eyes fixed on the prize and allowing God to lead us into a future filled with His purpose and grace.

Because of Christ,

Pastor Tripp

Dear Church Family,

As we approach the close of another year, our hearts are full of gratitude—for God’s faithfulness, for the beauty of this season, and for the joy of walking together as a church family. December offers us a sacred opportunity to reflect, rejoice, and realign our hearts with the glory of the gospel.  This month, we’ll journey through a special sermon series titled “The Glory of the Gospel”—seven messages that will lift our eyes to see the majesty of God revealed in the good news of Jesus Christ. From the cradle to the cross, from grace to glory, we’ll behold the wonder of redemption and the radiance of our Savior.

We also look ahead to 2026 with great expectation, trusting that the same God who has led us thus far will continue to guide, provide, and move mightily in and through our fellowship.

Here’s what’s happening this December at LBC:

• Sundays:

      9:00 AM – Worship

     10:00 AM – Sunday School

     11:00 AM – Worship

• Wednesdays:

      11:00 AM – Prayer Meeting

• December 6 – Church-Wide Christmas Celebration Join us for a joyful evening featuring a concert by the Foothills Choir and a delicious meal provided by the church. It’s a time of music, fellowship, and festive joy for the whole family.

• December 7 at 5:00 PM – Remembrance Service A tender time of reflection, encouragement, and remembrance as we honor loved ones and find comfort in the presence of Christ.

• December 24 at 11am  - Christmas Eve Service,  This will be a time of celebration of the birth of our Lord.  We will also receive the blessing of the Lord’s Table during this service.

• December 31 at 11am - New Years Eve, Wednesday Warm up, in the fellowship hall.  Lunch provided.  Come join us. 

If you haven’t been with us in a while, now is the perfect time to come home—to celebrate the season, reconnect with your church family, and witness all that God is doing at LBC. There’s a place for you here, and we’d love to welcome you back.

On a personal note, our family is deeply thankful for the privilege of serving alongside you for the past seven years. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in reaching the lost in our community and beyond. To God be the glory—great things He has done, and greater things are yet to come.

With love and joyful anticipation,
Pastor Tripp
Lavonia Baptist Church, Mooresboro, NC