All posts by Jeff Allen

Youth Spring Break Retreat

Events, Family Ministry, Parents, Youth, ,

April 11-14
Fort Caswell
Oak Island, NC

Our youth group is going to the beach for 3 days during spring break for a great retreat of fun, food, and merriment (how many times have you seen THAT word used in a sentence)! We will be staying at Caswell for three nights.

What will we be doing?
We will be doing it all—going to Myrtle Beach, doing missions work, shopping, eating out, hanging out on the beach, doing some Bible studies, playing games, and having some free time.

What is Caswell?
This is one of our favorite places to go and be together as a youth group.  It has been a little while since we went but it is right up there with Garden City!  This camp is located 30 minutes south of Wilmington across the intercoastal waterway from Southport, NC.  1000s of teenagers go to camp there ever summer.  It is right on the water and a great place to spend a few days.  The bottom line – we will be at the beach for Spring Break!!

Register today!
The cost is $185 ($160 for additional youth from the same family). Friends are welcome to join us! Sign-ups are going on now. Your deposit of $50, which is non-refundable, must be turned in by this date. You can even use our online registration feature and pay by credit card.  Go here to register online. The balance will be due on April 6. Get your deposit in now so you will not miss this great event! Make sure you are not the only one staying in Winston for Spring Break! Sign-up today!

Important Downloads
Here are two documents for our trip:

Help us serve our community this fall

Children, College, Family Ministry, Missions, Parents, Youth

Two Great Fall Service Project Opportunities

There are two great opportunities we have to serve our local community and the world.  Check out these fun service projects coming up this fall!

Fall Family Festival
October 31, 4-6 PM

The Fall Family Festival is one of the important days around here.  Our Family Ministry Team is excited to invite the entire church to help us make this year’s community outreach so much fun. We are making some adjustments this year to make sure the event is safe and fun for everyone.  There are three ways you can help us! We want to provide our community a safe place and we appreciate  your help!

First, we need your trunks! Our “Trunk or Treat” will be hosted in our parking lot and we need decorated car trunks for kids to visit.  The trunks can be decorated with any child-centric theme like video games, cartoon characters, biblical themes, etc.  The children will visit these cars to receive candy.  Games are not needed this year.  Just fun decorations and candy!  We need individuals, couples, families, Sunday School classes, mission groups, etc. to sign up for a trunk. If you can help provide a trunk, call Jeff or email him.

Next, we need candy!  If you are unable to provide a trunk, we certainly could use bags of candy!  A collection box is available now in the hallway outside of Smith Hall.

Third, we need help on the day of the event.  Greeters, parking lot attendants, etc.  There are several jobs to make the event happen. These are simple volunteer tasks that help our guests feel welcome. If you are available to volunteer at the FFF, call Jeff or email him.

Operation Christmas Child Collection
through November 3

Our church is working together on this year’s Operation Christmas Child, a ministry effort to share the joy of Christmas with children around the world. The entire church will be making gift boxes on Wednesday, November 3. We need donated items to go in the shoeboxes. These donations will be collected during the month of October. Donation boxes are in the hallway outside Smith Hall.  Check out this list of suggested items needed for donation.

Pastor Pals Trip to Emerald Hollow Mine, June 14

Children, Family Ministry, Parents

On June 14th, join our Pastor, Ramon Smith, as he takes our children on our first ever outdoor adventure with the Pastor! Join us as we go and explore Gods beautiful creation of the outdoors at Emerald Hollow Mine, located in Hiddenite, NC.

On this trip, kids can enjoy a fun time learning about the outdoors, observing beautiful rock and mine structures, play in a beautiful creek, and mine for gemstones all with Pastor Ramon!

There is no cost for this trip and kids of all ages are welcome to come and join us!  Preschoolers should bring their parents.  Adults of all ages are welcome as well.  Everyone should bring a picnic lunch, comfortable clothes, walking shoes, and water shoes if you want to play in the creek.

If you would like to register, click here, or contact Ramon Smith!

We can’t wait for you to join us!

Parents Night Out, June 25

Children, Family Ministry, Parents

Parents are one of the greatest gifts from God! They help to grow our children and work every day to ensure their children are loved and cared for. We know just how much parents do for our children. We want to give parents an opportunity to enjoy an evening of free time. At the same time  kids will enjoy an evening of fun here at the Park. 

On June 25th, from 6pm until 9pm, all children, infants through 6th grade, can come enjoy an evening full of fun activities here at College Park. Parents can go enjoy an evening of free time, possibly getting dinner, running errands, getting coffee or just relaxing at home. 

Parents night out is free for all children. Dinner will be provided! We encourage all children to be part of Parents Night Out. As always, we encourage friends to join in. 

If you are interested, please RSVP through Realm or by emailing us at children@collegepark.ws 

We’re excited for Parents Night Out! We can’t wait to see you there!   

Treetop Adventures, June 22

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

Everyone is invited to a new event at Asheville Treetops Adventures Park in Asheville, NC. This is an aerial challenge course in the trees that has over 77 unique climbing, rolling, walking, jumping, swinging, and rappelling challenges anchored to over 30 trees and towering poles tucked into a wooded park for ages 4 and over. These challenge elements are divided into 7 different aerial adventure trails ranging from beginner to challenging levels.  There are several elements that are representative of the activities you can do in North Carolina including a sky kayak, a parkway tunnel, a snowboard in the sky, swinging hula hoops, bumper boats and a zip hang glider, all in the trees that make this a “Truly Asheville Adventure.”

We head to Asheville on June 22.  The bus leaves at 8:30 AM.  People of every age, from 4 to 104, are invited to spend the day with us in the treetops.  Please note that children ages 4-6 must have a parent that climbs with them.  Friends are always welcome.  Cost is $30 per person.  If you would like to participate in this fun day, you can RSVP through Realm or by calling or emailing Matt.

We are so excited for Treetops Adventure and we can’t wait to see you up in the trees!

Parents Lunch Out, June 15

Children, Family Ministry, Parents

Summer is gearing up and we are excited about all that is about to happen! However, we know that with all the summer excitement comes extremely busy schedules and exhausted parents. We want to give parents an opportunity to enjoy a couple of hours away while kids enjoy some fun at the Park!  On June 15th, from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, kids can come to church while parents can enjoy some free time, get lunch, grab coffee, or maybe even take a nap.

There is no cost involved in this fun day. We encourage all kids to come and even bring a friend! If you and your child would like to participate in this fun day, you can RSVP through Realm or by emailing us at children@collegepark.ws.

We are so excited for Parents Lunch Out and we can’t wait to see everyone!

Family Missions Day, June 26

Children, College, Family Ministry, Missions, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

One of the things we love to do together is serve.  When we are the hands of feet of Jesus, there is a connection which is made between our community and our Creator.  So we have scheduled a simple service project for kids, teens, and adults of every age to complete together.  We call it our “Family Missions Day”!

We are partnering with the Shepherd Center to help complete these projects. There is no cost and we have different jobs available for everyone, regardless of skill or experience.  We will be doing things like yard work, simple repairs around the house, and similar jobs that we can complete in a short time.

We need you to sign up and tell us what jobs you are willing to do.  The deadline is June 9.  Sign up on Realm or send us an email.  When we have a good number of participants, we will send out specific project details including location, tools needed, etc.

So get your family, your neighbor, and your friends to join us for this event. It is going to be great to serve with you!

Children’s Camp at Caraway, June 28-30

Children, Family Ministry

Hey everyone! It’s summertime and that means it’s time for Children’s Camp! This summer, from June 28-30, we are headed to Camp Caraway for the first time! Camp Caraway is located in the beautiful hills near Asheboro, NC. Join us for this new adventure, packed full of fun camp actives, children focused worship, many opportunities to grow closer to God and much more!

This is a great, safe and fun place to have Children’s Camp this year! COVID-19 protocols have been put in place at Camp Caraway and will be maintained to help keep all of our children safe and well while at camp! We are super excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to see you at Children’s Camp soon! It is going to be so much fun!

Check out the details below including how to get signed up.  The deadline is June 13.  Friends are always welcome!

Trip information:

  • Who Can Go?  Children who have completed 1st through 6th grade. Jeff, Bryson, and several parents will chaperone the trip. We will even have a couple of older teenagers with us.
  • What is it? A 2-night camp experience for elementary children.
  • When is it? June 28-30.
  • Where is it? Camp Caraway near Asheboro, NC.

Important Details:

  • Cost: $100 for each participant ($75 for additional children from same family).
  • Includes: Bunk bed/cabin style lodging, buffet-style meals, children-focused worship, fun recreation, and opportunity to grow closer with people in our group and with God.

How to sign up?

  • Deadline: All money and forms are due June 13; ($50 is non-refundable); sign up online.
  • Scholarships: Financial assistance is available to help if needed. Please let Jeff know.

Important Forms and Links

City-wide Scavenger Hunt

Uncategorized

We are excited to release our new event, the…

This is a simple and fun event on Saturday, April 3.  It is for families, friends, and small groups of people to do together.  This is not a race or a competition.  There is no start time ro finish.  We simply want to provide a fun event for people to do together.

If you find all the sites, you have a chance to win a gift card from some of the sites you visit.

We have picked 10 sites around the city for you to find using clues of every kind.  Once you figure out where you are going, travel there and take a group picture.  Then you can take your time enjoying the site or head on to the next one.  We promise you will go somewhere you have never been.

First step – get your family or group together.  Next, download the instructions and clues.  The clues are easy enough for every age.  If you have kids, download an additional packet of things for them to do.

We have made pre-printed packets for kids and adults along with some snacks.  You can pick those up at church before Saturday, we can bring them to you, or you can just use the downloads above.  Whatever you want to do, we have made it easy.

Please let us know if you have any questions.  Be safe and enjoy your City-wide Scavenger Hunt!

Creation Kids Campout begins!

Children, Family Ministry, Parents

Our children are going camping!  That’s right, we have a very special event just for kids and families.  It is a new YouTube series called “Creation Kids Campout” and new episodes come out every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM.

Because we are limited in what we can do in-person at church this summer, we thought how fun it would be to bring camp to you! So we have created a 30 minute, weekly video starring several youth and college students you will know. We will combine music, games, skits, and important Bible stories into a fun camp-like experience you can do in your home. So grab your sleeping bag, your flashlight, and let’s go camping. This is perfect for age – children, parents, grandparents. You just have to be a kid at heart!

Each weekly episode will premiere on our Youtube channel every Tuesday night at 7 PM. You will be able to interact with us as we watch the video live together or watch it anytime it is convenient for your family. If you can’t watch it on Tuesday, check it out anytime during the week.  There will be giveaways on Tuesday night and during the week.  Invite your friends to join the fun.  Here is the link to share with them… go.atthepark.ws/campout

Downloads:
Week 1 – Fishing for Men Coloring Sheet

Help celebrate our gentlemen this Sunday

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

Fathers Day Promo from College Park Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Everyone is invited to help us get ready for Father’s Day this coming Sunday, June 21! We want to remember and honor all the incredible men who have made a difference in our lives. Here is how we can work together and make it a special day!

We would like to get pictures for every man in your life – dad, granddad, uncle, teacher, prayer partner, friend, etc. Send us your best picture for each special person and we will compile the best ones into a video for this coming Sunday’s worship service. Maybe it’s a picture of you and them on vacation or playing or laughing together. Maybe it’s a picture you love to see when you go home for Christmas. Just let it be a picture that shares the love you have for them.

Send the picture by email by Thursday, June 18 at Noon. If the picture is not on your phone or some other digital format, that is no problem. Just reach out to Jeff by phone or email and we are happy to help you out.

Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks for helping us out!

Mother’s Day Celebration 2020

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

Mother’s Day Celebration from College Park Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Thank you to every special lady who has helped nurture and raise us in the love of Christ. We thank God for you.

Philippians 1:3-4
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Credits:
– Readings are all from NIrV
– Special thanks to Reece, Lilly, Jake, Ashley, Dylan, Kylie, Ben, and Bodie! Thanks for reading scripture for us. You were great!
– “Beautiful Memories” written by BaumannMusic

Help celebrate our ladies this Sunday

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

Mothers Day Celebration Promo from College Park Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Everyone is invited to help us get ready for Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, May 10! We want to remember and honor all the incredible ladies who have made a difference in our lives.  Here is how we can work together and make it a special day!

We would like to get pictures for every lady in your life – mom, grandma, aunt, teacher, prayer partner, friend, etc.  Send us your best picture for each special person and we will compile the best ones into a video for this coming Sunday’s worship service.  Maybe it’s a picture of you and them on vacation or cooking or laughing together.  Maybe it’s a picture you love to see when you go home for Christmas.  Just let it be a picture that shares the love you have for them.

Send the picture by email by Thursday, May 7 at Noon. If the picture is not on your phone or some other digital format, that is no problem.  Just reach out to Jeff by phone or email and we are happy to help you out.

Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks for helping us out!

A New Family Easter Experience is coming

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

You don’t have to skip an Easter experience with your family this year! Easter Jam is a digital experience including engaging games, uplifting music, creative storytelling, and follow up discussion questions every family member will enjoy. Download it FREE today!  Everything you need is below! #EasterJam2020

Important Links:

Help us tell the story of Easter

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

Easter Promo from College Park Baptist Church on Vimeo.

This is the main event – Holy Week!

It is the time we remember and celebrate all the critical moments which define us as followers of Christ.  We will not be able to join together face-to-face in worship this week, but we still have a chance to tell the story.

So here is our challenge this week – how will you tell the story that Jesus is alive after taking on our sin and death?  It is the greatest news ever and we are called to share it with everyone.  This is something for every age and generation – child, student, adult.

  • Can you decorate your home? Your front door, your porch, your sidewalk?
  • Can you write something – a poem, a song, a note to a neighbor?
  • Can you call someone – a family member, a friend, someone living on their own?
  • Can you create something beautiful – with chalk, pencil, a keyboard, or a device?
  • Can you reach out to someone working through this pandemic at the risk of their own health?
How will you tell the story of God’s love and who will you tell?

We would like to see you making a difference.  Spend time in prayer, asking God how He can use your gifts and interest to share the truth of God’s love.  Then take a picture or a video of you doing whatever you are doing to tell the story of Easter.  If you write something and can share it, send that as well.  We will use what you send to make a video for our Easter service.  This is a perfect project for people of every age – moms, dads, preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, college students, big brothers, big sisters, prayer partners, grandmas, grandpas, anybody!

The Palm Sunday video was so powerful and it was well represented across the generations.  We would love to see even more participation this time.

Once you are done, send it to me by email – by Thursday, April 9 at Noon. Thanks for helping us out! Let us know if you have any questions!

Our Palm Sunday Celebration Video

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

Palm Sunday Celebration Video from College Park Baptist Church on Vimeo.

We loved seeing all of our church family celebrate Palm Sunday together. Thanks to everyone who made this possible by sending in your pictures and videos!

“Hosanna” words & music by Brooke Ligertwood
© 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia
CCLI License No. 4785835

Stock Video of Palm Branches Waving
ID 77983758 © MValery | Dreamstime.com

 

Help us get ready for Palm Sunday!

Children, College, Family Ministry, Parents, Senior Adults, Youth

College Park – Palm Sunday Promo from College Park Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Everyone is invited to help us get ready for Palm Sunday! When Jesus came into Jerusalem, the people yelled “hosanna” and waved palm branches as a celebration because they were excited to see Jesus.

We want you to do the same thing.

Find some kind of beautiful branch, flower, or even a coloring sheet – thanks SundaySchoolKids.com!

Then take a picture or a video of you or your family waving it in the air, saying “Hosanna” just like in the Bible story. We will take the pictures and videos and out it into our Palm Sunday service on April 5. This is a perfect project for people of every age – moms, dads, preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, college students, big brothers, big sisters, grandmas, grandpas, anybody!

Send it to Jeff by email – by Thursday, April 2 at Noon. Thanks for helping us out! Let us know if you have any questions!

Everyone is invited to join our worship online this Sunday!

Re-Creation, Traditional, Worship recordings

We look forward to sharing in a time of worship this coming Sunday morning at 9 AM! Come hear our pastor share an important message from Ephesians 5, “Walkin’ on Sonshine.”  We will enjoy both powerful hymns and modern worship songs.  There will also be a special time for children.  It will be great to worship together as the body of Christ.

Tell your friends and you may even consider hosting a Facebook Watch Party. Follow this link to our Facebook video page.  If you miss the service at 9 AM, you can watch it Sunday afternoon on our Vimeo page.  We will see you Sunday morning!

Photo by Tincho Franco on Unsplash

Our Church Response to Coronavirus

Announcements

Dear College Park Family,

As many of us talked about Wednesday night when we were together, these days are a little strange! With any new viral infection there is anxiety and uncertainty, but it also presents an opportunity for us, as believers, to demonstrate the peace that we have in Jesus!

With all of the closures taking place, the question has been asked many times as to whether we will have services this Sunday.

At this time, we are still planning to worship together this Sunday at the usual times; but, out of sensitivity to the current medical environment, we will not be taking communion this Sunday as was planned. We WILL share in warm communion with each other as we worship together!

Certainly, we will ask you to take precautions which are appropriate for any cold and flu season, such as washing your hands when you come into the building, and before you leave. I have been assured that we have plenty of soap and warm water and can handle the demand. We also ask that you temporarily ignore the Apostle Paul’s admonition to greet each other with a holy kiss, and opt instead for a warm smile and word of greeting and encouragement. And certainly, if you feel sick and/or feverish, please stay at home to prevent spreading of cold, flu, or whatever else your immune system may be battling. If you choose to stay at home rather than be in a group of people, we want you to know that you will be missed, but we certainly understand. If you need anything during this time, please feel free to contact your Deacon or the church office.

If you are unable to attend, know that our services will be made available online as soon as possible after the conclusion of the services. The link to the services (which are available on Vimeo) will be posted on the church website, www.collegepark.ws, Facebook, and we will also send an email with those links.

Any changes to the church schedule, and cancellation of services will be communicated through the church website, WXII television, WGHP television, WFMY television, and the church office telephone main greeting (336-768-5870).

Blessings and Peace,
Ramon Smith
Senior Pastor