 Letter From Pastor Ogletree
Greetings First Met, 2009 has proved to be one of the most challenging years in the 24 years of our existence. We as a congregation, along with all churches across this country were hit hard by the recession. It seemed like the word for the year was "down." But through it all, we've learned to trust in Jesus, we've learned to trust our God. Our objective for the year was to have every member Get It! Keep It! Share It! We planned, prayed and preached to create a God-inspired atmosphere that would draw people to Christ, cause them to celebrate, be committed and be contagious. Under this theme we: •· God sustained us financially and protected our church. •· Saw 164 members unite with us. •· Baptized 37. •· Enhanced our worship through technology and music. •· Experienced a spirit-filled Women's Conference with the following speakers: Pastor Jasmine Sculark, Minister Shawn Lindsey, Pastor Gail Johnson, and Pastor Bridget Israel. •· Experience a powerful Men's Conference with the following speakers: Pastor Reginald DeVaughn, Pastor Gusta Booker, Pastor Walter August, Roland Martin, Kevin Powell, Michael Garnes •· Witnessed over 200 volunteers for Family Fest. •· Received an anointed word during our month of Word Encounter from: Bishop Joseph Garlington, Pastor Gina Stewart and Pastor Gene Johnson. •· Conceived new ministries and member involvement from The Power of One series. •· We opened a Food Pantry now serving over 50 families a week. •· Began a Tuesday Morning 6:00 a.m. Prayer line. •· Constructed Redemption Park with nearly 400 volunteers. •· We hosted Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin and the Covenant Fellowship Church Spring Conference •· We served and volunteered as part of the Local Coordinator for the BGCT Annual Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center. We were responsible for the registration, transportation, hospitality, and greeter teams. •· We hosted the African American Fellowship of Pastors of the BGCT for the Annual Worship Service •· Hangin with Heroes at Cook Middle School has received special recognition for the mentoring of young men Through it all, we've learned to trust in Jesus, we've learned to trust in our God. We are a strong church, a resilient church, a church full of faith. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We met the challenge of 2009, managed it, and made it through. First Met, we have it! Here we are on the verge of not just new challenges, but new victories. 2010 is before us. We look forward to what God will do through our congregation. With this in mind I place before you the theme for 2010: Transformed for the Kingdom Harvest. 37 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)
It is time for our church to transform into a Church known for reaching and caring for the lost, the hurting, and the unchurched. We need a transformation in our heads that moves to our hearts and hands. We must think differently about ourselves, our purpose and about people outside our congregation. We have to change individually, as families, as leaders, and as teams. What Jesus said is still true-the harvest is great. There are more people to be reached than every before. Therefore, if we change our concept of being a Christ-follower, we will touch people with the message and ministry of our Lord like never before. Change will bring a change in results. Think in the business vernacular: •· Our Product...............................The Good News •· Our Marketing Strategy...........Evangelism & Ministry •· Our Resource.............................The Word & The Holy Spirit · Our Labor Force.........................Every member of the church •· Our Profit....................................Changed lives · Our Bonus...................................A Blessed Life We must have laborers (adults, teens, little children) for the fields. The time is now to recognize our fields: family, work, school, neighborhoods, apartments... From our Leadership Retreat was born a Harvest 2010 Team. Collaborating with Lady O and myself we have formed the following strategy/goals for next year. You are necessary to reach the harvest God has for us. You are to embrace this vision. Pray for it, give to it, and participate in it. Pastor O
Letter From Lady Ogletree
 Who are we?
We are a community of faith with Baptist roots and a non-denominational fertilization. Anointed speakers and singers from all segments of the body of Christ will be brought in to minister to First Metropolitan. Our Facility: We built as a first phase building a Family Life Center rather than a Sanctuary to focus on families and service in the community. Our next phase of construction will be a sanctuary. The Assimilation Process: We believe that every member should discover where he/she fits in the local body of Christ. Everyone is encouraged to attend the 8-week study of Network during Fulfillment Hour on Sunday at 9:30-10:30 am. You will discover your spiritual gifts, personality profile and passion. This study helps one find a place in ministry and aids their understanding of how to appreciate and work with other people. After the eight weeks there is a consultation and an assignment to one or more ministries. We celebrate each class’ completion of the study during the 10:45 am worship. Friendly Atmosphere: From the moment a person enters the campus, we attempt to welcome them and make them comfortable. Our Parking Attendants help facilitate easy assess onto the grounds each Sunday Morning. Once inside Greeters give a hospitable reception to guest and members. Our Worship Attendants facilitate comfortable seating in the Worship Center. Our Worship Our worship is designed for attendees to be in the presence of God and freely express their love and adoration to the Heavenly Father. We encourage praise and worshipping the Father in spirit and truth through the lifting of hands, clapping, dancing, singing, shouting, praying and anointed preaching. We do not prohibit or promote tongues during worship. We believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and order. The arts and technology are widely used. Preaching is oriented toward teaching and altar call is given after each message so that people can respond to God’s Word. Women in Ministry We believe that the Heavenly Father chooses both men and women to proclaim the Gospel. The Holy Spirit functions through women as well as men. Even though we believe that men are the heads of their households; it does not negate or diminish a woman’s spiritual gifting.
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