I was not even 1 year old when my family joined the church. We were still at the small church in Fairview. I am now 8 years old. I am in the 3rd grade, and I have a great time at Cottonwood Creek. Now we are in this big, huge sanctuary that is brand new, and there are lots of new members at our church. I think that it is really cool to see all the new people coming to our church. It was great to see all those people fill up the chairs in our new sanctuary.

I have made lots of friends over these past years. The thing that has made the most difference in my life is that I asked Jesus into my heart that one night in my room, and I got baptized on a Sunday morning when the Kidz Praise was singing. As soon as I asked Jesus into my heart, I knew He was there and that He had forgiven me of my sins.

The thing I love most about the Children's Ministry is seeing children walking in the path of God and learning more about God. The Children's Ministry has made a difference in my life because I have learned more about God, and I know He is in my heart.

The most fun things about the Children's Ministry is that I get to see my friends every Sunday, I get to play games, and I like setting a good example for the 2nd graders. My teachers are good because they show me that I should obey God and that I should be paying attention. In large group, they do really funny things and sometimes I get called up on stage to do things, too. I really like that.

I have gotten to sing solos in Kidz Praise and be part of the children's choir productions. Vacation Bible School was really fun because we got to learn about all these people from the past and how they lived their lives. We played games and did crafts, our youth group led worship and performed dramas, and we had a really fun time.

This year at Camp Flip, I had a really great time because I got to learn more about God. That was my first time to go and my whole family went. I had lots of fun during free time, and I got to go to the blob and the ropes course. The Holy Ground was great, too, because we got to sing and glorify God and learn more about Him. It was such a cool place because the sun would shine through a stained glass cross. There were all these opportunities where we got to learn about God as a group and in our own quiet time.

At AWANA, we have a lot of fun, too. We memorize verses from the Bible, and we have game time and special AWANA events, like store night and crazy hair night. I like being a part of the Kidz Zone because I get to learn more about God, see my friends and have fun.

When I tell people about our church, I tell them that all the kids in the Children's Ministry are having a very good time, learning about God, accepting Him into their hearts and are walking the path of truth. Cottonwood Creek is a very big, growing church and I love seeing more people coming to our church. I just met someone who joined our church. In my class I saw a lot of new kids making lots of new friends. The next Sunday they were back.

I think it is really cool to see new people coming to our church and knowing that we have a very good time and all the children are having fun in their classes. We are learning about God, and I see a lot of them accepting Christ into their hearts. That is really cool!

The Cottonwood Creek Youth Ministry is a fun and an encouraging place. With a youth staff centered around leading students to Christ, the Creek Student Ministry has flourished over the past few years.

My own walk with Christ has been strengthened this past year because of the support and closeness of the students and staff. This past summer at High School Beach Retreat, our youth minister, Robby Dobbs, asked anyone that was willing to come down to "take the torch of leadership." This involves the graduating seniors passing along their leadership responsibilities to those who want to step up to the challenge. During the week at Beach Retreat, I could feel God working on my heart, encouraging me to come back to Him, and get more involved in the youth group. I chose then and there to accept the role of leadership and to follow God's plan for my life. Since that day, the Creek Student Staff has been there to back me 100%.

Each Sunday morning a group of adult leaders guide us through the discussion questions and help us to better understand the scriptures. On Wednesday nights we attend different home groups to study the Word of God and participate in weekly studies.

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to travel to New York for the youth summer mission trip. The mission work on that trip was very trying and challenging, but in the end proved to be rewarding. We worked hard and built relationships with the members of Calvary Baptist Church in New York that will last a life time. The students and staff really pulled together to accomplish a common goal, defining the essence of the Creek Student Ministry.

God has done some awesome things in my life since coming to Cottonwood Creek. I began coming about 3 years ago. I quickly joined the Singles Group ABF on Sunday mornings, and began to get more involved in the group itself. I have grown very close to some of the people in the group & my walk with God has grown tremendously.

God has shown me that there is more to life than just searching for my soul mate. He showed me that I should become a servant of His and spread His love around this continent & also our country.

Since coming to Cottonwood Creek, I have become more involved with not only the Singles group, but also the Junior High ministry. I felt God calling me to do more in the church, but didn't quite know where. I was asked if I would help lead at a HotSpots home. I was very hesitant on accepting, but finally did. The kids are amazing, and to see their love for Christ just blows me away. God continues to prove to me just how amazing He is day after day.

Our singles group has gone through many changes over the past few years. The one thing that has remained constant throughout all of the changes is that God is faithful. I know that if I fully rely on Him for everything, He is going to take care of me.

I am so excited to see the things that God is doing in my life. I'm ready for whatever He is going to do with me and through me. Whatever mission trip He will have me go on, or whatever ministry He will place me in next, I know that as long as I am drawing closer to Him... HE will continue to bless me in all that I do.

We started going to the Adult Bible Fellowship the second week they met and have watched attendance grow from less than 10 to approximately 30 a week. We were looking for a group of fellow believers to grow and fellowship with as we started our married life. We are so thankful for God leading us to this great class of Christians full of encouragement and compassion. We have the opportunity to lift one another up in prayer, serve with and for each other, and grow together in Bible Studies.

During the summer of 2006, my wife and I found 2 new homes. The most important of the 2 however, wasn't something a realtor could help us find. Our Church Home at Cottonwood Creek would not be complete without the Evans/Wedemeyer ABF class. Young married couples come together every Sunday morning to share, learn and grow in Christ. Not only has God opened a door for us to strengthen the foundation of our marriage - He has also blessed us with new friends who love Christ as we do.

Article Written by Gail Williams
Spending time with Pat Harrison, our Joyous member in the spotlight this month will encourage, teach and entertain all who take time to get to know her better. Pat's history with our congregation began in October 1997. She and her daughter-in-law were looking for a church where they could attend and worship in a spirit filled church. One Saturday afternoon Pat decided to drive by Fairview Baptist and check it out. The first and only person she found there was Mike Hudgens, who was cleaning out a building on the Fairview campus when she stopped to ask some questions about the church and the pastor. His response was warm, friendly and filled with praise for the pastor and the congregation. That friendly encounter motivated Pat to visit the next day. Mike was standing at the door waiting for her when she and her daughter-in-law walked up. That was the last time she went looking for a church home. She had found it.

When she heard Pastor John Mark's preaching (without notes) and 'experienced' his personality, she describes her response as "being brought to a place of peace that has remained to this day!" She began to go home from services and search her Bible for the things John Mark had preached on. (She was being like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, "who received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.")

She quickly learned that she had not been listening and applying God's Word, but suddenly realized God had great power available to live life as He desired her to. And she learned that in fellowship with so many devoted members who cared for each other, the attachment grew and grew. Bible Study was priceless!

Not only was she brought to study more, but humbled to place herself before God and say, "Lord, Here I am; use me." Pat, who had worked for Texas Instruments for 35 years and was now retired, said, "I can't do anything else at the church, but I can rock babies!"

And "rock babies" she did until a medical condition brought an end to that ministry in 2004. She worked in Vacation Bible School, serving in the kitchen, being actively involved in an ABF and being an "Ambassador" for Christ and His Church. Being asked to accept responsibility for telephoning JOYUS (Just Older Youth Up to Something) members helped her develop many valued relationships; in turn, several of those friends, helped her out with doctor visits when a time came that she had a need.

Pat's message to others: "Tell people about our wonderful pastor, great staff and people, how God has ministered to us, invite them to come; then step up to the plate and find someway to get involved! Everybody has something they can do."