Friday, March 05, 2010
We are so excited about a new format for our children here at Parkridge. Starting April 11th children will see and experience a lot of new cool changes in the children’s area. More information will be flowing through the bulletin and the website, but let me give you the 50,000 foot overview of this new themed based program. Sunday morning at 9:30 am we’ll provide a supervised area in the auditorium called Ridge Kids City Worship Center. This area will be open for grades...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Well I did it! Last month I caved in to the many requests for me to get a facebook page. If you know me well you know that when it comes to the"information highway" I haven't even made it to the "on-ramp" yet. So,creating a facebook page was a big deal for me. Many of my friends are on facebook already, but I still resisted. People would tell me how great it is to be able connect to friends you haven't spoken to for 20 years. I would quip back, "if I haven't...
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
"...the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Hebrews 3:3b,4.
Not to long ago my family and I visited the Biltmore Estate in AshevilleNorth Carolina. For those of you who have been there you know how aweinspiring this house is. George Washington Vanderbilt II finished construction around 1895 and to this day the estate is the largest privately owned home in the United States...
Thursday, January 07, 2010
New year's eve my family have a tradition. At the stroke of midnight we
go out onto our front lawn and bang pots and pans shouting "HAPPY NEW YEAR" at the top of our lungs (who needs fireworks). This tradition
started about 15 years ago when a dear friend of the family named
Isabelle Lado told us that this was a tradition in her family that she
brought over from Cuba. Isabelle was our neighbor across the street.
She and her husband fled Castro's regine in the early '60s....
Friday, December 04, 2009
The children’s ministry has been preparing for the
Christmas concert “God is with us” coming up on December 13th.
It’s going to be a “rockin” concert. Our children’s
choir will be featured in 5 songs this year and we are so excited to take part
in all the fun. The children have been practicing very hard the last few
weeks on Wednesday nights and I’m very proud of everyone’s
effort. We’ll be joined by about 40 children from our Christian
Academy (Elementary)...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I’m thankful for my wife, my family, my ministry and for Jesus who died for me. Sounds like something you would expect anyone to say this time of year. But, seriously this year I celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary and I’m thankful to God for the 31 years I’ve know Stacey – I am blessed to have such a loving wife. As for my family; my second son Adam is doing well in the 101st Airborne division (Air Assault); Tyler my third son just joined the Army reserves and plans to attend college...
Monday, November 09, 2009
Trunk or Treat Update:
I would like to thank everyone who made Trunk or Treat such a success
again this year. We collected 1,500 lbs. of candy and had 47 decorated
cars and trucks. This Sunday (Nov. 8) we will announce the winners of
the "Candy Bar" award as well as the winners of the decorated cars in
the various categories.
Trunk or Treat has become one of the biggest
community events we do here at Parkridge, second only to Easter...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Many years ago Parkridge had a slogan, “The bottom line is changed lives.” After a few years of putting that on our newsletters, website and bulletins it dawned on the pastoral team that perhaps that slogan didn’t quite convey what is expected from us as disciples of Christ. It’s one thing to be changed, it’s another thing to grow in our walk with Him.
So, we changed our slogan to “Changed lives, serving together.” Did you notice the change? It happened a...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Recently the Sun Sentinel interviewed me for their "Faith and Values"section. It was an honor for me to appear in the newspaper, but nothing compared to the honor it is for me to serve the Lord here at Parkridge.
Click here to read the article.
Hope you enjoy it.
Brad
Monday, September 28, 2009
“Light up the Night” is the theme of this year’s Trunk orTreat. This year is the 11 th year we have offered this“alternative” to Halloween. “Trunk or Treat” is a fun way for all of ourmembers to do missions without leaving Broward County. For those who havebeen around our church for awhile, you know what “Trunk or Treat” is all about. For new members the way “Trunk or Treat” works is simple. Welike to say “The Cars are the Stars.” We ask that you might be willing tobring your...
Friday, September 18, 2009
I love studying the Bible, currently my family is working through the book of John in our morning devotional/prayer time. I am also re-reading through the book of Joshua as pastor Eddie preaches through the book over the next few weeks. In addition to my personal Bible studies I’m constantly in the Book while I finish my Masters degree and prepare to teach the children in the Power Plant each week.
The other day I had a chance to study a survey of the book of...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Parkridge Christian Academy just began our new year. This year we introduced 5th grade, so now we offer one year old through 5th grade. I want to thank Jennifer Wood and Rebecca Rosa for their hard work. This is the ninth year for our preschool and our third year for our elementary school. Keep us in prayer as we begin to look at offering middle school for next fall. If you’re interested in 6th grade (or higher) please drop me a line, I would love to tell you more.
...
Thursday, September 03, 2009
The other day I received this memo that was handed out through his employment. I would like to thank him for passing it along to me. Here at Parkridge we have children attending Monday through Friday in our Christian Academy, as well as, Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings through our church ministry. Below is an excerpt from the memo – the advice was so good (and simple) that I thought I would “blog it.”
“With the new school year underway, we want to remind you about the...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Summer has come and gone for most of us. The Boyette family is preparing for school to start next Monday, for some of you school has already started. I hope and pray that your summer was productive and you and your family enjoyed some time together. Our family spent some time doing a family mission trip (with the church) at Lake Yale by doing a summer camp for the Florida Baptist Children’s home. Then Vacation Bible School is always a fun experience for our family – we...
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,
We just finished our last worship service and I had to report the awesome things God is doing here at camp. We started out at 6:30 and we are just now finishing up (yeah four hours!). First part of the night was recognizing campers and handing out various awards. Then the camp Director came and gave a message on sharing the Gospel. Every child receive a "Flipper Flapper" to help them know how they can share their faith with others.
Please...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,
This morning we heard from Mr. Rich again; his messag was about "Haman's Pride." (Esther 5:9 - 6:1-14). Haman had too much pride and was upset because Mordecai would not bow down to him and that the king wanted to honor Mordecai instead of Haman. Haman complains to his wife and is extremely mournful.
Mr. Rich went over some key versus:
1. Ps 147:6. The Lord lifts up the humble.
2. Ps. 10:17. God listens to the humble.
3. James 4:6. God...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,
It's the last day here at camp and we've had a great week. Thanks for sending emails to the campers - I can tell they get a big kick out of hearing from you. There are now over 500 pictures on Word of Life site. When you camper gets home take some time and sit down and look at them together. I'm sure you campers will have many funny stories about the pictures (even if they're not in them). Again, to find the pictures go to http://www.wolforida.phanfare.com (Jr....
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,
Please remember to log onto http://www.wol.org/camps/flyc/ or direct at http://www.wolflorida.phanfare.com . Look for your camper under week 7 Junior camp. If you don't see 2009 please clear your internet cache (go to tools, internet options, delete, delete temporary files).
This morning we heard from Rich Andrews about Prayer. We saw a drama that was all about Esther in chapter 5:1-8. Esther stood up to the king for her people. She asked for the...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,
Last night was an awesome night. Mr. Tom Phillips brought the message about falling into "Traps." Our key verse was 1 Peter 5:8. We learned that Satan is prowls around like a lion seeking to devour us. He temps us to sin; Tom went over different ways that kids sin and displeases God. In 1 John 1:7-10 we read that if we say we don't sin we are not being honest. So, what do we do when we sin (not if). "If we confess our sin - He is faithful to forgive us."
...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,Last night's message focused on 1 Peter 1:1-5. Sometimes there is suffering we have to endure. God is there to help us. We are reminded that Christ is our foundation and wonderful blessings are available to us as believers.
1. We have a new life; we are born again.
2. We have a living hope; Now and in the future with God.
3. We have an inheritance - Rewards in Heaven; those rewards will never perish.
4. We are kept by the Power of God.
He...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dear Camper Parents,
Last night during the opening night Tom Phillips brought a message from Romans 1:16. He explained to the campers that Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel.
What is the Gospel?
1. Christ died on the cross.
2. Christ was buried.
3. Christ rose and conquered death.
In this passage we see that the Gospel is POWERFUL! After Tom's message he offered a time for campers to make a decision and I'm so happy to report that three of...
Monday, July 27, 2009
Just wanted to let all parents know that we made it safely to camp and as I write this we are preparing for an exciting week at Word of Life camp.
If you have a child at camp this week check my blog at least daily to receive updates from camp. Please pray for our trip and a great week.
You may also message your child while he or she is away.
>>Click here to message your child at camp.
Brad
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Knowing that sexting exists and how to check for it is extremely important. But each parent will want to do more to protect their teens. Is there such a thing as sexting prevention?
The quick answer is "No." Unless each of us moves to a mountain and turns off all technology, there is no way to be totally sure that our teens won't be scarred by the plague of sexting. However, there are some important steps that each parent can take as Victoria Womack referred to in her...
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
We are half way through VBS and we all are having a wonderful time on the “Boomerrang Express.” We have 310 children in attendance and over 100 volunteers – all in all I think this is the best year we’ve ever had.
The big news of the day is that we had five 5th graders pray to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior and one made a decision to pray a prayer of assurance. Thanks for everyone who is praying for this week, keep praying for us and the six decisions that were made...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wow! What a week we had at Lake Yale. Last week Parkridge participated in the “Camp of Champions” as this year’s family mission trip. Each year the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes from across the state gather for a week fun at camp. This year about 100 people, affiliated from Parkridge, volunteered to help minister to 130 children that are currently living at one of the campuses across the state. Stacey and I would like to thank all the volunteers that went this year and helped out in...
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Stacey and I just got back from a 4 day cruise as we celebrated our 25th anniversary. We left Miami on board Carnival’s Imagination Fun Ship. We sailed to Key West and then to Nassau. It had been 21 years since we took a cruise together and where did we go 21 years ago? The Bahamas! We didn’t intend to go the Nassau again. Our booking was to Cozumel Mexico, but the CDC and the Department of Home Land Security had something to say about that. Because of the Swine Flu (H1-N1 to be...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
This Sunday I’ll be preaching a sermon entitled “Breaking Free.” There are so many “intruders” in our lives that can take us away from our spouses, families, careers and relationships. Statistics are alarming! Gambling is a $500 billion industry and affects hundreds of millions of Americans. Alcohol is a $185 billion industry and causes 100,000 deaths per year. Drug abuse comes in at $100 billion. The top five tobacco companies rake in $106 billion and...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I’m working on my sermon for this Sunday. Pastor Eddie has been very generous to allow me to preach two sermons in this series. This Sunday we’re discussing “Love for a Lifetime”. This sermon deals with marriage, divorce and ways to improve the relationship. If you’re single, you’ll be able to pick up on some great “tools” for your relationships, and possibly your future marriage.
The next week we’re going to be discussing an important topic about, what the material calls,...
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Last Sunday night we had our Spaghetti Dinner and Auction to help support children going to Summer Camp. Let me just say, the children showed up to work, the parents showed up to work, and, the Holy Spirit showed up to work. Between the auction and the dinner we raised almost $14,000.00; this means that everyone who participated in the auction has no outstanding balance –praise God!
Recently at the Dave Ramsey “Town Hall for Hope” meeting Dave encouraged us by saying, “We are not...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
As I write this there are only ten more shopping days until Mothers Day. Guys, get on the stick, order some flowers, send a card, make the lunch reservations – just do something! If your mom is still alive, like mine is, and you can’t take her out because of distance pick up the phone and call! What if my mom is not with us anymore? (I can hear you say) What then? Did you know that the Carnation is the “official” flower of Mothers Day – it’s true! Here’s an idea; go to the flower shop and...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Parkridge Baptist Church hosted Vacation Bible School training for directors and leaders last Saturday. We had about 200 in attendance from churches all over central and south Florida. We were honored to have Jeff Slaughter leading our worship. Jeff is a singer/song writer that has been writing the VBS music for LifeWay for 13 years and resides in Nashville. It was a blast having him with us. As I watched these leaders enthusiasm for children’s ministry the Lord spoke to my heart and...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Our Egg Hunt and Carnival was a big success once again this year. Someone asked me the other day “how will we know if our event is successful?” My first thought was when we see over a thousand people on our campus that’s one way of gauging success. Then, the more I thought about it, it dawned on me that just because we have a huge crowd doesn’t necessarily equate into “success.” Just for those who are into “the numbers”, here they are: We had over 1000 people sign up at the registration...
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our heart.” (1 Thessalonians 2: 4) Many of you may know that in ’08 I finished my BA in Christian Ministry at Trinity International University and now I’m pursuing my Masters of Arts in Religion at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary – please pray for me and my family!
The scripture I quoted above is embossed in gold on my diploma from Trinity,...
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
With today being April 1st or, as we have come to know it, "April Fools Day" I thought I would take a look at this popular "prank" day a little further. According to most websites out there the most popular theory about the origin of April Fool's Day involves the French calendar reform of the sixteenth century.
The theory goes like this: In 1564 France reformed its calendar, moving the start of the year from the end of March to January 1. Those who failed to keep up with the change, who...
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The bible says in 1 Sam. 16: 7, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but LORD looks at the heart.” God looks at your heart. For me, that can be a little uncomfortable. I have to constantly be checking my heart towards what I’m doing in my family and my ministry. “What’s my heart toward those I serve?” or, “What am I truly passionate about?” A way to define passion is, the burning desires of your heart – a heart that has changed by...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A few weeks ago Stacey and I watched the movie “Fireproof”. This is the latest offering from Sherwood Pictures, the same film ministry that did “Flywheel” and “Facing the Giants”. The guys from Sherwood have done it again! This time they were able to draw a big name “Hollywood” actor and television star Kirk Cameron who brings a level of acting not seen in the prior films.
My first impression of this movie was, “it would probably be a great movie for couples who...
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Monday night was our second Bike Night at Lefty’s Tavern and Grille across the street from the church. We had an amazing turn out, there were several biker clubs that were in attendance – some Christian and some not. God is really growing this event into an incredible outreach for the Gospel.
One of the coolest things that happened Monday night was meeting a man by the name of Bob Applegate. He is the morning announcer for Reach FM (he also rides in Calvary Chapel’s Motorcycle...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
March is around the corner and things are going great in the Children and Family ministry. We are working hard on the Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival and looking forward to all the great stuff that will be offered to the community that day (4/11).
We are expanding this event with more attractions than we have ever had in the past, plus we are pushing the time to 3 hours instead of an hour and half. We plan to provide the coolest Egg Hunt experience ever in our customized...
Monday, February 16, 2009
I recently heard a father say, “the Bible says to spare the rod is to spoil the child”. He’s right (kind of) the Bible does say in Proverbs 22:15, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him”. Also, in Proverbs 13:24, “He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently”. I’m not “anti-spanking”; I just don’t use it as a first line of defense as I parent my children. Stacey and I have 5...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
My wife and I went out last night for Valentine’s Day. I know Valentine’s Day
is Saturday the 14th. Here’s how I have to process these types of
decisions (looking at my calendar); My son has a regional wresting tournament
this Saturday, Seminary on Friday, I have three counseling appointments on
Thursday night, Wednesday is a church night and a Deacons meeting – So, Tuesday
it is!
The bottom line is after 25 years of marriage we have learned to be
flexible on when...
Friday, February 06, 2009
I want to remind everyone who has a child in third through
fifth grade that we have a children’s camp information meeting this
Sunday February 8th following the second service in the Power Plant upstairs.
For
more information please contact staceyboyette@parkridebaptist.com .
Click here to visit the Word of Life children's camp page to learn more about this experience.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
This past week was a wonderful week
to be in ministry. On Saturday January 31st we had the 2ns annual “Ride-a-thon”
here on the property. This event is a fund raiser for the Parkridge Christian Academy . We had students riding their
bikes for donations, international cuisine, vendors selling products, Tri-Star
Karate demonstration, our very own youth band...
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
For children’s pastors when January comes around it
means the planning for all the events and activities start. We’ve
been working already on our Easter Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible
School, and, Children’s
Camp . Here are some notable dates to look forward to:
-February 8th ...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
I would like to welcome you to my blog. Last summer I developed
this blog so that I could stay in contact with parents during children’s
camp. It was a huge success; parents seemed to enjoy being able to pull
up the information about the camp and find out what was going on in the
children’s ministry. Well, back by “popular demand” –
I plan to update this blog regularly to keep parents informed about the
children’s ministry, as well as the family ministry.