Come Celebrate with Us!

August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Publisher’s Note

As we begin our 25th year of publishing, we invite you to come and celebrate with us at our 5th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo! Saturday September 14, 2024 at the Hoover Met Complex Finley Center. Enjoy fun, free activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. while browsing 40 plus exhibits where you will learn about resources right here in our community designed to help meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the family. Click here for a rundown of all the activities including our back by popular demand Sweet Grown Alabama Celebrity Chef Stage featuring a different celebrated Alabama chef every thirty minutes. You can also view www.birminghamchristian.com/Expo2024 for the most up to date and detailed schedule.

Special thanks to our Title Sponsor Benton Nissan of Hoover, Celebrity Chef Stage Sponsor Sweet Grown Alabama, Major Sponsors Avadian Credit Union, Children’s of Alabama and Jimmie Hale Mission as well as our Event Sponsors Alabama Credit Union, Jefferson Credit Union, Renewal by Andersen, Strickland Counseling, Verizon and Vulcan Termite & Pest Control.

GIVEAWAYS. You don’t want to miss out on our Expo Giveaways! The first 200 families attending will receive an Expo Swag Bag full of novelty items, gift cards and coupons. And all attendees will have the opportunity to play Birthday Bingo- where we will give away prizes throughout the event including a $100 Walmart Gift card from Way-FM, cases of Bud’s Best Cookies, and so much more.

We look forward to seeing you and your family as we Celebrate the Family & 25 Years of Free Good News!

-Laurie Franklin

Founder, The Christian Family Publication, Inc.

www.BirminghamChristian.com

Facebook: Birmingham Christian Family

Twitter: @cfpBirmingham

Instagram: @cfpbirmingham

Pinterest: @cfpbirmingham

LinkedIn: Birmingham Christian Family

Celebrating 25 Years of Good News!

“Look to the Lord & His Strength, Seek His face always.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 (Holman Standard)

August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

September 2024 Giveaways

TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) and make spreading Good News possible we have 2 VIP Front Row Tickets to the 7th Annual Holiday Cooking Show on October 28, 2024 featuring Grits and Gouda Food Blogger Kathleen Phillips, www.gritsandgouda.com.

Enter on both Facebook & Instagram to double your chances!

Instagram. To enter, simply LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Instagram @cfpbirmingham.

For EXTRA ENTRIES:

SHARE the giveaway post on your story
FOLLOW US on Facebook @Birmingham Christian Family
SUBSCRIBE to receive your free digital issue of BCF at www.birminghamchristian.com.

Facebook. To enter simply LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Facebook @Birmingham Christian Family.

For EXTRA ENTRIES:

TAG a friend in the comments.
SHARE the post on Facebook
FOLLOW US on Instagram @cfpbirmingham
SUBSCRIBE to receive your free digital issue of BCF at www.birminghamchristian.com.

Offer ends Wednesday 9/25/24. Winner announced 9/26/24 on Instagram and Facebook so be sure to FOLLOW our Instagram @cfpbirmingham and Facebook @BirminghamChristianFamily pages.

August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Church Leaders

While serving at a local church in Helena, Ala., God placed a burden on the hearts of Pastor Austin Brown and his wife Jessica for the city of Hoover. “We started praying [about Hoover] and long story short, the Lord kept working on our hearts. In September of 2022, we began the process of what now is the planting of Hope Baptist Church,” Pastor Brown explains.

Brown Family — Austin and Jessica Brown met while attending The Crown College. They married in 2014 and have four children: Abigail (8), Andrew (6), Jackson (3), and Joseph (1).

“If You show me what You want me to do, I’ll do that with my life,” is a prayer Pastor Brown prayed at the age of 19 while trying to figure out his next step in life. “God leads us step by step. He doesn’t show us the next 20 years, but He will show us the next step,” Pastor Brown reflects. The next step for him was to attend Bible college at The Crown College in Powell, Tenn. “I enrolled as a business major just seeking the Lord. While I was there, during a mission conference, the Lord called me to preach, and I surrendered to full-time Christian service.”

Planting a Church. In the 10 years that Pastor Brown has been in ministry, the Lord has shown His faithfulness to him time and time again. There are many unknowns and moments of anxiety in planting a church, Pastor Brown says. But it is through those moments that he remembers, “If I just keep my eyes on Him, I’m at peace because my church is His church. God said in Matthew 16 that ‘I will build My church.’ We are just looking for the Lord to build His church and use us to do it. Every day, we take the next step, follow His will for that day, and trust Him to build His church.”

Hope Baptist Church will begin meeting this month at the Embassy Suites Conference Room located at 2960 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, 35244.

Hope for Hoover. The main focus of Hope Baptist Church is “to take the hope of the Gospel to Hoover first and then from Hoover to the far reaches of the world through missions,” Pastor Brown says. The second focus of the church is Biblical discipleship. “Once someone has a relationship with God, we want to help them to grow in that through one-on-one discipleship, Sunday School, and the teaching and preaching of the Word of God,” Pastor Brown explains, adding that the core beliefs of the church are that “the Bible is our only authority and that Jesus is the Son of God and that He is the only way of salvation.” There are three opportunities to learn more about the church before its grand opening. “Get Acquainted Meetings” will be held on September 22, 23, and 24, 2024 at 7 p.m. The grand opening of Hope Baptist Church will be September 29, 2024 with worship and preaching beginning at 10:45 a.m. The meetings and service will all be held at the Embassy Suites Conference Room in Hoover. Pastor Brown explains that visitors of Hope Baptist Church can expect to be warmly welcomed and hear Christ-honoring music and a Bible message. Childcare will be available. “Our goal is that we want to point you to the Lord and make you feel like you belong,” Pastor Brown says. Learn more at www.hope4hoover.com.

-Melissa Armstrong

August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Grab your family and friends and join us for the 5th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex’s Finley Center brought to you by Birmingham Christian Family and Benton Nissan of Hoover. Enjoy free family fun, great giveaways, and great food while you learn about resources that can help you and your family. Rain or shine this is an event you don’t want to miss. Here is a sneak peek of the fun in store!

Be one of the first 200 families at the Expo and receive a free swag bag filled with lots of handy novelty items, gift cards and coupons from participating sponsors.

Back by popular demand, the Sweet Grown Alabama Celebrity Chef Stage will welcome nine Alabama chefs and food bloggers who will share cooking tips and tricks. A new culinary classic will take the stage every 30 minutes so you will not want to miss it! The incredible lineup includes Danna Standridge, Martie Duncan, and Miss Annie’s Home + Kitchen. Find more details about the lineup here.

Kids Zone. Provided by River of Life Church, children at the Expo will enjoy fun inflatables, games and more! Painted Personalities will provide free face painting. Plus, there will be many opportunities to meet special mascots including the Chick-fil-A Herd.

When you arrive at the event, you will receive a Birthday Bingo card. Every exhibitor booth will have a special stamp to fill in a square on your bingo card. Fill your card by visiting each booth and be entered to win great prizes like a $100 Walmart gift card courtesy of WAY-FM, and so much more.

Opportunities to Give Back. Come to the Expo with gently used clothes, shoes, and household goods to place in The Foundry Thrift Store Donation Truck parked at the event and receive a tax donation receipt. Also consider bringing a pack or two of diapers to the event to be a part of the biggest diaper drive of the year in our community. Your donation will allow Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank to help families in need right here in our community.

Ready to rid your office of unwanted paperwork? Securely shred your documents for free while helping a very important organization in our community. The Arc of Central Alabama’s RecyclABILITY provides employment opportunities and training skills to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in our community. Read more about The Arc of Central Alabama here.

Play with some furry friends and consider adopting a pet from Two by Two Animal Rescue. You can also learn about and have your picture made with some feathered friends from Alabama Wildlife Center.

Come hungry! Several food trucks will be onsite at the Expo serving delicious food and treats including Eugene’s Hot Chicken, The Lil Bougie Foodie, Temper Coffee, and Chicken Salad Chick.

Special thanks to our

Title Sponsor: Benton Nissan

Celebrity Chef Stage Sponsor: Sweet Grown Alabama

Major Sponsors: Avadian Credit Union, Children’s of Alabama, Jimmie Hale Mission

Event Sponsors: Alabama Credit Union, Jefferson Credit Union, Renewal by Andersen, Strickland Counseling, Verizon, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control

To find more exciting details about the Celebrate the Family Expo happening on September 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., visit www.birminghamchristian.com/expo2024. See you there!

August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Mission Makers

Brought to you by: Community Partner Sawyer Solutions, www.sawyersolutionsllc.com

You can make a difference in the lives of women facing crisis pregnancies by joining Sav-A-Life Shelby for their annual Gala fundraising dinner on October 4. With the inspiring theme “Eyes on the Future,” the gala directly benefits the Women First Pregnancy Centers, serving all of Shelby County, Ala. The event will take place on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Marriott Birmingham beginning at 6 p.m.

Attendees will hear from renowned pro-life speaker Victoria Robinson, who will share her powerful message of hope and advocacy. She began her career with pro-life causes after she volunteered at her local Pregnancy Resource Center. Her own personal abortion story has been featured in several documentaries which collectively have garnered well over 15 million+ streaming views.

Additionally, Sav-A-Life Shelby’s new Executive Director, Bobby Lewis, will provide an update on the ministry’s progress and future plans. “The Gala is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support the vital work we do at Sav-A-Life Shelby. Your support directly impacts the lives of women facing crisis pregnancies by providing compassionate care and essential resources,” Lewis says, adding, “Your support enables us to fulfill our mission of honoring pre-born life and empowering women to choose life through ongoing material support, parenting education, and spiritual guidance rooted in the Gospel. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these women and their families.”

Women First Pregnancy Centers, a ministry of Sav-A-Life Shelby, is dedicated to providing compassionate support, resources, and education to women facing crisis pregnancies. Their mission is to empower women to choose life and offer them the help they need to raise their children in a loving and supportive environment. The Gala is free to attend and includes dinner, but registration is required as seating is limited. The attire for the event is semi formal. To learn more about the event and make reservations, visit www.shelbygala.org, call 205-776-1247, or email [email protected]. †

Brought to you by: Community Partner, Sawyer Solutions
Technology with Care and Compassion
• Outsourced I.T. Support
• Cyber Security
• Help Desk Solutions
www.sawyersolutionsllc.com
844-448-7767

August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Become Greek for the weekend at the 51st Annual Greek Food Festival set for October 3-5, 2024 from 10:30am-9:30pm. The Greek Festival is Birmingham’s oldest and most anticipated cultural event that offers an abundance of delicious Greek cuisine.

Greek Food Festival food on plates — Food plates are individually priced, and the Greek pastries will be pre- packaged and sold in the food lines.

The festival has been an act of love from Birmingham’s Greek community to the city going back four generations. Enjoy delicious Greek cuisine prepared by the parishioners of the community and served by them during the Greek Food Festival weekend. All entrees and desserts are homemade and are comprised of only the freshest and finest ingredients available. In addition to the authentic Greek food, you will enjoy Greek music, dancing, and a warm spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. Greek dancers of all ages will be performing all three days.

As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The open air festival offers free admission. Outside tented seating for dining will be available. Food plates are individually priced, and the Greek pastries will be pre-packaged and sold in the food lines. Be sure to stroll through The Greek Market Place which has Mediterranean and Orthodox souvenirs. Free parking is located in the former Liberty National parking garage located one block away on 20th Street (Richard Arrington Blvd) between 3rd and 4th Avenue. The convenient drive-thru is available all three days from 10:30am-8pm. The Holy Trinity – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox parish was chartered in 1906 and is the 4th oldest Greek Orthodox parish in the Southeast. The beautiful and inspiring Byzantine interior of the basilica enhances the Orthodox Christian’s worship of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Self-guided tours will be available during the three-day festival and parishioners will be available to answer any questions.

Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church — Guests of the Greek Food Festival are invited to tour the beautiful Holy Trinity – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

The 2024 Greek Festival is excited to give a portion of the festival proceeds back to local Alabama and national charities. Since 1972 and with the help of the community, the Greek Festival has donated over three million dollars to local and national charities. In recent years, these charities have included: Children’s of Alabama, Magic Moments, The Bell Center, The Exceptional Foundation, The Ronald McDonald House, The Fire House Shelter, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, Pathways, Family Connection, The Wellhouse, Jimmie Hale Mission, Safe House, Alabama Kidney Foundation, MS Society, and The Greater Birmingham Ministries. Learn more at www.bhamgreekfestival.com. †

August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

“That was the hardest hug I’ve ever had to watch,” I sniffled as I watched Cape wrap her long arms around her mother. Hannah buried her head into Cape’s shoulder. I knew she was crying. I was too. Cape smiled as I snapped a picture and a few minutes later, we left our middle daughter, and Mississippi State University, in the rear-view mirror. The view was a bit blurred from misty eyes.

Cape is the most independent child we have raised. Bay, our oldest, is much more expressive of her emotions, and compassion is her strongest suit. Banks, our youngest, is a mixture of Cape’s independence and Bay’s compassion. And that’s not to say that Cape and Bay don’t share a glitter sprinkle of the personality of the other. They do – but their predominant traits shine through gloriously. Bay, unlike her younger sister, cried feverishly when we left her in the driveway at Martin Hall, a freshman women’s dorm on the campus at Ole Miss. It was Hannah, though, who was more reserved with her emotions that day. I cried almost uncontrollably. Curious, isn’t it? How children of the same cornfield have such different textures and flavors. And how as parents, we respond to our different children in different ways.

My mother is suffering from the beginning stages of dementia. Short-term memories are difficult, as are long-term ones. But mid-range memories- say, in the 20-year range, are still strong. A few weeks back, I shuffled through paperwork at her house looking for a document. I stumbled across a file with my name on it. I could see from the folds within that it was stuffed with newspaper articles and other memorabilia that only a mother would value. Buried deep in the fold, I found a letter I wrote to my mother in August of 1992- the day I left for the University of Montevallo. “Mother, do you remember this letter?” I asked with uncertainty. She glanced at it, and said, “I sure do. I cried the whole time I read it. And I cried for a few days after that, too.” I stammered, “I never knew.” Mother’s response was direct. “That’s because I didn’t want you to. I didn’t want my emotions to affect your experience.”

Cape, Hannah and Walt together — We trudged up ten stories of stairs hauling her “stuff” to nearly the top of Martin. I can’t believe we could even muster a smile after that!

I thought of my mother, and that letter, as I watched Cape hug Hannah, and as she next hugged me. Still, though, I sniffled. “I am so proud of you,” I whispered in her ear, unable to speak for fear my voice would crack. “Thank you,” she softly responded, and she squeezed me tight. And with that, I let her go. Just like my mother once let me go. 1 John 4:9 says, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.” Not that Cape is like Christ as she ventures into the world… though I pray she shows Jesus in everything she does. But rather, I can only imagine the hug God gave His Son as they said their momentary farewells. Oh, how He must love us.

-Walt Merrell

A Christian Outdoorsman who writes of his adventures with his family, with the hope that others might be inspired and encouraged to embrace God’s tapestry, otherwise known as the great outdoors, as a means of finding Common Ground. You can follow him at Shepherding Outdoors on FB, YT and IG and at shepherdingoutdoors.com. His most recent book is available at shepherdingbook.com. Read his faith story at BirminghamChristian.com.

August 27, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Parker is the life of the party. He is at his best when he makes his wife the object of jokes in public. Amy’s naturally pink cheeks camouflage her inward embarrassment. As a Christian, she knows she must forgive Parker but wonders if her love for him can last. After five years of marriage and two babies, Amy feels like a worn-out punch line rather than a beloved wife and mother. Her pleas for Parker to stop using her weight for cheap laughs are dismissed as harmless fun. Her silent suffering has led to deep resentment.

Couples will experience emotional wounds from their spouses. The offenses range from private insensitivities to sexual affairs. Regardless of the severity of the transgression, the offended are faced with a decision- do nothing, retaliate, or forgive. How do you react when your spouse hurts you?

The Meaning of Forgiveness. Biblical forgiveness conveys dismissal or release. Jesus emphasizes forgiveness in His mission to “…proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…” (Luke 4:18-19). Unforgiveness keeps the oppressor and the oppressed chained to the offense. Couples bound by hurt will struggle to remain bound by love. Forgiveness can free the couple from their emotional captivity.

The Price of Forgiveness. Forgiveness comes at a cost. Christ paid for mankind’s sins with His blood. Still, the sinner may suffer consequences though God has forgiven him. The repentant thief on the cross was innocent in heaven but guilty on earth. In marriage, injured parties may pay the price of ongoing harm if their mates refuse to change. On the other hand, remorseful offenders may suffer the consequence of distrust or worse. Additionally, reconciled couples may bear the scars of long-term conflict.

The Response to Forgiveness. Unlike God, humans cannot erase wrongdoing. However, they can choose not to hold the wrong against the offender. Forgiveness requires the sufferer to initiate mercy toward someone who may not deserve it. Forgiveness can lead to lasting marital love when both parties work to fix the cause of unsettled conflicts. The spouse who harms must acknowledge the destructive behavior, commit to a plan for change, and follow through. The harmed spouse must forgive as one is forgiven, and refrain from revisiting past pain.

When couples practice confession and forgiveness, they may learn that love is not just the product of forgiveness. Love is also the power that drives forgiveness.

-Dr. Alonza Jones

President and Co-Founder, Biblical Marriage Institute

Follow @biblicalmarriageinstitute

August 26, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Encouraging Word

Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-10 with the beatitudes. What are the beatitudes? They are defined as supreme blessedness or a proper attitude that will bring divine favor or blessing. Attitude is defined as a way of thinking that influences one’s behavior. Let’s look at the beatitudes that Christians should strive to incorporate into their life.

1. Poor in spirit. Found in Matthew 5:3, this beatitude means to be “lacking in arrogance” (Romans 12:3), to not be self-sufficient (Matthew 16:24), and to be dependent on God for all good things.

2. To Mourn. This beatitude in Matthew 5:4 means to have deep sorrow or regret over sin. Godly sorrow produces repentance. Those who mourn will be comforted.

3. Be Meek. Meekness is the beatitude found in Matthew 5:5. To be meek is to be gentle and humble, to have patient restraint, and to be submissive to authority. The meek will inherit the earth (Matthew 6:33), as they submit to God and seek His will.

4. Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness. This beatitude found in Matthew 5:6 means to pursue God (Jeremiah 29:13). To pursue means to be diligent, to chase, and follow. Righteousness is living in a right relationship with God. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied.

5. Be Merciful. Mentioned in Matthew 5:7, this beatitude means to have compassion and concern for those suffering, to demonstrate forgiveness, and to withhold punishment or retaliation. Mercy is a two-way exchange- you must receive mercy and grant mercy.

6. Pure in Heart. This beatitude in Matthew 5:8 is defined as being clean, morally good, sincere, honest, free from corruption and compromise, and untainted with evil (James 1:27). Only those “spiritually clean,” shall see God.

7. Peacemakers. Found in Matthew 5:9, this beatitude describes someone who promotes peace through reconciliation. A peacemaker helps people find peace with God and one another (II Corinthians 5:20). Peacemakers shall be called sons/daughters of God.

8. Persecuted. This beatitude in Matthew 5:10 means to be treated cruelly or unfairly because of your faith. As Christians, we should stand our ground and live out our convictions no matter what. Persecution should not hinder us.

If we apply these beatitudes to our lives, we will be blessed and receive God’s favor.

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

September 10, 2024August 26, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Are you a business owner interested to learn how you can use your business to advance God’s Kingdom? Are you an investor looking for Kingdom-focused investment opportunities? Or perhaps you are a student or professional seeking how to have an impact through your career. Cedarworks, Inc. is excited to announce the 2024 Lions Den Event taking place October 9-11, 2024 at Highlands College in Birmingham, AL and you are invited!

The “Shark Tank” style Main Event (October 10) features 3-4 business-as-mission companies competing before a live audience and panel of judges, seeking capital, resources, and exposure. The Professional Summit (October 9-10) is a dynamic two-day summit with Rwandan Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as the keynote speaker. Dinner will be provided Wednesday along with a speaker, introductions to the competing companies, and structured networking. On Thursday, it includes breakfast, a keynote luncheon, dinner, plenary sessions, multiple breakout sessions, the Main Event, and additional networking opportunities. The Accredited Investor Meeting (October 11) gives an opportunity for Accredited Investors to go deeper, ask questions, and meet with the presenting companies one-on-one to determine any future partnerships.

The Lions Den will be held at Highlands College, 3660 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, 35243.

The Lions Den brings together hundreds of business, church, and non-profit leaders and investors from around the world, as well as students from multiple schools. Since 2014, we have enjoyed attendees from 37 States and 42 Countries. With multiple sponsorship levels available there are also plenty of opportunities to gain exposure and contribute to the Business as Mission cause. We invite you to attend personally or become a sponsor of the 2024 Lions Den Event.

A group of Birmingham business professionals created The Lions Den event in 2014 to “Inspire, Educate and Mobilize” people to invest their time, talents, and other resources in the Kingdom through “Business as Mission.” The Lions Den established itself as a forum for action-oriented professionals coming from across the country to network and collaborate.

One past Lions Den participant says about their experience, “Speakers who were asked to share their stories were authentic and transparent. They told about how God has used them to reach the unreached and how the creation of jobs, in many cases, was the catalyst for this transformation. Their stories were not only informative, but they were inspirational as well.” He adds, “Jesus was present throughout the conference. He was glorified through every business, and there was never a session where He wasn’t the focal point.” Learn more and register at www.thelionsden.us. †

Come Celebrate with Us!

Subscribe FREE and be the first to get our good news - delivered right to your inbox.

Connect on Social Media