From the Pastor

January 2026

Welcome to 2026. A new year. New opportunities to serve the Lord. The uncertainty of things that will happen in the new year can be fearful. Yet the certainty that God is in control of this new year fills us with peace and assurance that His great plan for Balmoral Baptist Church and our individual lives will continue to unfold. I am calling 2026 the YEAR OF CARING. We will be showing our city and its people that we care about them and want them to experience a relationship with Jesus that is life and eternity-changing! This Balmoral Banner includes a list of some of these caring events that we are planning this year. Be in prayer every day for God to give us at least 10 new families in our church, and that He will help us to show people that WE CARE. May God bless you in 2026. 

Bro. Gregg 

__________________________________________________________________ 

• QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING January 18, after the morning service. Please bring your favorite soup or chili for our churchwide lunch that day. You may also bring sandwiches, crackers, and desserts.  

• LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY FOR JANUARY will be Tuesday, January 20, at 6 pm, in the fellowship hall. Ladies of all ages are invited. 
•  LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING:  Goal: $2,500   Amount raised: $1624.00

OPPORTUNITIES TO CARE FOR OTHERS IN 2026 

• CARE-PORTAL- Julie Hogue from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board will be at Balmoral on January 11 to introduce us to this ministry. People in the vicinity of our church who need help will contact the CarePortal ministry. The need will be verified through social services. If it is a legitimate need, CarePortal will contact non-profit agencies in Memphis to provide the funds to purchase what is needed for the family. They will contact us, and we will have volunteers to purchase the items that are needed by using funds provided through the non-profits. Our church will deliver these items to the family. We will then develop a relationship with them for further ministry through Balmoral and, hopefully, reach them for Jesus and for our church. 
• SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SINGLE MOMS AND DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS- these opportunities will be offered in the early part of this year. We will offer encouragement and ministry to single moms and their children. We will provide advice and help to caregivers who are caring for family members with dementia. The love of Christ will be central to all that we do. 
• NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH- church members will take different streets in the neighborhoods around Balmoral. You will be asked to drive up and down your street one time a week. Take note of houses with a “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign. When you see someone moving in then you will notify the church office. We will have volunteers (2 people per group) who will go to the home and carry a newcomer packet to give to the people. It will include information about our church, a schedule of service times, and the ministries that we offer.  
• PRAYER DRIVES- We will do more prayer drives through the neighborhoods near our church in 2026. A driver will go down the streets, and a prayer partner will pray over each home. 
• MEET OUR NEIGHBOR DAYS- we will have periodic Sunday afternoons to go door to door in the neighborhoods to meet people and invite them to church.