YOUTH GROUP

TO COMPETE
NATIONALLY

The Davis family was established in June of 2005 when Justin and
Lindsay were married in this very church by Pastor Chuck.
Justin has a masters degree in geology and has
worked for the Department of Natural Resources for
almost 7 years. Prior to dating Lindsay, he attended
First Assembly of God in St. James. He became a
Christian in the summer of 1997. Justin enjoys motocross, gardening, hunting/fishing and many other
outdoor activities.
Lindsay is a pediatric nurse and has worked for
PCRMC Medical Group for almost 6 years. She was
born and raised in this church; dedicated as a baby,
water baptized and married. She and Justin later
dedicated their babies in this church. She received
the baptism of the Holy Spirit at age 14 while attending youth camp. Lindsay enjoys yard sales, reading and keeping up with her
guys (all three of them).
Mason is 7 years old and in the first grade at St. James Elementary.
He is a very passionate little man and tells his mommy and daddy often that
Jesus lives in his heart and he cant wait to live with Him in Heaven. He
loves fishing, riding his bike and motorcycle and going on adventures.
Reid is 4 years old and attends Church of Christ Day School on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The remainder of the time he is with his Nana.
He is sweet and loving. He enjoys going to church to learn about Jesus with
his friends. He also enjoys hot chocolate with his Nana, Legos and anything

This past February the

Youth Department took 29
students to the District Fine
Arts Festival in Springfield.
Fine Arts is a program designed by the Assemblies of
God to assist our students
with discovering, developing,
and deploying their ministry
gifts. It empowers our teens
to be confident in using their
God given gifts to make Jesus
known. It has proven to be a
very effective program, and
our teens love participating.
Out of the 29 students that
we took to districts, 22 of
them advanced to the National Fine Arts Festival which will
be held in Orlando, Florida,

(Davis continued on page 4)

(Continued on page 6)

2 5 Y E A R A N N I V E R S AY

Looking back, its a common wonderment:

Where did the time go? In the case of Pastor Chuck
and Annettes anniversary, those are my first
thoughts.
For context, Dorse and I had already been at
First Assembly for 26 years before their arrival. We
had a three man Board of Deacons at the time
(Dave Mesplay, Fred Brookshire, and myself) and
before his arrival we had been searching for a new

pastor without success, I might add!

However, a lady from Steelville mentioned in
casual conversation a young man serving as youth
pastor over there who was reportedly doing a fine
job and was well liked by all.
Shying away from
the young man characterization, nothing more
was said about it and our search continued.
As I remember, I was at the time assisting the
(Anniversary continued on page 5)

MINDEN TEEN CHALLENGE FAMILY CENTER

DIRECTORS ANDY AND CHRISTY JENKINS

CENTER NEEDS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

We are gathering items of need for the Minden
Teen Challenge Family Center ahead of our missions
trip at the end of this month. We hope you can look
over the list below and help them out! We've also
listed some prayer needs that the Challenge Center
Director sent to us. There is a wheelbarrow in the
church foyer for collecting items; monies can be
placed in a tithe envelope and marked Teen Challenge.
Physical Needs:

Prayer Needs:
Financial blessings-They do not charge for girls in
the program, and costs for the facility are very high.
Additional staff members.
For vans and transportation needs.
That God pour out the Holy Spirit on the staff.
That God equip Andy and his wife to continue leading the girls and the staff.
Prayer for protection for the staff, for spiritual discernment and wisdom, for rest so they don't burn
out, and for protection against the enemy.
Prayer also for the staff's families and children.

Will Heaven be boring? Will we just be floating

around on clouds strumming our harps? Or will Heaven be
an unending church service? That could get long and bo-oo-o-o-ring! Right? Think again!
Randy Alcorn, in his excellent book, Heaven, writes,
Our belief that Heaven is boring betrays a heresy that
God is boring. Theres no greater nonsense. . . . Did we
invent wit, humor and laughter? No, God did. . . . Our desire for pleasure and the experience of joy come directly
from Gods hand. He made our taste buds, adrenaline, sex
drives and the nerve endings that convey pleasure to our
brain. . . . Are we so arrogant as to imagine that human
beings came up with the idea of fun? The psalmist concurs, In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand
are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11.) Fullness of joy
and pleasures forevermore? Does that sound boring? Not
at all.
Unfortunately, many believe Satans lie that sin is
fulfilling (and maybe Hell will be too) and righteousness is
boring. Randy Alcorn, in Heaven, speaks the truth.
However, in reality, sin robs us of fulfillment. Sin doesnt
make life interesting; it makes life empty. Sin doesnt create adventure; it blunts it. Sin doesnt expand life; it
shrinks it. Sins emptiness inevitably leads to boredom.
Have you ever realized that Hell will be boring? In Jesus
account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, the
rich man in the afterlife was alone as well as in torment.
No, there wont be parties and drinking and having fun with
your buddies in Hell. Satan, who wants to keep people
from being reconciled to God, perpetuates this lie. Instead,
picture Hell as solitary confinement with just yourself and
your regrets in torment . . . forever. You dont want to be
there!
Dr. David Jeremiah, in his study guide, Revealing the
Mysteries of Heaven, gives us five reasons why Heaven will
not be boring. They are:
1. Heaven will not be boring because God is not bor-

ing (Psalm 16:11.) (This was discussed above.)

2. Heaven will not be boring because you will not be
boring (I Corinthians 15:51, 52.) (Remember,
you are going to be changed!)
3. Heaven will not be boring because your friends
will not be boring (Hebrews 11:22, 23) (Youll be
hanging out with angels and Old and New Testament saints, as well as Jesus.)
4. Heaven will not be boring because your work will
not be boring (Revelation 7:15.) (This will be discussed next month.)
5. Heaven will not be boring because Heaven is the
place youve always longed for (Rom. 8:22, 23.)
(You will enjoy a satisfaction and fulfillment that
was never achieved on this earth.)
No, Heaven will not be boring- not for a minute. The
Everlasting God, infinite in goodness and creativity, will
fully delight and satisfy all of His children throughout eternity. See also Isaiah 55:2, 3, Ephesians 2:7 and James
1:16, 17. Dont miss it!
References:
Randy Alcorn, Heaven, pp. 410, 411
Dr. David Jeremiah, Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven, pp. 31-38

Beverly Flori

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS: A QUARTER

1300 weeks.
Hes one of the most thoughtful, beyond the borders of Rolla, Missouri,
Congratulations, not only generous, caring pastors Ive
and the US, into the foreign field.
to Pastor Chuck Whitmire, but ever seen.
Frank Ratliff That vision for missions has grown
to his family as well for the
over the past 25 years; and more so
past 25 years of ministry here
as he and some friends went to India
at First Assembly. Let us stop and take a look and other countries
back over the road that has been traveled during and
experienced There was the time that I
those years.
firsthand what the spilled disappearing ink on
At the start, he was working the office pretty burden was in his PCs white shirt just before
much by himself and ministering during the heart.
church started. You should
week; hospital visits, in-home visits, and preparFrom
there, have seen the look on his
ing
ser- the
congregation
I remember driving up out of the canyon mons for has gone on nu- face as I told him, dont
from Batopilas on that Mexico Mission three ser- merous
missions worry; it will be gone in 5
Trip. We had just finished the series of vices.
It trips both foreign minutes.
switchbacks and we're bouncing along w a s n t and domestic; and
Ross Haselhorst
this rocky, washed out, narrow Mexican long until from there burdens
dirt road and Pastor Chuck, who's relaxed staff was were birthed in other hearts as well. Manytoo
and grinning ear to ear says something hired to many to countpeople have been ministered to
like, "this is like a bunch of those Dent help with and have been pointed to Christ as a result of the
County backroads."
Drew Blair a growing ministry of First Assembly as the Lord Jesus has
congrega- been building His church by using laborers, while
tion: a youth pastor and a secretary.
encouraging other laborers to get into the field of
Still the workload grew as the congregation work.
grew, as did the vision for what he believed the
Thank you, Pastor Chuck and family, for
Lord would want done. Missionsa reaching out faithfully ministering, laboring if you will, encouraging and leading a work force for Christ to be
part of building the Kingdom as the Lord Jesus
directs.
(Davis continued from page 1)

that involves his Daddy and big brother.

Justin, Lindsay and the boys consider this
church home. They feel very blessed to have been
provided with meals when sick, visitors while hospitalized and an amazing group of prayer warriors that
are always available.
Lindsay Davis

OF A CENTURY OF MINISTERING
Thank you for He is the husband of a famous
hearing the voices author.
of others as they
I appreciate Chuck because
have
dreamed
about a ministry he cares more about reaching
the Lord gave the people outside the church
them and put it to than he does about numbers
in the church. Mike Schanta
work.
Thank you for
the hours no one
knows about, sitting in hospitals with many of us
as our family members were going through surgery.
Thank you to your family for their sacrifice
done through the years because you were out
late at night or very early morning ministering to
some wayward soul.
Thank you for the investment into our com-

munity through the ministries that touch our community: KidCare/Thrive, a benevolence house for
families who have lost their home to fire, and the
church to be used for a shelter during disaster.
Thank you, Whitmire family, for all that you
have done during the past 25 years. We look forward to more as the Lord Jesus continues to build
His churchusing laborers He calls for that task.
Thank you.
Pastor Chuck has the heart of

shepherd. He is a

man with a heart after God, a sense of humor, and

passion. He is the real thing, speaking the Word of
God, correcting and disciplining through the Holy
Spirit. He has the spiritual strength of 10 spiritual
giants. He is not proud, but very humble. He is a
motivator to win souls for Christ Jesus. So thankful
for our Pastor. He shows by Word and deeds how to
live a Christ-centered life for God.
(Anniversary continued from page 1)

Judy Schanta

Steelville Assembly with the installation of a computer

system (the same as the one used in our church).
While asking about our quest for a qualified pastor,
the Steelville pastor, Brother Harris, suggested we
consider his assistantChuck Whitmire. As they say,
the rest is history!
Carl Wilkinson, Dave Skyles,
Pastor Chuck was an immediate hit with our
Carl Curtis, and Pastor Chuck
congregation. His approach to the task ahead made a
tremendous difference in attitude in just a short while.
Difficulties of the past were soon forgotten and the church has grown to become what you see it to be today.
Note the pictorial evidence of Pastor Chuck merging seamlessly into the life of the church. The Senior Adult group (Pacemakers) were having a western themed program that called for appropriate western
dress. Pastor Chuck is on the far rightcowboyed up in fine fashion. (Someone help meCould it have
been Daddy Sang Bass?
It goes without saying, both he and Annette have contributed greatly to the successful church we have
today.
Carl Wilkinson

UPCOMING GRADUATE RECOGNITIONS

Well, it is that time of year again! May will mark
another school year down and the busyness of summer will be upon us. This time of year we take time to
honor those who have reached a milestone in their
lives and move on to another season. We have quite
a few First Assembly family members who will be
graduating from High School as well as college. We
would like to congratulate you all. The church will be
recognizing all college graduates on Sunday May 3rd
in the first service. The high school graduates will be
recognized on Sunday May 10, also during the first
service. Please let the office know if you fall under
one of these categories so we can recognize your accomplishment.

JUNIOR BIBLE QUIZ COMING SOON!

This fall First Assembly will begin offering
Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ).
JBQ was created and designed to help children
develop a love for the
Bible and an understanding that its truth can
guide their lives daily. JBQ offers a fun, exciting way to
motivate children to understand the all-important
truths in God's Word. Children will learn Bible content
and memorize scripture with their family at home and
at team practices. Then, through cooperative competition, the children meet with other teams for a fun quizzing match. Children in kindergarten through sixthgrade are eligible to participate in JBQ.
Participation in JBQ is a family commitment.
Learning the material together as a family provides
many opportunities for discipleship and is an excellent
way to organize family devotions. Parents can also
participate by coaching teams and helping at quiz
meets with scorekeeping & officiating. If you have any
questions or want more information, please contact
Erin Gibson (573-647-0840 or erinrenaegibson@hotmail.com).

Youth Summer Events

All Events are open for 8th 12th graders
May 10: Pastor Chuck will recognize HS graduates dur

ing first service

June 1-5: Church Camp with speaker Joseph Kellog
Full Week Camp - $147 (Scholarships available)
July 18: Youth Six Flags trip
August 1-8: National Fine Arts Festival Open only to
those students who advanced to the NFAF
August 15: Youth Sectional Rally at First A/G Rolla
August 22: Engage the Campus Youth Rally in St Louis

(Continued from page 1)

this August. Out of those 22 students, 16 of them

have committed to attending this conference.
For those of you who were able to make it to
our Showcase in February, you were able to see how
hard our students have been working. Our Christian
Band, Benevolence, achieved the Award of Merit
with the highest score in the State of Missouri. Micah
Wells also received this award with her brass solo.
The Youth Leadership Team could not have been
more proud of our students.
The next step is Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
With that comes a great need, and I am here to ask
for your help. The cost of taking 16 students to Orlando for a week is great. Every year our church takes
students to Nationals and we could never do it without the generosity of our church family and for that,
we thank you. Each student will be responsible for
paying for a portion of his or her own trip. This way all
of them will work for this trip. We rely on donations
to offset the cost per each student. This year we have
made it easy to give with the Envelope Fundraiser
that you will see in the lobby of the church starting on
4/19. If you would like to give, please see a student
in the lobby and they will give you an envelope. You
may also designate Fine Arts on your giving envelope
and put it in with your Sunday morning tithes and offerings. All donations are tax deductible. If you have
any questions or thoughts please contact Pastor Jason. Thank you!
Pastor Jason Youth Pastor

PASTORS & STAFF

Chuck Whitmire
Lead Pastor

pastor_chuck@rolla-firstassembly.org

Karen Turner
Administrative Assistant
office@rolla-firstassembly.org

Ray Cook
Associate Pastor

Mark Berry

fireguy@rolla-firstassembly.org

Facility Manager

Brian Feller
Childrens Pastor

Pansy Bingham

pastorbrian@rolla-firstassembly.org

Business Administrator
pansy@rolla-firstassembly.org

Jason Gibson

Abby Swearingen

pastorjason@rolla-firstassembly.org

Media Assistant
media@rolla-firstassembly.org

Youth Pastor

Sam Parker

After School Ministries &

Missions Director

kcatsc@rolla-firstassembly.org

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #116
ROLLA, MO

1608 N Oak St
Rolla MO 65401-2342

JUSTIN AND LINDSAY DAVIS

Spotlight family

25 YEARS

A Celebration of Pastor Chuck and Annettes Ministry

WILL HEAVEN BE BORING?

Worldview FAQs

MISSIONS

Teen Challenge Family Center, Minden, Louisiana