Steve Smith became our Contemporary Worship Leader after serving as a member of the Praise Band for nearly two years.  Our talented Praise Band is passionate about bringing others into worship while praising God through song.  Along with Contemporary Worship on Sunday mornings, Steve enjoys leading the youth in praise songs during 'Prime Time' on Wednesday nights.

Steve is married to Cathy, who is our Education/Youth Secretary and they have two daughters attending college.

Steve is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and is employed full-time as a Sales Manager with Thomson Reuters.

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In John 4:35 Jesus told his disciples, “Open your eyes and look at the fields!
They are ripe for harvest.” (NIV)

In 1871 a small group of Christian farmers and ranchers looked at the new
community of Azle growing up around them and saw a field of people who
were ripe for harvest into God’s Kingdom. They invested themselves and their
resources to start Ash Creek Baptist Church. In 1891 they sowed seeds of
investment again in order to build a permanent building because they knew
their investment would reap people for the Kingdom for years to come. They
probably never dreamed God would use their investment to reap a harvest 120
years later, but we still use that first building today. Although the town has
changed since those early days, the need to harvest people for God’s Kingdom
has not changed. Every generation of Ash Creek members has invested and
reinvested in the work of this church through the years. People have given
of themselves and their resources because there is always another harvest to
reap. Each time we have invested in building facilities new people have been
harvested for the Kingdom of God.

The mission of Ash Creek Baptist Church is “to Glorify God through Service,
Obedience, and Worship.” One of the ways we have fulfilled this mission is by
our common commitment to do whatever it takes to reach people for the Lord.
We have established many new ministries in recent years. We have become
involved in direct missions in Peru and South Texas, started a Hispanic church,
participated in the Azle Good Neighbors program, built and paid for a new
education building, provided a full time staff, expanded our Sunday School,
started a contemporary worship service, and greatly expanded our youth
program. These are just some of the ways we have stayed true to our common
commitment to do whatever is necessary for the growth of God’s Kingdom. It
is a commitment we share with those farmers and ranchers that came together
back in 1871.

Now, God is calling us to reap the next harvest. When we look at the field God
has given us we can see thousands of people who are ripe for the next harvest.
One of the most fertile fields before us is the field of students who are in Azle.
God has blessed us with a dynamic youth ministry that attracts young people,
but our ministry is limited because we lack appropriate facilities for this age
group. With expanded and appropriate building facilities we will have the
opportunity to harvest the next generation of faithful followers of Christ. There
are approximately 2600 students in grades 7-12 in the Azle School District.
Informal estimates based on attendance at other churches in town indicate that
only about 500 students are touched by any church during a month. That means
about 2100 students in Azle have no regular relationship with any church in
Azle, not to mention a relationship with Jesus. The field is indeed ripe for the
next harvest!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding Next Harvest

What is the purpose of the Next Harvest Campaign?

The Next Harvest Campaign is a church-wide effort intended to facilitate the spiritual growth of members in the areas of stewardship and giving. The practical result of this effort will be the construction and furnishing of a new Youth and Conference Center that will enable the expansion of youth ministry and potentially the relocation of our Contemporary Worship service. Contributions made to the Next Harvest Campaign will allow the church to finance the new building over the next three years without incurring the high costs of long term debt.

How much are we trying to raise?

Our goal is to raise $2,000,000 in the next three years. If we reach this goal we will save a tremendous amount of money that would otherwise be spent on interest. If we do not reach this goal we will seek to pay off our loan as quickly as possible. By church action in business meeting the church has agreed that, before construction begins, we must raise $450,000 in cash and receive at least $1,300,000 in pledges from our members.

How much am I supposed to give?

The amount of money you contribute over the next three years is between you and God. The amount will vary from family to family…some have capacity to contribute more than others. God does not desire that we foolishly divest ourselves of money we need to live, but God does desire equal sacrifice from everyone. For some, $25 a month is a tremendous sacrifice that will require reorganizing priorities. For others, a $50,000 gift would be no sacrifice at all. We will provide opportunities for church-wide prayer during the campaign, but it is very important that you and your family seek God in prayer when making a decision about your gift. Every gift, whether large or small, should be sacrificial and spiritual. Every sacrificial and spiritual gift is important. You must determine what is sacrificial for you.

What can I do to get involved?

There will be various opportunities during the campaign for your involvement. The most important thing you can do is pray. There will be several ways you will be encouraged to pray, both corporately and individually. Also, various awareness gatherings will be offered to give you inspiration and more information about the project. Some of you will be asked to participate in “calling teams” to remind people about events surrounding the campaign and to encourage the involvement of everyone in the church.

When will we start the new building?

Much of the planning is already underway. However, our church has agreed that construction will not begin until we have collected $450,000 in cash and at least $1,300,000 in pledges. When we reach those goals construction will begin as soon as possible. We hope to get started this summer, but that hope is dependent on our self-imposed preconditions. Therefore, our start date is up to us!

What will happen to the house that is on the property now?

The new building will be constructed across the street where the small white house presently sits. This house will be removed. Preferably, the house would be sold and moved by a house moving company. If not, the house will be demolished.

What will happen to the Primera Iglesia congregation that meets in the house now?

We have been in discussion with the congregation. Ash Creek Baptist Church is very privileged to provide support for this ministry, and we will continue our relationship with them. There are several possibilities that would afford a meeting place for the congregation. Most likely, they will move and occupy space that the youth are presently using in the old education building. This would provide the congregation with more space than they currently have and allow for further growth in their ministry. During construction Primera Iglesia would adjust their meeting schedule to a later hour and would use the same space as Youth Sunday School, just at a different time.

How long will it take to complete?

The building process depends on weather, codes inspectors, and unexpected complications. However, we believe it will take between six and nine months to complete once construction begins.

Should my gifts be a part of my tithe or an extra gift?

Your gift to the Next Harvest Campaign should be over and above your regular tithe. Regular tithes support the ongoing ministry of the church and must be maintained throughout the campaign. Your contributions to the campaign will be used exclusively to pay for the new building and will not support missions, ministry, curriculum, utilities, and other ongoing expenses of the church. Therefore, it is especially important that your gifts to the Next Harvest Campaign be over and above your regular tithe.

Will anyone other than youth use this building?

Although the building is being designed for youth ministry, it can also be used by other groups for other ministry. For example, we would give serious consideration to relocating the Contemporary Worship Service to the new building since it would allow for more people and a more appropriate venue for contemporary worship than the present fellowship hall. The building would also make an ideal setting for seminars, conferences and other types of meetings we may want to plan in the future.

How will this building benefit other age groups?

At present the youth share the small fellowship hall with the Adult 2 Sunday School department. Moving the youth ministry to the new building would benefit the Adult 2 department by eliminating logistical problems of transition between these two groups. Also, since youth Sunday School would be expanded in the new building, it would free up existing Sunday School space for the expansion of classes in other age groups. For example, Adult 2 could start new classes. We would also be able to start additional older children’s departments in the rooms that are being vacated by the youth ministry. Ultimately the new building would benefit everyone by utilizing existing and new class room space to accommodate the needs of new youth, adults and children who will be reached. Furthermore, if we move the Contemporary Worship Service to the new building it will eliminate the need to transform fellowship hall from Sunday School rooms to Worship meeting area every Sunday morning.

Place links here.

Office Receptionist/Music Secretary - Lisa Lee

Education/Youth Secretary - Cathy Smith

Financial Secretary - Carolyn Stevens

Building Superintendent - Roland Sparks

Pianist - Connie Dewesse

Organist - Jane Greer

Nursery Supervisor - Irma Reus

Wednesday Suppers - Clint & Jane Slape

Mother's Day Out Director - Wlima Rutlege

Preschool Director - Darlene Longbrake

Cherry Himstedt leads our Women on Mission group by providing education on ministries and missions for women.  This special group of caring women serving God meet the first Wednesday of the month at 5:15 p.m. in Room 245. 

• Women of Faith, "Imagine" Conference

• August 20-21, 2010

• American Airlines Center, Dallas, Tx

The tickets are $99.00 and include box lunches for both days.  Call Cherry Himstedt at 817-444-6870 for more information.

Annual Shoe Drive

Shoes for Orphan Souls

It is that time of year again– back to school, shopping for clothes and school supplies. And the time we collect Shoes for Orphan Souls.  Since 1998, Buckner International has provided over 2 million shoes for children in 69 countries around the world. We have been a part of this effort as we have donated shoes and as we have taken shoes and put them on the feet of orphans in Peru. Let us continue to support this ministry. We will be collecting shoes from August 15th until September 5th. Thank you in advance for your participation and contributions.

  Cherry Himstedt

 WMU Director

The Bible is the guidebook for the Christian life. 9:30 every Sunday morning is a time to gather with peers to discuss the truth of God's Word and how it applies to daily life.

There is a Bible Study group for every age:

• Adult 1 (76 and up)
• Adult 2 (67 to 75)
• Adult 3 (59 to 66)
• Adult 4 (48 to 58)
• Adult 5 (40 to 47)
• Adult 6 (24 - or married - to 39)
• College (18-23)
• High School Youth (Grades 9-12, two departments)
• Junior High School Youth (Grades 7-8, one department)
• Children's Departments (Grades 1-6, one department for each grade)
• Preschool Departments (7 departments from Bed Babies to Kindergarten)