Latest “Inner Circle” News
Summer 2006
Steve Hurst School of Ministry
Ludowici First Baptist Church
Elim Baptist Church Ludowici
Spring Creek Baptist Church
Word and Way Baptist Church
Inner Circle Releases New Recording Project
Steve Hurst School of Ministry, Nashville, TN
July 9, 2006
Working in class
It is difficult to describe the Steve Hurst School. It is a wonderful adventure into stewardship. Stewardship of praise, sacrifice, exaltation, gifts and talents. Inner Circle attended the 2006 school prepared for the hard work required to increase the ministry. And we were not disappointed. The school has become an annual highlight filled with unrestricted praise and worship, encouragement from friends, support of other ministries and hard work at “honing our craft”. Instructors like Eddie Harrison (Hope’s Call), Deborah Talley, Mark Trammell, Joyce Martin, Dale Forbes and Steve Hurst kept the challenge before us and called us to press farther than we’ve been before.
Inner Circle with Mark Trammell
Mark Trammell shared that God has equipped us, encouraged us, set the task before us, then challenged our hearts for the “Will of God”. It is here that we learn to be ourselves with what God has equipped. If we try to be someone else, we do it without His equipping.
Steve loves us and we love Steve. He is our reminder that the call is greater than our intentions. He is worthy of and expects our best efforts. Nothing less will do, for the consequences are too great for us to give less. God has called some people apart and prepared them to lead the body to worship. And we are like the Levites of old who must lead worship with the very best that we have to offer. Work hard at the ministerial craft. No one will be saved because of our laziness.
Joyce Martin blessed us as she cried while we sang “Carry the Cross” during her class. She was supposed to be teaching, and us learning, about blocking techniques, and instead we learned again how worthy He is.
And we were humbled to learn that Deborah Talley had been praying for Inner Circle during the year and had questioned Steve to see if we were coming to the 2006 school. She encouraged and loved us during the wonderfully difficult 2005 session, and quietly continued her support between sessions. We are forever grateful for her Christ-like love.
Inner Circle in the 2006 Artist Showcase
It speaks volumes to know that a school has become one of our spiritual highlights. God’s presence and blessing are so prevalent that leaving is difficult, yet we attend the school so that we can return to the core of the call — carrying the glorious Gospel.
Ludowici First Baptist Church, Ludowici, GA
July 30, 2006
Inner Circle at Ludowici First Baptist Church
What a trip this turned out to be. This was Inner Circle’s first stop in Ludowici and we anticipated a great blessing and were excited about meeting new friends. As we approached, the local Georgia State Patrol post sent a representative to greet us and assure that our travel would be safe and legal. Greg graciously thanked them for their service and dedication (and the warning...Whew!) and pressed on.
The morning was fresh following a hard storm that passed through Saturday evening. The storm scattered debris and knocked down several small structures that had been under construction but brought much needed rain.
Ludowici FBC welcomed Inner Circle with Christ-like love and demonstrated a new excitement about GodŠs work in their fellowship. Many at FBC shared about the destruction of the previous building due to fire, and how God used the event to purge their ministry. Now they are in a new facility and have a new work. Phil Swindell and others encouraged us during the morning service and made our portion of the service a blessing. As the pastor delivered the sermon, it was easy to see that GOD was fresh in this place.
Elim Baptist Church, Ludowici, GA
July 30, 2006
Elim Baptist Church-Pastor Tim Hall
The spirit of song at Elim
The evening started out with great anticipation as the Elim family gathered. They were so gracious and loving during our visit and truly exhibited Christ to us. A spirit of freedom came over the service as Pastor Tim Hall and Music Minister Reggie Burgess extended themselves to this loving congregation. It was here that we first sang publicly some of the songs from our new project “Mercy and Grace”. The participation and response was evidence that God used this service as a blessing as many expressed prayer and praise. Inner Circle ministered and had a wonderful time. Elim was a huge blessing to our ministry.
Spring Creek Baptist Church, Rome, GA
August 20, 2006
Spring Creek Baptist received Inner Circle with open and loving arms. The Music Minster, Amanda Reynolds sweetly provided Christ-like encouragement during the evening and made herself available as we prepared for the service. And she did this while experiencing a stomach condition that was scheduled for surgery the following morning. What a sacrificial blessing she was to us during the evening. The church family responded so beautifully to the message of encouragement, and in doing, became a blessing to us. Christ is surely exalted at Spring Creek.
Word and Way Baptist Church, Linedale, GA
August 27, 2006
What a day of fellowship. The people of Word and Way Baptist Church are a loving family of believers. The service started with a visit from the Holy Spirit, and it never let up. God sweetly moved as people made private decisions, requested prayer and received salvation. The pastor, Lawrence Agan, is 84 years young and full of excitement about God’s work at Word and Way. He led in such a beautiful way and it was easy to see that the he is loved by the congregation. And the food was fantastic. Inner Circle left full and satisfied — physically and spiritually. Praise the Lord.
Inner Circle Releases New Recording Project
September 2006
Inner Circle has released their much anticipated new recording project titled “Mercy and Grace”. Recorded in Powder Springs, GA, “Mercy and Grace” features brand new songs and several familiar favorites. The heart of this project is the message of God’s mercy, which is poured out in compassion and forgiveness, and His grace which He has given that we may become His children. This message is evident in selections like “Last Place to Grace”, “Mercy and Grace”, and “Blessed Hope”, reminding us of God’s goodness and deity. The very heart of God is found in “Behold the King”, which reveals what He has prepared for us in Heaven and leads us to the throne. Written by David Hill this song is destined to be a memorable moment is any service. “I’ll Be Going Home”, penned by John Farley is reminiscent of the days when granddaddy and grandmother listened to Gospel music on the old Victrola radio.
“These new songs are exciting to us and we can’t wait to share them,” said Janice Bagley of Inner Circle. “God has a special message in this project.”
Produced and arranged by Jason Clark for CN Productions, this recent effort may be their best. “Inner Circle is a very hard working ministry. Not only are they giving their best, their giving their heart. And that willingness to pay the price is why God will use this project in a mighty way. I believe that Greg, Cheryle and Janice will be amazed at how God blesses and heals through this work.”
“Mercy and Grace” is available from Inner Circle by ordering from our website in our “Music” section.