July 2026 Edition

Freedom and Responsibility

by J. Smith

The month of July has been busy and flown. The United States celebrated our 250th anniversary this month. We are the longest lasting Constitutional Republic. May God in His mercy continue to shed His grace on our land as long as there are followers of Him here. Here are some quotes by our Founders (Signers of the Declaration of Independence) to ponder on our 250th birthday: 
Thomas Jefferson – who penned the Declaration: The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? 
Noah Webster – Signer and creator of Webster’s Dictionary: If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted… If a republican government fails to secure a public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.
Benjamin Rush – Signer, creator of the American Bible to be mass produced: The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible. 
    Our founders were deep thinkers and godly men. They understood the Source of our nation’s success, and if we abandoned God, we would not last.  Pray for our nation.
   
  Next in Olivet news, the church had Dr. Jonathan Kaushal come with his family, July 12 to speak in View of a Call. The church voted that morning following a question and answer time, and he will start as our next full-time pastor starting August 16, 2026. He has been trained at Pensacola Christian College (Masters of Divinity Pastoral Studies 2008), Dallas Theological Seminary (Masters of Sacred Theology in Bible Exposition 2010), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctorate of Philosophy 2022). He told the church, “I am passionate about equipping believers with the tools they need to grow in their faith – through sound teaching, biblical instruction, and practical application.” We are looking forward to him, his wife and children joining our fellowship. 
    Pray for the Lord to guide and uphold Olivet during these days, and may we fulfill the mission he has for us.

Business Meeting @ a Glance

The July business meeting had…
Old Business –  Sign – due to city ordinance, the sign will require a flower bed with native Floridian plants around it. The alternative would be to relocate the current sign and that would cost $5,000.Motion made and approved that the church put in a flower bed around the sign.
New Business – Policies & Procedures Committee – They presented the Policies and Procedures document that outlined the duties of the different roles within the church.
As the congregation read each item individually it was then amended, if needed and voted upon.
The following were approved that night: Benevolence, Facilities Team, Church Clerk/ Security Officer, Financial Ministry Team, Historian, Kitchen & Hospitality Team, and Media Ministry. 
Being no other business, the meeting came to an end. 

Announcements:

Food Pantry –Saturday , July 25 – 9-11 AM
Church Council: Aug 10, 11:30 AM
Deacon Meeting: Aug. 11 at 6PM
Business Meeting: Aug 12, 6PM
Ladies Morning Out: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 AM
Crafting for Jesus: Every Tuesday at 10 AM (except the 2nd Tuesday.)
Men’s Breakfast: Meets every Tuesday at 8 AM at the Milton McDonald’s
Coast Guard Birthday – Aug 4
Bro. Chip Last Sunday – Aug 9
School Begins Aug. 10
Dr. Kaushal’s first Sunday- Aug 16
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Prayer Needs:

* God's Mercy and protection on the USA and our leaders
* God's protection on our military and law enforcement.
* Awakening in USA for need of repentance and God
*God's Mercy and protection on Israel
*Protection over members having surgeries and recuperating from surgeries.
*Restoration of health to our ill members.