Pastor Rick's Page

Dr. Ricky R. Hurst is a native of Carroll County, Georgia, and has been an ordained Baptist Minister for 30 years.  He has served as pastor in Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia, as well as the Director of Donor Relation for the Virginia Baptist Foundation.  

Ricky is a graduate of Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond.

He is dedicated to the Gospel Ministry, and to sharing the Presence of Christ through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. He and his wife, Joy, have three sons: Nathan (and his wife Vanessa), Samuel, and Jeremiah. Ricky’s hobbies include creative writing, antique book and bottle collecting, nature, and gardening.

 Upcoming Sermon Titles and Texts: 

February 5, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

“The Servant” (Isaiah 40:21-31; Mark 1:29-39)

February 12, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

WMU Focus Sunday (Dr. Rand Forder, Preaching)

February 19, Transfiguration Sunday

“The Blessing” (2 Kings 2:1-12; Mark 9:2-9)

February 22, Ash Wednesday, 7:00 PM

“The Turning” (Psalm 51)

February 26, First Sunday in Lent

“The Affirmation” (Genesis 9:8-17; Mark 1:9-15)

News From Pastor Rick: “Sic’em!”

The Great Commission of the Jesus Community (the Church) is all encompassing.  It is private, public, local, global, and universal!  I like to think of our mission as the unleashing of the Jesus Community (the Kingdom of God) on the world!  The image I have in mind is of Jesus the Great Hunter who reaches down and unleashes the hounds of the church on the world, and says, “Sic’em!”  He commissioned his Community and empowered it with his Great Spirit of Love.  And then, he unleashed it on the world (Acts 1:8).  The world has never been the same since the Jesus Community was unleashed. 

Luke’s Gospel says that Jesus’ mission was the work of God’s Kingdom: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, Because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” (Luke 4:18-19).  Luke also reminds us that “the Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21).  So, the Jesus Community is enthused with the presence and mission of Jesus’ Spirit, and must continue his work.   

Albert Schweitzer interpreted “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) as “I will not let you go, you must continue my work!”  I think that today’s church needs to rediscover what it means to be the Jesus Community – the movement of God’s Kingdom on earth.  There is much for us to rediscover at Main Street Baptist Church and to do in Emporia, and in the world with Jesus!

  The love of faithful people makes things happen in the Jesus Community.  People in Emporia want to belong, they want to be accepted, and they want to be loved.  The best thing going for our church is the fellowship (koinonia) mentioned in Acts 2 and 4.  The early church held all things in common, they met together every day to listen to the Gospel, and they loved to eat together.  Now that’s a program I can get excited about!   Paul called that program “Love” (agape). 

  The Love of God, unconditional and sacrificial, is the best program we can use to bring more people into the doors of the church.  Communication of that love is a very important aspect of attracting people, and the whole congregation plays a vital role in doing that.  So, I say to you as Jesus has said to the church, “Sic’em!”

Grace, Peace, and Love,

Rick

Dr. Ricky R. Hurst, Pastor

drhurstmsbc@gmail.com