On Sunday, March 15, at 6 pm, author/pastor and internationally known speaker Gary Thomas will speak at First Baptist Church in Erwin.The Finishing Strong Discipleship ministry is hosting this event. First Baptist Church and Pastor Brian Scott have graciously offered their facilities to our community for this evening of Biblical teaching.

   Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships within the Christian community. His unique message is designed to help you:

• Embrace the unique way that you interact with God.
• Partner in spiritual growth and character formation with your spouse.
• Build a closer, grace-based family.
• Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.

   Gary served on the teaching team at Second Baptist Church, Houston, for 11 years and is currently on the teaching team at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, CO. Gary is also an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, and was previously an adjunct faculty member at Houston Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas.

   Gary is also the author of numerous books that, together, have sold over two million copies, been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards. His writings have established him as a thought leader in marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation. His titles include the following:

• Sacred Marriage (Over 1 million copies sold)
• Devotions for a Sacred Marriage (Gold Medallion Award finalist)
• Sacred Parenting
• Devotions for Sacred Parenting
• Authentic Faith (Winner of the 2003 Gold Medallion Award)
• Cherish (Over 100,000 copies sold)
• Every Body Matters
• Holy Available (formerly Beautiful Fight)
• Lifelong Love
• Loving Him Well (formerly Sacred Influence)
• Pure Pleasure
• Sacred Pathways (World Magazine’s Top 10 book of 1996)
• Sacred Search
• 9 Must Have Conversations for a Doubt Free Wedding Day (formerly The Couple’s Conversation Guide)
• The Glorious Pursuit
• Thirsting for God (formerly Seeking the Face of God)
• When to Walk Away (Winner of the 2020 Resource of the Year Award from Outreach Magazine in Counseling and Relationships)

   You can find all this information and more about him and his ministry at: garythomas.com/about-gary
When you go there, make sure you take a moment and listen to his video.

   Gary’s writings have personally impacted me. I credit him and his insightful book, Sacred Marriage, as a very positive turning point in my relationship with Christ and marriage with Eunice. I have known Gary since 2014, when the church I served hosted a Scared Marriage weekend in San Antonio.

   When I learned he was coming to the East Tennessee area and was available to be with us, I was excited about the chance to reach out to our community through his godly ministry, which lifts up Jesus Christ so well. He is an excellent teacher and a humble man who the Lord is using across the world.