24-Hour Prayer Vigil

(August 28-29 9:00 am to 9:00 am)

The children of Israel, under the leadership of Nehemiah, were engaged in the difficult task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Their numerous enemies all plotted together to fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against them. The people were discouraged and afraid. Yet, we read in the book of Nehemiah, “But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” (Nehemiah 4:8-9)

Work (even hard work) without prayer is only that - work. Moreover, prayer, without work, takes advantage of God's grace and is sometimes a spiritual disguise for laziness. The people of Israel put the two together. They knew that, if the wall was to be completed, God's guidance and protection were required. Yet, at the same time, common sense said to post guards on the wall.

They prayed, and they worked. In these two words, prayer and work, we find the key to almost any successful venture. We seek the Lord fervently in prayer, and we roll up our sleeves and get to work.

We have done a lot of work so far in this campaign. The list - FAQs, print materials, phone calls, stuffed envelopes, meals, meetings, Bible classes, planning sessions, and the countless hours logged by an army of volunteers - is staggering. However, long before this work began, there was prayer. It would be safe to say that since the campaign started, every meeting has included prayer. Many of you pray regularly that we will continue to see God's vision for this church and that He will continue to change our church and community. We are in the middle of 40 days of prayer by the congregation. This campaign has been bathed in prayer.

We have one more focused prayer time on our schedule. The twenty-four hour prayer vigil begins Friday morning, August 28th, at 9:00 a.m. and concludes Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. How appropriate it is that we close out forty days of prayer with our twenty-four hours of prayer on the weekend we all make a commitment to the campaign. We are asking every member of this congregation to come to the building at some point during the prayer vigil and join with others in prayer. If you are out of town on that day, please take time in your schedule to pray wherever you happen to be. Remember that prayer request cards are at the building. Fill out these cards, and your requests will be prayed over along with the other requests from our members and friends.

The key event of our enVision What God Can Do Campaign is not Commitment Sunday or even the Celebration. The most important event is this prayer vigil. We have posted the guards. Now, we pray!

Commitment Sunday

We are nearing the conclusion of the EnVision What God Can Do capital campaign effort. Based on the biblical example in I Chronicles 29 of leaders leading with their generous giving, it was announced this past Sunday that 46 families (including all elders, ministers, A-Team members and leaders of the Capital Campaign Teams) have committed $985,000 to the campaign. This is a great start at meeting the financial goals (see below) for this campaign. And as stated before, this is more than raising money, it is about raising faith. To that end, we are hearing and witnessing how many are growing in their faith and prayer lives through the 40 days of prayer. It is very exciting to see how God is working through so many people to bless this church and position Twickenham for the future.

This Sunday, August 30, is Commitment Sunday and we will be passing out Commitment Cards to be completed during the service. If you are unable to attend this Sunday and plan to fill out a card, you can obtain one through the office and complete it our ahead of time as some are doing. An envelope will be provided to ensure the confidentiality of your commitment.

Please continue to be in prayer for this effort and for What God Can Do at Twickenham.

In Him,
Steve Crigger

Financial Goals: Our first goal for the campaign is to raise $1.8 million over a three-year period. These funds will allow us to complete our renovations and meet the needs of the children at the Hacienda of Hope. If we raise $2.5 million, we will be able to carry out the renovation plans, provide the funding necessary for the Hacienda of Hope, and reduce the commitment to our existing note. By raising $3.5 million, not only will we be able to fund the renovations and support the Hacienda of Hope, but we will also be debt free in three years. Eliminating the financial commitment to the building will allow us to save significant interest costs and have an additional $18,000 per month for outreach, service, and ministry opportunities that will greatly impact our community.

Something to Celebrate!

The planning for the Celebration Lunch being hosted on September 13th has already begun! A few of the 4th & 5th grade girls (with a little help from Steven) got together to make cookies for this big event. Thank you Maggie Cox, Miranda Mosley, Megan Mann, Sydney McDonald, and Steven Crigger for volunteering your time. It looks like a very fun day!

A Step of Faith (Part 4) by Brad Cox

Twenty-eight years ago, Wayne Lumpkin received a call from Francis “Babs” Roper commissioning him to design and build a stain glass window in honor of her recently departed husband Nolan, the founder and owner of Roper’s Flowers. The elaborate project was not intended for use in the Roper home, but rather, upon completion, to be used as the centerpiece above the baptistry in the new Twickenham Church of Christ sanctuary. Babs was not a member of the newly assembled church, but she and Nolan thought so much of the preacher, Bob Anderson, that she wanted to give this window as a tribute to both men.

Lumpkin would later recall about the project, “A church commission is always a great challenge as it must combine the thoughts and ideas of many people; church committees, architects, donor of memorial windows, and the window designers.” Consultations with Mrs. Roper and the church committee took place over many weeks to arrive at the final design. The bottom panel was designed as a floral tribute to Mr. Roper while the center panel is a tranquil scene highlighted by a beautiful dogwood tree. At the top is a very simple cross. The window, covering an area of sixty square feet, consists of over eleven hundred individual pieces of glass coming together to create a feeling of peace and rest.


This past year, Dennis and Rebecca Botts were looking for a church home. After searching for quite awhile and attending many different churches, a friend told them about Twickenham. After attending our worship time, Rebecca recalls that it just seemed like home and she felt connected to the family here immediately. Rebecca and Dennis quickly joined the Twickenham family. When telling family and friends about her new church home, her brother Wayne told her, “You know I designed and built the stained glass window in their sanctuary.”

I catch myself getting so caught up in the issues and cares of the day that sometimes I forget the impact our actions will have in the future. The sacrifices, efforts, and investments made today will bring forth a rich harvest in the days to come (Psalm 107:37-38). This past Sunday, Mayor Tommy Battle shared with us some very exciting things that will be happening in Huntsville over the next few years. I believe the Lord has provided this church a unique opportunity to make a difference in our community. May we each prayerfully consider how we too can sacrifice to bless others both now and in years to come.

Audio: To replay the sermon presented on Sunday, August 23rd click HERE.

Commitment Sunday – August 30th

God has always used special moments to create energy - energy that, when released, moves His people forward.

Moses made a stop at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19) and had a powerful encounter with God. The people felt God's energy, and Moses received some pretty good instructions there as well.

Reminiscent of the Exodus, Joshua led the Israelites to the Jordan River, and God gave him these instructions:

“And the LORD said to Joshua, Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.”

As we know, the priests did not stand in the “waters” but in the river bed on dry ground. How did that happen? Because they were obedient, God stilled the waters' flow so that they walked across on dry ground. Once again, God used a moment in time to release His energy and move His people forward.

Sunday, August 30th, is a moment in time for God to release His energy for the members of this church family. Each of us will be asked to make a three-year commitment to the enVision What God Can Do Campaign. No one knows what you should give to this campaign except God! All must rely upon God to help discern what that amount should be. And your commitment will be held in confidence.

Our leaders have volunteered to turn in their commitments on August 19th, and we will announce their commitments on Sunday, August 23rd. All remaining members will receive a letter asking them to turn in their cards during our worship service on Sunday, August 30th. Commitment Sunday is NOT the end of the campaign. It is the beginning of new blessings for our church family and for God's work in this community.

Below is a sample of the commitment card to be used in our enVision What God Can Do Campaign. Each family will have the opportunity to make a commitment to the campaign. The amount pledged and written on this card should be “over and above” your current weekly contribution.


We are confident that sacrificial giving will be blessed and that we will be able to achieve our financial goal. Commitments may be made weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually over the three-year period from September 2009 to August 2012.

A sample commitment card will be mailed to you during the week of August 24th, and another one will be provided to you on Sunday, August 30th. We ask that you please pray for guidance in making your decision.

enVision Videos

On Sunday mornings, we have showed three enVision campaign videos. Thank you Larissa for the unbelievable amount of hours you put into these! A special thank you to each person who participated in recording these videos, to Mike & Cindy for providing us with excellent audio, and of course, it would not have been possible without everyone who contributed to the photography. These videos were a true team effort! As the bible says, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." ~ Psalm 107:21-22

enVision Renovations (Part 1 of 3)



enVision Ecuador (Part 2 of 3)



enVision Outreach (Part 3 of 3)

First Fruits Sunday – September 13th

On Sunday, September 13th, we will enjoy “First Fruits Sunday.” “What is that?” you ask. “First fruits” is a concept designed by God. The Israelites were instructed to give the first 10% of ALL they had to the Lord and were told they would be blessed for doing so. The Psalmist said in Psalm 3, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing…” It seems that God was teaching His people to be generous and to trust in His providence.

Sunday, September 13th, will be the second Sunday following Commitment Sunday of our enVision What God Can Do Campaign. On this Sunday, we ask each member to begin honoring their commitment to the campaign. Now, we don't expect you to give 10% of your three-year commitment on the 13th, but we would like all of our family to begin giving together toward our total commitment.

Please be in prayer that God will be honored on “First Fruits” Sunday and that the “barns” of our church will be overflowing.

Please remember that September 13th is also the day we will celebrate 30 years of Twickenham. On April 30, 1979, a group of Christians ventured out on faith to form this congregation. We honor their commitment and look forward to our continued commitment to the work of God at Twickenham. It is truly amazing how God has used this congregation over the past 30 years. It is incredible to enVision What God Can Do through us for the next 30! On Sunday, September 13, we will have a church-wide lunch to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Twickenham and what God has accomplished through the enVision Campaign. Please mark your calendars.

A Step of Faith (Part 3) by Brad Cox

In life we are presented with opportunities every day. Whether it is to buy the newest product, take advantage of a great business deal, or to accept a social invitation, we are all offered opportunities that must be evaluated. Sometimes these opportune moments come from the Lord. In Ezra 7, the Persian King Artaxerxes offers the remaining Jews still in Babylon the opportunity to return to Jerusalem to see and worship in the newly completed Temple. For those willing to return, the pagan king sweetens the deal by announcing he is going to send back the silver and gold articles stolen from the Jews over a hundred years before. While this is quite a proposition, Ezra the priest knows there will be great danger inherent with transporting thirty-three tons of precious metals across the desert to their destination nine-hundred miles away. This Jewish leader is torn between trusting God for deliverance or asking the king for a military escort for the journey. After a time of prayer and fasting, ultimately Ezra decides it is more important to present an accurate picture of God as their deliverer to Artaxerxes than to seek help from the earthly leader. The Lord honors their cry for protection and delivers all twenty-four leaders and their crews carrying the treasure without incident.

We too have been presented with an opportunity to advance the Kingdom of the Lord through supporting the ministries of the Twickenham Church of Christ in this campaign. My hope and prayer is that we will all commit ourselves, like Ezra and his men, to a time of prayer and fasting as we prepare to step out on faith in honoring our Lord and Master.

Audio: To replay the sermon presented on Sunday, August 16th click HERE.

40 Days of Prayer by Tim Logan

(July 22 - August 30)

What would happen if we awoke each day with a new passion to see God's Glory - a passion to talk to the Lord in prayer and be transformed? We are in the midst of 40 days of prayer. This provides us the opportunity to grow that passion each day as we read prayer thoughts from members of our family. We have the opportunity to go to our Father, not with our wish list or complaints, but to talk to Him and allow Him to reveal Himself to us.

Prayer is the medium that God uses to transform us. It is both fellowship and communication with God. God is drawn to prayer, and He delights in our talking to Him. Through prayer, He releases His blessings in our lives. Christ's disciples requested of Him, “Lord teach us to pray.” They saw something they desired in His communication with the Father, and they wanted to pray in the same manner.

Real prayer is life-changing and allows our will to be given over to God. Since God desires that His house be known as a “House of Prayer,” we must persevere as we seek His answers. Our prayers should not be mere exercises but a continual part of our life. To “pray without ceasing” is to continually offer up prayer in your heart to God as you walk daily with Him.

We see from His words in Matthew 6:16 that Jesus expects his followers to fast as part of their discipleship walk. I would like as many of us as possible to choose a regular time to accompany our prayers with fasting. In His teaching, Jesus makes the assumption that we will do this. My prayer is that this will be a season of surrendering and of growing closer to our God.

Everyone has a packet of prayer cards and the opportunity to approach the Father daily. On August 28-29, we will collectively go before the Father in a 24-hour prayer vigil. May God bless us in our journey.

Envision Leadership

(from Envision newsletter #2)

At this point in the campaign, there are some teams that have been busy for months and some teams that have not yet begun. We wanted to take a moment to make you aware of the Capital Campaign Team Leaders. Through this campaign, we will appreciate more fully the many people and the God given talents that make Twickenham so amazing. If you've not yet done so, let the below Team Leaders know that you would like to help. We look forward to seeing YOUR talents used to glorify His name.

Minister: Brad Cox
Campaign Director: Steve Crigger
Campaign Manager: Kerry McDowell
Communication Team Leader: Casey Green
Administrative Team Leader: Amy Mack
Follow-Up Team Leader: Jamie Kimbel
Invitation Team Leader: Shannan Bridges
Celebration Event Team Leader: Janet Anderson
Prayer Team Leader: Tim Logan
Education Team Leader: Dan Beasley
Children's Team Leader: Jim Pape
Student Team Leader: Owen Green

A Step of Faith (Part 2) by Brad Cox

God's people, who made the decision to return from Babylon to rebuild the temple, soon found out that this was no easy task. Local detractors influenced the new Persian king to command them to halt construction. Instead of trusting in God, they laid down their tools for sixteen years. To get them back on track God sent two of his prophets to motivate and inspire his people. Haggai challenged his fellow Jews to consider their ways. How could they build lavish homes while allowing God's house to remain in ruins? Because of their unfaithfulness, the prophet revealed that the Lord had been working against his people by withholding the dew and rain needed to nourish their crops. Haggai called upon his countrymen to give the Lord a sign that they were still with Him by restarting the construction. Zechariah was also sent to his people to give them a message of encouragement and remind them of the importance of their task. The completion of the temple would signal to the other people of Judah that it was safe to return. God was with his people, come home. God dwelling in His temple in Jerusalem would also serve as a means of drawing all people to Him - both Jew and Gentile.

As we go through this exciting time at Twickenham we need to realize what an incredible opportunity we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. We too are called to acknowledge God's power and show others that God is with us, not just for our benefit, but also as a ray of hope to those that do not know the Lord.

Audio: To replay the sermon presented on Sunday, August 9th click HERE.

Deeper Devotion by Scott Martin

(from Envision newsletter #2)

Some of the most fascinating stories in the Bible tell of people who totally committed themselves to God. We see the willingness of Abram to leave his home for an unknown destination and his willingness, later, to sacrifice his promised son. We see the entire nation of Israel wandering into the wilderness toward the unknown, the disciples willing to give up everything and follow Jesus, and Paul leaving behind his position and power to go to Asia Minor. In every case, every one of those who fully committed himself to God was rewarded far beyond his expectations.

I desire that all of us at Twickenham will fully commit ourselves to God. Devotion to God and love for Him should be the central aspect of our lives. We need to have sufficient faith and allow God to be the Lord of our lives. I desire that we realize the rewards repeated continually throughout the Bible – the rewards of a life lived following His lead.

What does this wish have to do with the capital campaign? Well, during this campaign all members will have a chance to fervently pray for 40 days. We are all being called to a deeper trust in God. This campaign is an opportunity for all to assess both our relationship with God and His work at Twickenham. This is more than an effort to raise money. It is a chance to realign our lives and recommit ourselves to God.

So, what do we realize from our effort? I envision changed lives and a more profound devotion to God by all of our members. I envision bringing God's love to our corner of the world. And we will do this with transformed hearts, a larger and better-equipped facility, and more money in our budget to support necessary and beneficial programs in our community. What things are possible when you combine expanded resources with a church full of committed and sacrificial hearts? With God added to the mix, anything is possible!

How to be Free by Bonnie Libhart

Close your eyes and visualize where you would like to be five years from now, what so you see yourself doing…What job, home, accomplishments do you see for yourself? What does your Family Life look like, your Spiritual Life, Financial picture, Health, Friends…Keep that vision with you always. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18, “Without a Vision the People Perish!” Ask yourself, in the last five years, what has changed, improved, been crushed; what can I do to change directions – to get unstuck!

Five years from now starts today!

On my television show Vision+, I interviewed a Policeman who had shot a suspect; I asked, “What’s most loving thing you did last shift?” Tears came to his eyes. He was touched that someone would know he does ‘loving’ things also.

My daughter, Emily a Russian Interpreter, helped take a million Bible’s to the former Soviet Union. She was killed when a car hit her. My 88-year-old Mother said Emily did more in her near 30 years than she’d done in four score and eight. EMILY CAME TO MODEL FOR OTHERS: We came to model for others and be a Demonstrator of the loving attitude.
Being Free empowers you, created in God’s image, to set your goals. Learn computer, write to your Mother, grandchildren, Simplify and streamline.. Make your goals. Led by God believing. “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

~ Bonnie Libhart

Our Prayer by Jon Perry

(from Envision newsletter #2)

It's been said, “One man's trash is another man's treasure.” The Hacienda of Hope has gathered and cherished children that others have discarded, and what a treasure they are. You can actually see God's kingdom in their shining eyes. Thanks to the ministry of Jerry and Pat Snyder, these children no longer hunger for food, clothes and shelter. And, as God's creation, they are like the rest of us. Daily, their souls crave encouragement, affection, discipline and spiritual food. Something tells me they have a real appreciation for the daily sustenance that God is providing them. What trash do you treasure? What sustains you?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” ( Matthew 6:19-21).

“Father, God, Thank You for heavenly treasures and our daily bread. Set my eyes on Your kingdom and give me a heart that treasures Your sustenance. Thank you God for the children of the Hacienda of Hope who demonstrate Your handiwork and Your spirit. Bless them, and all of us, with lives of faith and peace. Amen.”

Hacienda of Hope by Glen Laird

(from EnVision newsletter #2)

From the beginning, the Hacienda of Hope has been an adventure for all of us, and it's been a blessing to witness God shaping this incredible mission. Jerry and Pat Snyder are very much a part of the Twickenham family. Their testimony is a lesson in sacrificial living. Selling all they had, they answered the call to serve the children of Ecuador.

I paid a visit to the Hacienda of Hope in March and was amazed to see that the vision today is bigger than ever. Caring for abandoned children remains the primary focus, but God has providentially altered things to touch many more lives. The new Hacienda of Hope Christian School is full with 125 students – each one bright and hungry for knowledge. Expansion is underway which will double the school's capacity. Having already developed the reputation as one of the best schools in the greater Cayambe area, it is certain to be full upon completion.

Our school and orphanage have combined efforts with the Bellevue Christian Camp to start a new church, and attendance is already close to 150 in just its second year. Can you envision a church of 500 in this rural section of Ecuador? Jerry can! This church is full of energy and doing everything it can to touch the community.

Just as Paul must have thrilled the first century church with his missionary adventures, Jerry and Pat Snyder have thrilled us. And just as his perseverance inspired them, Jerry and Pat inspire us.

A Step of Faith by Brad Cox

After 70 years of living in captivity in Babylon, Cyrus king of Persia came to power and made the decision to allow God’s people to go back to Judah and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Because God worked on the heart of this pagan king, the door was opened for God’s people to return from exile. To take advantage of this opportunity the Israelites would have to step out on faith by sacrificially giving of their wealth and forming a new community of believers in the sacred land. Only forty-two thousand gave up their life in Babylon to return. Who were these bold believers? Ezra 1:5 tells us it was “everyone whose heart God had moved.” As we begin this journey of faith together as a community of believers our leadership is calling each of us to commit to a season of prayer, allowing God, not man, to call us to step out on faith. May all we do seek to honor the Lord and to advance His Kingdom.

Presentation of the enVision Campaign

Today was an exciting day! Steve Crigger, Lincoln Smith, Jon Perry and Brad Cox presented a detailed overview of the enVision Campaign. If you missed this presentation, be sure to listen to the below recording or join us this Wednesday night when the information will be presented again for everyone that was not able to attend.