Ellendale Baptist Church

05/31/2026

One of the funniest things about family life is how quickly a peaceful moment can turn into complete chaos. A parent spends twenty minutes cleaning the living room, only to walk back in and find couch cushions turned into a fortress, the dog wearing a superhero cape, and someone crying because their sibling “looked at them wrong.” Every family has moments like that. Real life is messy. Relationships are messy. Even in the best homes, people disappoint one another, lose patience, say the wrong thing, and sometimes carry wounds longer than they should.
That’s why the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:12-17 are so important. Paul reminds believers that healthy relationships are not built on perfection, but on grace. He calls God’s people to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These qualities do not appear naturally when life becomes frustrating or stressful. They are the result of hearts being shaped by Jesus.
Perhaps the most challenging command in the passage is simple: “forgive each other.” In every family, church, and friendship, there will be moments when forgiveness is needed. Grace becomes real when we choose to extend to others the same mercy Christ has shown to us. Paul points believers to love as the bond that holds everything together and calls us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.
This Sunday, we will continue our “Kingdom Families” series with a message entitled “Grace in the Mess.” Join us as we discover how the gospel gives us the strength to show patience, forgiveness, and Christlike love even in the middle of imperfect relationships.
Thank you for your prayers last week while we were in Honduras! Forgive me if I’m less than perfect in my preaching and speaking today, as we just returned late last night. As always, even when I’m exhausted, it’s a joy to be with you on this journey.

Come visit us at 3861 Broadway Road, Bartlett, TN 38135

Pastor Fred Shackelford IV



Have you made a decision for Christ? Let us know about it here: https://ebcbartlett.churchcenter.com/...

05/29/2026

Last full day in Honduras. Listen to Pastor Fred and DC Cowell as they talk about our week.

05/28/2026

Our eKidz and Mission Friends celebrated the end of school with a Foam Party tonight at Shepherds Field. Thanks to all our volunteers who helped out tonight.

05/27/2026

Our May 2026 Mission Trip to Honduras is powerfully unfolding. The flights were smooth and the past two days have been filled with purposeful work and invigorating activities. Please join us in seeking divine guidance as we labor tirelessly for the Kingdom of God.

05/24/2026

We are only on YouTube today. Please go over to

As you are reading this, I, by the grace of God, should be on our way to arriving safely in Honduras with a great team under the tremendous leadership of my ...

05/21/2026

Last night, our kindergarteners “graduated” from Mission Friends to eKidz. Thanks to all the teachers who have poured into them these past few years.

05/20/2026

Midweek Bible Study: Acts 13: 13–43

05/17/2026

One of the funniest things about family life is how quickly a household develops its own unwritten rules. In some homes, everyone removes their shoes at the door. In others, the thermostat is treated like a sacred object that must never be touched. Some families organize life around sports schedules, while others revolve around meal times, vacations, or bedtime routines.

In my premarital counseling, I always warn couples not to expect the rules they grew up with to align perfectly with those of their future spouse, because every family has a culture. Every home has priorities. And whether we realize it or not, every household is being shaped by a kingdom.

This Sunday, as we continue our Kingdom Families series, we will look at Joshua 24:14–15 in a message entitled, “Choosing Your Kingdom.” Near the end of his life, Joshua gathered the people of Israel and challenged them with a simple but life-changing decision:

“Choose this day whom you will serve.”

Joshua understood something we often forget. Families do not drift toward God accidentally. Left on autopilot, our homes will naturally be shaped by the priorities and pressures of the world around us. That is why Joshua boldly declared,

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

This message will challenge us to honestly examine what priorities rule our homes, reject the rival kingdoms competing for our hearts, and intentionally build our families around the reign of King Jesus. Every family serves something. The question is not if we will serve a kingdom, but which kingdom we will choose.

As always, it’s a joy to be with you on this journey.

Come visit us at 3861 Broadway Road, Bartlett, TN 38135

Pastor Fred Shackelford IV



Have you made a decision for Christ? Let us know about it here: https://ebcbartlett.churchcenter.com/...

05/14/2026

Our eKidz had a great time tonight at Mr. D.C.’s place. Thanks to D.C. and all the workers who made sure everybody had fun.

05/13/2026

Midweek Bible study: acts 13:1–12