Midway Baptist Church in Gilmer, TX

12/16/2025

Christ in Christmas Pt. 2
Christmas, the time when we celebrate the birth of Christ. At this time of year, we celebrate the beginning of something that would change the world. Just thirty-three years after His birth, Christ would walk the road to Golgotha and to the cross. There, He would pay the debt of sin that we all owe and ransom us. Christ’s birthday would fulfill many of the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Savior.
No, He would not come as a mighty military leader, but as a humble baby, to be laid in a manger instead of a crib. As Christians, we will spend this time of year celebrating the birth of our Redeemer. But remember, Christ came as a baby, born to die for our sins. He came to pay a debt that we could not. He went from the manger to the tree, like the ones we place in our homes each Christmas. So when you see a Christmas tree, see a cross. But not just any cross, see an empty one.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall
be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

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12/11/2025

Christ in Christmas Pt. 1
About this time, many households across the United States are getting their Christmas trees prepared for the upcoming holiday. With lights and ornaments adorning its branches and presents resting under it, the Christmas tree has become an image commonly associated with Christmas. But when we look at the tree, perhaps we can see past the decorations, and straight to the heart of Christmas.
Consider the ornaments, bright and sparkling. Like pieces of fruit on a tree, however, they are not for consumption. Similarly, fruit once hung on a tree long ago, in the garden of Eden. It was not food. However, we now put up ornaments on a tree as part of the celebration of Christ’s birthday. That fruit hanging on the tree, and the fall of man, is the reason why Christ was born and why He would later hang on a tree.
Not only that, but when you observe the lights on the tree, allow it to remind you, once again, about the real meaning of Christmas. The Light of the World, sent to hang on a tree. Furthermore, when you see the tree-topper, whether it be a star or an angel, remember the Christmas story. Of how the shepherds saw the star and the angels rejoiced. The Savior of the world had been born.
So this Christmas, when you see a tree displayed for all to see, think of why it is there, and maybe, tell someone about the reason for the Light on the tree.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1: 21-23

11/30/2025

Hello folks! We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving this week! We are excited to announce that we have launched a church YouTube channel where we will be sharing sermons. They will be shared with the discretion of our pastor, Johnny Simmons, so not every sermon will be shared publicly. If you would like to hear all the sermons, you will just have to come and see us here in Gilmer on Sunday mornings at 11!

Here is a link to our channel with today’s sermon. The link is also in our page Bio for quick access. God Bless!

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10/06/2025

From the Heart of the Pastor: Lostness

The following comments are excerpted from the Texas Baptists:

Jesus, our Master and Lord, has given us both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The Great Commandment calls us to love God with our entire being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Great Commission is a very practical and strategic way of obeying the Great Commandment: making disciples of all nations.
Christ has given us the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. These become timeless constants to us. When it is all said and done, this is what we will be accountable for.
Over half of the population of Texas does not know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Texas is more ethnically diverse than ever before. A great number of our churches are declining, and some are closing their doors. Yet more people need Christ!
We believe that if we have strong churches, strong ministers and mission partnerships, empowered by God’s Spirit, we can address the lostness in Texas and beyond. At the end of the day, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission belong to every believer and to the local church.
Jesus said in John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest”.

Don’t just GO to church; BE the Church!
Bro. Johnny

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09/08/2025

From the Heart of the Pastor: A Tidd-Bit of History

General William Booth (1829-1912)
Allow me to introduce you to a man named William Booth. Booth was born in Nottingham, England, in 1829. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. As a new Christian, Booth was very committed to evangelism and mission work. At the age of sixteen, he and a band of friends began to hold cottage meetings where they preached, sang and did their best to lead people to salvation through Christ.
In 1865, William Booth and others established the Christian Revival Association. It was later called the Christian Mission and finally renamed the Salvation Army in 1878. This newly formed organization was on a war-like mission in the name of Jesus Christ. William Booth served as its first general.
Dangers of the 20th Century
At the turn of the Twentieth Century (125 years ago), one of America's leading newspapers addressed the following question to many notable people of that time: “What in your opinion is the chief danger, social or political, that confronts the coming century?” General William Booth, who was invited to reply to this question, sent the following: “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be:
- Religion without the Holy Spirit
- Christianity without Christ
- Forgiveness without repentance
- Salvation without regeneration
- Politics without God
- Heaven without Hell
While General William Booth was only speculating and predicting what he believed might happen during the 20th century, you and I have the ability to look back and see if his predictions actually came true or not. Personally, I found his predictions to be quite profound. It's almost as though God had provided Booth with this insight.

Please take a moment to read through the six concerns listed above a couple more times. What do you think? Did Booth’s predictions come true? Is there evidence that these dangers are still relevant today in the 21st century?
- Bro. Johnny

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09/02/2025

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
- Isaiah 26:3
Isaiah 26:3 holds a promise of peace for the followers of Jesus. However, it requires one thing. That we keep our mind fixed on God. As long as we have our eyes on Christ, we will be in peace, despite the chaos around us. We read in the Gospels of how Jesus walked on the water and of how Peter did as well. But what happened when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the world? He started to sink. We must keep our focus on Jesus as He leads us through life. Of course, there will be treacherous mountains and dark valleys, but as long as we keep our eyes fixed on the Prince of Peace, we will go on.
Remember! We are homeward bound. And with Jesus leading us, we will remain on a straight course. So, when life starts to feel chaotic, remember that we follow the One who can give us true peace. We follow the Light in the darkness. The trouble we are going through now is only temporary and we have the promise of peace as we go through it.

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08/27/2025

From the Heart of the Pastor:
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Shared by Teri,

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
- Psalm 139:14

Jesus died at 33. The human spine has 33 vertebrae. The very structure that holds us upright carries the same number of years He walked the earth.
We have 12 ribs on each side—just as there were 12 disciples and 12 tribes of Israel. God inscribed His design into our bones. Heaven is written into our anatomy.
The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the heart and gut, calming storms within the body. Its shape resembles a cross—the power line of peace running through us. Every time your body heals, every time prayer slows your heartbeat, every time peace arrives when it makes no sense—that’s Him.
Jesus rose on the third day. Science tells us that after three days of fasting, the body begins to regenerate. Old cells die, new ones are born, and healing begins. The body literally resurrects itself. That isn’t coincidence—it’s design.
And the wonder continues. Your heart beats with an electrical rhythm. Your brain lights up in prayer. Tears carry different chemistry depending on whether they’re born of joy or sorrow. Blood speaks. Bones hold memory. The body worships, whether or not you’re aware of it.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made—living prophecy, walking tabernacles, dust and divinity woven into one.

God didn’t just create you; He carved His image into you.

You don’t have to look far to find Him. Look within. His design has been there from the beginning.

- Bro. Johnny

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08/25/2025

From the Heart of the Pastor:

Focus On God In Prayer

When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” - Psalm 27:8

How can you guard against hypocrisy and ritualism in your prayer life? Make God the focus of your prayers. I think this is what the apostle Paul was talking about when he said, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Paul wasn’t talking about praying with your eyes closed all day long, walking around in a constant conversation with God. He was saying there is a way to pray in your spirit while going through the activities of your everyday life.

Missionary Frank Laubach wrote a short book called The Game with Minutes about training yourself to think about God and talk to God at least once every minute. Let me share with you several suggestions adapted from Laubach’s book to help you get into the habit of praying throughout your day by focusing on God.

• As you get up and get ready in the morning, tell God your thoughts about whatever you’re doing, even if it’s as mundane as choosing your clothes or making a cup of coffee.

• In social settings, think or whisper “God” or “Jesus” as you glance at the people near you. This will remind you to view people not only as they are but also as the people God wants them to be.

• At mealtimes, set an extra chair at the table to remind you of God’s presence.

• When you’re reading a book or an article, read it to God. Also, share with Him the emails and letters you receive, knowing He sympathizes with both the good things and the bad things in your life.

• When you’re trying to solve a problem, talk to God about it instead of talking to yourself.

• Keep your Bible or another reminder of God someplace where you will see it as you go to sleep. Allow God to have the last word of the day. Then let your eyes and mind begin there in the morning.

That’s the essence of real prayer. Prayer is not a theological formula to reach a distant deity who may or may not be there. Instead, prayer is an intimate conversation covering every detail of your life with the One who truly loves you the very most. That’s the kind of prayer that really works.

- Bro. Johnny

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08/11/2025

From the Heart of the Pastor:
Where do you feel pressure in your life right now?
Is it the demands at work, challenges at home or school or ministry … or just a general feeling of pressure from living in our fast-paced, social-media-filled, busy culture?
Sometimes, if we’re honest … there’s a lot of pressure we put on ourselves …

- To have it all together
- To be everything to everyone
- To do more than we’re already doing

It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

Sometimes I think we need to pray like David … “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1).

Sometimes we all need to pause for a minute, take a deep breath, and remember: there is grace for you today.

Bro. Johnny

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08/03/2025

A view of the keys from this morning’s worship service! Want to hear more? Come worship with us!
Sundays @ 11am

07/20/2025

Our annual summer BBQ cook-off was a success yet again as our winners took home 1st place ribbons and gift cards for Huey’s Coffee!
First place BBQ went to our very own pastor, Johnny Simmons, with his now infamous Smoked Cowboy Meatloaf.
First place dessert went to our church organist and assistant pianist, Sadie Wheeler, with her grandmother’s Peach Cobbler that had home grown peaches from the Wheeler family orchard.

Do you want a chance to make new family and participate in some delicious friendly competition? Come check out Midway Baptist Church on Highway 271 in Gilmer!

07/15/2025

Attention BBQ lovers!!
We are hosting our annual summer barbecue cookoff this Saturday July 19th at the Walleye Park pavilion on Cypress Springs lake!
Everyone is invited! Bring your favorite meat, side dish, dessert, or just bring yourself! Come enjoy a day of fellowship, fishing, and friendly competition as we bask in another glorious East Texas summer.
Festivities will begin on July 19th at 11 AM.
Private message us with any questions. See ya’ll there!