Gault. Accepts New Challenge By JEFF HOLLAND Gault will assume his new posi. (Gaolt--Resigns Position; / (Con~from fro~~ JUL2491

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1 (Gaolt--Resigns Position; / Accepts New Challenge By JEFF HOLLAND Gault will assume his new posi Staff Writer tion Sept. 3. Dr. Ben Gault, director of mis In an interview, Gault said he rec sions for the Pee Dee ~aptjst Associ ognized the enormity of the new ation, based in Rockingham, has position. Gault said one pastor told resigned his position to accept a job him, ''Fayetteville is the most cos as the director of missions for the mopolitan city perhaps in the United New South River Association, based States but definitely in North in Fayetteville. Carolina." Gault announced his resignation In addition to working in an asso Tuesday evening during a special ciation that contains the huge mili meeting of the executive committee tary institutions of Fort Bragg and of the Pee Dee Baptist Association. Pope Air Force Base, Gault will be The association is made of 39 Bap over associational work in four tist churches and one mission m counties that contain a diversity of Richmond and Scotland counties. cultures, including strong popula The New South River Baptist As tions of Hispanic, Korean and Libe sociation voted to call Gault as its rian people. new director of missions June 1. The Under Gault's leadership, the Pee association is made of 101 churches Dee Baptist Association has sup and missions and encompasses ported and helped organize a His Cumberland County, Sampson panic church in Ellerbe. The associa County and 'portions of Hoke and tion has also involved area Baptis Harnett Counties. See Gault, Pag CLIPPING SERVICE ~ 1115 HILLSBORO RALEIGH, NC TEL. (919) NfWS'MESSfNGfR HAMLET, N. C. JUL2491 Gault (Con~from fro~~ in missions tri~ to Jamaic~-~eliJ Haiti, Connecticut, New York, West Virginia and Kentucky. The associati:on also sponsored a iorlels Mis SIOns Conference. The association was instrumental in founding the Family Life Christian Counseling Center and developing a special outreach ministry at the North Carolina Motor Speedway, during the five years Gault has served here. The association is currently operating The Potter's House, a store selling second-hand clothing, furniture, etc. Gault called the store "a two-year dream" thal has done well since it was launched earlier this

2 NEW PASTOR - The Rev. Benjamin S. Gault Jr., new pastor of the Macedonia B~ tist Church near Vander, ~ conducting a revival at his church each night through next Sunday at 8 o'clock. A native of Fountain Inn, S. C., he formerly was pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. of Wilson. ~ ri1am n O:,"d1--~----"'; Durham Sun Elizabeth City Advance Fayetteville Observer Ga5t otua Gazet lb! Goldsboro New s-argus Gr-eensbo ro Daily NewS Greensboro Record

~ CUPPING SERVICE 1115 HILLSBORO RALEIGH, NC 27603 TEL{919) 833-2079 OBSERVER FAY E-T'T"EVI LLE, N. C. CIR: 46.'-42 SUN: 73,483 JUL2791 '-~'lt (,Rev.Benjami. - - -- The Rev. Benjamin S.

3 ~ CUPPING SERVICE 1115 HILLSBORO RALEIGH, NC TEL{919) OBSERVER FAY E-T'T"EVI LLE, N. C. CIR: 46.'-42 SUN: 73,483 JUL2791 '-~'lt (,Rev.Benjami The Rev. Benjamin S. Gault, formerly 0, Rockingham, is the new executiv.. director of New South River Baptis Association, with headquarters at 515PersonSt... He succeeds the Rev. Charles Stevens, who died recently, several weeks after his retirement from the position. Bill West, associational president, said, "We at the New South River Baptist Association are very excited over the call of Dr. Ben GAULT jamin S. Gault Jr. His 20 years of pastoral experience plus his present position as director of Missions for the Pee Dee Baptist Association for the past five years, will provide a well-rounded director who can coordinate both the administrative and mission-oriented duties of our association."... A native of Fountain Inn., S.C. the Rev. Gault attended Furman University and Wake Forest Semi nary. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest in 1968 and.a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Internat.ional Seminary in He served as pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Fayetteville from and has served as pastor of churches in Wilson, Roxboro and Wilmington. He has been missions director for the Pee Dee association in Rockingham since He has been active in the North Carolina Baptist State Convention and-in civic affairs in Person and Richmond counties.

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5 1\ aunno.1 hlp'!o am 01 do.lp B;)!.!~ )O a~pa w 3lS3M.lBJ, p.~,(' aql ""...,....".."", Tt) alp ljjolun Allensn 's6u!pi!nq ~. '1 to ale) Clljel o4m 'staal Pdl::itJ-f. " VU. \OU.v..., Ml)n lh loa ""1'!T~-Il::lU'P.1!': 8,'0 Features editor: Michelle Valenzuela, faith@ fayettevillenc.com Cheers and Jeers: , category 6 BILLY GRAHAM Jesus Christ came down from heaven to bridge the gap between us and God, Page Sf Staff photos by Marc Ha ll The Rev. Ben Gault finishes Baptist Association.... :... lbl.{l xoq (Blaw pa){~ telephone conversation at his office. Gault is retiring as head of the New South River

6 of the I II Iii 8. II Ii H '1 nl a 19 The ~ew South River,V ;-1 <-Baptist As~ciation-leader will step down and retire. )U p By Earl Vaughan Jr. <l lui Staff writer I he Bible teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil. The.Rev Ben Gall1t says many Christians make the problem worse by worrying more about finances than their fellow man. It's a lesson he's preached throughout his 41 years in ministry, including the last 10 as head of the New South River Baptist Association. He plans to step down as head of tbat or ganization between now and July 15, to allow his successor time to have input into planning and budget concerns for the next yea~. The New South River churches hired Gault 10 years ago today by a vote of 9$ per cent of association members gathered at Lafayette Baptist Church to elect their new leader. The association was facing financial prob lems and needed someone skilled in that area to deal with the situation. After asking around the state, Gault was presented as the best candidate. He was serving as director of missioi18 for Pee Dee Baptist Association in Rockingham at the time. "I was always taught you ought to as\ the Lord, 'Am I where I'm supposed to be to day? ' " Gault said. "I sent a resume in with no intention of coming." He told his wife, Dorothy, whom he has [ IA ~ 101 { <l.sa l S{ ~a 1; ~ 3 S ; as Gault has been ministering for more than 40 years. For the first time in his life he doesn't have plans for wh~~) going to happen next, he says. been married to for 46 years, he wouldn't change jobs unless at least 90 percent of the delegates chose him. "I figured I was safe with that," he said. When the vote total was announced, Gault knew he didn't have a choice. "I'd given my word, so here I am." It was not the first time in his life that a message from a higher authority changed his plans. He grew up and attended high school in Fountain Inn, S.C., where he met and married his wife. "I met her 50 years ago on Halloween night," Gault said. "I tease her and tell her I believe in witches." Alove of flying led him to enlist in the Air Force at the age of 17. He served four years on active duty and four years in reserve. In December of 1955, while living in Louisiana, he felt God was calling him to be a preacher. He agreed, but there was a prob lem. "I liked money," he said. "When I got out (of the Air Force) I wanted to make mon ey." He enrolled at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., in 1958 with the dream of becoming an electrical engineer. He and Dorothy had already started a family. The couple had a daug~ a ". ee GAULT, [9 q~ ~

THE FAYETIEVILLE OBSERVER FAITH Gault: Minister shares the gospel, projects and lets financial probl Gault's guide for managing money didn't come from Wall son. Street.

7 THE FAYETIEVILLE OBSERVER FAITH Gault: Minister shares the gospel, projects and lets financial probl Gault's guide for managing money didn't come from Wall son. Street. It came from the Bible Driving home one night, and his understanding of the Gault underwent an experience gospel. "Most people think money that cured him of his desire to make a lot of money. will solve their problems," he His car wound up wrapped said. "It won't. Money is a tool. Management is the need, not the around an oak tree. "You heard of people dying amount of money. and seeing a great light?" he "I try to teach folks that you said. "I didn't see a great light. focus on people and the money I saw a black hole. There was no will follow. I've had 41 years of light for me. God reminded ministerial experience practic me." ing that and every time I can He honored the promise he prove it true. Reach people for made to God in Louisiana years the Lord and the money problem earlier. He graduated from Fur- will solve itself." Gault said the failure of man in 1964 with degrees in religion and political science. many churches when they get He received his ministerial into financial trouble is to start training at Southeastern Baptist thinking about money rather Theological Seminary in Wake than about sharing the gospel Forest, finishing his schooling message with people. "It's like quicksand," he said. there in He served churches in WilThat is part of the reason a son, Fayetteville and Wilming- dual emphasis of his tenure at ton before going to Rockingham New South River has been mis as director of missions for the. sion-related projects and reachpee Dee Association in ing out to believers of different Mter he took the New South races and backgrounds. River job, he commuted from One project that stirs fond Rockingham to Fayetteville for memories for him- is the Beat two months. itude House in Spring Lake. A He was concerned about sell- second house will soon open in ing his house in Rockingham and Sampson County. finding a teaching job for Beatitude House offers undorothy. derprivileged people the chance Gault was told the teaching to select used clothing and other job market in Fayetteville was items for themselves and their tight. On a whim, Dorothy went families. and applied anyway, Gault said. "Our theory is if a person She was hired immediately. chooses the items they select, She wound up reporting for they feel better about themwork before he did. selves than if they have people Selling the house was another give them the items," he said. matter. "We couldn't sell it for "We are also teaching them anything," Gault said. money management. " Finally, the day they mo-~v "TDe minis ry of New SOuth to Fayetteville, Gault said the River's churches has taken on a real estate agent called with an more international scope during offer for the exact amount Gault Gault's years there. When he and Dorothy were seeking. started, there were three for "That's been my experience, eign fellowship groups that met all my life," he said. "God will under the New South River ban answer prayer, but he doesn't do nero it ahead of time." Today the association has When Gault went to work at Korean, Japanese, German, New South River, he said the Russian and native Mrican fel staff consisted of him and three lowships along with two Hispan secretaries. ic churches. Two staff members had been On Sept. 8 at the Charlie Rose terminated and the previous di- Agri-Expo Center, New South rector, who had retired, was River will hold its annual inter killed in a car wreck two weeks national gathering when repre before Gault came to work. sentatives of the various cultur "It was pretty disorganized," al groups will prepare their fa he said. "They were in debt with vorite foods and present music outstanding bil~. 'nley called from. their religious. tradition. From Page le for people to experience the greatness of God from all around this planet. "God loves the people who speak all the languages. It's his world and one family. I'll give you a spelling lesson. How do you spell missions? P-E-O-P-L-E. That's been my theme." At the same time he has tried to get New South River to em brace the world, Gault and all Baptists have been dealing with internal feuding. For more than 20 years, the Southern Baptist Convention has been embroiled in a power struggle between its moderate and conservative wings. The struggle led to the cre ation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and organization that provides moderates the chance to make contributions to organizations and causes that have been cut off from funding by the conservative leadership of the national convention. "I think the only person who has profited from all that divi siveness is Satan himself," Gault said. "He's practiced the oldest military tactic in the world, divide and conquer." As an example, Gault re members that in 1978, Southern Baptists adopted an ambitious missions project to spread the message of the gospel to every person on Earth by the turn of the century. "At the very same time, this divisiveness started," he said. "So you know who I think start ed it." Despite the national divi sions, Gault thinks most Bap tists in the pews can look past their differences and work to gether. "God doesn't call everybody to do the same thing," he said. "We need to reach a point where F==::::;:::::=:::::=====::::::::::========:;

8 ITH ~ts FRIDAY, AUGUST 31,2001 3E financial problems work themselves out by the conservative leadership of the national convention. "I think the only person who has profited from all that divi siveness is Satan himself," Gault said. "He's practiced the oldest military tactic in the world, divide and conquer." As an example, Gault re members that in 1978, Southern Baptists adopted an ambitious missions project to spread the message of the gospel to every person on Earth by the tum of the century. "At the very same time, this divisiveness started," he said. "So you know who I think start ed it.". Despite the national divi sions, Gault thinks most Bap tists in the pews can look past their differences and work to gether. "God doesn't call everybody to do the same thing," he said. "We need to reach a point where.. we can celebrate persons who God created them to be, even though they are different from me. "I can look at them and see good things in all of them." Gault said he got a living ex ample of that last November when his home was destroyed by fire. "Churches responded to us," he said. "Nobody asked me if I was moderate or conservative, liberal or whatever. They were just overly nice to the point where I felt embarrassed they were so gracious to us. "They never bothered to check my credentials one way or the other. They are just peo ple." As Gault approaches retire ment, he says for the first time in his life he doesn't have plans for what's going to hapf,en next. "I'm just wondering what God's got in store for me," he said. "I know he'll show me in time, but I sure wish he'd call me up and tell me." Gault has the outline for a book he wants to write about God's advice on managing mon ey. "Statistics tell me that fi nances are a major factor in 75 percent of all marital breakups," he said. "If we could help change a lot of marital breakups by working on their fi nances, how many children wouldn't have to suffer with sep arated and broken families?" hit said.. Whether or not he becomes an author, Gault says he plans to keep living by one of his favorite scriptures, Psalm 37:4. It says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Staff writer farl Vaughan Ir. can be reached at or vaughane@fayettevillenc.com,,\

Rev. Stines Is. t)e.c

Rev. Stines Is. t)e.c Rev. Stines Is New Pastor At King Rev. Charles Edward Stines will preach his first sermon as pastor of the First Baptist Church in King Sunday. Rev. Stines is a native of Dallas in Gaston County and attended