SOUTHERN BAPTIST THE WEST VIRGINIA. January-February VOL. 42, NO. 1

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1 THE WEST VIRGINIA January-February VOL. 42, NO. 1 SOUTHERN BAPTIST A Cooperative Program ministry gladly sharing the truth and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the stories of our Lord s work in and through the churches of West Virginia Southern Baptists. January-February 2012

2 From the Executive Director: Executive Director Terry Harper I hope that you and your family had a great and joyous celebration of our Lord s birth and I am ready to have a great new year! I think that a new year is always a time to be fi lled with anticipation, but never any more than We hope and expect to see a church planting movement begin here that will greatly impact the darkness that surrounds us and will bring many into a saving knowledge of Christ. We are ready to see the Church Planter Catalysts begin their work in the fi ve regions of the state. They will be working with THE WEST VIRGINIA SOUTHERN BAPTIST (USPS ) Greg Wrigley, Editor gregwrigley@wvcsb.org Published nine times per year by The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists Number One Mission Way Scott Depot WV pastors and churches in those regions to fi nd hot spots that could serve as a place for a new church start. They will be working closely with the Associations in those areas and in most cases with the Associational Missionaries. They will be getting to know the pastors and the churches in those regions and hopefully will become aware of men in those churches who could become good church planting leaders. They will seek to develop these leaders and nurture them until they actually become church planters for the future. It is my prayer that every one of our Associational leaders will desire to work with these men and will pray for them and give them their support. I also hope that you will be supportive and that you may one day have a small part in actually seeing a new church come into being. What could be any greater mission than having some part in birthing a New Testament church that will bring souls into the kingdom? At the same time, our current state staff in the offi ce in Scott Depot, will ramp up their support of our existing churches. If there is any way that any of us can be of help to you, please call upon us and let us know about your situation. If you know of a Pastor or any member of his family that is sick or in the hospital, please make us aware of it. Southern Baptists do our best work when we agree to work together. Regardless of what your position was on the SPG that was voted on at our convention in November, I hope that you will agree to work with us and see if together we can truly impact the lostness here in our state. If we are able to do that, God will be honored, his Kingdom will advance and we will all be fulfi lled! That does not mean that you or I was necessarily right in all of our deliberations or our voting, it simply means that God has decided to bless our work and we are moving forward together for His glory! I am excited about our future. I believe that the future is bright and we are sure to see the blessing of the Lord in days ahead. I hope and pray that you will decide to join us and that we will come to the convention next fall, rejoicing over what the Lord has done. Sincerely, Terry L. Harper Note: No paid advertising or subscriptions accepted. This paper is fully funded by Southern Baptists in West Virginia. Periodicals Postage Paid Scott Depot, WV and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Number One Mission Way Scott Depot, WV The WVCSB is Building Strong Foundations for a Strong Future We are focused on ministries that Build the Kingdom: Missions and Evangelism Prayer and Spiritual Renewal Communication and Public Relations Strengthening Churches Fellowship...Fulfilling the Great Commission 2

3 Southwestern Offers 2012 Revival Preachers By Benjamin Hawkins FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) Churches can join Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in promoting spiritual awakening across the United States by hosting preachers during Revive this Nation, March 11-14, Southwestern aims to send revival preachers to 200 churches throughout the nation, with at least one preacher in all 50 states. We want to partner churches who will join us in prayer for God to revive our nation and who will invite people to come hear the Gospel preached. Thomas White, vice president for student services and communications, said, Passionate men who have thoroughly prepared stand ready to preach the Word, calling believers to greater commitment and the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. During Revive this Nation 2011, the seminary sent out 124 preachers, who led 140 people to accept Christ as Savior, and engaged more than 1,250 people in personal evangelism. Southwestern will pay for the roundtrip transportation of preachers to and from the revival locations. Churches provide housing, meals and local transportation. To sign your church up, visit WVCSB Calendar WVCSB Calendar January January Bible Study Staff/Associational Update 14 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg 15 - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Youth Evangelism Conference Florida Partnership Mtg 29 - Day of Prayer for the SBC February True Love Waits Emphasis Deacon Training 12 - Racial Reconciliation Sunday Focus on WMU 18 - Men s Ministry Planning Mtg 18 - Children s Ministry Day 25 - State VBS Clinic March Bivocational Pastors Retreat Youth Week Week of Prayer for North American Missions & Annie Armstrong Offering Basic Training Journey 11 - Daylight Saving Time Begins 15 - WVCSB Order of Business Committee WMU Officers Council Marriage Enrichment Retreat Ministers Wives Retreat MARCH 2 & 3 April 1 - SBC Seminaries Sunday 6 - Good Friday (Office Closed) 8 - Easter 14 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg 15 - Life Commitment Sunday Baptist Doctrine Study 21 - Youth Sing Celebration 21 - Sunday School Builders 22 - Cooperative Program Sunday WMU Missions Celebration Some assistance is available for all association Sunday School Directors and church Sunday School directors who attend. Call Greg Wrigley for details xt 118 May 5 - Children s Bible Drill Youth Bible Drill 6 - Senior Adult Sunday 13 - Mother s Day Christian Home Week January-February

4 SBC PRESIDENT PROPOSES CONVENTION NAME CHANGE SBC President Bryant Wright, pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, wants to explore the possibility of changing the name of the Southern Baptist Convention. The issue was brought to the Convention in 2004 to explore the possibility, and was defeated by a ballot vote. Wright is appointing an advisory committee which will study the implications and report back to him. He hopes to have a preliminary report for the Executive Board at its February, 2012, meeting. Executive Committee member, Darrell Orman, Pastor of FBC Stuart, Florida, said, A name change could be a future necessity for our convention but it should start from the bottom up, not the top down. He continued by saying that the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force s 2010 proposals have left a lot of confl icted feelings...across our nation. We don t need another wedge issue at this time. Charles Chambers, a layman from Toledo, Ohio, said, If you get outside of Georgia, Florida and Tennessee, GCR is still very, very divisive among Southern Baptists. Don t divide us again. Some of the people Wright plans to ask to serve on the advisory committee are Tom Elliff, president of the International Mission Board; Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board; Fred Hewitt, executive director of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention; Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary; Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Seminary; John Sullivan, executive director of the Florida Baptist Convention. Wright wants the committee to consider four questions: 1) Is there value in considering a name change? 2) If so, what would be a good name to suggest? 3) What would be the potential legal ramifi cations of a name change? 4) What would be the potential fi nancial implications? Any proposed name change would have to be approved by a majority of messengers at two consecutive SBC annual meetings, according to the convention s constitution. ---from Baptist Press articles The picture above is of a silicone representation which depicts what a human fetus looks like at age 10 weeks. A baby at this age has a beating heart, its own blood system, detectable brain activity, every organ has formed, you can tell if it is a boy or a girl, and fi ngerprints are forming. You can get this resource, and others, by calling , or visit Emmanuel Baptist Church, Tri-County Association, recently celebrated the placement of a new steeple on their facility. Larry Tomlinson is pastor. NATIONAL COOPERATIVE PROGRAM UP SLIGHTLY NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- The Cooperative Program allocation budget ended its fi scal year with its fi rst increase since 2007, a moment that Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President and CEO Frank Page said was a "cause for joy" in light of economic hard times. The Cooperative Program allocation budget fi nished its Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fi scal year with receipts up 0.06 percent and combined CP and designated giving for the year up 0.17 percent, although total receipts were 3.98 percent below budget, according to Page. "I... want to say thank you to the many pastors who are leading their churches to signifi cantly turn around their Cooperative Program giving." -- Frank Page The total includes receipts from state conventions and fellowships, churches and individuals for distribution according to the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists' method of supporting missions and ministries of state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. Page applauded the increase in light of 2010's large decrease in receipts and the badly depressed economic conditions churches are facing. The CP allocation budget was down 4 percent last year. A total of $191,878, in CP gifts was received by the Southern Baptist Convention during the fi scal year from Oct. 1, 2010, through Sept. 30, up by $115, (0.06 percent) from the previous fi scal year's $191,763, During the fi scal year, an additional $191,878, in designated gifts brought the fi scal year's overall giving for national and international missions and ministry to spread the Gospel to $383,756,710.91, or 0.17 percent above the previous year's $383,087, combined fi gure. "While this is a slight increase of $115,492.29," Page said of the yearly CP allocation budget total, "when placed in the context of last year's $8 million decline in the SBC portion of the CP, it is an encouragement and a cause for joy... 4

5 What have I got myself into? was the question I asked myself the most while riding several hours in a fi fteen passenger van to Tyrone, Pennsylvania. I was faced with a diffi cult situation as I had been shy my whole life and was sitting with all these people I had just met. A church friend by the name of Chloe White had told me about this mission trip and I was interested because it wasn t too far from home. Unlike me, Chloe had several mission trips under her belt already and knew how things went. I, on the other hand, had not been to a single one so this was my very fi rst mission trip. Many emotions were in play that fi rst day after we made it to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tyrone. I was feeling very out of place, alone, scared, and extremely nervous. I was on the verge of tears and just really wanted to go home. I prayed extremely hard that God would help me get through this because I knew I couldn t do this alone. I met this family that came individually and since our van was overfl owing, I rode with them to Wal-Mart and to a restaurant. At Wal-Mart, I started to calm down just a little bit because this family reminded me of my family at home. There were only a couple of times I felt like crying then, but the big test was while we were sitting in the restaurant as the evening was turning into night. I ordered my food, sat there quietly, and felt very uncomfortable because I was just ready to come home. We made it back to the church and had devotion before we went to bed. I was glad it was time to go to sleep because I wouldn t have to feel all of the emotions. After talking to my parents that night and laughing with my roommates, a sense of I can do this swept over me. I knew after I thought that, it wasn t going to be as bad as I had made it out to be. The next day was completely different and the days that followed were a piece of cake. That s when I knew that things were going to be different when I returned b a c k home to Hurricane, West Virginia. I vowed to never be shy in my hometown or state again since I just went through the most emotional roller-coaster ever in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. God had stretched me very much throughout that whole week and I grew to be not only a better person, but a better Christian as well. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. God had given me hope that week and I knew I could always call on Him when life gets tough. Looking back on things now, I realize that God was just doing what was in his plan for me and I will forever remember the life changing trip to Tyrone. ----Desiree Daniels (pictured far right) Tyrone, PA, July 23-30, 2011 January-February

6 A NEED FOR PRAYER ---Rev Dan Biser, Zoar Baptist Church The issue at hand We are under judgment. Society at large is grossly wicked and evil. The church is powerless to do anything about the onslaught of hell. Families, what I consider to be the last sound structure in society, are eroding away quickly. Massive amounts of souls are departing from this world without Christ and into an eternal hell. Time is of the essence for response. Every day pushes closer to a catastrophic event. Prevailing prayer is the answer to all these things, but it is not determined to be the course of action taken by leadership. The Proposal We should give an immediate call to prayer. Set times and give leading for specifi c praying of confession over the sins of our nation, the church, families and individual sins. We cannot adopt a 'one and done' mentality here. We need a sustaining prayer practice in the church. It needs to be demonstrated; it needs to be maintained; it needs to be labored over. Who? - Every state convention; every association; every church and every Christian soul. When? - There should be set aside a weekly time of prayer by the church. For associations and state conventions, a gathering together once a month for prayer needs to be practiced. Or perhaps, setting aside the fi rst or last Sunday of every month to be given to this great need of prayer. Why? - For our God is merciful. He will have compassion upon us. 'Who knows if He will return and repent and leave a blessing behind Him?' To seek Him is our only hope. To forsake this moment is to usher in greater judgments and destruction. Prayer has always been the means that God has moved, raised up and honored times of awakening and revival. It never came from the majority of religious people, but a small remnant that was faithful. All humanistic approaches of means and methods have failed and given rise to the darkness. These methods have eroded away a pursuit for holiness and negated faithfulness among God's people. What? - There are two prayer initiatives coming at the fi rst of the year, which I believe can help us in this pursuit. 1. OneCry.com - starting in February, 2012, Life Action and other groups are coming together to join in a cry for God's mighty moving across our land and in the church; 2. Awake a 21 day prayer guide by Claude King, adopted by the Louisiana 6 State Convention, is starting the fi rst day of January and having 3 weeks of praying and then concluding with a week leading up to a Solemn Assembly. Other state conventions are promoting this as well. The substance of prayer is to be specifi c and direct in its approach. There is the need to cry out for God to come down in power by His Spirit upon the church. We know that God is willing to do this, but sin hinders Him from doing it. Also, confession needs to be worked through for our nation, our states, our churches, our associations, our families and our own personal lives. Third, the time of adoring and knowing to whom we are praying is important. A spirit of worship of the Almighty is to get our minds on things above. We need to confess to God that the problems we are currently facing are not too big for our Lord. They are for us, but not for God. A sustained period of resolve is needed. To think that we simply may all participate in January and then be done on January 31 is not looking at this right. We begin on January 1, but no one stops until revival comes. ---some resources are listed at What a great day!! This last Sunday Canaan Valley Baptist Church had a day of celebration. We were blessed to baptize two adults and two children! The celebration was held at a local restaurant because the group was too big for the church fellowship hall. Mark Joseph, pastor of Canaan Valley Baptist Church, had the privilege to baptize his youngest son, Samuel. He said "I have had the opportunity to baptize all my children and it is one of the greatest joys as a father I have had"! We had the greatest joy baptizing our fi rst convert, Julie, in the resort setting, since we came here six years ago. She has been sharing her testimony to family, friends and co-workers. Pray that we will continue to be faithful in planting seeds here in Canaan Valley..."Let us not become weary in doing good!... (below) Pastor Mark Joseph preparing to baptize his son, Samuel. Covenant Baptist in Romney had a Trunk or Treat outreach on Halloween. Five hundred children received treats and were presented the gospel. Christmas cards were prepared and 285 cards were sent to servicemen. The congregation prepared and donated 125 boxes to Operation Christmas Child. Eight people have been baptized this year! Quentin Simpson is pastor. Baker Heights Baptist Church, Tri- County Association, received a donation large enough to purchase the materials needed to complete their new building.

7 Al Gilbert to Lead NAMB s Love Loud By Joe Conway ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) The North American Mission Board will be giving a makeover to its ministry evangelism emphasis. It will provide new direction, new opportunities and a new executive director. Al Gilbert, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston- Salem, N.C., has accepted the new leadership role. NAMB is calling the emphasis Love Loud. Our Send North America strategy is to penetrate lostness through church planting. That includes planting churches in North America s inner cities and mobilizing churches and communities to show people God s love and point them to a relationship with Christ, NAMB president Kevin Ezell said of the ministry, We will be intentional in connecting people to new or existing Southern Baptist churches. NAMB vice president for evangelism and leadership development, Larry Wynn, welcomed the fellow native Georgian to his team. Al brings high energy and real passion for taking the Gospel to the world, said Wynn. He is a leader in SBC life and a practitioner of loving people to faith in Christ. Gilbert will give direction to the new Love Loud team at NAMB, beginning in September, after serving the last nine years as Calvary s senior pastor. Gilbert, who also serves on the Southern Baptist Convention s Executive Committee, said he was excited and humbled by the opportunity. I have a passion for following God s heart and helping God s people follow Him in missional living, said Gilbert. I derive great joy in helping God s people discover God s passion. In his fi rst year at Calvary, Gilbert led the church to have an even greater impact in Winston-Salem. Basically, I asked them to help us discover how a church with a great missions heart that was involved in missions internationally could have a local impact. After a year of study and preparation, Calvary held Love Winston-Salem, a one-week mission trip to their own city. It solidifi ed my passion to ignite people to the reality of God s heart for the nations with God s heart for our neglected neighbors, said Gilbert. Wynn said it was that intentional approach to ministry evangelism that convinced him and Ezell that Gilbert was the obvious choice to give direction to Love Loud. When I came to NAMB, Kevin and I started talking about expanding ministry evangelism, said Wynn. Southern Baptists are good at building bridges, but we don t always bring the Gospel across the bridge. We want to make sure we are offering hope with the help. Meeting people s needs in life events like crisis medical situations, crisis pregnancy, or adoption opens the door, but when we offer help in those situations we also need to share hope in Christ. We need to make sure we do both. Love Loud will combine existing ministry evangelism while also adding new evangelism efforts through NAMB. The effort will include volunteer opportunities for medical and dental professionals, crisis pregnancy, hunger and Campers On Mission, among others. Love Loud will also embrace new work including adoption and foster care ministries, as well as helping inner-city schools. Love Loud will primarily utilize volunteers mobilized from existing and newly-planted SBC churches. Additional new initiatives are only in the planning stages at this point, Wynn said. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, Wynn said. For instance, you may see elements of Love Loud as part of Crossover efforts, particularly in a city like New Orleans that still has so many needs. You will also see elements of Love Loud in our church planting efforts. Love Loud will help church plants and existing churches connect with their cities. It would be fair to say that Love Loud is an expansion of ministry evangelism. We will look to do more than we have ever done in helping churches love people to Jesus. Gilbert spent fi ve years as special assistant to the president at the International Mission Board. Prior to joining IMB he pastored Liberty Baptist Church, Hampton, Va., from He also pastored Knollwood Baptist Church, Burke, Va., from and served on church staffs in Texas and Georgia. A graduate of Georgia College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Gilbert is in his second term on the SBC Executive Committee. He delivered the convention sermon at the 2008 SBC in Indianapolis, and served on the 2009 SBC Resolutions Committee. Gilbert and his wife of 38 years, Karen, known as K.K., have four children, and 11 grandchildren. ----Joe Conway is a writer for the North American Mission Board. Some of the 80 youth and their leaders who met for a youth rally at Freedom Baptist Church, Nutter Fort. Michel Boyer helped lead the event. FBC Craigsville, Allegheny Association, recently completed remodeling their worship center. The top picture is before the remodeling. The bottom picture shows the completed work. David Sommerville is pastor. FBC Ceredo used area pastors to preach at their October revival meeting. (L to R) Pat Elliott, Jonathan Campbell, Cledith Campbell, Paul Harris, Rodney Hale [pastor at FBC Ceredo] C. J. Adkins, and Randall Robertson. January-February

8 MOVIES WORTH WATCHING The American Family Association gives favorable reviews to these movies: The Last Brickmaker in America ---stars Sidney Poitier as a maker of bricks who, in the middle of personal crisis, befriends and mentors a 12 year old boy The Cross and the Towers ---follows the lives of people who found hope in the aftermath of the Twin Towers destruction Cutback ---Luke wants to be a surfer, despite his parents wishes, and so tries out for the high school team, but a tragic event causes him to test his faith The Penny ---an interesting tale of the lives of people who come in contact with the same coin until their lives and their problems are worked out The Widow s Might ---John and Cameron want to make a movie to win an award, but instead help put on a musical western to help raise money to save a widow s farm Sybil Ludington ---based on a real event, follow the journey of the girl Paul Revere as she makes her own horseback ride to bring a message to the colonials The Sugar Creek Gang ---just plain fun as the children solve mysteries and go on adventures Who is Simon Miller? ---a mom and her teen age children must pull together as they search for the reason their husband and dad disappeared October Baby ---a different kind of story that tackles the issue of adoption as a 19 year old girl discovers she is adopted, and the challenges and questions this brings for her and her adoptive parents If you like a little more action, the Dove Foundation suggests Jerusalem Countdown. Also, try out The Grace Card, What If..., Soul Surfer, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry, or A Mile in His Shoes. The Mandie series of mystery solving adventure provide entertainment. And, the Courageous movie will be out on DVD in mid-january. GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW HE LOVES YOU. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [John 3:16] MAN IS SINFUL AND SEPARATED FROM GOD. As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one. [Romans 3:10] For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. [Romans 3:23] JESUS IS GOD S ONLY PROVISION FOR SIN. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [Isaiah 53:5] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans 6:23] WE MUST RECEIVE JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Romans 10:13] THE DECISION IS NOW YOURS. And you shall seek me, and fi nd me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. [Jeremiah 29:13] Admit to God that you have sinned and have been wrong to Him. Believe that Jesus is God s Son, and that He died on the cross for you. Confess Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and commit your life to Him. If you or your church leaders want a 2012 Diary, contact Terrie Hannah at xt 115, or terriehannah@wvcsb.org SPEAKER Greetings from Southern Europe. My name is Joseph Booher and my family and I are Ms with the IMB. We're eagerly anticipating our Stateside time December 18th 2011-May 30th We will be staying on the campus of Clear Creek Bapt. B College in Pineville, KY and are looking forward to visiting with ch s and speaking at events. We would like to make ourselves available to you if ch s or events need a M-speaker from Southern Europe. We would love the opportunity to serve. If any of these things interest you and you would like to set-up a time for any of these things, please let us know. Thank you for your time. CONTACT AIMEE SCALF AT xt 107, or aimeescalf@wvcsb.org for contact information. 8

9 West Virginia Prayer Focus Your state convention staff meets each working day for a brief time of prayer. We pray for missionaries, campuses, associations, churches, and church plants by name each day. We invite our readers to pray as well. NEW WORK: 2012 is going to be an exciting year in West Virginia. New mission works will be started in every corner. Pray how your church can be involved in a new work in SCRIPTURE PROMISE: Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so. Psalm 107:2 MINISTRY FOCUS: Men s Ministry--what is your church doing to engage the men in your church, families and communities? We would love to hear the fun, creative and powerful things you are doing and how God is moving and changing the lives of men across West Virginia. WEEKEND FOCUS: Family Time--In a busy and often over scheduled world, take time this weekend to invest in your family. Mark off days of the calendar as priority time to spend investing, engaging and growing your family. A Godly family is an example and witness to the lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let it begin at home. RESOURCE: Honor Begins at Home: The Courageous Bible Study Member Book guides the participant through an 8 week study, based on topics discussed in the movie. Studies include redeeming your story, walking with integrity, and winning and blessing the hearts of your children. The books are available at LifeWay stores, and at for $7.95. Date Jan. 3 Jan. 4 Jan. 5 Jan. 6 Jan. 9 Jan. 10 Jan. 11 Jan. 12 Jan. 13 Jan. 16 Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 23 Jan. 24 Jan. 25 Jan. 26 Jan. 27 Jan. 30 Jan. 31 Feb. 1 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 9 Feb. 10 Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Feb. 15 Feb. 16 Feb. 17 Feb. 20 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Feb. 29 Mar. 1 Mar. 2 Association Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Campus Church Williams Creek Willowbrook Witcher Zoar, Burlington Zoar, St. Marys Abundant Life, Triadelphia Altizer Amazing Grace, Capon Bridge Ansted Avondale Baker Heights Beaver Creek Berean Berkeley Big Spring Blackwolf Bluewell Borderland Bradshaw Mountain Brenton The Bridge, Matoaka Brooksville Brushfork Burke Memorial Calvary, Belington Calvary, Bluefield Calvary, Bolair Calvary, Chapmanville Calvary, Follansbee Calvary, Grafton Calvary, Meadow Bridge Calvary, Morgantown Calvary, Ravenswood Calvary, War Camden Flats Cameron Canaan Canaan Valley Cathedral of Prayer Ceres, Bluefield Charity, Wyatt Chattaroy Church of the Good Shepherd Community, Grantsville Church Plant SB Community Min., Reedy Abundant Hope Carpendale Centerpointe, Hurricane Cherry Grove Chinese Fellowship The Church at Martinsburg Crossroads, Burnsville Dayspring, Lee Terrace Faith, Winfield Ferrellsburg Freedom Biker Church Friendly Gateway, Peytona Grace, Pleasant Valley Harbor Light, Steubenville HarborLight, Oceana Hatsal Korean, Martinsburg Hope, Richwood Lighthouse, Follansbee Living Hope, Petersburg Living River Marland Heights Marshall Community Ministry of Salvation Mountain Ministry Chapel New Life, Arnoldsburg New Vision, Martinsburg North Jefferson Solid Rock, Hundred South Wheeling SB Community Min., Reedy Abundant Hope Carpendale Centerpointe, Hurricane Cherry Grove Chinese Fellowship The Church at Martinsburg Crossroads, Burnsville Dayspring, Lee Terrace Faith, Winfield Ferrellsburg Freedom Biker Church Friendly January-February

10 ALLEGHENY ASSOCIATION Living River Chapel reports that Lincoln County Baptist Association in Stanford, KY, sent twenty chairs, and the next Sunday we had nineteen in attendance. We have had six new visitors this month. We have the growth hormone in the air (Jesus). We have put two people on staff, David Hughes as Youth and Music Minister, and Aaron Sligar as Minister of Worship and Youth. They both have a burden for the youth. Both have worked with youth and have plans to work with other churches in our area. Please pray for them as they begin a ministry to reach a special people group in our area. --Ace Sligar, Pastor News from West Virginia Churches Adam, on October 1. Josh is the pastor of Redemption Hill Church near Pruntytown. November was a record month for the food pantry at Berkeley Baptist in Berkeley Springs. They served ninetythree families during the month. Many individuals and families were helped this year, with a total of 803 boxes of food and meat distributed. REVIVAL MEETING AT GRACE PARKERSBURG Grace Baptist Church in Parkersburg, held a revival meeting September Dr. Chad Brand did the preaching. Dr. Brand is a professor of theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The guest preacher led a Bible study each day at noon, also. Pastor is Todd Hill. (below right) (below) Association Missionary Dick Howie (L) stands next to guest speaker Dr. Chad Brand. REVIVAL MEETING AT WEST UNION GREATER HUNTINGTON ASSOC. First Baptist of Ceredo celebrated twenty-fi ve years in their present sanctuary. Former pastor Phil Kazee was the guest speaker in the morning service which was followed by dinner on the grounds. Rodney Hale is the current pastor. Locust Grove Baptist, where Randall Robertson is pastor, held a fall festival for junior church members featuring food, games, prizes, and crafts. The Awana group took a trip to Strike Zone for a fun fi lled day of bowling. Their Awana enrollment continues to grow. MONONGAHELA ASSOCIATION Calvary Baptist, Belington, reports fi ve people joined the church in the fall. The church helped serve food at the Clarksburg homeless shelter in October and November. They had a huge turnout for their clothing and hot dog give away, but more importantly shared Jesus with all who came. Jesse Mesa is the pastor. Real Life Church has begun Celebrate Recovery every Friday night with an average attendance of fi fty. In addition, the church was involved with the Lewis County Christian Alliance in planning and carrying out the Light the Night Festival & Judgment House at TALA. Approximately thirty people made professions of faith after going through the Judgment House. Rick Brown is pastor. Freedom Baptist in Nutter Fort, pastored by Jim Sanders, hosted Rich Garza, a former NFL player, of Sports World ministry in November. In addition to speaking at the church, Rich delivered a powerful message and testimony to area schools and correctional facilities. Many made decisions for Christ. Congratulations to Josh and Mandi Brown on the birth of their son, Cohen 10 Dan the Animal Man Visits Riverview Baptist Chapel Dan Breeding put on 3 shows in Weirton, WV, 2 in Follansbee, WV, 1 in Wellsburg, WV, 1 in Bridgeport, OH, 1 in Wintersville, OH, and 1 in Bellair, OH. He showed a porcupine, an owl, a lemur, a boa constricter, a monkey & an alligator. He explained how God made each animal special and unique. Dan declared that God had a special plan when he made people, that they didn't come from any animal, and that we are made in the image of God and all this was in His plan. At the end of the show everyone was given the opportunity to touch the alligator and to have their picture taken with the alligator. Dan is from Rolesville, NC. Check his web page at dantheanimalman.com Pictured above with Dan the animal man are (R-L) Riverview's clowns Roxann Rowland, Judi Baldwin and of course, Alley the alligator. Pastor Jim Messenger welcomed Pastor Todd Hill, Grace, Parkersburg, as speaker for their revival meeting. The youth group from West Union met to discuss issues and challenges they face in their world today. (below) The youth Sunday School class at Berkeley Springs Baptist has grown in numbers and in doing ministry. (below)

11 News from West Virginia Churches left---association Missionary Dennis Cherry (R) stands next to Warren Gilpin, President of the AL- LEGHENY BAPTIST AS- SOCIATION, who is next to First Vice-President, Bill McClung, who stands next to Second Vice-President George Secrist. right---coalfields BAP- TIST ASSOCIATION OF- FICERS: Moderator, John Thompson [left] and John Harden, Vice-Moderator. above---mountain STATE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION elected (L to R) Dan Jividen, Treasurer; Cathy Deel, Clerk; Shirley Milam, Clerk; Jim Milam, Moderator; David Dockery, Vice-Moderator. above---pioneer BAPTIST ASSOCIATION offers are (L to R) Sherry Milam; Andy DeHart, Vice-Moderator; Roger Jordan, Moderator; as Bernard Toppings, Association Missionary, prays for their leadership. above----potomac HIGHLAND BAPTIST ASSOCIATION offi cers are (R to L) Dan Howard, Moderator; Carolyn Gough, Treasurer; Barb Ertel, Clerk; Don Ertel, Association Missionary; and Bill Miller, Vice-Moderator. above---mike Watson (L) Association Missionary UPPER OHIO VALLEY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, stands next to Larry Garrison, Moderator, and Gary Eller, Vice Moderator. above----some of the elected leaders for the TRI-COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. Johnny Kelly [third from right] will serve as Moderator. Don Chandler [center] will serve as volunteer Association Missionary as the association considers how to proceed. January-February

12 SOME IDEAS FOR CON- DUCTING JANUARY BIBLE STUDY JBS has an age-graded curriculum for it, like Sunday School. So there are many ways to use the material as one church wide event or by the individual age groups. Use it for a special Saturday event; use it on Wednesday nights or Sunday nights; or as the Children s Church Bible lesson. The youth could use it in a retreat setting. Use the study material for a sermon series; or for the Sunday or Wednesday night study material. The study could easily be used over a period of four to eight weeks. Have a revival type series with a guest speaker leading the study Sunday through Wednesday. Or, you could lead the series yourself in this format. Ask a fellow pastor in, or your association missionary, or someone from the Convention offi ce. You could have a January Bible Study Sunday. Begin the study in Sunday School, continue in the worship time, have a light lunch, then continue for about two more hours. Do not have a Sunday night service. It makes for an intense day, but it does work. Or, use the material in the Sunday morning times as above, and again in the Sunday night times. You may consider expanding the Sunday night time if you only have a worship time. An intriguing idea is to have a dessert fellowship on Wednesday with the January Bible Study material. Invite unchurched friends for dessert and Bible study on Wednesday nights. Have drinks and desserts available as you study the material. This would be more of a fellowship atmosphere, but also less threatening to unchurched folks. Want to try something really different? See if the local restaurant will let you use the private room or a corner on a weeknight. Invite the town for Bible study. Many people want to study the Bible. Use your imagination! There are many ways to use the material. STATE VBS CLINIC for all association VBS training teams--- Saturday, February 25, 9 AM, Freedom Baptist Church, Nutter Fort get your association team enlisted! registration details will be mailed to the association VBS directors; AND STATE SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION TEAM TRAINING is Saturday, April 25, 9 AM, at Freedom Baptist Church, Nutter Fort for the association training team; special guest Dr. Ken Hemphill for the afternoon session, who will address all workers about Sunday School and the Kingdom of God. Registration and housing information will be mailed to the Association Sunday School directors. Everyone is invited to this afternoon session at 1:00 PM.