The Messenger ~ Page 3

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1 The M Messenger September/October 2018 A Bi-Monthly Publication of The Moriah Baptist Association Volume 50, Issue 5 Moriah Baptist Association 203rd Annual Session and Missions Celebration Fork Hill Baptist Church 1125 Fork Hill Road Heath Springs, SC October 2, :30 p.m. Celebration 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. Worship Hour Rev. Donnie Tillman, Guest Speaker Springdell Choir Will Provide Special Music If you want to be blessed, come to our 4:30 p.m. time of Celebration and hear about all the exciting things that Moriah is participating in state-wide, nationally, and internationally. Also, guests from our State Baptist Convention and some of our colleges will be present to give us updates, as The meal will be served at 6:00 p.m. and will consist of beef tips/rice and pork roast, baby limas, macaroni & cheese, broccoli salad, rolls, tea and lemon or chocolate pie. Cro- Tickets for the meal will be available beginning August 30 September 20, and the cost is $10. Mark your calendars! I hope to see you there. Bryant Moriah Baptist Association Sunday School - Life Group Leadership Training Covenant Baptist Church 165 Craig Manor Road Lancaster, SC Saturday, August 25, :30 a.m. until Noon 1. Love Sunday School 2. Are interested in learning more about Sunday School 3. Are in any leadership position or attend Sunday School 4. Are considering becoming a teacher 5. Have a heart for reaching people for Jesus 8:30 9:00 a.m. Registration (Fellowship Hall) 9:00 9:40 a.m. General Session 3 Circles Evangelism 9:45 a.m. Noon Breakouts General Officers Pastors Nursery-Preschool Bobby Howard, SC Baptist Convention Denise Johnston, Lancaster Second Bryant Fersner, Associational Missionary and Bi Donna Shook, North Rock Hill Baptist Church Children Jenny Provin, North Rock Hill Baptist Church Pastor Appreciation Luncheon, October 18 Bryant Fersner October is Pastor Appreciation Month. In honor of our pastors, lead and staff, Moriah is hosting a luncheon on Thurs- Main, Lancaster. This is in partnership with the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina. Pastors, please let us know if you will be with us by Monday, October 15. Please or call the office at There will be no formal program. We will enjoy the meal and fellowship. Youth Adults There is no cost for this training. Registration is not required, however it is recommended so that we can assure enough space and materials. If possible, please indicate which breakout session you will attend. You may register by calling the Mission Center at or ing Judy at Judy_Moriah@Comporium.net Bryant Laird, SC Baptist Convention Kenny Pittman, Fork Hill Baptist Church Steve Mackey, Thorn Hill Baptist Church Break: 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

2 Page 2 ~ The Messenger Pastors and Wives Christmas Dinner November 29, 2018, 6:30 p. m. MORIAH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION h REV. BRYANT FERSNER Associational Missionary bryant_moriah@comporium.net (Cell) JUDY HAMMOND Office Manager judy_moriah@comporium.net LOIS LUCAS Support Staff REV. RONNIE BOONE Associational Photographer h MISSION CENTER 914 W. Meeting Street Lancaster, SC MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1042 Lancaster, SC h OFFICE FAX h OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 2:30pm Friday - Closed Yes, it is hard to believe that we are planning for Christmas! Our Pastors and Wives Christmas dinner will be November 29 at 6:30 p.m. The place will be communicated at a later date. Childcare and a meal for them will be provided. Make your plans now to attend this fun evening. Reservation are necessary so that we will know how many adults and children to expect. Please make your reservations by calling the Mission Center ( ) on or before November 20. Ministry Assistants Christmas Luncheon Scheduled Mission Center Our annual Ministry Assistants Christmas Luncheon be catering our meal. Reservations need to be made so that we can plan for you! You may call the Mission Center ( ) by November 26. We are excited to have you attend! Sand Hill Baptist Church, Kershaw, SC Sand Hill is searching for a full-time minister of children and youth to promote the gospel of Christ, to organize, disciple, and mentor all children and youth. Resumes may be sent to the following address: sandhillbaptist.sc@gmail.com or mailed to the church at the following address: Ryan Jones Sand Hill Baptist Church 6895 Hwy 341 Kershaw SC Prayer...Next Steps for Your Church Tuesday, October 23, 7:00 8:30 P. M. Bryant Fersner This program is for anyone interested in taking the next steps in building a more effective and empowering prayer ministry in your church or small group. The leader will be Ms. Katie Whitaker, Prayer Coordinator for our South Carolina Baptist Convention. Fall Begins September 22nd Victory Sports Camp 2018 Brad Kirkley Youth Pastor, Catawba Victory Sports 2018 has been a great and mighty blessing from the Lord! This year was the fourth year that we have had the camp, and it was by far the best year we have had. We had the privilege of being able to come into contact with 160 kids daily from the Buford and Lancaster communities where we taught sports and VBS all week with them. The biggest thing through this whole camp was that we had the opportunity to present the gospel whether it was in the sports time or VBS. This year at the Lancaster camp we decided to not only do the sports camp but also to have an outreach team. The outreach team was able to go into the community at Barr Street where we were able to love on the community, pray with people, meet needs throughout the week, gave away free snow cones, and had a free car wash. We had ninety workers from seven churches in the association come together to be one church that week in our Jerusalem as we saw lives and hearts changed from the power of the gospel message. Our hope is that we would see more churches and more volunteers come together to be a part of this week next year. Please be in prayer for Victory Sports Lancaster/Buford 2019 and the great things to come from this week. Mission Center Closed on in observance Mission of Center Labor Day. closed on in observance of Labor Day.

3 The Messenger ~ Page 3 The Forgotten Responders (911 Dispatchers) A New Ministry/Missions Connection Bryant Fersner, Associational Missionary It was a Friday morning several weeks ago. I was in the basement and as I came back up the stairs, my wife said, on Matson Street where we live. I picked up the telephone and ran outside. As I looked at the scene, I stopped and dialed 911. As the dispatcher picked up the call, I was by the side of a lady whose body was half out of her car and partially on the road pavement. An eighteen-wheeler was pouring diesel fuel. It was not a pretty scene with potential danger, not to mention the serious injury (or at this point not knowing who else may be hurt). As the 911 operator dispatched emergency somebody was with her, and the 911 operator kept me on the line until the first responder arrived. I say all of the above to say this: There is much ministry support we can offer to those who serve our communities including law enforcement, fire/first responders, and EMS. I thought about the first person we call in an emergency situation, 911. What could we do as churches and our Moriah Association do to connect and build relationships of care with those behind-thescene servants? They, like others, experience very stressful situations and keep us as calm as possible and focused. If your church would like to participate by providing snacks (individual packages of crackers, candy, energy bars, etc.), please bring them to the Moriah Office. We are encouraging missions groups (children, youth, and adults, to write notes of encouragement). At the end of November, we will deliver them to the 911 Call Center. Cowboy Entertainer Florence, South Carolina performs a Classic Western/Cowboy music program. You will remember the days of yesteryear tains with a full-stage performance with music, comedy and a tall tale thrown in for good measure. Senior Adult Fall Festival Sherwood Baptist Church Thursday, September 13, :00 12:00 Noon (Lunch to Follow: Cost $3) Lunch: Chili and Beans Frito Chips Cornbread Each participating church is asked to please bring a crock pot of chili for approximately every ten people. Also, please bring a dessert for each ten people attending. Tickets are available at the Mission Center from August 13 September 6. - Through a grant from our South Carolina Baptist Convention, we are able to provide funding up to $200 for pastors (lead and staff) to enjoy a one or two night get away for husband, wife, family rest and renewal. Four pastors have taken advantage of this opportunity. Two spots - by Thanksgiving. For more information, call Bryant at the Mission Center ( )

4 Page 4 ~ The Messenger Senegal (Bandi) Update Bryant Fersner Amazing spiritual miracles happen when we invite God to open our eyes to see the needs of our neighbors as well as the nations. We live in a big world with so many people who have yet to hear the gospel. We have a Great God who has given us the privilege and open doors to the unreached people group, the Bandi in Senegal. Since 2011 we have partnered together to send more than twenty teams. Recently, we have transitioned to the next season of our partnership. Though the believers are small in number, we are now ready to utilize Native Bandi to disciple and reach out to their own tribe (nationality). We are coordinating with Missionary Joe Flemming to have these master trainers from Dakar disciple the believers in the Bandi villages. Our teams will continue to go in support of those trainers and to encourage the development of a successful apostolic strategy to this previously unreached people group. Our last team was in the villages in May, along with Kristi Taylor, from Lancaster, who now lives in Dakar, and she has been and remains a strategic connection for us with the Bandi. We want to express our deepest appreciation for your prayers, financial support, and openness to go. It is encouraging to have some new faces who have caught the vision and in whom God has placed the desire to go, which is the essence of the Great Commission. Bandi teams (including the May 2018) are available and would deeply appreciate the opportunity to share this incredible journey with your church family on Sunday morning, evening, or on Wednesday evening. Please contact me at the Moriah Mission Center or Keith Crapps ( ) to schedule a date and time. Thank you for your partnership, and we look forward to hearing from you. Fellowship of Christian Athletes Rev. Randy Mellichamp As the new school year begins, please encourage your student to be involved and invest in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each high school and most middle schools have a huddle (Bible Study), a team-specific huddle, and a coaches (teachers) huddle. God has blessed this ministry. The investment of pastors and student pastors have truly helped the ministry take root and grow. Each school has opened their doors to this ministry. We have needs though in all campuses. There are numerous ways a church can get involved. We need team sponsors. As always, every team needs meals, snacks, and support during travel times. Churches can make baked goods and support their team in this way. We would love to see churches come to the school. So often it is difficult to get students to a church after a practice or game. Meeting them at the school gives your church a special ministry with the students on their own campus. Currently we have ministry possibilities at Indian land, Lancaster, Andrew Jackson, and Buford. We are beginning new ministries this year with more middle and elementary schools as well. Please understand that there are laws and policies with the school, administrations, and district that we adhere to for the safety, security, and the partnership we have with the school. FCA can help navigate those things for greater ministry and relationships with students, coaches, and campuses. You may contact me by at RMellichamp@fca.org if your church, Sunday School class, or staff members would like to become involved in FCA. Moriah Endowment Update We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous support of the John and Barbara Platt Endowment. Below is an update on the funds thus far: 2018 Receipts: $2, Endowment Value at June 30, 2018: $22, Barbara Haire Endowment Value: $2, Kershaw Correctional Institute gently used shirts, pants, shoes, belts, and coats, Please no undergarments or socks. Contact Bryant at the Mission Center if you or your church feels led to participate in this mission. Christian Sympathy is extended to Rev. Todd Montgomery and family in the passing of his father, Mr. Jimmie Montgomery.

5 The Messenger ~ Page 5 Organizational Resources John Hess, Treasurer June Six Months Six Months Antioch $ $ $ Beaver Creek Bethel Bethlehem , , Calvary , , Camp Creek , Carolinas Cowboy Catawba Center Grove Charlesboro Covenant , , Crestview Eastside Ebenezer Elgin Flat Creek Flint Ridge Fork Hill , Friendship Glenwood Heights Haile Gold Mine Heath Springs Heath Springs 2nd High Point Hyde Park , , Immanuel , Indian Land Jones Crossroads Kershaw 1st $ Kershaw 2nd , Lancaster 1st , , Lancaster 2nd , , La Roca (Mission) Midway 1, , , New Hope , , New Horizon Oak Hill Oakhurst Pineview Pleasant Dale , Pleasant Hill , , Pleasant Plain , Rich Hill , , Sand Hill , , Sherwood Springdell , , Spring Hill , , Taxahaw Taylors Grove Temple Thorn Hill , , Union , , Westside , , White Bluff , , White Springs Grand Total $9, $56, $58, Spotlight on The Connection The Connection is a faith-based ministry located in Lancaster and is a unique evangelistic and discipleship model which seeks to transform a community neighborhood by planting spiritual leadership among the people they are seeking to reach. Ms. Shanda Mackey is the director and coordinator of this wonderful ministry. Many great things are happening at The Connection, and we would like to share some photos with you. The photos above show only a few of the events where we spend time together. The Connection this year. There is still time left if you or your church would like to participate in any of the upcoming events that are scheduled for the remainder of the year. For more details contact Shanda at The Connection ( ). > Due at the SCBC By November 19 Yes, ACP time is right around the corner! Please take the time to complete your annual church profile and be sure that Moriah gets a copy. We need a copy at Moriah so we can know who your team leaders are and keep them aware of the mission activities and events that are planned for their organizations. We also need this information so we can get addresses of the leaders to update our distribution list for The Messenger newsletter. Gifts to Moriah: 3%, Basic; 4, Glory; 5%, Hallelujah

6 Page 6 ~ The Messenger Around the Association... September 2 Single Adult Sunday 3 Labor Day Mission Center Closed 4 Tickets for Annual Session Available 6 11:00 a.m. Kershaw Second Ticket Sales end for Senior Fall Festibal 10 7:00 p.m. Executive Team Meeting 13 11:00 a.m. Senior Adult Fall Festival, Sherwood 15 8:30 a.m. Singles Breakfast, Kershaw Second Noon 11:00 a.m. Retired Ministers Luncheon Ticket Sales for Annual Session End October (Cooperative Program Emphasis Month) 2 4:30 p.m. Annual Session & Missions Celebration, Fort Hill Baptist Church 4 11:00 a.m. Kershaw Second 16 Noon Retired Ministers Luncheon 18 Noon 23 7:00 8:30 p.m. Prayer...Next Steps, Mission Center 25 11:00 a.m. & Anniversaries... September Birthdays 4 Bobby Joyner 8 Heather Petro 10 Susan Maness 14 Glen Steen 17 Bryant Fersner Joy Schwartz 20 Mark Plyler 21 Curt Cameron, Jr. Kay Plyler 22 Rusty McAlister 25 Gary Center Ronnie Hinson Tina Hough 26 Dean Plyler Stephanie Rollings Donnie Waldrop, Jr. 29 James Adams Carolyn Johnson October Birthdays 1 Mike Mulligan 2 Sean Stroud 5 Gloria Boone 9 Brenda Hinson 11 Dianne Ragsdale 14 Dennis Adams Buford Hayes 17 Lisa Gibson Macy Mullis 18 Billy Mosteller 19 Greg Gibson 21 Kennith Adams 24 Phyllis Coppedge 27 Steven Pace Bryant Neal 28 Peggy Rudisill 29 Polly Adams 31 Amanda Adams Vickie Mackey Rev. Bryant Fersner These groups are open for fellowship and encouragement. Our group times begin at 11:00 and last until noon. September 6 Southern Lancaster County, Kershaw Second 20 Lancaster Area, Mission Center October 4 Southern Lancaster County, Kershaw Second 25 Lancaster Area, Mission Center Moriah Association Disaster Relief Shirley Buckner, Director The Disaster Fall Training Session will be held at First Baptist Church in Rock Hill on October 13. For details on registration click on Event Please consider the possibility of joining our Disaster Team. We are in need of younger people who are willing to go and help out in times of disaster. We have two well-equipped trailers ready to roll, and all it takes is commitment. September Anniversaries 4 Steven & Jennifer Sullivan 6 Buddy & Pat Rutledge 7 Sean & Bre Stroud 11 Lonnie & Sherry Johnson 13 Dean & Renee Plyler 23 Greg & Lisa Gibson 24 Tony & Linda Shehane 26 Shawn & Lora Macy <> October Anniversaries 7 Billy & Kathy Mosteller 13 Rusty & Heather McAlister 15 Charles & Brenda Hinson 18 Wayne & Melanie Sanders 21 Kirk & Denise Johnston 27 Benny & Martha Green 29 Gary & Rhonda Jordan Kershaw Correctional Institute Inmate Release When inmates are released, they need clothing and shoes. We are in contact with the chaplains of KCI and would have information on this ministry soon. If your missions group or church would be interested in participating in this ministry, please contact the Mission Center at Summer Missions If your church participated in missions locally, in North America, or anywhere in our big world, please let us know. If you have pictures you would like to share, them to (Judy_Moriah@Comporium.net) the Mission Center. You might just see them in The Messenger. We would love to celebrate missions with you.

7 The Messenger ~ Page 7 Organizational Resources 2018 First 6 Months 2017 June YTD First 6 Mos. Antioch $ $ $ Beaver Creek Bethel Bethlehem , , Calvary , , Camp Creek , Carolina Cowboy Catawba Center Grove Charlesboro Covenant , , Crestview East Side Ebenezer Elgin Flat Creek Flint Ridge Fork Hill , Friendship Glenwood Heights Haile Gold Mine Heath Springs Heath Springs 2nd High Point Hyde Park , , Immanuel , Indian Land Jones Crossroads Kershaw 1st Kershaw 2nd , Lancaster 1st , , Lancaster 2nd 1, , , LaRoca Midway 1, , , New Hope , , New Horizon Oak Hill Oakhurst Pineview Pleasant Dale , Pleasant Hill , , Pleasant Plain , Rich Hill , , Sand Hill , , Sherwood Springdell , , Spring Hill , , Taxahaw Taylors Grove Temple Thorn Hill , , Union , , West Side , , White Bluff , , Community Unit Prayer Rally Update Humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and Turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from 2 Chronicles 7:14 What a beautiful sight! On a hot Saturday morning (June 16 at munities, cities, and our nation. We are already looking forward to next years rally. pastors were recognized and some pastors participated in this event. Below are several photos taken at the rally, and they were provided by Apostle Ollie Alexander, coordinator of the rally. After the prayer time together, a luncheon was held. Apostle Ollie Thank you Apostle Ollie for all of your hard work and dedication you exhibited to make this prayer rally a huge success. A big thanks to all the people you enlisted to help bring the rally together. It was a morning well spent in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. White Springs Total $9, $56, $58, Gifts to Moriah: 3%, Basic; 4%, Glory; 5%, Hallelujah

8 Page 8 ~ The Messenger Opportunities within the Association Retired Ministers/Wives Luncheon Luncheon Dates Please call the Mission Center to let us know if you are planning to join us. Prayer Corner Please pray for the churches without pastors in Moriah. They are as follows: The Messenger A Bi-Monthly Publication of the Moriah Baptist Association Published Monthly by Moriah Baptist Association 914 W. Meeting Street Lancaster, SC Second Class Ptg. Paid USPS POSTMASTER Send Address Correction to: The Messenger PO Box 1042 Lancaster, SC Beaver Creek Covenant LaRoca Bethlehem Covenant Temple Center Grove La Roca White Springs The Connection at Countryside Shanda Mackey, Director You are always invited to come and be a part of the Connection Ministry. If you have a heart for children, there are many projects in which you could become a part. Some of our needs are juice boxes and snacks (preferably fruit, individual chips, etc.) for the children and homework helpers. For other suggestions, please feel free to call me at As 2018 is coming to an end very quickly, there are a few other needs for the special events that will be taking place. We will need volunteers and supplies for events: Fall Festival, Thanksgiving meal, Christmas pictures, and Connection Crosses, and playground equipment. (See article on page 5.). We would love for you to come and be a part of our Connection family! <> Upcoming Moriah Events Details regarding the events below will be evolving soon: October 2 and Missions Celebration Rev. Donnie Tillman, Speaker 18 November Literature Pick-up AGAIN November 29 Pastors/Wives Christmas Dinner Glenwood Heights, 6:30 p.m. December 4 Ministry Assistants Christmas Luncheon, Noon, Mission Center Calling Moriah Singles On Saturday, September 15 at 8:30 a.m., we will have a breakfast together at Kershaw Second Baptist Church. Rev. Michael Owens, pastor of Sand Hill Baptist Church will be the speaker. Come and enjoy fellowship together. WMU Judy Sims, Director I want to share with you the WMU leaders for These ladies would be happy to assist you in any way possible at your church. If your church does not have a WMU organization and are interested in beginning one, all you have to do is give us a call. You may contact the Mission Center at and tell Judy or Lois and they will get in contact with me. The leaders are Associational WMU Director: Judy Sims Assistant WMU Director: Sandra Morgan Women on Missions: Pat Pardue, Gail Hammond Acteens: Ann Sims Girls in Action/Royal Ambassadors: Linda Wilson Mission Friends: Debbie Adams prisoner packets, this is what you need: One non-retractable (no wire clip) black only One 4-6 ounce toothpaste One adult toothbrush (factory individually sealed) One ounce bar of soap One 5x8 writing tablet (not wire bound) junior legal size Five self-embossed envelopes (purchase at US Post Office) Two rolls of hard a candy (Life Savers, Mentos, Breath Savers) Put items in a gallon zip-lock bag National Day of Prayer November 5, 2018 Details will be coming soon. Prisoner Bags Due at Moriah November 15, 2018 Week of Prayer and Mission Study for International Missions and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering December 2-9, 2018