SOUTHERN BAPTIST THE WEST VIRGINIA. Jan-Feb 2013 VOL. 43, NO. 1

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1 THE WEST VIRGINIA Jan-Feb 2013 VOL. 43, 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 2013

2 From the Executive Director: Executive Director Terry Harper Dear Friends, What a great time January is to reach out to the youth of your church and the young people in your community. I encourage you to consider bringing a group to the Youth Evangelism Conference to be held by our convention at the Nazarene Camp in Summersville. This year, once again Dr. Wrigley is heading up this conference for us and he has a great group of speakers and singers lined up. Our friend Dr. David Wheeler of Liberty University will be there as the speaker for the event. He is sure to be a blessing as always. This program will most positively impact your youth. Later in the month, I will be meeting 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 with folks from the Florida Convention speaking about our Florida partnership. We are blessed to have this relationship and it has been both rewarding and benefi cial for us. They not only send facilitators to lead conferences for us, but they also assist us with funding for church planting and for our church loan program. I appreciate so much Dr. Sullivan, the Executive Director for the Florida Convention, and the love he has for West Virginia. At the end of the month, I will be traveling with the CPC s from all fi ve of our regions to a training meeting in Indianapolis. This will be a special time of instruction and inspiration for these men as they continue to serve us here in the Mountain State for church planting. We have a number of exciting new church plants that are under way at the current time. We are also looking at doing something toward revitalization for our churches that have plateaued or are struggling with serving a changing community. We have a number of good churches that have done a wonderful job of serving Christ and their community in days gone by, but are struggling currently with declining membership and changing status where they are located. It is sad to hear a pastor say that he has performed more funerals in the past year than he has baptisms, but yet that is the reality in some of our situations. This in many cases is not the Pastor s fault. It is the demographics of where his church is located. We want to assist him and the church if possible. We currently are studying this and speaking with the leaders at NAMB about this dynamic. They have agreed to help us in this regard. I believe we are positioned to have a great year in Southern Baptist life here in West Virginia reaching our state as never before. I hope you will agree to join us in this effort. If there is anything I can do to assist you or your church, please feel free to call upon me at the state convention offi ce ( ). Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our churches for another year in this wonderful work. Sincerely, Terry L. Harper Need some convention calendar diaries for your church leaders? Call Susan at the offi ce. We have limited numbers 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 Seminary Offers 2013 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 10-13, Revive this Nation is open to churches in all 50 states and Southwestern aims to send preachers to every state. We want 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 2012, the seminary sent out 102 preachers, who led 131 people to accept Christ as Savior and engaged more than 1,100 people in personal evangelism. To learn about Revive this Nation s more than 50-year history and to hear the stories of God s work during 2012, visit swbts.edu/southwesternnews/snsu11. cfm>. Churches can request revival preachers and download resources at edu/rtn< Southwestern will pay for the roundtrip transportation of preachers to and from the revival locations. Churches provide housing, meals and local transportation. Or call and ask for Dr. Thomas White. JANUARY BIBLE STUDY is a great way to focus attention on one part of the Bible. This year s study is about the last week of Jesus life as described by Luke. WVCSB Calendar WVCSB Calendar January January Bible Study 12 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg Youth Evangelism Conference 20 - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday 26 - WV Foundation Officers Mtg 27 - Day of Prayer for the SBC February True Love Waits Emphasis 10 - Racial Reconciliation Sunday Deacon Training Focus on WMU 16 - Children s Ministry Day 16 - Men s Ministry Planning Mtg 16 - Discovering Church Planting State VBS Clinic March Bi-vocational Pastors Retreat Youth Week (SBC) Week of Prayer for North American Missions & Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Associational Development Senior Adult Event 10 - Daylight Saving Time Begins Basic Training Journey/ Church Planting WMU Officers Council 17 - Start a Church Sunday 17 - Substance Abuse Prevention Sunday Love Your Neighbor- Share Christ Week 21 - WVCSB Order of Business Committee Meeting 29 - Good Friday (Office Closed) 31 - Easter The state Bible Drill is May 4. It is not too late to get your children involved in the church and association drill. Contact Randy Spurgeon for more information It is not too late to make your gift to the SNEDDEN-SLAUGHTER SCOHLORSHIP FUND for the assistance of students studying for the ministry. Send your donation to the offi ce marked for the Snedden-Slaughter Scholarship Fund. April 6 - Disaster Relief Chaplaincy Training 7 - SBC Seminaries Sunday CPC Vision Trip 13 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg 14 - Cooperative Program Sunday Baptist Doctrine Study 20 - Youth Sing Celebration 20 - State Sunday School Multipliers Training 21 - Life Commitment Sunday WMU Missions Celebration January-February

4 JANUARY BIBLE STUDY TOUR The January Bible Study Tour conducted by men from the St. Johns Rivers Baptist Association in Florida, is a help to many pastors. It is an effort made possible by the work of our state convention, local associations, and the St. Johns River Association. The top picture shows Asa Greear (l), Director of Missions for the St. Johns River Association and one of the teachers, Pastor John Thompson, director of missions for Coalfi elds, Pastor W. L. Bostic, moderator, and Dr. John Andes, one of the teachers. Coalfi elds had the introductory study as part of their annual meeting. Greear is from eastern Kentucky. Andes is from West Virginia. He taught for many years at WVU and has interim pastored in many churches in the Morgantown area. The middle picture is from the session at Greater Huntington, and the bottom picture shows those who came to the Monongahela Association meeting. Scan the qrcode below to hear Brother Asa s view of the Tour. 5,000 World Series Packets Given to Fans Friday, Nov 2, 2012 By Tim Ellsworth DETROIT (BP) -- Volunteers from Michigan Baptist churches distributed some 5,000 packets with evangelistic materials prior to a World Series game at the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park Oct. 27. "We just thought it was a great opportunity to get the Gospel in people's hands," said Larry Allen, pastor of Warren Woods Baptist Church in Warren. "Every time there are large numbers of people gathered, there's an opportunity for us to sow some seed." The Oct. 27 game was the third game in the World Series between the Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. The Giants ended up sweeping the series with a win Oct. 28. Michigan Baptists compiled the outreach packets that included materials from the North American Mission Board's "Find It Here" campaign as well as trading cards of current and former Detroit Tigers with their testimonies on the back. About 20 volunteers participated in the packet assembly and distribution. "Mobilizing churches in evangelism is one of our top priorities," said Bobby Gilstrap, lead state missionary and executive director of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. "When we saw this great opportunity open up to share Christ with thousands of fans, we just had to be a part." Gilstrap said the reports of those involved have been encouraging, as the volunteers had several opportunities to engage in spiritual conversations with the fans. "Only God will know the eternal impact of the contacts made last Saturday night," Gilstrap said. Allen said he didn't have many chances to engage people in serious conversations because most were in a hurry to get into the stadium. But he still trusts that the effort was worthwhile. "As we were assembling the things, we were praying that God would get them in the right hands," Allen said. "We have prayed that those people who did receive them would take a moment to read the materials. We believe that God's Word doesn't return void." About thirty people from across the state came to the I LOVE SUNDAY SCHOOL lunch at the state convention meeting. The cooks at Fairlawn Baptist did a great job providing lunch. Everyone received some free items. the group got to hear some fi rst hand information from David Burt, the LifeWay regional representative for our area. above----pastor Mike McCauley (L), FBC, Brandywine, is the new Potomac Highland Baptist Association s moderator. He stands with Don Ertel, Association Missionary. below----pastor John Thompson (L), Gilbert Creek, also serves the Coalfi elds Association as the association missionary. Pastor W. L. Bostic, Chattaroy, is the moderator. 4

5 U.S. Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas: 'Glory Goes' to God Tuesday, Aug 7, 2012 By Tim Ellsworth Gold medalist Gabby Douglas says she gives all the glory to God for her talent. Her fi rst Tweet after winning the individual all-around read simply, "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me." LONDON (BP) -- Gabby Douglas will soon have more money than she ever dreamed. With a vibrant smile and two gold medals to her credit at the Olympics, the 16-yearold gymnast undoubtedly will cash in with endorsement and marketing deals worth millions of dollars. At the top of her wish list? An Acura NSX. "I want the one like Iron Man's off 'The Avengers,'" Douglas said. "That was a nice car." The fame and fortune that Douglas instantly captured may make some things easier, but they won't remove the diffi culties from her life. When she faces such struggles, she turns to Scripture. "God has given me this awesome talent to represent Him. Glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on us," Douglas said Aug. 5 in a press conference at the North Greenwich Arena. When she's learning something new that may seem intimidating, she tells herself, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of peace, love and a sound mind," she said. When she's having trouble perfecting a skill, she quotes, "All things are possible through Him." "You just mentally quote that, and it builds your faith up so much," Douglas said. "God will never fail you. He's always on your side." Before Douglas left for London, Quintin Stieff, pastor of the Valley Church where she attends in West Des Moines, Iowa, likened her to a light that should shine to draw attention to God. Douglas shared her testimony with the congregation. "The glory goes all to Him. He's waking me up every morning and He's keeping me in the gym every day. That's very important," she said, asking her church family to pray for her to "bring home the gold." Douglas made history, winning two golds in the fi rst week of the Olympics -- one in the women's individual all-around and one in the women's team competition. She's the fi rst African American woman to win gold in the Olympic individual allaround, and the fi rst American woman to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic Games. While she couldn't replicate that success in the second week, fi nishing eighth in the uneven bars and seventh in the beam, her performances will be remembered as one of the London Olympics' biggest stories. Her face is already on a Kellogg's Corn Flakes box. At age 14, Douglas left her family home in Virginia Beach, Va., to stay with a host family, Travis and Missy Parton, in West Des Moines, Iowa, allowing her to train with coach Liang Chow. Douglas' mother Natalie Hawkins sends Douglas Scripture passages twice daily to keep her on track to victory, Douglas said. "When it was time for me to go to bed I would just put my earphones in and just fall asleep listening to the Bible," she told the congregation. "It's been a daily thing. I love reading about the Word. We have to put on the full armor of God, so when Satan tries to come against us, we are ready and prepared." [top] Randy Spurgeon shares a gospel message at the Nehemiah Baptist Church CenterShot tournament. [above] Pastor Dennis Andrews watches the shooters. Below are some of the winners. Centershot is a good way to teach archery and to share the gospel. Wayside Baptist Church was the site this past October for the Monongahela Baptist Association s archery tournament. Pastor Don Knotts had a camo Sunday where everyone dressed in camoufl age clothing. Church members provided snacks, desserts, drinks, and set up the range. There were lots of prizes supplied by the Convention and the association. About 30 people participated. It was used as a way to present the gospel and to build some relationships. January-February

6 NEWS FROM COLLEGE CAMPUSES The Church at Martinsburg continues to grow, develop, and to reach into its local community and student population. The student body at University continues to remain a focus of evangelistic efforts of the Church at Martinsburg. Prayer walks, students reaching students, inviting people to participate in church on Sundays, and groups throughout the week are consistent efforts on s campus. We are thankful for the partnership we have with the WVCSB. Jacob Atchley, pastor, The Church at Martinsburg, 12/11/12 Revolution is going very strong with several regular ministries. Our Tuesday night ministry averages about 50 students. We are systematically working our way through the book of Romans. The students have been very responsive to the teaching. They are quite hungry. Our praise team currently consists of 9 members who rotate weekly responsibilities. I am very thankful for these students who are growing in their abilities and very willing to receive direction from me. We also have been promoting activities for after our meeting times that change each week. These have been warmly received by the students. Last week after Revolution, 16 students gathered to go prayer walking on the campus for an hour. We divided into 3 groups and prayed for every main building on campus. Our commuter breakfast ministry is going well. Once a month we stand in the commuter parking lot and provide a simple breakfast for those arriving at school, many of whom have not eaten yet. We also have a solid group of about 10 freshmen who are plugged in with Revolution by participating on Tuesday nights and in Thursday nights small group. Glenn LaRue, Marshall Community Fellowship and Marshall Revolution October, 2012 Several people involved with church planting met at the convention offi ce in September. They shared ideas and learned more about strategy. MARK THE DATES! August 5-7, 2013 ing the Pipestem State Park Dr. David Dockery (L) will serve as the vice-moderator, Shirley Milam as a clerk, and Jim Milam as the moderator, for the Mountain State Baptist Association. 6

7 Bible Verses Allowed on Cheerleaders' Banners Friday, Nov 2, 2012 by Staff NASHVILLE (BP) -- Cheerleaders at a Texas high school can continue their practice of using Bible verses on inspirational banners for football games now that a judge has issued a temporary injunction. School offi cials had told the cheerleaders they could not include messages such as "If God is for us, who can be against us?" on banners that football players run through before games. Students and their parents then sued the school district, and a trial is expected to start next summer. The ban was prompted by a complaint from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which now is seeking students and parents in the school district who will join a lawsuit. Texas Gov. Rick Perry emphasized the state's commitment to protecting religious liberties for all. "During this upcoming session, we'll continue to fi nd ways to preserve religious expression and explore ways to protect people of faith from this ongoing onslaught," Perry said in a statement Oct. 17. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott intervened in the case. "Those banners, which the cheerleaders independently produce on their own time with privately funded supplies, are perfectly constitutional," Abbott said. He added, "Students' ability to express their religious views adds to the diversity of thought that has made this country so strong." In Texas, the Religious Viewpoint Anti- Discrimination Act signed by Perry in 2007 requires school districts to treat a student's voluntary religious expression the same as a student's expression of any other viewpoint on a permissible subject. "The Freedom From Religion Foundation is legally wrong when it tries to bully schools into denying students their First Amendment right to share their religious beliefs," Abbott said. "Just as schools cannot command students to support a particular belief, those same schools cannot silence a student's religious belief. The Constitution does not give preference to those who have no religious beliefs over those who do." Association Missionary Dennis Cherry (R) stands with some of the offi cers elected at the Allegheny Association annual meeting, held at Nettie Baptist Church. Association Missionary Bernard Toppings (L) stands with new Pioneer Association offi cers Steve Hensley, vice-moderator, Sherri Milam, clerk-treasurer, and John Foster, moderator. below---association Missionary Mac Mc- Donald (L) stands with some of the offi cers for the Monongahela Association. Doug Strother (front row, center) will serve as moderator. above---association Missionary Don Ertel [front row, center] stands with many of the 2013 offi cers for the Potomac Highland Association. below----association Missionary Mike Watson stands with his ministerial team for Upper Ohio Valley Baptist Association. Mike Kelly (second from right) is moderator. Do you have a plan for getting new Christians on the path of discipleship? Contact Greg Wrigley for ideas: xt 118; or gregwrigley@wvcsb.org January-February

8 2013 VBS Theme: Colossal Coaster World By Polly House NASHVILLE, Tenn. LifeWay Christian Resources will use an amusement park theme for its 2013 Vacation Bible School material. Colossal Coaster World: Facing Fear, Trusting God will be built around the Scripture, For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7; HCSB). Professions of faith made during Vacation Bible School consistently equal about 25 percent of the number of baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention, said Jerry Wooley, Lifeway s VBS specialist. Nearly 3 million children, youth and adults register for VBS at more than 25,000 Southern Baptist churches each year and report nearly 90,000 professions of faith in Christ. In the 2013 VBS theme-park world, participants will be challenged to tap into God s promise to give them the courage to face their fears by trusting Him. Whether this sense of fearfulness comes from changing the familiar to the unfamiliar, speaking up when it s the right thing to do or making the ultimate decision to follow Jesus and trust Him as Savior, they will learn they can trust God for the spirit of power, love and sound judgment.wooley said the focus on trusting God when facing fear will also resound with kids. They have a lot to be afraid of these days, but we want them to learn that whatever it is that scares them, they can trust God to be with them and help them be brave. This is an important lesson. Daily themes, each of which relate to the apostle Paul and how he faced his fears, will be: --Dare to Change I can trust God and obey Him without fear. --Dare to Speak Up I can trust God to help me speak boldly about Him. --Dare to Believe I can trust God s plan of salvation and share His love with others. --Dare to Stand Strong I can trust God to help me have self-control and honor Him with my actions. --Dare to Trust I can trust God to give me the power to face my fears no matter what comes next. EVANGELISTIC EVENTS AND SERVANT EVANGELISM EVENTS The North American Mission Board is encouraging churches to meet people and to share Jesus with people by meeting them through events. Teach believers how to have conversations with people that can naturally lead to asking a person about their relationship with Jesus. The state convention stands ready to partner with a church or an association as it conducts its plan. Do you want training, tools, materials, helpers? Ask us, we may can provide what you need. Rev. Warren Gilpin (l) leads in a ceremony installing Dennis Cherry as the Association Missionary for the Allegheny Association. Standing with Dennis are his wife, Karen, and their son, Aaron. 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. Date Jan.7 Jan. 8 Jan. 9 Jan. 10 Jan. 11 Jan. 14 Jan. 15 Jan. 16 Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 21 Jan. 22 Jan. 23 Jan. 24 Jan. 25 Jan. 28 Jan. 29 Jan. 30 Jan. 31 Feb. 1 Feb. 4 Feb. 5 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 11 Feb. 12 Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Feb. 15 Feb. 18 Feb. 19 Feb. 20 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 25 Feb. 26 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 4 Mar. 5 Mar. 6 Mar. 7 Mar. 8 Association 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 Greater Huntington Immanuel Campus Church First, Bluewell First, Brandywine First, Burlington First, Ceredo First, Chelyan First, Chester First, Craigsville First, Fairlea First, Fort Ashby First, Hinton First, Huntersville First, Kenova First, Princeton First So., Fairmont First So., Grandview First So., Sutton Foxes Hollow Freedom, Beckley Freedom, Charleston Freedom, Nutter Fort Freedom Biker Church Gilbert Creek Glade Community Good, Scott Depot Gordon Missionary Grace, Branchland Grace, Fayetteville Grace, Parkersburg Grace Fellowship, Wana Graydon Hamlin Harmony, Parkersburg Hebron Hedgesville Heritage Highlawn, Huntington Hillcrest, Spencer Hines Horsepen Immanuel, New Martinsville Immanuel, Princeton Indian Creek Isaban Jackson Avenue Jordan Christian Fellowship Now is a good time to make plans to use a block party trailer. You may want to use one in relationship to your Vacation Bible School. VBS time will be here soon! Have you set your date and gotten a director? Church Plant South Wheeling Abundant Hope Carpendale Centerpointe, Hurricane Cherry Grove Cherry River Chinese Fellowship The Church at Martinsburg The Church at Winchester Crossroads, Burnsville Dayspring, Charleston Ferrellsburg Friendly Frontier Community Grace, Pleasant Valley Harbor Light, Oceana Lighthouse, Follansbee Living Hope, Petersburg Living River Marland Heights Marshall Community Ministry of Salvation Mountain Ministry Chapel New Heights, Milton New Vision, Berkeley Springs Solid Rock, Hundred South Wheeling Abundant Hope Carpendale Centerpointe, Hurricane Cherry Grove Cherry River Chinese Fellowship The Church at Martinsburg The Church at Winchester Crossroads, Burnsville Dayspring, Charleston Ferrellsburg Friendly Frontier Community Grace, Pleasant Valley Harbor Light, Oceana Lighthouse, Follansbee Living Hope, Petersburg Living River Now is a good time to submit your Florida partnership requests for extra helpers with a construction project, with VBS, with an evangelism event, or whatever. Contact your association missionary or the state offi ce. January-February

10 News from West Virginia Churches MONONGAHELA Charity Baptist Church in Wyatt held a joint worship service with another church in their community on a November Sunday evening. There was great rejoicing as four people were baptized, giving witness to their commitment to follow Christ. One of the men said he only wished he had made that decision earlier in life. Dan Adkins is Charity s pastor. The women of First Southern Baptist, Fairmont, gathered at a member s home to pack shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. They are planning to continue meeting monthly for various ministry projects and opportunities. The church just completed studying Experiencing God through Church & Community, the follow-up study of Experiencing God. David Mellquist is the pastor. Frontier Community Church, where Scott Whitaker is pastor, had its second monthly gathering for their two community groups. The church has been given access to a building in downtown Morgantown that will be an ideal location for gathering people from various parts of the city. The building management has been fl exible and accommodating, and the church is also thankful that meeting in this location will open a door to connect with these managers. Some of the churches in the Monongahela Baptist Association who participated in Operation Christmas Child included New Life, pastor Dave Riddle, with 86 shoe boxes, Rowlesburg, pastor Ken Lake, supplying 48 boxes, and Kingwood. GREATER HUNTINGTON In their fi rst four months, New Heights Church has had four professions of faith followed by baptism. The church has entered into a relationship with Milton Elementary School to use the preschool building on Sundays for worship services, which will launch early in Pastor Will Basham had the privilege of preaching at Milton s Community Thanksgiving services. Locust Grove Baptist, where Randall Robertson is pastor, held fall revival services, led by Rev. George Watts. The services continued an additional evening due to burdened hearts for an unsaved gentleman who attended the Wednesday evening service. One of the recent missions presentations to the church was from Pete Davidson from the Huntington City Mission. He reported that people each night depend 10 on the local mission for support. Thirty to forty children stay at the mission during the school year. This fall Westmoreland Baptist celebrated the tenth anniversaries of both their pastor, C. J. Adkins, and their church secretary, Sonia Jones. The church celebrated a throwback Old Fashioned Day on November 25. Many members came dressed in old time clothing, music selections were many old time gospel songs and hymns, and the message was brought by the pastor s 85- year old father, Rev. Caudle Adkins. The ladies of the Greater Huntington Association gathered at the Greenup Baptist Association s activities building on October 26 & 27 for their annual prayer retreat. Twenty-two ladies representing fi ve churches had the honor of hearing the testimony of Sara Murray, President of WMU in West Virginia. TRI-COUNTY From Berkeley Baptist comes this report: A swell of people from the community, in addition to a small army of church members, enjoyed an afternoon/ evening of fun, food, and fellowship at the annual fall fest. This year s event included infl atables, face painting, mummy wrap, scarecrow stuff, toilet tissue toss, apple bobbing, pumpkin decorating, a duck pond, cake walk, and a candy jar guess. Lyne Keenan presented the gospel through a pumpkin carving story. The evening concluded with a hay ride and campfi re. Congratulations to Vince Shambaugh on his re-election to the offi ce of Morgan County Sheriff, garnering 60% of the votes cast. Everett Powell is the pastor. ALLEGHENY First Baptist, Craigsville, has been able to pay the remaining balance of the loan for the renovation of their worship area, thanks to the faithful giving of their members. The church contributed fortyfi ve shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. David Sommerville is pastor. The members of First Baptist, Fairlea, contributed 300 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, with 126 of the boxes coming from the AWANA group. PIONEER Hi, Well the Warm Coat Give Away is over and it was a roaring success. All I can say is WOW, God sure does things in a beautiful way. There was at least 50+ of the big 50 gal plastic bags and a gazillion (is that a real number) of the smaller bags, not to mention armfuls that were given away. There were crock pots full of homemade Chunky Chicken Noodle soup, coffee, hot chocolate and, my personal favorite, two kinds of cookies. The clothes are still coming in, God is so awesome. Now an interesting thing, most of the coats and clothes taken were for kids. You might see a lady who obviously needed a warmer coat and she was mostly interested in kids clothes. If she got something that was ok, but she was looking for something for her kids. This made the light bulb appear above my head. While we talked about Jesus and how it was God that provided over a bowl of chicken soup, it was her ingrained mother love that brought her there. God the Father giving to a mother, both providing to take care of the children. It became obvious as we watched just how much more was needed. Since there is so much more that can and needs to be done we are praying for guidance. If God lays it on us to continue a clothing ministry, a little more organization will be needed. If anyone has or can get some of those clothing racks on wheels please let us know. That would make it tremendously easier for these mothers to look though the clothes. We had them sorted on tables but still it was somewhat diffi - cult. As we give away blankets to the homeless keep these people in your prayers also. These people may be harder to build a relationship with, but as the old saying goes, the ones who need it the most are the hardest ones to give it to. Whether it is love, compassion or a relationship that is physically needed, it will not happen without one on one contact. 2nd Peter 3:9 Not willing that any should perish. Rick Wilkinson, West Charleston Baptist Church Ezekiel 2& MOUNTAIN STATE Burke Memorial sponsored an Adopt A Child party. Children were adopted and given gifts by their parents. Each

11 News from West Virginia Churches child was given a Bible. And the Christmas story was given. Kevin Belcher is pastor. (below) Pastor Kevin is with one of the children who received a present, and some of the other children who received gifts. [to the right] (above) The tabernacle at New River Baptist Church was a tent that got several bad places in it. A work crew came to the church in Fayetteville and decided to build for Pastor George Secrist this more permanent structure, free of cost to the church. (below) A work team built a covered eating area and extended the ramp all the way to the bottom fl oor fellowship hall at Lochgelly Baptist Church in Oak Hill where Bill McClung is pastor. (right) Dr. Maynard is a native of eastern Kentucky, and has been in West Virginia for several events. He was elected President of the Florida Baptist Convention last November. See what he has to say about the conventions partnership by scanning the code on the right. (below) Pastor Rodney Hale (R) stands with Dr. Tim Maynard who preached the revival services for FBC Ceredo and was the guest speaker for the Greater Huntington Baptist Association s evangelism conference. Dr. Maynard is pastor of Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Florida. (left) The pastors of Greater Huntington Baptist Association meet once a month for fellowship at Ponderosa Steak House. (below) Pastor Steve Willis, FBC Kenova, preached the revival services for the Mountain State Baptist Association s evangelism conference, which met at FBC Princeton. Dr. David Dockery is the pastor at First Baptist. He also is serving as the evangelism director of the association. (left) The Jason Lovins Band led the music worship at the evangelism conference. MEN S MINISTRY is important to the life of a church. Scan the code and hear a word from Dr. Maynard. (left) Pastor Ron McCoy (L) stands with Pastor Paul Turner, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, in Easly, South Carolina. Mt. Carmel committed to a three year partnership with Cameron Baptist. January-February

12 February 11-15, 2013 is State Deacon Training Week The following Associations are scheduled for that week of training. Be sure to get with your D.O.M. for details of time and place. Monday February 11th is Potomac Highlands Association. Tuesday February 12th is Greater Huntington Association. Wednesday February 13th is Upper Ohio Valley Association. Thursday February 14th is Immanuel Association. Friday February 15th is Monongahela Association. SOMETHING NEW New things. Sometimes new things are anticipated and looked forward to-- -A new car, or a new deer rifl e, or a new house. Sometimes new things bring with them a great fear-----a driver s test, a surgery, a fi rst date, a new recipe. Sometimes new things cause both sentiments----fear and excited anticipation. I had the opportunity to get a new phone, but after thinking about it I really did not want to learn new stuff for a phone. I did get a new 2 meter radio that I will have to learn how to use, but I fi gure it is time I got into amateur radio more fully. Sometimes we do new things because we need to, or because we want to, or a combination of motives. Microwave ovens were at one time new things, but can you imagine life without them? How is your relationship with Jesus? There comes a time in our lives that Jesus lays before us a new way. Jesus said every person needs to have a new birth. We must have the new life only Jesus can provide. To choose this new way can be both exciting and fearful. But choosing this new way is the best. Admit to Jesus that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus is God s Son, and that He died for you. Commit your life to Him. He will make a new life for you.