ARISE BOOK OF REPORTS 2013 BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA

Transcription

1 ARISE ISAIAH 60:1-3 ARISE, SHINE FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS RISEN UPON YOU. BOOK OF REPORTS 2013 BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA

2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT MICHAEL BARRETT PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 298 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

3 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (BOARD) has the responsibility of acting on behalf of the Convention when the Convention is not in session. Matters that affect the direction and enhance the mission causes and ministry endeavors of North Carolina Baptists are the responsibility of the Board. The Board meets three times annually and is composed of North Carolina Baptists representing cooperating churches from 10 regions across the state. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has the responsibility of acting on behalf of the Board and the Convention between its sessions. The Executive Committee is responsible for the administrative, personnel and business actions of the Convention and reports to the Board and the Convention its actions and recommendations. The Executive Committee met eight times since September 2012 and is composed of the President and Vice President of the Board (who serve as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Executive Committee), the officers of the Convention, Board of Directors Committee and Special Committee Chairpersons, four at-large members from the Board, the President of North Carolina Baptist Men, the President of the North Carolina Baptist Associational Missions Conference, the Budget Special Committee Chairman and the Articles and Bylaws Special Committee Chairman. This report includes actions taken by the Board and its Executive Committee since the conclusion of the September 2012 Board meeting. The Board of Directors elected the following officers: President: Michael Barrett Vice President: Perry Brindley Board Secretary: Teresa Jones The Board of Directors elected the following at-large members of the Executive Committee: Tracey Bolick, Chuck Campbell, Sandy Marks and Kevin Seger The Board of Directors Committees and Special Committees elected their chairpersons as follows: Business Services: James (Jimmy) Adams II; Communications: Micheal Pardue; Church Planting and Missions Development: Jeff King/Ben Whitmire; Congregational Services: Patrick Fuller; Evangelization: Phil Addison; Christian Higher Education: Richard (Rit) Varriale; Christian Social Services: Wanda Dellinger; Christian Life & Public Affairs: Jarrod Scott 2013 Annual Report 299

4 The Board President made the following committee appointments: Articles & Bylaws Special Committee Includes both Board and Non-Board members as noted: Board: Byron Greene (2016 term), Wilkesboro Baptist Church, Wilkesboro Non-Board: Dion Loving (2016 term), Mill Creek Baptist Church, Roxboro Bartley Wooten was appointed as chairman. Budget Special Committee Includes both Board and Non-Board members as noted: Board: Rob Roberts (2016 term), Hertford Baptist Church, Hertford Non-Board: Staley Smith (2016 term), Apex Baptist Church, Apex Rob Roberts was appointed as chairman. Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Nominating Committee Three members of the Executive Committee: Sandy Marks, chair; Tracey Bolick; Chuck Campbell The Board of Directors elected the following committee members: Business Services At-Large Will Hartley, Millers Creek Baptist Church, Millers Creek, term Sandy Bain, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, term Christian Life & Public Affairs Special Committee At-Large Mitch Friar, Christ Church, Raleigh, term Kenneth Carrico, Zion Baptist Church, Morganton, term Committee on Nominations Six new members of the Committee on Nominations were nominated by Convention officers Mark Harris, president; Conley J. Bordeaux Sr., first vice president; and Timmy Blair Sr., second vice president. During the January 2013 meeting the Board elected these individuals to serve a 2015 term as follows: Joe Capper, minister (associational missionary) from Living Hope Church, Jacksonville Shelton Daniel, minister from Greater Joy Baptist Church, Rocky Mount Ellen Day, lay person from Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, Pleasant Garden Marc Sanders, minister from Sandy Branch Baptist Church, Bear Creek Shannon Scott, minister from Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Raleigh Sharon Smith, lay person from Village Baptist Church, Fayetteville Charlie Martin was elected to serve as chairman of the committee. Unexpired terms on the Committee on Nominations were filled as follows: Boyce Porter, minister from Geneva Baptist Church, Camden to fill the 2013 unexpired term of James Horton Aaron Wallace, minister from Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell to fill the 2013 unexpired term of Joan Daniel The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors approved the following interim term recommendations from the Committee on Nominations: Note: (O) indicates the church s membership is over 400 and (U) indicates that the church s membership is under Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

5 Convention Board of Directors John Compton, minister from Mountain View Baptist Church (O), Catawba Valley Association, to fill the 2014 unexpired term of Kevin Purcell in region 8. Vernon Eller, minister from Union Baptist Church (U), Three Forks Association, to fill the 2014 unexpired term of Matthew Grindstaff from region 7. Danny Emory, minister from Hopewell Baptist Church (O), Catawba River Association, to fill the 2015 unexpired term of Billy Shaw in region 8. Herman W. Buddy Pigg Jr., minister from Mount Harmony Baptist Church (O), Union Association, to fill the 2016 unexpired term of Terry Casino in region 6. Debra Smith, lay person from Dudley Shoals Baptist Church (O), Caldwell Association to fill the 2014 unexpired term of Delores Greer from region 7. Howard Cloyes Starnes, minister from Encouraging Word Baptist Church (U), Haywood Association, to fill the 2014 unexpired term of Danny Hedgepeth in region 9. Don Warren, minister from Parkwood Baptist Church (O), Greater Gaston Association, to fill the 2015 unexpired term of Scott Hardin in region 8. Biblical Recorder Chester Jones, minister from Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church (O), Truett Association, to fill the 2016 unexpired term of Ed Trull. Charles Love, minister from Pine Valley Baptist Church (O), Wilmington Association, to fill the unexpired term of J.C. Bradley. Baptist Children s Homes of North Carolina Michael Bowers, minister from Rich Fork Baptist Church (O), Liberty Association, to fill the 2014 unexpired term of Tannis Nelson. The Board of Directors approved a recommendation from the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Nominating Committee to fill the 2017 terms on the Fruitland Board representing the: Convention Board of Directors: Gordon Benton, minister from Beech Glen Baptist Church, Mars Hill Alumni: Stan Welch, minister, West Asheville Baptist Church, Asheville At-large: Rit Varriale, minister, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Shelby 2013 Additional Actions of the Board of Directors were as follows: Impacting Lostness through Disciple-Making On April 11, 2013, the Executive Committee reviewed the full report of the Strategy Development Committee, which included the five-year strategy, Impacting Lostness through Disciple-Making. In addition to the strategy the Executive Committee received recommendation from Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer, for staff and group restructuring to begin in January 2014 to implement the strategy. The Executive Committee approved the strategy as stated below: Strategy Statement In keeping with its stated mission, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina will assist the churches in evangelizing all people groups in every ethnic and/or cultural context by developing and applying disciplemaking ministry models with an Acts 1:8 focus. North Carolina Baptists 2013 Annual Report 301

6 commit to accomplish this by strengthening and planting churches through creating a disciple-making culture, utilizing a relationship-driven consulting model incorporating generalists and specialists, starting in the most concentrated areas of lostness located in eight population centers. Following the approval of the strategy, the Executive Committee approved the recommended staff restructure. During the May 21-22, 2013 Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved the strategy, Impacting Lostness through Disciple-Making. The Board affirmed the staff restructure approved by the Executive Committee on April 11, The full report of the Strategy Development Committee is on page 308 of this book and the new group structure is on page 317. More detailed information can be found at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute The Board of Directors Upon the recommendation of the Fruitland Board of Directors approved a motion to amend Article I. Name and Article III. Purpose of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute s Constitution. While the Board approved these changes within its authority, the Board recognizes that Convention bylaws require that any change to the purpose of Fruitland receive final approval by Convention messengers during an annual meeting. A motion will be brought forth to the messengers related to this change in purpose. The full reading of the amendments to Fruitland s Constitution is available in the special issue of the Biblical Recorder found in the messenger packet. Article I. Name Proposed Reading: This ministry shall be named Fruitland Baptist Bible College, hereinafter referred to as Fruitland. Article III Purpose Proposed Reading: The purpose of Fruitland Baptist Bible College in its associate degree and certificate programs is to glorify God, serve the local church, and fulfill the Great Commission, by developing Christian leaders who think biblically, communicate the gospel effectively, and serve in Christ s kingdom with godly character, competence, and commitment. Fruitland accepts students with various and/or limited academic preparation. Recognizing the biblical mandate of ministry preparation in 2 Timothy 2:15, Fruitland shall maintain an atmosphere which encourages development of the whole person for Christian ministry, life, and the practice of personal integrity in ministry. In keeping with the mandate of the Convention, Fruitland shall foster a spirit of denominational cooperation and sacrificial service to the churches. 302 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

7 Articles and Bylaws Special Committee During the September 2013 Board of Directors meeting, the Articles and Bylaws Special Committee brought ten motions proposing amendments to the Baptist State Convention s bylaws. The proposed amendments addressed three needs: an amendment regarding the change of purpose at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, amendments to bring clarification and/or correction to the bylaws, and amendments necessary to address the structure of the Board based upon the new five year Convention strategy approved by the Board during its May meeting. The Board adopted the amendments and they are brought forth to the Convention in Annual Meeting for final approval. A complete reading of the proposed amendments is made available to the messengers in the special issue of the Biblical Recorder found in the messenger packet. One motion brought recommendations for a newly stated purpose at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute (Fruitland) which includes its name change to Fruitland Baptist Bible College. The Fruitland Board of Directors proposed changes to the Fruitland Constitution for consideration by the Board in May The Board approved these changes recognizing that these changes require subsequent action of the messengers of the Convention during Annual Meeting. Messengers to the Annual Meeting will be asked to consider two motions: the first addressing the change of purpose and name and the second addressing changes to Convention bylaws recognizing the change of purpose for Fruitland. Two motions addressed matters related to voting/quorum by messengers at the Annual Meeting, the Convention Board, and the Convention committees. Six motions proposed changes for the committees of the Board of Directors. These changes are generally in relation to the new Convention structure. The structure was approved by the Executive Committee in April and affirmed by the Board in May. There are proposed changes in the number of committees, committee names, committee sizes and committee duties. One of the six motions brought changes to the subcommittees of the Business Services Special Committee. Of the six motions, the one related to the Christian Life and Public Affairs Special Committee was amended by the Board to reflect a change in title within the Administration and Convention Relations Group for a position currently held by Brian K. Davis from executive leader to associate executive director-treasurer. The position and title update for Davis was approved by the Executive Committee during the July 2013 meeting. One motion addressed the sizes of the Christian Higher Education Special Committee and the Christian Social Services Special Committee, committees that relate to institutions of, or affiliated with the Convention. This motion addressed a second item bringing references to representatives of North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Hospital) into agreement. Currently the bylaws make references to the School of Pastoral Care, which has been changed to Division of Faith and Health Ministries Annual Report 303

8 Budget Special Committee The Board of Directors Adopted the 2014 Cooperative Program Budget of $30,000,000 as recommended by the Budget Special Committee and presents the 2014 budget for consideration to the Convention at its 2013 Annual Meeting. Adopted the North Carolina Missions Offering goal of $2,100,000 as recommended by the Budget Special Committee and presents the following 2014 allocations for consideration to the Convention at its 2013 Annual Meeting: NC Baptist Men: $856,720 Church Planting: $596,000 Mission Work Camps: $313,080 Associational Projects: $210,000 Mobilization Ministry Projects: $124,200 TOTAL NCMO GOAL: $2,100,000 Camps and Conference Centers The Board of Directors Adopted the Facility and Building Naming Policy as presented by the Business Services Special Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors Named the 80-bed facility being built at Caraway Conference Center the Jim and Nancy Jacumin Family Lodge in keeping with the Facility and Building Naming Policy. Accepted an offer from Teen Challenge NC to purchase Hollifield Leadership Center with an anticipated close date in December Financial Matters The Board of Directors Adopted the revised and updated Investment Policy Guidelines as presented by the Business Services Special Committee. Approved a recommendation from the Business Services Special Committee that in accordance with the financial policies 20% of the excess revenues over expenses (based on the 2012 audit) be transferred to the contingency reserve account. The total amount is $37,645. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors In November 2012, approved a 1% per salary Christmas gift for Convention staff. Funds for this gift are from interest income. In November 2012, approved an additional ½ of 1% to be made available for merit bonuses for a limited number of staff. These bonuses are given at the executive director-treasurer s discretion for outstanding performance. Funding for these bonuses is from interest income. Miscellaneous Actions The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors Granted approval for the release of Cooperative Program Giving information to the Biblical Recorder so that a related story could be published. 304 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

9 Personnel Matters The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors Approved updates to the Baptist State Convention s Employee Handbook. Gave approval for John Butler, executive leader for Business Services, to approve the housing allowances for the Convention s ordained staff. Approved the updated job description and new job title for Brian K. Davis as associate executive director-treasurer. The Board of Directors brings the following recommendations to the messengers of the Convention: Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Constitution Amendments: The Board of Directors brings one motion to amend Articles I and III of the Constitution of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute to change its purpose as set forth in the amended Articles I and III. Please refer to the special issue of the Biblical Recorder found in the messenger packet for the full reading of the motion and the proposed amendments. Articles and Bylaws Amendments: The Board of Directors brings ten motions for the proposed amendments to the bylaws. The motions, including the current readings and the proposed new readings for the governing documents, can be found in the special issue of the Biblical Recorder found in the messenger packet. Budget Recommendations: The Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina moves the adoption of the 2014 Cooperative Program Budget. Please refer to the 2014 Cooperative Program Budget Booklet found in the messenger packet. The Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina moves the adoption of the 2014 North Carolina Missions Offering allocations as listed (these remain the same as 2013): NC Baptist Men: $856,720 Church Planting: $596,000 Mission Work Camps: $313,080 Associational Projects: $210,000 Mobilization Ministry Projects: $124,200 TOTAL NCMO GOAL: $2,100, Annual Report 305

10 2014 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM GLOBAL MINISTRIES (SBC) $10,950,000 (36.5 % ) International Mission Board 50.41% $5,519,895 North American Mission Board 22.79% $2,495,505 SBC Seminaries 22.16% $2,426,520 Other Ministries & Administration 4.85% $ 508,080 NC MINISTRIES $11,905,000 (39.7 % ) Convention and Board Operations $2,871,382 $2,403,708 Convention Ministry Groups Administration & Convention Relations $1,866,486 $2,888,790 Business Services $1,630,693 $1,519,340 Church Planting & Mission Partnerships $2,691,870 Evangelism & Discipleship $2,401,292 Church Planting & Missions Development $2,549,276 restructured Evangelization $1,952,554 restructured Congregational Services $2,160,869 restructured TOTAL Ministry Groups $10,159,878 $9,501, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

11 MISSIONS BUDGET TOTAL: $30,000,000 Institutions & Agencies $ 5,085,000 (17.0 % ) Christian Social Services Baptist Children s Homes of NC $1,850,000 $1,600,000 Baptist Children s Homes, DDM Program $ 400,000 $ 350,000 NC Baptist Aging Ministries $ 800,000 $ 720,000 NC Baptist Hospitals (School of Pastoral Care) $ 703,250 $ 625,000 TOTAL $3,753,250 $3,295,000 Agencies The Biblical Recorder $ 454,930 $ 390,000 North Carolina Baptist Foundation $ 106,360 TOTAL $ 561,290 $ 480,000 Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute $ 704,200 $ 660,000 NC Baptist Scholarship Program $ 900,000 $ 650,000 GUIDESTONE & CHURCH PROTECTION BENEFITS $2,060,000 (6.9 % ) Retirement and Protection Benefits $2,440,000 $2,010,000 For NC Baptist Church Staff Ministers Emergency Reserve $ 50,000 $ 50,000 Institutions & Agencies Global Ministries (SBC) 36.5 % 17.0 % 6.9 % 39.7 % North Carolina Ministries GuideStone & Church Protection Benefits 2013 Annual Report 307

12 STRATEGY IMPACTING LOSTNESS THROUGH DISCIPLE-MAKING Our Vision By God s grace, we will become the strongest force in the history of this Convention for reaching people with the message of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Mission To assist the churches in their divinely appointed mission. Our Core Values The 7 Pillars for Ministry are biblical concepts that serve as core values to help the Convention stay focused on its mission, which is to assist North Carolina Baptist churches in achieving what God has called them to do. The 7 Pillars are: 1. Practice Fervent Prayer 2. Promote Evangelism and Disciple-Making 3. Strengthen Existing Churches 4. Plant New Multiplication Churches 5. Reach North Carolina s International Community 6. Embrace Unreached and Unengaged People Groups 7. Engage Young Church Leaders The following strategy must be undergirded and overarched by Kingdomfocused prayer. Pushing back lostness will only be accomplished through spiritual awakening and revival; therefore, utter dependence on the power of God is indispensable. The Convention must build strong spiritual relationships that inspire and motivate through prayer and the Spirit of God and build on those relationships as the process continues. 308 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

13 STRATEGY STATEMENT In keeping with its stated mission, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina will assist the churches in evangelizing all people groups in every ethnic and/or cultural context by developing and applying disciple-making ministry models with an Acts 1:8 focus. 1 North Carolina Baptists commit to accomplish this by strengthening and planting churches through creating a disciple-making culture, utilizing a relationshipdriven consulting model incorporating generalists and specialists, starting in the most concentrated areas of lostness located in eight population centers. Explanation In keeping with its stated the mission, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina will assist the churches in evangelizing all people groups in every ethnic and/or cultural context by developing and applying disciple-making ministry models with an Acts 1:8 focus. There are 5.8 million lost people in North Carolina and that number is growing; North Carolina Baptists are clearly losing ground. 2 This statistic illustrates our collective lack of faithfulness to obedience of the Great Commission. The Great Commission clarifies that we, all North Carolina Baptists, are to make disciples. Every North Carolina Baptist bears the responsibility and shares in the opportunity to reach the lost and make disciples. 1 The mission of the Baptist State Convention is found in the Convention s Articles of Incorporation Article IV. Purposes A. 2 Statistic provided by Richard Stanley, Center for Missional Research for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. The total population of North Carolina at the end of 2010 was 9.5 million people. The estimated percentage of lostness in North Carolina during that year was 60.8% resulting in the estimate of 5.8 million lost people. Stanley estimates that the percentage of lostness will not increase in the coming decade; however, the number of lost people will grow as the total population grows Annual Report 309

14 Acts 1:8 focuses our disciple-making efforts on our local communities, North Carolina, North America and the ends of the earth. Moreover, the unreached peoples of the world have come to our own communities. In reaching these people, contextual strategies based on ethnic and/or cultural contexts have proven to be the most effective approaches to impacting lostness. North Carolina Baptists commit to accomplish this by strengthening and planting churches through creating a disciple-making culture The matters of church health, survival and sustainability weigh heavily on the minds of many church leaders. Many indicators and statistics are used to identify the strength of a church. However, the most concrete indicator of a strong church is the presence of a disciple-making culture. A disciple-making culture is developed as churches assist believers to order their everyday lives around the Great Commandment s call to love God which results in loving others. When the culture of a church encourages all people to be disciples, who in turn make disciples, the church has the greatest potential for effective fulfillment of the Great Commission and Acts 1:8. The Convention will assist the churches as they prayerfully determine how they will pursue a disciplemaking culture. All churches are called upon to support multiplying efforts in order that all people may be reached with the Gospel. Church planting involves the discovery and reaching of unreached people resulting in a disciple-making culture. The Convention will assist churches as they prayerfully determine how they will engage in church planting. Churches should consider partnering with existing church plants, partnering with church planting missionaries who have not yet begun, or possibly sending their own members out as church planting missionaries to establish new congregations. The Convention will assist Legacy churches as they consider their investment in assisting church plants to target unreached people and in assessing options including church re-starting, church revitalization and church multiplication. Legacy churches are strategic partners in their prayer support, volunteering, worship space and providing financial assistance, all critical components to a church plant effectively impacting lostness. by means of a relationship-driven consulting model incorporating generalists and specialists The Convention will design, resource and implement a relationship-driven consulting model in serving churches across North Carolina. This model incorporates the dual roles of generalist and specialist as opposed to a resource and event driven consulting model. A relationship-driven consulting model enables effective engagement with a church in pursuit of a disciplemaking culture and ministry vitality rather than simply resourcing them with products, programs and processes. Collaboration among the Convention, associations, networks and other ministry partners in this model of 310 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

15 consultation will serve to efficiently leverage the assets of all parties for the benefit of the churches. starting in the most concentrated areas of lostness located in eight population centers. Research conducted by the Intercultural Institute for Contextual Ministry has identified the top 100 areas of lostness in North Carolina. Of these 100, the Convention has found that 97 are located within the top eight population centers of the state. Population centers include the cities and surrounding areas of Charlotte, the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point), Fayetteville, Wilmington, Hickory, Asheville and Greenville. The population in North Carolina increased 18.46% from 2000 to During this same period, the population in these eight areas increased by 22.33% comprising nearly 75% of the population of the state. 3 The Convention must collaborate with local leadership to develop a strategy for a population center and seek to foster and instill local ownership of the initiative. All leaders involved in each population center must be heard and valued. In addition, the roles of all partners must be clearly defined. Success will have been achieved when the existing area churches and new church plants partner in the execution of a well-defined, contextually appropriate strategy to make, nurture and grow reproducing followers of Christ pursuing a movement of God within the population centers to glorify Christ through pushing back lostness. Moreover, a shared commitment of all leadership to this definition of success and adoption of a common language for expressing that definition of success is paramount. Intentionality in communication should be a hallmark of these relationships. While all would agree to the urgency of the task, it is important to also recognize the reality of limited resources that must be efficiently and effectively managed. Accordingly, initiatives in each of the eight population centers cannot begin simultaneously but must be staged in order to appropriately administer the investment of available resources for maximum benefit to all. OVERVIEW OF A FRAMEWORK FOR THE EIGHT POPULATION CENTERS Pre-Discover Establish the Strategy Team for each population center. The team will include but not be limited to a Convention strategist, Directors of Missions/Associational Missionaries, pastors, staff, and laypersons from within the population center, and ethnic representation based upon demographic makeup of population center group(s). 3 U.S. Census, North Carolina Quick Facts, Internet, Date Accessed: March 7, Annual Report 311

16 Gather the Strategy Team for prayer, orientation process and strategic planning training. Mobilize prayer support for the Strategy Team and its work. Assemble initial information for each specific population center and prepare supporting documentation for Strategy Team members. Identify and explore all local strategies at a church or associational level already planned or underway for impacting the targeted population center. Create a communications plan framework and a plan to connect with and network population center area pastors and churches. Construct a discovery question list to guide data collection and analysis. Discover Answer discovery questions. Gather, validate and assess data, utilizing tools such as, but not limited to: Intercultural Institute for Contextual Ministry report 4 Annual Church Profile data for existing churches within the focus area Operation Reach 5 Field discovery Community perceptions Identify gaps in understanding (using discovery questions) and determine sources of needed information. Identify and test assumptions, and adapt the approach as needed. Assess current strengths and needs of existing churches and associations within the population center area. Engage existing churches in reaching the lost within the population center area through: Prayer for the lost and laborers to reach the lost Discovery of the lost Ministry revitalization of evangelism/disciple-making to reach the lost Commitment to intentionally present the Gospel in word and deed Commitment to partnership with others in reaching the lost 4 The IICM works to encourage congregations and various denominational groups, mission agencies and para-church groups to understand their cultural context and to develop culturally-appropriate messages, methods and missional strategies to reach them with the gospel. 5 A missional event utilized by North Carolina Baptist leaders to identify unreached people groups in cities, regions and associations. The one-day event is attended by area pastors and leaders who are equipped to identify the unreached, then journey to assigned areas to determine missional priorities 312 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

17 Institute regional concerts of prayer. Initiate communication plans to all constituencies including: Discoveries to date Partners involved Invitation to potential partners Identification of resource needs Request prayer for the population center Develop Create a comprehensive strategic plan. Build the plan to achieve an outcome based upon the definition of success. Incorporate strengthening of existing churches based upon identified needs utilizing the Strategy Team process model. Incorporate planting of new churches based upon identified needs and priorities. Identify milestones and success indicators for each distinct strategy adopted to include feedback loops for real-time data gathering. Document a schedule for strategy and progress assessment and reporting. Ascertain required resources for each strategy and identify potential sources. Sequence strategies and assign responsibility for execution. Continue prayer initiatives and efforts toward networking population center pastors and churches. Continue with communication plans to all constituencies: Strategies to be employed Additional Discovery updates Updates on partners Continued invitation to potential partners Updated list of needed resources Request prayer for the harvest in the population center Deliver Execute the strategic plan. Monitor progress relative to established milestones and assess results relative to success indicators. Adjust strategies as necessary based upon ongoing assessment of results, capturing learnings for future use. Continue prayer initiative and facilitation of networking for population center pastors and churches. Complete communication plans to all constituencies: Results realized to date Additional Discovery updates Updates on partners Continued invitation to potential partners to participate 2013 Annual Report 313

18 Updated list of needed resources Request for prayer and the sharing of celebrations We acknowledge that many of the efforts noted in this model already take place, but the effectiveness of these efforts can be increased through a unified approach. We believe that cooperatively approaching these efforts, as outlined above, will maximize the results. Conclusion The mission of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is to assist the churches in their divinely appointed mission. Utilizing this strategy, it is the prayerful expectation that, By God s grace, we will become the strongest force in the history of this Convention for reaching people with message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. GLOSSARY This glossary pertains only to this report and does not necessarily reflect common understanding of the terms throughout the Convention. Consultant: A Convention staff person assigned the primary responsibility of working directly with churches to provide assistance as needed and appropriate in pursuit of the church s mission. Consultation: An assignment in which a Convention consultant works directly with a church for a defined period of time to provide assistance as needed and appropriate in the pursuit of the church s mission. Context: The environment, conditions or circumstances that define or surround a church and its ministry such as: average age or educational level of church members, local economy, financial condition of the church, demographics of the community, age and condition of the facilities, etc. Contextual: Relating to or dependent upon a particular context as defined above. Contextualize: To adapt a process, model or framework in order to fit or accommodate a particular context as defined above. Decline: A church that has passed the plateaued life cycle stage and exhibits a clearly discernible regression in baptisms or other additions, attendance, giving and ministry involvement, and general appearance of ministry health has entered a stage of decline. Disciple-making culture: The values and ministry focus of a church result in a lifestyle of disciple-making behaviors on the part of church members. Generalist: A consultant serving as a diagnostician who works with church leadership to effectively engage and apply contextually appropriate resources. A generalist serves in much the same way as a family practitioner in the 314 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

19 medical profession whereby the generalist is responsible for the ongoing relationship and engages specialists as appropriate and necessary for the benefit of the church. However, this does not mean that a generalist does not have an area or areas of specific expertise, but only refers to the role with regard to a particular church. Learning environment: the continuous testing of experience, and the transformation of that experience into knowledge accessible to the whole organization, and relevant to its core purpose. Peter M. Senge, Art Kleiner, Charlotte Roberts, Rick Ross and Bryan Smith, The Fifth Discipline Field Book, (New York, NY: Doubleday, 1994), 49. Legacy church: A long established church still exhibiting signs of health and vitality but nearing the plateaued life cycle stage as its sense of calling and purpose begins to diminish, as does its congregants age, and it also fails to reach and assimilate younger members. Model: A framework, outline or process to be followed or utilized in conducting a consultation. Multiplication church: A multiplication church is a reproducing church that engages in church planting through one or more ways. The church may play the role of mentor in the church planting process, intentionally cultivating disciples who are selected, developed and supported in order to be sent as church planting missionaries to start new faith communities. This may include praying for the unreached people group and church planting missionaries who are sent, participating by involving members personally assisting the church planter, and/or providing for the financial needs of the church planter and new church plant. Church multiplication may also include visionary churches that value multiplication, establishing a Church Planting Center equipping those from inside their congregation and from other congregations, and providing intern, student missionary and apprentice opportunities, sending them out to reach unreached people groups resulting in new faith communities. Network: A collection of churches or individuals with similar interests or concerns and like values who intentionally connect and maintain formal, as well as informal, communication for mutual assistance or support in pursuit of a common goal or objective. Organizational culture: The shared set of values and assumptions that guide how the members of an organization think, feel, behave, and work. George Babbes and Michael Zigarelli, The Minister s MBA Essential Ministry Tools for Maximum Ministry Success. (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2006), 30. People group: The largest group through which the gospel can flow without encountering a significant barrier of understanding or acceptance. People 2013 Annual Report 315

20 Groups Internet. Date Accessed: March 7, This understanding guides the work of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, please read, Orville Jenkins, What is a People Group - Gospel Strategy PeopleGroup.aspx Internet. Date Accessed: March 8, Population center: An area within which a significant concentration of people live and work. Relationship-driven consultation: A model of consulting whereby primary emphasis is placed upon building rapport and understanding, enabling the consultant to more accurately discern and meet the needs and requirements of the church served. Relationship-driven: An approach whereby primary emphasis is placed upon building rapport and understanding. Resource driven: A model of consulting whereby primary emphasis is placed upon the application of products, programs or services offered, rather than looking for creative solutions to the issues at hand, based upon discernment through relationship. Revitalization: The process whereby a church that was once plateaued, or declining, has rediscovered its calling and is living out that calling in a culture of disciple-making. Specialist: A consultant serving as a subject category expert in a specific ministry area. 316 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

21 BSCNC New Group Structure Administration & Convention Relations Business Services Church Planting & Missions Partnerships Evangelism & Discipleship Baptist Men Accounting Associational Part. Church Strengthening Communications CP BSCNC Properties Church Planting Disciple-making Fruitland Facilities Operation Collegiate IT/IS Prayer Financial Great Comm. Part. Strategic Focus Human Resources BSCNC Current Group Structure Administration & Convention Relations Business Services Church Planting & Missions Development Congregational Services Evangelization Baptist Men Accounting Associational Part. Church Health Campus Creative BSCNC Properties Church Planting Church Ministry Evang. & Ch. Growth Fruitland Facilities Operation CP & NCMO Multicultural Prayer IT/IS Financial Embrace Youth Public Relations Human Resources Great Comm. Part Annual Report 317

22 ADMINISTRATION & CONVENTION RELATIONS REPORT BRIAN K. DAVIS ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER 318 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

23 2013 ADMINISTRATION & CONVENTION RELATIONS fulfills a variety of responsibilities on behalf of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (Convention) in service of the Convention s churches. The Executive Director-Treasurer s Office (EDT), led by Milton A. Hollifield Jr., provides leadership and direction for the entire Convention staff. It is the responsibility of the EDT to assist the Board of Directors (Board) and Convention committees in their work. The EDT also works very closely with the officers of the Board and officers of the Convention as they seek to fulfill their tasks. Brian K. Davis, associate executive director-treasurer, provides leadership for the Administration and Convention Relations Group. The Administration and Convention Relations Group staff has the dual role of serving churches of the Convention and serving Convention staff. The Administration and Convention Relations Group continues to serve as liaison with the institutions and agencies of the Convention. Specifically, the institutions of the Convention are the Baptist Children s Homes of North Carolina and the North Carolina Baptist Hospital. The agencies of the Convention are the North Carolina Baptist Foundation and the Biblical Recorder. In addition, this office continues to foster the Convention s relationship with the five affiliated institutions of Christian higher education. This group is responsible for the Convention s partnership with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). While the cooperative agreement between NAMB and the Convention involves multiple members of the Convention s staff across several ministry groups, the coordination of the partnership comes through Administration and Convention Relations. We also work with NAMB in the placement of Mission Service Corps (MSC) funded missionaries. This group serves as the liaison with two Convention committees: the Committee on Nominations and the Committee on Convention Meetings, and assists Business Services staff with the Memorials and Resolutions Committee. Our staff provides the administrative support required by each of these committees in order that these committees may complete their assigned tasks. Members of the Administration and Convention Relations staff also provide essential support for the Convention s Board, the Executive Committee of the Board and key sub-committees of the Board, including the Articles and Bylaws Committee and, in conjunction with Business Services staff, the Budget Committee Annual Report 319

24 This year Davis served as chairman of the Strategic Development Study Committee. This committee, which grew out of the Vision Fulfillment Committee work, developed a five-year strategy for the Convention. Both the Executive Committee and Board of Directors approved the committee s recommendations. CREATIVE TEAM/PUBLIC RELATIONS The Creative Team and Office of Public Relations continue to work together to tell the story of how God is working through North Carolina Baptists locally and around the world. The team stepped up efforts to come alongside Convention staff and assist them as they plan communication and promotion of various events and ministry emphases utilizing social media and other technologies. A major undertaking this year was creating a new Convention website (www. ncbaptist.org). The entire site, from programming to design and layout, was completed in-house. Members of the team worked with the Information Technology/Information Systems Team (IT/IS) to launch a more user friendly site that includes streamlined navigation, social media integration, more capability for video and audio, and easily accessible resources. The site was designed based on feedback from online surveys, focus groups with Convention staff and the Communications Committee of the Convention s Board of Directors. The Convention mission, vision and values are represented in the new site, as is information about the new five-year strategy to impact lostness. This year team members also developed a new website for the Convention s youth ministry ( and worked with IT/IS to produce an Annual Meeting website ( Melissa Lilley, Research and Communications Coordinator, reported on ministry and missions in North Carolina, as well as in Convention partnership areas. Intern Buddy Overman provided valuable writing assistance. Graphics Manager Kathryn Carson coordinates the work of the graphics team, which includes designers Whitney Goulding and Robbie Hewitt, as well as freelance graphic designers. These staff members are responsible for graphic design, video production, Web graphics and design, Annual Meeting exhibit designs, and Annual Meeting promotional materials. In addition to upkeep of the Convention website, they maintain, in conjunction with the IT/IS Team, several other websites for affiliated ministries and organizations. The video production arm of the Creative Team relies primarily on the work of videographer K Brown, with assistance from freelancers Kenny Conyers and David Cook. This year K was recognized by the Baptist Communicator s Association with four awards, including first place in the audio-visual communications division. 320 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

25 Creative Team and Public Relations handle many aspects related to the Convention s Annual Meeting. Production Assistant Monique Rogers coordinates the exhibit hall, in addition to working with the Creative Team on various projects throughout the year. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/INFORMATiON SYSTEMS The Information Technology/Information Systems (IT/IS) Team is primarily responsible to the staff employed by the Convention s Board of Directors. However, we also strive to serve churches and associations as called upon. We are a resource for equipment, software and services. The IT/IS Team includes gifted individuals in the area of technology, and each brings their gifts to serve North Carolina Baptists. The most visible of services provided by the team are websites. We support and deploy a variety of websites for our Convention ministries, as well as ministry partners. Our website, www. ncbaptist.org, underwent a total rebuild this year. Our team collaborated with the Creative Team to build this new website. Please visit the site and feel free to share feedback. The main website had 171,440 visits with 437,912 page views from June 1, 2012 to June 1, During our Annual Meeting we provide various support services to the Convention such as messenger cards, registration and business meeting management, as well as live streaming and an station in the display area for you to keep in contact while attending the meeting. We also provide an Annual Meeting website ( The IT/IS Team is searching for ways to help our mission dollars go further in the purchasing of equipment to provide staff in support of their ministry with churches. As equipment runs out of warranty we pass it on to other ministries that can benefit from these resources. We are able to help church planters, associations and other worthy causes with second hand equipment. One of the challenges we have is in keeping the software we use up to date, as software and hardware require much effort to maintain. We are often attacked by viruses, trojans and rootkits, which requires the IT/IS Team to be sure we are up to date concerning the latest threats. Ron Rasberry and Russell Schwab are tasked with keeping our system updated and protected. If you have questions about technology or other needs, rrasberry@ncbaptist. org and rschwab@ncbaptist.org. Judy Autry serves as the official teacher for our training lab at the Baptist Building in Cary. She is very gifted and loves to help people learn. Many people have learned of her abilities, and some churches and associations regularly attend her classes held at the Convention office. This year she trained 215 people in a variety of areas and 54 Convention staff participated in training opportunities. If you are interested, contact Judy Autry at jautry@ ncbaptist.org for a schedule of classes. In today s world, which uses the Internet for just about everything, your IT/ IS Team works with the Creative Team and Office of Public Relations to 2013 Annual Report 321

26 provide a variety of websites and blogs, as well as a portal to provide your church s annual profile information. We provide an online store where you can purchase various items. We also help churches create a website using Typo3 as the engine and WEC (Web Empowered Church) software as tools to inform and educate people about the services and ministries your church offers. If you do not have a website or are interested in updating your site, our webmaster, Lai Salmonson, can assist you. Classes and support are offered to help you provide a presence of Christ on the web. lsalmonson@ ncbaptist.org for more information. As more people are now on Facebook, Twitter, Goggle+ and many other forms of social media, we can use technology as a ministry tool to show God s love. Let s use these tools to share the gospel. Our theme this year is Arise, and we hope to see technology as a way to help push back the darkness and shine so that others may come to the light. FRUITLAND BAPTIST BIBLE INSTITUTE (Refer to page 21 for change in status from Institute to College) In the book of Isaiah, God offered a troubling assessment of the spiritual condition of His people. He described the people of God as people who were looking for judgment and salvation but were not able to find it (Isaiah 59:11). The reason the people of God were unable to find salvation and judgment was because of a broken relationship with Him. According to Isaiah, the people were sinning against God and speaking oppression while uttering and conceiving words of falsehood from the heart (Isaiah 59:12-14). In His displeasure with the condition of His people, God spoke of their need for an intercessor. Therefore, God promised to bring salvation and righteousness to His people by sending a Redeemer (Isaiah 59:15-20). As a result of this covenant with His people, God promised to give them His Spirit and place His words in their mouth so that, His words would never depart out their mouth and the mouths of their seed forever (Isaiah 59:21). In the context of God s promise of a Redeemer, His promise to give the people His Spirit and His promise to place His words in their mouth, God said, Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (Isaiah 60:1-3). In other words, because of the saving work of God and His Redeemer, God has commanded His people to arise and shine forth the good news of the glory of God and His gospel. According to Isaiah, this work of exposing the glory of God and His gospel will also bring the Gentiles into God s light. 322 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

27 Following the incarnation of the precious Redeemer promised by God, Christians are now walking in this light and are commanded to arise and shine forth the glory and gospel of God. This same sentiment of shining the light of God is reflected in the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter five when He said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. In other words, God has commanded us to let our light shine before men so that the world will see the work of God in our lives and glorify God for His work in our life. Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute (FBBI) is an institution seeking to shine the gospel of Christ in North Carolina and around the world. The FBBI administration, faculty and staff are devoted to providing students a biblical foundation for a Christian worldview. Service and ministry based on a Christian worldview are radically different from service and ministry based on other religious or secular worldviews. The difference is simple and profound. While other world religions and secular humanism teach people to serve in the power of humanity, the service and ministry of the biblical Christian is accomplished through the power of God instead of through the power of man. The life of the Christian glorifies God and the life of those who serve in the power of man glorifies man. Fruitland is owned and operated by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and is dedicated to helping those who are called of God to become workmen that need not to be ashamed. Both in the classroom and in the total experience of preparation for ministry, Fruitland seeks the spiritual development of students. Fruitland also seeks to impart biblical knowledge that will equip the student for ministry. A special effort is made to relate the total preparation to the practical concerns of life and ministry. Fruitland works to fulfill these goals through an atmosphere of devotion and worship on campus. Though the assignment may vary from servant to servant, the responsibility of becoming all that the Lord would have them to become has led many of God s servants to enroll at Fruitland. Fruitland s work in spiritual and scriptural development is well known throughout God s Kingdom. Fruitland graduates are the school s greatest asset and testimony. They are faithfully serving our Lord in various places and positions and do so with the passionate understanding that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). As Fruitland moves boldly into the 21st century, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute president David Horton is articulating a new and refreshing vision. President Horton has a great passion to produce Christian leaders for the future. During the last half of the 20th century, God used Fruitland to train many Christian leaders and pastors who serve Jesus around the world. In contemporary culture, many ministry opportunities are available to those God is calling to shine His light throughout the world Annual Report 323

28 In recent years, God has sent many young men and women to Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute for the purpose of preparing them to lead in ministry areas such as senior pastor, associate pastor, youth ministry, women s ministries, children s ministries, missions and ministry in many Christian organizations around the country and the world. God is also sending others to Fruitland who are policemen, businessmen, nurses, school teachers, as well as other professions and vocations. These students come to Fruitland because the school has a reputation of teaching the Bible and helping train students to understand the difference between a biblical view of the world and a secular view of the world. Many young students are coming to Fruitland who desire to serve God in secular professional and vocational positions as a godly servant just like Joseph, Esther and Daniel. Joseph, Esther and Daniel lived godly lives in the middle of pagan societies without compromise. God is calling many young men and women who have this similar desire to serve Him faithfully today. These students are seeking a school to provide them with a Christian worldview based on the Scriptures. They seek to shine the light of God in a world that is rebellious against God. These students work in vocational ministry as well as various secular vocations and professions. They want to let their light shine so the world will see their good works and glorify the God who produced the good works. In an effort to educate Christian leaders for the 21st century who are equipped to work in church vocations as well as serve God and shine His light in secular professions and vocations, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute is offering several new degree programs and certificate programs beginning in the Fall Quarter 2013, in addition to the current Associate of Religion/ Christian Ministries degree. These new programs are designed on the foundation of the Bible and teaching students the importance of sound biblical exposition in the context of church ministry or serving God in the secular world just like Joseph, Esther and Daniel in the Old Testament. For more than 15 years, Fruitland has offered students the Associate of Religion/Christian Ministries degree. The Associate of Religion/Christian Ministries degree is designed to help those who are called of God to become workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Fruitland is dedicated to serving the needs of students without regard to previous academic preparation. The goal is to provide Christian education at an entry level and move the student forward spiritually, intellectually and practically. Both in the classroom and in the total experience of preparation for ministry, Fruitland seeks the spiritual development of its students. Fruitland also seeks to impart biblical knowledge that will equip the student for ministry and for any further study that may be in God s plan. A special effort is made to relate the total preparation to the practical concerns of life and ministry. The Associate of Religion/Christian Ministries degree prepares students who are interested in missions, children s ministries, youth ministries and pastoral ministries. 324 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

29 Starting in fall 2013, Fruitland will add a new degree program in addition to the Religion/Christian Ministries degree: the Associate of Religion/ Christian Worldview degree. The Associate of Religion/Christian Worldview degree is designed to prepare students to minster in a world of syncretism and pluralism that is often hostile and unfriendly to the gospel found in the Bible. The degree prepares students to defend the gospel of Christ in the diverse religious context of the world by teaching them the foundational truths of the Bible in contrast to the foundational truths found in nonbiblical worldviews. The degree seeks to glorify God, serve the local church and fulfill the Great Commission by developing Christian leaders who think biblically, communicate the gospel effectively and serve in Christ s Kingdom with godly character, competence and commitment. The degree requires 115 quarter-hours of core classes consisting of Bible, language/communication and Christian service classes along with 10-quarter hours of study in the area of Christian worldview. Students who are not seeking a degree can earn a Christian Worldview Certificate by completing the 10-quarter hours of Christian Worldview classes. Another new degree program beginning in fall 2013 is the Associate of Religion/Church Planting degree. This degree prepares students to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples through planting new churches for the purpose of growing the Body of Christ spiritually and numerically. The program prepares students to plant churches that make new disciples and, as a result of the biblical example of church planting, produce healthy growth and revival in existing churches. The degree seeks to glorify God, serve the local church and fulfill the Great Commission by developing Christian leaders who think biblically, communicate the gospel effectively and serve in Christ s Kingdom with godly character, competence and commitment by planting churches at home and around the world. This degree also requires 115 quarter-hours of core classes consisting of Bible, language/communication and Christian service classes along with 10 hours study in the area of church planting. Students who are not seeking a degree can earn a Church Planting Certificate by completing the 10-quarter hours of church planting courses. In the effort to educate Christian leaders for the 21st century, each degree program at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute requires study in three fundamental areas. The first and foundational component in the core curriculum at Fruitland is biblical studies. The second part of the curriculum at Fruitland is language/communication and the third area is Christian ministry/service. The areas of language/communication and Christian service are placed on the foundation of biblical studies. Biblical studies and biblical exposition are foundational in the Fruitland course offerings. Teaching students the core principles of biblical exposition and exegesis is a fundamental objective at Fruitland. The apostle Paul said, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The teaching of the Bible is the foundation for true Christian leadership. Learning to expound the 2013 Annual Report 325

30 Scriptures is fundamental in leading a church, church planting or in living a Christian worldview in the professional and vocational world. The priests in Israel not only needed to know the Bible, but a foundational knowledge of the Bible was imperative for Daniel in Babylon, Joseph in Egypt and Esther in Persia. Fruitland administration and faculty are devoted to making sure students have a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Students in their first year of study at Fruitland begin by taking introductory courses in the Old Testament and New Testament. These courses last for two quarters, or half of the first year at FBBI. Introduction to the Old Testament 101 begins with Genesis and moves through the Bible to the Divided Kingdom. Introduction to the Old Testament 102 gives the student an overview of the events from the Divided Kingdom to the Babylonian Captivity. The Introduction of the New Testament 101 class allows the student to survey the historical setting, the purpose and the authorship of the four Gospels. An overview of the background, purpose and authorship of the Epistles and the book of Revelation is the focus of Introduction of the New Testament 102. These classes are followed by a more in depth study of the Old and New Testaments in New Testament and Old Testament New Testament 201 is a follow up of the New Testament Survey courses and covers the life and teaching of Jesus by concentrating primarily on the Gospels of Luke and John. New Testament 202 concentrates on the Epistles of Paul by offering an in depth look at the teachings of Paul. The class gives primary emphasis to the study of Romans and 1 Corinthians. Old Testament 201 is a study of the historical backgrounds, the key basic theological truths and the Messianic anticipation in nine of the Minor Prophets (Amos, Hosea and Micah excluded) with special attention to the application of these ancient truths to contemporary culture. Old Testament 202 involves study of the lives and messages of Amos, Hosea and Micah in their historical settings, with key theological truths and Messianic hopes emphasized. Special attention is also given to the application of these ancient truths to contemporary culture. These New Testament and Old Testament classes are covered in the first year of study. This concentrated study of the Bible is the foundation for a Christian who seeks to serve God effectively as a missionary, pastor or professional in the workforce. Two theology courses are also required in the first year of classes. The theology courses cover the nature and need of doctrine, man s capacity for God, revelation, the person of Christ, and the doctrines of God, the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. Study questions based on the text are used to encourage class participation. The second theology course covers subjects such as the doctrine of sin, God s purpose in salvation, the saving work of Christ, the nature of the Christian life, the doctrine of the church, the ordinances and last things. Several church history classes are also required in order to give students a basic understanding of the development of the church over the last two millennia. These theology courses, along with the biblical courses, help students develop a biblical worldview that will allow them to serve God without compromise in the church or in the world. 326 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

31 Two classes in hermeneutics are also required. Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical interpretation. The first course in biblical interpretation begins with an introduction to the text, canon and versions of the Bible. A summary of the history of biblical interpretation is presented, and basic considerations of general principles of the historical-grammatical interpretation of Scripture are discussed. The second class in hermeneutics presents the principles of biblical interpretation related to the special kinds of literature in the Bible, such as figures of speech, types, symbols, parables, allegories and prophecy. Biblical interpretation is presented in terms of the general principles presented in Hermeneutics 301, which is a prerequisite for this course. The biblical interpretation course prepares people from all walks of life to teach a biblical understanding of the gospel wherever their lives take them. Students in the hermeneutics courses learn the fundamental steps in proper biblical exegesis. They discover the importance of saying what the author of the biblical text intended to say. Students are taught not to create confusion by using proof texts and biblical passages to support their pet philosophical ideas. Men of God with longevity in ministry teach classes at Fruitland. FBBI professors desire to see people cooperate together in the work of the Great Commission instead of using the Word of God to support their vain philosophical arguments and create useless division. One Fruitland alumnus had the following to say about FBBI, I thank God for Christian leaders like the professors at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute who taught me to teach the Bible and unify people around the gospel of Christ instead of using the Bible to divide and cause confusion among Christians. During the second year of classes, students are required to take two additional New Testament classes. New Testament 401 is a study of the background, key thoughts and principles of the epistles of John, Jude and the book of Revelation with special attention given to the Christology of each book, how each book conflicts with modern humanism and the relevance of the books for the contemporary Christian life. In New Testament 402 the student is directed in a study of the background, key thoughts and principles of the epistles of James and Peter with special attention also given to the Christology of each book, how each book conflicts with modern humanism and the relevance of the books for living the contemporary Christian life. Two more theology classes are also offered in the last year of study at Fruitland. These courses include The Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit and The Person and Ministry of Christ. Christology and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit are central theological doctrines in the Christian church. Allowing students to study in depth both theological issues is important as they prepare to graduate and become leaders Annual Report 327

32 The Person and Ministry of Christ 401 is a biographical and theological survey of the character and work of Jesus Christ in his relationship to the Godhead, the Old Testament the Gospels and other New Testament Scriptures. This course is designed to present Christ as the preeminent theme of the Bible. The course also encourages Christ-centered thinking, Christ-like living and Christfilled ministry in the 20th century. The Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit 402 is a panoramic study of the Holy Spirit s role and operations from the creation to Christ, from Christ to the church, and from the church to the culmination of all things. While examining biblical texts and contexts, the goal of this course is to promote a further understanding of the Holy Spirit, a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and a more personal and experiential acquaintance with the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. This emphasis on theology and biblical studies throughout the two-year program at Fruitland demonstrates the importance of biblical teaching in the curriculum. Biblical knowledge is foundational for those who desire to become Christian leaders who do the work of evangelism and discipleship. Once the proper biblical foundation is constructed, students must learn the fundamental skills for communicating truth to others. In order to produce good communication skills for Christian service in all walks of life, Fruitland requires students to take language/communication courses for the entire two years they attend the school. Classes in composition, research and English are a mandatory part of every quarter. This fundamental devotion to language produces students who are clear and concise thinkers, writers and communicators. These classes give students the skills needed to properly communicate with others as they serve God and humanity as servant leaders who have the mind of Christ. Students are also required to complete one year of homiletics classes along with the two years of English classes. Homiletics courses are designed to help students understand the primary importance of biblical exposition and develop those skills for ministry. God has called His people to communicate His Word. Learning to clearly teach the truths of Scripture is imperative for those who desire to live the life of a servant leader like Jesus. Teaching the Bible is the foundational component in a ministry that demonstrates a desire to shine for the gospel. The professors who teach homiletics are seasoned practitioners who serve in the local church and have a strong reputation in biblical exposition as well as pastoral leadership. Clear communication is a necessary component in vocational ministry as well as in Christian service in the secular professional arena or in secular vocations. When Jesus arose from the grave, He ministered in a special way to those who saw Him. Jesus took the Scriptures and taught those around Him about Himself. After Jesus confronted Peter and the women at the tomb, He used the Scriptures to teach them who He was. Luke 24:27 says, And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures 328 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

33 the things concerning Himself. The response of the people to this method of ministry was astonishing. The people who heard Jesus teach said, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:32) As Jesus continued with those who saw Him after the resurrection, He said to them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:44-47). A true Christian leader is devoted to teaching people from the Scriptures about the work of Christ on the cross, His resurrection, the forgiveness of sins and repentance. Christian leaders are found in a diversity of ministries in the church such as pastor, associate pastor, youth ministry and children s ministry. Christian leaders are greatly needed outside the church to engage lostness on the mission field and with other Christian organizations and ministries. Today there is a need for Christian leaders in the secular world in various professions and vocations. While Christian leaders who graduate from Fruitland are involved in many different ministries, one element that is universal and essential to any ministry is teaching the Scriptures just as Jesus did. A third part of the core curriculum, which is also based on the foundation of Biblical Studies, is Ministry/Service. Producing servant leaders with the desire to arise and shine for Christ is an important component in the core curriculum required for all degree programs. While some leaders suggest a false dichotomy between the practical and the biblical/theological, the professors and administration at Fruitland believe the gospel is the practical foundation for the practice of ministry. The Word of God is practical and the only foundation for true practice in ministry. Fruitland does not see the Bible/ theology as in opposition to the practice of Christian ministry and service. When the people of God study the Word of God, they gain a fundamental understanding of the character of God. God sent His Son to die on the cross and rise again in order to produce the miracle of salvation in the lives of His people. God asks His people to present themselves as a living sacrifice, just like Jesus did. Christians are to live and minister with the mind of Christ (Romans 12:1-3; Philippians 2:1-6). Therefore, theology and biblical studies are a practical and necessary part of work of Christian ministry/service. With this foundation in the Word of God, Fruitland offers a curriculum designed to produce Christian servants and leaders who demonstrate the character of Jesus Christ in their lives. Students are introduced to classes in evangelism and discipleship during their first year in order to build a foundation for ministry in the local church. Classes in evangelism and discipleship help students learn to present the gospel to others around the world and teach those who accept Christ as their savior to love and follow 2013 Annual Report 329

34 the commandments of Christ. As a part of the ministry service component, students are also required to take classes in Christian education, counseling, administration, leadership, clinical pastoral education, pastoral education, and supervised ministry as part of the core curriculum (Matthew 28:18-29). Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute anticipates an exciting future. The addition of the Associate Degree in Religion/Church Planting and the Associate Degree in Religion/Christian Worldview programs allow Fruitland to prepare students in a wide variety of Christian service opportunities. For more information on these new programs, or any of our current degree and certificate programs, please visit Convention Institutions and Agencies BAPTIST CHILDREN S HOMES OF NORTH CAROLINA Tabitha Reflects God s Love God has given me a gift to help others. I want to be a missionary, and I feel like that is a reachable goal because of the hope and encouragement I have here. - Sixteen-year-old Tabitha, a resident of Baptist Children s Homes Broyhill Home in Clyde On October 24, 2012, Tabitha was baptized in front of friends, family and her Baptist Children s Homes houseparents and staff. Their shouts of joy echoed around her as she arose from the water. The indoor pool at Broyhill Home, where Tabitha lives with her younger brother Trevor, was the perfect place to make her decision to follow Jesus public. At Baptist Children s Homes, Tabitha has transformed from a frightened, timid child to a young lady whose light can no longer be contained. It is her heart s desire to shine the light of Christ to all those she encounters. It wasn t always that way. Tabitha s parents divorced when she was a toddler. Her father, who is disabled, did his best to care for Tabitha and her brother, but it was impossible for him to provide the home they needed. At school, Tabitha and Trevor were bullied mercilessly. Both children became withdrawn. They could not blossom into the people God intended them to be. Wanting his children to have a new start and the best opportunity for success, the siblings father entrusted the care of Tabitha and Trevor to Baptist Children s Homes. When she first arrived more than a year ago, Tabitha was struggling with such extreme anxiety and self-esteem issues that she would barely speak or look others in the eye. Today, Tabitha stands before congregations and shares her testimony of God s goodness. The girl who hardly talked has led devotions in her cottage. She loves attending church. And at the beginning of the 330 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

35 year, Tabitha expressed to her Baptist Children s Homes staff a desire to be involved in missions work. Just as Tabitha desires to share God s love with others, every day Christian houseparents and staff are missionaries to the children and families Baptist Children s Homes (BCH) serves throughout 19 statewide communities. They share God s love with North Carolina children who far too often come to BCH from situations involving family dysfunction and even abuse, abandonment and neglect. But miracles are happening! In 2012, 65 of Baptist Children s Homes residents accepted Christ. Children from across a North Carolina mission field are rising up from their past turmoil because of the compassionate aid of North Carolina Baptists. Offering Changes Lives Tabitha and multiple boys and girls in Baptist Children s Homes care will be featured as a part of the 2013 Annual Offering video. Also known as the Thanksgiving Offering, North Carolina Baptists empower the BCH ministry through this dedicated time of prayer and support. Seventy percent of Baptist Children s Homes residents come into care unchurched and unreached for Christ. Houseparents and staff are able to share the gospel with children and provide them with a safe, caring home because North Carolina Baptists generously give. Please help offer hope to children by participating in this year s offering. Order the video, offering materials and schedule a BCH speaker at your church by calling (800) ext The video and other offering resources are available online at Volunteers, New Events Share Hope with Children We have a lot of guardian angels looking out for us. -Mills Home resident Anna All eyes were fixed on Anna as she stepped onto the stage at last year s Hope in Style event in Greensboro. The young college student s smile widened as she gazed into the audience. Standing tall and poised, Anna walked across the runway proudly modeling her new cardigan, ruffled blouse, jeans and shoes. Anna and the other residents of Baptist Children s Homes Mills Home campus in Thomasville all took turns on the stage modeling the new school clothing they received at Hope in Style, a children s fashion show and silent auction produced in partnership with Belk, volunteers and a number of community sponsors. I was a little nervous when I first stepped onto the stage, but it was really exciting, says Anna, a resident who is attending college and has the opportunity to pursue her dreams at BCH. This showed all of us who live at the Children s Homes that there are a lot of people out there who love and care about us Annual Report 331

36 A number of events and new initiatives have brought together longtime friends and new supporters to show children just how much they care. In addition to Hope in Style, another new event known as HopeFest united volunteers from churches in the Sandhills area for a family-friendly event benefiting BCH s two Moore County residential wilderness camps, Cameron Boys Camp and Camp Duncan. The day featured a church barbecue cook-off and artists Gold City, the Anchormen and 33 Miles. More than 1,300 volunteers of all ages came to the spring 2013 Friends of Children workdays at BCH s statewide locations. The one-day missions outreach allows volunteers to see the ministry firsthand and meet the residents while tackling a number of work projects. More workdays are scheduled for September. Across the state, churches collected tons of nonperishable food items, supplies and gift cards for April s Food Roundup. Food supplies, which began to run low, were generously replenished as children saw the hands and feet of Christ working through North Carolina Baptists. One of the most unique and exciting partnerships between a church and Baptist Children s Homes is with Awestruck Worship, the praise team out of Awestruck Church in Gibsonville. The group, who produces original praise and worship music, is donating the proceeds from the sales of their single Enough to purchase Sweet Dreams Bed Sponsorships for BCH s residents. Every sponsorship provides a warm bed, safe BCH home, regular meals and caring houseparents. Enough is available online by searching for Awestruck Worship on itunes and Amazon music store. Monica and her Children Receive Fresh Start through Family Care It s awesome. This is what I always needed - a family. Monica, a young mother who found the love and support she needed at Oak Ranch in Broadway Monica needed a second chance. The single mother of three children, including a precious two-year-old daughter, battled personal demons. She struggled with addictions that she overcame with the help of a specialized recovery house. But throughout her process, Monica was devastated because she could not be with her children. When she left the facility, Monica struggled to find a place to help her rebuild her life while also caring for her two young sons and daughter. She discovered a haven of hope for her small family at Baptist Children s Homes Oak Ranch. When I first came there I had lost all hope, Monica says. I thought my life was over and that God didn t love me anymore. Through Oak Ranch s Family Care program for single mothers and their children, life began to turn around for Monica. There, she was able to reunite with her children and make a new start. 332 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

37 My children love it here, she says. The people here love us, they love my kids. It s just an awesome program. Through Family Care, mothers like Monica learn the skills needed to obtain and maintain a stable home, job and income while still being able to care for their children. A Baptist Children s Homes counselor and a live-in residential manager assist the mothers in setting and achieving family goals, developing parenting and job skills, budgeting, resolving transportation needs and realizing spiritual growth. The ultimate goal is to keep mothers and their children together through seven statewide Family Care group homes. It takes time to get back on your feet, Monica says. You just have to have hope, don t give up and trust in God. Watch Monica s short video Family Care Offers Single Mothers Hope at NCBAM Outreach Expands through the Power of Partnership North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) and North Carolina Baptists are reaching out with the love of Jesus to meet the spiritual and physical needs of North Carolina s aging 65 and older. Powerful alliances have been forged with national and state agencies in the cause of protecting and serving North Carolina s aging. Each month, the NCBAM Call Center receives an average of 369 calls from aging adults in need or their caregivers. Approximately 13,000 outgoing calls are made annually to partnering churches and other organizations to meet those needs. During the last year, no less than 5,000 North Carolina Baptists were trained in a variety of areas that impact the independence of aging adults. Through a partnership with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, NCBAM makes it possible for churches to receive free, 10-year smoke detectors for installation in the homes of aging adults. Through a grant from the National Fire Protection Association, all NCBAM staff are trained to teach an evidence-based fall and fire prevention workshop to aging adults. As part of NCBAM s Priority #1: Prevention initiative, 6,000 life-saving Red Bags were distributed in the last 12 months. In the program s first two years, 16,000 aging North Carolinians have acquired Red Bags to help them more safely manage prescription medications. NCBAM and NC Baptist Men are once again partnering to produce the biennial event Rampin Up! The statewide ramp-building, awarenessraising marathon is scheduled for April 26, NCBAM is developing Servant Care a special outreach to North Carolina ministers 65 and older. Learn more about North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry at Annual Report 333

38 Special Needs Adults Achieve Success But then I found this place. I said to Jesus, Thank you for giving me an excellent home. Ralph, a developmentally disabled adult speaking about his home at Alverta Bolick Home in Asheville Ralph is a gentle giant standing a little more than six feet tall. The Alverta Bolick Home resident was born in Asheville s Mission Hospital on May 5, Until his mother and father passed away less than a year apart he lived at home, was loved and cared for, and had few worries. But after their deaths, his life was turned upside down when he ended up living at a nursing care facility sleeping on a thin mattress that sat upon a metal, institutional-style bedframe. Some days he did not receive his medications. He had no friends. Ralph s circumstances changed dramatically when he moved into BCH s Alverta Bolick Home for developmentally disabled adults. The group home is one of nine Developmental Disabilities Ministry homes operated by Baptist Children s Homes (BCH) around the state. Ralph and his fellow residents attend Calvary Baptist Church, which is adjacent to the home. The men at Alverta Bolick are part of the church s outreach to people in the area with developmental disabilities. Ralph says he likes living in a Christian Home and wouldn t have it any other way. I always want to live better for God, Ralph says. BCH s Developmental Disabilities Ministry recently marked a milestone by reaching 100% occupancy in all nine homes. Discover more about the Developmental Disabilities Ministry at www. hereismyhome.org. Baptist Children s Homes of North Carolina P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC (800) Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO BIBLICAL RECORDER On the job for 180 years This year the Biblical Recorder marked 180 years of publishing news and information for North Carolina Baptists. Since Thomas Meredith founded the paper in 1833, the material published or posted on the web has been a vital part of Baptist history. 334 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

39 In keeping with the theme of this year s annual meeting in Greensboro, we want to live for the glory of God and communicate the message of God s Word in all we do. After all, one of our three stated objectives is to glorify God. We believe God is glorified when His church is strong, healthy and living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We work diligently to provide church leaders with articles, stories and information to that end. In fact, the information we give you is very important to every member of the church. Ours is both an information-hungry society and an information-starved culture. We feast on mounds of information every day. But not all information is reliable. Some of it is intentionally deceptive or outright false. While we may be gorging ourselves with information, we are starving from the shortage of healthy, truthful information. So where is your church family getting their information? Is secular media feeding the information diet of the church with an unbiblical agenda? What can you do about it? This is the reason your Biblical Recorder is very important. We are here to serve you. We are your church s trusted information source. Everyone in your church fellowship can get good information through one or more of the avenues we provide: The Biblical Recorder in print is a great value. Individual members can subscribe or the church can provide for church members at a discounted rate. A copy will be mailed directly to your home. An even better deal is available through bulk copies sent to the church for distribution. Now you can receive the Biblical Recorder in a digital, online version. This year we launched the digital edition through our website, BRnow.org. This is the full version of the printed copy, in an easy-to-read digital format. Subscriptions are very reasonable. Our website, BRnow.org, is packed with about 10,000 pages of valuable information. It is the highest ranked website of all Baptist newspapers. Averaging between 10,000 to 20,000 hits per day, visitors around the world trust BRnow.org for up-to-date news and information. Download the BR app to your smartphone today. It is free, and it is an easy way to get important news items at your fingertips. The new app was launched earlier this year and has become a popular way to stay close to vital information. BRweekly is another free, easy way to stay in touch with important news. Sign up today and every Wednesday morning you will receive a brief summary of the week s important news and brief comments from the editor in your inbox. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. We ll give you breaking news and important information quickly Annual Report 335

40 In July we changed the technology behind our website. The new advanced technology is called responsive design. It allows the website to detect the nature of your device and to adjust our page content for the ideal screen arrangement. Most websites will identify your device, but very few are able to adjust the content. The new technology makes our content easier to read on smaller devices such as smartphones and small tablets. When you subscribe to the Biblical Recorder or visit our website, you are feeding yourself and your church family the kind of material that will strengthen Kingdom vision. It will encourage and motivate you in your partnership with North Carolina Baptists and Southern Baptists as we fulfill the Great Commission of our Savior. It will also be an instrument to connect you with other churches in Kingdom work. We hope you will encourage your congregation to read the Recorder. And, we hope you will make room in your budget to provide the printed edition for your leadership. If possible, make it available to as many members who want it. Another option is to subscribe to the online digital edition for your leaders and members. There is a subscription plan that fits your church budget. The Biblical Recorder receives support through your gifts to the Cooperative Program, allowing you to subscribe at rates that are much lower than the actual cost of production. We are proud to be an agency of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina since Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to join you in standing firm on the truth of scripture. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Biblical Recorder 205 Convention Drive Cary, NC (919) K. Allan Blume, Editor/President Dennis Thurman, Chair, Board of Directors NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST FOUNDATION The North Carolina Baptist Foundation is the trust agency of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina with a mission to serve North Carolina Baptists and others in generating an increased awareness of Christian stewardship principles as a means of financially undergirding Baptist churches, institutions and mission endeavors on a permanent basis. With our focus on that mission every day, we make it our aim to Arise shine that His glory shall be seen. (Isaiah 60:1-2) 336 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

41 To that end, in 2012 our staff made 203 presentations in Baptist churches and associations, institutions and agencies, as well as statewide Baptist senior adult conferences. We co-hosted senior adult festivals at Chowan University, Mars Hill University and Baptist Children s Homes, enabling us to further spread the word about the importance of Christian estate planning in supporting ministry in perpetuity. We did the same in sponsoring the 17th annual Noel Inspirational Retreat at Caraway Conference Center using as our theme, Finishing Well. Once again we co-sponsored two important events with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina: the 37th annual North Carolina Baptist Development Officer s Conference and the 12th annual North Carolina Baptist Heritage Award Luncheon. To the end of supporting missions and ministries in perpetuity, we established 78 new accounts in 2012 totaling $3,028, In addition, we received $3,540, into existing accounts for total receipts of $6,569, in During that same period we distributed $2,051, to individuals through charitable trusts and $6,610, to charities, for a total distribution of $8,661, An important element of our ministry is to invest wisely the Kingdom assets entrusted to us. In making those investments, our primary focus is to protect the corpus by managing the risk, while at the same time achieving a good return. In 2012 each of our 4 funds provided positive returns. Our Growth Fund was up 9.27%, our Balanced Fund was up 6.99%, the Income Fund was up 5.91% and the Fixed Income Fund was up 6.42%. We were able to achieve these positive returns while at the same time applying appropriate social screens on our investments. Our newest ministry, NC Baptist Financial Services, also continues to thrive. In 2012, about 18 loans were closed in the amount of $9.5 million. Since beginning in 2009, about 44 loans have been made totaling more than $25 million. The Church Growth Investment Fund, the investment arm of NCBFS and the primary funding source for loans, increased to more than $35 million. NCBFS has made loans to North Carolina Baptist churches for expansion to include new sanctuaries, family life centers, educational buildings, land purchase and major renovation projects. The North Carolina Baptist Foundation seeks every day to arise and shine by encouraging and enabling North Carolina Baptists to be good stewards and support Kingdom work so that His glory shall be seen. Clay Warf, Executive Director NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST HOSPITAL In 1923, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, a vital part of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC), arose from a vision of the Baptist State Convention 2013 Annual Report 337

42 of North Carolina to embody faith in Jesus Christ through ministries of healing. Faith and health remain intimate partners at WFBMC, expressed through the care of more than 13,000 employees across the system. We are grateful for 90 years of partnership with North Carolina Baptists, and we envision a bright future arising together. FaithHealthNC Improving Health Through Covenants of Care Our partnership with North Carolina Baptists is expanding through FaithHealthNC, a new department within the Division of Faith and Health Ministries. Several associational missionaries joined us to develop a covenant between North Carolina Baptist churches, WFBMC and eventually other health care providers. The partnership combines the caring strengths of congregations, the clinical expertise of the medical providers and a network of community resources. Our care will continue beyond hospital stays and follow patients to their homes. Significantly improved health and support will result for members of participating congregations and their neighbors. How does FaithHealthNC work? Participating congregations appoint volunteers to facilitate care for members and neighbors during times of illness. The volunteers, called Congregational Care Coordinators, receive extensive training and support from the Medical Center. They work with WFBMC Health Care Liaisons to ensure that people receive care at the right door (clinics, the Hospital), the right time (usually sooner rather than later), ready to be treated (with lists of medications and necessary information in hand) and most importantly, not alone. How will churches benefit? Congregations experience new levels of energy as they focus on caring for each other and their neighbors. New missional connections are established with people in their neighborhoods. New levels of cooperation arise with other participating congregations. New leadership arises from members with a passion for health care ministries. David Blackburn, associational missionary for the Ashe Baptist Association, served on the covenant design team. This ministry has the potential to change the health of people physically, mentally and spiritually. It is a winwin for the people and churches that are involved, he said. Thanks to the Cooperative Program and Medical Center resources, we envision FaithHealthNC eventually partnering with hundreds of North Carolina Baptist churches, providing health-focused ministries to their members and neighbors in times of need. In 2013, we will begin partnering with several North Carolina Baptist associations. Vital health-related partnerships will also be pursued with North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) and NC Baptist Men. To learn more, please visit FaithHealthNC.org. Thanks also to the Cooperative Program, we are extending the ministries of North Carolina Baptists through our CareNet counseling services, the Center 338 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

43 for Congregational Health, and through the care provided by our Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education Department. CareNet of North Carolina will provide more than 39,000 hours of faithintegrated counseling in The Cooperative Program provides vital support to our statewide network of 32 counseling centers, ensuring that fees are affordable and that no one is turned away for financial reasons. Nearly 50 percent of our 6,300+ clients are North Carolina Baptists from 1,000 churches. We will subsidize more than $500,000 this year in the costs of their counseling. New sites include three locations with the Baptist Children s Homes (Mills Home, Kennedy Home and Oak Ranch) and two North Carolina Baptist association offices (New River and Raleigh). The Center for Congregational Health will provide consultation ministries to nearly 150 churches and organizations in 2013, including many in the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Churches torn by conflict and ravaged by heartache are being renewed and revitalized in their mission to serve. Our Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education Department extends the love of God through ministries to our patients and their families and provides lifechanging education through Clinical Pastoral Education programs. In fiscal year 2013, we provided care to patients through more than 56,000 ministry contacts and trained nearly 40 ministers. The Mother s Day Offering North Carolina Baptists gave more than $615,000 in fiscal year 2013 to the Mother s Day Offering, helping patients suffering from serious illness and devastating financial need pay their hospital bills in the name of Jesus Christ and His love. God works through every gift, leading hundreds of people closer to Christ in life-changing gratitude. Kenzie Martin was born with Down s syndrome. A hole in her heart was successfully repaired at Baptist Hospital, but her parents were financially overwhelmed by waves of medical bills. The Mother s Day Offering was a miracle that saved us and changed our lives. This was God s love in action, said Eddie, her father. Through tears of relief, her mother Tracy rejoiced. North Carolina Baptists lifted a huge burden and gave us hope. We thank them with all our hearts, she said. Sarah St. Clair, a member of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Taylorsville, had surgery at Baptist Hospital. A few months later she was in a frightening car wreck, leaving her unable to work. With all the medical bills weighing down, I felt like there was no hope, Sarah said. Relieving grace came through the compassion of North Carolina Baptists. The Mother s Day Offering was a gift from the hand of God that saved us financially, gave us hope and changed our lives. Sarah s husband, Brad, replied with joy: This was God saying, You are not alone and you re going to make it. What a way to tell others about Jesus and change their lives like they did ours! 2013 Annual Report 339

44 Please visit to see the life-changing stories of the Martins, St. Clairs and others. Additional WFBMC Highlights At the Medical Center we continue to remain focused on balanced excellence in patient and family-centered care, medical education and leading edge research. Our commitment is to treat everyone we serve as we would members of our own families. Once again in 2013 U.S. News and World Report ranked us among the Best Hospitals in America, with special recognition in several areas. The Magnet Award recognizes excellence in nursing, and the Medical Center is in the top 2% of Magnet facilities in America. The distinguished listing of Best Doctors in America includes 288 of our physicians. In June we were designated by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, one of only 33 centers in the nation. The Medical Center s facilities and services continue to expand. A six-story expansion of our Comprehensive Cancer Center will open in late 2013, consolidating our nationally recognized cancer program in one location. Our new medical plazas in Winston-Salem and Clemmons are fully operational. We are constructing new facilities in Davie County to provide easy access for our patients in these areas. New outpatient clinics will open in August 2013, and a new 24-hour Emergency Department, Radiology and lab services will open in October. We extend our gratitude to churches of the BSCNC for their partnership in fulfilling the health care mission God has given us. We are thankful to North Carolina Baptists for sharing this sacred privilege and profound responsibility. Gary Gunderson, M.Div., D.Min, D.Div. Vice President, Faith and Health Ministries Wake Forest Baptist Health Special Committees of the Board of Directors CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SPECIAL COMMITTEE The Christian Higher Education Special Committee of the Board of Directors serves North Carolina Baptists as a liaison for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and its affiliated educational institutions: Campbell University, Gardner-Webb University, Mars Hills University and Wingate University. The Committee promotes the Convention s Baptist Scholarship Program for undergraduates attending one of the affiliated educational institutions and seeks to find ways that these institutions can assist churches in the fulfillment of the congregation s divinely appointed mission. Many great things are happening on the campuses of the five affiliated educational institutions and our committee gives all the glory and honor to 340 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

45 God for how the students, faculty and staff from each of these schools are faithfully serving God. In May, faculty from Campbell s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business led a Church Administration Conference in partnership with Convention staff. The conference provided critical training for church administrators. In addition, more than 3,000 students have applied to Campbell s new medical school, which opened in August. Students and staff from Chowan University participated in several mission trips during the past year. Members from Chowan s football team served alongside NC Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers in New Jersey during their 2012 Christmas break. In May, 15 students and staff travelled to Ethiopia to minister to street children. Enrollment for the academic year is the school s largest undergraduate enrollment since Thirty-six Gardner-Webb University students and faculty participated in three university-sponsored mission trips this summer to Brazil, India and Hawaii. The university partnered with NC Baptist Men to send students and faculty to Hawaii. The highly anticipated Physician s Assistant program is scheduled to open in Mars Hill College officially became Mars Hill University in August. The university also hosted more than a dozen faith-based groups this summer, which utilized campus facilities for numerous camps and conferences. In January, more than 70 Wingate University students participated in a day of caring on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Wingate students volunteer more than 10,000 hours of community service each year. Some projects include Alternate Spring Break, MLK Day of Service and the annual Don t Dump Donate! recycling drive. The Convention continues to provide scholarships to students attending the affiliated educational institutions as funds are available. The North Carolina Baptist Scholarship is awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students who are members of a church affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and attending one of the five affiliated schools. For the academic year, almost 700 Baptist Scholarships were awarded totaling nearly $700,000. To apply, interested students can visit scholarships. For several years the Committee has been working toward establishing a Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Scholarship. The two-year scholarship is awarded to Fruitland students who, upon graduation from Fruitland, desire to continue their education at one of the educational institutions affiliated with the Convention. A maximum of two students at each participating affiliated institution would be eligible for the scholarship. Our Committee is pleased to announce that the first student was awarded the scholarship for the academic year. Kelly Robbins has been awarded this scholarship to Gardner-Webb University to study Christian Counseling Annual Report 341

46 Our Committee thanks North Carolina Baptists for continuing to support Christian higher education and making it possible for students to grow in their faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rit Varriale, Chair CHRISTIAN LIFE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIAL COMMITTEE The Christian Life and Public Affairs Special Committee (CLPA) seeks to provide resources and opportunities to educate and inform North Carolina Baptists on important issues facing the state and nation. This year our committee spent considerable time informing North Carolina Baptists about the efforts of the Christian Action League of North Carolina (CAL). CAL is a voice for North Carolina Baptists and other evangelicals in the North Carolina General Assembly. Mark Creech, CAL executive director, addressed Convention Board members in January during the CLPA report. He urged the Board to be aware of possible legislation with potential to impact North Carolina. CAL was also influential in the passage of bills related to limiting abortion and expanding religious liberty in North Carolina. Two Senate bills with religious liberty implications endorsed by CAL unanimously passed in the Senate this year. As our society becomes more secular and ignores, and even vilifies, our Judeo-Christian values, it is the conviction of this committee that we increase our efforts to familiarize North Carolina Baptists with the work of the Christian Action League. Their work among North Carolina legislators is essential for the advancement and promotion of Christian principles in our schools and communities. We encourage all North Carolina Baptists to prayerfully consider contributing financial support to the Christian Action League. For more information about how you can help, visit It is our prayer that we will continue to have this voice as we seek to be salt and light in our world. Jarrod Scott, Chair CHRISTIAN SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIAL COMMITTEE The Christian Social Services Special Committee is committed to serving alongside North Carolina Baptists as they work with the Baptist Children s Homes of North Carolina (BCH), North Carolina Baptist Hospital and North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM). The Christian Social Services Committee is privileged to learn about, promote, work and encourage your cooperation alongside these ministries. 342 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

47 Our committee visited North Carolina Baptist Hospital in September We are grateful for the Hospital s continued commitment to point people to Jesus Christ as the only one who can truly meet their needs and heal their pain. CareNet is projected to serve more than 6,000 clients this year through its 32 clinical locations, including sites in three North Carolina Baptist associations, six North Carolina Baptist churches and three BCH locations. More than half of CareNet s clients are North Carolina Baptists. FaithHealthNC is establishing dynamic, covenant relationships between congregations, the Medical Center and other health care providers focused on improving the health of church members and their neighbors. FaithHealthNC will provide vital support to church members and their neighbors when illness strikes before, during and after hospitalization. This year BCH will celebrate Michael Blackwell s 30th anniversary as BCH president. Our committee is grateful for Dr. Blackwell s visionary leadership during his tenure as president. Last year BCH ministered to nearly 7,000 people statewide and recorded 65 professions of faith. BCH now operates seven Family Care cottages across the state. Family Care offers supportive group homes for single mothers and their children and is specifically structured to help mothers transition to a successful, independent living situation. At the end of 2012, all seven Family Care cottages were full, serving 29 mothers and their 67 children through this new program. We are also pleased to announce that BCH is exploring a partnership with like-minded partners to build and operate a children s home to serve disenfranchised children in Guatemala. NCBAM continues its proactive approach to ministering to senior adults across the state. As part of its ongoing prevention strategy, NCBAM has introduced a Fire and Fall prevention strategy, which stresses 16 key safety strategies (eight fire-prevention and eight fall-prevention messages) proven to prevent death and injury among aging adults. All NCBAM team members are trained to share the 16 strategies with aging adults. NCBAM will provide free Fire and Fall training to all interested North Carolina Baptist churches. NCBAM is partnering with the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshall to provide free smoke alarms and training to install the smoke alarms. Care Teams are also being formed, which includes a group of 2-4 volunteers who work together to meet the needs of one frail, aging adult. The Christian Social Services Special Committee is thankful for the generous support of North Carolina Baptists who sacrificially give their support to the ministries of the social services institutions of the Convention. This year North Carolina Baptists gave nearly $500,000 to the annual Mother s Day Offering, which provides needed assistance to North Carolina Baptist Hospital patients. Your continued support of these ministries through annual offerings and your Cooperative Program giving is making a difference in lives all across our state. Thank you, North Carolina Baptists, for helping share the love of Christ through these vital ministries. Wanda Dellinger, Chair 2013 Annual Report 343

48 Convention Auxiliary NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST MEN The goal of North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM) is to help North Carolina Baptist churches involve their members (men, women and students) in missions, and to help churches be a light in their communities and around the world. This year has been a very busy and meaningful year as volunteers used their God-given talents to be a light for Christ. For many volunteers, missions has been the spark that helped them to Arise and Shine for Jesus. Even more important, for many people who were helped by these volunteers, Christ s love for them was what awakened them to the light of Christ and to new life in Christ! If we are going to touch this world for Jesus Christ, we must make ourselves available and be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). If you want to be involved in missions and if you want to Arise and Shine, there is a place for you in one of the ministries, projects and partnerships listed below. NCBM volunteers serve in 14 ministries, including: State/National/International Mission Projects God is changing lives through mission trips sponsored by North Carolina Baptist Men to places such as Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Vermont, Rocky Mountain, Appalachian Coalfields, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Armenia, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, India, Cuba, Lebanon and other areas. More than 3,000 volunteers (men, women and students) participated in mission trips to these locations this year. Disaster Relief God has blessed us with excellent disaster relief equipment and volunteers. North Carolina Baptists have five large disaster feeding units. The two largest units are capable of preparing and serving more than 30,000 meals per day. We now have more than 275 disaster recovery trailers (owned by local churches and associations) used for clean up and repair work after a disaster. We also have six large shower units, three laundry units, a childcare unit, generator units, sleeper units, a large state recovery unit and other disaster relief equipment. In the last year Baptist men and women responded to 18 different disasters. More than 1,000 recovery jobs were completed, 21,000 volunteer days provided and 628,134 meals prepared. More than 1,000 volunteers have assisted in Haiti since the earthquake. These volunteers have treated more than 160,000 medical patients, constructed 800 shelters and built 46 homes. Medical/Dental Missions The two mobile medical/dental buses are scheduled by churches and associations in our state as a means of mission service. More than 4,000 people were treated on the buses this year in 131 locations, over 166 days, traveling 18,000 miles. About 900 medical professionals, 1,100 lay workers, 200 pastors and counselors and 100 translators worked on the buses in Many professions of faith have been made on the buses over the years. 344 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

49 Sports and Recreation Missions Sports and Recreation provide opportunities in several areas of missions and outreach. Team sport missions allow volunteers to conduct sports camps, organize sports evangelism ministries and build relationships in order to share the gospel. Individual sports such as golf provide an opportunity to reach people in new and creative ways by meeting them where they are and sharing the love of Christ. Student Missions More than 1,600 students participated in 14 Deep Impact Mission Camps this year and completed various mission projects in local, state, national and international locations. A Student Missions Conference was also held. There were 300 participants in the Deep Impact Spring Fling Weekend at Caswell. In 2012, 128 college students participated in the Transform122 collegiate mission trip. Other Ministries In addition to the ministries described above, other NC Baptist Men ministries designed to equip, motivate and mobilize men and women to be involved in missions are: Agriculture Missions, Aviation Ministry, Baptist Builders, Baptist Educators, Correctional Ministry, Family Foundations, Church Renewal, Prayer Support and Student Missions Mobilization. Annual North Carolina Baptist Missions Conference This weekend missions conference, sponsored by NC Baptist Men, was attended by 1,200 men, women and students. Highlights include music, testimonies, speakers, break out conferences, mission fair exhibits, volunteer suppers and much more. The end result is for participants to be inspired to become involved in missions all around the world. Regional Rallies & NC Mission Celebrations Each spring and fall, NC Baptist Men sponsors regional rallies in all 10 regions of our state. This year, more than 4,400 people attended these rallies. These meetings are designed to challenge North Carolina Baptists across the state to greater missions involvement and to promote the September North Carolina Missions Offering. The rallies are open for men, women and youth interested in missions. Camp Caraway Eight weeks of summer camp at Camp Caraway offers exciting activities for boys ages About 600 boys attended Camp Caraway this summer. Baptists on Mission Magazine This publication is mailed twice annually to all church missions leadership on each level, mission volunteers, all NC Baptist Men ministry groups, youth directors, ministers of education and directors of missions. Information is provided through this magazine to promote upcoming mission projects/events and to report on recently completed projects Annual Report 345

50 Mission Camps More than 5,000 volunteers worked at our Mission Camps in Red Springs and Shelby. These Mission Camps are a great way to get your church involved in life-changing mission projects at a very affordable price. Missions Education: Owner s Manual NC Baptist Men produce the NC Baptist Owner s Manual. Church wide coed groups use this Owner s Manual as program material. It is the only ongoing North Carolina missions education publication and it is filled with ideas for hands-on mission involvement. Men s Ministries NC Baptist Men are leading local Baptist churches and associations in developing a well-rounded ministry that challenges men to grow in their walk with Christ, share their faith with others, find their place of service in the local church and be on-mission with God. Leadership training is a focal point in assisting churches in this area. Royal Ambassadors/Challengers/Students A high priority of NC Baptist Men is to help youth and young men across our state to become a part of missions. Royal Ambassadors and Challengers programs continue to seek to grow and develop new and innovative ways of reaching boys, grades Deep Impact helps North Carolina Baptist churches develop a comprehensive co-ed youth missions strategy to produce committed followers of Christ. This strategy includes pre-packaged mission weeks, free online mission studies, weekend mission retreats, hands-on mission training and much more. The NCBM staff is committed to helping North Carolina Baptist churches involve their members in missions. Your NCBM staff are: Richard Brunson, Executive Director-Treasurer; Mark Abernathy, Consultant for Men s Ministry and Adults; Tom Beam, Consultant for Student Missions Mobilization; Gaylon Moss, Consultant for Disaster Relief and Volunteerism; Mark Moore, RA and Summer Camp Director; Eddie & Martha Williams, Mission Camps Coordinators in Shelby; Larry and Teresa Osborne, Mission Camp Coordinators in Red Springs; Mary Mountz, Disaster Relief Assistant; Fatima Roma, International Mission Projects Assistant; Lynn Tharrington, Administrative Assistant; Kecia Morgan, Financial Assistant; Joanne Honeycutt, Medical Dental Bus Coordinator; Betty Johnson, Projects Assistant (part-time); Jim Burchette, Special Projects Coordinator. NC Baptist Men Auxiliary to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina P.O. Box 1107, Cary, NC , ext , ext (fax) 346 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

51 Richard Brunson, Executive Director Affiliated Educational Institutions CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY Campbell University, originally known as Buies Creek Academy, was founded on January 5, Since its earliest days, Campbell has been a loyal partner with North Carolina Baptist churches and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in order to teach students to think and act with Christian values as their guidelines. Our students are provided opportunities to actively engage their communities as they learn more about God s purpose for their lives and how they can further His Kingdom. Medical School Progress North Carolina is ranked 31st out of 50 states in the number of physicians by population and 35th for active primary care physicians. To address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine will educate and prepare community-based osteopathic physicians in a Christian environment to care for the rural and underserved populations in North Carolina, the Southeastern United States and the nation. Over the last year, Campbell University spent considerable time and resources to prepare for its new School of Osteopathic Medicine, the first new medical school in North Carolina in more than 35 years. Faculty have been hired, students recruited and curriculum prepared, while final touches are being added to the 96,500 square foot facility where students will train. One hundred and sixty-two medical students will be present when classes begin August 5. New Academic Programs The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program is one of several major academic programs launched by the University in the last few years. The Master of Public Health program began in fall The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has received approval from the SACS accreditation body to continue the national accreditation process. Pending approval, the DPT program is projected to begin January 2014 with a first class of 32 to 40. The Campbell University Board of Trustees approved the development of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at its spring 2013 meeting. The proposed start date of the program is fall 2014, subject to approval of the N.C. Board of Nursing, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Annual Report 347

52 This fall, Campbell University will become the only college in North Carolina to offer a four-year undergraduate program in homeland security. The program draws from the areas of criminal justice, ITS, social science and accounting. Divinity School Professors Gain Recognition Larry G. Dickens, a 1975 graduate of Campbell University who has been minister of music at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, since 1999, is the first person selected to fill the Gay T. and Haskell A. Duncan Chair of Church Music at Campbell University Divinity School. In his new position as associate professor of church music and worship, Dickens will provide leadership to the Master of Divinity church music concentration program, teach courses in that concentration, and guide planning of weekly chapel services. David Moffitt, assistant professor of New Testament and Greek, was one of just 10 scholars from around the world to receive the prestigious Manfred Lautenschläger Award for Theological Promise The award, formerly known as the John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, honors the best doctoral or first post-doctoral work on the topic of God and Spirituality by scholars who are typically 35 or younger. Moffitt s book, Atonement and the Logic of Resurrection in the Epistle to the Hebrews, grew out of the dissertation he completed for his Ph.D. in religion at Duke University and was published by Brill in ROTC Among Nation s Best Due in part to its proximity to Fort Bragg, which houses one of its extended campuses, Campbell University has maintained a solid relationship with the nation s armed forces throughout the years. Campbell s ROTC had eight cadets place in the Top 10 percent nationally of ROTC seniors based on order-of-merit rankings. That number was more than any other non-senior military school in the nation (which includes schools such as VMI, the Citadel and Texas A&M). ROTC senior John LeBaube ranked second in the nation individually. During the last Army fiscal year, Campbell s ROTC program commissioned more officers than any other non-senior military school. Jerry M. Wallace, President Benjamin N. Thompson, Chair, Board of Trustees CHOWAN UNIVERSITY Chowan University is enjoying God s light shining upon us again this year as our campus continues to grow, allowing students from all walks of life the chance to shake off the shackles of the thick darkness and come to share our 348 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

53 enlightening light. Without a doubt, Chowan s light has come, as we celebrate a decade of leadership and accomplishment under Dr. M. Christopher White. On campus this year, it seems nations and kings did indeed come to share in the brightness of Chowan s dawn. North Carolina United States Senator Richard M. Burr gave our 165th Commencement address and received an Honorary Doctorate, when he said to the graduating class, Never forget that tomorrow, your future, is always determined by you and the actions, work, and dedication you put into bettering yourselves and your communities. Chowan also hosted North Carolina s Poet Laureate, Joseph Bathanti, as the 2013 recipient of our coveted Hobson Prize for Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Letters. His accolades include a long list of awards and honors, including recognition for his six books of poetry and several novels and short stories. Other notable campus visits this year include professional artists, musicians and music industry executives, novelists and even a martial arts exhibition straight from Korea. The glory of the Lord rises upon our students at Chowan, with many arising this year to feel His glory appearing over them. Sophomore music education major and trombonist Vaughn Byrd was selected to perform with the 2013 Small College Intercollegiate Band, a national honors group representing colleges all across the Unites States. Sophomore graphic communications student Nathan Cloud won the Best of Show Award from Printing Industries of the Carolinas, while graphic communications students DJ Nichols and Nick Hill won the North Carolina level of the SkillUSA competition to earn a chance at the National level over the summer. In athletics, our softball team won the CIAA Conference Championship for the second time since 2010, as well as dozens of individual awards for our student-athletes from football, softball, volleyball, golf, tennis, soccer and baseball, including football s TJ Batchelor making one of the All-American teams. The glory of the Lord rises upon not only our students at Chowan, but our faculty and staff as well. Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Tyrell Carr was awarded a $50,000 National Science Foundation Research Starter Grant for his work with plant pathogens. Assistant Professor of Education and English Dr. Sheryl Long won this year s McDowell Scholars Prize for her work with other faculty members to obtain a NC Quest Grant totaling more than $165,000 for focusing teacher preparation in literacy. Chowan s beloved Professor of Chemistry Dr. Garth Faile received recognition from the American Chemical Society for his 50 years of educational service. NC Independent Colleges & Universities also awarded Chowan with a grant of more than $18,000 to help steward academically challenged students to raise their GPA through a new Bounce Back program. His glory also appears over our campus ministry as they brought new students into the light of valuable mission experiences, sharing God s love locally, nationally and internationally. Ranked 6th in the nation for turnout even 2013 Annual Report 349

54 among much larger public universities, Chowan showed a tremendous amount of support to raise awareness against human trafficking and enslavement through the Stand For Freedom initiative held on campus. A group of students sacrificed their spring break for a mission trip to serve in Hell s Kitchen, partnering with Metro Baptist Church at places such as the New York City Food Bank and several afterschool programs. Football coach Tim Place led a group of student athletes to New Jersey on a mission trip to partner with NC Baptist Men Disaster Relief Ministry in assisting with Hurricane Sandy relief. Minister to the University Mari Wiles led a large group of students overseas this summer for a mission trip to Addis Ababa, the capitol of Ethiopia, to minister to the 100,000 street children living in poverty. As nations come to the light of Chowan, Chowan also sends out our light unto the darkest nations. Indeed, Chowan s light is shining as bright as it ever has. In the last decade, Chowan s endowment has doubled, enrollment has doubled, upgrades equal more than $26 million in improvements, and the campus has grown leaps and bounds, even hosting two groundbreakings this fall for the new Hassell Maintenance Center and Rose Tennis Complex. As Chowan University grows, so do the opportunities we offer our students for mission experiences, academics and athletics. The glory of the Lord rises upon Chowan, and His glory appears over us all. M. Christopher White, President W. Frank Rose Jr., Chair, Board of Trustees GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY Rising to the Top An annual study of core curriculum requirements at more than 1,000 colleges and universities from all over the United States placed Gardner-Webb University at the head of the class for the second year in a row. The University was among only 21 colleges and the only school in the Carolinas to earn an A. The What Will They Learn? study, conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), ranks the core curriculum of all major public and private colleges and universities in all 50 states. The ranking places GWU in the top two percent in the nation. Gardner-Webb blends a liberal arts core curriculum with more than 55 specialized major and minor programs. Officials say the result is a truly comprehensive academic experience grounded in a Christian environment of service, leadership and intellectual freedom. This national recognition of our curriculum, something we neither sought nor applied for, stands as a significant affirmation of our academic program, said Dr. Ben Leslie, GWU Provost. More than anything else, it is a tribute to the Gardner-Webb faculty, who along with their predecessors, have expressed a deep commitment to a broad-based general education in the liberal arts for many years. 350 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

55 Gardner-Webb Students Shine Light on Human Trafficking When Julie Sliwinski left her home in Atlanta, Ga., and came to Gardner- Webb University as a freshman, she never imagined that her participation in a community engagement activity would instill in her a burning desire to do whatever God called her to do and to go wherever He led. I came to school to become a personal trainer or physical therapist, Sliwinski recalled. But as I came to know the Lord in a deeper way, I no longer had peace to pursue that. By the fall of my sophomore year, everywhere I looked and every conversation I had led back to human/sex trafficking or abuse. Unable to shake the feeling that she needed to know more, Sliwinski began intense study. She wanted to uncover more about the victims; she desired to know what drove the industry from every perspective. I have a history of abuse, so I am familiar with some of the emotions and thought processes the victims experience, she shared. I sat on pins and needles just desperate to be involved but not sure exactly where the Lord was calling me to plug in. The answer came in the form of the Gardner-Webb University Community Engagement Human Trafficking Awareness Week. The week s activities included an awareness fair, paint fight, documentary screening, lecture on slavery throughout time, Stand for Freedom event in which participants stood on their feet for 27 hours in honor of the 27 million people worldwide who are currently enslaved, and finally, a celebration dance party. The goal of each event was to raise awareness and teach fellow students that everyone can do something. With a sense that this was just the beginning, Sliwinski began to feel pulled toward street ministry, bearing a special burden for those being prostituted. I did a quick Google search for organizations with street ministries in my hometown (Atlanta) and stumbled upon Nightlight, she shared. I didn t know much about what they did other than street outreach. But I knew the Lord had spoken about it, so I applied. As soon as her fall semester finals were over, she received a reply. The simply said, When can you start? she recalled. So, over the three weeks of winter break, I joined Nightlight on outreach every Friday night. We would go to the strip clubs and brothels of Atlanta and walk the streets most known for solicitation. The goal isn t to save souls, condemn or even preach to these men and women. Our job is to simply love them where they are. This is where my heart and my passion is, Sliwinski shared. My eyes were opened to it and I couldn t ignore it. I know this is what I will be working on the rest of my life. Invisible Children, Visible Courage In response to a year-long international public awareness campaign to bring 2013 Annual Report 351

56 light to atrocities being committed in Africa by Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord s Resistance Army (LRA), 20 Gardner-Webb students participated in the Invisible Children MOVE:DC march held in November. Kony is believed to be abducting children and infiltrating them into his army, forcing them to attack other African communities. The Invisible Children organization is working to bring a responsible and permanent end to the LRA, and the MOVE:DC event was the final chapter in the KONY 2012 campaign. The campaign s singular aim was to convince U.S. leaders to move for justice. According to Invisible Children, MOVE:DC participants stood with human rights activists and leaders from LRA-affected communities in central Africa and called for international leadership to arrest Joseph Kony and his top commanders. Marchers also lobbied for the passage of legislation that would help fund and prioritize efforts to restore African communities devastated by LRA violence. I felt like I was a part of something big, like I was a piece in a very important puzzle, said Stephen Maynard, a junior sociology and criminal justice major who attended MOVE:DC. So many generations have been involved in different marches, like our parents and the Civil Rights movement. Now it was my generation s turn and I felt really proud to see 11,000 other young people who cared enough to participate. While many events like this don t yield immediate results, the GWU students were thrilled to learn that just weeks after the march, Congress passed the Rewards for Justice expansion bill, the exact legislation for which they had lobbied. Never underestimate the power of the Internet and social media, shared freshman Abby Simmons. The KONY 2012 movement started with a YouTube video and it mushroomed into a worldwide fight to end the reign of Joseph Kony. It is incredible to realize that when people are inspired, they truly can inspire a positive change in the world. Students participation in these events does not represent an affirmation of any partisanship on the part of the University. In order to protect the academic and intellectual freedom of our students, faculty and staff alike, Gardner-Webb encourages political engagement but does not privilege or endorse any particular political perspective, candidate or party. GWU Student Savanna Yount s Research Published in National Journal Like all undergraduate students, Savanna Yount had her fair share of class projects, homework and research papers. But while most students are happy to say goodbye to a project once it is complete, Yount was more than willing to take hers to the next level. The Clinical Advisor, a widely read magazine for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, featured Yount s student article on postpartum depression (PPD) in its December 2012 issue. Publishing a scholarly paper as an undergraduate is a big deal at this or any university, said Dr. James Morgan, GWU Associate Professor of 352 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

57 Psychology and Counseling who originally gave Yount the assignment in his psychopathology class. Morgan, along with fellow professors Dr. June Hobbs, Dr. Gregory Davenport and Dr. David Carscaddon, supported and guided Yount in publishing her essay. Yount is also excited about this unique opportunity. It s awesome that I get to be published, she said. I didn t think about that when I started the assignment. I was just doing it for a class. The paper has certainly come a long way since then, having been presented at scholarly conferences such as Gardner-Webb s Life of the Scholar conference and Alpha Chi Honors Society s national convention. I chose a topic that not a lot of people want to think or talk about, Yount said. The article, which focuses on how PPD is diagnosed and handled between mothers and primary care physicians, highlights the lack of efficiency in PPD diagnosis as well as possible solutions for remedying both the condition and its oversight in primary care settings. Shelter from the Storm The young father s eyes filled with tears as he clutched two Mickey Mouse stuffed animals. The Moore, Okla., tornado destroyed his home and his family had nothing left. His voice was broken with sobs as he told the Red Cross worker that he had two children, ages two and four, and he didn t want them to see the remnants of their scattered toys among the rubble. As a volunteer with the American Red Cross (ARC) national response, Gardner-Webb University Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling Sharon Webb encountered dozens of these stories during a two-week deployment to Grandbury, Texas, and Moore, Okla., where monstrous storms left miles upon miles of devastation. A licensed professional counselor, Webb provides emotional support to disaster survivors, serves as a supervisor to mental health counselors, and offers emotional counseling to fellow ARC volunteers. The work, while rewarding, does not come without an element of private grief. I was most personally affected as I stood in front of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore early one morning before beginning my time with my clients, she shared. I was asked to be at that location on the day the school demolition was scheduled to begin and was the first to arrive that morning. As I read the names of those young children on the memorial crosses, I cried for their families and friends. Then, I compartmentalized my own emotion so that I could prepare to be supportive for the community members and others who would be coming that day. Although each individual s trauma experience is different, Webb recognized common themes shared by many of the people she assisted Annual Report 353

58 In Moore, I talked with many people who are struggling with survivor s guilt, post traumatic stress disorder from previous traumas, and some children who were not ready to acknowledge or discuss the event, Webb recalled. However, I also discovered that many were very resilient One young couple wore rubber bracelets with the words God is Big Enough. Webb believes her volunteer service strengthens her teaching. Volunteering with ARC for national mental health response enhances my ability to share real-world experiences with my students who are pursuing similar professional degrees, Webb said. I hope to increase students awareness of needs for service in diverse areas. As a volunteer with ARC for several years, Webb believes there is a place of service for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I always come away from deployments with gratitude for the people I have had the opportunity to serve, and with reminders of gratitude for God s grace. New Wealth and Trust Management Program Teaches Financial Stewardship from Christian Perspective Thanks to the outstanding generosity of a University trustee and his wife, Gardner-Webb s newest graduate program in business has a name: the Brinkley Financial Group Master of Wealth and Trust Management Program, set to open fall 2013 exclusively in Charlotte, the nation s second-largest banking and financial center. The program is named in appreciation for the sizeable founding gift offered by David and Marie Brinkley of Kings Mountain, NC. David is the chairman and president of Brinkley Financial Group investment firm, and the Brinkley s daughters, Kristie and Carrie, are GWU alumnae and former Runnin Bulldogs volleyball standouts. Carrie and her brother, David Jr., are now Brinkley Financial Group investment advisors. David Brinkley said the program s emphasis on Christian ethical reflection played a role in their decision to invest. A high standard of character and integrity is central to the Brinkley Financial Group philosophy. We re not perfect, but we strive to serve our clients well, and that commitment to service and integrity will make Gardner- Webb s program distinct. Set to begin this fall, the program is the nation s second master s degree in wealth and trust management and the first in the Charlotte region. The Wealth and Trust Management Program was created for students interested in pursuing dynamic new careers in the wealth and trust management fields, and for those individuals who wish to advance within the financial industry, said Dr. William Little, the program s coordinator. Specifically, the degree will prepare graduates for careers in investment management, trust management, financial planning, private equity, securities and financial regulation, risk management, and other sectors within the financial industry. 354 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

59 To house the program, Gardner-Webb is transforming the second floor of its Charlotte Center into a financial laboratory and trading room designed to simulate a real-world trading and portfolio management experience. The laboratory s range of technology will offer real-time market data including global securities, analyst commentaries and financial ratios from around the world, teaching students to follow and interpret the market-moving events that investment managers use to make critical decisions. Gardner-Webb, a private Christian, Baptist-related University, offers a comprehensive academic experience that introduces undergraduate and graduate students to the diverse world of ideas and to the people who think them, challenging students spiritually and intellectually and equipping them not only for professional success but for lives marked by empathy, compassion and a commitment to service on the broadest scale, Pro Deo et Humanitate (For God and Humanity). A. Frank Bonner, President C. Neal Alexander Jr., Chair, Board of Trustees MARS HILL UNIVERSITY On August 15, 2013, Mars Hill University will arise from the historical foundation laid by Mars Hill College. This will be the second name change in the 157-year history of Mars Hill, which is the oldest institution of higher learning on its original site in western North Carolina. Mars Hill was established in 1856 by a small group of Baptist families in Madison County as French Broad Baptist Institute. Two years later, the trustees chose the name Mars Hill, for the site in Athens named in Acts 17, where the Apostle Paul so persuasively used logic in his defense of the Christian faith. The move to university status is one that has been contemplated and discussed by President Dan Lunsford and the current Board of Trustees for about a decade. More recently, the college s expansion, both in terms of enrollment and variety of offerings, has increased, setting the stage for the move to university status. Among the factors that have contributed to the timing of the name change is the establishment, beginning summer 2011, of Mars Hill s first graduate program: the Master of Education. During the May 2013 graduation, Mars Hill conferred the first master s diplomas in its history upon the graduates of the first cohort to begin that program. Later in May, the third cohort of master s students began their journey through the program. Future master s programs are being considered. The next program set for implementation is a Master of Public Administration, and other graduate degrees are under exploration for the future Annual Report 355

60 The college is also expanding at the undergraduate level. Most obviously, it is expanding in enrollment. As the academic year began, Mars Hill College welcomed a record-setting traditional student body that was 7% larger than the year before, and nearly 20% higher than two years before. The 1,152 students who registered for traditional classes for the academic year represent Mars Hill s highest enrollment in more than 30 years. Even with normal attrition, the traditional student body remained well over 1,000 throughout the academic year. Although numbers will not be firm until classes start, all signs point to an even larger freshman class for the academic year. Mars Hill s traditional program is also expanding in terms of offerings. Beginning in August, the university will offer the criminal justice major for the first time. Previously a minor in the sociology department, the new major has generated a lot of interest and excitement among new students. Other new majors are in the planning stage, including a bachelor s degree in nursing. Another sign of Mars Hill s growth is the opening of its South Asheville site on Airport Road, called the Asheville Center for Adult and Graduate Studies. For more than three decades, Mars Hill College provided classes in the Asheville area at several locations, including AB Tech, Blue Ridge Community College and TC Roberson High School. The opening of Mars Hill s South Asheville site, however, staked out a secondary location for the college and expanded its reach to constituents and students in the Asheville-Hendersonville area and beyond. Due to the exciting upsurge in the student population, the university is busily making facilities improvements that will increase the number of on-campus residences and create a better overall experience for students and the campus community. Two new residence halls are under construction. Laurel Residence Hall, due to be completed in time for the fall 2013 semester, will house 67 students. Dogwood Residence Hall, which will be slightly smaller, should be completed in time for the spring 2014 semester. The new residence halls are the capstone of a number of exciting facilities improvements that took place last academic year. These improvements included the total renovation of the College s Townhouse apartments, now called Azalea Townhouse Apartments; complete renovation of Pittman Dining Hall; construction of a beautiful pavilion for outdoor events near Broyhill Chapel; and construction of the Don Henderson Baseball Field, with new dugouts and game operations/press box. Future facilities plans include continuing upgrades to existing residence halls and the construction of a state-of-the-art facility to house Mars Hill s planned bachelor s program in nursing. In light of the growth Mars Hill has experienced in all these areas, the Board of Trustees, under the direction of Dr. Lunsford, made the decision that now was the 356 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

61 time to become Mars Hill University. The decision is part of an ongoing effort to position the institution as a premier private liberal arts university, which can meet the needs of a growing student population into the 21st Century. Dan Lunsford, President J. Dixon Free, Chair, Board of Trustees WINGATE UNIVERSITY Wingate University continues to offer students an enriching experience through experiential learning, faith development and service. Starting with freshmen orientation and continuing through graduation, the University encourages students to explore their faith by serving others. This year became one of our most successful in terms of civic engagement on and off campus. Wingate students provided more than 15,000 hours of community service during this academic year. Wingate University is committed to integrating Christian thought with dynamic Christian living. Its religious heritage ensures that freedom of conscience is respected and religious conformity is never demanded. At Wingate, Christian truth is not only present in the classroom, but is also evident in the lives of faculty and students who represent the full spectrum of beliefs. Each week religious clubs and organizations meet for common worship. The University holds a Chapel Service which students and the community are invited to attend. On the academic side, Wingate is seeing record enrollment, expanded program offerings and transformed facilities, such as an exciting new location for our graduate and degree completion programs. In August, more than 900 new undergraduate, graduate and professional students joined the Wingate University academic community. The first physician assistant studies cohort began at our campus in Hendersonville, N.C. The women s lacrosse team started its inaugural year, and nearly 70 percent of new professional students chose to live on campus. While students were away for the summer, we modernized W.T. Harris Dining Hall, renovated the Burnside Dalton Building for the newly established Doctor of Physical Therapy program, completely refurbished Helms Residence Hall and added an Einstein Brothers Bagels in the Ethel K. Smith Library. In May, the University held a highly publicized press conference to announce our new campus in South Charlotte at the Ballantyne Corporate Park. Now, graduate students in our business, education and sport management programs and working adults completing their undergraduate degrees take courses at our Ballantyne campus. In the days ahead, we will welcome our first class of Doctor of Physical Therapy students, update the campus master plan so that our facilities 2013 Annual Report 357

62 and spaces best meet the needs of students, add a lakeside restaurant in the Dickson-Palmer Student Center, and collaborate with town leaders to revitalize the town of Wingate. The humanitarian spirit of Wingate students is demonstrated throughout the year as they desire to fulfill the University s motto of Faith - Knowledge - Service. The University is committed to enriching the lives of young people academically and spiritually who are pursuing their educational dreams at Wingate. Jerry E. McGee, president J.H. Patterson, Chair, Board of Trustees Convention Co-laborer WOMAN S MISSIONARY UNION OF NC Arise, shine; for thy light has come, is the watchword adopted in 1924 for Girls Auxiliary, the forerunner of Girls in Action. Countless women remember this verse today and encourage younger women and girls to arise in the name of Jesus and shine with a beauty and brilliance that is not our own. Through the two-year theme of The Story Lives On, those involved with WMU have had the opportunity to learn and share how God s love has impacted people worldwide. We have witnessed God s call in individual lives and through our organizations and ministries as stories told have reflected the life-changing work of Jesus Christ. The foundation of Woman s Missionary Union is the basic core value that we believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, gave His life, a sacrifice for the salvation of all people of the world, fulfilling God s plan for the ages as revealed in the Bible, God s Holy Word. This is the guiding light that propels Woman s Missionary Union of North Carolina to challenge, prepare and equip Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Adults, students and children in North Carolina have arisen this year to ensure God s Story Lives On as they stepped out of their comfort zones, their sleepy states of mind, and reflected God s glory and light. WMU NC recognizes that women and girls are gifted and encourages them to accept the responsibility of using those gifts in serving Christ. SHINE, the organization for young women ages in North Carolina, further reflects how the core value is fulfilled. Jennifer Burk, leader of the Little River Association SHINE group, and Jessica Beaver, leader of the Campbell University SHINE group, were chosen this year to write blogs for the national WMU mymission website. Their work and leadership capabilities were featured in Missions Mosaic and provide assurance of God working to raise future leaders of the organization. The Little River Association SHINE group held SHINE: ReFuel, their third annual event, which featured worship, encouragement and challenges from God s Word with a missions focus. They provided mission projects for their children as evidence of their commitment to raise mission-minded children. 358 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

63 More information about SHINE or mymission can be found at or You can also follow us on Twitter. Only six young women are chosen to serve as North Carolina Acteens Panelists each year. Anna Carpenter of First Baptist Church, Snow Hill; Kiara Curry, Haley Harrison, Eden Still and Amy Washburn of University Hills Baptist Church, Charlotte; and Abigail Penninger of Jersey Baptist Church, Lexington, reflect how Acteens leaders and youth leaders are making a difference in the lives of teenage girls who in turn influence others in the name of Christ. National WMU chose Anna Carpenter and Amy Washburn as National Acteens Panelists and the girls participated in the WMU Annual Meeting and Missions Celebration in Houston, Texas. More than 400 teenage girls and their leaders from North and South Carolina gathered at Ocean View Church in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for national WMU and spoke on the Real Life theme in worship sessions and conferences. Suzanne Reece, national WMU Student Consultant, led conferences and interacted with the girls and leaders. Tangena Mishler, worship leader at Ocean View, led worship and music and Ali Rogers, Miss South Carolina, shared her testimony. Girls and their leaders practiced missional living as they participated in mission action and mission support projects set up by Todd Wood of IMPACT Ministries. A few girls gave testimony to what the weekend meant to them: My sweetest memory was the worship, because God used the worship to get my attention and draw me to Him. I feel much more confident and comfortable speaking in front of people because I know God will always give me the words to say. I loved sharing with other girls what I am passionate about. The responsibility for developing and equipping mission leaders spurred WMU NC to create a Christian Women s Leadership Certification program with Campbell University Divinity School in Three women, two of them this year, completed the course of study and received their certificates: Holly Baldwin of Knightdale, Jana Cole of Raleigh and Amy Whittington of Benson. Arise and shine women, young women and teen girls, for you are a light in the darkness! Eighty-two associational WMU directors and their guests from all regions of North Carolina met at Camp Mundo Vista in October to share their WMU stories. The Story Lives On theme provided opportunity to remember where and why WMU began and a vision of God s leading. Dr. Roy Smith, former executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, shared the WMU NC story and Ruby Fulbright, recently retired executive director-treasurer of WMU NC, asked participants to go Back to the Future by challenging them to consider what WMU 2013 Annual Report 359

64 does best and how those skills might be marketed. Tana Hartsell, WMU NC president, read a bedtime story which echoed Ruby s challenge and Robin Bass, interim executive director-treasurer, reminded participants that the story is not ours it is to be given away. WMU directors and their guests drew their hand and foot prints on paper to write their future story by responding to the following statements: I am following God by I am serving Him through and I will tell my story to Individuals and mission groups are encouraged to participate in WMU NC hands-on missions and ministry opportunities. As people arise to meet needs with a Christian response or combat social and moral issues, Christ s story of an unfailing love continues to be proclaimed. The following is a sampling of ways North Carolina Baptists can be involved. Habitat for Humanity Women Build and WMU NC celebrated a five-year partnership in 2012 with a build in Rutherford County. Since 2008, WMU women have gathered to build homes in Goldsboro/Wayne County, the Sandhills, Brunswick County and Pitt County. The 2013 Habitat for Humanity Women Build will be in Randolph County October One volunteer wrote of her experience, I have always wanted to participate in a Habitat project but have been a little reluctant because I knew I had no construction experience or skills. When I learned of the ladies Habitat project sponsored by the WMU I was excited and eager to participate because I assumed there would be others just like me. I was correct, but it honestly did not matter those of us who were inexperienced were assigned to work with experienced folks. We were given direction and instruction that was easy to follow and we were able to do things I never considered I would be able to do I m still amazed that a small group of inexperienced ladies were able to participate in erecting two walls of a new house and that we accomplished this in just a few hours. It was a wonderful experience that left those of us who participated feeling as if we had made a difference in some small way. My ladies are already talking about the next time and we can t wait to participate in another Habitat project. Military Missions encompasses various opportunities for involvement such as beginning a prayer partnership, sending notes of encouragement, starting a military family support group and assisting in planning and conducting military family retreats. Our first Military Missions Resource Guide for churches is now available and a Military Wives Retreat is planned for October 25-26, The Women s Prison Retreat of October 2012 marked the 36th anniversary of this ministry to incarcerated women. Seventy guests, coming from all five women s correctional centers minimum security prisons in North Carolina, 360 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

65 participated in the prison retreat. We are most grateful to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for this partnership. A first-time volunteer wrote, On the last morning of the retreat during worship, Amazing Grace was sung. The prisoners flocked to the altar and fell to their knees. We went up to pray with them and I stood behind the lady I had been watching since the retreat started and prayed with her. At the end she got up and, oh, if you could have seen her face of joy with tears flowing down. She held me and just kept saying, I am free. I am finally free! I praise God for His faithfulness and grace and mercy. I will never be the same. Every time I hear this song, I see her face and the wonder of God s amazing grace! We continue to work with our African-American sisters as WMU NC along with our Sisters Who Care Task Force plan Sisters Who Care and Women on Mission Conferences and opportunities for mission projects with them. Sisters Who Care adopted as their ongoing mission project collecting eyeglasses and sunglasses for missionaries to distribute around the world. They anticipate another women s conference in October 2013 at Fort Caswell. Camp Mundo Vista (CMV) One of my favorite aspects of camp is seeing how God changes lives, said Tammy Tate, CMV Program Director, and she sees the hand of God at work on a daily basis. To the Finish Line! was the 2012 theme for summer camp and Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus was the emphasis scripture. CMV welcomed approximately 1,155 campers during the summer and 730 GA/CiASM children came for one-day mission camp experiences. The children encountered God and His love for them through missionary testimonies, Bible study, nature activities and outdoor recreation. Christian Women s Job Corps and Christian Men s Job Corps There are currently 18 CWJC sites and two CMJC sites across North Carolina. These sites minister to women and men in need to provide a hand up rather than a hand out, offering opportunities for women to minister to women and men to minister to men. Sites vary from job skills training and parenting assistance to helping women caught in human trafficking. Each site offers Bible study and Christian mentors for every participant. National Certification Training Level 1 will be held in North Carolina September For information about sites near you, upcoming training dates and how to start a site, visit or Cara Lynn Vogel at cwjcnc@gmail.com. Hispanic Women s Fellowship (UFM) God raised new leadership among the Hispanic Women s Fellowship in spring 2013 as they planned, conducted and celebrated 10 years of missions and ministry specifically for Latina women. The UFM Annual Meeting was held May 3-5 at Fort Caswell with 223 in attendance. The theme Righteous Woman Whose Feet Bring Good News was based on Proverbs 31 and 2013 Annual Report 361

66 Romans 10:15. The new leadership established guidelines for officers and leaders and set dates for training and spiritual development opportunities for the coming year. Armenia Partnership In September 2012, a team of seven women made the first WMU NC sponsored mission trip to Armenia. It was an amazing experience of teaching, training, praying and learning with approximately 100 Armenian women. In May 2013, the WMU NC Executive Board voted to accept the invitation from Rev. Asatur Nahapetyan, General Secretary of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptist Churches of Armenia, to form a partnership for the specific purpose of ministering to women helping them understand their role in the church, helping them learn how to minister in their communities, and teaching and training them in leadership skills. Ruby Fulbright was approved to serve as partnership coordinator. Missions Extravaganza and WMU NC Annual Meeting The WMU emphasis, The Story Lives On, challenges us to celebrate the radical stories of WMU past and present, connect our stories as we forge our future, and commit to tell the gospel story and ignite a passion for the Great Commission in all generations. Through the dramatic interpretation by CrossWalk, participants were further challenged to follow the example of Peter and John as they stood before the Sanhedrin and boldly proclaimed, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:12, 20 An offering of $7,829 was received to be equally divided between Christian Women s Job Corps of North Carolina and Camp Mundo Vista ministries. A mission project is included each year and participants this year provided an abundance of items such as books, toys, puzzles, etc. to be placed in visitation rooms of female correctional centers where mothers have opportunity to visit their children. Cindy Finley, who joined the staff as Director of Development in December 2012, was introduced during the Annual Meeting. Beth Beam, Finance Committee Chair, announced the organization had exceeded the Heck-Jones Offering goal by approximately $11,000. WMU NC officers elected during the Annual Meeting were: Tana Hartsell, President (Concord); Robin Penninger, Vice President (Lexington); Beth McDonald, Recording Secretary (Rockingham); and Dee Dee Moody, Assistant Recording Secretary (Faith). Current staff includes: Sharon Alvarez, Ministry Assistant; Judy Branch, Administrative Assistant; Cheryl Daniel, Accountant; Margaret Harding, Adult Specialist; Bob Navey, Resident Camp Manager; and Tammy Tate, Camp Mundo Vista Program Director. Part-time staff includes Amy Adams, 362 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

67 Communication Coordinator; Julie Keith, Youth Specialist; Ani Simpkins, Ministry Assistant; and contract employee Cindy Finley, Director of Development. A team of Leadership Network Specialists provide training assistance for the organization. Team members include Sandy Simpson of Charlotte, WMU and Churchwide; Mary Anne Croom of Edenton, Adults; Deborah Taylor of Lumberton, Students; Gina Smith of Buies Creek, Children; Dolores Bailey of Raleigh, Preschool; and Andi Wilson of Asheboro, Ministries. North Carolina Baptists have much to be thankful for and to celebrate. The Father has provided a vision for accomplishing His purposes but first we must arise. He is calling us to get up and shine for Him. He is our Messiah, the light of the world, who shines into the darkness of every human heart. WMU NC will continue to shine for Him as we challenge preschoolers, children, youth, and adults to learn about those around the world who are lost in the darkness of sin; as we teach them to pray for missionaries and volunteers; as we help them experience joy as they give of themselves and resources; and as we provide opportunities to be personally involved in casting light into the darkness. Through these venues, others can hear and obediently arise to respond to the Father s call. Tana H. Hartsell, President 2013 Annual Report 363

68 BUSINESS SERVICES REPORT JOHN BUTLER EXECUTIVE LEADER 364 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

69 THE BUSINESS SERVICES GROUP IS committed to using our knowledge, expertise and resources to assist in finding ways for churches and ministries to be more efficient and more effective in carrying out God s mission to share the Good News of Christ to an increasingly diverse culture in North Carolina. The reports that follow provide a snapshot of how this was carried out in 2013 through the Business Service Group The Business Services Group is responsible for the following Convention services and ministries: Baptist building operations Property/casualty insurance Accounting Budgets NC Baptist Scholarship Program NC Hunger ministry grants Resource Center operations Legal matters Investments Printing/mailing Human resources Benefits Annuity Camps, assemblies and conference centers General business operations We are guided and supported by the expertise of the Business Services Committee of the Board of Directors and are grateful for the talent and time invested by committee members. The Business Services Group exists only because of the faithful giving of North Carolina Baptist churches. Without your gifts, we would be without resources to manage as stewards in God s Kingdom. Thank you for your support and your sacrifices together we can do far more than we can on our own. God is using our people, our properties and our resources to impact lives today and for eternity. GUIDESTONE During this year the GuideStone Team of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina worked closely with GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention to provide ministry to the more than 4,300 churches in our state convention. The following information is a summary of those joint efforts: 2013 Annual Report 365

70 Retirement Encouraging churches to provide retirement as a benefit to staff remains a huge challenge! When given a choice, many church staff employees choose not to participate, which is unfortunate. In the past year more than 2,000 of our 4,300 churches had no participants in the plan State Convention Protection Benefits The following disability and survivor benefits were in place for retirement participants: 114 people received a total of $606, in disability benefits and 36 deaths resulted in a distribution of $404, to beneficiaries. Three recent deaths of pastors detail both good and bad news. In two of those deaths the participants were active participants in the retirement plan. As a result, the widows received death benefits of $10,000 and $25,000, respectively. The third minister was not an active participant; therefore, the widow did not receive what would have been a death benefit of $75,000, and the neighboring churches were encouraged by the director of missions to receive love offerings to pay for this pastor s funeral expenses. This was very sad news. A church secretary forced to leave work January 4 because of a disability illness is now in line to qualify for a disability benefit because her church provided all staff with retirement contributions as a benefit of employment. Without question, this church stepped up and did the right thing for employees. GuideStone Funds Continue to receive high marks compared to like funds in the financial world. GuideStone Funds rank number 6 of 226 mutual fund families according to fi360 Fund Family Fiduciary Rankings, as of March 31, Insurance Health Care Reform Law GuideStone continues to provide timely updates for churches on their website as the new law moves toward full implementation in According to CEO O.S. Hawkins, GuideStone is working diligently with other denominations to develop administrative and legislative fixes to church health plans that were left out of the national debate on health care reform. Church Staff Compensation Appropriate structure and administration of compensation is another ongoing concern. Unfortunately, the antiquated lump sum pay package is alive and thriving in North Carolina. Mission:Dignity GuideStone Financial Resources in Dallas continues to provide financial assistance to elderly ministers and widows of ministers who live under financial duress and need ongoing and/or one-time assistance through Mission:Dignity. During the year about 200 North Carolinians were assisted financially by GuideStone. 366 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

71 For assistance call the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina at (800) ext or 5595, visit our website at call GuideStone at (888) or visit the GuideStone website at Johnny Ross, GuideStone State Representative HUMAN RESOURCES The Office of Human Resources and Staff Development guides and supports the 92 state missionaries serving alongside North Carolina Baptists, as well as approximately 90 full time and 50 part time support staff at our offices and facilities. Human Resources also works with more than 200 retirees/spouses who, due to required years of continuous BSCNC service, have some benefits in retirement from the BSCNC. With the current economic conditions, Human Resources has seen far less turnover in jobs and fewer openings at the BSCNC as we try to stay within budget. Human Resources Mission Statement: BSCNC Staff A Staff in the Master s Hand. The Human Resources Office is committed to assisting the Convention s Executive Committee employ the best possible individuals to serve the Convention and its churches: Baptist Christians committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus through individual job assignments. We continue to seek employees from other cultures to focus on our evangelistic and multicultural outreach to all the people moving into North Carolina, which has now become an international mission field itself. Human Resources assists with the following areas: Recruitment and selection of personnel for staff within the BSCNC and its related facilities Orientation/training and development of employees Records maintenance Evaluation process for employees Termination of employment/exit interviews Maintenance of BSCNC employee handbook, with updates per Federal and NC employment law Benefits administration: Federal Government Health Care Reform will present new challenges to our Convention and staff in relation to health insurance: 1) medical plan for all active employees 2) medical retirement plan for qualified retirees 3) life insurance plans for both groups 4) background checks of employees and volunteers at BSCNC-related conferences, camps and facilities 5) E-Verify Federal program requirements presenting accurate documentation for all new employees using the I-9 that shows employees are eligible to work in the US The Human Resources Office is committed to keeping the BSCNC up-to-date and improving our workplace in following federal and state laws regarding 2013 Annual Report 367

72 employment issues. Our office assists churches that call with questions concerning federal employment laws. We also strive to assist churches in locating resources regarding employment law. We hope you will contact us as we can be of assistance to your congregation. Linda Hudson, Director of Human Resources SCHOLARSHIPS & THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION GRANTS The North Carolina Baptist Scholarship is awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students who are members of a church affiliated with the Baptist State Convention and are attending Campbell University, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, Mars Hill University or Wingate University. Students who are first time applicants are required to answer two essay questions: What is your personal testimony and How is the Cooperative Program relevant to today s generation? Through the testimony, the selection committee learns how the student has encountered God and what their dreams are for the future. Their testimonies reveal that these applicants encountered God as they grew up in Baptist ministry: special events at Caraway, Caswell and other camp facilities; mission trips in North Carolina, the United States and around the world; Bible Drill; Sunday School; and so many more. As they share about the Cooperative Program s relevancy, applicants demonstrate their understanding of how the Cooperative Program helps churches work together for missions and education especially their education. Their essays reflect how they plan to impact the culture where God has placed them. Returning applicants answer a different essay question: How has your testimony been affected by attending a Baptist school? Repeatedly, the response is the student s faith has been strengthened through the friendship of Christian friends, professors and administrators. For some, their experiences led them to surrender to a call to preach, teach or follow God s call to the mission field. For others, they desire to be doctors, pharmacists or lawyers or whatever God calls them to be. They want to be on mission with God wherever He leads. The essay question for third year students focuses on the impact of the campus minister/ministry on their lives as well as on campus. The overwhelming answer is that the campus ministry gives them opportunities to be awakened to God s presence and plan for their lives through the weekly chapel service, as well as through participating in hands-on missions, such as Operation Inasmuch. For the academic year, almost 700 Baptist Scholarships were awarded totaling nearly $700,000. The students say, Thank you North Carolina Baptists for believing in me and for helping making it possible for me to attend the college of my dreams. John Butler, Executive Leader, Business Services Group 368 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

73 WORLD HUNGER How may North Carolina Baptists respond to the physical needs of our nation s and our world s most desperate citizens? The World Hunger Offering! Each October, hundreds of North Carolina Baptist churches support this special offering, enabling us to put food on the plates of hundreds of thousands of children and adults in North Carolina, the United States and around the world. What might be accomplished if every North Carolina Baptist church would arise to meet the needs in their backyards? This year through our joint efforts with more than 100 churches, associations and the North American Mission Board, the Hunger Office distributed more than $210,000 to feed hungry men, women and children in North Carolina. Ministries include backpack buddies, Kids Café, food pantries, crisis centers and lunch buddies. We have also helped establish community gardens with many North Carolina Baptist churches through our hunger grants. Each of these ministries is unique, yet they all have one thing in common feeding people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. These ministry leaders have been awakened by God to see the needs of others. God then develops within them a passion for ministering to the hungry in their backyard. In 2012, churches focused on sharing the gospel to more than 156,000 people in their efforts to share not only bread and water, but the Bread of Life and the Living Water. Our statistics indicate that 311 people made a profession of faith. We pray that more North Carolina Baptists will engage the hungry in their communities. Jesus said, The poor you will have with you always. North Carolina Baptists recognize this as a reality in our state as we deal with the current economic downturn. Even during that downturn, churches and associations are standing ready to give food to the needy and to share the message, God loves you and gave His Son for you. This year, arise to the possibilities and support the World Hunger and/or the North Carolina Hunger Fund. John Butler, Executive Leader, Business Services Group RESOURCE CENTER Hundreds of churches and individuals use the BSCNC Resource Center to access DVD based Bible studies each year. This is one way that your Cooperative Program dollars are used to stretch the ministry dollars available to the local church. By working together, churches are able to reduce their costs for DVD resources, freeing dollars to be used in other ministry efforts Annual Report 369

74 We encourage you to visit the Convention website and check out the Resource Center and its offering of Bible study materials. It s just another way we can serve our Lord by serving His churches in North Carolina. John Butler, Executive Leader, Business Services Group BSCNC Properties CARAWAY CONFERENCE CENTER AND CAMP This year marks the 50th year of ministry for Caraway Conference Center and Camp. The question we ask ourselves after 50 years: Is Caraway still significant in the life of North Carolina Baptists? The answer we found is yes. As in the past, hundreds of churches used Caraway this year for a variety of retreats, meetings and events. From large congregations to small churches of ethnic backgrounds, from churches recently planted to those established for more than 100 years. Not only do churches reconnect, but individuals also find God s presence on these 1,100 acres of rolling woodlands in central North Carolina. Young boys find God through the summer boy s camp, youth hear from God while participating in adventure recreation on a weekend outing, adults encounter God through renewal and training events, and couples rededicate their marriages to God through retreats. God still uses Caraway daily. Just as in Isaiah 60:1-3, God s glory has shined on Caraway. However, our work is not done, for we are called to arise and continue to bring Him glory. For those who have allowed us to serve you these first 50 years; thank you. It is our prayer that, by His grace, we will serve many more of you in the next 50 years. Jimmy Huffman, Director NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST ASSEMBLY AT FORT CASWELL June 2013 marked our 63rd year hosting retreats, conferences and camps led by Baptist State Convention of North Carolina staff, as well as programs originating from our churches and the Caswell program staff. More than 40,000 guests and campers utilize this facility annually. There will be hundreds of professions of faith made and thousands of rededications during summer camp weeks. In fact, Caswell has been called the best tool for youth evangelism that exists in North Carolina. The long-range campus development and facility improvement program begun this year will eventually provide five new cottages to better serve our guests. One is now complete, with the first church group checking in on June 17, While we have the funds to launch this project and complete the first building, we need the support of friends of Caswell everywhere to complete this dream. Gifts are being received to help this dream become reality. The Smith Conference Center is also being renovated with the first floor completed this year. Additional work on the second and third floors will begin this winter. 370 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

75 For generations, life-changing decisions have been made at Caswell. So that we may serve generations to come, those of us who have benefited from this ministry must invest ourselves in this effort, as we never want to lose the opportunity for ministry that has been provided. What a blessing and treasure North Carolina Baptists possess. It is always a good time to make the commitment to honor what we have been given by God s providence. In 1949, Dr. M.A. Huggins led the effort to purchase these 288 acres on the eastern tip of Oak Island named Fort Caswell from the U.S. Government for $86,000. The vision for what this facility could mean to North Carolina Baptists is being realized, but is not yet complete. We will move forward to that end. Rick Holbrook, Director HOLLIFIELD LEADERSHIP CENTER The Hollifield Leadership Center is under contract and the property sale should close by the end of We are thankful that God provided this place of learning and growth for over a decade of North Carolina Baptist life, and look forward to seeing how God continues to use the property for His glory in the years to come. TRUETT CAMP Truett Baptist Camp is located in the southwestern tip of North Carolina with beauty in all seasons for guests to enjoy. Retreats, family reunions and children s camps make up the bulk of our ministry opportunities, and we have the privilege of seeing many decisions made for Christ every year during worship services at these events. We are committed to teaching our church families the importance of arising to the need to grow God s Kingdom and equip His people. Prayer is a central part of our mission and ministry, and God has answered in so many wonderful ways over the years, including seeing many of our former campers go on to vocational ministry here and abroad. We are proud to have completed a new director s residence this year, with hundreds of volunteer hours invested to provide the best stewardship possible. Volunteers also contributed to the completion of a new hiking trail on the campus, many of them being teenage girls who have come to Truett for years. We continue to be blessed by the provision of Cooperative Program support and the support of churches in Region 10 of our state. We encourage you to make plans for your children and others to attend Truett Baptist Camp. Just a day or weekend at our campus will etch Truett in your heart for a lifetime! Tim Roberson, Director 2013 Annual Report 371

76 CHURCH PLANTING & MISSIONS DEVELOPMENT REPORT CHUCK REGISTER EXECUTIVE LEADER 372 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina