A Cooperative Program ministry gladly telling the stories of God s work in and through WV Southern Baptists

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1 THE WEST VIRGINIA Oct-Nov, 2009 VOL. 39, NO. 9 SOUTHERN BAPTIST A Cooperative Program ministry gladly telling the stories of God s work in and through WV Southern Baptists WVCSB 2009 Westmoreland Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, 9:00 AM Bible Study Dr. Phil Roberts President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Worship Jason Lovins Band Evening Session 6:30 pm with a pre-session concert Reception in Honor of Maxine Bumgarner will follow the evening session Saturday, Nov. 7 session 9:00 am Convention Sermon--Dr. Hershael York Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching (1997) Associate Dean, Ministry and Proclamation The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Annual Sermon---Jack Miller, Pastor, West Ripley Baptist Church EXECUTIVE BOARD Thursday, November 5, 10:30 AM PASTORS CONFERENCE Thursday, November 5, 1:30-4:40 PM and 6:30-8:30 PM Theme: Kingdom Growth--Matthew 28:18-20 Shannon Scott, Mt Vernon Baptist Church Brian Harmon, WV Church Planter Ken Marler, LifeWay Randy Spurgeon, WVCSB, music leader MINISTERS WIVES ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER Thursday, November 5, 1:00-5:00 PM, concludes with supper DIRECTIONS: From I-64, take EXIT 6, US 52 North, West Huntington, Ironton,OH Take fi rst right, Madison Avenue, VA Medical Center : At bottom of ramp turn left onto Madison Avenue (Madison Avenue will become Piedmont Road as you enter the Westmoreland section of Huntington) Proceed 1.4 miles west, turn left on Court Street (Jack s Cleaners is on the corner of Court Street and Piedmont Road) Proceed one block south to Westmoreland Baptist Church (corner of Court and Hughes Streets) 3401 Hughes Street, Huntington, WV October-November 2009

2 Executive Director Terry Harper My Dear Friends; The fall is upon us and it is a time to which I always look forward. I hope to get to see many of you at the associational meetings that will be taking place. I will get to as many of them as I can. I also hope that many of you will make an effort to attend the annual meeting of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists, which will be held at Westmoreland Baptist Church in Huntington on November 6-7. The Pastor s conference will be held on November 5. This is a great time to visit with folks that you THE WEST VIRGINIA SOUTHERN BAPTIST (USPS ) Greg Wrigley, Editor gregwrigley@wvcsb.org Published ten times per year by The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists Number One Mission Way Scott Depot WV Note: No paid advertising or subscriptions accepted. This paper is fully funded by Southern Baptists in West Virginia. Periodicals Postage Paid Scott Depot, WV and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Number One Mission Way Scott Depot, WV From the Executive Director: have not seen for some months and also hear about the exciting things that God is doing all across our convention. This year our theme is Turning Our Hearts Back to God. How timely this theme is considering the direction of our country. We truly need to turn our hearts back to God, as it is so obvious that we are not tuned to him. We have allowed so much to take place in our country that is obviously not pleasing to a holy, righteous God. I hope you will begin now to pray for our annual meeting. Pray that God will be present in a mighty way and that when we leave, we will know that we have met with God. Please pray that something will begin here in West Virginia that can spread all across our country. Pray that we will acknowledge that we are a needy people and that our only hope is in God. We need to repent of our sin and call upon a righteous God to forgive our sin and heal our land. Will you join me now in praying that for our convention? And will you pray it until the day of our convention? If we will come to this meeting, having prayed up and confessed our sin, possibly God will come to us in a mighty way and we will see Him move. God truly desires to send renewal; we just need to get ourselves into a position that meets his requirements (II Chron. 7:14) for revival. Pray for me, that I will seek God s face and pray for your Pastor and then yourself. Pray for our President, Tim Kearney, and for our other offi cers. Dr. Phil Roberts, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will teach our Bible Study for each session. This is notable in that his Dad helped greatly in getting our convention started. Dr. Roberts was the Executive Director of the Ohio Convention and God used him to get a missionary appointed with the North American Mission Board (Home Mission Board at that time) to work in West Virginia. The folks here in WV could not seem to get a hearing, but this Exec in an already formed State Convention got their attention and as a result the work was able to go forward. In addition, our guest preacher for this event will be Dr. Hershael York, Professor of Preaching for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. You will enjoy both of these great men of God as well as the other speakers and special music. I hope to see you in Huntington as the meeting is called to order. May God bless you richly in the work you are doing. If there is ever any way we at the state convention can be of service to you, please call upon us. Cheryl and I both want to thank you for the opportunity to serve you here in the Mountain State. The WVCSB is Building Strong Foundations for a Strong Future We are focused on ministries that Build the Kingdom: Missions and Evangelism Prayer and Spiritual Renewal Communication and Public Relations Strengthening Churches Fellowship...Fulfilling the Great Commission 2

3 Want to be a better teacher? Need help understanding the Bible? Want some helps on how to study the Bible? You are invited to USING INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY OCTOBER 9-10, 2009 Wayside Baptist Church Buckhannon session leader--david Lawson, Precept Ministries How to Study, Interpret, and Apply the Bible Friday: Registration 6 PM Seminar 7-9 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM to 3 PM Breakfast and lunch on Saturday is included. You may bring your own bedding and stay the night in the church building on Friday night. Cost: $5 Contact James Smith, Association Missionary, Monongahela Association, by October 7, if you plan to attend or monbaptist@gmail.com SPRING REVIVAL PREACHERS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL CHURCHES By Rebecca Carter FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) - Beginning next March, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary students will preach spring revival meetings and lead evangelistic outreach efforts for churches within participating Southern Baptist state conventions. Churches in these conventions can apply for student preachers from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, Men from Southwestern Seminary and the College at Southwestern will be available to preach at those churches March 14-17, May and May 23-26, Through generous gifts from John and Pat Carlson and other ministry partners, Southwestern Seminary pays for student transportation to and from the fi eld of service. Churches, in turn, are asked to provide meals, lodging and local transportation. For more than 50 years, the spring revival evangelism practicum at Southwestern has helped Southern Baptist churches, chapels and missions across Canada and the United States, host revival meetings. Churches can expect exciting expository preaching and community engagement through personal evangelism outreach. Statistics from the 2009 practicum include over 470 encounters with individuals during personal evangelism outreaches; 129 spiritual decisions, including re-dedications and surrenders to ministry; and 23 fi rst-time professions of faith in Jesus Christ. For church application forms, as well as more information, access the spring revival evangelism practicum's website at Rebecca Carter is a writer for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ( edu/campusnews < ). A mission team from DaRidder Baptist Church, DaRidder, Louisiana, assisted Tom Roatch, in Morgantown, with Backyard Bible Clubs, service projects, prayer walking, evangelism, and block parties. Roatch hopes to start new churches in multihousing areas. WVCSB Calendar WVCSB Calendar October Single Adult Retreat Skills Sharpening Retreat 4 - Sunday School High Attendance Sunday 4 - On Mission: To Share the Gospel Sunday 8 - New Ministers Orientation 11 - World Hunger Sunday November 1 - Daylight Saving Time Ends 1 - On Mission: Equipping the Next Generation 4 - Associational Missionary Fellowship 5 - Pastors Conference Ministers Wives WVCSB Annual Meeting 26 - Thanksgiving (Office Closed) 27 - Office Closed Nov. 29-Dec. 6 - Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Offering December 25 - Christmas (Office Closed 12/25-1/3/10) January January Bible Study 16 - WVCSB Executive Bd Mtg 17 - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Staff/Missionary Update Youth Evangelism Conference October-November

4 POWER PLANT TEAMS HELP NEW CHURCH STARTS For about 144 teens, 2009 S SUMMER OF FUN MEANS HELPING Charleston local churches. As most teenagers spend their summer break soaking in rays at the beach or lounging around the house, some 144 junior high and high school-age students were hard at work on a one week-long community service project in Charleston, July [right, the Leadership Team; Nathan Buchanan, far right, served as project coordinator] PowerPlant is an initiative of the North American Mission Board. The junior high and high school students came from across America. Students and adults came from First Baptist, Alpharetta, Georgia; Ridgeway Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee; Liberty Baptist Church, Suffolk, Virginia; First Baptist Church, Johnson City, New York; Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, Alexandria Virginia; Tabbs Creek Baptist Church, Oxford, North Carolina; First Baptist Church, Suffolk, Virginia; and First Baptist Church, Osprey, Florida. [left, and the pool, FBC Osprey helped Norm Cannada at West Charleston talk to familiies about Jesus] During the week, the students helped with Vacation Bible School, Backyard Bible Clubs, serving meals, servant evangelism, block parties, sports camps, canvassing, and prayer walking, in the Charleston community. Also, during the day, the youth participated in worship, Bible study, and team-building activities. PowerPlant participants learned what being On Mission really means throughout the week. "The students and adults who came to PowerPlant have a radical transformation during the week. When we asked them to defi ne the ideal church at the beginning of the week, answers centered on buildings and ministries. But by the end of the week when we asked that same question, the answer changed to "people", Jonathan Wilson, Student Volunteer Mobilization associate, said. The church exists to bring people to Jesus Christ, and there are a lot of people in North America who need Jesus Christ." [left, Brandon Carter, Minister to Students at Cross Lanes Baptist Church, gets to know some of the Team] Students worked with Centerpointe Church, Faith Baptist Church, Freedom Baptist Church, Marshall Community Church, and Lighthouse Baptist Church. The PowerPlant group was housed and had many of their meals at Cross Lanes Baptist Church. [above, Andy DeHart gives instructions to the Plymouth Haven students working with him in front of Walmart in Hurricane] This summer, more than 1,800 students registered to participate in 20 PowerPlant projects across the United States. Sponsored by the North American Mission Board in Alpharetta, Ga., PowerPlant included not only the week in Charleston, but also locations in Chicago, Cleveland and Seattle.--Kathleen Midgett, NAMB CHURCH PLANTING NEWS FROM GLADE SPRINGS Here is a picture of our fi rst baptismal service, in the resort's indoor pool. This was a big move for us and the resort. We had 5 baptized, 3 adults and 2 children on Sunday, July 25th, prior to our service. There were 35 folks in attendance. Praise God! Pastor Gene Johnson Pastor Gene Johson [middle] conducts the first baptismal service at Glade Community Church. Cooperative Program money has helped to sustain his work. 4

5 LET S CELEBRATE!! 2009 Many of our churches are celebrating special anniversaries this year. If your church is celebrating a special year please let us know. Cross Lanes, Pioneer Association 50th March 8th Evangel Baptist, Weirton, Upper Ohio Valley--50th--May 2 North Charleston, Pioneer Association 50th June 7th Calvary, Ravenswood, Immanuel Association 50th June 28th Immanuel, Princeton, Mountain State Association 60th July 19th Brenton Baptist, Mountain State---40th---July 26th Berkeley Baptist, Tri-County Association--40th---August 9 Mt Hermon Baptist, Mountain State Association---100th---August 9 Hillcrest, Spencer, Immanuel Association 35th August 16th Isaban Baptist Church, Isaban, Mountain State--60th---September 13 Calvary, Chapmanville, Greater Huntington---40th--October 3-4 Fairlawn, Parkersburg, Immanuel Association---40th---October FBC Fairlea, Allegheny Association----50th---November 15 Below is a newsletter report from Richard and Suzanna Hanham. Suzanna is from Wyoming County. CHANGES TAKING PLACE FOR CHRISTIAN CORRESPONDERS Over the past 17 years the Fellowship of Baptist Educators has sponsored a missions activity among high school and middle school students, known as "Christian Corresponders" under the direction of John Carter. John is retiring from that position but will remain on board to work with the new Director, Kellie Ziesemer, for at least this school year. The name of the project is also changing. The name Universal Pen Pal Project has been selected in order to be more acceptable in countries where mission work is restricted. Over the years thousands of Christian young people have become pen pals with foreign students who are taking English. The Chinese teachers encourage their students to participate in this activity in order to practice their English skills. For many American students it provides a way to share their Christian faith in a country where mission work is restricted. Students are able to be a Christian infl uence in the lives of young people overseas who otherwise might never be exposed to the Gospel. The greatest number of overseas participants are in China. The project has been adopted by Sunday school classes and other Christian groups as a missions outreach. While most of the correspondence is now done by , students overseas who do not have access to computers will be able to correspond by hard copy (air mail). As always, hundreds of Christian young people in America will be needed to answer both types of letters and become penpals with their counterparts overseas. Any Christian group (or individual) in grades 7-12 that would like to participate is invited to contact Kellie Ziesemer by at universalpenpalproject@yahoo.com and send the following information: Name of church or group Name, postal address, address, and phone number of leader For each student participating, give name, gender, grade level (7 through 12) and address. This information should be sent by October 15 if possible. It will then be sent to English teachers in other countries who have requested it for their students, and the American students should soon receive s from their Chinese pen pals. The Fellowship of Baptist Educators will send further suggestions to all participating groups on how to handle the correspondence and how to witness in a way that is acceptable in the Chinese schools. For further information contact KELLIE ZIESEMER at the above address or by phone at (513) Your Cooperative Program giving provides the funds for the Hanham s training and funding to be working overseas telling people about Jesus. There are about 30 families from West Virginia serving with the IMB and funded through your Cooperative Program giving. October-November

6 ADULT MUSIC RETREAT AND TRAINING Over seventy adults gathered at Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley for a music training and retreat experience. The Cooperative Program funded event drew people from all across the state. Dick Howie, Association Missionary in Immanuel Association, led the Bible study time [second from left]. Howie served as a minister of music prior to coming to West Virginia. Tom Young, former Music Department Director for the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists, assisted with the workshops [left]. Tom Warnock, Minister of Music at Memorial, assisted with the workshops, also. [upper right] Stan Loyd from LifeWay served as the guest director and led a workshop. [below] Adam Paul Williams, a professional musician from Texas, did a concert for the participants. [lower right] SHEPHERDING THE SHEPHERD ENCOURAGING AND INSPIRATIONAL A record number of people participated in this year s Shepherding the Shepherd event. The retreat for pastors, church staff, and their families, was held at Pipestem State Park, near Athens, West Virginia. Attendees were privileged to hear from Dr. John Sullivan, Executive Director of the Florida Baptist Convention. His wife, Nancy, was able to attend. Mrs. Sullivan was the speaker for the Ministers Wives fellowship meetings. The group also was blessed and challenged by both the music and preaching of Steve Freeman. Freeman s testimony of God s grace and power encouraged everyone. The Association Missionaries had a chance to meet with Don Matthews. [continued bottom of page 7] 6

7 CENTRIFUGE HAD ANOTHER GREAT WEEK West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia, was again the site for Centrifuge. Centrifuge is a week long camp for teenagers organized and conducted by LifeWay. The camp incorporated many different kinds of activities. Worship, games, recreation, talent building, skills learning, and Bible study, all composed the active week. Students were given the opportunity to learn a new talent or to enhance interests they already had. Bible study and worship times challenged campers to follow Jesus. Adult leaders were given the opportunity both to spend time with their group and also to participate in leadership development sessions. The 224 students and 63 adults who were at camp came from 18 churches across the region. Nine were WVCSB churches. The group to the right came all the way from Connecticut. During the week, fi ve students accepted Christ and four made rededications. Because LifeWay will not be doing regional camps next year, Jimmy Bledsoe, West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists Student and Evangelism Director, had to search for other options. Having a summer camp for teens I think is a good idea, Bledsoe said. We just need to fi nd the best option for our state. [above] Creative movement for worship was a learning track for some. [left] Jordan Varndell [L] and Daniel Bouchoc knew what they wanted to do. [below left] Learning how to use video equipment and how to tell a video story grabbed the intererest of many [below center] you can t go wrong with battleball DISASTER RELIEF 2009 ACTIVITY We are aware of the terrible fl ooding that happened in the Gilbert area in May. The needs there are still great. With winter approaching, many people could use a helping hand getting roofs or walls repaired, bridges rebuilt, or other kinds of assistance. Also, around our nation many disasters have occured to which Southern Baptists have responded. If you would like to help, or want more information, contact Delton Beall, WVCSB State Director of Missions , or deltonbeall@ wvcsb.org Below is summary of the work done nationally, reported for this year, through August 27, Professions of Faith 89 Gospel Presentations 513 Chaplaincy Contacts 944 Ministry Contacts 7,719 Other decisions 161 Volunteer Days 23,412 Meals Prepared 228,687 Mudout Jobs 412 Chainsaw Jobs 6,625 Repair Jobs 56 Roofi ng Jobs 30 Children Cared For 31 Showers 5,310 Laundry Loads 1,319 Water (Gallons) 6,137 Messages 50 [far right] many students were interested in learning percussion, and did so with sticks and trash cans There was time for renewing friendships, praying together, sharing burdens, getting sermon ideas, and spending time together as a family. And there was time for just having fun. The park has many recreation facilities in which to participate. Or, you can bring your own and make it up as you go along, like the bluegrass jam session. Shepherding the Shepherd is funded primarily from Cooperative Program dollars. October-November

8 MAXON S TELL OF ACTIVITY We are doing well, though things are getting busy. A volunteer team was here the last week of May and Matt spent the fi rst week of June in Prague participating in a seminary class. There are also 4 college students who arrived the beginning of June and will stay until the beginning of August. And on Saturday, we are heading to Greece for a week of meetings/fellowship with everyone in our region. Last year was such a blessing and we are really looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with our friends throughout the region and spend time worshiping in English. We are also looking forward to taking 3 days of vacation afterwards to see Athens and Corinth. We really appreciate your prayers and support! Please let us know how we can be praying for you and the work in WV. It is not at all unusual to see horse-drawn carts on the streets. [below] Through gifts to the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund (worldhungerfund.com), many Southern Baptists are providing missionaries and volunteers in North America and around the world with resources to feed those in need. When possible, they teach people to grow their own food and raise their own livestock in order to help them become self-suffi cient. One hundred percent of every donation to the World Hunger Fund fl ows directly to the mission fi eld, where the love of Christ is shared as an intentional part of every ministry. When an individual sacrifi cially gives to the fund, God blesses that gift. Matt and Cyndi serve through the International Mission Board. Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and to the Cooperative Program allow them to be in service. Matt is from Doddridge County. Both are Marshall graduates. 8 We had a special Ladies Bible Study led by a team who visited in October. From the left, the fi rst fi ve women standing are our Serb friends. There are also 3 of us from Team Cacak (including myself) and 2 volunteers. Cyndi also reported that there is a league of teams that play American style football in the country. The sport is gaining in popularity. [above] A view of the city of Cacak, from the Maxon s balcony. [left] The volunteer team that worked with Matt and Cyndi in May.

9 West Virginia Prayer Focus Your state convention staff meets each working day for a brief time of prayer. We pray for missionaries, campuses, associations, churches, and chapels by name each day. We invite our readers to pray as well. New Work: New Vision in Morgan County (Tri County Association) was started by Frank Pilcher, the associational missionary. Frank shares the following prayer requests for this new congregation: 1) Pray for the pastor the church voted on September 6; 2) Pray for unity in the body; 3) Pray for the Lord s solution for educational space for this new congregation; 4) Pray for the Lord to prepare the hearts of people in the community to receive the Gospel as New Vision witnesses in Morgan County; 5) Pray for the Lord to supply the fi nancial means to support the new pastor and ministry in the days to come. Church Planting: Church planting is pushing back the darkness of sin, evil, satan, leaving our church planters on the front lines of spiritual warfare. Pray that his family relationship will be loving, unselfi sh, respectful and understanding to each other (Eph. 5:25, 5:33, 6;1-4; 1 Peter 3:7). Plead that God will strengthen and bless his marriage and family life (Prov. 5:15-20). Ask that the family will be a source of joy and blessing to each other (Prov. 23:24, 3l:28-30). Intercede for the family to experience constant peace and protection, especially from the attacks of satan (Ps. 91:1-8). Scripture Promise: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work." An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?) 1 Timothy 3:1-5 HCSB Ministry Focus: Pray for the teachers in your local school. Bake cookies with your child/children; take to the school for the teachers. Weekend Focus: Find singles in your church community and invite them to participate in Bible study and worship each week. Resource: Your Bible and a hymn book. Use these as your prayer books this month. Date Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 7 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 12 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 15 Oct. 16 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 26 Oct. 27 Oct. 28 Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Nov. 2 Nov. 3 Nov. 4 Nov. 5 Nov. 6 Nov. 9 Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 13 Nov. 16 Nov. 17 Nov. 18 Nov. 19 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 25 Nov. 30 Association Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Coalfields Greater Huntington Immanuel Monongahela Mountain State Pioneer Potomac Highland Tri-County Upper Ohio Valley Allegheny Campus Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgantown Bluefield State Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgantown Bluefield State Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgantown Bluefield State Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgantown Bluefield State Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgantown Bluefield State Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgantown Bluefield State Church Abundant Life, Triadelphia Altizer Amazing Grace, Capon Bridge Ansted Avondale Baker Heights Beaver Creek Berean Berkeley Big Spring Blackwolf Bluewell Borderland Bradshaw Mountain Brenton Brooksville Brushfork Burke Memorial Calvary, Belington Calvary, Bluefield Calvary, Chapmanville Calvary, Follansbee Calvary, Grafton Calvary, Meadow Bridge Calvary, Morgantown Calvary, Ravenswood Calvary, War Calvary, Bolair Camden Flats Cameron Canaan Canaan Valley Cathedral of Prayer Central, Bluefield Ceres Charity Chattaroy Christian Family Fellowship Church of the Good Shepherd Chapel Glade Community HarborLight Harvest Time Highland Faith Fellowship Hope, Richwood The Journey Lifesong Lighthouse, Ivydale Living Hope, Riverton Living River Marland Heights New Life, Arnoldsburg New Vision Oak Creek Solid Rock South Wheeling Abundant Hope The Bridge Carpendale Centerpointe, Hurricane Chinese Mission The Church at Martinsburg Crossroads, Birch River Faith Fellowship, Athens Faith, Winfield Freedom, Charleston Friendly Gateway, Peytona Glade Community HarborLight Harvest Time Highland Faith Fellowship Hope, Richwood The Journey Lifesong Lighthouse, Ivydale Living Hope, Riverton Living River Marland Heights October-November

10 ALLEGHENY ASSOCIATION News from West Virginia Churches was held August 16. Andrew Vass, from Fairlea Baptist Church, provided special music, along with several members of White Sulphur Springs. [below] Tom and Carole Gribble made by the ladies at Graydon Baptist Church. Paul Syner is Pastor. A team from Florida assisted Lochgelly Baptist Church, Oak Hill, with VBS and two Backyard Bible Clubs in the neighborhood. Bill McClung is pastor. Bonnie Ryder reported that White Sulphur Springs Baptist Church welcomed Rev. Tom Gribble as their new pastor on May 1, Tom and his wife, Carole, moved from Parkersburg. Vacation Bible School was held June with 32 children enrolled and an average attendance of 27. Three young ladies dedicated their lives to the Lord. In the month of June eight new members joined the church, with one baptism. As a summer mission project, WMU collected money for Ricks Institute and the animal husbandry program. The ladies collected $350 through August. The group planed to begin Operation Christmas Child in September. The church held a fellowship picnic on Sunday, July 19. Jeff Crance and several members of the church provided singing for the afternoon. A second picnic 10 Graydon Baptist Church youth leaders, Audrey and Damien Saylor, took their youth group to Disney World in Orlando. The Jordon family, from Florida, hosted the youth group while in Florida. [below, back row, left to right] Ray Murdock III, Audrey Saylor, Ronald Jordan, Luke Adkins, C. J. Wysong, Don Jordan. [front row, left to right] Damien Saylor, Jewel Jordan, Brittney Bumgarner, Brooke Everett. Sherry Legg and Mary Wysong [C] delivered blankets to Fire Chief Joe Crist [L] and Danny Nottingham of the Ansted Fire Department. The blankets were made by the Graydon Baptist Women. In the picture [top next column] are some of the toys and blankets given to the Ansted Fire Department for them to give to people in crisis. The articles were First Baptist Fairlea will be celebrating Fifty years on November 15, with an extended morning service featuring special speaker Rev. David Blackwell from Carlton, Montana, special singing and a covered dish dinner. Everyone is welcome to share in this celebration. If you are a past member, they would like to hear from you so you can be recognized. Contact Judy Sizemore at for more information. Kevin Prevett is the pastor. GREATER HUNTINGTON ASSOC. Calvary Baptist, Chapmanville, had a blessed August. They saw one saved, one rededicate his life to the Lord, three baptisms, and two joined the church. A children s fun day was held August 22 for the children in the community, using the WVCSB Block Party Trailer. John Freeman is pastor. The Daycare at Eastwood Baptist is celebrating twenty years of ministry to children and families in the Tri-State area. They had a cookout at the Barboursville Park for the families in honor of their ministry milestone. Brady Lipscomb is pastor. Lincoln Baptist, where Milton Clem is pastor, provided Back-to-School backpacks to underprivileged children in Lincoln County, which were assembled and distributed by the youth group. Just prior to Vacation Bible School, some adults, teens, and children from Locust Grove Baptist accompanied a Boomerang Express trailer into nearby neighborhoods where they distributed VBS fl iers and popsicles. VBS had an average attendance of 70, with in the adult class and 30 workers. The highlight of the week was the two young girls who accepted Christ as Savior. The VBS offering was donated to the Gideons to supply 250 Bibles to children all over the world. Lisa Floyd, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, gave information to the church on the numerous volunteer project ideas and opportunities to help Hospice patients and families. Randall Robertson is the pastor.

11 IMMANUEL ASSOCIATION HILLCREST CELEBRATES 35th ANNIVERSARY Hillcrest Baptist Church, in Spencer, Immanuel Baptist Association, celebrated its 35th Anniversary August 16. The congregation enjoyed special music by several people, including the Heaven Bound Quartet [above]. [below] Pastor Barry Miller welcomed former pastor Mel Hobson. Brother Hobson was pastor at Hillcrest for about fi fteen years. News from West Virginia Churches Twin Lakes Baptist Church baptized fi ve people ranging in age from on Aug. 9, and had dinner at Mary Conrad Park prior to the baptism. Currently the church is helping 75 families through their food mission. Vincent Wine is serving as interim pastor. MOUNTAIN STATE ASSOCIATION Immanuel Baptist Church in Princeton WV, held a Pinewood Derby Race for Missions on June 7, Members of the RAs, GAs, and Youth programs participated in this by buying and preparing cars for this race. Those participating in the Regular race were assigned to a Sunday School class that sponsored them. The money raised ($1,135.87) through the Sunday School sponsorships went to the Clifford Compton Associational Mission Fund which is the mission fund of our local association. The Koinonia, Wee Folk, and Snuggles classes were the classes with the most given to this mission fund. We had a tail-gate party before the race with each Sunday School class providing the food for the day. is good, ALL the time. Dan Jividen is pastor. PIONEER ASSOCIATION The Women s Committee at Fairlawn Baptist, Dunbar, took great pleasure in helping Dunbar-area children get off to a good start for the school year. With help from the community, they gathered school supplies and backpacks for distribution at Dunbar Primary School and Dunbar Intermediate School. The church hosted a Back to School Bash on Aug. 22. The event included food, refreshments, and games. Prizes for the games included school supplies. Roger Jordan is Fairlawn s pastor. UPPER OHIO VALLEY ASSOCIATION Immanuel Baptist Church, New Martinsville, had a Sunday School emphasis, worker dedication, and picnic fellowship. Pictured are most of the Sunday School teachers for the church. Bruce Taylor is pastor. The men of Fairlawn Baptist Church, Parkersburg, were the hosts for the 2009 Men s Golf Tournament. They arranged and organized the tournament. They also had the lunch prepared for the golfers. Lunch was served at the church building. MONONGAHELA ASSOCIATION Real Life Church, Rick Brown pastor, reports that the Awana/RLC community outreach was a huge success. 222 registered at the carnival and block party. Over 200 free book bags were given out, at least that many were at the free pool party that night, and two homes in the Shady Brook area were worked on for free. There were two free car washes at different locations in Weston. We had two races: Regular Missions Race with 14 in total participating -- Those who were sponsored by the Sunday School classes Alex White won fi rst place, Taylor Davidson won second place and Derek Roske won third place. [above] Outlaw Missions Race with 17 in total participating -- was open to anyone in the church who wanted to race without any rules Zac White won fi rst place, Noah Vest won second place, and Noah Johnson won third place. [below] In total we raised $ for this missions offering. Praise the Lord! He October-November

12 WHAT IS GREAT DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS? It is a recognition of the importance of the Sunday School ministry in the life of the church and in the community. It is a day to emphasize Sunday School in our churches by promoting a fall high attendance day in Sunday School. The high attendance day can be October 4, or on whatever day in the fall best fits into the local church calendar. It is a day to work together to see how many people we can have in Bible study on Sunday morning, October 4. WHAT DO WE DO TO HAVE A GREAT DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS? There is no right or wrong way to emphasize high attendance in your Sunday School. Do what works best for you and your area. If you want some ideas you can call your association Sunday School Director, or call Greg Wrigley at the West Convention of Southern Baptists office [ , ext 118] or at gregwrigley@ wvcsb.org. Contact your association Sunday School Director with your Sunday School attendance on October 4, or whatever day you choose to have high attendance. You may choose not to have a high attendance emphasis. Just report your attendance from October 4. You may call or the state office, too. WHY EMPHASIZE SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE? Because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ---Romans 10:17 The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists staff welcomed Michelle Harris to be part of the offi ce team. Michelle replaces Florence Ann Ballard, who retired in July. Harris primary jobs are to serve as Receptionist for the offi ce; Administrative Assistant to Maxine Bumgarner; Administrative Assistant to Jimmy Bledsoe; and to help with the Ministers Wives organization. Michelle is married to Paul, pastor of Abundant Hope Baptist Church, Barboursville, Greater Huntington Baptist Association. The Harris have three boys. Most of the associations conducted Sunday School worker training for the Sunday School workers in the association churches. [below] John Foster (L) stands with Dr. Greg Lawson. Dr. Lawson teaches at Southeastern Seminary. Lawson was the keynote speaker at the Pioneer Baptist Association Sunday School training. Foster is the Associate Pastor, Education, at Cross Lanes Baptist Church. Bernard Toppings is Association Missionary. [below] Ken Marler (standing, right) was the teacher for the Sunday School worker training in Monongahela Baptist Association. The conference was held at Freedom Baptist in Nutter Fort. Marler is a Network Partner Specialist at LifeWay. He has been with LifeWay about twenty years. He also served with the Tennessee Baptist Convention for fi ve years. James Smith is Association Missionary.