The Michigan Free Will Baptist. Pastor J. B. Varney Goes Home! Annual Camp Meeting. August 3-6, Woodhaven Free Will Baptist Church

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1 The Michigan Free Will Baptist Menorah July The Monthly Publication of the Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists 2014 Pastor J. B. Varney Goes Home! Psalm 116:15 says, Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints. This gives us a glimpse of God s perspective of the death of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Early Monday morning on June 16, Rev. JB Varney, a very faithful follower of Jesus Christ, passed from this life to his eternal reward. It was his home-going day. Rev. JB Varney was born in Stone, KY. He was one of 13 brothers and sisters. He married his sweetheart, Miss Etta. They shared 61 years of marriage together. They had three children; Wanda, Doug and Robbie. Preacher Varney and Miss Etta moved to Detroit to work in the Cadillac. He worked there for 15 years. He felt the leading of God on his life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following that call he served as Assistant Pastor of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Ypsilanti before starting a brand new church named Kirby Free Will Baptist Church in The church was so named because the tiny congregation of 17 rented a store front building on the corner of Brooklyn and Kirby Street in Detroit. The life changing gospel was preached and out of joy the church grew. Souls were being saved and church grew. A new building was rented on the corner of American and Warren in Detroit. Preacher Varney continued to preach the good news of Jesus Christ souls were saved. In 1964 the church purchased land and relocated to Wick Road in Taylor, MI. Under his leadership the church continued to grow. Children s ministries were added, a choir was started, buses were run for a while as the church continued to use a variety of means to share the gospel. Brother Varney retired from the pastorate of Kirby Church in This faithful man loved the Scriptures and preaching God s word. He was a faithful husband and loving father. He was an encourager and friend to pastors. He loved a good joke and had a story for any occasion. He had a tender heart, was quick to weep with those who hurt and laugh with those who knew joy. Only eternity will reveal the extent of his ministry on earth. But, if you knew Preacher Varney, he was never one for the limelight or the earthly accolades. All he wanted to hear was the words of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ say, Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful...enter into the joy of the Lord. On Monday he did. Annual Camp Meeting August 3-6, 2014 Woodhaven Free Will Baptist Church Allen Road, Woodhaven, MI Telephone: Sunday Night: 6:00 p.m.; Mon.-Wed.: 7:00 p.m. Preachers: Rev. Mike Blanton: Rev. Roger Duncan [Rev. Mike Blanton and Evidence will be singing at each service]

2 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 2 40 th Anniversary Celebration August 3, 10:30 a.m. Faith Free Will Baptist Church Romeo Plank Road, Ray, Michigan Keynote Speaker: Rev. Roger Cooper Former pastor and current pastor of 111 Fellowship, Cookeville, TN Pastor: Rev. Ron Meadows Telephone: The church will provide the special singing and lunch will be served at the conclusion of the service. If you have been affiliated in any way with the church over the years, or if you would just like to join in the celebration, we would love for you to join in the celebration. The history of the church will be shared by picture and word and each attendee will receive a memento to commemorate the occasion. National Association Services Streamed Live! Thanks to a gift from the Free Will Baptist Foundation, the 2014 convention services will stream live on from Fort Worth, Texas, according to Media Commission Chairman, Travis Penn. In addition to live streaming of worship services, the Media Commission has created an online archives of previous convention services dating to The files are available for download at The free archives replaces onsite CD and DVD sales at the National Convention. The number of online viewers has grown steadily since 2010, when 1,703 watched services in Oklahoma City. By 2013, when the convention met in Tampa, Florida, the number had increased to 6,479. Building boys is better than mending men. Four-Way Tie for Golf Championship Because of a tiebreaker the team of Cody Mansfield, Paul Steinhauser, Lee Gliddon, and Gene Norris was declared the

3 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 3 winner of the annual Golf Tournament held at the Inkster Valley Golf Course, June 13, The team of Jimmy Lawson, Rob Brooks, Eric Shirley and Nick Shirley placed second. The other golfers competing were Jimmy Maggard, John Epoch, Carla Epoch, Bill Brown, Rex Evans, Joe Ford, Mickey Ford, Allen West, Steve Ford, Rick Dunn, Rick Dunn, Jr., Jeff Cahny, Bill Martin, Tom McCullough, Dennis Overholt, Ron Helms, Joe Jones, Dave McGowan, and Bill Burden. All seven teams were within two shots of each other, and the only team that was not within one shot was the only team with three players. A BIG THANKS goes to Pastor & Mrs. Jimmy Lawson and Pastor & Mrs. Rex Evans for coordinating the golf tournament. Our appreciation is also extended to the following businesses and organizations for their contributions toward gift bags and prizes: Randall House Publications, National Master s Men, Welch College, Southeastern FWB College, CCS Business Solutions and Dick s Sporting Goods. The 2015 Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 14, Church Bus for Sale The Central Free Will Baptist Church has a bus for sale. It is a 24 passenger bus on a Ford E350 chassis; body is Startrans, Senator; low mileage [57,000]; 7.71-V8, gas engine; automatic transmission. Several key repairs/maintenance in last year includes: new tires less than 2,000 miles; new stabilizers/shocks; new internal electoral motor; rebuilt AC. This bus is every clean, and Central Church is the original owner. Contact the church at centraltrm@gmail.com or call (248) Welch Students Make President s/provost s Lists NASHVILLE, TN The Spring 2014 semester at Welch College ended with 120 students earning academic recognition, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. Twenty-eight students made all A s and were placed on the President s List six seniors, eleven juniors, eight sophomores, and three freshmen. Ninety-two students earned a B average or higher and were placed on the Provost s List 16 seniors, 23 juniors, 30 sophomores, and 23 freshmen. Congratulations to these representing Michigan: Laura Riggs [Jr.] President s List; Tim Hutchinson [Sr.]; Emily Thrasher [So.] Provost s List. Address Correction: The address for Rev. and Mrs. Curtis Lilly was incomplete in the June Menorah. The correct address is 324 North Cedar Street, Imlay City, Michigan 48444; Telephones Home: (810) , Cell: (810) ; curtislilly1008@yahoo.com. Some people have only three occasions for attending church: When they are hatched, matched, and dispatched.

4 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 4 Dear Michigan friends, Good News from Spain Early this morning, we said goodbye to the Spain E-TEAM, as they left our area and rode a longdistance train to the South of Spain to help some of our Hanna Project workers in Málaga. They were a wonderful group and helped us host a desert-themed party in the Outreach Center, have a youth meeting with local teens, and minister in the Alpedrete Church. Of course, their time here was also a learning experience as they visited Madrid, Segovia, and a basilica near El Escorial. They also ate lots of local foods like squid, croquetas made with bull meat, tortilla española, and much more. We had several objectives for their time here: Feel the HEARTS of the believers Listen as missionaries shared about their MINISTRIES and VISION for Spain Learn about the HISTORY and CULTURE of Spain Grow as E-TEAMERS Ask themselves the question: GO myself or HELP from home We helped host our very first E-TEAM back in 1999, and over the years have seen people from many different States visit Spain. We continue to pray that God will use these young people as they reach out to those around them and all around the world. Tim & Kristi Johnson Spain "In His Keeping - Under His Training" Andrew Murray wrote: "In times of trouble say: FIRST: He brought me here; it is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest. NEXT: He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child. THEN: He will make the trial a blessing teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow. LAST: In His good time, He can bring me out again -- how and when, He knows. SAY: I am here -- By God's appointment - In His keeping - Under His training - For His time." Coming Events July 27-30: National Association of Free Will Baptists, Fort Worth, Texas August 2: Liberty District Association, North Warren Free Will Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. August 2: West Michigan District Association, South Haven Community Church, 9:30 a.m. September 12: Wolverine District Association, Sawyer Free Will Baptist Church, 5:30 p.m. September 13: New Hope District Association, Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. September 14-16: Minister s Retreat, Hillsdale Dow Leadership Center September 18-20: Michigan Women Active for Christ Retreat, Double Tree Hotel, Holland, Michigan

5 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH Page 5 Rooms Available at Convention Hotels Following opening day of convention hotel reservations, there are rooms still available at three of the convention hotels. The Omni and Hilton hotels have King rooms available in the convention block. Both King and Double/Double room types are available at the Sheraton Hotel. Due to a glitch in its housing reservation software on opening day, the Sheraton Hotel has several rooms still available for attendees. The Sheraton is one and one-half blocks from the Fort Worth Convention Center and is in close proximity to the section of the convention center where NYC events and services will be held. If you have not yet made hotel reservations for the convention, we urge you to stay in one of the convention hotels. Filling rooms in these hotels reduces the risk of the convention being forced to pay attrition fees. In 2013, attrition penalties resulted in over $54,000beingpaidtoconvention hotels for unsold rooms. Convention hotel reservations can be made online at (the group codes are built into the links) or by calling the hotel numbers listed on the Housing Form. Youth Camp [Pictorial Report] at Simpson Park June 23-27, 2014 Gordon Rohroff, Director According to Rev. Jonathan Locklear, chairman of the Michigan Youth Board, it was a fantastic week. The youth workers did an outstanding job of serving. The latest report is that 105 campers and workers were in attendance for the week. In the mid 1800s throughout the north and south, the phenomena of camp meetings paralleled a wave of spiritual revival. Simpson Park is Michigan s oldest such continually-operated camp, recognized by the Michigan Historic Sites registry. Historical Marker Welcome Campers! Lunch Line Chow Time

6 The Free Will Baptist MENORAH 4166 Maplewood Meadows Avenue Grand Blanc, Michigan Athletic Field The Tabernacle and a Cabin Buildings on the Beautiful Simpson Park Campgrounds The tentative dates for the 2015 Michigan Youth Camp are June 22-26, 2015 The Michigan Free Will Baptist MENORAH is the monthly publication of the Michigan State Association of Free Will Baptists and is sent free upon request. Rev. Ron Helms is moderator; Rev. Joe Jones, assistant moderator; Rev. Allen West, clerk; Rev. Steve Thrasher, treasurer; Rev. Rick Locklear, assistant treasurer; Rev. Gene Norris, Promotional Secretary and Editor. News for the August issue is to be received by July 25. Mailing address: 4166 Maplewood Meadows Avenue, Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439; gnorris4166@gmail.com.

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