1 GRANT HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 5405 BLACK RIVER ROAD REMBERT, SC 29128 (803) 499-2806 WWW.GRANTHILLBAPTIST.ORG GHMBC Newsletter Fall 2014 Great Things Are Happening on the Back Side of the Mountain! Reflections from GHMBC Pastor Clifton Witherspoon Pastor Clifton N. Witherspoon Great things are happening on the back side of the mountain is only an analogy that we give because it seems to fit the season that we are in at GHMBC. History tells us that the Church in which we now worship was carved out of a mountain of dirt. Ok, maybe it was a hill of dirt, nevertheless, Great things happen on the backside of Hills and Mountains during the Old and New Testament days. Take time to read or study about the patriarchs that are recorded in the Bible days. Abraham, Moses, David, and even Jesus found themselves growing in Grace on the backside of the Mountain. Always be mindful of the scripture found in Zechariah 4:10 about despising small beginnings. Small things will become great as God s Spirit sustains us. That God is Love which means Love is God. When you visit GHMBC you will see and feel both. We are privileged to serve the living God. And we count it a responsibility and an honor to serve others as Jesus Christ serves us. At GHMBC there are many opportunities for you to use your gifts to reach others. GHMBC Newsletter Staff Pastor Clifton N. Witherspoon Gladys M. Grant Denise Nixon Timothy English Sharon Gathers Deacon Roosevelt Sanders Being a believer in Jesus is a wonderful adventure! There are many ways members can experience the life-changing touch of God at GHMBC. One can experience through exciting ministries, Bible studies and special programs. Children and adults of all ages can live out their faith in action. Fall 2014 Issue Contributing Reporters Minister Quentina Gregg Deacon David L. Glover, Jr. Amelia Nickens 1 We are privileged to serve the living God. And we count it a responsibility and an honor to serve others as Jesus Christ serves us.... - Pastor Clifton N. Witherspoon In This Issue Back to School 2014 Athletic Ministry Events Community Spotlight Election 2014 Church Events GHMBC Members Wateree Baptist Association Convention Agenda
Special Recognition Brother Herbert Glover received special recognition from the Dieann S. Spann Foundation while celebrating his birthday during the month of August. The Dieann S. Spann Foundation recognizes and focuses on seniors in the community by promoting involvement in social activities and other uplifting events. Thank you for all that you do for our seniors! Herbert Glover smiles and poses for a quick photo after church services. GHMBC Member Spotlight FRANK JENKINS HERBERT JOHNSON Bro. Frank Jenkins received the Superintendent s Award for his outstanding service in Sumter School District. Bro. Jenkins is the Supervisor for Grounds with the district. Bro. Herbert Johnson received special recognition from the Superintendent for his outstanding contributions to the choral program at Lakewood High School, where he serves as Choral Director. 2
Congratulations! The GHMBC youth celebrated their accomplishments and hard work during the 2013-14 school year. Graduates from kindergarten through college are looking forward to a bright future and a great school year for 2014-15. 3
COMMUNITY CORNER Sumter School District Superintendent Dr. J. Frank Baker shares his insight on what makes Rembert a special place to live. WHAT MAKES A COMMUNITY? According to www.childwelfare.gov, a strong, nurturing community includes safe places for children to play and includes food, shelter and medical care for its residents. In addition, strong communities allow and encourage neighbors to help and get to know one other. Is your community a strong community? Learn more about building strong and nurturing communities at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/guide2012/communities.pdf.. Dr. J. Frank Baker, Superintendent Sumter residents know Dr. J. Frank Baker as Superintendent of Sumter School District. With over 40 years in education, he has a wealth of wisdom and experience to share about our students and their families. Dr. Baker is exceptionally proud of the community, and he took a few moments out of his busy schedule to share with GHMBC his thoughts on the Rembert community. The community atmosphere, everybody knows everybody, that s the way it s always been, a family atmosphere, stated Dr. Baker as he reminisced about the close knit Rembert community. It s always been very friendly, people are always willing to help. Dr. Baker feels that one of the strengths of the community is that it is diverse. Sumter is a military town, with strong ties to agriculture. Sumter can attract many people because of its close proximity to the beach, the mountains, and Charleston with its rich historical roots. Dr. Baker affirms that we should take each day as it comes. Every day will bring something different. He has a strong faith, and he believes that we should let things be directed by God, and everything will be okay. God will make things happen. We should let things be directed by God, and everything will be okay. God will make things happen. 4
GHMBC Athletic Corner The Athletic Ministry continues to make impasse in touching the lives of the young people of our community. Our basketball program is still growing as we focus on shaping and molding our youth by providing a wholesome atmosphere for them to not only compete in the game of basketball, but learn to become good citizens. A part of our job as coaches and officers in a Christian sports league is to introduce our youth to Jesus Christ and encourage them to make him an integral part of their lives. Deacon David L. Glover, Jr. Our teams continue to be successful on the basketball court. We played in the championship game in the Free Spirit fall and spring leagues. This summer for the first time we organized a boys and girls tournament team. We participated in several tournaments where we competed against AAU teams that have played together for years. Even though we were the new team, our girls team won championships in all five tournaments that they played in, losing only one game along the way. Our boys team won the championship trophy in two of the three tournaments that they played in. Next summer we plan to participate in more tournaments including at least one out of state tournament. As of this writing, we are planning for our Fall Basketball League which begins on September 6. This league is for our younger kids. Boys and girls between the age of 5-12 will compete in three different age groups: 5-6; 7-9; and 10-12. This is an opportunity for younger children to learn the fundamentals of the game and to compete in a team sport for the first time. Many of them develop a love for the game and continue to play in our spring league when they are older. The longer they stay in the league the more they are exposed to the teachings and spiritual guidance of league officials and church leaders, who come to the gym to lead our devotion and expound on the word of God. We also talk to them about proper conduct and the importance of getting a good education. Please continue to pray for and support this ministry as we strive to find ways to reach today s youth. 5
Spotlight on Faith: GHMBC Senior Choir The GHMBC Senior Choir celebrated its annual Senior Choir Anniversary on March 2, 2014 with songs, praises and tributes. The choir sang beautifully as they lifted the name of God and thanked Him for the privilege to praise Him through songs and worship. Special tributes and presentations were given by the choir president Amelia Nickens, and Pastor Witherspoon to current members as well as those who have passed away. Pastor Witherspoon s sermon topic was The Fight of Faith, and the service was inspirational as always. Sister Amelia Nickens proudly spoke of the choir after the service, stating that the program was really good, very inspirational. We are a work in progress. God is not through with us yet! GHMBC is proud of our choirs, and we praise God for another successful Senior Choir Day Celebration. God is not through with us yet! -Sis. Amelia Nickens 6
The Beauty of Faith at GHMBC Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds (Psalms 36:5). 7
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Grant Hill MBC hosted its 2nd Girls Night Out ~ Date Night With A King (All Women s) Mini Shut-In Service on Friday, July Minister Quentina Gregg 25th. With well over 200 women and young ladies combined the 2nd time around proved to be an even greater success than the pilot worship service hosted in 2013. The night began with a meet & greet networking mixer and flowed right into an AWESOME praise and worship service led by the incomparable Elder Erica Lakin from Bibleway Church of Atlas Road in Columbia, SC. God blessed us with a MIGHTY word from both of the guest speakers. Reverend Sharon Boyd from Rafting Creek in Rembert, SC reminded the women in her mighty punch preaching style that they were Divinely Inspired Virtuously Anointed. And after the power of God erupted in the place using Pastor Margaret M. Parker from Chosen Vessel The vision, given to Minister Ministries in Marietta, GA askquentina W. Gregg, was to have ing Are You Ready To Let Go a worship service format that alof Everything?, there were few lowed women from all walks of women of God left standing in the life, religious back-grounds, and building. The power of God swept denominations to be able to come through GHMBC like a rushing together and worship God in an mighty wind atmosphere of liberty and rejuve- and it was very nation. If just for a moment, sitting apparent that aside the cares of the world that many Divas so often drain and deplete the were restored and many chains women of God. The service were destroyed. would welcome the opportunity to ultimately reconnect with God and The services of course would not rebuild their faith and spirituality to have been the same without a be able to live for God BOLDLY beautiful selection from GHMBC s without any reservations. very own Levell Sisters and praise dances from both GHMBC This year s theme Restoring Eve- and St. Mark 4-B praise dancers. ry Diva (R.E.D.) ~ Breaking The The youth SHOWED UP and Chains of Bondage proved to be SHOWED OUT! In their A Night of Restoration as it words.turn DOWN FOR brought the women together WHAT? decked out in their Denim, Red, and Finally, this year s rotation format Camouflage looking included a special treat for the beautiful but still READY FOR ladies with a spoken word piece WAR! Yes, READY to put Satan performed by the illustrious on the run out of all aspects of Tomeka Walker-Ewing. Her testheir lives. timony and piece entitled The 9 Power of Words, brought tears to the eyes of many. GHMBC is proud to be able to continue to offer a worship service of this magnitude as a free event to all who are interested in attending. God allowed us to expand our ministerial reach having attendees from all parts of SC to include Anderson, Bishopville, Camden, Columbia, Dillon, Elgin, Pinewood, and Marion. We even had attendees from as far as Dudley NC. To God Be The Glory! In exchange for the free admission, all attendees were asked to share 5 non-perishable food items as a part of the annual A KINGDOM Kind of Harvest food drive. GHMBC hosts this outreach event in partnership with Project KINGDOM Work and several other local churches, business, and organizations, and donates all collected food items and proceeds to the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia, SC. This year s Girls Night Out ~ Date Night With A King collection efforts yielded right at 300 lbs. of food to be shared with those in need. We are GRATEFUL for ALL that transpired during the Praise Party & Worship Service and feel without a doubt that God WAS GLORIFIED! After receiving numerous praise reports the consensus was God willing..same time, same place..next year! Until then Stay Blessed!
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13 Learn more about the candidates before you cast your vote. Here are some resources to check out: http://votesmart.org/officials: This website gives background information about state and national candidates. http://www.vote411.org/: This website allows you to type in your address for personalized voting information. http://www.scvotes.org/: This website sponsored by the South Carolina State Election Commission provides important information for voters in South Carolina. https://www.voterheads.com/: This website provides information for local and state elections for selected areas. http://www.sumtercountysc.org/?q=department/voter-registration-elections: This website provides voter information for Sumter residents. http://www.politics1.com/sc.htm: This website provides a complete directory of South Carolina candidates for state offices. http://ballotpedia.org/sumter_school_district_elections_(2014): This website provides information on local school district candidates and more. 13
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15 As concerned and involved community members, we must make it our duty to know our representatives. The chart below is a summary of some of Sumter s local representatives. Thanks to Sister Amelia Nickens for sharing this information with the GHMBC newsletter staff! Sumter County Council Members Complete contact information and biographical backgrounds can be found at the following website: http://www.sumtercountysc.org/?q=council-members District 1 Naomi Sanders District 2 Artie Baker District 3 Jimmy R. Byrd, Jr. District 4 Charles T. Edens District 5 Vivian Fleming McGhaney District 6 Larry Blanding District 7 Eugene Baten Sumter City Council Members Complete contact information and biographical backgrounds can be found at the following website: http://www.sumtersc.gov/city-council.aspx Mayor - Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. Ward 1 Thomas J. Lowery Ward 2 Ione Dwyer Ward 3 Calvin K. Hastie, Sr. Ward 4 Charlie Burns Ward 5 Robert Galiano Ward 6 David Merchant State Lawmakers Complete contact information and biographical backgrounds can be found at the following website: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=h Rep. Grady Brown Bishopville Rep. Joe Neal - Hopkins Rep. Dr. Robert L. Ridgeway, III Clarendon Rep. Ronnie A. Sabb Greeleyville Rep. Murrell Smith, Jr. Sumter Rep. J. David Weeks Sumter Sen. Gerald Malloy Darlington Sen. Kevin. L. Johnson Manning Sen. J. Thomas McElveen, III Sumter National Lawmakers Complete contact information and biographical backgrounds can be found at the following websites: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=h and http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm? State=SC Rep. Mick Mulvaney 5th District Rep. Jim Clyburn 6th District Sen. Lindsey Graham Sen. Tim Scott 15
GRANT HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH COME WORSHIP WITH US! Sundays 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church 5405 Black River Road Rembert, SC 29128 ghmbcinfo@granthillbaptist.org Clifton N. Witherspoon, Pastor Phone: 803-499-5716 FAX: 803-499-2806 Visit us on the web at www.granthillbaptist.org Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church 5405 Black River Road Rembert, SC 29128 PLACE STAMP HERE 16