A Cooperative Program Ministry March 2007 The Official News Magazine of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists VOL. 37, NO. 3 2007 Evangelism Celebration Cross Lanes Baptist Church Thursday, April 12 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. Sounds of Liberty in concert and messages by Drs. David Burton and Jimmy Draper Friday, April 13 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Messages by Drs. David Burton and John Avant 10:15 to 10:30 Break 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Messages by Drs. John Avant and David Wheeler 11:45 to 1:30 Lunch 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Eleven breakout training conferences to choose from. 2:45 to 5:30 p.m. Crossover Cross Lanes, Instruction, deployment, and return. 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Dinner Break 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Messages by Drs. Ergun Caner and Paige Patterson 8:30 to 8:45 Conclusion Note: The first 325 attending the conference will receive a complimentary gift bag. They will be distributed at the conclusion of the Thursday night program and will include an assortment of gifts such as a copy of Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Calvin Miller s Oh Shepherd Where Art Thou? The bags will also include an assortment of literature and promotional material and will be yours when you return the Sermon Central registration card at the information table. March 2007 This event is made possible by your church s gifts through the Cooperative Program and has been coordinated by Terry Harper, Jacob Atchley, and Florence Ann Ballard. They have been greatly assisted by Seth Polk, Lynn Sommerville, Homer Ham, Bob Blevins, Randall Robertson, Larry Tomlinson, and Wendell Smith who make up the Evangelism Planning Team.
Terry Harper s Upcoming Events March 25 Fairlawn, Parkersburg March 31 Executive Board April 1 Highlawn, Huntington April 5 Twin Lakes Baptist April 12-13 Evangelism Conference at Cross Lanes April 22 Riverwood, St. Albans April 24 Sr. Adult Retreat, Canaan April 26-27 State Exec. Directors at IMB 2 THE WEST VIRGINIA SOUTHERN BAPTIST (USPS 097-990) John W. Adams, Editor johnadams@wvcsb.org Published ten times per year by The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists Number One Mission Way, Scott Depot WV 25560-9406. www.wvbaptists.org Note: No paid advertising or subscriptions accepted. This paper is fully funded by Southern Baptists in West Virginia. Periodicals Postage Paid Scott Depot, WV 25560 and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Number One Mission Way Scott Depot, WV 25560-9406 Letter From the Executive Director My Dear Friends: Cheryl and I have just returned from the March 2-3 WVCSB Bivocational Pastors Retreat. This was one of the finest in the bivocational series. It was excellent in every way. There is no way to measure what these men do to serve Christ. Most of them serve a smaller size church that cannot afford to pay them a fulltime wage, thus they work another job. After working hard at a fulltime job all week, they still have to prepare sermons and visit their church members and prospects on the weekend. In many ways they really are carrying two fulltime jobs. Anyone that has been involved in ministry knows that it is a 24/7 job. You are never really away from it. So, my respect for these spiritual warriors is great! We have a wonderful group of pastors and wives that make up this fellowship. We need to pray that God will continue to raise up more like them to reach the small villages and communities in West Virginia. I appreciate the work that our volunteer bivocational consultants, Vernon and Jean Beachum do to encourage these folks. On a different topic for all pastors, one thing that could have a great impact on your church would be for you to convince several of your lay people to attend at least a portion of the Evangelism Conference on April 12-13. Bring a car load or van load and have a great evening of fellowship together. You will be inspired by the tremendous preaching that will take place. As you will notice on the front page of this paper, we have a great line-up of speakers to challenge our hearts to go out and do the work of an evangelist. We continue to pray and seek the face of God as we move toward the Prayer Conference in November. Pastor Dan Biser is leading a multi-state team in prayerful planning for the meeting. More details can be seen in the ad at the bottom of page 12. E.M. Bounds said that Prayer is loyalty to God. Non-praying is to reject Christ and abandon heaven. A life of prayer is the only life which heaven counts. That is a rather dramatic statement! Now, I don t know about you, but I really want my life to count. So, if E.M. Bounds is correct, then I must have a prayer life, if I am to have a life that counts. I think he is right. And if I really want my life to count, then I must develop my prayer life and allow it to control every aspect of my life. So, I hope you are developing your prayer life. I hope you are expecting great things from God and attempting great things for God. We really don t need any more of what we can do. We need to see what God can do. That is what this world is longing to see. They want to see something that cannot be explained outside of Almighty God, Himself. Get your deacons together or a group of friends and get on your knees before God. Let Him work in your life. And if you see a moving of the Spirit of God, drop me an email or give me a call. We want to know about it. God bless, Terry L. Harper 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
Editor s Notes Near Davis, WV, lined up on mountain ridges like futuristic statues, are several windmill generators like the ones in the photo on this page. These graceful workhorses soaring heavenward above the beautiful landscape make Goliath look like an infant. They are deceptively tall and turn almost silently at the behest of the wind creating electricity to empower mankind s growing hunger for gadgets. I am reminded of the words of Jesus as He spoke to Nicodemus, 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:6-8, KJV) I also recall the scene on the Day of Pentecost, 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, (Acts 2:2-4 KJV) Wind generators are unable to generate electricity unless the wind blows. The Church is unable to generate spiritual results unless the power of the Holy Spirit flows. Those of us who are elevating prayer and spiritual awakening during 2007 are asking God to send His Holy Spirit to refresh the Church once again. We are urgently desiring the Wind of the Spirit to fill the Church with love for God, with God s love for humanity, with an insatiable appetite for Bible study, and with a total abandonment to the will of God in all aspects of our lives. In our role as God s spiritual windmill generator, we are totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit to provide the wind that moves the propeller, that engages the turbine, that brings light to a world in darkness. To quote Jesus, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Can you recall recent incidents that can only be explained in terms of an intervention of God into the affairs of your friends or family? If not, or if such inspiring events are uncommon or unheard of in your life, I encourage you to join me in asking God to breathe new life into His Church. When the wind blows, a wind generator s blades respond and the world is blessed with electrical power. When the Holy Spirit flows, the Church generates a power that blesses the world with changed lives. Ask God to refresh us with a movement of the Spirit that will light up all of WV with Christ s power! Windmill Generators near Davis, WV. March 2007 3
4 It Happened in West Virginia Florida-West Virginia Partnership Dr. Craig Culbreth, Director of Partnership Missions, Florida Baptist Convention, visited Terry Harper, Dr. Greg Wrigley, Terry and Darlene Vaughan during February. He brought with him Gene and Margaret Wilbanks who are the new volunteer coordinators for Florida. (In the photo above left to right, Gene, Margaret, Dr. Culbreth.) They and the Vaughans assist persons from the states they serve identify mission opportunities they can meet in the partnership states. Part of this annual visit is a discussion of how the partnership is functioning and the nature and longevity of any future partnership. In the Florida/WV negotiations, plans were discussed that if both parties agree to will lead to an extension of the partnership through 2011. In commenting on the progress he has seen in the agreement between his state and West Virginia, Dr. Culbreth stated, The partnership with WV has been very successful. Our people love coming to WV. They are always warmly received and are anxious to return. Dr. Wrigley commented, Florida Baptists are most generous to West Virginia. We are grateful for the many things they are willing to do in our state. There are many activities and ministries that would go undone if it were not for Florida Baptists. Dr. Culbreth presented a check for $80,000 from the Florida Baptist Convention to Terry Harper. (See the photo below.) The funds are designated for use in no interest church loans ($35,000) and church planting efforts ($45,000). Most of the church planting funds are used to supplement the salaries of church planters. During the same visit, Dr. Culbreth met with the WV associational missionaries for a few hours of training and planning. (See the photo below.) They were joined by Rev. Dan Jividen (fourth from the left), pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Princeton, WV, who was standing in for Don Deel from Mountain State Association. Also missing from the group is Don Ertel from the Potomac Highland Association who was away on personal business. During the morning of February 8, the missionaries met with several of the state staff to plan, pray and renew relationships. That evening the whole group dined and planned. Men s Ministry Leaders Plan Four WV Men s Ministry leaders gathered at Flatwoods recently to make plans for several 2007 events. Among the ministries they discussed were disaster relief, the annual golf tournament, and the annual men and boys retreat. Shown left to right in the photo above are Jim Long, Gerald McKinney, Terry Vaughan, and Golden Schell. Greg Wrigley coordinated the meeting. Obviously, you cannot plan disasters but you can train volunteers to respond rapidly and effectively. That is what the disaster relief training March 17 at Shining Light Baptist in Barboursville was planned to do. It will also be the focus of training June 2 in the Upper Ohio Valley Association, June 30 in the Allegheny Association, and September 22 in the Coalfields Association. The final details of the Men and Boys Golf tournament are still in progress but the location will be the Northfork Valley Golf Course in Parkersburg and the date is June 8. Northfork is off of highway 68 south of Parkersburg. Men from Fairlawn in Parkersburg are handling the local arrangements for the meeting. The Men and Boys Retreat will once again be at Camp Caesar on September 14-15. Greg Wrigley stated, We may have to increase the cost of the camp a few dollars this year. The price to use the camp has increased quite a bit over the last two years. Seven or eight dollars per person would still be a great price for a super weekend. MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES... Baptist men and women alike can participate in one or all of three mission trips. Check the website (www.wvbaptists.org) for details. One trip is to Tyrone, Pennsylvania April 13-15. (Act quickly if you are interested in this trip.) Another trip will be to Cleveland July 2-6 to do music camp, day camp, street witnessing, servant evangelism, etc. Cost is $100. A final opportunity is the trip back to Tyrone, Pennsylvania July 21-28 to do backyard Bible clubs, music camp and servant evangelism.
WVU Campus Group Heading to Paris, France WVU, Morgantown campus minister Michel Boyer plans to take four students from the Baptist student organization he leads to Paris, France May 18 - June 3, 2007. Shown left to right in the photo below are Michel Boyer, Nate and Christina Moss and Matthew Jones. One student from the four who are going was not available for the photo. It Happened in West Virginia The no-interest loan is made possible through the generosity of Florida Baptists as part of the WV/Florida Missions Partnership. The funds are designed to help mission churches or smaller churches have a loan source to help with the purchase of property or to pay for construction costs. West Charleston used the funds to go toward their recent purchase of a building across the street from their existing church facilities. Pastor Cannada stated, The building will be used to house a variety of ministries operated by our church. This will give us the opportunity to start some ministries that we have been wanting to do, but have not had the proper space to conduct them. We have been using the parking lot for a long time, but now we can own the lot and not have to be concerned about it going to someone else. This purchase really expands our possibilities for ministry. Boyer and the students recently cooked brunch for the Calvary Baptist, Morgantown congregation to raise some of the funds needed to cover the cost of the mission trip which will take them into a Muslim community in Paris. February 18 the group discussed their experience of feeling God was calling them to go on the late-spring trip. Boyer related, We will be going into the more difficult and depressed area of the Muslim community in Paris. These people moved to France hoping for better jobs and a better future in a new country. We are going to help them see that what they need is a new relationship with Jesus Christ. West Charleston Purchases Additional Land Greg Wrigley is shown on the right below giving a $20,000 check to Norm Cannada. NAMB Staffer Tours WV Leroy Fountain took a quick tour of WV with Dr. Greg Wrigley Feb. 19-20. Fountain is with the church planting team of the North American Mission Board. He was in WV to see the state first hand and to discover some of the needs and challenges that are unique to the Mountain State. He also took the opportunity to meet some of the church planters serving in WV. Fountain commented after his tour, This is a beautiful state. It has a wide variety of terrain from mountains to river bottoms. I look forward to helping start new churches in WV. The challenges certainly are unique to our convention. Shown left to right in the photo below are Leroy Fountain, Dr. Greg Wrigley and Lindell Smith, pastor of Berean in Morgantown. Prayer leaders in WV are inviting you to be part of a new initiative in the quest for Spiritual Awakening. The idea, simply called 24/7 Prayer for Spiritual Awakening was first suggested by Jimmy Morton, pastor of Freedom Baptist in Kanawha City. He and others have designed a brochure to mail to WV churches inviting each of us to sign up to pray for Spiritual Awakening during at least one 15-minute time slot each 24 hours. If you would like to sign up, send a note or a copy of the form attached to the brochures that will be mailed to your church to 24/7 Prayer for Spiritual Awakening, One Mission Way, Scott Depot, WV 25560. You will receive follow-up materials to resource your prayer commitment. The purpose of this effort is to ask God to ignite a great spiritual awakening throughout associations in WV that will sweep the nation and around the world. March 2007 5
GuideStone Announces Release of its Popular Annual Ministers Tax Guide DALLAS Ministers can find additional help in preparing their 2006 federal income tax returns from GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The annual Ministers Tax Guide for 2006 Returns details recent changes to tax laws and their effect on ministers. This year s tax guide includes the features ministers have come to expect, said O.S. Hawkins, president and chief executive officer of GuideStone. The informative free tax guide includes sample tax returns with step-by-step instructions for active and retired ministers, as well as a special pull-out section regarding the federal reporting requirements for churches. An overview of the tax change highlights was written by Richard Hammar, a noted CPA, attorney and widely published author who specializes in legal and tax issues for ministers. The guide is edited by GuideStone s legal and compliance staff to address the tax issues that affect the greatest number of Southern Baptist pastors. The tax guide can be obtained in an electronic, PDF format, from the GuideStone Web site, www.guidestone.org. Printed copies or a CD version can also be obtained by calling Customer Service at 1-888-98- GUIDE (1-888-984-8433) between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST Monday- Friday. 6
Associational VBS Teams Begin the 2007 Training Cycle February 24, 51 people from all ten of West Virginia s associations gathered at the facilities of the Southern Baptist Fellowship in Summersville to begin the training cycle that helps WV churches and chapels use VBS projects to reach their neighbors with the Gospel. Pictured below are five of the faculty members who conducted the training conference. They are, left to right, Greg Wrigley, general officer conference leader, John Adams, adult conference leader and project coordinator for WV, Ken Owens, youth conference Bivocationals Retreat Near Roanoke, WV The annual retreat for bivocational pastors and their wives was held March 2-3 at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia. This was the 10 th Anniversary of the founding of the Bivocational Pastors Fellowship in the West Virginia Convention. Vernon and Jean Beachum are voluntary consultants to this group and work with Terry Harper in events for the organization. This was the largest group in the 10 years could have been much better. I am really excited to see the new pastors and a prospective pastor attending this year, Vernon continued. (See photo below.) It was truly one of the best we have ever had since I have been here, reported Terry Harper. The content shared by the Saints was so relevant to leader, Terrie Hannah, music conference leader, and Misty Carpenter, children s conference leader. Missing from the photo is Nancy Pickens, preschool conference leader. VBS is the number one evangelistic project in the SBC according to the latest research done by LifeWay Christian Resources. It has been difficult to pinpoint the exent of VBS s effectiveness in West Virginia because so many churches fail to provide a full report of their VBS activities. However, it is clear from the 67 churches who reported the results of their schools on the long form mailed to them by LifeWay versus the one-question report included in the Annual Church Profile that no less than 25% of WV s baptisms are an outcome of VBS projects. It is likely that the percentage figure is significantly higher because many of WV s 200 churches and chapels who conduct VBS projects do not compile and share written reports of the results. The point? Don t miss your associational VBS Clinic and do report your church s VBS activities! of meeting with a total of 30 in attendance. The program began at 4:30 on Friday and ended with lunch on Saturday afternoon. The facilitators for this year s event were Roy and Judy Saint from our partnership state, the Florida Baptist Convention. Dr. Saint (see photo above) led sessions for the pastors on Spiritual Formation, Blueprint for Discipleship and Strategic Church Planning. He also provided a CD with the conference information and many other helps on it for the pastors. Mrs. Saint led a special break-out session for the wives on Dealing with Difficult People. Wow! What a great experience, Vernon Beachum stated. I don t believe anything what our pastors are dealing with in their situations. I believe everyone went away with their cups full and excited about putting into practice what God had taught them this weekend. (Jean Beachum and Helen Mellquist are pictured above.) Cheryl Harper planned the section for the pastor s wives and also led music for the event. If you were unable to attend this year, plan now to attend next year. The event is held the first weekend in March. March 2007 7
Geoffrey Hammond Recommended as NAMB President ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)-- The president search committee of the North American Mission Board s trustees recommended March 1 that Geoffrey A. Hammond become the Southern Baptist entity s next president. Hammond is senior associate director of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia state convention. NAMB s trustees will vote on the recommendation at a March 20-21 special meeting in Alpharetta, Ga. If approved, Hammond would become NAMB s president-elect, officially beginning his duties at the May 8-9 board meeting and starting fulltime on May 22, search committee chairman Greg Faulls said. Dr. Hammond has proven himself to be a successful leader, strategist and practitioner in church planting missions and evangelism throughout his ministry career, Faulls said. NAMB is a missions agency in need of a strong leader with the mind of a missiologist and with a vision to strategically mobilize an army of missionaries who will spread the Gospel and plant churches throughout an ethnically diverse North America. Hammond, 49, was born in Nigeria to missionary parents serving with the SBC International Mission Board. He earned the equivalent of a business degree in administration in Zimbabwe, passing the final examination of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (UK). He is a graduate of Spurgeon s Seminary in London, England, and he holds a doctor of ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, majoring in evangelism and missions. Hammond has served throughout his career as pastor, church planter, staff member of 8 mega-churches, IMB missionary to Brazil, seminary professor, director of missions, NAMBappointed missionary, church planting strategist; for the past five years, he has been a senior associate state executive, serving with the SBCV. Hammond understands missions at every level, Faulls said. He has proven skills and experience planting churches and strategically directing church planting in associations and a state convention. He is gifted in leadership and adept in the areas of business administration. He is bilingual and has a grasp of the complexity and diversity of the harvest field and clearly understands the importance and dynamics of NAMB s relationships with her state partners. In addition, he is fully supportive of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page, pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., said he called and congratulated Hammond. "I told him of my desire to become his greatest cheerleader as he takes on this massive responsibility," Page said. "He has my prayers and fullest support. I love NAMB and believe its greatest days are ahead." Hammond and his wife Deborah have two sons, Timothy and Nicholas. As a third-generation missionary, Hammond said, my heartbeat has always been reaching people with the Gospel no matter where they live. I believe the North American Mission Board is the greatest missionary agency for reaching North America for Christ and it is the greatest honor of my life to be nominated for this position. Our president search committee has been thorough and prayerful in seeking God s man for NAMB, said Bill Curtis, NAMB trustee chairman. I can say with confidence that the search committee has worked diligently on the behalf of Southern Baptists and the board throughout this process, and they look forward to bringing a report on the journey and to presenting Dr. Geoff Hammond at the March board meeting. Curtis also said, I wish to express my gratitude to every member of the NAMB staff. During the past year I have observed our wonderful staff rise to every challenge with faith and cooperation. As we prepare to move into a new phase of NAMB s history, I am confident that the staff and our committed missionaries will continue to rise as they work together in advancing evangelism, church planting and the strengthening of churches throughout North America. The recommendation of Hammond follows an intense 10-month search that began with the committee s commitment to continually pray, follow a thorough, patient process, and resist outside political influences. We determined what we were going to do was seek God s man, Faulls said. There was never a predetermined person. We were faithful to follow our process and allow God to reveal His choice. We considered a wide variety of candidates from all corners of Southern Baptist life: pastors, seminary professors, state executives, missionaries, evangelists, as well as staff members of denominational agencies. NAMB, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, is led by a 60-member board of trustees. In April 2006, after the resignation of former President Robert E. Reccord, thenboard chairman Barry Holcomb appointed a nine-member search committee: chairman Greg Faulls of Kentucky, vice chairman David Crump of Oklahoma, Dennis Culbreth of Virginia, Ellie Ficken of Alabama, Terry Fox of Kansas, Barbara McCormick of South Carolina, Michael Palmer of Idaho, Ryan Palmer of Maryland and Jeff Shirley of Texas. Editor s note...this edition will reach your mailbox after the above vote is taken. Check Baptist Press via the web address, www.bpnews.net for the final outcome.
Prayer Resources 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: Charles Town, Tri-County; Larry Stevens, church planter The Journey Church is to be a contemporary work reaching government professionals who commute to the DC and Baltimore areas. The target date for the first service is Easter Sunday with a core of 50 families. Pray for: 50 families to be enlisted Development of a church planting staff The partnership between Larry Stevens, WVCSB and the First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Florida Ministry Focus: Prayer and Spiritual Renewal Question: Are you willing to be offered (2 Timothy 4:6) in order for spiritual awakening to sweep across West Virginia? Scripture: Philippians 2:17...if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. (from New International Version) Weekend Prayer Focus: Spiritual renewal in your family. Ask God to revive your family and stir in you a deep hunger for Christ. Ask Him to give your family tender hearts and hands willing to serve the purposes of Christ. Resource: The Prayer Connection, namb.net, click on Prayer and Spiritual Awakening to find The Prayer Connection. Date Apr. 2 Apr. 3 Apr. 4 Apr. 5 Apr. 9 Apr. 10 Apr. 11 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 16 Apr. 17 Apr. 18 Apr. 19 Apr. 20 Apr. 23 Apr. 24 Apr. 25 Apr. 26 Apr. 27 Apr. 30 Association 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 Campus WVU Morgntwn Bluefield State Concord Univ. Marshall Univ. Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgntwn Bluefield State Concord Univ. Marshall Univ. Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgntwn Bluefield State Concord Univ. Marshall Univ. Mt. State Univ. WVU Morgntwn Bluefield State Concord Univ. Marshall Univ. Mt. State Univ. Church Grace, Rainelle Grace Fellowship, Wana Graydon Hamlin Hedgesville Heritage Highlawn Hillcrest Horsepen Immanuel, New Martinsville Immanuel, Princeton Indian Creek Isaban Jackson Avenue Jeanette Jordan Christian Fellowship The Journey Kingwood Knobley Road Lilly Grove Chapel South Wheeling SBC at Wayne The Bridge Camden Flats Carpendale Chinese Mission Christian Family Fellowship Faith, Winfield Faith Fellowship, Athens Freedom, Charleston Gateway Glade Community Greater Things HarborLight Harvest Time Hope, Richwood Lighthouse, Charleston Lighthouse, Ivydale Marland Heights New Hope, Madison West Virginia Goal: $160,000 Pray and Give to... West Virginia Goal: $160,000 March 2007 9
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal of $1500 set by First, Craigsville, was exceeded by over $500. David Sommerville is the pastor. Cameron, where Ron McCoy is pastor, held revival services in March with preaching by Gary Miller, an International Mission Board missionary who is now a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Scott Nassau from Chosen People Ministries presented Messiah in the Passover, an enactment of the Jewish Passover Celebration explaining each item and activity as it relates to Jesus. The ladies experienced Pink Day on a March Saturday. Activities featured were a jewelry party, a mini makeup makeover, body and foot massages, a presentation of World Crafts, and included light snacks and refreshments. First, Fairlea, has started a Young Couples Ministry, led by Youth Pastor Denver Ayres and wife Ginny. They began a book study entitled Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley, and wrapped up the evening with a little competitive couples bowling. The Seekers Youth Group sponsored the First Annual Valentine s Day Banquet with the theme A Night at the Oscars. Attendees were asked to dress for a formal occasion or as their favorite actor or character. The Church celebrated a baptism in February. Kevin Prevett is the pastor. Calvary, Morgantown, has called Doug Strother as pastor, along with wife, Debby, and daughter Lori. The Strothers also have two married sons. Freedom, Nutter Fort, enjoyed a gospel concert by David Griffis. Rev. Larry Jaffrey, a Messianic Jew, served a Passover Meal and explained its significance. Two women s 10 Churches and People groups are involved in Beth Moore s study of Daniel. Jimmy Ray Sanders is pastor. February s cold weather affected the Sunday School building at New Creek, Thomas Roatch pastor. The water pipes froze and the propane heater failed. The wood stove in the main building kept things warm there. The youth and children enjoyed a Saturday Snow Fun Day with sledding and skating on frozen creeks. Wayside, Buckhannon, where Don Knotts pastors, has been serving dinner to 30-40 on Wednesday evenings in an effort to reach the community. Results have been great. Approximately 50 viewed the movie Facing the Giants, and several confessed a new determination to live for Jesus 100%. Mountaineer Campus Ministry at West Virginia University experienced a demonstration Seder by a member of the Jews for Jesus organization, and had plans for weekend get-togethers to watch some of the NCAA basketball tournament. The students have been hosting Pancakes for Lunch meals at area churches to raise money for the upcoming spring mission trip to Paris. Michel Boyer is MCM Director. Altizer, Cledith Campbell pastor, started the new year with a baptismal service for a man and a teenage boy. Super Bowl Sunday was a day of activity, featuring a special Super Sunday Outreach and the Super Bowl Cafe, a fund raiser for Youth Summer Ministry. Twenty ladies are enrolled in a Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Daniel. The ladies group at Calvary, Chapmanville, bought a chainsaw for the Disaster Relief Trailer. The singing group Higher Ground and others from the church spent an afternoon at a local nursing home. John Freeman is the pastor. Congratulations to Casey Brown of First, Ceredo, on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. For his project he made a Meditating and Prayer Garden behind the church, where he placed kneeling benches, benches, and flower pots. Rodney Hale is the pastor. The Chinese Mission observed the Chinese Lunar New Year in February with a New Years celebration and pot-luck meal following the morning worship service. Crosspoint, Greg Lucas pastor, has adopted the motto Improvise, Adapt and Overcome! For some recent services in their new building they ran out of chairs, so they placed 2 x 4s on concrete blocks for benches. Two families have joined the church by letter and one man trusted Christ as Savior recently. Hamlin has called James Caldwell as pastor, along with wife, Adina, and daughters Alexis and Chelsea. James was ordained January 28. Six members have been added to the church, two by transfer of letter and four on professions of faith. The Missions and Youth in Action group held a Lock-In in January. Those attending enjoyed a LONG night of Bible lessons, games and snacks. This group has also pledged to provide a monthly contribution to the local food pantry, Bread from Heaven, during 2007. The children s Sunday School classes made Valentines for the sick and shut-ins of the church and community. Since November Lincoln has seen twenty saved, and has celebrated the baptism of 14 of them, with six awaiting baptism. Dennis Tabor is the pastor. Locust Grove, where Randall Robertson is pastor, added five new members in December and January. The AWANAs brought in approximately $300 in special offerings which was sent to AWANA Clubs in Ramallah, Israel. Four AWANA clubbers participated in the Quiz Bowl in Teays Valley. The two representing Truth & Training, Book 3 came in sixth place. The two representing Book 4 came in second place. Since the church began the AWANA program in 2001, 42 children have accepted Christ as Savior. Twentieth Street, Kenova, has added three new members. Amy Larsen received the Matthew Washington award for outstanding youth service. Clifford Curry is pastor. Varsity and Jr. Varsity groups at Westmoreland held a lock-in on New Year s Eve with over 40 in attendance, and a Super Bowl party Feb. 4. Both groups sponsored a Valentine s Dinner to raise money for their M- Fuge mission trip to Philadelphia, PA, this summer. Randy Spurgeon is the Associate Pastor of Music and Youth, and C. J. Adkins is the pastor. Judy Virgin is back at work in the Greater Huntington Association office following two heart attacks and open heart by-pass surgery. Judy is the wife of Doug Virgin, the Associational Missionary, who is undergoing cancer treatments himself. Please keep Doug and Judy in your prayers. The ladies at Good Shepherd, Scott Depot, revealed who their Secret Sisters had been for the last year at a Luncheon in February. Thirty-
five couples enjoyed the Annual Sweetheart Dinner at Wellington s of Scarlet Oaks. Nine new members have been added recently. Kenny Stidham is the pastor. Pictured above left to right are(front row) Ray Kemp, Phillip Schoolcraft, Max Halsey and (back row) Dick Ryan. Phillip Schoolcraft was ordained January 28 at Riverview Baptist Church in Wellsburg where Lawrence Kimball pastors. A 17-year member of Riverview, Phillip has been in music ministry the last 5 1/2 years.schoolcraft is married to Tina and they are the parents of Zachariah and Hannah. Many of the the 132 persons who attended the ordination stayed for a covered dish luncheon to celebrate the festive occasion. Others involved in Riverview s music ministry include Tina Schoolcraft (piano), Bill Colley (guitar and substitute music leader when Phillip is gone), George Peveich (drums), and Bill Speece (harmonica). The photo above was taken the evening that the Concord University BSU served hot chocolate, warm smiles, and gracious spirits at a recent impromptu sledding party. Approximately 30 students were sledding in a nearby valley when BSU leaders and their director, Bobbie Cox, brought hot chocolate, hand warmers, and sleds to join in the fun. The random acts of kindness gave the group an opportu- Churches and People nity to share their faith with at least four students. Mark Joseph, pastor of Canaan Valley Baptist Church and Resort Minister for the WVCSB, is shown in the photo above handing a welcome packet to skiers at the resort. He has handed out over 600 such packets to the skiers at the resorts in the mountainous region where he serves. The packets were provided by the WMU in West Virginia. Shown above are participants at Burke Memorial s Feb. 3 RA Race event. Lilly Grove Baptist joined the festivities. Faith Fellowship, Athens, received just over $600 in their Lottie Moon offering! They enjoyed their highest attendance so far with 32 on Feb. 11. Sam Cox is the pastor. Glade Community, Gene Johnson pastor, held its first worship service on Feb. 11 and had 25 in attendance. New Hope Tabernacle feeds about 500 per month; 2200 received school materials and food recently. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance served the residents of Monroe County at the church. Phillip Hunt is the pastor. Pineville had two saved and one baptized recently. Fifteen youth and four adults from Berkeley, where George Hopkins is pastor, attended snow camp in Somerset, PA. Activities included worship rallies, games in the X-Barn, and riding snow tubes. Two of Berkeley s youth were among the ten who gave their hearts to the Lord during the worship rallies. The Youth also hosted a community-wide youth rally and 3 on 3 basketball tournament. The evening included a worship rally, led by Revolution Ministries from Marshall University, Dan Byrd Director. While the couples of the church participated in the annual Sweetheart Dinner, the singles headed to Martinsburg to enjoy a Japanese dinner. Missionaries John and Melissa Miller were recent guests. The proceeds from Fairlawn, Parkersburg s Valentine Banquet will be used to assist with sending youth to Centrifuge in July. The youth provided childcare for the event. The Senior Adult Ministry is active with a monthly Movie Day, a monthly meeting featuring a guest speaker, and other activities. Recently they held a make your own basket day. Twenty-seven from their group planned to attend the State Senior Adult Weekend. Grace, Parkersburg, hosted special guest Paul Negrut of Romania, Pastor and President of the Romanian Baptist Convention. The youth held their winter retreat at Cedar Lakes, with four youth making decisions for salvation. The youth sponsored a spaghetti dinner in February and a Parents Night Out in March, and took a trip to South Charleston for ice skating. The Youth Director is Jason Potts, and the Pastor is Todd Hill. Freedom, Charleston, with Pastor Jimmy Morton, is now on the radio. A Light from the Valley is broadcast on Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. on WCAW 680 AM. Please add to your prayer list Ricky Pennington, Pastor of Lilly Grove, who has started chemotherapy treatments for bladder cancer. March 2007 11
Calendar March: 31 WVCSB Executive Board 31 Budget & Calendar Mtg. April: 6 Good Friday - Convention offices are Closed 8 Easter Sunday 12-13 State Evangelism Conf. 15 Cooperative Program Day 20-21 WV SS Builders Training 21 & 28 Children s Missions Day 27-28 Missions Celebration 27-28 CGA Pastors Retreat May: 4-5 Ministers Wives Retreat 4-5 Campers on Mission Rally 5 State Children s Bible Drill WV ministers wives who want to attend this event are invited to call Florence Ann Ballard at 800.411.5758, ext 100 to request free tickets provided by the Florida Baptist Convention. Broken Before the Throne Prayer & Spiritual Awakening Conf. November 3-11, 2007 Westview Baptist Church Martinsburg, WV www.prayerconference2007.com