The North Carolina Baptist LITERACY MISSIONS NEWSLETTER Number Forty Four February 2013 Barbara Martin, Literacy Missions Consultant 919-781-2253 The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina martin.grandmother@gmail.com LAST YEAR S LITERACY MISSIONS CONFERENCE Last year s Literacy Missions conference was a super experience: great teachers with interesting topics, wonderful attendees with a drive to improve their skills, and a marvelous experience for everyone who came. There are pictures from the conference on page 7 of this newsletter. THE 2013 LITERACY MISSIONS CONFERENCE Teachers! Do you sometimes feel you re in a rut, that you need fresh ideas for your lessons? Plan now to attend the annual Literacy Missions Conference at Caraway Conference Center, October 18-19, 2013, BECAUSE: *You ll learn new teaching techniques *New ways to apply the techniques you already know *New ways to present the Good News to your students *New ways to relate to refugees and minister to them NEW IDEAS FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS: *American culture classes *Business English classes *Advanced vocabulary classes NEW IDEAS FOR BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS *New and different pronunciation drills *Special ways to present new vocabulary *Review techniques NEW WAYS TO TEACH ENGLISH FROM THE BIBLE *How to bring Scripture into your lesson *How to present the Good News to those who have never heard HOW TO TEACH ENGLISH OVERSEAS? *There will be a 3 hour mini-workshop to teach you how to teach English as a Foreign Language. FRESH IDEAS FOR TCY AND ARW VOLUNTEERS *Hoyle Edwards and Kathy Boyd are busy researching all the newest ideas DON T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE YOUR MINISTRY MORE EFFECTIVE!
Page 2 NC Baptist Literacy Missions February 2013 A CALL A PROMISE AND FINALLY, A MISSION When I was a student at Mars Hill College, God called me to be a missionary to Spanish-speaking people. I stood before the church and promised that I would accept that call. Twenty-three years later, God revealed His plan. My husband had been called to his first pastorate. The first month we were there, we came out of church one Sunday morning to find five Mexican men standing under an oak tree, speaking Spanish. My husband turned to me and said. The Lord has sent your missions field to you. I embarked on a wonderful journey of Literacy Missions that spanned the next thirty-five years. My husband and I were dedicated to the mission God had set before us. We started the first organized Hispanic Ministry in eastern North Carolina. I studied to improve my Spanish language skills while we made our way to every ESL workshop within our reach. Soon I was teaching our Hispanics English while they taught me Spanish. Since that day I have worked with a wonderful team of men and women who are dedicated to reaching people for Christ through literacy missions. I studied at Samford University in Birmingham and received certification in Teaching Adult Reading and Writing, Tutoring Children and Youth, and English as a Second Language. However, ESL drove me because of my call to be a missionary to Spanish-speaking people. I plunged into the world of ESL and immersed myself in Hispanic culture and language, including three visits to Mexico, one to study Spanish at the university in Morelia. I taught Spanish in the elementary school for a while and then went to ESL. The children and their families became my mission field. One of my most memorable moments was when Ana, a fifth grader, saw a New Testament on my bookshelf and asked What kind of book is that? When I explained it to her, she asked if she could have it. Then Laura asked for a Bible and the next day, I gave her one. God was opening doors to share His Word in the homes of Spanish-speaking families. I have worn many hats in Literacy Missions: tutor trainer, workshop leader, BSCNC Literacy Missions Consultant, ESL tutor, ESL teacher in public school, and owner of Carolina ESL Services. My call and my passion are no less today than they were thirty-five years ago. Ann White Knowles Literacy Missions Associate in ESL, TCY and ARW When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19: 33 34
February 2013 NC Baptist Literacy Missions Page 3 A STUDENT WHO TEACHES ESL When I started college I became interested in the international community in Raleigh and became involved with the ESL program at my home church. This year I am teaching an intermediate vocabulary class of about five adults. In class I try to cover some vocabulary, but I really try to focus on conversation, because I have found that to be the best way of learning a new language that builds relationships at the same time. As trite as it sounds, I feel like I learn more from my students than they from me. I love hearing stories about life in their home countries and seeing how we are different, but so much the same. Though the class I teach is secular in nature, I have had many opportunities to see God working in my students. One of my students is visiting the United States from China and is here doing research for the university I attend. On the first week of this past Advent season I saw her in the 11:00 AM church service where I greeted and welcomed her. The next day I sent her an email saying how happy I was that she came to the worship service and that I hoped she would return. She responded with this message, I was so happy to join you. I did enjoy the service and Christmas songs. After that, I stroll home, singing the Christmas song O little town of Bethlehem. Can't believe it! I have not been so happy for a long time. It would be a pleasure to me to stay with you guys. I will come. This is what literacy missions is all about; spreading the love of Christ and planting seeds that God grows and nurtures. Julie Boyles LITERACY MISSIONS NATIONAL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP NEWS Congratulations to Kathy Boyd upon her selection to be a Tutoring Children and Youth trainer at the National Leadership Workshop. She will be an intern this year, working closely with the present TCY trainer, and looking forward to being the TCY trainer in 2014-15. Kathy is the Literacy Missions leader for the Mt. Zion Baptist Association where she faithfully tutors at-risk children, tutors in the women s prison, and teaches Adult Reading and Writing. She also regularly leads workshops in both TCY and ARW. In addition, Kathy leads sessions at the North Carolina Literacy Missions Conference at Caraway Conference Center.
Page 4 NC Baptist Literacy Missions February 2013 ESL TRAINING AND MORE ESL training in Rocky Mt. NC was held January-Feb. 2013. A very eager, diverse and dedicated group of 18 men and women received this training. Many of them were preparing for students they had waiting for them. How exciting is that! One couple was preparing to leave in early March for Syracuse, NY as church planters with NAMB. Another couple has a Russian family they are working with at Applebee's in Rocky Mt. Yet another trainee had a Chinese family ready for her help in learning English and another trainee will be leaving (maybe there now) in late May to work in India. WOW! Did we have a God moving workshop. A Hispanic pastor and wife received training as well as a mother and daughter (fluent in Russian) that will be tutoring in ESL. Another tutor in our training was a French Canadian retired OB-GYN and she has tutored French students for years and was so excited to have the ESL training to share with students. I could go on but space is limited. God truly blessed and I expect we will hear of many ESL ministries beginning, continuing and growing in North Roanoke Association/Rocky Mt. Jeanette Walters Literacy Missions Associate in ESL and ARW
February 2013 NC Baptist Literacy Missions Page 5 2012 North Carolina Literacy Missions Volunteer of the Year Eileen Brinkley was the 2012 North Carolina Literacy Missions Volunteer of the Year. She exemplifies the loving spirit found in many of our volunteers as they reach others for Christ through Literacy Missions. She teaches English from the Bible every Sunday and teaches English from an ESL text on Wednesdays at the Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh. It s a pleasure to walk past her classroom just to see what she has prepared for her students,. It s always a favor of some kind sometimes candy and always a handout for each student. She is willing to go the extra mile to be there for her students, many times giving students a ride home after class. Most of all, Eileen does what she does because she has a heart for God and a heart for others. Her passionate spirit has left quite an impact on the lives of her students, some of whom have made professions of faith, and all of whom have experienced the love of Christ through the life of their teacher. Thank you for your faithful witness, Eileen. BASIC WORKSHOPS March 21-23: ESL, Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, Hickory, NC, led by Mary Ellen Hill. Contact Pastor John Whaley. johnw@srbconline.net March 22-23: EFL, Metrolina Baptist Association, Charlotte, NC, Led by Doris Edwards. Contact Gail Caraway. gailc@theedgeinstitute.org March 28-30: TCY, Mt. Zion Baptist Association, Burlington, NC, Led by Kathy Boyd. Contact Kathy Boyd. mtzionkathy@bellsouth.net April 12-13: ESL, Metrolina Baptist Association, Charlotte, NC, Led by Doris Edwards. Contact Gail Caraway. gailc@theedgeinstitute.org July 25-27: ESL, Raleigh Baptist Association, Raleigh, NC, Led by Glenda Reece. Contact Cindy Buffaloe. cindy@raleighbaptists.org ENGLISH LESSONS FROM THE BIBLE: BOOK OF MARK All of the English Lessons from the Bible: Book of Mark books are still readily available from Lifeway. Here is the URL that takes you directly to the correct page. You can copy this URL and paste it into the address line of your browser. http://www.lifeway.com/keyword/english+lessons+from+the+bible+book+of+mark An easier way is to go to Preston and Glenda Reece s website, ESLTS.COM and click on BOOKS. When you get to the BOOKS page, click on Lifeway.com at the very bottom of the page.
Page 6 NC Baptist Literacy Missions February 2013 NORTH CAROLINA LITERACY MISSIONS PRAYER REQUESTS * Our prayer is that every student, whatever the cultural background, will have the opportunity to learn English and hear the Gospel in a way they understand. We pray that every teacher, staff or volunteer will exemplify the life of Christ as they serve the students as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23) Bryan Wall, Calvary Baptist, Winston Salem * Cindy Canoy of First Baptist, Shelby, asks that we pray that more beginning students will attend their ESL ministry. * Pray that the Oakhurst Baptist Church in Charlotte will be able to successfully launch an ESL ministry in the coming weeks In addition to our Anglo ministry here, we have three distinct ethnic Christian congregations meeting in our facilities. I would be the founder and first instructor of this proposed ministry. Thanks, Tom Creech, Oakhurst Baptist, Charlotte * At a recent Fruitland Baptist Institute chapel service, I was the speaker, and my topic was Literacy missions with a special emphasis on TCY. Following the service two faculty members who are pastors in the Asheville-Hendersonville area, and one student expressed interest in a TCY Ministry. Please pray that God will work in these churches and that something good will materialize from this chapel service. Hoyle Edwards, First Baptist, Rutherfordton * Pray for Dr. Hilda Salazar who teaches Spanish at Campbell University and teaches a small group of Hispanic moms ESL at Baptist Fellowship of Angier. Dr. Irma Duke, Campbell University * Doris Edwards asks that we pray for God s protection of her husband, Marshall s health, while she leads a Beyond Our Borders EFL workshop, March 22-23 and an ESL workshop, April 12-13, cosponsored by the EDGE Institute and the Metrolina Association in Charlotte. Doris Edwards, Blowing Rock * Please pray for First Baptist Church of Kernersville as we are in the beginning stages of our ESL ministry and look forward to what God has in store. Alicia Turner, First Baptist, Kernersville * Pray for the two families of the children we serve in our TCY ministry. One family is facing uncertain health issues, and the other found church an uncertain territory. Pray also for our present and past tutors who are facing several challenges regarding personal health. May God s love shine through our service to Him! Charlotte Ann Allen, First Baptist, Elkin * Please pray for First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton, that we will be able to train some new people for a tutoring ministry. Most of the original tutors are no longer with us. Therefore, we haven't had a ministry for around three years now. There are four other churches near us. If I could bring an Atlanta Braves' pitcher up here, I believe he could throw a rock and hit each steeple. These include First United Methodist (next door), Rutherfordton Presbyterian (in the next block across the street), Second Baptist (no, they did not split off from First Baptist) and St. Francis Episcopal just down the hill from us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Holy Spirit touched some folk from each church and led us into a new ministry. Please join me in praying toward this endeavor and in the meantime I will be making some contacts in the churches. Sincerely, Hoyle Edwards, First Baptist, Rutherfordton
February 2013 NC Baptist Literacy Missions Page 7 PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR Welcome from Donnie & Pat Charlotte-Anne and Laurie Tom and Carla Hoyle Ivanna and Barbara Buzz It s all about the sessions and the music and the ministry Thanks to Charlotte-Anne Allen for many of the photos.