July-August 2009

THE WEST VIRGINIASOUTHERN BAPTISTJuly-Aug, 2009 VOL. 39, NO. 7

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

It would take the whole paper to describe the events surrounding the fl ood in the Gilbert-Mat-ewan area. The pictures here give only a glimpse of the destructive power of water and mud. The attitudes of those af-fected was tremendous, as

refl ected by the sign above. People worked for days cleaning up yards, homes, and businesses, before any outside help ar-rived.The congregation at Horsepen Baptist Church set to work immediately providing food, water, clothes, and shelter, to those in need. The congregation served over 10,000 meals from their church kitchen. The church building had been fl ooded, and their van washed away. When a pastor from Ohio heard about the van, he called his church and told them to put Horsepen’s name on a newly purchased van, instead of their own. Amazing Grace! Help came from the Army reserves, Na-tional Guard, coal companies, the depart-ment of transportation, The Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Southern Baptists. Feeding Units came from Tennessee and Virginia. Other workers came from Ohio, Missouri, South Carolina, New England, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Coal-fi elds, Greater Huntington, Pioneer, and Mountain State associations sent helpers.

in the fourth picture up, Delton Beall prays for Brian Warden [red shirt] and the Horsepen folk as they prepare meals.

see the car? mud-slides caused much damage

The West Virginia Southern Baptist2

THE WEST VIRGINIASOUTHERN BAPTIST

(USPS 097-990)

Greg Wrigley, Editorgregwrigley@wvcsb.org

Published ten times per year byThe West Virginia Convention

of Southern BaptistsNumber 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 PaidScott Depot, WV 25560

and additional mailing offi ces

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

The West Virginia Southern BaptistNumber One Mission Way

Scott Depot, WV 25560-9406

From the Executive Director:

The WVCSB is Building Strong Foundations for a Strong Future

We are focused on ministries thatBuild the Kingdom:

Missions and EvangelismPrayer and Spiritual Renewal

Communication and Public RelationsStrengthening Churches

Fellowship...Fulfi lling the Great Commission

Executive Director Terry Harper

Dear Friends:What a beautiful summer we are

having here in West Virginia! As I have traveled across our state this spring and early summer, it has been exciting to see the ways God is at work. We have several new church starts that are really exciting and it is thrilling to see what God is doing in them. We also see God at work in some of our established churches. It is so good to hear about how God is awakening some congregations to the work that He wants to do in and through them.

We have yet to see the revival that we are praying will come here to West Virginia, but we do see some little

pockets where God is at work. One area that I am excited about is Vacation Bible School. We have had more associations offer training this year and I believe more churches prepare for a great school. Southern Baptists realize that Bible School is still the largest single event for salvation decisions. I hope you are planning and preparing for decisions from Bible School. You must plan for them and then follow up on your plan. You should plan your decision service with your faculty and staff. Give some time and thought into your words for that service and how the Gospel will be clearly presented. As I said earlier, you must also plan for follow up. If possible, visit every home from which the children come who made decisions. Schedule a baptismal service for the very next week, if possible or as soon as is possible. Give a follow up phone call to each home to make sure that the child and their family can be present for the baptismal service. Come to that service really prepared. Make sure that you have an exciting sermon on the simple plan of salvation (as you will likely have several guests attending to see those being baptized).

Another important event that takes place in the summer is our conference for Pastors and church staff and their families. It is called Shepherding the Shepherd conference and it will be held at Pipestem State Park this year. Each pastor or staff member is urged to come and bring his wife and children. The children and youth will have separate sessions and it will be on their level. A group will lead the children’s age level classes from Cross Lanes Baptist Church. The youth will be under the direction of

Shay Osborne, our Southern Baptist campus minister at Marshall University.

Speakers for the adults will be Dr. and Mrs. John Sullivan. Dr. Sullivan is the Executive Director for the Florida Baptist Convention, with whom we have a partnership. He will speak in each session for the adults and she will speak twice to the ministers’ wives. Dr. Sullivan is a very seasoned and extremely gifted speaker. We will surely be blessed by his messages.

Likewise, Steven Freeman, a full-time evangelist from Virginia, will sing and also speak in each session. Steve was born with cerebral palsy and his parents were told that he likely would not live very long and they should simply make him as comfortable as possible. He did live and is quite a testimony as to God’s power. The CP did not affect his voice, but rather his back and legs. He has a diffi cult time walking and getting around. He has a great singing voice. He will be a wonderful blessing to all who attend. A Pastor and his entire family can attend the conference for only $35.00. In these diffi cult economic times, the conference is likely to fi ll up early, as there is limited housing and seating. Please send your deposit of $35.00 with a list of the children’s names and ages to Susan Carpenter at One Mission Way, Scott Depot, WV 25560. I hope to see many of you at Pipestem.

Let us continue to pray for revival. “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Sincerely,Terry L. HarperExecutive Director-Treasurer

And Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)-----Mark 6:31

July-August 2009 3

WVCSB CalendarWVCSB Calendar

July 3 - Offi ce Closed for Independence Day 4 - Independence Day 5 - Citizenship & Religious Liberty Sunday13-18 - Centrifuge26-27 - Missions Camp Orientation27-31 - Missions Camp

August 2 - Social Issues Sunday 8-9 - CGA Retreat 8-9 - Association Missionaries Retreat 9 - On Mission: Praying for Students10-12 - Shepherding the Shepherd15 - One Day Music Retreat16-22 - Church Music Emphasis Week29 - Foundation Directors Mtg

September 6 - Single Adult Sunday 7 - Labor Day (Offi ce Closed)12 - WVCSB Executive Bd Mtg13-20 - Week of Prayer for State Missions and Ola Cox Offering18-19 - WMU Offi cers’ Council18-19 - Men & Boys Retreat20 - Anti-Gambling Sunday21 - Discipleship Rally25 - WVCSB Nominating Committee & Committee on Committees26 - Multi-housing Ministry Training

October 2-3 - Single Adult Retreat 2-3 - Skills Sharpening Retreat 4 - On Mission: To Share the Gospel Sunday 8 - New Ministers Orientation11 - World Hunger Sunday

A Ministry Opportunitythrough Baptist Global Response (BGR)

In-Home Care Kit Project Maxine Bumgarner shares this information from the WMU and Baptist Global Response. Through BGR, Southern Baptists have the opportunity to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis and other life-ending diseases in Africa by providing In-Home Care Kits, which will include medical and hygiene supplies. Churches, groups, individuals are asked to assist caregivers with items to ease the suffering of those who are ill. “The In-Home Care Kit consists of a 5-gallon, heavy duty bucket with a sealable lid. … Items to be placed inside the buckets are pharmacy and health/beauty supplies; baby items, bedding, cleaning products, kitchen linens, as well as miscellaneous items such as drinking straws, Ziploc gallon bags, socks. Note: Please DO NOT just collect items without reading ALL the information and instructions you fi nd on the link below or the list your church received in the mail. You can fi nd complete information http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com, at bottom of the page click on In-Home Care Kit. Or for printed materials with all the information you need, call the state convention offi ce, 800/411-5758. After you have complete information and shopping instructions, consider leading your church or groups or individuals in your church to prepare one or more of the Home Care kits. The cost is about $100 per bucket. If you would like more information go to the website listed above and at the bottom of the page click on Home Care Kits or call the State Convention offi ce at 800/411-5758. Deliver the buckets to the state collection site, Cathedral of Prayer by August 21. The address for Cathedral of Prayer is 2326 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston, WV; church phone, 304/346-5903; pastor, Kevin Norvell, cell phone number is 304/533-6330. One other contact person is Carlos Morris, 304/344-8655 (home) or 304/419-1677 (cell). Directions to Cathedral of Prayer: From I-77/I-79 Use the Westmoreland/US119 Exit #102, stay straight to go onto Odell Ave. Turn RIGHT onto Westmoreland Drive/Westmoreland Road. Turn LEFT onto Bigley Avenue/US119, end atCathedral of Prayer on the RIGHT.

MEN AND BOYS RETREAT---SEPTEMBER 18-19, 2009CAMP CAESAR, Cowan, WV

“Living With Urgency”Guest Speaker: Craig Culbreth, Partnership Missions

Florida Baptist Convention--be looking for registration information in the mail or on the web--

The West Virginia Southern Baptist4

Hello dear Prayer Partners: We want to update you briefl y and ask for your prayers on the following. Tasha has been approved to work part time as an English teacher at the Woodlands school in Carrasco, Montevideo while a teacher is on maternity leave! This is the most "lost" neighborhood in all of Montevideo and possibly all of Uruguay. Please pray that God will use Tasha to faithfully serve the students and teachers and build relationships which will bear fruit. Please pray specifi -cally that we will be able to begin a house church from the relationships made through this school and that we might be able to start an evangelical Kids Club. Carrasco needs Jesus! Alejandra de Marzi, a faithful member of one of our churches, has offered to open her home to begin a new house church for those on her side of town. Please pray for this new group and that the Lord will work out confl icting schedules and other issues so this church will grow and produce more house churches. Please pray for a vendor named Marianella. Tasha had a spiritual conversa-tion with her and has invited her to one of our churches. She also has a 14-year-old son that we have invited to our home for a youth night. Please pray for the children and youth ministries as we seek to grow them spiritually and in number. Please pray that God will show us how to reach men in Montevideo. On the praise side: We thank the Lord for each of the people God has put in our path and for the opportunity to point them to Christ. Also, two of our friends from The Church on Rush Creek in Arlington, Texas came for a visit. This was a breath of fresh air for us. Thanks for fl ying down here, Marsha and Sharon! Tasha was invited to a mothers' luncheon with some of the Carrasco women and had a good time of fellowship. She hopes to build relationships with these moms. Keep praying!The kids continue to adjust well to their new lives in Uruguay. Thank you, God, for your tender mercies. We love and miss you all and pray for you, too. Thank you for your friendship and prayers! Love, Tasha and Henry, Hugh, Mark, and Elise

WEST VIRGINIANS SERVING WITH THE International Mission Board--UruguayYour giving through the Cooperative Program keeps the Clary’s and other West Virginians serving where God has called.

July-August 2009 5

This event is a ministry of the Cooperative Program and LifeWay Christian Resources.

Guest Choir DirectorTom Young

Guest LifeWay ClinicianStan Loyd

Guest Professional MusicianAdam Paul Williams

Guest SpeakerDick Howie,Immanuel Baptist Assn.

Singing and Fellowship, Music Reading Sessions, Choir Practice Sessions,Music Workshops, Concert, and Prizes.

Join us Saturday, August 15th from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Lunch Provided.

Registration Fee: $10.00 per PersonDeadline for Registration: July 25, 2009To Register: Return Registration Form to Randy Spurgeon, WVCSB, One Mission Way, Scott Depot, WV 25560or e-mail randyspurgeon@wvcsb.orgor call 1-800-411-5758, ext. 116 (Call for Group Discount)

2009 WVCSB One-Day Retreat for Music Directors,Accompanists and Choir Members.

Memorial Baptist ChurchBeckley, WVAugust 15th, 2009

The West Virginia Southern Baptist6

WEST VIRGINIANS RE-CEIVE DEGREES AT

SOUTHEASTERN SEMINARY’S SPRING

GRADUATION

WAKE FOREST, NC (May 22, 2009) – In a joint ceremony held in Binkley Chapel, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern celebrated the commencement of the spring 2009 semester by conferring degrees on 210 graduates. The graduates, who hail from 20 states and six foreign countries, celebrated their graduation exercises on Friday, May 22, as they earned certifi cates, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. There were 50 degrees conferred by the college, and the majority were conferred upon those earning advanced education degrees. Included in the graduating class were four students from West Virginia. Scott Randolph of Clarksburg graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and History. The College at Southeastern also awarded the Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies Glenn Franklin Stewart of Shady Spring. Stewart also earned a Master of Divinity with International Church Planting degree. Graduating with a Master of Arts in Christian Studies was Kevin Roy Cox of Bluefi eld. Graduating with a Master of Divinity with Pastoral Ministry was Stephen Arthur Hughes of Summersville.

LOOKING FOR AN ADVEN-TURESOME MISSION TRIP?? The international Baptist Church of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Af-rica, is seeking a pastor. The church was started by Southern Baptists in the 1970’s. The church ministers to English speaking people in this city of 4 million people. Contact the pastor search commit-tee chairman, David Miller, at tanza-niamillers@gmail.com.

July-August 2009 7

LOTTIE MOON OFFER-ING FALLS SHORT OF

GOALTOTALS 141 MILLION

FOR 2008

By Shawn Hendricks RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—Despite fi nancial hardships caused by the economic downturn, Southern Baptists gave $141 million to support the work of missionaries through the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. But the total, which fell nearly $30 million short of the $170 million goal, is not enough to fund many of those who are ready to go. The $30 million shortfall is equivalent to what it costs to support the work of approximately 667 international missionaries for a year. The fi nal fi gure for the 2008 offering is $141,315,110.24, which is more than $9 million below of the record 2007 offering of $150.4 million. “We are grateful that in these diffi cult economic times Southern Baptists displayed amazing generosity in giving $141 million to the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” said Jerry Rankin, International Mission Board president. “When many families are hurting fi nancially and churches are experiencing a decline in giving, faithfulness to the support of the International Mission Board refl ects the high priority given to global missions and our responsibility to reach a lost world for Jesus Christ.” The fi nal offering results follow a May 19-20 IMB trustee meeting in Denver, where trustees approved the suspension of new appointments to the International Service Corps and Masters programs. They also approved reducing the number of new appointments to the career, apprentice, associate and journeyman programs. New appointments will continue on a more selective basis, involving the most strategic assignments. One hundred percent of the Lottie Moon offering goes to the International Mission Board’s overseas budget

to support missionary work. The IMB spends 71 percent of its total budget, including a major portion of funds received from the Cooperative Program, on missionary support. That percentage includes salary, housing, medical care and children’s education. It averages approximately $43,000 annually per missionary. By the end of 2010, the IMB’s missionary force of 5,656 is expected to fall to a level “compatible with fi nancial resources,” said Rankin. The reduction will occur through retirements and completion of service. “We will not be able to replace short-term personnel completing their assignments and will have to restrict the number of new personnel that can be appointed,” he added. Just a year ago, the IMB celebrated the offering hitting a historic mark. Cumulative gifts to the offering, which was initiated by the Woman’s Missionary Union in 1888, topped $3 billion. "We are grateful for the sacrifi cial giving of Southern Baptists to missions,” said Wanda Lee, executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union. “This year's giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering may be more sacrifi cial for some than ever before considering the level of unemployment and loss of income experienced by many in our churches. And yet, Christ's command to go into all the world compels us to give in support of our missionaries during these challenging times. “I believe if we keep our hearts focused on the mandate of the Great Commission, God will be faithful in providing the people and fi nancial resources needed to reach a world desperately in need of the hope found in Christ." In November 2008, IMB trustees adopted a $319.8 million budget for 2009 — $10 million of which was earmarked to offset the rising cost of support for the missionaries already on the fi eld. The 2009 budget made no provision for an increase in the number of missionaries, which rose to more than 5,400 at the beginning of the year.

Though the number of Southern Baptists who want to go — and are qualifi ed — keeps growing, there are not enough funds to support them. With the growing number of job losses and the decline in fi nancial markets, David Steverson, IMB treasurer, said the organization’s situation could have been far worse. “When you consider the number of our constituency who have lost jobs and are directly affected by this economy,” Steverson adds, “we are grateful that the offering experienced only a 6 percent decline.” That translates into the largest dollar decrease in the history of the offering Rankin said the opportunity has never been greater to take those resources to a lost world, and the stakes have never been higher. “Never before have we seen such unprecedented response to the Gospel and opportunity to disciple the nations,” he said. “God is moving through global events to open opportunities to share the Gospel as never before.” According to the 2008 IMB Annual Statistical Report, 565,967 people were baptized, and 26,970 churches were started overseas through IMB missionaries and their Baptist partners. The Gospel also was shared among more than 1,190 people groups — 100 of these groups heard about Jesus for the fi rst time. “We need to realize that God has blessed Southern Baptists with numbers and resources to be His instrument to fulfi ll His mission to the ends of the earth,” Rankin continued. “One day we will stand accountable to Him for how we have used our resources. “It breaks my heart that God-called people want to go — and millions need to hear the Gospel message from them — yet we don’t have the funds to send them. I pray this situation will convict our hearts and challenge His people to do whatever it takes to get the Gospel to the whole world.” To learn more about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, visit imb.org/main/give.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist8

It’s summer. School’s out, families are on vacation and many of our students across the state are still excited and relieved that they just graduated high school. So is anyone thinking about school right now? No doubt those students who are anticipating going off to a college or university are thinking about it. They’re either excited or scared to death…or maybe a little of both. For many students who are heading off to college, whether fi rst-time or returning students, one of the main things on their minds is campus life. Unfortunately for many, campus “living”means living it up according to the traditions, expectations and vices of worldly pleasures. These behaviors are contrary to the character and wisdom demanded by God in His Word. Sadly, even many students who have grown up in Christian homes and been involved in church-related activities are not immune to the temptations and vices of college life.

Meet another group of people who also have their minds on the start of school this August. Our campus missionaries understand the culture of college students and are striving to make disciples of Jesus Christ by going, engaging, witnessing, and teaching the commands of Christ. With a fi rm understanding of what REAL campus living can be when Christ is Lord and lives are focused on glorifying God, these campus missionaries are great catalysts for seeing positive spiritual change take place around the state.

Our campus missionaries are gearing up for a new school year full of new opportunities to impact students and completing the task of making disciples on our college campuses. Their desire is to help students grow spiritually and serve Christ both through these campus ministries as well as through involvement in a local church. But they need your partnership. Here’s how you can get involved:

• PRAY continuously for these missionaries, their campuses, and the students they will impact. • INFORM us of any student(s) you know who will be attending WVU, Marshall, Concord, Potomac State, Mountain State, University of Charleston, WV State or WV Tech. Please send the student’s name, email address, home address, and home phone or cell phone number to one or more of the contacts listed below. • COMMUNICATE with students the great potential for growth and service in Christ that exists in participating in a campus ministry group.• ADOPT one of our campus ministry groups in order to encourage the leaders and students and support them in their ministry needs. • LOVE students by continuing to communicate with them and blessing them with care packages (who wouldn’t want a package fi lled with homemade cookies?). Most importantly, look for opportunities to love students into the church by sharing Christ with them and discipling them, too.

Each of the campuses listed above either currently has or will soon have a Southern Baptist campus missionary and/or ministry group on them. Too often our own upcoming Southern Baptist freshmen are unaware of the ministry that we have at their campus. Thank you for partnering to make Christ known at…

…WVU and Potomac State (send information to Michel Boyer, P.O. Box 437, Morgantown, WV 26507 or michel@wvumcm.org) [left]

…Marshall (send information to Shay Osborne, 2914 Park Avenue, Huntington, WV 25704 or shaycollides@gmail.com) [right]

…University of Charleston, WVSU and WV Tech (send information to Luke Phillips at lphillips3@liberty.edu) [below left]

…Concord and Mountain State (send information to Jimmy Bledsoe, One Mission Way, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or jimmybledsoe@wvcsb.org

OUR CAMPUS MISSIONARIES PREPARING FOR NEW YEARby Jimmy Bledsoe, WVCSB Evangelism and Student Ministry Director

The work of our campus missionaries is made possible by Southern Baptists giving through the Cooperative Program. Our campus missionaries have the opportunity to present the gospel and the claims of Christ to more than 40,000 college students each year.

July-August 2009 9

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.

West Virginia Prayer Focus

DateJuly 6July 7July 8July 9July 10July 13July 14July 15July 16July 17July 20July 21July 22July 23July 24July 27July 28July 29July 30July 31Aug. 3Aug. 4Aug. 5Aug. 6Aug. 7Aug. 10Aug. 11Aug. 12Aug. 13Aug. 14Aug. 17Aug. 18Aug. 19Aug. 20Aug. 21Aug. 24Aug. 25Aug. 26Aug. 27Aug. 28

AssociationPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac Highland

CampusConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateCharleston AreaConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateCharleston AreaConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateCharleston AreaConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateCharleston AreaConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateCharleston AreaConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateCharleston AreaMarshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.WVU MorgantownBluefi eld State

ChurchMountaineerMt. CalvaryMt. HermonNehemiahNeibertNettieNew BeginningsNew Covenant FellowshipNew CreekNew Day, Fort AshbyNew Hope, Rock CaveNew Hope, MadisonNew Hope TabernacleNew Life, CowenNew Life, WestonNew RichmondNew RiverNorth CharlestonNorth ForkNorthgateOld FieldsOpen Door, ColliersPetersburg So.PeytonaPineville So.PipestemReal Life, WestonRestoration FellowshipRiverside, Bluefi eldRiverview, WellsburgRiverwood, St. AlbansRowlesburgRyerson South WheelingSecond, KeyserSecond, MartinsburgShawneeShrewsburySilver SpringsSouth BerkeleySo. Bapt. Fellowship, Elizabeth

ChapelCenterpointeChinese MissionThe Church at MartinsburgCrossroads, Birch RiverFaith, Winfi eldFaith Fellowship, AthensFreedom, CharlestonFriendlyGateway, PeytonaGlade CommunityHarborLightHarvest TimeHighland Faith FellowshipHope, RichwoodThe JourneyLifesong Lighthouse, IvydaleLiving RiverMarland HeightsNew Life, ArnoldsburgNew VisionOak CreekSolid RockSouth WheelingAbundant HopeThe BridgeCarpendaleCenterpointe, HurricaneChinese MissionThe Church at MartinsburgCrossroads, Birch RiverFaith, Winfi eldFaith Fellowship, AthensFreedom, CharlestonFriendlyGateway, PeytonaGlade CommunityHarborLightHarvest TimeHighland Faith Fellowship

New Work: Real Life Church in Weston is this month’s prayer focus. Rick Brown is the church planter. This growing congregation is about two years old. Pastor Brown asks for prayer for the following: 1) Personal and congregational fi nances. 2) the possibility of add-ing a third service on Friday or Saturday evenings to accommodate their growing attendances. 3) A conference in November with Jim Thurber. 4) The possible partnership to plant a church in Charles Pointe outside of Bridgeport.

Church Planting: Church planting is pushing back the darkness of sin, evil, satan, leaving our church planters on the front lines of spiritual warfare: This month focus your prayers on some of the enemies of those on the front line. A few of the enemies are listed here along with Scriptures to use as you pray: Fear (1 John 4:18; Romans 8:31-39); discouragement (Romans 15:13; Gal. 6:8); spiritual laziness (1 Cor. 15:58); hopelessness (1 Cor. 1:3-4); worry (Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6-10); purity (1 Thes. 4:3; 1 Cor. 6:19-20); and stress (2 Cor. 1:3)

Scripture: Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our affl ictions, because we know that affl iction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5, HCSB)

Ministry Focus: Call2Fall is a call for churches, groups, individuals to get on our knees and faces before the Lord in repentant prayer for God to reshape our lives and renew our land. Pastors are encouraged to set aside a time for churches to experience Call 2 Fall corporately.

Weekend Prayer Focus: Prayerwalk your neighborhood, asking for prayer requests for which your family can pray.Resource: Called & Accountable a 52-week Devotional by Henry & Norman Blackaby with Dana Blackaby, $14.99 New Hope Publish-ers. Can be purchased from WMUstore.com.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist10

News from West Virginia ChurchesAbundant Hope Baptist Church

in Barboursville is rejoicing over three folks who recently came to know the Lord as personal Savior. The church had a Block Party for the community and were able to register 99 children for follow up visits. The ladies of the church are holding a weekly Zumba class. Paul Harris serves as pastor.

Lots of renovations have taken place at Eastwood Baptist. The teens have painted their new room, Pastor Brady Lipscomb has a new offi ce, and there’s a new choir room. A new ladies Sunday School class has begun, as well as a new exercise class called Stretch Your Faith.

Locust Grove Baptist has started a bi-weekly exercise class. Mrs. Irene Weisberg Zisblatt, a Holocaust survivor, was a recent guest speaker. Revival services were held May 31-June 3, with George Watts preaching. Randall Robertson is the pastor.

Twentieth Street Baptist received one new member by letter. The annual Youth Retreat was well attended. Shay Osborne from Revolution Ministries at Marshall University was the speaker for the retreat, at which one young lady accepted Christ as her Savior. David Smith is pastor.

Faith Baptist Church in Mason, where Ron Branch is pastor, has initiated F.U.N. (Family Unity Nights). Members brought in their favorite board games and enjoyed an evening of fellowship and snacks for a family game night. The second event was a talent show.

Southside Baptist, Parkersburg, held revival services with Bill Barker, Director of Appalachian Regional Ministries, preaching. The church has been able to purchase the property adjoining them for expansion. Two baptisms were celebrated recently. Paul Drake is pastor.

Fairlawn Baptist, Parkersburg, has a new Student Pastor, Joel Owen. Joel and Holly Roush are planning an August 8 wedding. Greg Varndell is the senior pastor.

Calvary Baptist, Belington, is rejoicing that one person accepted Jesus and six others joined the church recently. Jesse Mesa is the pastor.

Church of the Good Shepherd held revival services in May with “Cowboy Dave” Brown of Philippi preaching.

Sonny Palmer pastors the church.Members of Evangel Baptist in

Bridgeport are participating in a program called Faith Comes by Hearing. For $20 they received a MP3 player and the entire New Testament on a disk. Pastor Jeff Ramsey has challenged them to complete the NT in 40 days by listening just 28 minutes each day.

Retired SBC missionaries to Tanzania, Ralph and Vivian Boyle, spoke in two churches in the Monongahela Baptist Association, First Southern in Fairmont, and Church of the Good Shepherd.

Men from Freedom Baptist, Nutter Fort, prepared hamburgers and hotdogs for the annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. Several women shared lessons they learned from their mothers. Many friends and family members attended the event. Jim Sanders is the pastor.

Kingwood Baptist held revival services jointly with Mountaineer Baptist in May with evangelist Tom Wagoner from Dunn, NC. Kingwood’s Brotherhood hosted a churchwide picnic and evening sing/vesper service at a community park. Marty Turner is the pastor at Mountaineer.

New Life Baptist in Weston, where Dave Riddle is pastor, is blessed to have missionaries, Hayden and Michelle Lewis of Florida, with them until mid-July. They will be teaching a class on parenting, which is designed to reach the heart of children for the Lord.

Real Life Church participated in a picnic sponsored by the Lewis County Christian Alliance at Jackson’s Mill. Rick Brown pastors the church at Weston.

Wayside Baptist, Buckhannon, has begun a support group and ministry to those who are grieving. They will also participate in the Relay for Life. Don Knotts is the pastor.

The Youth in Action from Berkeley Baptist joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from Berkeley Springs High School to sponsor a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Warm Springs Middle School. More than 50 students participated, along with parents and other adults. Lunch was served and the four winning teams received YIA/FCA t-shirts. FCA Director Kevin Smoot have a testimony of the life and

death of major league baseball pitcher Aaron Adirondack, who was raised in Williamsport, MD. Berkeley’s Family Life Center was the site of a free concert by Larry Delawder of Branson, MO. Jim Casey is serving as transition pastor.

Hedgesville Baptist, Scott Sheets pastor, ordained Jerry Godwin as Associate Pastor and Bill Frazier as deacon.

Blackwolf Baptist was blessed with two new members and the baptism of two. Chuck Crabtree is pastor.

Burke Memorial has paid off their debt - 14 years early! Butch Honaker is the pastor.

Mark McAllister retired as pastor of North Fork Baptist Church at the end of June. In “retirement” he will help start a new work in Petersburg. The new congregation had its fi rst meeting on June 7, 2009. About forty people were present. The name of the new work is Living Hope Baptist Church. Potomac Highlands Association. Don Ertel is the Association Missionary.

Jim and Grace Davis report that Harbor Light’s fi rst summer missionary will be with them this summer [Oceana, Coalfi elds Association]. Sarah Wood came to Oceana last year and felt she needed to come back to the area. She was appointed to serve by the North American Mission Board as a summer missionary to work with the Davis’. The church is planning their fi rst out-of- state mission trip this summer, too. The Davis’ are taking seven of their youth to Georgia and South Carolina.

John Schultz (top left), Jesse Nott, Kelsey Roach (bottom left), and Kamille Bonecutter, led the youth day worship services at Jackson Avenue Baptist Church, Point Pleasant. Joe Nott is Pastor; Immanuel Association.

CROSS LANESNCBC 50TH

July-August 2009 11

News from West Virginia Churches

TRI-COUNTY HASFAMILY LIFE CONFERENCE

On May 9, the TCBA held a Family Life Conference at South Berkeley Baptist Church. The conference ended that afternoon with an old-fashioned hymn sing. Dr. Jim Scott Orrick from Boyce College led the conference. In the picture above (L to R) are Dr. Orrick, Don Chandler, Karen Tomlinson (TCBA Family Life Coordinator), and Frank Pilcher, Association Missionary, Tri-County.

RIVERVIEW BAPTIST CHAPELHOLDS GRADUATON

On June 7th, 2009, Riverview held a ceremony for their members who were graduating from North Carolina College of Theology. These students have taken seminary extension classes at Riverview and now have received their degree. These students have worked long and hard for this day. There were 190 people in attendance for the service. Dr. Dennis Benton, from the North Carolina school, brought the message. After the ceremony, the congregation enjoyed a covered dish dinner. The church will host classes again this fall. Contact Lawrence Kimball at 304-797-1556, or at 304-737-2399, for information. Pictured above are (back row, left to right) Jerome Anderson, Lawrence Kimball, Dick Ryan, John Weslin, Dr. Dennis Benton. On the front row, left to right, are Judi Baldwin, Judy Colley, Steve Poling, Bob Casto.

Editor’s note: Kyle Rainey had the opportunity to travel with Cross Lanes Baptist Church on their March 2009 mission trip to Jamaica. Kyle recently graduated from Nitro High School. Kyle sent this report, along with some pictures. I'm writing you a summary of my trip to Jamaica with CLBC. First though, I would like to thank everyone involved in getting me the fi nancial aid I needed for this trip. I could not have gone on the trip without your fi nancial help, and I had a wonderful time doing God's work and having that experience. After arriving in Montego Bay we drove an hour or two and arrived at H'Evans Scent, where we stayed all week. I roomed with Brandon Carter, and during the week we ran Bible schools. The housing and food was excellent, but the best part for me was the people. I learned so much from the deacons from my church that went along, and by seeing their faithfulness and love of serving the Lord challenged me on many levels. The trip as a whole was a huge encourager to me. It not only reassured to me the power of showing God's love, but it showed me fi rst-hand the power of prayer.

Yes, while it was snowing and below freezing temperatures in West Virginia, Brandon Carter took the mission team to the 80 degree ocean. (bottom left)

(top right) Kyle with two of his new friends.

(right) the mission team gets ready for the week’s work

KYLE RAINEY TRAVELS TO JAMAICA WITH CROSS LANES MISSION TEAM

(above) Delton Beall stands with sixteen people from Greater Huntington Association who completed Disaster Relief training on June 6.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist

EVERYBODY HAS A STORY.A long, long time ago—well maybe more like 30 years ago—Centrifuge began on a warm summer day. But the REAL story starts with God and when it’s all said and done it will end with God. And every day in between Centrifuge will be busy making a place for students to add their chapter to this life-changing story.

Centrifuge staffers get a kick out of helping students KNOW God. They work really hard to show them what it means to OWN their faith because in the end they hope students will make their faith KNOWN. Using small-group Bible study, team-building recreation, special interest track times, and powerful worship, Centrifuge has figured out what works when it comes to creating an environment for life-change. That’s why this year’s theme for Centrifuge is “A Life-Changing Story.” Centrifuge is scheduled for July 13-18 at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon.

WVCSB wants West Virginia students to have their lives changed by the power of God’s story! And God has blessed us with the ability, once again, to offset the cost of the camp by providing 120 scholarships for students. Churches from across our state quickly jumped on this opportunity to see their students impacted. Although the scholarships have been claimed, there is still time to register. But time is running out on adding your chapter to the story! Registration information can be found at www.fuge.com or you can call 1.877.226.7123.

TIME TO REGISTER IS RUNNING OUT! ACT NOW!

WANT TO GO ON AMISSION TRIP?

Need a place to go on a mission trip this summer? Greg Wrigley is leading a trip to Tyrone, Pennsylvania, July 18-25. The team will be working with Emmanuel Baptist Church. The West Virginia team will assist with a Kid’s Camp. Other activities may include some service projects in the town or around the church building. The team will assist with an outdoor worship service, a movie night, and maybe a guitar hero contest. Housing will be in the church building. Some meals may be provided. Total cost to go will be about $100. Space is limited to 30 people. More information can be found on the web site at www.wvcsb.org. Or you can call Wrigley at the convention offi ce, 304-757-0944, ext 118, or email him at gregwrigley@wvcsb.org

Editor’s note: This news comes to us from Richard and Suzanna Hanham. Suzanna grew up in Wyoming County, in the town of Oceana. Your Cooperative Program giving makes it possible for them to serve overseas. Just a quick note to let everyone know we arrived safely. Our trip began with our fi rst fl ight (Evansville to Chicago) being cancelled due to severe thunderstorms. However, it was a blessing in disguise. We were re-routed through Atlanta then non-stop to our destination (instead of having to switch planes in London). We actually saved time and money! God has an amazing way of working! Needless to say, we were extremely tired last night. We struggled to stay awake so we could adjust to the big time difference and sleep at night. We’re about 10 hours later than ET. We’re staying in a guesthouse until Saturday. Tomorrow (Friday) is Sabbath here. We’ll attend house church in the home of a woman who came with a welcoming committee yesterday. They came to have prayer with us, and that was a blessing. We’ll see our apartment today and buy supplies; we move in Saturday. Sunday we begin language school. Internet connection at this guesthouse is good, but we don’t know how it will be at our apartment. It is extremely hot and humid. Electricity gets cut off as demand increases. That happened 3 or 4 times yesterday evening and last night. We have a busy day ahead, and I must go. We’ll keep in touch as we’re able and are anxious to hear from you. Thanks for your prayers; please continue them!

WYOMING COUNTY GIRL HASOPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OVERSEAS