Charity&ChildrenAnd now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina

11/15_________________ 128/10_________________

BCH introduces new websites. (page 3) Transitional living program helps teens prepare for world. (page 6)

We got this!

Making a difference in the lives of aging adults.

[ “Friends are safe harbors when storms blow.” – Blackwell }[ “NCBAM has proven to be a fantastic investment!” – Butler }

Putting thestory in yourhands!Connect with BCHthrough the newmobile-friendlyBCH Blog atwww.bchblog.org

Read more on page 3.

BCH’s Annual Week of PrayerNOVEMBER 15-22, 2015

See the daily prayer guide on page 4.

PRAYSee page 8.

Sharing Hope...Changing Lives Campaign at www.bchfamily.org/campaign____________________________________________________________________

2 11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10

This column is thethird in a series of lessons learned andinsights about how to balance the needfor security with the ability to live exuberant lives with confidence and freedom.

Benjamin Franklinsaid, “Those who surrender freedom for security will nothave, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Exuberant Living Part 3By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; Jim Edminson, editor (wjedminson@bchfamily.org); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org); Marcia Housand, account clerk. Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes. It is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC and mailed by Excalibur,Winston-Salem, NC. Circulation: 62,000 seven times a year, 30,000 four times a year. Periodicals postage paid at Thomasville, NC, and at additional mailing offices. For free subscription or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction orchange, use the above address and write to Attn: Circulation Manager, send an email to address@bchfamily.org or call at 336-474-1209. Subscribe online at www.bchfamily.org/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

Vision: sharing hope . . . changing lives

Mission: To provide the highest quality

of Christian services to children, adults

and families in a caring culture of

measurable excellence

odney Brooks, Washington Post columnist, compiled a financial

preparation list from financial advisers and retirement experts he consulted:

Do a budget. It’s important to knowwhere money is coming from and whereit’s going.

Make extra payments on your mortgage and car. If you are 55 and worried about losing your job at 60, makeadditional mortgage payments. Try to payyour house off in seven years so when youare without work, that biggest budget itemis no longer a worry.

The more debt you can shed, the betteroff you will be. If you currently have twoincomes in your family, ask yourself whereyou would be if you suddenly had onlyone.

Boost your emergency savings.Pay yourself first and try to build up six months of cash reserve. If you can con-tribute to a Roth IRA do so. Principal dol-lars can be pulled out at any time after youreach 59, so it is a good emergency pool.

Have a plan. One counselor had clientswith a long-term plan to move to Arizonaupon retirement. Then the husband sud-denly lost his job. They re-evaluated whatSocial Security would be, what their pension would provide, what they couldsell their home for, and what their dreamhouse in Arizona would cost. It turned outthey could go right now. Because they hadbeen planning for years, the sudden loss of his job did not derail their dreams.

Consider disability insurance. It isimportant to protect your ability to earn a living. While Brooks’ consultants encour-age you to consider buying long-term care

insurance for your parents if they can’t afford it, the price of that coverage hasgone so high that few companies even offer it anymore.

Keep your skills current and your resume up to date. Stay active in yourprofessional networks. You may also loweryour expectations for salary and benefits if you do land another job. People over 50 separated from their jobs often find it nearly impossible to find similar jobsand salaries.

A friend who is 62 recently lost her job.The outplacement counselor her companyprovided told her not to waste her time ather age looking for a job online or fillingout applications.

“You will get a new job through connections you’ve made during your career,” he told her. He was right and she had new work within the week.

Nurture your connections. They can provide you security in a constantlyshifting landscape. If you don’t cultivatethem, you may die an early, lonely death.

It’s easier now than ever to cultivateconnections and relationships. We haveemail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, video conferencing. Goodness, peoplecarry a phone in their pockets that makesthem accessible around the clock to anyonein the world.

Friends are safe harbors when stormsblow. Even the friends of the biblical character Job sat by him during his worsttroubles. Sure, they urged him to curseGod and die, but at least they were there!Remember, if you’ve climbed over them on the way up, you’re going to drop bythem on your way down.

Dangerous yearsHealthy lifestyles researcher Dan

Buettner delivered a 2009 TED Talk onhis findings among people in certain areasof the world who tend to live inordinatelylong, healthy lives. He said, “The twomost dangerous years of your life are theyear you’re born and the year you retire.”

The first one, you can understand. But, the year you retire?

Buettner found several areas in theworld – what he called Blue Zones – withthe longest disability-free life expectancy.One was Okinawa where people commonlylive past 100 and are physically capable,fully alert and involved in the worldaround them. They garden, play with their great, great grandchildren and when they die it is generally quickly and in their sleep.

According to Craig Weller, writingabout this in his blog for Barefoot Fitness,Okinawans don’t have a word for retire-ment. Instead, they use the term Ikigaiwhich roughly translated means “passion”or “reason for living.”

The Ikigai for a 102-year-old karatemaster was to teach his martial art. For a100-year-old fisherman, it was to continuebringing fish back from the sea to his family three days per week. A 102-year-oldwoman’s Ikigai was to spend time with her great, great, great granddaughter.

In addition to diet and staying active,their passion kept them alive. They hadsomething to rise and shine for every day.And it wasn’t necessarily what they wouldcall their “work.”

Safety and security? Find it in livingprudently, eating well and followingyour passion.

R

Don’t

To be secure, you need to be prepared.

Creating connections between its ministries and its audience is vital for

Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH). The initialpoint of contact with an individual or family inneed of the ministry’s myriad of services maycome from a phone call, through a church, orwhen a person reads Charity & Children for the first time.

Today, that first connection is likely to occurthrough the click of a computer mouse or on the touch screen of a smartphone or tablet. It’sfor this reason that BCH has created an array of new websites in order to best connect with a 21st century audience.

“It is our goal that when a need arises it is as easy as possible to find BCH and connect withour statewide services as quickly as possible,” said BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell.“The new website initiative expands our onlinepresence and increases the touch points betweenour ministry and those who need it.”

BCH’s Development and Communicationsdepartment has led the initiative creating websites that are specific to the organization’s locations and services throughout the state.

“Last year, we redesigned BCH’s main website, www.bchfamily.org, which serves as the central hub of information and resources regarding all aspects of the ministry,” said BCHdirector of communications Blake Ragsdale.“Our additional websites are branches of that website allowing us to focus on the uniqueness of each area and service.”

Websites created for BCH’s residential locations so far include Kennedy Home(www.kennedyhome.org), Odum Home

(www.odumhome.org), Cameron Boys Camp(www.cameronboyscamp.org), and Camp Duncan(www.campduncanNC.org).

“So many people recognize Baptist Children’sHomes by the name of our different locations,”said BCH director of marketing and public relations Tabitha Ward. “If someone searches the internet specifically for Kennedy Home in Kinston, that person is now able to find usthrough the campus’ distinct website as well as the main BCH site.

“This is particularly important if the personsearching for us needs help and wants to make a referral.”

BCH receives referrals for services from a variety of sources including Department of Social Services, pastors, schools, and even families

themselves. The ability to make a referral electronically is available on every BCH website.A visitor fills out a simple online referral formwhich is submitted through the website and is received by BCH staff members.

“There are people in the eastern part of the state who know Baptist Children’s Homesthrough the Kennedy Home name just as peoplein southeastern North Carolina who know usfirst by our Pembroke location, Odum Home,”Ward explained. “It’s about creating multiple avenues of connection no matter how someoneknows us.”

One of the strongest ways BCH connects with families, friends and supporters is throughits stories highlighting the successes of the children and families. The new BCH Blog,www.bchblog.org, was launched in September to share stories with a tech-savvy audience.

“Telling the BCH story is more importanttoday than ever before,” said Blackwell. “TheBCH Blog gives us a modern platform for putting the story, literally, in the hands of a new generation of friends.”

The BCH Blog is optimized for mobile devices, such as smartphones, so that website visitors can easily read stories on their handhelddevices. The blog is story focused providing another means of reading the articles that are featured each month in Charity & Children.

“The stories shared in Charity & Childrenevery month make a powerful connection in thehearts and minds of readers, and the BCH Blogensures that these stories of hope reach an ever-growing digital audience,” Blackwell explained.

More mobile-friendly websites encompassingthe BCH ministry and its numerous locations arein the works. Stay tuned!

President/CEO Michael C. Blackwell reviews Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) main website and the BCH Blog, theministry’s newest online platform. The mobile-friendly blog is focused on making BCH’s success stories available to read-

ers on traditional computers as well as smartphones and tablets. It is one of many new BCH websites that are a part of a growing initiative to enhance connection between the organization and its audience. Left to right, Blake Ragsdale, BCH

Director of Communications, Blackwell and Tabitha Ward, BCH Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Read BCH’s stories on the new blog — www.bchblog.org

Boys and girls from BCH’s two wildernesscamps, Cameron Boys Camp and Camp

Duncan for Girls, were invited to appear on stagewith contemporary Christian musician TobyMacand his band DiverseCity while they performedtheir song “Me Without You” during ChristianMusic Day on September 26 at Carowinds inCharlotte.

Each summer, TobyMac and his bandmatesare a part of the national Fellowship of ChristianAthlete’s annual Junior Golf Camp in SouthernPines, which is located in the same county asboth of BCH’s camps. Cameron Boys Camp director Stephen Ashton met the band at a small

concert during the week of the golf camp.Through that initial connection, the band has formed a bond with the campers and staffmembers.

TobyMac reachesout to Campers__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10 3

[ NEW BCH WEBSITES }

Websites offerways to connect ___________________________________________________

Christian musician TobyMac is surrounded by the girls and boys of BCH’s wilderness camping programs, Camp

Duncan for Girls and Cameron Boys Camp. The performeroutreached to the group at Carowinds in Charlotte.

Iam inspired every time I watch the publicservice commercial sponsored by the Founda-

tion for a Better Life entitled Special Athlete. Thespot highlights a group of athletes with disabili-ties. Each one prepares to run with tremendousenthusiasm. You can see their excitement as theyline up at the starting line. The announcer callsout, “On your mark, get set . . .” The startingpistol fires resounding throughout the stadium.

One runner takes the lead. Dashing to the finish line, he stumbles and falls. The other runners pass him and then one looks back. Shereaches back for him with such understandingand compassion on her face. The other runnerscome back, helping the fallen runner to his feetand then they join arms. Together they cross the finish line arm in arm.

The crowd rises to its feet. Each spectator is touched by what has been witnessed, under-standing there is something more importantthan winning. The remarkable song Get Back Upby Christian artist TobyMac (see TobyMac arti-cle on page 3) plays in the background. What a message of hope and good sportsmanship.

I’m reminded of the scripture, Ecclesiastes 4:10: “For if they fall,the one will lift up his fellow: butwoe to him that is alone when hefalleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

Every day, we serve childrenwho have fallen beneath the burdens of their lives, childrenwho have been abused, neglected,abandoned, emotionally orphaned,and starved. Their worlds areworlds of trauma. There are fami-lies struggling to find their waysout of crisis. At Baptist Children’sHomes (BCH), we stand ready to reach out and help pick themup. Because of your support, weare able to share how darkness canbe overcome by the light of Jesus.

We can identify with the runnerwhose friends helped him to thefinish line. We remember the times we havefallen: physically, spiritually and emotionally. We know the feeling of hope experienced when a hand reaches out to us. This Thanksgiving,give thanks to God for carrying you through the difficult times and for placing others to help pick you up.

As BCH family gathers together during the upcoming holidays, we offer thanks to Godfor each child, each family, each individual Godhas allowed us the privilege to care for this year.

We give thanks forYOU who join usarm in arm to help the“least of these” get upand finish the race.

Hearing your cheers of encouragement, likethose in the videocheering from thestands, warms our hearts and helps fuelour passion. Knowing you are prayerfullylifting us up girds us to tackle the many challenges we face each day.

As you gather on Thanksgiving andChristmas with your families, remember thosewho turn to us for hope. Remember staff members who are absent from their families so they can care for those entrusted to us. Remember, you are part of a bigger family reaching across NorthCarolina – a family who joins you to help share God’s love with the thousands who turn toBCH every year.

Founder of BlackabyMinistries International,

influentialpastor and authorHenry Blackaby challenged the read-ers of ExperiencingGod: Knowing andDoing the Will of Godwith this message:“Find out whereGod is at work andjoin Him there.”

We thank each of you who have followed God’s calling to care forhurting children and have joined us at BCH. Don’t keepthe joy of giving forchildren and families

to yourself. Share the joy with your family and friends. Invite them to join you in this special ministry.I invite you to pray:

Pray for our staff who have followed God’scalling on their lives.

Pray for the resources needed to care for the thousands we serve.

Pray for God’s guidance on how to be involved through your gifts

of prayer, timeand resources.

I invite you togive and encour-

age others to give:Give a gift

this Thanksgiving in honor or in memory

of someone who once helped to pick you up and encourage you.

Encourage your church to give sacrificially to BCH’s Annual Offering, also known as theThanksgiving Offering. These gifts are critical!

Provide Christmas for a child or a cottage of residents.

Volunteer with BCH or NCBAM. There are work projects on every campus and manyfrail aging who need a hand. Volunteer to be anambassador for BCH in your church or Baptistassociation. At this time we have renovationneeds which total more than $3 million. Con-sider giving your time and resources. In-kindgifts are greatly needed and appreciated. Let’s join arm in arm to share God’s love.

For more information on how you can help to pick up a child who needs a helping hand, call me at 336-474-1230. Remember, Christmaswill be here soon. Providing Christmas for thisenormous family can be quite daunting. Help us make this the best Christmas ever for those

in BCH’s care as we share the gift of God’s love, hope and peace.

Leave a legacy through planned giving. Visit www.bchlegacy.org

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

Reach for the fallen,give thanks for an outreached hand_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications

Brenda Gray’s passion is children. She serves BCH as the executive vice president, development & communications. Gray directs all fund-raising/friend-raising activities for the state-wide services.

Week of Prayer: Nov. 15-22Sunday Pray for North Carolina’s children

and families. Monday Pray for all those BCH serves.Tuesday Pray for BCH staff members.Wednesday Pray for BCH’s new orphanage

in Guatemala.Thursday Pray for BCH’s developmentally

disabled adults and the frail aging.Friday Pray for children and families in

your community.Saturday Pray for BCH president/CEO

Michael C.Blackwell.Sunday Pray that BCH’s residents will come

to know Jesus as Savior.

____________________________________________________________________

4 11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10

Discover ways you can help at www.bchfamily.org/getinvolved

The sounds of hammers and saws echothroughout the hallways of Craver Cottage.

In a few months, those noises will be replaced bythe laughter of the girls who will call it home.

Since early August, North Carolina Camperson Mission (NCCOM) have been tackling a number of work projects at Craver Cottage located at Mills Home in Thomasville. The vol-unteers are using their skills to ensure that thecottage will be perfect for its future residents.

“We want it to be the place that God wants itto be for the girls who will be here,” says BobMaple who is leading the effort for Campers onMission.

Campers on Mission is a group of volunteerswho love to travel and camp, but more than any-thing else, they desire to serve God no matterwhere their travels lead.

Maple has been a part of NCCOM for eightyears, first becoming involved with HurricaneKatrina relief efforts. Maple’s wife Nancy servesas the email and membership coordinator for theNorth Carolina chapter.

For years, NCCOM have been involved withBaptist Children’s Homes assisting with invento-rying and sorting donated items from the annual“Food Roundup.” The group has also helped improve the electrical hook-ups at the campingarea at Mills Home, which NCCOM uses fortheir campers.

“Wherever we go, all we ask is for a place to hook up our campers,” Maple says.

Their desire to domore volunteer projectsled to Craver Cottage.

“Their timing wasperfect in regard to theplans for Craver,” saysRegina Keener, BCH’sThomasville Area Director. “All of ourbeds available for girlson the campus stayconsistently full.

“Because of the workof Campers on Mission,Mills Home will haveroom for eight to tenmore girls.”

Craver Cottage will be an emergency care residence for girls who are in immediate crisis and need a safe place to stay.

“Whatever time, day or night, we’ll be able to bring a girl into the cottage,” Keener explains.

Before the volunteers begin their work eachday, they pray.

“We pray for the girls who are going to behere. We pray for the people who are going to

be their houseparents,” Maple says. “We don’tknow who any of them will be yet, but Godknows.”

According to Maple, God has providedthe right volunteersfor the variety ofcottage projects thegroup has tackled.

“He brings together the rightpeople with the rightskills,” Maple asserts.“Tommy does vinyl siding. Bill’s a carpenter. He and his guys installed the new windows. It’s amazing.”

In fact, the volunteers installed thecottage’s 74 new windows in one day.Everything from updating the lighting to painting and laying flooring, NCCOMhas people with the abilities to do all

that’s required.“This takes good skilled labor. It’s hard

work and you have to know what’re doing,” says volunteer D.C. Thompson. “Most of all, you have to be here for the Lord. He has us here and He is in control of it.”

“That’s what makes doing this project withCampers on Missions different – everyone is herebecause they want to be here,” Maple explains.“They’re doing it for Jesus and for the girls that

we have been praying for since we began.”NCCOM is already looking to future BCH

projects that will include volunteer work at CameronBoys Camp and then eventu-ally back to the Mills Home.Plans are for Craver Cottage to open in Spring 2016.

“Craver Cottage is beingprepared to minister to thegirls who will come here,”Maple says. “We get to be a part of it. That’s a privilege.”

North Carolina Campers on Mission volunteers have helped Baptist Children’s Homes for years. The group is tackling a number of restoration projects at Mills Home’s Craver Cottage in Thomasville. Above, Matt Chehardy,

Butch Thompson and Austin Bryson work on a large window area. Middle, Shirley Thompson paints one of the many baseboards and, left, project leader Bob Maple cleans tools for the next task.

[ CAMPERS ON MISSION }

Group prays for girls who will call cottage home _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

____________________________________________________________________

11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10 5

Your vehicle helps BCH! When you donate your vehicle, it becomes a vital part of our ministry. Vehicles are used to drive residentsto school, doctor visits, church activities, and other events. Tax benefits are available. Call BCH’s Office of Development at 1-800-476-3669, ext. 1209.

Asistership is formed when girls are linked together by common experiences and

shared goals. It is more than friendship and canbe as powerful as family. For 17-year-old Sam,16-year-old Makayla and 17-year-old Kimberly,living at Broyhill Home in Clyde has served asthe bases for a unique sistership.

The three girls are all part of the TransitionalLiving program. The program helps youth 16 to 21 years of age to focus on their future andprepare for independence.

“We learn so many things,” Makayla says.“You get the help you need to focus on your career path and be ready to go out in the world,to be out on your own.”

The program covers the transition from com-ing into BCH’s care, being dependent in a highlystructured cottage to a structured cottage withmore freedoms to self-sufficient independence.

“You have morefreedom,” Makaylaasserts, “but youalso have more responsibility.”

“I am able tofocus more on the future,” Sam adds. “You begin taking responsibility for making your owndecisions.”

Through the program, each girl set goals and defines strategies to accomplish the goals.They have part-time jobs, manage their ownbank accounts, and earn the privilege to buy automobiles and own cell phones.

“I work at a local restaurant and am saving my money,” Sam says. “When the time comes, I want to have the money to rent an apartment.”

“I’m saving to buy a car,” Kimberly chimes in. “I work and pay some of my expenses.”

The girls pay a small stipend to the cottage –like rent. The money is returned to them whenthey leave Broyhill Home.

Transitional Living cottages are gender specificand have live-in resident managers who providesupport and supervision. The length of place-ment is determined by the time it takes theyoung person to accomplish her goals.

“My goal is to earn an associate degree in child care,” Sam shares. “I want to work withspecial needs children. At school, I shadow a fellow student who has special needs. I feel the things that have happened to me in my lifemakes me better able to help others.”

The girls offer support to each other and find

that their relationships with God helps them as they move forward.

“I give it all to God,” Kimberly says. “I’mlearning if you focus on Him, it will turn out the way it’s supposed to – not necessarily the wayI thought or at first wanted – but what He wants.It’s better that way.”

“I know that God wants what’s best for me,”Makayla says. “I’m so much farther along than I used to be.”

“She’s come a long way,” Sam says, affirmingMakayla. “The more you learn how to take careof your own needs, the more you look forwardto the future.”

“We are all so much more confident,” Kim-berly adds.

“Definitely!” Makayla says.“Yes!” Sam resounds.The girls all agree that being at Baptist

Children’s Homes has made the difference intheir lives.

“Without everyone here helping,” Kimberlyconfides. “I know we would not be the peoplewe are today. We would not have the opportunityto dream or work on goals that will make us theyoung women we dream of becoming.”

Each girl is thankful and is determined tomake the best of every opportunity. Kimberlysays, “I would have never found the love ofChrist if this place did not exist. Thanks to allwho have made this possible. Your support helpsgirls like me go from nothing to something.”

[ TRANSITIONAL LIVING }

Girls set goals for future, givethanks to all___________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

Connect with BCH on Facebook — www.facebook.com/bchfamily

Left to right, Kimberly, Sam and Makayla are part of Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) Transitional Living program. The program is designed to help youth 16-21 years of age prepare for their futures and independence. The girls have formed a bond as they work on their goals, maintain part-time jobs, and dream of hopeful futures. BCH operates transitional

living programs at Broyhill Home in Clyde and Mills Home in Thomasville.

____________________________________________________________________

6 11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10

C A R ECARE and

see lives changedforever.

Your sponsorship gives children a

Merry ChristmasWill you provide a Christmas to remember for

Baptist Children’s Homes’ boys and girls?So many residents’ Christmas memories are anything but

joyful because of the abuse and neglect they have endured.By becoming a Christmas sponsor, you can bring

them wonderful new memories this season.

To become a Christmas sponsor, callBrenda Gray at 336-474-1230 or make a

gift online at www.bchfamily.org/givenow

SCAN THE QR CODE TO USE BCH’S MOBILE-FRIENDLY ONLINE GIVING SITE

Information, video and online resources at www.bchfamily.org/offering

Please give to the ANNUAL OFFERING Week of Prayer: November 15 - 22 Goal: $1,500,000

Join with Baptist Children’s Homes to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Together, we can do more!

Because of your support, lives are changed!

You help Amber, a singlemother, care for her daughterIsabella at Moody Home whileshe completes her education.

Brothers Jonathan andThomas were hungry andliving on the streets, butyou gave them new hopeat Mills Home.

Brandon has learned to let go of his anger because of CameronBoys Camp and your help.

____________________________________________________________________

11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10 7

Victoria was traumatized by her mother, but youhelped her find healing at Camp Duncan.Kimberly discoverd caring adults at Broyhill

Home and accepted Jesus because you givefaithfully.

Abandoned by a river, this newbornnow has ahome at theGuatemala

Orphanage. Thank you.

After five years of rapid growth, North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM)

has garnered recognition from state, national andinternational groups. In January 2015, the Coun-cil on Accreditation (COA – an international,human service accrediting organization) interviewed staff and reviewed documents from the previous four years. COA reviewersstated, “NCBAM is an exemplary program that needs to be taken nationwide.”

In April 2015, NCBAM drew attention at theannual American Society on Aging conference in Chicago. “There was a tremendous amount of interest in the NCBAM model,” NCBAM director Sandy Gregory said. “I returned toNorth Carolina realizing now, more than ever,that NCBAM and North Carolina Baptists are in the right place for the age wave.”

The North Carolina Senate also recognizedNCBAM’s successful partnerships. At its May 28,2015 general assembly session, Senator JohnChadwick (“Chad”) Barefoot read a SenatorialStatement lauding the accomplishments of theministry and the positive impact of its programson aging adults and their caregivers.

The keys to NCBAM’s statewide impact are its partnerships. From local Boy Scout troops toNorth Carolina’s Office of State Fire Marshal,NCBAM connects aging adults with assistance by any available means. In addition to Baptistchurches, key partnerships include: regional Baptist Associations; NC Baptist Men; the NCBaptist Foundation; the Department of Insuranceand SHIIP; NC’s Area Agencies on Aging;Lowe’s, Home Depot, and other lumber retailers;Meals on Wheels of NC; FaithHealthNC; and

the North Carolina Association on Aging. “No one group can do it all,” Gregory said.

“But together, we make a difference in the qualityof life for aging adults in North Carolina.”

NCBAM was founded in 2009 with funding bythe Baptist State Convention of North Carolinaand under the administrative umbrella of BaptistChildren’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH).“All options were open to us,” said Michael C.Blackwell, President/CEO of BCH and NCBAMfounder. “We were charged with finding out whatwas needed and ministering to that need.”

“When the Convention asked BCH to developwhat would become NCBAM,” remembers JohnButler, executive business leader with the BaptistState Convention of North Carolina, “we had no interest in creating another institution – wewanted a ministry to aging adults. NCBAM has

proven to be a fantastic investment!”But meeting physical needs is only part of

NCBAM’s mission today. “Eighty percent of our clients are unchurched,” said Gregory. “Theharvest will be ripe for churches who want toreach 50 million unchurched Boomers.” Part ofNCBAM’s strategy to reach these Boomers is itsnewest initiative – AAIM. Aging Adults Innovat-ing Ministry is a network of church staff and lay leaders who will help churches prepare for thegeneration that has always changed the world andwill continue to do so as they age. “Boomers willnot engage with traditional approaches to senioradult ministry,” said Gregory. “They’ll want to beinvolved inter-generationally – and not be singledout. They’ll want to use their talents to make a difference – not just be entertained.

“God is at the heart of the ministry. NorthCarolina Baptists are ready. We got this!”

NCBAM’s new AAIM (Aging Adults Innovating Ministry) initiative kicked off in May with a statewide meeting held inThomasville. Three regional meetings have been held. Above, Judy Herr, the nurse coordinator for Faith Community

Health Ministry in Truett Baptist Association, speaks at the western regional meeting held October 1 in Asheville.

[ NCBAM RECOGNITION }

Ministry garnerswider attention___________________________________________________

By Carol Layton, BCH Writer

DDM cottages reach 100% capacity_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Since 2000, Baptist Children’s Homes hasserved residents in group homes as part of

its Developmental Disabilities Ministry (DDM).Care is provided in nine cottages in six communi-ties across North Carolina. Today, the program isat 100% capacity.

“We are building a family at every cottage,”Special Ministries director Martha Surratt said.“Each of our homes has a distinct personality. Wewant every resident to fit in and feel good abouttheir home. To reach 100% capacity is very special.”

BCH’s Developmental Disabilities Ministry is designed to provide special needs adults a safeliving environment that includes opportunitiesfor Christian spiritual enrichment, preparation of

nutritious meals, transportation, and enhance-ment of daily independent living and social skills.The program promotes maximum independenceand individual growth. Residents even have avenues for inclusion in their local communities.

Surratt said the ministry serves the residentsand their families. “The peace of mind experi-enced by a parent or loved one is invaluable, es-pecially to aging parents.”

“Even though we are at 100% capacity,” Surratt said, “we encourage people to contact us, visit a home, and, if desired, be put on ourwaiting list. When there is a vacancy, it speeds the process of admitting a resident.”

More information is available at www.hereis-myhome.org.

Learn about the Guatemala Orphanage at www.bchfamily.org/guatemala____________________________________________________________________

8 11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni

After Homecoming, I have trou-ble finding space for all the

things I need to write about. It is very important that we recognize thefolks who just went off the AlumniCouncil – many having served formany years. Former presidents whowent off in August were Pete Knight,Jeanie Helms Cooper, and Flora HicksPatton (though in the last year or so they were serving in different capacities). Others rotating off wereJim Rochelle, 2nd vice president; Eve-lyn Kirby Burns, secretary; and SusanMeeks Woods, Keith Campbell, LisaCarter Lancaster, Diane Stewart – allcouncil members.

Just guessing, I would say theirservice would total 80 to 100 years.That might be impressive to some, butthe most important thing is that theydelivered quality service to an organi-zation of people they love. So manyimportant things happened while theywere serving. One of the big thingswas the air conditioning in the gym.

A note from Janice Lewis Dohertyon September, 28 reports that MikeWithers, son of Coach Jennings With-ers, died near the end of September.He had been diagnosed with stage IVlung cancer. His memorial service washeld in Mt. Olive. Please keep his wifeCarolyn and the family in your prayers.Her address is 406 N Martin Street,Mt Olive, NC 28365; 919-658-9783.

Mike was loved and known manyyears on the Mills Home campuswhen his dad was the recreation direc-tor and later in high school when heattended school with the Mills Homeresidents. He was a great scrub orphan.I do not know where that term camefrom but it is used respectfully to referto children of Mills Home workers.

I also received a call from Lisa Sinkon September 25 regarding the deathof Robert (Bob) Lee. Bob had been herstep-father since she was 22 years old –making that 28 years of a great marriage to her mother. They lived inTrinity. Friends can send condolencesto the family through Lisa: lisa.sink65@gmail.com or call 336-689-0396. Lisa is preparing a special memento she hopes can be displayedin the Mitchell Museum.

On the Mills Home campus and in

sports at Thomasville High School,Bobby stood out as a fantastic athlete.I’ve heard so many people talk abouthis baseball skills. Harry Walls wrote:“To many of us young guys growingup, Bobby was our hero. He was a guywho listened more than he talked andone who showed great action on theball fields. I also can still recall thecrack of the bat and see the ball sailover the hedges and onto the railroadtracks. Yeah, that was Bobby Lee. Hewill surely be missed.”

As I write this article, Harry Wallsis convalescing in the hospital, havingjust recently gone through gallbladdersurgery. Please keep him in yourthoughts and prayers and rememberhis wife Angie as well. Hopefully, by the time you read this, Harry willbe back home. Please send get wellwishes to him at 406 Haywood St.,Thomasville, NC 27360 or toHmonk7@yahoo.com.

An update sheet for Joyce CartretteHill shows her to live at 209 OakdaleRd., Jamestown, NC 27282. (336-454-2492) She came to MH in 1966from High Point with siblings Carter,Tommy, Mickey, and Ricky. She left in1972. She and her husband Jim Hill have two offsprings and fourgrandchildren. She was employed atThomasville Furniture Industries forabout 40 years.

Julie Chrissy Maiden Turner (‘77-‘82) shared this information with methrough Facebook: “I was a veryscared little girl, worried aboutwhether or not I would be able to geta permanent place to live. I had justrecently been taken from my mom’shome and sent to Burlington for foster care to be with my sisters Julieand Beverly. Soon thereafter, my sisters were moved to MH. Again I was lonely and so afraid. The socialworkers said I would have to wait untila bed opened up for me to be with mysisters at MH. Finally, the day came in1977 and the biggest joy of all wasthat I was to be placed at Bright-Browncottage where my two sisters lived.The house parents were Mr. and Mrs.Frisbee. They were very strict but theywere also wonderful ‘new parents’ forme. The care and training I receivedunder their guidance is what made methe kind of person that I am today.

I loved every minute with them and atMills Home. When both of my sistersleft MH, I was so afraid I would belonely again, but I wasn’t. I still hadMr. and Mrs. Frisbee and the MillsHome Church. I loved and joinedevery program of the church that I could. I also loved cleaning thatchurch and I loved being baptizedthere.

“I will always remember when Mrs.Frisbee told me that I was to be trans-ferred to WC Cottage so that two newgirls would fit in at the Bright-BrownCottage. I cried because I had to leaveMr. and Mrs. Frisbee, but I came tolove living in the WC where Mr. andMrs. Gasque were houseparents.When I left Mills Home in 1983, I was able to live with my mom againfor a couple of years. I married in1985, had three children, and then fi-nally was able to attend nursing classesto become a CNA. The best experi-ence I ever had on the job was in 1997when I discovered one of my patientswas Mr. Ray Frisbee, and I realizedthat could be the time that I couldrepay some of the love and care he hadgiven to me many years ago. We werethrilled to see each other. He told mehe always knew “I would be some-body someday.” That was the mostspecial gift God could have given me.”

Chrissy also enjoyed being in thechoir and taking piano lessons at MH.Now one of her greatest joys is takingcare of her grandchildren. Returningfor Homecoming in 2014 was wonderful for her. and she now reallyenjoys keeping up with MH relation-ships through Facebook. She and herhusband Michael live at 2242 Black-berry Rd. Lot #6, Thomasville, NC27360. You can also contact her atDoraturner43@yahoo.com or 336-870-6904.

We now have another published author in our group. Jerrie CanadyStewart informed alumni on Face-book that they can now purchase acopy of her book from Amazon.comor from her at the address below. Thetitle is Faded Memories-Unleashed.Buy her book and let her know howmuch you enjoyed it: Jerrie Stewart,2721 NW Pinnacle Dr., Portland,Oregon, 97229 or write her at jbduckett@comcast.net.

Though Jerrie lives so far away, shedoes a good job of making her wayback home for Homecomings. Shecame to MH from Clayton in 1953with siblings Robert, Herman, AliceFaye and Pat. She graduated in 1961.She was very active in school and onthe MH campus and was a member ofGA’s at church and played basketball.Her “duties” on campus were helpingwith younger children at MilesDurham and Fleming and working inthe print shop.

Among special fond memories of Mills Home workers, Jerrie says,“Mr. Afton Quinn helped me with somany things, especially my anger management; Mrs. Mae Arnder gaveme attention; and Pastor RogerWilliams believed in me.” Also amongfond memories are Homecomingswhen she has been able to visit with allher brothers and sisters, sharing oldmemories, and getting so many hugs.Jerrie is the mother of three, grand-mother of 13, and great-grandmotherto eight. She is married to James D.Stewart and they are both now retired.

Percy Bradshaw is a name thatbrings back many memories to theolder alumni. He came to MH fromBryson City in 1938 with his brotherRobert who is now deceased, andgraduated in 1949 according to hisupdate sheet. He and his wife Dottielive at 2011 East Barden Rd., Char-lotte, NC 28226. [704-364-2553,hartwick54brad@aol.com] Both arenow retired with two offsprings andone grandchild. Percy also was very active at Mills Home. He playedbaseball, basketball and football,played tuba in the MH band, and wasa member of the Scout troop easilyearning the highest award of Eagle scout. Mainly, he remembersthe poultry farm as his duty aboutcampus. The most important memoryfor him can be summed up in thisstatement: “Everyone that I came incontact with while growing up at MillsHome was helpful and caring and

taught me to have a pos-itive attitude about life.”

Lib Johnson was a resident of MillsHome from 1946 to 1957. Johnsonbegan writing the Mills Home alumnicolumn in 1992.

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Alumni report on times at Mills Home –Scrub orphan remembered_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson (336) 299-7412 libsjohnson@triad.rr.com

____________________________________________________________________

11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10 9

____________________________________________________________________

10 11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10 Be a part of BCH’s statewide events at www.bchfamily.org/events

Can we help?www.bchfamily.org/help

BCH offers services for children and families. Needhelp? Call 1-800-476-3669.___________________________________

1. Western Area Family Services Linda Morgan, Lead Dir. 828-627-9254

2. Central Area Family Services Regina Keener, Dir. 336-474-1200

3. Eastern Area Family Services Brian Baltzell, Dir. 252-522-0811

3. Odum Home Kathy LocklearRes. Campus Mgr.910-521-3433

4. Cameron Boys Camp Stephen Ashton, Dir. 910-245-4034

5. Camp Duncan for Girls Paul Daley, Dir. 910-944-3077

6. Oak Ranch/Family CareLynn Garner, Dir. 336-474-1240

7. Weekday EducationLinda Russo, Dir. 336-474-1201

8. Dev. Disabilities Ministry Peggy Pennington, Dir. 336-474-1261

9. NC Baptist Aging MinistrySandy Gregory, Dir. 336-474-1221

Ideas or suggestions, contact: Keith HenryChief Operating Officer 336-474-1215

To learn more about servicesor make a referral online,click on:

www.bchfamily.orgKennedy Home:

www.kennedyhome.org

Odum Home: www.odumhome.org

Cameron Boys Camp:www.cameronboyscamp.org

Camp Duncan for Girls:www.campduncanNC.org

________________________________Family Care – Woodlawn BC

Friends from Woodlawn Baptist Church inConover learned more about BCH’s Family Careprogram while visiting Oak Ranch in Broadway.Family Care director Lynn Garner made a presen-tation, guests were treated to a meal prepared by staff members, magician Caleb Sigmon enter-tained the crowd, and the Woodlawn group presented treats to the moms and their children.Family Care offers supportive group homes forhard-working single mothers and their children.The program is structured to help mothers transi-tion to an independent life and connects mothersand families with resources and other communityservices. To learn more or to make a referral, visitonline www.bchfamily.org/help/family_care.

________________________________Developmental Disabilities Ministry

DDM Direct Support Professionals Janet Littleton and Sheila Mann were recognized onSeptember 18. They received a gift and a framedproclamation from Governor Pat McCrory whodeclared September 13 -19 as “Direct SupportProfessionals Recognition Week.”

________________________________Friends of Children

BCH held its Fall “Friends of Children” workdaysin September. Above, adults and youth fromNewton Grove Baptist Church tackle landscapingat Kennedy Home in Kinston. More than 200 volunteers, including a group of NC Baptist Menand their families staying at nearby Red SpringsMission Camp, tackled projects at Odum Home in Pembroke. Learn about Friends of Children at www.bchfamily.org/foc.

________________________________Camp Duncan

The girls and staff at Camp Duncan in Aberdeenhosted “Founders Day” on Tuesday, September22. The day is an opportunity for the girls to leadguests on tours of the campsites where they live year-round and share how their experiencesthrough the residential wilderness ministry haschanged their lives. NOTE: Camp Duncan is cur-rently looking for chiefs, caregivers who serveas mentors to the girls while living with themin Camp’s structured wilderness environment.Learn more at www.bchnc.org/CDchief.________________________________Western Area VolunteersOn September 19, children from BCH's westernarea locations participated in “Tater Day,” a 35-year-old tradition made possible by New HopeBaptist Church in Robbinsville. Led by church

members Gerald and Nellie Phillips, above, thechurch plants potatoes that are harvested eachyear on Tater Day by BCH’s boys and girls. Thepotatoes help provide many meals for residentsthroughout the upcoming year. ________________________________Weekday Education

Preschoolers attending BCH’s Weekday Educationcenters in Thomasville took advantage of the autumn conditions to collect leaves and acorns as a part of their class project. Learn more atwww.bchfamily.org/weekdayeducation.________________________________Broyhill Home

Members of Ranger Baptist in Murphy collectedand gift-wrapped new shoes for the children at Broyhill Home in Clyde. Often times, childrencome into BCH’s care with little or no clothing.Receiving a new pair of shoes is a big deal to the residents.________________________________Odum Home

A team from Tabernacle Baptist Church out of New Bern scheduled and performed a number of work projects at Odum Home in Pembroke.The volunteer group stayed at Red Springs Mission Camp during the week traveling back and forth to Odum as well as an area nursinghome where they also served. Learn more about Odum Home at www.odumhome.org

[ AROUND THE STATE }

Every day at churches and BCH facilities “around the state,” residents, staff members and North Carolina Baptists are mak-

ing news. In Charity & Children and through BCH's social media posts, friendscan connect daily, weekly and monthly to learn about all of BCH's happenings.______________________________________________________________________________________

Stay connected online at www.bchfamily.org and on Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, and Vimeo. Also follow NCBAM (www.ncbam.org) and BCH'sDevelopmental Disabilities Ministry (www.hereismyhome.org).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni

Everytime we have Homecom-ing, a Christmas Party, the

Beach Retreat or any type of gath-ering, people are always asking meto get folks to write news from“way back” or news from KennedyHome (KH) youth from 1980 untilnow.

Our most active group is fromthose who called KH home from1965-1985. We really would loveto hear from our “older” folks or from the ones in recent years. I know you had very active timesduring those years just as the 1965-85 had. Please sit down and sharesome news with all of us .

Thanksgiving is right around thecorner and it would be great to hearabout what you did during the Thanksgiving and Christmasholidays. Send me a lot of funmemories as well as memories ofthe sad times.

Our Christmas Party for KHfolks will be December 5 from11:00 a.m. until 1:00 at the Kinstonian Family Buffet Restau-rant at 3700 West Vernon Avenuein Kinston (this is where the oldAbbot’s Restaurant used to be).You will pay for the buffet as youcome into the restaurant. The buffet will include things such asfried chicken, spaghetti, hamburgersteak and gray, meatloaf, barbecue,turkey, vegetables, salad bar, icecream, banana pudding and cake –all you can eat. The cost is $9.63 a person and this includes tax andtip. We will also ask you to bringdoor prizes, so please bring a giftthat costs between $2 and $5. Youmay bring more than one doorprize if you want to do so. Pleasecall Billy Smithwick at 252-3201-4595 to let him know you will beattending. The restaurant has toknow ahead of time in order to setup and our own folks will have timeto decorate. This is always a greattime of food and fellowship together.

Jim Dyer, our president for thisyear, is asking all us to make plans

now to come to Homecoming2016 on June 4 & 5. Please notethe change in the month. This issomething people have been want-ing to try for a long time. Go aheadand make your reservations for a motel and plan to come. Contactall the Kennedy Home folks thatyou talk to regularly to make sureeveryone knows about the “month”change. Let’s make it work.

Wedding bells were heard loudand clear for our very own PriscillaHerring Woodard (‘73-‘78) in thebeautiful month of September. Thewedding was held in a very, very oldchurch out in the countryside ofKinston. There were a lot of peoplethere to see. It was very clear the couple loved each other. Thewedding was followed by a beauti-ful reception at a friend’s home notvery far down the road. It was myprivilege to perform the service forthem. Thanks for inviting me to dothis. It makes me feel so good insidewhen one of my youngins fromKennedy Home or any of the placesI have served the Lord ask me to help with a wedding or funeral.Always know you can count on me.

In early October, Becky and I went over to the airport in Jack-sonville to pick up our niece. Afterher plane came in, I went out to theparking lot to get the truck to pickthem up. The next thing I knew I had fallen on the curb. Man, didthat ever hurt. My forehead hit thecurb first. There was a lot of bloodcoming from my nose and lots andlots of pain all over – especially onmy face, elbows and knees. Theygot a medical team there in just a few minutes. All my vitals were okbut they said I should go to thehospital. They even said I could goin my truck. So here we go, Becky,my niece and me with blood every-where. The folks in the hospital inJacksonville were so good to me.They could see I was in a lot of pain. The doctor came in and ordered a CT scan. When he cameto my room he didn’t look sohappy. I had broken my nose andthe bone under each eye. The roof

of my mouth was very sore totouch. He wanted to send me overto the hospital in Greenville. Afterhe talked to the doctors over there,they decided that a man this olddidn’t need to have surgery to makeme a model – I’ve lived with mynose, my buck teeth, and no chinfor a long time. But they sent me tomy regular doctor and then she sentme on to another special doctor.I’m writing this article three daysbefore I am to go to that doctor so I’ll have to tell you later whathappened.

Being in the hospital made methink of the clinics at KennedyHome. Our first home over there in1972 was in the old clinic. We hadlots of rooms which I loved. It hadbeen condemned to be torn downbut we spread on some paint andmoved in. The garage was alreadytorn down. There were several sup-ply houseparents, cooks, a sewingroom lady, and us in that building.I loved the location because most ofthe children had to come by ourhouse to go to the gym. They couldslip in and visit us real quick. Oneof our boys was still in diapers andthe other was in preschool. The KHyoungins welcomed them and us tothe Kennedy Home family. Every-one made us feel so welcome.

Some staff didn’t think that the older children would sing in a choir but they were wrong. Immediately, I had six choirs towork with. I believe everyone hadto give it a try. I even had 62 pianostudents. I would once again like tothank all the people in the churcheswho gave us pianos in order to havea piano in every cottage. I used twoin the sanctuary along with Beckyat the organ.

Well they tore the old clinicdown and moved us to live in Rev.Williams’ home. They built himand Mrs. Mary a new one. This was a beautiful home but it wasn’t inthe middle of the campus. We livedby the road. But I taught piano lessons there and had my back yardfull of tents. All the youngins tookturns sleeping over at our house.

They had built a beautiful clinic.Mr. and Mrs. Troyer came to KHwith their three boys to live in theclinic. She was a very good nursethat we all liked. Do you rememberthe stringed art they used to decorate the clinic? Mr. Troyer wasthe man to give haircuts to anyonewho would let him. He did verygood. Their personality was greatfor being at a children’s home.They were very active in church andtheir boys joined right in with us all.They loved to camp in the woodswith me. Back then I had severaltents near the Skeeter Hut to sleepin and also we slept in the cow feedbarn. They would come up to eatwhile we tried to sleep. Believe it ornot, Becky would sleep in the barn.I married a great woman.

After the Troyers left the campus,Mr. and Mrs. Harper moved into theclinic. Mrs. Harper was the nurseand he served as the one in chargeof transportation on the campus.They were very strict. They evenliked to bounce a quarter on thebed after it was made. Then alongcame Julia and Frank Dupree. Juliawas nurse and Frank was in chargeof campus beautification. Talkabout a clean campus, he made sureeverything was just right. They hadsome great children. The one thatwe all see on Facebook all the timenow is Phillip. One of his sons justgot married. The Troyer boys hadno problem at all blending in withcampus life.

I may have these three in thewrong order, but they did workthere when Becky and I did. If youhave any great tales to tell us aboutthe clinic, write me or e-mail me atJthompson117@ec.rr.com.

Remember, send me some newsabout Thanksgivings you remember

and past Christmases!Love – JT

John Thompson was the choir director at Kennedy Home from1972-1977. Today, he enjoys a veryactive retirement.

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Christmas party set for December 5 –Send stories of past Thanksgivings and Christmases_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By John Thompson, 2324 Country Club Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (252)671-3515 jthompson117@ec.rr.com

____________________________________________________________________

11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10 11

More Homeword at www.bchfamily.org/charityandchildren

You can make children’s Christmas wishes come true!

Mail to: Baptist Children’s Homes, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361. Give online at www.bchfamily.org/givenow.

one child

$50

two siblings

$100

holiday outing

$300

one cottage

$600

cottage needs

$1,000

Name _____________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________

City ____________________________ State ________ Zip ____________ Phone ____________________________ Email ____________________________

Credit Card Option: Visa MC Name on card: _________________________________________________________________ Signature: _______________________________________________________

Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ Must have Credit Card Expiration Date: __________ Three-digit security code (on card back): ___ ___ ___

Don’t wait! Choose a sponsor levelperfect for you and provide joyousmemories for the children.

____________________________________________________________________

12 11/15 – Charity + Children – 128/10

Once upon a time, the lord ofthe manor drew attention

to himself through great pompand circumstance. His titlecame with the luxury ofwearing fine clothes, shinyshoes with brass buckles,and other fineries affordedto those of his station.Events such as balls andseasonal fetes show-cased his affluence.Those who ascended to have greater author-ity to rule over vast landsand to lead armies and waragainst aggressors were givencrowns and a royal cloak to wear. A signet-ringserved as the emblem of his authority and wasoften pressed into wax to signify his will by decree. And in his hand he would hold an ornaterod, the symbol of the pinnacle of his power.

Not since King George have we colonists tolerated such ostentatiousness. The spirit of democracy casts off the needfor imperialism and the fondnessof monarchical finery. Never the less, how many of us havedeclared: “I am king of my castle.”

Be it built with brick and mortar or speeding down the highway behind an automobile rolling on wheels, our homes become our domain. We possess four walls with treasures accumulated over time. We have thrones of naugahyde or course plaid fabric placed centrally before our wide screen televisions and in our hands we raise high our modern scepters – the remote control.

Even before remote controls, the king of the castle possessed power over the mere serfs.Being the youngest in my family, I was vigilant,ready for the command to rise and turn toHawaii Five-0 or Mannix.

When I ascended to thethrone and had a young squire and damsels at my beck and call, the power wielded by the one who held this scepter came to me, and I thrilled to all the options open to the one in charge of the remotecontrol. With a flick of the wrist and a press of an arrow, I moved across networks, changingchannels favoring or dismissing programs and

shows. (This control is heady stuff.)But with great power comes great

responsibility, and I learned the lessonof those kings of castles before me. I am not the only one affected by myscepter wielding authority. Late at night,

I practice the art of total control, just meand the wide screen. But on Sunday afternoons, I raise the remote and click over to Thomas theTrain, Curious George or the Care Bears whilemy one-year-old granddaughter Emmalie clapsand smiles at the decision. On Thursday eveningsafter the vocabulary quiz is written and weeklylesson plans are completed, I click the remote to my wife’s favorite program on PBS or HGTV.The grateful look and head on my shoulder areenough for my satisfaction with my choice madeon another’s behalf. I’ve learned that taking oth-ers into consideration is a priority of most kings.

When we changed households, I sortedthrough stuff to make sure

nothing came with me that I could

leave behind. In the bottom ofthe televisionconsole,

a drawer of remotes lay

dormant, relegated to thisspace after I purchased a universal remote

to bring all my media devices under the will of an all powerful one.

In my own life, I learn time and again to tem-per my plans and personal will to the authority of the One who calls me by name. I am the headof my household, the king of my castle, but I amalso a child of the Almighty, and every decision I make must be aligned to His greater purpose.Being tuned in to the will of my Savior keeps my channels set at the right program, and although I hold the remote, I choose to meldmy wishes and desires to Jesus who lives in me.

Peter writes: “For all power belongs to God,now and forever.” He reminds us that God istrustworthy: “...the one who trusts in Him willnever be put to shame.” Yielding to God placesthe control in the right hands – the God of the universe.

I did find the perfect place for one of my old remotes. Right beside mine now resides a smaller one, same black shell with brightly colored buttons, and when Emmalie toddles in and curls up beside me on Sunday afternoons,she takes hold of her little scepter, points to the

television, and clicks happily away.

[ H O M E W O R D }

Power best wielded when yieldedto the Almighty____________________________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

Edminson is editor of Charity & Children and writes“Homeword” to inspire and encourage families in themidst of full lives and hectic schedules. He is available for preaching and speaking engagements. Email him atwjedminson@bchfamily. org or call 1-800-476-3669,ext. 1217 to schedule a date.

__________________________________________________________________________

T R U S THave

FAITHin God.