January-February 2011

THE WEST VIRGINIASOUTHERN BAPTISTJan-Feb, 2011 VOL. 41, NO. 1

A Cooperative Program ministry gladly sharing the truth and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the stories of our Lord’s work in and through the churches of West Virginia Southern Baptists.

YECJanuary 21-22at the Nazarene Camp in

Summersvillespeaker--Craig Tackett with Jason Lovins Bandillusionist Jared Hall Cost: $15 11/23-12/16guaranteed a t-shirt $20 after 12/16not guaranteed a t-shirt

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY IS JANUARY 16 The third Sunday in January is set aside by Southern Baptists to emphasize the special nature of human life as designed and purposed by God. The focus many times gets placed on the preborn, but human life deserves special attention and respect at any age. The picture on the left depicts a human embryo at about the twelfth week of development. Three months after conception a baby in the womb has a beating heart, detectable brain waves, fi ngerprints, all organs [though immature], its own blood and circulatory system, and can react to outside stimulation, such as heat and light. This is a developing human life. To kill the fetus is to kill a baby human. The fetus feels pain. Abortion is murder. You can fi nd out more at these web sites.

www.heritagehouse76.com www.erlc.com

january bible studyHave you made your plans for

leading your church in this exciting, challenging, Christ-honoring study?

There are many ways to provide the study for the church as a whole or to separate age groups.

Study materials are available from LifeWay. Contact Greg Wrigley at gregwrigley@wvcsb.org or 1-304-757-0944 xt 118, if you want some ideas. And, look on page 3.

partnership missions Dr. Craig Culbreth (L) presents to Terry Vaughan a jar of peanut butter to go with his jelly. “The missions partnership between Florida and West Virginia has been like peanut butter going with jelly---it is a good combination,” Culbreth told the messengers to the West Virginia state conven-tion annual meeting. Culbreth said the partnership seems to have been a blessing to both Conventions. He serves as the Partnership Director for the Florida Bap-tist Convention. Culbreth will be meeting with Vaughan and Delton Beall in January to make plans related to the partnership.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist2

THE WEST VIRGINIASOUTHERN BAPTIST

(USPS 097-990)

Greg Wrigley, Editorgregwrigley@wvcsb.org1-304-757-0944 xt 118

Published nine 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,

As we face another New Year together we have much to look forward to. At our annual meeting in Fairlea in November we voted to enter a new partnership with the International Mission Board in regard to East Asia. We will have an opportunity to touch a part of the world that has been to date an unreached people group. Our President, Seth Polk, appointed a task force that will be bringing more information to us as this partnership is fl eshed out.

I am in hopes that by the time you read this issue of our paper, or shortly thereafter, I will know much more about our new relationship with the North American Mission Board. The President of NAMB, Dr. Kevin Ezell, is supposed to meet with me and other Executive Directors when we have our annual meeting in Virginia in February. Once I have a better idea of exactly how NAMB proposes to partner with us, our President will appoint a group to work with me in implementing this new policy. Though there will likely be some hardships to bear, there will also be new challenges and some exciting adventures as we look forward to planting more new churches than ever before.

Furthermore, our Executive Board has voted and the Florida Convention Executive Board has voted to extend the Partnership between our two state conventions for another three years. I will be meeting with Delton Beall and with Craig Culbreth from Florida to work out the details of this working relationship that has meant so very much to us. In these diffi cult fi nancial times when Florida is the hardest hit of all states, it touches my heart to know that they are still willing to make the sacrifi ce to partner with us to reach our state for Christ. They help us primarily with funding for new church planters’ salaries and for monies to make loans to new church plants. We appreciate the Executive Director from Florida, Dr. John Sullivan and his commitment to

our state. This partnership has been a great blessing to West Virginia.

I will look forward to a good time of fellowship and planning with our Associational Missionaries as Delton Beall will bring them together for our Missionary/Staff Update which will take place on January 23-25. I am grateful for each of our Associational Missionaries and the work that they do for you and for the Lord. This is a great group of men, all having their own areas of strengths that they bring to the table. We are blessed to have each of them in our state.

As you begin to prepare for another year to serve our Lord here in West Virginia, if there is any area in which I or one of our staff can be of assistance to you, please feel free to call upon us. We are always available to you at no cost to you or your church.

Terry L. HarperExecutive Director-Treasurer

January-February 2011 3

WVCSB CalendarWVCSB Calendar

January

2-5 - January Bible Study15 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg16 - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday21-22 - Youth Evangelism Conference23-25 - Staff/Missionary Update

February

True Love Waits Emphasis13 - Racial Reconciliation Sunday14-20 - Focus on WMU18-19 - WMU Offi cers’ Council19 - Men’s Ministry Planning Mtg21-22 - Deacon Training26 - State VBS Clinic28 - Church Planter Networks - State Offi ce

March

4-5 - Bivocational Pastors Retreat 6-12 - Youth Week 6-13 - Week of Prayer for North American Missions & Annie Armstrong Easter Offering11-12 - Senior Adult Retreat13 - Daylight Saving Time Begins17 - WVCSB Order of Business Committee18-19 - WMU Mission Celebration20 - Substance Abuse Prevention Sunday25-26 - Ministers’ Wives Retreat27 - Start a Church Sunday

April

2 - Children’s Missions Day 3 - SBC Seminaries Sunday 5, 7, 12, 14 - Regional State Evangelism Conference 9 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg10 - Cooperative Program Sunday10-15 - Baptist Doctrine Study 12-15 - Sunday School Dinner Dialogs16 - Youth Sing Celebration16 - Sunday School Builders17 - Life Commitment Sunday22 - Good Friday (Offi ce Closed)24 - Easter29-30 - Disaster Relief Chaplaincy Training

SOME IDEAS FOR CONDUCTINGJANUARY BIBLE STUDY

JBS has an age-graded curriculum for it, like Sunday School. So there are many ways to use the material as one church-wide event or by the individual age groups.

Use it for a special Saturday event; use it on Wednesday nights or Sunday nights; or as the Children’s Church Bible lesson. The youth could use it in a retreat setting.

Use the study materials for a sermon series; or for the Sunday or Wednesday night study material. The study could easily be used over a period of four to eight weeks.

Have a “revival” type series with a guest speaker leading the study Sunday through Wednesday. Or, you could lead the series yourself in this format. Ask a fellow pastor, or your association missionary, or someone from the Convention offi ce.

You could have a January Bible Study Sunday. Begin the study in Sunday School, continue in the worship time, have a light lunch, then continue for about two more hours. Do not have a Sunday night service. It makes for an intense day, but it does work.

Or, use the material in the Sunday morning times as above, and again in the Sunday night times. You may consider expanding the Sunday night time if you only have a worship time.

An intriguing idea is to have a dessert fellowship on Wednesday with the January Bible Study material. Invite unchurched friends for dessert and Bible study on Wednesday nights. Have drinks and desserts available as you study the material. This would be more of a fellowship atmosphere, but also less “threatening” to unchurched folks.

Want to try something really different? See if the local restaurant will let you use the private room or a corner on a weeknight. Invite the town for Bible study. Many people want to study the Bible. And who doesn’t like grace?

Use your imagination! There are many ways to use the material.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist4

GOD’S GREAT OUTDOORSSPRING CONFERENCE

March 5th, 2011

Maranatha Brethren Church19835 Scott Hill Dr.

Hagerstown, Maryland(301) 733-1717 Church Offi ce

maranathagbc@live.com

Or Pastor Dan Thorntondan@dethornton.com

Door Prizes Include:Mathews Bow Genesis BowWildlife Prints And More

Who Should Come? Pastors, lay leaders, camp and min-istry staff, or anyone who would like to explore the numerous opportunities to reach those who live in your community who have a love for the outdoors but who need Jesus. More than 49 million people over the age of 16 recreate in the outdoors in the USA. Add those 16 and younger and that is more than half the nation’s population! Plus 93% of the time, if you can get the Father/Husband to come to Christ, the family follows.

SPEAKERSRay Howell

Professional ArcherHis Personal Testimony

Kicking BearKicking Bear Adventure Camps!

www.kickingbear.org

Trevor RubleHooked For Life

How To: Family Fishing Ministry!www.hookedforlife.org

Rick WilsonFarmers & Hunters,Feeding The Hungry

How To Get Started In Your Area!www.fhfh.org

Ken ReedMaine Bear Hunting Guide

Father’s Table CateringThe Many Ways Of Outdoor Outreach!

www.fatherstablecatering.com

Dick HribarGame Dinner Speaker

Orvis Endorsed Fly FishingInstructor, Also, Noted

Pennsylvania Elk Hunting GuideOne On One Evangelism,

Building Personal Relationships!cah2@zitomedia.net

Gerry CaillouetRadio Host & ProducerGod’s Great Outdoors

Why Outreach Ministry?www.ggoutdoors.org

Mail Registration & Make Checks Pay-able To:

God’s Great Outdoors8193 Emerick Road,

West Milton, OH 45383Phone: (937) 698-3656

E-mail: ggoutdoors@aol.comFor Credit Card Payment, Please Call

HOME SCHOOLERSSUCCEEDING IN COLLEGE

A new study, Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students, by Michale F. Cohan, shows homeschoolers are succeeding at higher percentages than the overall population. The study was done at an undisclosed upper midwest college with 11,000 students.

The specifi c statistics stated homeschoolers scored higher on the ACT than the overall student body, 26.5 versus 25 respectively. Many homeschoolers had 14 college credits in advance while those who came from public school typically had 6. When it came to grade point average after freshman year, homeschoolers averaged 3.46 while publicly educated students averaged 3.12.

The goal of the study was to encourage homeschooling parents, especially those with younger teenage children, who demonstrated an aptitude for college. www.hsida.org 8/30/10

NEA CELEBRATES ‘DRAG QUEEN’ TEACHERS

At the summer meeting in New Orleans, the nation’s largest professional organi-zation and labor union recognized a new caucus: the NEA Drag Queen Caucus.

“They already have had the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus and apparently felt that the drag queens needed their own caucus,” explained Finn Laursen, executive direc-tor of Christian Educators Association International.

Laursen said America needs to realize what the National Education Association stands for because it is not a secret. “It’s appalling to many of our conservative Christian educators who, in their own lives, could not support this kind of thing but fi nd that their dues are being used to support just those kinds of things,” he added.

There was a movement this year to see the NEA’s pro-abortion stance changed to a more neutral position, but that effort failed. “The organization and its delegates were just unwilling to step back and take a ‘no’ position on abor-tions,” Laursen lamented. “They’re going to continue their pro-abortion stance.” www.onenewsnow.com 7/15/10

SEMINARY OFFERS REVIVAL PREACHERS TO CHURCHESBy Benjamin HawkinsFORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS)

Students from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are available to lead spring revivals, March 13-16, 2011.

While on the fi eld, preachers will not only present God’s Word during revival services, but they will also partner with local pastors for evangelism.

“We at Southwestern are excited to see God use this program, as he has done over the past 50 years, to transform and refresh individuals and local churches through the Gospel,” Thomas White, vice president for student services and communications, said. “But we also pray and hold high hopes that God will use these local revivals to create a ripple effect that revives this nation.”

During the spring of 2010, Southwestern students and faculty members shared the Gospel with nearly 950 people one-on-one, and preached a total of 230 sermons throughout the week. This effort resulted in 211 decisions, including 59 professions of faith. Since the program began in 1959, the seminary has deployed more than 5,500 preachers, ministering in more than 4,850 churches throughout the United States. Participants through the years have reported nearly 14,000 total professions of faith.

For more information or to host a seminary student preacher for your church, visit the Southwestern Seminary website at www.swbts.edu/SREP. , or call 817-923-1921, ext 7300, or by email at srep@swbts.edu

Southwestern will pay for the roundtrip transportation of preachers to and from the revival locations. Churches are responsible for housing, meals and, in some cases, limited transportation, such as that to and from the airport and the church.---Benjamin Hawkins is a writer for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

January-February 2011 5

DISASTER RELIEF2010 Activity Reported as of December 9

Professions of Faith 2,622Ministry Contacts 72,182Gospel Presentations 25,722Volunteer Days 31,743Patients Seen 32,386Meals Prepared 272,963Chainsaw Jobs 205Mudout Jobs 1,497Repair Jobs 290Roofi ng Jobs 6Children Cared For 563Water Purifi ed (gallons) 4,308Showers 3,949Laundry 2,038Messages 15Buckets of Hope Collected 155,000Buckets of Hope Distributed 70,000

FIRST-PERSON: Calling Southern Baptists to Pray By Bryant WrightNov 12, 2010MARIETTA, Ga. (BP)--As senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and president of the Southern Baptist Convention, my number one goal is to challenge Christians to renew their love for Jesus. Many have forgotten our fi rst love, and we need spiritual renewal and revival in our convention and nation. We need to stop and seek God’s direction.

I am thankful that leaders of the SBC have challenged churches in our convention to hold solemn assemblies in January 2011. I urge you to select a Sunday in January that best fi ts your church’s schedule. The date is secondary. The call to prayer is the primary focus.

At Johnson Ferry, we plan to observe a solemn assembly on Sunday, Jan. 23, as we call our church to a time of prayer, repentance and fasting in all our worship services. We are asking God for a personal and corporate encounter with Him, and our desire is to seek Him with open hearts and to hear afresh from Him.

For the sake of our nation and our churches, I encourage you to join me in this urgent call to prayer. What we need most of all is for Southern Baptist Christians “to return to their fi rst love.”

Copyright (c) 2010 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Pressemail: bpress@sbc.net

Resources Available for Solemn AssemblyBy Carol Pipes Nov 12, 2010

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--In preparation for the SBC Day of Prayer in January, the North American Mission Board has launched a website with resources to help Southern Baptists answer the call to prayer.

The website www.namb.net/sbcdayofprayer provides an eight-step guide on how to incorporate a prayer emphasis one Sunday during the month of January. The prayer guides offer suggestions on what to incorporate into a time of concentrated prayer:

Other website resources to help churches in the observance include: “Guidelines for Fasting and Prayer,” “How to Lead a Solemn Assembly” and “Church Renewal Prayer Weekend.”

Copies of all resources can be found and downloaded from the website.

Carol Pipes is a writer for the North American Mission Board. Copyright (c) 2010 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press

The West Virginia Southern Baptist6

Singing and WorshipFello

wship

YSC - 2011Youth Sing Celebrati on

This event is a ministry of the Cooperative Program.

Register now for a great time of singing, fellowship, worship, food, fun and all around good time with other Christian youth who love to

sing.

To register - Complete Registration Form and mail to: Randy Spurgeon, WVCSB One Mission Way Scott Depot, WV 25560

Call 1-800-411-5758, ext. 116E-mail: randyspurgeon@wvcsb.org

April 16, 2011

Date: April 16, 2011

Location: Good Shepherd Baptist Church 15 Scott Lane Scott Depot, WV 25560

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Registration Deadline: March 25, 2011

Cost: $9.00 per person

Event is planned for Youth in the 6th through the 12th grades.

Youth keep the music they receive!

Concert at the Huntington Mall

April 16, 2011 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhh PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvviiiiiiiiiiiiddddddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddT-shirt

pripp ippppppppppppppprrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssspppppppppppppppprrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssss

association Officers

Mike and Phyllis Watson, association missionary, Upper Ohio Valley, admire the cake made to help celebrate the fi ftieth anniversay of the association. below--L to R--Larry Garrison, Pastor, Open Door, Moderator; Dustin Cowden, Minister of Youth, Cameron, Vice-Moderator, Linda Ott, Secretary; Mike Watson, association missionary.

Mountain State---(L to R) Cathy Deel and Shirley Milam, Secretaries; Pastor Jim Milam, FBC Bluewell, Vice-Moderator; Pastor Dan Jividen, Immanuel, Moderator. below--L to R--Immanuel association missionary Dick Howie leads the installation ceremony for Pastor Fred Basnett, Calvary, Moderator; Pastor Greg Varndell, Fairlawn, Vice-Moderator; and Trista Knott, Clerk.

On the right, some of the elected leaders of the Allegheny Association stand with association missionary Dennis Cherry (second from right). First Vice-Moderator is David Sommerville, Pastor, FBC Craigsville (fourth from left); Moderator is Pastor Ace Sligar, Living River (fourth from right). Not in the picture is Pastor Mike Saunders, Second Vice-Moderator, Pastor, Southern Baptist Fellowship.

Below are some of the elected offi cers from the Tri-County Association. Not in the picture is Moderator Earl Stout or Vice-Moderator Rick Shade. In the picture are association missionary Frank Pilcher (right) and Clerk Sandra Chandler (third from

right).

January-February 2011 7

Dan Howard, Pastor, Oldfi elds, is Moderator for Potomac Highlands.

Pioneer Association---Tommy Holstein, Pastor, FBC Chelyan (L), Vice-Moderator; Roger Jordon, Pastor, Fairlawn, Moderatior; Sherry Milam, Clerk.

The 202020 emphasis encourages people to contribute to the Snedden-Slaughter Scholarship Fund to assist West Virginia Southern Baptist students preparing for the ministry. Interest from the fund is awarded to selected students each summer.

Many churches held revival meetings last fall. [L to R] Pastor Dan Powers

(second from left) stands behind preacher James Croft (James the Giant). Pastor Ricky Ray (L) hosted evangelist Tom Whitsett.

Greg Varndell (R) and Immanuel Association hosted Frank Cox (C), Pastor, North Metro Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, GA, to an association evangelism event. In the next picture, Pastor Danny Cunningham welcomed a Florida partership pastor from Inglis Baptist Church, Pastor Phil Thompson. And Dr. Phil Roberts (C) preached at the 50th Anniversary celebration at Grace Baptist, with Pastor Todd Hill (L). Roberts is the son of Ray Roberts, who preached the constitution sermon at Grace.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist8

New Work: A brand new work release prison ministry out of Mt. Olive Correctional Facility is in development. For many years there have been opportunities to serve in West Virginia prisons and offer hope, but none quite as wide open as this one. The Pioneer Association has worked in relationship with Danny Cunningham, our state multi-housing missionary, to develop a weekly chapel service with those incarcerated at the work release program. Pastors and lay persons from all over the Pioneer association have been turning in paper work, praying, planning and waiting for clearance to begin a weekly and strategic ministry to the men in this program. Pray for God’s direction, blessing and to make the path clear for effective and impactful ministry.

West Virginia Prayer Focus

Thank you to our friends in West Virginia. Your state’s annual meeting was a wonderful reminder to us that God is at work all over the world. Please contact us if there is ever an opportunity to encourage your congregation as they participate in the Great Commission.No Other Name 615.866.9741www.NoOtherName.comJessica Hefl in 615.469.1182

Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Retires

The Executive Director of the 173 year old Kentucky Baptist Convention announced his retirement effective May, 2011. Bill Mackey has served as the Director since 1998. At the fall convention, a resolution listed many of the ministries begun during his tenure, including the development of several national and international missions partnerships; participation in numerous disaster relief responses; a renewed emphasis on church planting; and a staff reorganization into a team approach. The Search Committee announced they want to fi nd a person who will provide visionary leadership to the Kentucky Baptist Convention. The Executive Director will give direction to the KBC Mission Board ministries and staff, promote the ministries of the KBC and Cooperative Program, conduct all fi duciary responsibilities of the offi ce, and build working relationships with Kentucky Baptists and all partners. A minimum of a Master of Divinity degree from an accredited institution or equivalent is required. Resumes need to be sent no later than January 3, 2011 by email to kbcsearch@gmail.com or by mail to KBC Executive Director Search Committee; P.O. Box 460, Elizabethtown, KY 42702-0460.

January-February 2011 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

DateJan. 10Jan. 11Jan. 12Jan. 13Jan. 14Jan. 17Jan. 18Jan. 19Jan. 20Jan. 21Jan. 24Jan. 25Jan. 26Jan. 27Jan. 28Jan. 31Feb. 1Feb. 2Feb. 3Feb. 4Feb. 7Feb. 8Feb. 9Feb. 10Feb. 11Feb. 14Feb. 15Feb. 16Feb. 17Feb. 18Feb. 21Feb. 22Feb. 23Feb. 24Feb. 25

AssociationImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-County

CampusBluefi 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 AreaConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.Mt. State Univ.

ChurchNeibertNettieNew BeginningsNew CovenantNew CreekNew Day, Fort AshbyNew Hope Comm., Rock CaveNew Hope, MadisonNew Hope Tabernacle, PeterstownNew Life, CowenNew Life, WestonNew Richmond New RiverNorth CharlestonNorth ForkNorthgateOld FieldsOpen DoorPetersburgPeytonaPinevillePipestemReal Life, WestonRedemption Hill, GraftonRestoration FellowshipRiverside, Bluefi eldRiverview, WellsburgRiverwoodRowlesburgRyerson South WheelingSecond, KeyserSecond, MartinsburgShawneeShrewsburySilver Springs

ChapelGrace, Pleasant ValleyHarbor Light, SteubenvilleHarborLight, OceanaHatsal KoreanHope, RichwoodLifesong Lighthouse, FollansbeeLiving Hope, PetersburgLiving RiverMarland HeightsMarshall Community FllwshpMinistry of SalvationNew Life, ArnoldsburgNew VisionNorth JeffersonSolid RockSouth WheelingWheeling CommunityAbundant HopeThe BridgeCarpendaleCenterpointe, HurricaneChinese MissionThe Church at MartinsburgCrossroads, BurnsvilleFaith, Winfi eldFreedom Biker ChurchFriendlyGateway, PeytonaGrace, Pleasant ValleyHarbor Light, SteubenvilleHarborLight, OceanaHatsal KoreanHope, RichwoodLifesong

Church Planting: The Church Planters Network in West Virginia is a called group of individuals. Called for some to leave homes and families and come to the mountain state to start churches and impact WV with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Called for some to stay in an area that may be diffi cult and hardened to the Gospel. Called for all to fi nd creative ways, not yet ventured in West Virginia to reach those not yet reached. Pray for your church planters network, that they might fi nd strength and encouragement from each other and pray for doors to be opened in their communities to share the Good News.Scripture Promise: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2

Ministry Focus: Overcoming the Winter Blues. During the winter many of us hurry home after work and just want to stay huddled up in our cozy homes. For many the winter can bring months on end of loneliness and isolation. This month prayer drive through your neighborhood. Pray for those that may live alone, the elderly and the jobless. Ask God for opportunity to encourage and uplift your neighbors. Help your neighbors overcome the winter blues by sharing the warmth and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Weekend Focus: Football? As a ministry? Yep. January hosts the NCAA national college football championship. This year host a party, invite neighbors, friends, coworkers, and anyone that needs to hear that God loves them. Create an atmosphere that fosters inclusiveness and kindness, offer hope, even in the midst of football. What a great way to engage neighbors not yet impacted with the Gospel. Making meaningful connections with believers will go a long way to effectively reach the not yet churched person, and yes, even football can present opportunity.

Resource: Stand Firm: God’s Challenge for Today’s Man - A must-have for today's Christian man, Stand Firm helps men of integrity remain anchored in Christ. This monthly magazine is fi lled with daily devotions, feature articles, interviews, reviews, and practical ways to apply biblical truths. Available at www.lifewaystores.com, yearly subscription available.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist10

News from West Virginia ChurchesIMMANUEL ASSOCIATION

Grace Baptist Church, Parkersburg, celebrated 50 years of ministry this year. Dr. Phil Roberts, President of Mid-Western Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, brought a message and led in Bible Studies. He is the son of Roy Roberts, former Executive Director of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, who preached the Constituting message at Grace 50 years ago! Todd Hill is the current pastor.

Victory Baptist Church in Belmont held a celebration for 30 years of ministry. The church was fi lled with members, former members and pastors, as well as current pastor Larry Davis’ extended family. As a part of the day, a dedication was held for the new parsonage. Many churches in the Immanuel Association helped build the beautiful new home, which was paid for as it was being built.

MONONGAHELA ASSOCIATIONFreedom Baptist, Nutter Fort, collected

147 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. The adult choir had plans to present their Christmas cantata to two groups at the Salem Industrial Home, and in the church’s morning service on December 19. Jim Sanders is the pastor.

New Life, Weston, where Dave Riddle is the pastor, put together 71 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. The church rejoiced at the baptism of three new believers in November.

Wayside Baptist, Buckhannon, sent a group of volunteers to Operation Christmas Child headquarters in Boone, NC, to prepare the shoeboxes for shipping overseas. Remember to pray for the children who will receive these shoeboxes. Don Knotts pastors the church.

Operation Christmas Child at Riverview“The week started off slowly, but we

held the faith that the shoe boxes would come in. As of Friday we only had 600 boxes, compared with last year’s total of 1020. After much prayer, about an hour before delivery on Monday we had 900 boxes, and ended up with a total of 1056. God is good! We packed all these boxes into large boxes and delivered 85 large boxes to the drop-off center at Warwood. Thanks to everyone who brought shoeboxes, to over 30 people who helped this year, and also to the teens of Riverview Baptist Chapel who helped us out so much.”--Cindy Casto---(right) some of the boxes

Seven youth were baptized last night at Berkeley Springs Baptist (12/5/10). Pastor Dennis Sieglaff and interim youth pastor Pat McCoy are 2nd & 3rd from left in the back row.

CROSS LANES TO MOLDOVA NOV-DEC 2010

Pastor Seth Polk (second from left, back row) stands with the group that went to Moldova in early December. The group includes Dan Duncan, Chris Slaughter (not in photo), Verril Witt, Larry Leeper, Diane Leeper, Joyce Burgess, Todd Morgan, Jeff Andrews, and Ginger Marsh. The team worked in Moldova, on Operation Knit Together, with Children’s Emergency Relief International, distributing warm winter boots to orphans and sharing the Gospel in each orphanage. The team encountered some frustration when port authorities in the Ukraine refused to pass on the containers of boots destined for the orphanages in Moldova. After a few days of prayer and talks with authorities, which included input from our own state department, the boots were

allowed to enter. The team fi nally got to give the boots to the children.

Potomac Highland Baptist Association

Children’s Mission DayNovember 13, 2010

Old Fields Baptist Church The PHBA 2010 Children’s Missions Day was a huge success. This year God blessed our Association by not only being able to teach our children, youth, and adults about missions, we were able to do hands-on mission work. We had Dr. George Bannister from Steel Valley Baptist Association in Ohio as our North American Missionary, D.W. Feaster as our International Missionary, and Rev. Dan Howard as our Local Missionary. Our mission projects included Christmas ornaments for the local nursing home, fi lling glass jars with cookie mix to share the love of Christ, Christmas Shoe Boxes, and a special Food Distribution made possible through Mountaineer Food Bank. God used our Association to fi ll 35 Christmas Shoe Boxes, make 35 glass jars with cookie mix to share the love of Christ, make 35 Christmas ornaments to share the love of Christ in our local nursing home, and 160 families, with 490 people total, were reached through the food distribution. God greatly blessed our Association with an attendance of 38 children & youth along with 37 adults.

January-February 2011 11

News from West Virginia Churches

All Wrigley did is ask if one of them had twenty dollars he could borrow.

The Church at Martinsburg Leads Food Distribution

In conjunction with a greater mission of sharing the gospel, the Church atMartinsburg teamed up with CCAP Loaves and Fishes to provide 205 turkeys as families and individuals around the area head into the Thanksgiving holiday. “Operation Thanks” is a micro-mission project sponsored by the Church at Martinsburg to further carry out the mission of the church, which includes giving generously and practically. The church has partnered with locally based community organizations to love the city and care for families and neighbors. The church set a goal to collect 40 turkeys during last year's fi rst annual Operation Thanks, where over 100 turkeys were collected. This year, a goalof 200 turkeys was set. That goal was met within the fi rst 10 minutes of the collection time. By the end of the hour long event, 305 turkeys were collected. Of the excess turkeys, 30 were given to Eastern Panhandle Young Lives to give to families of teenage moms. Melanie Files, co-director of Loaves and Fishes, said that this was the fi rst time in fi ve years of coordinating Thanksgiving meals that she had someone volunteer to provide and drop off all of the turkeys needed to fi ll requests for Thanksgiving meals. "To not be up at 4 a.m. worried that we wouldn't have enough ... I'm very thankful," Files said. "There were no sleepless nights this year." Files said that if all of the turkeys aren't handed out, they are kept and given out in December. The church, which meets at Regal Cinemas on Foxcroft Avenue at 10 AM, began last spring in a home in Berkeley County. Since then, the congregation has grown to more than 150 members. Jacob Atchley, pastor of the Church at Martinsburg, said that this was one church's opportunity to be generous."We learn that generosity is a source of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us through the gospel," Atchley said. "This has propelled us into our communities; this is what we and our church are called to do. Operation Thanks is a clear demonstration of the core values of The Church at Martinsburg. The people that make up this faith family have been deeply impacted by the Gospel and this act of kindness is one way they are showing it!" For more information on the Church at Martinsburg, visitwww.martinsburgchurch.org

FIRST BAPTIST SUTTON HELPS PROVIDE COMMUNITY MEAL

Some 500 people enjoyed a free Thanksgiving Day dinner in Braxton County. Head chef was Rev. Bill Hopkins (fi rst picture), retired pastor of the First

S o u t h e r n B a p t i s t C h u r c h , Sutton. Rev. H o p k i n s r e c e i v e d d o n a t i o n s of food and funds from his church, other area c h u r c h e s and civic

organizations. Bill and volunteers prepared 19 turkeys, four large hams, huge helpings of vegetables and over 50 pies. Food preparation and serving took place in the Braxton County Memorial Hospital. Dinners were also delivered throughout the county. The dinner was open, at no cost, to everyone. This dinner has been an annual event by Rev. Hopkins and his church for over 10 years.

(above) Susie and Joe Nott Trista Nott tells us that Pastor Joe Nott celebrated his 10th Anniversary as pastor of Jackson Avenue Baptist Church, on November 14, in Point Pleasant. He was offi cially installed as pastor on November 12, 2000 and ordained on February 11, 2001. Trista serves as the Administrative Assistant for Immanuel Association.

Dennis Andrews reports that NEHEMIAH BAPTIST CHURCH will host a Sanctifi ed Student Conference Friday, January 7, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Nehemiah is on US 19 in Cool Ridge (Mountain State Association). There will be two Christian bands as well as eight different speakers. There will be breakout sessions for teens and adults to choose from as well as refreshments and great fellowship. The doors open at 6:00 PM and the conference begins at 6:30 and ends at 9:00 PM. Any questions can be sent to Adam Sadler at A_sadler@teamfca.com. Or check out sanctifi edstudentconference.com

Pastor Dan Powers, North Fork Baptist Church, Seneca Rocks, has been emphasizing the importance of Sunday School and its ministry potential, to the church. Associate Pastor Todd Bruce (third from right) decided to challenge his youth Sunday School class. He is leading them through a discussion of Bob Mayfi eld’s

book “Missional Pivot Points.” The class is deciding on various mission activities they can do in their community.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist

CHILDREN’S BIBLE DRILL NEWS The color for the 2011 cycle is green. If you need answers or materials please contact Randy Spurgeon at 800-411-5758, ext 116, or randyspurgeon@wvcsb.org

state vacation bible school

clinicsaturday

february 269 am - 2:30 pm

freedombaptist church

nutter fortFOR THE ASSOCIATION VBS TEAM MEMBERS

HOW CAN I BECOME A CHRISTIAN? A new year! What happened to the old one? Time moves at a steady pace. Soon weeks have passed. Desires to make decisions quickly get pushed out by other desires or needs. You are thinking that this is the time to get right with God. Now is the time to do that. It will be July before you know it! So, what is God’s plan for getting in right relationship with Him? Admit to God that you are a sinner. Yes, you have done wrong things. But your basic character and attitude toward God is wrong. You have been selfi sh and self-absorbed. You have left God out of your life. Do you believe Jesus is God’s Son? Jesus is God’s one and only Son. He died on a cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day after His death. Why did this happen? He died for you. He died with the penalty of your sin and rebellion against God having been placed on Him. He took it away from you. Jesus dealt with it. We could not. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are you willing to trust Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If so, ask Him to. Commit your life, goals, time, talent, treasures, to Him. Ask Jesus to forgive you. Tell Him you want Him to be the boss of your life. Confess Him as your Lord. Then tell others what you have done, and why.