The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - March–April 2009

March/April 2009 • Vol. 14, Issue 2 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

CBFNC 2009 General Assembly

The ministry of Hyaets in the West Charlotte neighborhood of Enderly Park personifies the General Assembly theme “Embracing Authentic Evangelism.” The mission of Hyaets is to inspire, enrich, and embody Christian community. The Hyaets partners, Jason & Joanie Williams and Greg & Jennifer “Helms” Jarrell do so by offering their own homes to their neighbors as a place of rest, food, shelter, and friendship. Learn more about Hyaets in the May/June newsletter. In the meantime, come to the General Assembly to “embrace authentic evangelism.” Details are on page 5.

The Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

Page 5

General Assembly details

Page 6

CBF General Assembly details

Page 7

New Baptist Covenant details

Page 8

Sasha, Misha and Wingate Baptist Church

Page 9

From the Grave to His Grace

by Innocent Ndagijimana

Baptist Bible School of Belize Page 3

Page 4

Partners in Ministry - Lay Ministries: WMU NC and Baptist Men of NC General Assembly Offering: Lebanon, Living Faith Ministry

by Bill Mason

by Bob Lamb

Page 10 Our Common Hope Makes Us One

by John Jay Alvaro

March/April 2009

The Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • cbfnc@cbfnc.org • www.cbfnc.org

Larry Hovis .......... Executive Coordinator LHovis@cbfnc.org Rick Jordan ......... Church Resources Coordinator RJordan@cbfnc.org Linda Jones ......... Missions Coordinator LJones@cbfnc.org

Jack Causey ...Ministerial Resources Coordinator JCausey@cbfnc.org Jim Hylton .... Business Administration Coordinator JHylton@cbfnc.org Wanda Kidd ...College Ministry Consultant asyougo5@aol.com Nancy Parks .... Programs Manager NParks@cbfnc.org

Natalie Aho .... Communications Manager NAho@cbfnc.org Laura Barclay ...... Ministry Support Manager LBarclay@cbfnc.org Gail McAlister ..... Financial Assistant GMcalister@cbfnc.org

Coordinating Council Greg Rogers, Greenville, Moderator Gail Coulter, Hendersonville, Past-Moderator Steve Little, Marion, Moderator-Elect Glenda Currin, Wilmington, Recorder Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Treasurer Ray Ammons, Gastonia Mack Dennis, Mount Gilead Carolyn Dickens, Raleigh Don Gordon, Durham Gary Knight, Winston-Salem Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro Bert Young, Bladenboro Janice Young, Whiteville

Faith Development Ministry Council Blythe Taylor, Charlotte, Chair Elizabeth Edwards, Nashville, Chair-Elect Jennifer Baxley, Henderson Garin Hill, Burlington Cindy Joy, Oxford Rebecca Husband Maynard, Elkin Kathy Naish, Hickory Tony Spencer, Forest City John Vestal, Wake Forest Allen Winters, Hillsborough

Missions Ministry Council Shirley Kool, Sylva, Chair Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair-Elect Kent Cranford, Gastonia Jim Everette, Wilmington Christopher Ingram, Smithfield Judy LeCroy, Lexington Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington Susie Reeder, Fayetteville Jose Villasenor, Durham

Endowment Management Board Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem, Chair A. G. Bullard, Raleigh Joe Harris, Mocksville Drag Kimrey, Laurinburg Tom Smith, Greensboro

Financial Report:

Leadership Development Ministry Council Steve Zimmerman, Mebane, Chair Burke Holland, Belhaven, Chair-Elect Mark Ashworth, Kernersville Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands Rendell Hipps, Hickory Terry Honeycutt, Rutherfordton Scott Hovey, Durham Jerry Richards, Apex Sheila Russ, Winston-Salem Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro

November 2008 Contributions December 2008 Contributions

CBF National Council Members from NC Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro Scott Hagaman, Marion Betsy Newton Herman, Raleigh Don Horton, Zebulon Crystal Leathers, Hickory Jim McCoy, Weaverville Mickie Norman, Leland

Undesignated - $72,816; Designated - $86,048 Undesignated - $102,985; Designated - $177,721 2008-2009 Monthly Budget Goal: $90,746

“No Easy Answers” - Sunday School Literature Workshop Do you struggle to find good literature? Do you know how to distinguish good marketing from good material? Do you always need to make changes to whatever literature you use?

Then you’ve already discovered that there are “no easy answers.” We can’t introduce you to the perfect product, but we can help you work with what’s available today. Come learn to discern and adapt Sunday School literature at one of these workshops.

Saturday, May 16, 2009 Two locations: Boiling Springs or Raleigh 10 am - 12 pm -- How to Evaluate Curricula (with samples and hands-on opportunities) 1 pm - 3 pm -- How to Implement Curricula (teaching skills, learning environments, more age-graded conversations) Paid $15 fee (includes lunch) due by May 6. Learn more, including speakers and exact locations, and register at www.cbfnc.org.

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Partners in Ministry - Lay Ministries: Woman’s Missionary Union of NC and Baptist Men of NC When CBFNC developed the Mission Resource Plan in 2004, the special task force that sought input on what this new plan should include heard loudly and clearly that the CBFNC family loved WMU of NC and Baptist Men of NC and desired a way to provide financial support for these missions organizations. Though these organizations were not line items in the “Plan C” budget, it was determined that they deserved a prominent place in the new CBFNC resource plan. They received a category of their own, “Lay Ministries,” and have continued to attract significant support from our churches. In 2007, when WMU of NC announced that they would acquire their own space and assume a greater responsibility for their own administrative support, CBFNC immediately established an “emergency offering” to help them through the transition.

During these four years, the partnership between CBFNC and these important lay ministry organizations has involved more than financial contributions. Both Ruby Fulbright and Richard Brunson have addressed our Fall Fellowship gatherings. Both organizations set up booths each year at the CBFNC General Assembly, and we display at their annual meetings. WMU of NC is assisting with promotion of the CBF Global Missions offering and providing training for CBF missions education literature. Baptist Men of North Carolina involves CBF churches in disaster relief efforts in North Carolina and beyond the borders of our state. We also partner together in Lebanon with the White Wings Retreat Center (see page 4). We continue to explore avenues of partnership that we trust will grow and expand in the months and years ahead. Learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

Baptist Men of North Carolina “We are living in a day when mission needs and opportunities may be greater than ever before. I am grateful to the NC Baptist churches who support the work of NC Baptist Men through CBFNC. Your giving, prayers and personal involvement are greatly needed and are making a great impact in our state and around the world. One example of this is the work of Chaouki Boulos in Lebanon. Chaouki is doing evangelistic outreach meetings, building a Christian retreat/training center, working with the Bedouins and more. NC Baptist Men are trying to help Chaouki and this important work. We have sent construction teams and funds to help build the retreat/training center as well as help with the evangelistic meetings in Beirut. We are also recruiting sponsors so poor Bedouin children can attend a Christian school. The funds that are contributed to NC Baptist Men through CBFNC are being used to help with this important work (learn more on page 4). Thank you for praying, giving and going.” ~ Richard Brunson, Executive Director, Baptist Men, www.ncmissions.org

“Missions is the heartbeat of Baptist life. Through the years, no Baptist organizations in our state have done more to provide mission support and engagement than WMU of NC and Baptist Men of NC. I am personally gratefully for the willingness of these organizations to partner with CBFNC churches for the sake of Christ’s kingdom. I look forward to new opportunities for joint ministry in the future.” ~ Larry Hovis, Executive Coordinator, CBFNC “Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina’s missions statement says that we ‘. . .challenge, prepare and equip Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.’ That’s a pretty bold and ambitious statement.

But, we also say we do this by working cooperatively with those who share a common purpose in promoting Christ-centered and Bible-based missions and ministry locally and globally. WMU NC is so very grateful for the partnership we share with CBF churches. Some of our CBFNC churches have very significant missions education organizations who partner with WMU NC in training, projects, events, Camp Mundo Vista experiences. . .just to name a few. Many folks from CBFNC churches participate with us in missions locally and globally.

WMU NC is also very grateful for the prayer support and financial support we receive from CBFNC. Your support helps provide for us as a statewide organization as we continue to provide missions education and missions involvement throughout our state.

Because we believe in partnerships, some say we are a much too liberal of North Carolina organization. Well . . .I guess we are liberal. We are liberal in the giving of our money, our prayers, our time, our witnessing. We liberally teach our children and send them to mission fields.

We have always been about doing whatever it takes to promote the cause of Christ – through prayer, giving, going, witnessing, sending, teaching, telling, and sacrificing.

And when WMU is true to herself, we’ve been where the loneliness and lostness and hurt are; where people without Christ are; and thus where the missionaries are and where ALL Christians need to be.

Thank you for partnering with us to reach a lost and hurting world!” ~ Ruby Fulbright, Executive Director, WMU of NC, www.wmunc.org The Gathering – March/April 2009 • 3

CBFNC General Assembly

General Assembly 2009 Offering Lebanon, the Open Door to the Middle East “Just as the Lord called out Barnabas and Saul to go and reach nations (Acts 13:2), I believe the Lord is calling to the church of Antioch once again; He is separating or calling to a people who will respond and follow Him.” ~ Chaouki Boulos Living Faith Ministry International, a non-denominational ministry, began when Chaouki Boulos, Lebanese-American pastor and CBF Field Personnel, responded to a call from God that it was time to share Jesus in the Middle East in an open manner. Prior to then, Christians had been “sowing” and “watering” but in an underground manner.

Unknown to many, Lebanon is a nation that is 36% Christian, making it unique among Middle Eastern countries.

Chaouki, his wife Maha, and a group of believers began in July 2000 in Beirut, Lebanon with Operation Antioch, a five-night, open-air Celebration with uplifting music and dynamic preaching. Christians from the US offered support: doing street evangelism, ministering in orphanages, developing a children’s ministry, hosting basketball clinics and generally encouraging people in the local churches. Since July 2000, celebrations have been held twice a year in Beirut. They’ve also held events in Syria, Egypt and Jordan. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, far above what anyone predicted, with churches of all denominations participating.

Along the way, it became apparent that there was a pressing need for a retreat center, somewhere for new Christians from areas that don’t have religious freedom to come for discipleship or refuge, and somewhere that Christians of all denominations could meet together. The 2009 General Assembly Offering will go to support this retreat center, called White Wings. Property was purchased in the heart of the Christian community in a mountainous area about 2,400 feet high. This will be a place where pastors and Christians throughout the Middle East and North Africa come for training, refreshing, and countless other opportunities. This center will serve every aspect of Christian evangelism especially to the Muslim population. Learn more about Living Faith Ministry at www.operationantioch.com or contact Chaouki at operationantioch@hotmail. com. You can also visit www.cbfnc.org.

In addition to giving your offering money during the 2009 General Assembly, you can travel with the Baptist Men of NC to do construction and concrete/ block work. Dates of 2009 trips are May 3-12, May 17-26, and June 7-16.

Contact Baptist Men at 800-395-5102 or www.ncmissions.org.

The First Annual “Elevating Preaching” Conference held during the General Assembly March 20-21, Fayetteville

BWIM, NC Convocation 2009 Friday, March 20, FBC, Fayetteville

Friday afternoon, concurrent with breakout sessions, with breaks scheduled to allow participants to come and go as they choose in order to attend other breakout sessions

“In Remembrance of Her: Preaching Without Words” Mark 14:3-9

Featured will be four outstanding preachers from our state: • Tony Cartledge, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Campbell Divinity School, and contributing editor of Baptists Today • Wanda Kidd, College Ministry Consultant, CBFNC • Ken Massey, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Greensboro • William Turner, Associate Professor of the Practice of Homiletics, Duke Divinity School • The final session of the afternoon will be an informal dialogue with Fred Craddock, renowned preacher and author and keynote speaker for the General Assembly

Fellowship: 9:30 am Business: 10:15 am Worship: 10:30 am Lunch: 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall, FBC Cost of lunch $10 Provided by FBC WMU, proceeds to go to Benevolence Fund

For more information, visit www.elevatingpreaching.com.

4 • The Gathering – March/April 2009

Childcare registration requested by March 6.

Email rene@fbcfay.com. Infants and toddlers for free with church volunteers, and 2-5 year olds in church daycare for $3/hr. Lunch served for a small additional cost, or bring a bag lunch.

Visit www.bwimnc.org for more.

CBFNC General Assembly March 20-21, 2009 Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville Keynote Speaker: Dr. Fred Craddock The Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament, Emeritus, in the Candler School of Theology at Emory University; selected by “Newsweek” as one of the twelve most effective preachers in the English speaking world

How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news. Isaiah 52:7

General Schedule Friday, March 20

Saturday, March 21

9:00 am Ministry Workshop Session 12:30 pm Welcome and Orientation 10:15 am Business Session 1 – 5 pm Ministry Workshop Sessions; Elevating Preaching Conference 11:00 am Closing Worship 4:45 pm Fellowship Dinner* 6:45 pm Worship (featuring orchestra and 100 voice youth choir) 8:15 pm Fellowship Reception * Friday Evening Fellowship Dinner requires a $10 paid reservation (two different meal choices) due by March 9.

Save time when you arrive - pre-register today at www.cbfnc.org!

Ministry workshop titles, General Assembly details, discounted hotel options and registration for the dinner and childcare are available at www.cbfnc.org.

Free childcare for the General Assembly is available by advanced registration by February 27.

New this year - Mix and Match! Attend some or all of our ministry workshop session tracks: Hispanic Ministry

New Church Starts

Age Group Leaders

for Anglo churches ministering to

Emerging Church

for those working with children, youth

Hispanics and in Spanish for those who are Hispanic

Postmodern Worship in a Small Mountain Setting Panel Discussion

Racial Reconciliation

Spirituality

Racial Reconciliation, the Body of Christ,

Praying the Scriptures

and the Proclamation of the Gospel The Good News of Racial Reconciliation and Your Church

Church and Technology

How to Plan a Spirituality Retreat

and adults in the areas of Bible study and missions

Understanding Other Faiths Hinduism, Islam and Mormonism

Special Interests Annual Bible Study - Acts

Evangelism

Helping Youth Understand Baptists

How to Start an Alpha Group in Your

Humor in the Bible

Church

The History of Baptist Confessions of Faith

How to Use Technology in Worship

Communicating Faith in an Online World

Preaching from the Inside Out

How to Use Technology in Outreach

Evangelism in a Digital Age

Planning the Perfect Sabbatical

How to be Social and Christian on the

Local Church Discerning Process

The Least, the Little Known and the

Internet

Mission Stories Mission in the Time of Testing Village of Hope, Ukraine Slavic Ministry, NC Together for Hope, Helena, AR

Listening Evangelism

Unnamed: Old Testament Characters

Evangelism Without Additives

You Might Not Know but Will Be Glad

Evangelism in a Cross Cultural World

to Meet

Helping Anglo Churches Reach Out to Hispanics Emerging Church

Christianity’s Response to Terrorism A multi-session track for Chaplains

and Pastoral Counselors

Ministering to Muslims

Wealth and Poverty

NC Missions Initiative Weekend

Practical Ideas from Hands-on Christians

More sessions will be added. A complete

Belize

First Steps in Addressing Poverty in Your

list with session descriptions, leaders and

Living Faith Ministry

Community

Missional Church

Pastoral Care for the Unemployed

Around the World with MDGs

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

schedule is at www.cbfnc.org and will be provided at the General Assembly.

The Gathering – March/April 2009

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CBFNC Events

CBF National General Assembly July 2-3, 2009 Hilton-Americas  Houston, Texas • Auxiliary events begin July 1 with the Leadership Institute and the annual commissioning of CBF field personnel.

• Attend worship, ministry workshops, annual business sessions and other activities including plenty of time for fellowship.

For more, including registration and hotels, visit www.thefellowship.info.

Meet Fellow North Carolinians While in Houston Join North Carolinians in Houston for the CBF of North Carolina State meeting during the General Assembly on Thursday, July 2, at 4:00 pm. We will have time for fellowship, updates from our various councils, slideshows from events throughout the year and more! Be sure to meet up with other North Carolinians when you come to Texas this summer.

College and Graduate Students - Houston Sessions: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

“From Inquiry to Invitation” June 29 - July 5, 2009, Houston, TX (in conjunction with the CBF General Assembly) This missional experience trip includes: • service work in Galveston, TX • participation in the General Assembly and special meetings • discussion and interaction with people about immigration issues • attending a Fourth of July celebration in Houston • worship with the Cowboy Church Cost will be approximately $150. More details and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org and www.thefellowship.info.

Youth Spring Mission Weekends Raleigh, NC

March 27-29, 2009

Making Mustard to Move Mountains Matthew 17:20

Asheville, NC May 1-3, 2009

Bring your youth to serve at food pantry and homeless ministries, on home construction and repair, with painting, and more. Your group will work together on one or more projects and worship alongside youth from other churches.

Weekend Options:

Travel and Lodge two nights in the city ($99 p/p based on 4 per room) or Commute In for Saturday work and worship ($54 p/p) Includes: Youth-oriented worship service Saturday evening; multi-cultural service on Sunday morning; Water bottle; Construction materials; Lodging for weekend stay; Meals (see details at www.cbfnc.org)

Each site has a limit of 200. Find details and register early at www.cbfnc.org!

6 • The Gathering – March/April 2009

New Baptist Covenant

Wake Forest University Divinity School will host the Southeast Regional Gathering of the New Baptist Covenant on April 24-25, 2009 This is God’s Year to Act: Responding to a Society in Crisis Plenary worship services and workshops offering strategies for response to pressing social and spiritual needs in a time of economic crisis Breakout sessions focus on the church’s response to current issues including: homelessness, health care, the environment, education, immigration, and strategies for ministry A Friday evening dinner sponsored by Baptists Today will honor James Dunn, Resident Professor of Christianity and Public Policy at Wake Forest, with the Judson-Rice lifetime achievement award. For more or to register, visit www.baptiststoday.org.

Other preachers include Dr. Clifford Jones, senior pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, and Rev. Amy Dean, co-pastor of Park Road Baptist Church, Charlotte.

Saturday keynote address by President Jimmy Carter

Friday, April 24 12:30 1:00 3:00 4:30 7:00 7:30 9:00

- 1:00 - 2:30 - 4:15 - 7:00 - 7:30 - 9:00 - 10:00

Prayer and Praise Gathering Worship Service I - Featuring Dr. Maya Angelou Workshop Session I Dinner Break Prayer and Praise Gathering Worship Service II - Featuring Dr. Clifford Jones Reception

Saturday, April 25 9:00 10:15 10:30 11:30 1:00 2:30

- 10:00 - 10:30 - 11:30 - 1:00 - 2:00 - 4:00

Workshop Session II Prayer and Praise Gathering Worship Service III - Featuring Rev. Amy Dean Lunch Break Workshop Session III Worship Service IV - Featuring former President Jimmy Carter

Friday keynote address by Professor Maya Angelou

Bill Leonard, dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Serenus Churn, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and Ruben Gilliam, pastor of North Winston Baptist Church are co-chairs of this event.

The initial Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant was held in Atlanta, Georgia in January of 2008. The event brought together more than 15,000 Baptists representing over 30 Baptist organizations, and was the most racially diverse gathering of Baptists ever held in the United States. It was then determined to hold multiple regional meetings that would facilitate greater potential for cooperative ministries.

Register at www.newbaptistcovenantse.org or call 336-758-5121.

Free and open to the public. Schedule, discount hotels and more details available online.

The Gathering – March/April 2009 • 7

CBFNC Missions

Sasha, Misha and Wingate Baptist Church

by Bill Mason, Volunteer Coordinator, Village of Hope left, taking his daughter with him.

Sasha and Misha were left alone in the house when their mother decided to go celebrate the New Year. She did not return. The boys were abandoned, alone, in a house with no heat, no food, and no water. The weather was bitterly cold.

A

n open letter to the congregation of Wingate Baptist Church regarding their relationship with the Village of Hope, Kiev, Ukraine: “You, the members of Wingate Baptist Church, have been very generous in your support of the Village of Hope Christian Center for Children-at-Risk, donating money for building materials as well as contributing a portion of the travel expenses for volunteers who travel to Ukraine to work at The Village of Hope. You have contributed your time and energy in making moneyraising projects successful. Your continuing dedication is evident in your approval of a line item in our Annual Ministry Plan that sets aside $3,430 for the support of a child at The Village of Hope for one year. This money goes directly to The Village of Hope to provide food, clothing, education, medical services, and all other costs that are required to raise a child.

The children at The Village of Hope come from a life of misery, despair, neglect, and danger: an existence with no hope. In a sense, they have been discarded on life’s “trash pile.” The Village of Hope is making a vital difference in the lives of these children. Following is the story of two who are recipients of God’s love shown through you who go and you who give.

Sasha, age 6, and Misha, age 4, are the children of a young Ukrainian woman who, from all the evidence of her behavior, was an alcoholic and drug-addict. The children have different fathers. As January of 2006 approached, this young mother was living with a man who was the father of neither of her sons, though she had a daughter by him. During the holiday season, the man 8 • The Gathering – March/April 2009

The house had previously been put up for sale. A prospective buyer came by to inspect the property but couldn’t get in because it was locked. He walked around the house, looking in the windows. He was shocked to see two little boys huddled together, trying to keep warm. He called the police; the boys were taken to the hospital where they were treated for exposure to the cold and for dehydration. The mother was located and charged with child neglect and abandonment. She was tried and sentenced to prison. The children were eventually awarded to The Village of Hope house parents, Yuri and Lena. Yuri is the Associate Pastor of the Bucha Baptist Church

(this is an unpaid position). He and Lena have two children, Deanna, age 12, and Yanna, age 17. It is very heartwarming to see the four children together. If you did not know the story, you would think they were all the biological children of these loving parents. The boys love their new “Papa and Mama” who in turn love them equally. After two and a half years, Sasha and Misha are normal happy smiling children who have been rescued from the “trash pile” of life. They will grow up as Christians and will be productive citizens of Ukraine.

With your continuing prayers and support through giving and going, there will be many other such stories with happy endings.”

Your church can be a partner in supporting a child at the Village of Hope. Contact Linda Jones at 888822-1944 or learn more at www. cbfnc.org.

From the Grave to His Grace

by Innocent Ndagijimana, Pastor, All Nations Christian Center

CBFNC Missions

and the Hutus, who dominated the government. After April 6, when the plane carrying Rwandan President Juvenalle Habyarimana and Burundian President Cyprien Ntaryamira was shot down, every hill in Rwanda turned into a grave site. People were killed because of their ethnicity, which they did not choose. Among those victims were my father, half-brother, uncles, friends, and other family members.

On April 6, 1994, in a small country called Rwanda, which is located in the heart of Africa, her people experienced one of the worst genocides of the twentieth century. More than two million people lost their lives.

The long time ethnic conflict caused the civil war of October 1, 1990, between the Tutsis, who were refugees,

God saved me in that horrible, bloody period because He had a big plan for my life. In February 1995, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. He rescued me from the grave and saved me by His grace.

He called me for a ministry of reconciliation and to give hope to those who lost it for tomorrow. I am now in Greensboro, NC, planting a church called All Nations Christian Center, for those who are hurt. Most of them are new immigrants and English is still a challenge for them, which makes it difficult for local churches to minister to them. People are gathering in my small apartment every Saturday evening with the hope of opening our church in early 2009. I am asking any church that feels it can sow a seed in my ministry to do so, for their reward will be great in heaven. This ministry is for people from different countries. For mission minded churches, this is a mission just next door. Anyone who wishes to support this ministry can reach me at (336) 288-3312 or email me at: ndaginnocent101@gmail.com.

CBFNC provides financial and ministry support for this church start.

Contact Linda Jones at 888-822-1944 or visit www.cbfnc.org to learn more about CBFNC and new church starts.

Baptist Bible School of Belize Update

by Bob Lamb, USA Coordinator In January, the Baptist Bible School of Belize met for its ninth session, welcoming two new students, Sarita Peters and Sharon August, and welcoming back one student who had dropped out. Another student completed his last three courses to earn his Certificate in Pastoral Ministries and will be among the graduates in October when the Baptist Association of Belize next meets. The Baptist Bible School graduated five men with a Certificate in Pastoral Ministries last October. This school, supported by the generosity of CBF churches in North Carolina, and staffed by volunteer teachers from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Mississippi is providing much needed training for the pastors and church leaders in Belize.

Rev. Ustaquio Pop and Rev. Catarino Pop, Sr. each received a Q chord Digital Songcard Guitar sent by Mrs. Beth Heffner and the First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton, NC. Mrs. Heffner, who had introduced the Digital Guitars in the course on Music and Worship in January of 2008, earlier sent instruments for other students. Ustaquio and Catarino look forward to using their instruments in the Maya churches they lead.

Bob Lamb, USA Coordinator for the Baptist Bible School of Belize, is happy to talk with others who would like to help. Contact him at rlamb12@ carolina.rr.com or 704-434-9392. Also, learn more about missions to Belize and the pastor’s school at www.cbfnc.org.

Ustaquio Pop receiving his Q chord The Gathering – March/April 2009 • 9

Wealth and Poverty

Our Common Hope Makes Us One

by John Jay Alvaro, Poverty Initiative Intern, CBFNC

December 22nd was a cold night in Henderson, NC; it was the coldest expressing the true ethos of this partnership: Loving and gracious God, you bring us together on night in weeks. Yet that did not stop over 300 people from coming out for a time of shared gifts of food and cheer. In the parking lot of Greater Little Zion this night as one people. Though we come from different Church in the Flint Hill neighborhood of Henderson, the efforts of a three- places, we have one thing in common, that is that we church partnership were realized in the form of 200+ boxed Christmas meals need You. Lord, we need the gift of Your Son all the days and frozen turkeys given to the community. The initiative is one of three of our life, but in times like this, when there is so much projects First Baptist Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, and Greater Little Zion suffering, when there is so much uncertainty, when so United Holy Church host each year. This partnership of churches also hosts many struggle to find hope, Lord, we need You to be an early-summer day camp and late-summer block party where last year born in our hearts tonight. And Lord, on this night we over 1,000 backpacks with schools supplies were given out. While the issues pray not only for ourselves but for our whole community. of poverty are widespread in Henderson, they have committed to focus their Too long have we been divided, too long have we sought collective efforts on the neglected neighborhoods surrounding Greater Little solutions without finding them. So we pray… that You Zion Church. In keeping this partnership small (it is only made up of these would draw us together…that hope and righteousness three churches) and committing to the Flint Hill neighborhood (rather than and truth would break out.

This type of work requires patience, fortitude, and an poverty in all of Henderson), the partnership can remain nimble and responsive and also be able to see true fruit from their efforts. These churches realize unyielding hope in the Good News of Jesus Christ to put that programs and projects help to alleviate the immediate effects of poverty, back together what is broken. Hope can quickly evacuate yet they know efforts must also address the systemic nature of poverty in the space where poverty and suffering exists. Even the Henderson. This has led to a complete re-imagining of what is possible for best-intentioned charity can be met with skepticism and distrust. What Greater this community. Rather Little Zion, Shiloh, and than just offer a meal or a First Baptist desire is not short-term solution, this a better mechanism to partnership envisions a deliver charity to the poor rebirth. of Henderson. They are not The partnership was developing a system; they created from a shared are cultivating relationships. desire to address and Names and faces replace alleviate poverty in cultural labels. Names like Vance County. Initially Sheila Simmons, who was this looked like First BC honored by the Mayor of and Shiloh BC reaching Block party and backpack distribution Henderson for the care she across the racial divide and sharing worship, meals and prayer together. Both of these churches has given to the park built by the partnership earlier in realized quickly that they still lacked the ability to understand and connect the year. Or Geraldine Champion, who lives across the with those they hoped to help as they faced the larger chasm of class and street from Greater Little Zion and never stopped moving socioeconomic differences. Greater Little Zion, located in the middle of the on this particular night as she served her neighbors and Flint Hill neighborhood, joined the partnership and provided a way to reach friends. Names like Brenda Peace, the Pastor of Greater into the community with help. Each church brings certain resources and gifts Little Zion and lifelong resident of Flint Hill who led to the partnership: the trust of city officials, the funds needed, or the trust the church to stay in the neighborhood that needed it of the poor communities. It is within the collective efforts of these three most instead of leaving when times got difficult. There are more names than room to write about. All of these churches working together that a night like this dinner offering is possible.

Gathered around a truck full of boxed Christmas meals, the neighborhood people, all from different backgrounds, neighborhoods, experienced the fruition of cooperation and a shared vision. The strange and churches, but on this night unified by the Good News part of the night was not that over 300 people gathered on a cold night in that there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, rich a rough part of town. The unexpected experience was that, at a time when nor poor, white nor black nor Hispanic. Jesus Christ, the differences are so amplified, when categories and social boundaries are more baby in the stable that we celebrate during Advent, the real than walls of stone, there was a sense of unity in the air. It was not just liberating Messiah, our common hope, makes us one.

Read future articles on poverty in our enewsletter. important that these people who needed food this Christmas got it but also that somehow just gathering together would break down walls of separation. Visit www.cbfnc.org to subscribe or to learn more about Paul Baxley (Senior minister, First BC) offered this prayer for the night, working on wealth and poverty issues with CBFNC. 10 • The Gathering – March/April 2009

CBFNC Around the State with Our Coordinators (November - January) One of the ministries that our Coordinators gladly perform is preaching, teaching and speaking in churches. Our Coordinators are available for the following: to preach in worship services, for special occasions or to provide pulpit supply in the pastor’s absence; to lead a session on CBF and CBFNC in general or a particular ministry area; to lead retreats for deacons, teachers or other leadership groups; and to consult with church leaders on topics of their expertise. If you would like to schedule a Coordinator to come to your church, contact the CBFNC office at 888-822-1944.

Here are the following churches and organizations where our Coordinators visited from November through January: St. John’s Baptist, Raleigh Lambeth Memorial, Roxboro First, Stantonsburg Jackson, Jackson Fishing Creek, Whitakers Cashie, Windsor

Durham Memorial, Durham First, Winston-Salem Ardmore, Winston-Salem First, Hickory All Nations Christian Center (new African church start), Greensboro

Ridgecrest Baptist, Wake Forest Sardis, Charlotte Forest Hills, Raleigh First, Mount Airy West Side, Winston Hiddenite, Hiddenite

New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (December 2008 - January 2009) Northside, Burlington

CBF Announces Newly Endorsed Chaplains from North Carolina

Oak Ridge, Kittrell (Formerly CBF only)

First, Canton (New MRP* Contributor)

Flat Rock, Mt Airy (Formerly CBF only)

T. Lee Hendricks, Greenville AseraCare Hospice, Winterville

Pritchard Memorial, Charlotte (Formerly CBF only)

Roberts Chapel, Pendleton (New MRP* Contributor)

Edenton, Edenton (New MRP* Contributor)

Flat Springs, Sanford

Robert A. Townsend, Winston-Salem Moses Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro

(New MRP* Contributor)

Antioch, Enfield (New MRP* Contributor)

Sandy Plains, Shelby (Formerly CBF only)

Brandt Oaks, Greensboro (New MRP* Contributor)

Bethany, Winston-Salem

Learn more about chaplaincy and pastoral counselors at www.cbfnc.org or www.thefellowship.info.

Parkwood, High Point Quaker Gap, King

*Mission Resource Plan Visit www.cbfnc.org to learn more.

(Formerly CBF only)

Ministers on the Move

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Bill McMahon has been called as the Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, Asheville.

Henry Styron has been called as the Associate Pastor of the French Broad Baptist Church, Hendersonville.

Matt Walton has been called as the Minister of Youth and Education of the First Baptist Church, Wadesboro.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc.org.

For vocational placement or search committee requests, visit our vocations page on our website at www.cbfnc. org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.

The Gathering – March/April 2009 • 11

Upcoming Events ~ March/April Edition New Ministers’ Luncheon March 3, 2009 CBFNC Office, Winston-Salem Complimentary luncheon for ministers (pastors and staff) and spouses who moved to a church or ministry position in NC from another state during 2008.

11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Contact 888-822-1944 by February 24 to attend.

Adult Spiritual Formation Retreat March 6-8, 2009 Caraway Retreat Center, Asheboro Details at www.cbfnc.org.

Youth Choir Festival March 13-14, 2009 First Baptist Church, Greensboro Details, repertoire, and registration at www.cbfnc.org.

Register by February 20, 2009.

CBFNC General Assembly March 20-21, 2009 Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC See pages 4-5. Details and registration at www.cbfnc.org.

Missions Initiative Rain Date March 27-29, 2009 Halifax, Warren and Vance Counties Details and registration at www.cbfnc. org.

Interim Ministry Training May 11-13, 2009 CBFNC Offices, Winston-Salem Contact CBFNC for more information, 888-822-1944.

Youth Spring Mission Weekends March 27-29, 2009 - Raleigh May 1-3, 2009 - Asheville See page 6. Details and registration at www.cbfnc.org.

Sunday School Literature Workshop May 16, 2009 Boiling Springs or Raleigh See page 2. Details and registration at www.cbfnc.org. Register by May 6.

Regional New Baptist Covenant Meeting April 24-25, 2009 Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem See page 7. Details at www. newbaptistcovenantse.org.

Houston Sessions June 29 - July 5, 2009 Houston, Texas See page 6. Details and registration at www.cbfnc.org.

Marriage Enrichment May 2, 2009 First Baptist Church, Hickory Registration and details at www.cbfnc. org.

CBF General Assembly July 2-3, 2009 Houston, Texas See page 6. Visit www.thefellowship. info for more and to register.

The Gathering is published six times a year. All questions may be directed to Natalie Aho, 888-822-1944 or naho@cbfnc.org. For story submissions, contact Natalie Aho for requirements and newsletter deadlines.

Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry 8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205 Winston-Salem, NC 27106

888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org

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