Earlys...........................................................Ahoskie First..........................................................Four Oaks First..............................................................Ahoskie Pauline......................................................Four Oaks First.......................................................... Albemarle Burningtown...............................................Franklin Angier............................................................. Angier Franklinton............................................Franklinton Baptist Fellowship of Angier..................... Angier Covenant.................................................... Gastonia Neill’s Creek.................................................. Angier First............................................................ Gastonia Iglesia Bautista Torre Fuerte.........................Apex Loray.......................................................... Gastonia Olive Chapel ...................................................Apex Reynoldson...................................................... Gates Woodhaven......................................................Apex First.........................................................Goldsboro First................................................................. Arden Rosewood First......................................Goldsboro First...........................................................Asheboro First .............................................................Graham Oakwood Park.........................................Asheboro First.......................................................Greensboro Calvary....................................................... Asheville Southeast..............................................Greensboro First............................................................ Asheville Immanuel.................................................Greenville Morningside.............................................. Asheville Baptist Oakmont.................................................Greenville of the Cooperative of North Carolina Connaritsa................................................. Aulander The Fellowship Memorial......................................... Greenville First of Smithton..................................... Belhaven First............................................................... Hamlet July/August 2019 Vol. 24 Issue 4 Benson..........................................................Benson Flat Rock........................................... Hamptonville First.................................................................Biscoe First.........................................................Henderson First................................................ Black Mountain Providence...................................... Hendersonville First........................................................Bladenboro First..............................................................Hickory Lennons Cross Roads..........................Bladenboro Mountain Grove ........................................Hickory First....................................................Blowing Rock Viewmont....................................................Hickory Boiling Springs............................... Boiling Springs Hiddenite..................................................Hiddenite First.................................................................Boone Emerywood............................................High Point Boonville................................................... Boonville Parkwood................................................High Point First....................................................... Bryson City Temple Memorial..................................High Point First....................................................... Buies Creek First.....................................................Hillsborough Memorial.............................................. Buies Creek Hobbsville..............................................Hobbsville Bullock..........................................................Bullock First.......................................................Huntersville First...........................................................Burnsville First........................................................ Jamestown First................................................................ Butner First............................................................Jonesville Calypso........................................................ Calypso First........................................................ Kannapolis Sawyer’s Creek............................................Camden First.......................................................Kernersville Hominy.........................................................Candler Union Cross.........................................Kernersville First............................................................... Canton Spilman Memorial......................................Kinston First..................................................Carolina Beach Oak Ridge......................................................Kittrell Greenwood Forest...........................................Cary Knightdale..............................................Knightdale Westwood..........................................................Cary First.........................................................Laurinburg Goshen.......................................................... Leland Chadbourn............................................ Chadbourn North Brunswick Fellowship..................... Leland Piney Forest.......................................... Chadbourn First.................................................................Lenoir Ephesus................................................ Chapel Hill Churchland.............................................. Lexington HillSong................................................. Chapel Hill First.......................................................... Lexington Lystra...................................................... Chapel Hill Jersey........................................................ Lexington Mount Carmel...................................... Chapel Hill First ...............................................................Liberty University............................................... Chapel Hill Antioch .................................................... Lillington Grace Crossing.........................................Charlotte Memorial ................................................. Lillington Iglesia Bautista Hispana..........................Charlotte First ........................................................Lincolnton Pritchard Memorial..................................Charlotte Littleton...................................................... Littleton Providence.................................................Charlotte Hickory Rock.......................................... Louisburg Sardis..........................................................Charlotte Louisburg................................................ Louisburg St. John’s....................................................Charlotte First........................................................ Lumberton First.............................................................Clarkton First.............................................................Madison Mount Zion................................................Clarkton Antioch........................................................ Mamers First...............................................................Clayton First............................................................... Marion Mosaic...........................................................Clayton Calvary.......................................................Mars Hill White Oak....................................................Clayton Mars Hill....................................................Mars Hill First...............................................................Clinton First..........................................................Marshville Grove Park...................................................Clinton New Bessemer................................... McLeansville McGill.........................................................Concord First.............................................................. Mebane First.........................................................Cramerton Mount Adar................................................. Mebane Open Arms........................................... Creedmoor Eatons..................................................... Mocksville Cullowhee................................................Cullowhee First......................................................... Mocksville First..............................................................Dobson First.............................................................. Monroe First................................................................ Drexel First.................................................. Morehead City First..................................................................Dunn First........................................................ Morganton Westfield..........................................................Dunn Calvary.................................................. Mount Airy Calvary........................................................ Durham First....................................................... Mount Airy Durham Memorial.................................... Durham Piney Grove......................................... Mount Airy Hope Valley................................................ Durham First....................................................Mount Gilead Lowes Grove.............................................. Durham First..................................................... Mount Holly Mount Hermon......................................... Durham Olive Temple........................................................Why Durham We Give First......................................................Mount What is Watts Street................................................ Hear Durham from seven Murfreesboro....................................Murfreesboro a CBF Church? New Bern Yates............................................................ministers Durhamand learn First.......................................................... Learn what it means Kendalls..............................................New London First...................................................................Eden to identify as a CBF why they give Trinity...........................................................Newton Edenton......................................................Edenton CBFNC. congregation. Wise...............................................................Norlina Blackwell Memorial......................... ElizabethtoCity First...................................................N. Wilkesboro First................................................... Elizabeth(pages City6–7) (page 2) Enon.............................................................. Oxford First...................................................................Elkin Hester............................................................ Oxford First....................................................................Elon Oxford.......................................................... Oxford Emerald Isle........................................Emerald Isle Bear Swamp........................................... Pembroke Enfield.......................................................... Enfield Roberts Chapel....................................... Pendleton Fair Bluff ..................................................Fair Bluff Pfafftown..................................................Pfafftown First............................................................Fairmont Mount Gilead............................................Pittsboro First............................................................Farmville Athens Drive................................................ Raleigh First.........................................................Fayetteville Crabtree Valley............................................. Raleigh Lafayette.................................................Fayetteville First............................................................... Raleigh Mount Pisgah.........................................Fayetteville Forest Hills................................................... Raleigh Snyder Memorial...................................Fayetteville Fountain of Raleigh.................................... Raleigh Unity Christian Church International .................................................................Fayetteville Greystone..................................................... Raleigh First.........................................................Forest City Hayes Barton............................................... Raleigh Florence..................................................Forest City Iglesia Bautista La Roca............................. Raleigh Mount Vernon.......................................Forest City
Longview...................................................... Raleigh Macedonia.................................................... Raleigh Millbrook...................................................... Raleigh New Hope.................................................... Raleigh North Raleigh Community........................ Raleigh Ridge Road................................................... Raleigh Shiloh Restoration ...................................... Raleigh St. John’s ...................................................... Raleigh Swift Creek................................................... Raleigh Tabernacle.................................................... Raleigh Temple.......................................................... Raleigh Triangle......................................................... Raleigh Trinity............................................................ Raleigh First....................................................... Red Springs Calvary.......................................................Reidsville First............................................................Reidsville Richfield......................................................Richfield First........................................................... Richlands Hope Christian Fellowship ........................................................Roanoke Rapids Rosemary.......................................Roanoke Rapids Dortches............................................ Rocky Mount Lakeside............................................. Rocky Mount Rolesville................................................... Rolesville First.............................................................Rowland Lamberth Memorial..................................Roxboro Roxboro......................................................Roxboro First...................................................Rutherfordton First.............................................................. Sanford Flat Springs................................................. Sanford Jonesboro Heights..................................... Sanford Double Shoals................................................Shelby First.................................................................Shelby Poplar Springs................................................Shelby Ross Grove.....................................................Shelby Sandy Plains...................................................Shelby Westview.........................................................Shelby Zion.................................................................Shelby Rocky River............................................... Siler City Nobles Chapel..................................................Sims First.......................................................... Smithfield Sharon...................................................... Smithfield First................................................. Southern Pines Spencer....................................................... Spindale First......................................................Spring Hope First.............................................................Stanfield First.....................................................Stantonsburg First...........................................................Statesville First........................................................... Stoneville Brunswick Islands........................................ Supply First................................................................... Sylva First..............................................................Tarboro Antioch.................................................. Taylorsville First..................................................................Tryon Round Hill............................................ Union Mills Cornerstone.................................................Valdese First...............................................................Valdese Falls.......................................................Wake Forest Grace Haven........................................Wake Forest Wake Forest..........................................Wake Forest Woodland.............................................Wake Forest First...............................................................Wallace Warrenton............................................... Warrenton First....................................................... Washington First........................................................Waynesville First........................................................ Weaverville Baptist Tabernacle...................................... Wendell Wendell Baptist........................................... Wendell First...................................................West Jefferson Fishing Creek...........................................Whitakers First.......................................................... Whiteville Mount Zion............................................. Whiteville First....................................................... Wilmington Masonboro........................................... Wilmington Temple.................................................. Wilmington Winter Park.......................................... Wilmington First................................................................Wilson Wingate........................................................Wingate Ardmore......................................... Winston-Salem College Park ................................... Winston-Salem Fellowship...................................... Winston-Salem First................................................. Winston-Salem Knollwood..................................... Winston-Salem Northwest...................................... Winston-Salem Peace Haven................................... Winston-Salem United............................................. Winston-Salem West Side ....................................... Winston-Salem Winterville..............................................Winterville Wise....................................................................Wise Maplewood.............................................Yadkinville Bethlehem.............................................Youngsville Grace Haven.........................................Youngsville Youngsville............................................Youngsville Zebulon...................................................... Zebulon
Gathering
The
What
is a CBF Church? by Larry Hovis | CBFNC Executive Coordinator
H
ow many CBF churches are there in North Carolina?” is MISSIONAL a question I am often asked. There is no simple answer to Many churches, year in and year out, participate in the mission that question. The problem is with defining what is meant and ministries of CBF and CBFNC. They attend assemblies, send by “CBF church.” In Baptist polity, each church is unique and their youth to CBFNC retreats, take mission trips to CBF mission determines with whom and to what extent it affiliates with other sites, work with CBF missions personnel, apply for CBF funding, organizations. The way churches relate to CBF and CBFNC, work with CBF partners, and engage missionally with CBF in a which are also autonomous bodies, is different with each church. wide variety of ways. That would indicate that they probably see In general, there are six primary ways in which a congregation may themselves as a “CBF church.” think of itself as a “CBF Church.” MINISTERIAL FINANCIAL Theological education has been a strong CBFNC’s Bylaws state, “The “. . . some congregations component of CBF ministries at the membership of CBFNC shall be state and national level throughout our are “CBF churches” in composed of individual Baptists history. Pastors, staff ministers, and a spiritual sense rather of North Carolina who either: (1) chaplains find a home in CBF life at a high Contribute directly as individuals, or than in an organizational rate. Many ministers participate in CBF (2) Are members of a church that peer learning groups and professional sense. They know they contributes to the ministries and development opportunities. Ministerial are different from other operations of CBFNC.” CBF has search committees often call on CBF Baptist churches in their similar language in its bylaws. staff to assist with their searches. So, unlike a convention, the Even when they don’t understand or community. They value members of CBFNC are not churches appreciate all that CBF organizations Walter Shurden’s Four but individuals. Still, the majority do, many churches sense that they want Fragile Freedoms – Soul of CBFNC’s funding comes from a “CBF pastor” who is a servant-leader, churches and the easiest indicator of not an authoritarian dictator. If their Freedom, Bible Freedom, a church’s affiliation with CBFNC is minister is under 50, they probably Church Freedom and financial support. sought one who attended a CBF partner Religious Freedom.” Churches choose whether and theological school. Churches who value how much to support CBFNC and this kind of minister are in this most CBF. A few churches support only critical way a “CBF church.” one or the other. Most support both. Still, to respect the freedom and SPIRITUAL individuality of both the churches and each CBF organization As with the previous indicator, some congregations are “CBF (state and national), we list contributing churches to CBFNC churches” in a spiritual sense rather than in an organizational once a year in The Gathering (see pp. 8–10) and on our website. sense. They know they are different from other Baptist churches in their community. They value Walter Shurden’s Four Fragile CONSTITUTIONAL Freedoms – Soul Freedom, Bible Freedom, Church Freedom and Religious Some churches state in their Constitution or Bylaws that they Freedom. They ordain women as deacons and ministers. Women affiliate or partner with CBFNC and/or CBF. This is a very clear can teach men in Bible classes and serve in any leadership role indicator on the part of the congregation that they are a “CBF in the church. Some churches have a “CBF DNA” even though church.” We don’t have an official list of these churches, as they they are not officially connected to CBF in other ways. More than rarely report this information to our office. once someone has said to me of their church, “We are CBF and don’t know it.” PROMOTIONAL What is a CBF church? On the one hand, there really is no Many churches promote CBF and CBFNC events and ministries such thing. Baptist churches are free churches, not franchises of in their publications. Such promotion is a strong indicator that a larger denominational body. On the other hand, free Baptist they are involved in and supportive of CBF organizations and see churches often value cooperation and choose to affiliate with themselves as a “CBF Church.” other bodies, including CBF bodies, in a variety of ways. Is your church a “CBF church”? How do you know?
2 • The Gathering
July/August 2019
Celebrating CBFNC’s New Church Starts Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. – Acts 13:1-3
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he last 25 years have brought a shift in our culture. There are more and more people who profess “no religion” (24%). Today, Christians are not met with hostility, just indifference. People do not see the relevance of church and live comfortably without it. Yet, people are still asking age-old questions about life and meaning. “Called” people from healthy churches are needed, ready to assist in starting new ones. Especially needed are Christians who will venture out into our culture with fresh, innovative ways of reaching people who will never cross the threshold of established churches. CBFNC has valued, encouraged, mentored, and financially supported new church starts from the very beginning. Two early new church starts share their stories. MEET DANIEL SOSTAITA, PASTOR OF IGLESIA CRISTIANA SIN FRONTERAS, meeting at Jefferson Christian Church, WinstonSalem. The day he received Christ, he received God’s call to do something for Christ. He came to the United States from Argentina in 1998 and started Baptist Theological University Cali in Colombia, graduating with an M. Div., (2010-2012). Seminary was a place to learn, but he was not really sure about being a pastor. The seminary director saw his potential and encouraged him which led him to Iglesia Union Cross (Winston-Salem) as a leader. One day, Iglesia Union Cross was celebrating its 10-year anniversary. A chaplain kept looking at him and after 3-4 hours, gave him a strong hug. “I’ve looked at you all morning. You are the real pastor of this church.” So in 2006, Daniel, his wife Irene, and daughters Barbara, Daniela, and Victoria moved to King, NC to start a new church, Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras (Without Borders Christian Church). He saw a lot of needs in the community. Daniel states, “This church needed so much more than a Sunday pastor; the people attending church had so many situations and deep problems.” Daniel talked to over 100 people about his vision and started a network. His vision: to share the gospel and also to heal as Jesus healed. Jesus walked in the neighborhoods and provided for all their needs. Daniel’s vision included providing a network of all the resources for the community. This network of resources now includes Wake Forest Baptist Hospital’s FaithHealthNC, immigration lawyers, Family Services, counselor services, Forsyth
Linda Jones CBFNC Missions Coordinator
Medical Center, the NC Department of Health and Human Services, a tutoring program, music lessons, and a Mexican Consulate. Also part of this network is the police chief, Forsyth County leaders, Faith ID, Spanish League, and the Forsyth County sheriff. Now there are meetings to care for domestic violence victims, soccer camp, VBS, and a yearly community festival. Daniel states, “Jesus always has a question: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ We need to look at Jesus; he was a great pastor. I am imitating Jesus.” GAIL COULTER PLANTED PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH IN JULY 2001. Five pastors were meeting as a peer group and they decided that a new church start was needed in Hendersonville. Gail was the Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church, Asheville with no intentions to be a pastor but she participated in early planning committee work. CBFNC was involved from the beginning. Jim Fowler, the missions coordinator of CBFNC, coordinated conversations among the pastors at churches in Buncombe and Madison Counties about what a CBF church in Henderson County might look like. As the group discussed pastoral leadership, Jim was the one who asked, “Gail, how about you?” CBFNC provided financial support, along with Baptist congregations in the United Association of Charlotte as well as the sacrificial and faithful giving by members of Providence and members of other congregations. The Baptist State Convention was part of the planning. Once Gail was chosen as pastor, however, the BSC and the local association opted out. Gail states, “I think the huge thing is the buy-in of five area churches plus other churches that regularly gave. The amazing thing was the remarkable group of people that came out of the blue.” Five CBFNC churches and several individuals financially helped. The music minister, a layperson at FBC Asheville, and her husband committed to serve for one year. FBC Asheville helped tremendously providing special music and Sunday School teachers. A local Lutheran congregation rented to Providence their building which Providence eventually purchased. Sermons centered around community and discipleship. The first Sunday School class was held at the adjacent barbershop and the children’s class at the tea shop on the other side! A clue to the successful start was a newspaper article about the start of Providence. The Hendersonville TimesNews had a front page article and picture of Gail on Saturday, July 21, 2001 - the day before the first service was held in the movie theater - with the title: “A dream rekindled: Cooperative See “Celebrating CBFNC’s New Church Starts” on page 4. July/August 2019
The Gathering • 3
ANNIVERSARY FEATURE: Racial Reconciliation and Justice Ministry Team
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n 2007-2008 the CBFNC Strategic Plan identified diversity as a focal point for future ministries. In 2007, the CBFNC General Assembly approved the creation of a Diversity Task Force. (Ironically, the initial task force reflected the need to embrace and increase diversity in CBFNC as four Caucasian, relatively young, male pastors formed the original CBFNC Diversity Task Force. Fortunately, the group quickly expanded to include gender, ethnic, and age diversity!) Early on, the task force decided to focus primarily on ethnic diversity and racial reconciliation, specifically between AfricanAmerican and Caucasian churches and communities. As a result, the name changed to Racial Reconciliation Ministry Team. More recently, the name has changed to Racial Reconciliation and Justice Ministry Team. Reconciliation cannot occur without first having a relationship to reconcile, and then it must include responding to racial injustice and oppression in our local communities. Along the way, we have sought God’s guidance in how to promote racial justice and reconciliation initiatives as well as increase ethnic diversity in CBFNC churches. We have held regional gatherings, led workshops at our Annual Gathering, created a curriculum, sponsored interns at partner divinity schools throughout North Carolina and attended REI’s (Racial Equity Institute) two-day Racial Equity Workshop Phase 1 as a team. Our current initiative is providing scholarships for CBFNC minsters to attend REI’s two-day Racial Equity Workshop
by Olivia Wakefield | Chair
Phase 1 because we felt like it was such a powerful, eye-opening experience for our team members. Personally, I had attended several diversity training and prejudice reduction workshops in the past and was expecting the REI workshop to be similar. Instead, I was surprised by the emphasis on providing a historical context for how racism has been embedded in our nation from the beginning. By the end of the second day, I really was impacted by the power of looking honestly at the past, reflecting on my own ethnicity (and how that impacts who I am and what I value) and thinking about how this information changes how I respond to acts of racial injustice around me. If you are interested in attending this workshop and learning more about a scholarship, please contact Larry Hovis! It will definitely be worth the two-day investment. We are continually trying to figure out “next steps” and challenging both ourselves as a ministry team and CBFNC churches/members to go beyond surface conversations about ethnicity and racial justice. One of our goals is to empower YOU as a layperson or minister in a local church to be the presence of Christ in your church and community so that healing, justice, and reconciliation can occur in your local context. My journey as an almost-charter member of this team has been and is transformative. My prayer is that your life too will be changed as we all seek ways to bring about racial reconciliation and justice to our communities.
Celebrating CBFNC’s New Church Starts, continued from page 3. Baptist Fellowship congregation will begin meeting Sunday.” Mary Apicella, the current pastor says, “One of my favorite quotes from that article, that I believe is still true to who we are: “‘Providence Baptist Congregation will be a place where people can be open about their faith,’ Coulter says. She wants those who attend to be willing to open their lives, minds, and hearts to God and see God work in their lives. ‘I want us to be able to talk about things that are hard,’ she said. ‘We might not find the answers but we can still talk about them.’” At one point in the church’s journey, the congregation had difficulty getting a loan for a building. Believing in the work of God at Providence Baptist Church, individuals in the church signed promissory notes at 6% interest and the building was financed! 4 • The Gathering
July/August 2019
Starting a church was a lot of work; Intense work! Gail retired in 2008 and was followed by Julie Merritt Lee for seven years. The Sunday afternoon worship meal began during Julie’s tenure. Gail recounts,” what’s priceless about this church is the Sunday afternoon meal for anyone who wants to come.” She says it’s been an amazing journey. Things happened that she never expected; things that Gail didn’t create or control. Gail declares it was the imagination of the Holy Spirit! Mary Apicella became the church’s third pastor on June 11, 2017. The year 2021 will be Providence’s 20th anniversary.
CBF and How to Grow a Ministry to Young Adults
by Wanda Kidd | CBFNC Collegiate Engagement Coordinator
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or those of us who make up the first generation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, our connection to the denomi-network is rooted in many things—some painful, some hopeful, but almost always historical. That is not true for the young adult generation that is now connecting to CBF. Their engagement is based on very different things. Their connections are based on experiences and relationships. They seek out places where they can belong and can use their gifts. Some have found that place in CBF life through connections such as CBFNC college ministry, mission trips, and the CBF summer programs Student.Church and Student. GO. Others have been invited, included, and embraced by local CBFNC congregations. One young person who has found a home in CBFNC is Amanda Smith from Lowgap, NC. When Larry Hovis was invited to Piney Grove Baptist Church in Surry County, he returned to speak of a young woman on the pastor search committee who impressed him with her commitment to the mission of the church and to CBFNC. Before he said her name, I said, “You must have met Amanda Smith.” To which he replied, “Yes, how did you know?” “I have known Amanda since she was a freshman at Western Carolina University and I have watched her journey over the past decade,” I said. What I knew was that her journey had been nurtured and informed by a multitude of people who helped her find her place and her calling as a beloved child of God – and they happened to be people who called themselves Cooperative Baptists. As a college student, Amanda attended Cullowhee Baptist Church on campus. She was surprised to see a woman, Tonya Vickery, in the pulpit. Amanda was even more surprised when she realized that along with her husband, Jeffrey, she was the copastor of the church. Amanda said, “I knew that the Methodist had women preachers, but I did not know that there were any Baptist ones.” Tonya and Jeffrey became, and still are, an important part in her faith story. They helped her unpack some long-held absolutes and to find new ways of contemplating them. CBFNC’s first constituted Cooperative Student Fellowship was formed at WCU. Cullowhee Baptist’s CBF Resident, Richard Goddard, took on the role of campus minister as part of his responsibilities. It was there that Amanda realized that asking questions about her faith was part of growing in her faith. She appreciated being with like-minded students who were discovering the same experience. As they explored doubts and confusion, they were met with patience and acceptance. Through that group and the church, she was able to do
missions alongside CBF field personnel in various places, both locally and internationally. She discovered the value of having people on the ground who have relationships with communities and know the culture and the people. She went on mission trips to Touching Miami with Love where she met Angel and Jason Pittman. She went to a Together for Hope site in Alabama, Sowing Seeds of Hope, and then to Haiti where the field personnel served with a CBF partner that was rebuilding building homes. Those experiences had a profound effect on Amanda’s understanding of meeting people where they are and showing the love of Christ from a position of service and compassion. As a student, Amanda served as an intern with Student. Church at Cullowhee Baptist Church. Amanda saw the internship as an opportunity to serve Christ as a lay leader who is not going into the ministry profession. Through that summer, she learned of more opportunities to engage with the larger CBF community. As a student and a newly minted high school teacher, she attended General Assemblies in Tampa, Ft. Worth, and Greensboro. At the assemblies, she participated in the college and young adult preassembly event, ”Sessions.” Here, young adults look at cultural issues through a Christian lens discussing topics like prison reform and race relations. All of this happened within a five year period. Amanda did not consciously know the impact it was having on her. But when she returned home to teach, she saw herself and her home church differently. She could not simply return to the faith of her youth. For three years she tried, but eventually she began to look for a CBFNC church where she could be with people who allowed her to explore, serve, and grow as the person she believed God created her to be. Amanda notes, “Our pastor at Piney Grove, Mark Reece, reminded the church of the need to support and encourage young adults by asking them to be involved. I would have not considered taking the position as a youth Sunday school teacher without encouragement from Mark and the youth parents. Asking young adults to take part, especially young adults new to a church, is key. Don’t expect them to automatically jump in. It was similar at the campus church. I never would have volunteered to help with the children’s ministry if it hadn’t been for encouragement from the college Sunday School teacher, Steve Baxley. The inclusion of young adults is important for the future of the Church. It cannot be overstated.” Young people beyond our walls are looking for a place to belong. They need people who will encourage without pushing, invite without demanding, respond to questions without giving absolutes, and who will see young adults as beloved children of God - not as numbers or projects. We in CBFNC churches are precisely the people to provide those opportunities. July/August 2019
The Gathering • 5
Why We Give On pages 8–10, you will find a listing of the 283 churches that financially supported CBFNC last year. I asked pastors from several of these
Rick Jordan CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator
churches to share why they give to CBFNC.
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e are grateful at Providence for our longtime relationship with CBFNC. Working together with good people to accomplish good things in Jesus’ name is always a positive way to invest our God-given energy, dollars, and time. CBFNC gives us these opportunities. Moreover, I have found CBFNC leadership to be responsive to, and engaged with, the needs of local churches— which is where, as Baptists, we believe the real, life-changing work of gospel ministry happens. For example, CBFNC-sponsored seminars and workshops have, through the years, been valuable sources of continuing education for me, and have helped me become—I’d like to think—a better, more effective pastor. Another example is the way that CBFNC helped encourage several North Carolina churches to form a mission partnership with a small FrenchCanadian Baptist congregation in Quebec. For years, I had wanted to develop a relationship like this so that members of my church could have the chance to become friends with Christians from a different country. When the possibility of working with these Quebecois Baptists arose, CBFNC leaders helped me think through the logistics of such a missions partnership—and, even more importantly, brought the pastor of this congregation to speak at a CBFNC general assembly in hopes that other churches in our state could learn about, and then join, this partnership. I could go on, but the point is: CBFNC is a good investment for Providence and, I believe, for your church as well because we are, truly, better when we are together. –Lee Canipe | Providence, Charlotte
6 • The Gathering
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he First Baptist Church of Sylva is proud to partner with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina because they are our closest friends. And like any good friend, CBFNC has accompanied us in times of transition, joy and celebration, sorrow and in need. When our church has felt called to serve beyond our community, CBFNC has helped us to connect the dots. When we have wanted to learn how like-minded churches have responded to the challenges that we face, CBFNC has been quick to return our phone calls and to consult with us. Attentive when we had a question and intentional in developing trust, CBFNC has walked alongside us since its birth in the 1990s. CBFNC captures for us who we hope to be, and feel called to become. And like the sojourners who traveled the path to Emmaus, we can testify that our hearts were burning as we walked together because Christ was present alongside us. –Jeff Mathis | First, Sylva
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hy does Hayes Barton Baptist Church give to CBFNC? Let me count the ways. First, CBFNC is all about missions and we are happy to support through our giving and our participation the many mission endeavors throughout our state and around the world that are sponsored and promoted by CBFNC. Second, CBFNC is about leadership. We are inspired and motivated by the excellent leadership demonstrated by CBFNC’s excellent staff. In addition, we appreciate the significant role that CBFNC plays in the education of divinity
students and the continuing development of young clergy. They are our future, and because of CBFNC’s investment our future is bright. Third, CBFNC is committed to the local church. Your reason for existing is to help congregations like ours fulfill our mission of being the presence of Christ in our world. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we support CBFNC because of the core values upon which CBFNC is founded. If ever there were a time in our world when the proclamation and propagation of historic Baptist principles was needed, it is now! CBFNC Baptists are our kind of Baptists. We need CBFNC, and that’s why we give. –David Hailey | Hayes Barton, Raleigh
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he poet John Donne is credited with the thought “no man is an island.” The same can be said for the local church. For a church to fulfill her mission to the best of her ability, she needs to connect to and learn from other churches of like faith and order. First Baptist Lumberton is grateful for her relationships with Baptist churches and thought leaders across the state through CBFNC. FBCL’s pastor participates in a Peer Learning Group where CBFNC pastors discuss important congregational and social issues and support one another for the work of ministry. Most recently, FBCL has benefited from CBFNC’s support of the Growing Young Initiative. Our congregation is learning that a church that is “growing young” is a church that is investing in young people, taking Jesus’ message seriously and working to be good neighbors in its community. FBCL is especially proud to have hosted CBFNC’s Annual Gathering in 1999 and 2013 and are pleased to welcome regional meetings for churches and leaders to gather to learn from and encourage one another and to celebrate the bonds of fellowship we share as Cooperative Baptists. –David Elks | First, Lumberton
leave a legacy in peer learning groups where young ministers find fellowship and encouragement as they live out their God-given calling. The CBFNC staff is always a ready resource for offering guidance and counsel to congregations like ours. We count it a joy to have quality Baptist leaders like our CBFNC staff available to help our church talk and think through the best ways to do ministry in 2019 and beyond. We know help is but a phone call or email away. Through the CBFNC budget, helping the Baptist Children’s Homes and Baptist Retirement Homes is an opportunity for us to reach out to the youngest and often frailest among us who need the love and support of God’s family. We take joy in being part of the Cooperative Baptist Family in North Carolina where we can see God at work and eagerly join in the ways and places God offers! –Tom Cabaniss | First, Kannapolis
F
irst Baptist Huntersville supports CBFNC because we share this fellowship’s mission, vision, and approach to following Jesus. It is a privilege to partner with churches and leaders we admire for the sake of the gospel. But we also receive much from our partnership in return. Our ministers enjoy collegiality with others in the network, and both staff and laity benefit from continuing education opportunities. When our neighbors near and far are hurting, CBFNC is a trusted conduit for disaster relief aid, as well as a source for partnership for on-the-ground service. Moreover, CBFNC has been a helpful resource for ministerial candidates, Latino ministry, and business administration best practices. It is a gift to be in partnership with the people of CBFNC. –Stacy Cochran Nowell | First, Huntersville
F
irst Baptist Church of Kannapolis is happy to make a difference by supporting missions in North Carolina, North America and around the world through our gifts to CBFNC. Locally, we can help students prepare for ministry and life by participating with schools like Gardner-Webb, the Baptist House at Duke, and Campbell. We can invest in new church plants that are looking for creative and innovative ways to share the gospel with new neighbors who are choosing to live in North Carolina. We know our gifts July/August 2019
The Gathering • 7
CBFNC is grateful for the trust congregations and individuals place in us. As you form your church budget for next year, we prayerfully and humbly ask that you consider increasing your gifts to CBFNC. We are taking great care to be good stewards of these resources through the ministries we coordinate and the cultivation of positive relationships with our cherished ministry partners. CBFNC has now merged the operational budget with the MRP. For more information, visit our website (www.cbfnc.org) or call the office at 3336.759.3456. To view CBFNC’s 2019-2020 budget, visit www.cbfnc.org/budget. The churches listed contributed to CBFNC October 2017–March 2019. This list does not include churches who gave to CBF Global or who partner with CBFNC or CBF Global in other, non-financial ways. If your church is not listed but you believe it should be included, please contact our office. Earlys...................................................... Ahoskie
Lennons Cross Roads..................... Bladenboro
HillSong.............................................Chapel Hill
First......................................................... Ahoskie
First............................................... Blowing Rock
Lystra..................................................Chapel Hill
First......................................................Albemarle
Boiling Springs...........................Boiling Springs
Mount Carmel..................................Chapel Hill
Angier.........................................................Angier
First............................................................ Boone
University...........................................Chapel Hill
Baptist Fellowship of Angier.................Angier
Boonville...............................................Boonville
Grace Crossing.................................... Charlotte
Neill’s Creek..............................................Angier
First...................................................Bryson City
Iglesia Bautista Hispana..................... Charlotte
Iglesia Bautista Torre Fuerte.................... Apex
First...................................................Buies Creek
Pritchard Memorial............................. Charlotte
Olive Chapel .............................................. Apex
Memorial..........................................Buies Creek
Providence............................................ Charlotte
Woodhaven................................................. Apex
Bullock..................................................... Bullock
Sardis..................................................... Charlotte
First.............................................................Arden
First......................................................Burnsville
St. John’s............................................... Charlotte
First...................................................... Asheboro
First............................................................Butner
First........................................................ Clarkton
Oakwood Park.................................... Asheboro
Calypso....................................................Calypso
Mount Zion........................................... Clarkton
Calvary...................................................Asheville
Sawyer’s Creek....................................... Camden
First.......................................................... Clayton
First........................................................Asheville
Hominy....................................................Candler
Mosaic...................................................... Clayton
Morningside..........................................Asheville
First...........................................................Canton
White Oak............................................... Clayton
Connaritsa.............................................Aulander
First............................................. Carolina Beach
First...........................................................Clinton
First of Smithton.................................Belhaven
Greenwood Forest.......................................Cary
Grove Park...............................................Clinton
Benson......................................................Benson
Westwood......................................................Cary
McGill.................................................... Concord
First............................................................ Biscoe
Chadbourn........................................Chadbourn
First.....................................................Cramerton
First............................................Black Mountain
Piney Forest......................................Chadbourn
Open Arms.......................................Creedmoor
First................................................... Bladenboro
Ephesus............................................ Chapel Hill
Cullowhee........................................... Cullowhee
8 • The Gathering
July/August 2019
partner churches
Churches making contributions October 2017 - March 2019
First......................................................... Dobson
Immanuel.............................................Greenville
First......................................................Marshville
First............................................................Drexel
Oakmont.............................................Greenville
New Bessemer...............................McLeansville
First............................................................. Dunn
The Memorial.....................................Greenville
First..........................................................Mebane
Westfield..................................................... Dunn
First...........................................................Hamlet
Mount Adar.............................................Mebane
Calvary....................................................Durham
Flat Rock.......................................Hamptonville
Eatons.................................................Mocksville
Durham Memorial................................Durham
First.................................................... Henderson
First.....................................................Mocksville
Hope Valley............................................Durham
Providence..................................Hendersonville
First..........................................................Monroe
Lowes Grove..........................................Durham
First..........................................................Hickory
First..............................................Morehead City
Mount Hermon.....................................Durham
Mountain Grove ....................................Hickory
First....................................................Morganton
Temple....................................................Durham
Viewmont................................................Hickory
Calvary..............................................Mount Airy
Watts Street............................................Durham
Hiddenite............................................. Hiddenite
First...................................................Mount Airy
Yates........................................................Durham
Emerywood....................................... High Point
Piney Grove.....................................Mount Airy
First.............................................................. Eden
Parkwood........................................... High Point
First...............................................Mount Gilead
Edenton................................................. Edenton
Temple Memorial............................. High Point
First.................................................Mount Holly
Blackwell Memorial.....................Elizabeth City
First................................................ Hillsborough
First................................................. Mount Olive
First...............................................Elizabeth City
Hobbsville..........................................Hobbsville
Murfreesboro............................... Murfreesboro
First.............................................................. Elkin
First.................................................. Huntersville
First......................................................New Bern
First............................................................... Elon
First................................................... Jamestown
Kendalls......................................... New London
Emerald Isle................................... Emerald Isle
First....................................................... Jonesville
Trinity...................................................... Newton
Enfield......................................................Enfield
First....................................................Kannapolis
Wise.......................................................... Norlina
Fair Bluff ............................................. Fair Bluff
First.................................................. Kernersville
First.............................................. N. Wilkesboro
First....................................................... Fairmont
Union Cross.................................... Kernersville
Enon..........................................................Oxford
First....................................................... Farmville
Spilman Memorial................................. Kinston
Hester........................................................Oxford
First.................................................... Fayetteville
Oak Ridge................................................. Kittrell
Oxford......................................................Oxford
Lafayette............................................ Fayetteville
Knightdale......................................... Knightdale
Bear Swamp....................................... Pembroke
Mount Pisgah.................................... Fayetteville
First.................................................... Laurinburg
Roberts Chapel...................................Pendleton
Snyder Memorial.............................. Fayetteville
Goshen......................................................Leland
Pfafftown............................................. Pfafftown
Unity Christian Church International
North Brunswick Fellowship.................Leland
Mount Gilead....................................... Pittsboro
............................................................ Fayetteville
First............................................................ Lenoir
Athens Drive............................................Raleigh Crabtree Valley.........................................Raleigh
First.................................................... Forest City
Churchland..........................................Lexington
Florence............................................. Forest City
First......................................................Lexington
First...........................................................Raleigh
Mount Vernon.................................. Forest City
Jersey....................................................Lexington
Forest Hills...............................................Raleigh
First.....................................................Four Oaks
First .......................................................... Liberty
Fountain of Raleigh................................Raleigh
Pauline.................................................Four Oaks
Antioch ................................................Lillington
Greystone.................................................Raleigh
Burningtown.......................................... Franklin
Memorial .............................................Lillington
Hayes Barton...........................................Raleigh
Franklinton....................................... Franklinton
First ................................................... Lincolnton
Iglesia Bautista La Roca.........................Raleigh
Covenant................................................Gastonia
Littleton..................................................Littleton
Longview..................................................Raleigh
First........................................................Gastonia
Hickory Rock......................................Louisburg
Macedonia................................................Raleigh
Loray......................................................Gastonia
Louisburg............................................Louisburg
Millbrook..................................................Raleigh
Reynoldson..................................................Gates
First....................................................Lumberton
New Hope................................................Raleigh
First.....................................................Goldsboro
First.........................................................Madison
North Raleigh Community....................Raleigh
Rosewood First..................................Goldsboro
Antioch....................................................Mamers
Ridge Road...............................................Raleigh
First ........................................................ Graham
First...........................................................Marion
Shiloh Restoration ..................................Raleigh
First...................................................Greensboro
Calvary.................................................. Mars Hill
St. John’s ..................................................Raleigh
Southeast..........................................Greensboro
Mars Hill............................................... Mars Hill
Swift Creek...............................................Raleigh July/August 2019
The Gathering • 9
partner churches
Churches making contributions October 2017 - March 2019
Tabernacle................................................Raleigh
Round Hill........................................Union Mills
Knollwood.................................Winston-Salem
Temple......................................................Raleigh
Cornerstone............................................ Valdese
Northwest..................................Winston-Salem
Triangle.....................................................Raleigh
First.......................................................... Valdese
Peace Haven...............................Winston-Salem
Trinity........................................................Raleigh
Falls.................................................. Wake Forest
United.........................................Winston-Salem
First...................................................Red Springs
Grace Haven................................... Wake Forest
West Side ...................................Winston-Salem
Calvary.................................................. Reidsville
Wake Forest..................................... Wake Forest
Winterville......................................... Winterville
First....................................................... Reidsville
Woodland........................................ Wake Forest
Wise............................................................... Wise
Richfield................................................. Richfield
First...........................................................Wallace
Maplewood........................................ Yadkinville
First.......................................................Richlands
Warrenton...........................................Warrenton
Bethlehem........................................ Youngsville
Hope Christian Fellowship
First...................................................Washington
Grace Haven.................................... Youngsville
................................................... Roanoke Rapids
First................................................... Waynesville
Youngsville....................................... Youngsville
Rosemary.................................. Roanoke Rapids
First....................................................Weaverville
Zebulon..................................................Zebulon
Dortches........................................Rocky Mount
Baptist Tabernacle..................................Wendell
Lakeside.........................................Rocky Mount
Wendell Baptist.......................................Wendell
Special Causes:
Rolesville...............................................Rolesville
First.............................................. West Jefferson
First........................................................ Rowland
Fishing Creek...................................... Whitakers
These are contributions made to special CBFNC Funds by churches not included in the previous list.
Lamberth Memorial............................. Roxboro
First......................................................Whiteville
First, Burlington: Disaster Relief
Roxboro................................................. Roxboro
Mount Zion.........................................Whiteville
First, Evans, GA: Wyatt Ministry
First.............................................. Rutherfordton
First...................................................Wilmington
First..........................................................Sanford
Masonboro.......................................Wilmington
Lindley Park, Greensboro: Hurricane Florence Disaster Response
Flat Springs.............................................Sanford
Temple..............................................Wilmington
Jonesboro Heights.................................Sanford
Winter Park......................................Wilmington
Double Shoals........................................... Shelby
First........................................................... Wilson
First............................................................ Shelby
Wingate................................................... Wingate
Poplar Springs........................................... Shelby
Ardmore.....................................Winston-Salem
Ross Grove................................................ Shelby
College Park...............................Winston-Salem
First, Newport News, VA: Hurricane Florence Disaster Response
Sandy Plains.............................................. Shelby
Fellowship..................................Winston-Salem
Highland UMC, Raleigh:
Westview.................................................... Shelby
First.............................................Winston-Salem
Wyatt Ministry
Shades Crest, Hoover, AL: Hurricane Florence Disaster Response First, Knoxville, TN: Wyatt Ministry Monte Vista, Maryville, TN: Hurricane Florence Disaster Response
Zion............................................................ Shelby Rocky River...........................................Siler City Nobles Chapel............................................. Sims
2018–2019 CBFNC Revenue
First......................................................Smithfield Sharon..................................................Smithfield First.............................................Southern Pines
Churches: 83%
Spencer...................................................Spindale
Lilly Grant: 8%
First................................................. Spring Hope
Individuals: 3%
First........................................................ Stanfield First................................................ Stantonsburg
Bequests: 2%
First...................................................... Statesville
Investment Income: 2%
First.......................................................Stoneville Brunswick Islands....................................Supply
Endowments: 1%
First...............................................................Sylva
Sponsorships: 1%
First......................................................... Tarboro Antioch..............................................Taylorsville First............................................................. Tryon 10 • The Gathering
July/August 2019
Please note that most of our revenue comes from churches and that CBFNC receives no funding from CBF Global.
YOUR GIFTS TO A CBFNC ENDOWMENT FUND CAN PLANT SEEDS OF BLESSING, OF HOPE, AND OF HELP.
Designate a gift for scholarships, new church starts, or where it is most needed. PLEASE REMEMBER CBFNC IN YOUR WILL OR ESTATE PLAN.
Donate to CBFNC today! www.cbfnc.org/give
CBFNC HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS Given by . . . in Honor of Robert Rauch in honor of Tiffany Seaford Barbara Flowers in honor of Doug & Candy Murray Paul McCraw in honor of Scott Hudgins and Linda Jones
Contact Jim Hylton at 336.759.3456 for more information. Gifts from individual supporters established this endowment fund to supplement the CBFNC annual operating budget. Gifts to this fund assist all areas of CBFNC ministry as we strive to join the work of God in the world.
MINISTERS ON THE MOVE
Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Cheryl Hicks to First, Mount Airy as Minister of Music Rosanna Vancil Goocey to Knollwood as Minster of Music When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, please let us know (cbfnc@cbfnc.org). For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit the Career and Calling page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call (336) 759-3456 or (888) 822-1944.
COORDINATORS’ VISITS April – May 2019
Ardmore, Winston-Salem Dortches, Rocky Mount Emerywood, High Point First, Boone First, Elizabeth City First, Elon First, Greensboro First, Hillsborough First, Raleigh First, Spring Hope First, Statesville Hope Valley, Durham Peace Haven, Winston-Salem Jersey, Lexington Lindley Park, Greensboro Macedonia, Raleigh New Brunswick Fellowship, Leland St. John's, Raleigh Trinity, Newton Winter Park, Wilmington July/August 2019
The Gathering • 11
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINSTON-SALEM PERMIT NO. 162
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry 2640 Reynolda Road Winston-Salem, NC 27106
888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org
Return Service Requested
Upcoming Events JULY
CBFNC Webinar: Seeking Ministers/Seeking Churches
CBFNC Webinar: CBF Global Missions–Contexts, Distinctives and Trends
July 16 11:00 a.m. to noon
August 27 11:00 a.m. to noon
CBFNC Webinar: Creating Intentional Vocational Discernment Communities with Youth
SEPTEMBER
July 30 11:00 a.m. to noon
AUGUST
CBFNC Webinar: Understanding and Ministering to Blended Families
Growing Young Cohort September 5–6
CBFNC Webinar: The Sun is Up–One Minister’s Awakening to Racial Reconciliation September 10 11:00 a.m. to noon
Elevating Preaching
Where is Church Going From Here? September 21 Providence, Charlotte
OCTOBER
Using Assessments in Coaching October 21 Peace Haven, Winston-Salem
NOVEMBER
Children’s Mission Days November 2 Greystone, Raleigh
November 9 Oakmont, Greenville
August 13 11:00 a.m. to noon
September 16 Duke Divinity School
November 16 First, Morgan
Disaster Preparedness and Response Mission Collective
Youth Beach Retreat
JANUARY | 2020
August 24 Greystone, Raleigh 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
September 20–22 Ft. Caswell
Youth Ski Retreat January 24-26, 2020 Winterplace, WV