The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - July–August 2009

July/August 2009 • Vol. 14, Issue 4 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

In This Edition Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

The Gathering

Christian Higher Education: The Starting Point for Cooperative Mission

by Larry Hovis Churches Minister in an Economic Downturn

by Rick Jordan Erasing Barriers Monday Thru Friday

by Kathy Naish

Page 6

A Few Cans of Pork ‘n Beans

by Dave Stratton

Page 7

CBFNC Needs Support for New Church Starts

by Linda Jones

Pages 8-10 Partner Churches

Page 10 Annual Budget Report Marks of the Maturity of Our Fellowship

of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

Christian Higher Education:

The Starting Point for Cooperative Mission

July/August 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 Tommy Bratton, Asheville Don Gordon, Durham Gary Knight, Winston-Salem Martha McDowell, Laurinburg Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro Bert Young, Bladenboro Janice Young, Whiteville

Faith Development Ministry Council John Vestal, Raleigh, Chair Allen Winters, Hillsborough, Chair-Elect Todd Blake, Fayetteville Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton Garin Hill, Burlington Allison Lairmore, Raleigh Rebecca Husband Maynard, Elkin Kathy Naish, Hickory Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines Tony Spencer, Forest City

Missions Ministry Council Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair-Elect George Fuller, Raleigh Christopher Ingram, Smithfield Andrea Jones, Raleigh Len Keever, Dunn Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington Susie Reeder, Fayetteville Jose Villasenor, Durham Linda Winslow, Jamestown

Leadership Development Ministry Council Mark Ashworth, Kernersville, Chair Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair-Elect Joseph Alexander, Winston-Salem Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands Rendell Hipps, Hickory Tommy James, Sylva Shane Nixon, Burlington LeAnne Spruill, Durham Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro

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

Endowment Management Board Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem, Chair Jack Buchanan, Shelby A. G. Bullard, Raleigh Joe Harris, Mocksville John Hewett, Charlotte

Financial Report:

March 2009 April 2009

Contributions Undesignated - $61,275 Contributions Undesignated - $133,638

April 2008 - March 2009 Monthly Budget Goal: $90,746

CBFNC Scholarships Available Through the CBFNC budget and the Mission Resource Plan, CBFNC provides significant scholarship assistance to students engaged in theological education.

In-State Theological Education: Campbell, Duke, Gardner-Webb, and Wake Forest These schools receive equal grants and choose scholarship recipients who have strong potential for ministerial leadership in our churches.

Talk to your school’s admissions office.

Out-of-State Theological Education: Students from North Carolina who attend theological schools outside of our state apply for scholarships directly with CBFNC. Visit our website www.cbfnc.org to download the application. Fax or mail by June 20.

2 • The Gathering – July/August 2009

Designated - $130,714 Designated - $218,167 April 2009 - March 2010 Monthly Budget Goal: $98,798

Exploring Coaching in Your Ministry September 15, 2009 CBFNC Offices in Winston-Salem This is a conference designed to give those who have some training in coaching, as well as those who have an interest in gaining coaching credentials, some direction for using coaching in their ministry.

Through a mutual dialogue about adding coaching to your skill set in ministry, we will talk about ~ how you are currently using coaching in your ministry ~ how you would like to expand ways to use coaching ~ how CBFNC and the Center for Congregational Health might support you in your coaching ministry.

Cost is $10. Register at www.cbfnc.org by September 3.

Christian Higher Education: The Starting Point for Cooperative Mission

by Larry Hovis, Executive Coordinator Editor’s Note – This is the fourth in a series of articles describing the ministries of partners who participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan (MRP). To learn more about the MRP, visit www.cbfnc.org.

Around 180 years ago, the Baptists of North Carolina were divided over many issues – missions, Sunday School, education, benevolence ministry – really, they were divided over all kinds of things, especially the idea of cooperative ministry. The Baptists who believed in cooperation joined Campbell University together in Greenville in 1830 to found the organization that Buies Creek, NC became the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. www.campbell.edu The leading motive for this shared ministry was the establishment of a Baptist institution of higher learning that would provide education under “Christian influences” for ministers and laity. In a very real sense, cooperative missions by the Baptists of North Carolina have always centered around Christian Higher Education.

In these days in which there is great transition around Mars Hill College how Baptist colleges and other institutions relate to the Mars Hill, NC Baptists of our state, CBF of North Carolina is committed www.mhc.edu to preserving our commitments to and partnerships with historic Baptist ministries, especially Baptist colleges.

Currently, we are engaged in “missional collaboration conversations” with the partner entities that are funded through the Mission Resource Plan. In these conversations, we are exploring four key issues: missionally appropriate uses of church funding; avenues of missional collaboration Wake Forest University beyond financial; ways CBFNC and ministry partners can Winston-Salem, NC better serve the needs of churches and our fellowship; www.wfu.edu and appropriate avenues for mutual public affirmation of our partnerships. The seven historic Baptist institutions of higher learning are participating in this process. In addition, our fall tour, “Fellowship on the Move,” will celebrate Christian Higher Education and will travel to the regions of our state where these colleges are located. CBFNC is grateful for our partnership with the Baptist colleges of our state and we look forward to strengthening this partnership in the months and years to come, for the benefit of congregations and God’s mission in the world.

Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC www.chowan.edu

Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC www.gardner-webb.edu

Meredith College Raleigh, NC www.meredith.edu

Wingate University Wingate, NC www.wingate.edu

Fellowship on the Move 2009 Tour Each year, CBFNC staff and leaders take a “tour,” offering a mini-General Assembly in different areas of our state. Last year, we began calling this effort Fellowship on the Move.

The 2009 Fellowship on the Move (FoM) will travel in October to seven locations, all related to the seven historic North Carolina Baptist colleges and universities above.

Each stop will follow the same schedule: • 5:30 pm - Fellowship Meal • 6:30 pm – Ministry Workshops • 7:30 pm – Worship

Each Fellowship on the Move event, though held primarily in local churches, will involve leadership from the nearby campus, including the following: • Faculty leadership of ministry workshops • Worship greetings from college leaders • Special music provided by college music departments • Sermons by college alumni Details regarding dates and locations are listed on page 12 and at www.cbfnc.org. Please begin making plans to bring a group from your church to one of the seven FoM stops.

The Gathering – July/August 2009 • 3

Churches Minister in an Economic Downturn Glimpses of Missional Faithfulness Across Our State

by Rick Jordan, Church Resources Coordinator Waking up in the morning, wondering what you’re going to do with the rest of your day is hard for the recently unemployed. Filling out job applications, networking and interviewing are new, or at best, rusty skills for many. This is the reality that many in our churches and communities face now. How are our churches responding?

First Baptist Church of Wilmington established the Career Transition Ministry. Each Monday morning from 7:30-9 AM, a group gathers for coffee, networking and emotional support. The ministry uses as its Biblical basis Leviticus 25:35 “If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, …help him so he can continue to live among you.”

According to Chris Yerby, a member of the church who helped establish the ministry, several persons have been directly aided in finding jobs and many others were encouraged to “rekindle a desire to look again” after the initial shock wore off. “You have to ask, ‘who is the church? It is more than the ministers. It is all members

of the congregation, so anybody who has a desire to help is given the encouragement to do it, here. When an economic downturn affects an entire community, it’s necessary that the churches get involved.”

Walter Lehman was laid off from his job a few months ago. He began going to job fairs, including a large one in Raleigh, where he spoke with two women from a local Presbyterian church who were part of a churchsponsored ministry to the unemployed. Walter came back to speak with his pastor at First Baptist Church in Elon about beginning a similar ministry. Now the Elon Career Net Ministry has weekly Wednesday morning meetings with speakers who give helpful tips to those seeking employment. Recent topics include “Understanding LinkedIn,” “Tips on Resumes and Cover Letters,” and “Mastering Behavior-Based Interview Questions.”

Workshops are led by human resource professionals.

Their approach allows them to be a “Think Tank” for those who are unemployed and an “Outside the Box” approach to the employed, providing high quality professionals for all.

Of course, many who are unemployed are not looking for jobs in professional circles. Their place of employment announced lay-offs or even closed suddenly.

They, too, need emotional and spiritual support. Virginia Taylor pastors Lystra Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, a small congregation with limited resources. Economic difficulties hit very close to home in these churches.

Virginia notes, “We have had several church members or family of church members lose jobs. We advertised

through the local newspaper and internet that we have started a prayer list for those who have lost jobs or who are looking for jobs. We promise to pray for them until they call us and tell us they have found a job.

We don’t have a lot of resources, but we figure we can pray. ” In the new CBF resource, Glimpses of Missional Faithfulness, Bo Prosser writes, “The missional church empowers its members to use their gifts and passions on purpose to be the presence of Christ.

The primary goal of being missional is to be the presence of Christ by participating in God’s redeeming work!” For those experiencing the pain of unemployment and all of the accompanying grievous emotions, “redeeming work” may mean free food, free workshops, free coffee and a connection to a potential employer.

Visit www.cbfnc.org to read other Missional stories or to find the CBF booklet.

CBFNC and Youth Ministry ~ For the Minister: and

Free Faithful v

Southeast Region Youth Ministers’ Retreat September 14 - 16, 2009 Lake Junaluska Retreat Center, NC Even youth ministers need to escape every once in a while...

The 2nd annual southeast region youth ministers’ retreat will be a time of professional development and personal growth...for the all-inclusive price of $125 per person.

This event is sponsored by CBF of AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, and CBF National - youth ministers from all states are welcome!

More information and registration at www.cbfofsc.org.

4 • The Gathering – July/August 2009

Share the Baptist Legacy with Youth Available for download at www.cbfnc.org: a series of youth lessons from Elizabeth Edwards called “Free and Faithful: A Curriculum for Sharing the Story of CBF with Youth and Young Adults.”

YouTube Contest CBFNC youth groups are called to create a video that gives a positive perspective on who Baptists are and why these young people appreciate their Baptist church. Win cash prizes and video showings on our website and at the 2010 General Assembly.

Visit www.cbfnc.org for more details.

Erasing Barriers Monday Thru Friday

by Kathy Naish, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Viewmont BC, Hickory

Hickory, like many places in the United States, has become steadily more diverse.

The population has seen an increase in nonEnglish speaking residents and especially in households where English is spoken as a second language. Now, parents come into weekday preschools wanting their children prepared for kindergarten and knowing that they lack the English language skills to help. At Viewmont Baptist Church, the weekday preschool ministry responded to the challenge with a multi-cultural, multilingual teaching staff. But that was just the beginning.

Even though the teaching staff is diverse, not every language barrier is erased by that diversity. It’s the common bond the

teachers share that makes the difference.

That bond is their determination to be the presence of Christ without the barriers of language, ethnicity, culture, or creed.

Even parents and children who struggle to communicate in English can readily interpret patience, love, acceptance, and safety. It’s a message they are longing to hear, and for some, the weekday preschool ministry leads to the family’s first encounter with the message of the gospel.

One of the greatest challenges the congregation faced was creating a weekday ministry capable of meeting the needs of this growing population. Hickory is also home to plenty of families where language and culture are not obstacles for up and coming kindergartners, and a weekday preschool ministry needed to respond to those needs as well. The church began by erasing barriers.

Amazingly, one of the first barriers the church encountered was internal. Though

the weekday preschool had a long history with the church, Sunday School teachers and weekday teachers were often in conflict. It was difficult to share space and even harder to believe that two ministries could share goals. The weekday preschool seemed unrelated to the greater mission and ministry of the congregation. Rebuilding ministry meant erasing the barrier between the church and the weekday program.

Together, teachers and leaders from the church and the weekday program made changes to curriculum, room design, and health and safety standards. When the church held training workshops, weekday and Sunday School teachers met together.

It took time and hard work, but a renewed sense of ministry grew up in the weekday program. Now, weekday teachers, even those who aren’t members, can say to parents, “Our weekday preschool is a ministry of Viewmont Baptist Church.”

That renewed sense of ministry made it possible for VBC to build bridges between church members and the children and families who come only on weekdays.

Communication between the church and the weekday ministry turned into shared prayer requests.

Continued on page 6.

CBFNC and Youth Ministry ~ For the Youth:

Emerald Pointe Water Park Greensboro, NC July 30, 2009 From 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. for youth in grades 6-12 only.

Visit www.emeraldpointe.com for water park features.

Cost of $31 per person includes all-day admission and a picnic lunch.

Register at www.cbfnc.org by July 20.

White Water Rafting Retreat September 5-7, 2009 Asheville, NC Guided rafting on Nantahala River or French Broad River; worship with band; meals provided; lodging at Lutheridge Conference Center in south Asheville.

Cost for the weekend is $139 per person, all included.

Register at www.cbfnc.org by June 18.

Fall Retreat September 25-27, 2009 Myrtle Beach, SC Worship, sand sculpture contest, organized beach games, a block party, Bible study, putt-putt tournament, and lots of free time to play on the beach!

Lodging, t-shirt and meals for $115 per person.

Register at www.cbfnc.org by August 27.

The Gathering – July/August 2009

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5

A Few Cans of Pork ‘n Beans

by Dave Stratton, Pastor, Brunswick Islands Baptist Church, Supply “I do this because Jesus told us to feed the hungry.” ~ Larry Marshall “They took one look at me and said, ‘That guy must know something about food!’“ Larry said with his characteristic jolly laugh as he offered his wry explanation of how he became the director of the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry Ministry, a community food pantry housed at Brunswick Islands Baptist Church near Holden Beach, NC. Larry, who is a big man, has worked in the food pantry for several years, and he became the director of the ministry a little over a year ago.

As we rode to the Holden Beach Food Lion Supermarket, Larry said that Loaves and Fishes assists approximately 250 families each month that are hungry or at risk for hunger. The ministry began 12 years ago as a mission of Brunswick Islands Baptist Church, but it very quickly became a community effort supported by numerous congregations, community organizations and businesses in the area.

Five days a week Larry drives his 1993 Ford Ranger to the food pantry building at Brunswick Islands and picks up empty boxes that he carries to the Food Lion Supermarket at Holden Beach. Since the store opened approximately four years ago, it has generously supported this communitybased ministry to the hungry. On this particular day Larry received four large boxes full of meat that will go into the freezers in the food pantry building. Along with the meat, he hauled out several boxes of bread and dessert items. Beyond the Holden Beach Food Lion store and the NC Food Bank located in Wilmington, Loaves and Fishes is supported by individuals, churches, and community organizations that contribute food, money and time to the ministry.

With the recession, Loaves and Fishes has seen a decline in donations at

precisely the time that hunger needs have increased.

The North Carolina Hunger Fund has been forced to cut its maximum grant in each of the last two years, and locally some who have been heavy supporters of the food pantry have not been in a position to assist the ministry at previous levels. Meanwhile, as unemployment rises, lines have been getting longer on regular Loaves and Fishes distribution days. In recent months the food pantry has run out of food in record time on numerous occasions. Still, Larry and the dozens of volunteers at the food pantry work hard to feed as many people in need as possible.

When asked why he devotes so many hours of his retirement to this ministry, Larry responded, “I do this because Jesus told us to feed the hungry.”

Larry spoke with great concern about one veteran named Robert that he has gotten to know through the food pantry. Robert has some emotional or mental difficulties and he has no transportation, and he lives in little more than a shack. Larry delivers food to him, and he has tried to get to know this man that few others want to be around. Larry said, “I figure if a few cans of pork ‘n beans help me to show him the love of Jesus, then that’s worth it.”

For churches that collect hunger offerings, CBFNC has a Hunger Fund. Monies collected will be given to local churches and regional networks to use to address community hunger needs. To contribute, send your check made out to CBFNC and designate ‘NC Hunger Fund.’ To apply to receive assistance from this Fund, contact the CBFNC office at 888-822-1944.

Learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

Erasing Barriers Monday Thru Friday Continued from page 5.

Families found their names on the church’s prayer list. Sunday School classes, church members, and staff members contacted families just to let them know, “You have a place with us.” Teachers shared Bible verses with mothers learning English. The director invited parents to the teachers’ prayer time on Monday mornings and to meals at her home. Church staff members sent notes and letters to weekday parents inviting them to church functions. Some parents came to special parenting classes the church offered during Sunday School. Relationships started to form. Over and over, in print and in person, the church was able to say, “We’re here for you, and you are welcome with us.”

6 • The Gathering – July/August 2009

As children learned songs and Bible stories, they often repeated them at home. Parents asked questions about what their children were learning and adult-to-adult sharing often happened. Parents noticed the commitment the church and weekday ministry shared and some even commented on the unity.

The weekday director was able to share that the church’s concern for children and families was born out of commitment and obedience to Jesus and that the weekday

ministry was an extension of the Christian community at Viewmont Baptist Church.

The Weekday Preschool Ministry at Viewmont Baptist Church is unique, but it is a response to the greater community’s need and to God’s call on this community of faith.

The message of the gospel knows no barriers except those people create, and at VBC the Weekday Preschool Ministry focuses on erasing all those barriers.

CBFNC Needs Support for New Church Starts

by Linda Jones, Missions Coordinator You’ve probably heard the chilling statistics: • 70% of the people in the U.S. have no meaningful church relationships.

• There are 195 million unchurched people in the U.S., making it the third largest mission field in the English-speaking world and the fifth largest globally.

• A majority of existing churches are plateaued or declining.

As Great Commission Christians, we believe in growth - Kingdom growth, church growth and the growth of the CBF movement. We need new church starts to continue this growth!

CBFNC’s philosophy is that each church is unique in its expression and in the culture where it is located.

We respond to the community needs - Hispanic, Anglo, multi-ethnic, emergent, a team leadership approach, etc. - to create new churches.

Your gifts to CBFNC fund new church starts. However, sponsoring churches are needed to provide prayer, mentoring and/or financial support directly to the church planter themselves. God wants your church to be involved in church planting in your neck of the woods. Your church can be a sponsoring church!

So for those of us in the established churches, where do we begin?

Start discussing the lost coin, the lost sheep, the lost son. Talk to your finance committee, your deacons, your missions committee. Create a concern and passion for the “lost.” Teach and preach missional church principles (see www.cbfnc.org or www. thefellowship.info if you need to learn more). Read Church For The Unchurched by George Hunter or Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them by Ed Stetzer. Evaluate your church!

Plant the seeds, and start preparing to be part of a new church start. It will bring newness and passion to your church as well as reach people your church will not reach!

Together we can make a difference!

Contact CBFNC or Linda Jones at 888-822-1944 or LJones@cbfnc.org if your church is willing to sponsor a church planter or a new church start in ANY way!

Current new church starts supported by CBFNC funding include: * Centro Familiar Cristiano, Siler City * The Memorial Hispanic Church, Greenville * Unity Christian Church, Fayetteville * Iglesia de la Comunidad, Graham * Open Water Baptist Fellowship, Swansboro * El Mesias, Winston-Salem

* * * *

Iglesia Bautista la Roca, Raleigh Ministeria Hispano Reino Hoy, Durham The Well, Billings, Montana All Nations Christian Center, Greensboro * Via Faith Community, Winston-Salem * Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras, King

Are you feeling called to be a church planter?

CBFNC is committed to providing church planters the resources they need to achieve the very best church start possible. The church planter is the single most important element contributing to the success of a new church start.

As you begin this journey, ask: • Why start a new church and a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church?

• What does it mean to you to build a Missional church?

• What people group will the new church reach?

• Where will the new church be planted?

• Do you have a sponsoring congregation who is willing to help support this new church?

Then, seek: • Spend some quality time praying for God’s will, guidance and direction.

• Seek out census and demographic information on the area in which you desire to start a new church.

CBFNC may be able to help research.

• Read books and articles on starting a new church. We can provide some excellent books.

• Look for training opportunities on starting a new church. CBFNC is making plans now for a late fall retreat for church planters. Watch www.cbfnc.org and our e-newsletter for details.

Finally, knock: • If God is calling you to start a church anywhere in NC, contact Linda Jones at 888-822-1944 or LJones@cbfnc.org.

The Gathering – July/August 2009 • 7

Partner Churches October 2007 - March 2009 Churches contributing to CBFNC are listed in bold type. Churches that contribute to CBF National only are listed in regular type.

Designated in blue are churches who participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan, providing financial support for other Baptist ministries through CBFNC. For additional information about the Mission Resource Plan, visit www.cbfnc.org.

This list does not include churches who partner with CBFNC or CBF in other, non-financial ways and may not include churches who support CBF National through Plan C of the Baptist State Convention Cooperative Program Missions Budget, as this information is not consistently reported to CBF. If your church contributes through Plan C and is not listed, if your church is not listed and should be, or if your church is listed in error, please contact our office at 888-822-1944 or cbfnc@cbfnc.org.

First ................................. Aberdeen Earlys .............................. Ahoskie First ................................. Ahoskie First ................................. Albemarle Mount Zion ..................... Alexis Angier .............................. Angier Baptist Fellowship .......... Angier Neill’s Creek .................... Angier Woodhaven ..................... Apex First ................................. Arden First ................................. Asheboro Oakhurst ......................... Asheboro Oakwood Park................ Asheboro West Asheboro ................ Asheboro Calvary ............................ Asheville First ................................. Asheville Grace ............................... Asheville Morningside .................... Asheville Connaritsa ...................... Aulander Lily Branch ..................... Bakersville Calvary ............................ Beaufort First of Smithton ............ Belhaven Benson.............................. Benson First .................................. Biscoe First ................................. Black Mountain First ................................. Bladenboro Lennons Cross Roads .... Bladenboro First ................................. Blowing Rock Boiling Springs ............... Boiling Springs First .................................. Boone Boonville.......................... Boonville Mount Moriah Calvert .. Brevard First ................................. Bryson City First ................................. Buies Creek Memorial......................... Buies Creek Bullock ............................ Bullock Burgaw ............................. Burgaw First ................................. Burlington Northside......................... Burlington First ................................. Burnsville First .................................. Butner Calypso ............................ Calypso Hominy ............................ Candler First ................................. Canton Caroleen ........................... Caroleen First ................................. Carolina Beach Greenwood Forest .......... Cary Westwood ........................ Cary Casar ................................ Casar North Wilmington Community .......................................... Castle Hayne 8 • The Gathering – July/August 2009

Chadbourn ...................... Chadbourn Piney Forest ..................... Chadbourn HillSong........................... Chapel Hill Lystra .............................. Chapel Hill Mount Carmel ................ Chapel Hill University ........................ Chapel Hill Grace Crossing ............... Charlotte Park Road ......................... Charlotte Peace Covenant .............. Charlotte Pritchard Memorial ....... Charlotte Providence....................... Charlotte St. John’s ......................... Charlotte Sardis............................... Charlotte First ................................. Clayton White Oak ....................... Clayton Clemmons First .............. Clemmons First .................................. Clinton Grove Park...................... Clinton Rowan .............................. Clinton McGill.............................. Concord First .................................. Cornelius First ................................. Cramerton Cullowhee........................ Cullowhee The Summit .................... Cullowhee First ................................. Denton First ................................. Drexel First ................................. Dunn Westfield .......................... Dunn Calvary ............................ Durham Durham Memorial ......... Durham Glenn School Road......... Durham Hope Valley ..................... Durham Lakewood ........................ Durham Lowes Grove ................... Durham Ministeria Hispano Reino Hoy .......................................... Durham Mount Hermon ............... Durham Temple ............................. Durham Watts Street .................... Durham Yates ................................ Durham First ................................. Eden Edenton ........................... Edenton Blackwell Memorial......... Elizabeth City First ................................. Elizabeth City Elizabethtown .................. Elizabethtown First ................................. Elkin Elm City .......................... Elm City First ................................. Elon Emerald Isle.................... Emerald Isle Antioch ............................ Enfield Enfield ............................. Enfield

Enka ................................ Enka Fair Bluff......................... Fair Bluff First ................................. Fairmont First ................................. Farmville Cedar Falls ...................... Fayetteville First ................................. Fayetteville Lafayette ......................... Fayetteville Lake Lynn ....................... Fayetteville Mount Pisgah.................. Fayetteville Snyder Memorial............ Fayetteville Unity Christian Center .. Fayetteville First ................................. Forest City Florence ........................... Forest City Mount Vernon................. Forest City First ................................. Four Oaks Pauline............................. Four Oaks Burningtown ................... Franklin Centerpoint ..................... Franklin First .................................. Franklin Franklinton ..................... Franklinton Aversboro Road .............. Garner Covenant ......................... Gastonia First ................................. Gastonia Loray ............................... Gastonia New Hope ........................ Gastonia Ranlo ................................ Gastonia Reynoldson...................... Gates First ................................. Goldsboro Rosewood First ............... Goldsboro First ................................ Graham Iglesia de la Comunidad .......................................... Graham All Nations Christian Center .......................................... Greensboro Brandt Oaks ................... Greensboro College Park ................... Greensboro First ................................. Greensboro Guilford........................... Greensboro Korean Mission .............. Greensboro Lindley Park ................... Greensboro Southeast ......................... Greensboro Arlington Boulevard ........ Greenville Immanuel ........................ Greenville The Memorial ................. Greenville The Memorial Hispanic Church .......................................... Greenville Oakmont ......................... Greenville Hallsboro ......................... Hallsboro First .................................. Hamlet Flat Rock ......................... Hamptonville First ................................. Henderson

Partner Churches October 2007 - March 2009 Providence....................... Hendersonville First ................................. Hickory New Hope ........................ Hickory Viewmont ........................ Hickory Hiddenite......................... Hiddenite Emerywood ..................... High Point First ................................. High Point Parkwood ........................ High Point Cane Creek ....................... Hillsborough First ................................. Hillsborough Hobbsville ....................... Hobbsville First .................................. Huntersville Jackson ............................ Jackson First ................................. Jamestown First ................................. Jonesville First ................................. Kannapolis First ................................. Kernersville Main Street ..................... Kernersville Union Cross .................... Kernersville Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras .......................................... King Quaker Gap .................... King Spilman Memorial ......... Kinston Oak Ridge ....................... Kittrell Knightdale ........................ Knightdale Fairfield Mountains Chapel .......................................... Lake Lure First Reformed ................. Landis First ................................. Laurinburg Goshen............................. Leland North Brunswick Fellowship .......................................... Leland College Avenue................ Lenoir First ................................. Lenoir Lower Creek..................... Lenoir Churchland ..................... Lexington First ................................. Lexington Jersey............................... Lexington Mount Pleasant............... Liberty Lillington......................... Lillington First ................................. Lincolnton Bear Swamp .................... Littleton Littleton........................... Littleton Mission ............................ Locust Louisburg ........................ Louisburg First ................................. Lumberton Rozier ............................... Lumberton First ................................. Madison Antioch ............................ Mamers First ................................. Marion Mars Hill ......................... Mars Hill First ................................. Marshall First ................................. Marshville First ................................. Mayodan New Bessemer ................. McLeansville First ................................. Mebane Mount Adar .................... Mebane Eatons .............................. Mocksville First ................................. Mocksville First ................................. Monroe First .................................. Mooresville First ................................. Morehead City

First ................................. Morganton Calvary ............................. Mount Airy First ................................. Mount Airy Flat Rock ......................... Mount Airy First ................................. Mount Gilead First ................................. Mount Holly First ................................ Mount Olive Murfreesboro .................. Murfreesboro First ................................. New Bern Kendalls .......................... New London First ................................. Newland Trinity.............................. Newton First ................................. N. Wilkesboro Oak City ........................... Oak City Oak City Hispanic Mission .......................................... Oak City Union Grove.................... Oak Ridge First .................................. Oriental Enon ................................ Oxford Hester .............................. Oxford Oxford ............................. Oxford Roberts Chapel ............... Pendleton Mount Gilead.................. Pittsboro Pittsboro ........................... Pittsboro Athens Drive .................... Raleigh Iglesia Bautista la Roca .......................................... Raleigh First ................................. Raleigh Forest Hills ...................... Raleigh Greystone ........................ Raleigh Hayes Barton .................. Raleigh Hillcrest ............................ Raleigh HomeStar Fellowship..... Raleigh Hope Fellowship ............. Raleigh Longview ......................... Raleigh Macedonia....................... Raleigh Millbrook ........................ Raleigh New Hope ........................ Raleigh Pullen Memorial............... Raleigh Ridge Road ..................... Raleigh St. John’s ........................ Raleigh Tabernacle....................... Raleigh Triangle ........................... Raleigh Trinity.............................. Raleigh First ................................. Red Springs Calvary ............................ Reidsville First .................................. Reidsville Richfield ........................... Richfield First ................................. Richlands Rosemary ........................ Roanoke Rapids Bethel............................... Robbinsville First .................................. Rockingham Dortches .......................... Rocky Mount Lakeside .......................... Rocky Mount Rileys Creek .................... Rocky Point Rolesville ......................... Rolesville Rose Hill .......................... Rose Hill First ................................. Roseboro First ................................. Rowland Lamberth Memorial ...... Roxboro Roxboro ........................... Roxboro First ................................. Rural Hall

First ................................. Rutherfordton Enon ................................ Salisbury First ................................. Salisbury Neel Road ........................ Salisbury Ephesus ............................ Sanford First ................................. Sanford Flat Springs..................... Sanford Jonesboro Heights .......... Sanford Double Shoals ................. Shelby Dover................................ Shelby First .................................. Shelby Ross Grove ....................... Shelby Sandy Plains ................... Shelby Zion.................................. Shelby Rocky River .................... Siler City Nobles Chapel ................. Sims First ................................. Smithfield Sharon ............................. Smithfield First ................................. Southern Pines First ................................. Spindale Spencer ............................ Spindale Ephesus ........................... Spring Hope First .................................. Spring Hope First ................................ Spruce Pine First ................................. Stanfield First ................................. Statesville First ................................. Stoneville Brunswick Islands .......... Supply East Sylva........................ Sylva First ................................. Sylva First ................................. Tarboro Antioch............................. Taylorsville Teachey ............................ Teachey First ................................. Tryon Round Hill........................ Union Mills Cornerstone ...................... Valdese First .................................. Wadesboro Spring Hill........................ Wagram Heritage........................... Wake Forest Wake Forest .................... Wake Forest Woodland ........................ Wake Forest First Fellowship .............. Wallburg Warrenton ....................... Warrenton First ................................. Washington First ................................. Waynesville First ................................. Weaverville Crossroads Fellowship ... Weldon Baptist Tabernacle ......... Wendell Wendell ............................ Wendell First .................................. West Jefferson Fishing Creek.................. Whitakers First ................................. Whiteville Mount Zion ..................... Whiteville New Hope ........................ Whiteville Wilkesboro ...................... Wilkesboro First ................................. Wilmington Masonboro ...................... Wilmington Winter Park .................... Wilmington First ................................. Wilson Cashie .............................. Windsor Wingate ........................... Wingate Ardmore .......................... Winston-Salem The Gathering – July/August 2009

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Partner Churches October 2007 - March 2009 Bethany ........................... Winston-Salem College Park ................... Winston-Salem Covenant ......................... Winston-Salem El Mesias ......................... Winston-Salem Fellowship ....................... Winston-Salem First ................................. Winston-Salem Knollwood ....................... Winston-Salem Mineral Springs................ Winston-Salem Northwest ........................ Winston-Salem

Peace Haven.................... Winston-Salem United .............................. Winston-Salem Wake Forest .................... Winston-Salem Via Faith Community .... Winston-Salem Winterville ....................... Winterville Wise ................................. Wise First .................................. Yadkinville Maplewood ...................... Yadkinville First .................................. Yanceyville

Grace Haven ................... Youngsville Youngsville ...................... Youngsville Zebulon ........................... Zebulon Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information on partnering with CBFNC.

Annual CBFNC Budget Report for 2008-2009 Shows Three-Year Giving Trend During the 2008-2009 budget year: •

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For the first time, undesignated gifts exceeded $1 million, an increase of 11%.

Designated gifts increased 35%.

Also for the first time, total gifts exceeded $3 million and increased 26%.

Ye a rly B u d g e t R e p o rt $3,500,000 $3,018,832 $3,000,000 $2,404,227

$2,500,000 $1,959,148

CBFNC continues to be gratified by the trust congregations are placing in us as evidenced by growth in giving of all types. 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.

To view the 2009-2010 budget, visit www.cbfnc.org.

$2,000,000

$1,671,220 $1,455,378

$1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000

$1,051,883 $857,755

$948,849 $813,465

$0 U ndesignated

D esignated 2006-2007

2007-2008

Total G ifts 2008-2009

Marks of the Maturity of our Fellowship Coordinator’s Report from Executive Coordinator, Larry Hovis

Marks of Maturity

Challenges for our Future

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We are the right group to serve as the primary hub around which Free and Faithful Baptist churches and their ministry partners in North Carolina can network, cooperate and collaborate to serve Christ together.

We have maintained a focus on missional renewal, missional formation and missional engagement, not on institutional survival.

We have resisted the temptation to fall back into an outmoded organizational model that was appropriate for the last Baptist century, but increasingly irrelevant in the new Baptist century.

We have been progressively assertive in tackling important societal issues such as wealth and poverty and racial reconciliation, from the perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have respected and supported our core constituency while also reaching out to the next generation of Baptists through youth ministries, collegiate ministries, theological education and new church starts.

10 • The Gathering – July/August 2009

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We have a resource challenge to encourage the supply to match the ministry demand.

We have an organizational challenge to continuously adapt in order to be a viable and vital ministry.

We have a missional challenge to exhibit a missional rather than institutional focus.

This is a summary of the Coordinator’s Report given at the 2009 CBFNC General Assembly. Read the report in full at www. cbfnc.org.

Around the State with Our Coordinators (February - April) 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 served in February through April: Pastor’s Summit, Belize First, Blowing Rock First, Boiling Springs First, Eden Emerald Isle, Emerald Isle First, Fairmont First, Fayetteville Snyder Memorial, Fayetteville Gardner-Webb Divinity School First, Graham

Iglesia de la Comunidad, Graham Brandt Oaks, Greensboro Lindley Park, Greensboro Oakmont, Greenville First, Henderson Viewmont, Hickory Mount Pleasant, Liberty Hickory Rock, Louisburg First, Madison First, Mebane

First, Mt. Holly First, North Wilkesboro Iglesia Bautista Misionera Roca Fuerte, Pittsboro Hayes Barton, Raleigh Millbrook, Raleigh Triangle, Raleigh First, Rowland First, Spruce Pine

Ministers on the Move Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Leah Anderson has been called as the Youth Minister at Woodhaven Baptist Church, Apex.

Julie Merritt Lee has been called as the Pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Hendersonville.

Josh Apple has been called as the Minister of Youth and Children at Park Place Baptist Church, Thomasville.

Jay Meadows has been called as the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Canton.

Tony Capehart has been called as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Siler City.

James Nelson has been called as the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Rockingham.

Chris Chapman has been called as the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Raleigh.

Stella Perrin has been called as the Minister of Spiritual Formation, Children and Families at First Baptist Church, North Wilkesboro.

Lance Cole has been called as the Minister of Children and Youth at First Baptist Church, Reidsville.

Kelly Evans Rhodes has been called as the Associate Pastor of Edenton Baptist Church, Edenton.

Barrett Freeman has been called as the Minister to Youth and Children at College Avenue Baptist Church, Lenoir.

Trent Sessoms has been called as the Pastor of Garland Baptist Church, Garland.

Daniel Heath has been called as the Minister of Youth at First Baptist Church, Wilson.

LeAnne Spruill has been called as the Minister of Students and Recreation at Yates Baptist Church, Durham.

Garin Hill has been called as the Pastor of Sandy Plains Baptist Church, Shelby.

Candice Wilson has been called as the Minister of Music at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Raleigh.

James Martin has been called as the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, Statesville.

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 – July/August 2009 • 11

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINSTON-SALEM PERMIT NO. 162

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

Return Service Requested

Upcoming Events ~ July/August Edition Racial Reconciliation Workshop July 13, 2009 Greystone BC, Raleigh Registration and details at www.cbfnc. org. Register by July 9.

Youth Fall Retreat September 25-27, 2009 Myrtle Beach, SC See page 5. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org. Register by August 27.

CBFNC Youth Day at Emerald Pointe Water Park July 30, 2009 Greensboro See page 5. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org. Register by July 20.

Fellowship on the Move Tour October 5 - Chowan University October 6 - Wingate University October 13 - Wake Forest University October 19 - Meredith College October 20 - Campbell University October 26 - Mars Hill College (in

New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (As of May 15, 2009) Earley’s, Ahoskie

Youth White Water Rafting Retreat September 5-7, 2009 Asheville, NC See page 5. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org. Register by June 18.

October 29 - Gardner-Webb University See page 3. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Coaching Conference September 15, 2009 CBFNC Offices, Winston-Salem, NC See page 2. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Missions Initiative - Western October 2-4 - Jackson County, NC October 16-18 - Polk County, NC More information coming soon to www. cbfnc.org.

partnership with the Western

(New MRP* Contributor)

Centerpoint Community Fellowship, Franklin Forest Hills, Raleigh (New MRP* Contributor)

Hayes Barton, Raleigh (New MRP* Contributor)

Baptist Network)

Dortches, Rocky Mount (New MRP* Contributor)

Enon, Salisbury (Formerly CBF only; New MRP* Contributor)

First, Southern Pines (New MRP* Contributor)

Masonboro, Wilmington (New MRP* Contributor)

Southeast Youth Ministers’ Retreat September 14-16, 2009 Lake Junaluska, NC See page 4. Registration and details at www.cbfofsc.org.

Children’s Missions Days November 7 - Hickory, NC November 14 - Raleigh, NC More information coming soon to www. cbfnc.org.

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

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.