The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - May–June 2014

The Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

STiLL

General Assembly and 20th Anniversary ... pages 4-5

Photo by Charles Hartis

May/June 2014 • Vol. 19 Issue 3

Transformation: Why we bring

Baptists Together for Christ-centered ministry

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

What do the following ministry snapshots have in common?

A teenager attends a retreat with her youth group. She is in turmoil over a wrong performed by a family member. At the retreat, she learns about the power of God’s forgiveness. She goes home, empowered to approach the family member from a new perspective, and their relationship is changed for the better, even stronger than before.

A church has been struggling with decline, loss of purpose, internal conflict, and lack of direction. The church receives assistance from a congregational coach who helps them explore what’s working well, what’s not working well, where their challenges lie, and what God is calling them to be and do to move forward with power and purpose. They experience new life and energy. Current members grow in their faith and new persons begin coming to faith in Christ through their ministry.

A Spanish-speaking newcomer struggles with issues of culture, language, and employment.

His only exposure to religion in his home country has not been positive. He meets members of a Spanish-speaking congregation who embrace him, help him assimilate into the community, and introduce him to a positive, saving relationship with Jesus. He is like a new person.

A college student struggles with what she is supposed to do with her life. She has changed majors twice and isn’t even sure she should come back to school in the fall for her junior year. Her campus minister encourages her to spend her summer as a congregational intern. In that role, she has a caring, supportive pastoral supervisor who not only shows her the many sides of congregational life, but provides her with spiritual guidance for her life’s journey. She returns to school with a healthy identity and sense of God’s leadership in her life.

Over time, numerous church construction teams travel to Belize to construct a primary school. Because of this assistance, the churchrelated school is able to provide an education not available through other avenues to the children of the community. With an education, they have a greatly improved chance at a much better life. And with a Christian education, they are able to become and grow more deeply as disciples of Jesus.

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What do these stories have in common? Many things, perhaps, but the most important is, “Transformation.” The dictionary defines “transform” as “to change the nature, function, or condition of; to convert.” Though the word “transform” does not appear frequently in Scripture, the concept is a thoroughly Biblical one.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

“And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as if reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image, from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

“If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away; see, everything new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In a real sense, all of the parables of Jesus, like his entire life and ministry, are about transformation.

While most Christians, churches and ministry organizations (like CBFNC) would affirm, intellectually, that our primary purpose is to be agents of God’s transformation, that concept is not usually at the forefront of our thinking. We are more likely to evaluate ourselves on traditional metrics like attendance, membership and budgets than on how lives are being transformed because of our ministry.

CBFNC’s 20th Anniversary Vision Statement, adopted at the recent General Assembly, seeks to bring our rhetoric in line with our actions. The Assembly affirmed that our life together should be guided by three Overarching Commitments: Transformation, Engagement, and Community. All three are important.

All are necessary. Though they are not linear, but circular, there is a flow to them.

Our purpose, as already stated, is to be agents of God’s transformation. We do this through engagement with those around us. We are not content to wait for folks to come to us, but we intentionally, proactively, assertively but respectfully, engage them, in word and deed, with the Good News of God’s Kingdom in Jesus. This process occurs not as isolationists, not as rugged individualists, but in community. Always, we seek companions on the journey of transformative engagement, for we believe that true transformation is relational.

In the coming years, CBFNC will increasingly orient our ministries around Transformation, Engagement and Community. We don’t now know exactly what this means. We will learn together. And the conversation around the interchange of these commitments, will, hopefully, begin to shape how local churches and Christians exercise their discipleship.

For many years, CBFNC has been dedicated to the task of “bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christ-centered ministry.” That remains our purpose. But now, we have more clarity about why we come together for Christ-centered ministry. It’s to bring about God’s Transformation in our lives, our churches, our communities, and our world.

How are you (your church, ministry, etc.) seeking to bring about God’s transformation with your family, friends, community and world?

How can we, together, be more faithful and effective in the pursuit of this central task? I look forward to discerning those questions together in the months and years ahead.

CBFNC Collegiate Ministry had a new collaborative experience this spring. Four of our collegiate ministry groups (Appalachian State, East Carolina University, Western Carolina University and UNC-Asheville) shared a spring break mission trip to Atlanta.

This journey began as all four of the groups gathered at First Baptist Church, Sylva. That night, each group sat segregated by their campus in the church fellowship hall. The picture below tell’s a story of the group’s amazing transformation by week’s end.

I got the most out of the modules about homelessness. I have a renewed perspective on the poor, under-privileged and broken.

“The most meaningful thing for me was hearing the explanation of the single story and how we assume other people’s stories before we know them.”

Spring break take-away

March 8-14, 2014, in Atlanta

Something that I take away from this week is that things are a lot more complicated than I originally saw them. We are so quick to take sides and adamantly defend our position, “I’m right so you must be wrong,” but it is not that simple. Taking sides means you are against something. We need to realize that we do not have things figured out and you continue to learn valuable lessons in places you didn’t think you would learn anything. Learning more helps develop the concepts and things we believe, but it can also expand our world and help us really enjoy the diversity that we have been blessed with. It’s also nice to see an organization like CBF take such an active role as a support system for the Body of Christ.

“As we are moving on from this trip, I want to remember that we are the church of today.

First we must realize we will sin and what it takes to move past that toward a brighter future.”

I found a deeper appreciation for every issue we discussed this week, but I most appreciate that this trip planted seeds and demonstrated what I can do to advance the Kingdom of God in my own community.

“No matter if we’re rich, poor, big, skinny, tall, short — we all have a story.”

“The whole experience! We went from individual groups to really good friends, all the while going very deeply into how we can be a change in the world.”

The thing that impacted me the most was being able to do things for the people in Atlanta. I also enjoyed being able to meet people from all of the different schools.

“We’re not here to save people; we’re here to love them. And it’s through loving people that we will save them.” (Quoting the volunteer coordinator at Gateway.)

This week I learned about homelessness and race. I learned not to listen to just a person’s single story.

“Racism still exists and can be eliminated, but it is us who must do it, now, not later. In our own ways, our own towns, we must be the voice and the change we want to see.”

From this week, I have broadened my definition of what it means to go on a “mission trip.” We talked about the commonly held idea of going, working all day and having a “free day” on the last day. The people served were completely different from us and needed help from us to solve a problem. This week has been completely different. Mission work that makes a true difference in someone’s life requires a relationship, which takes more than a week to create.

“I enjoyed finding a safe place to explore complicated issues and practical ways to be part of God’s Kingdom through social justice issues.”

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Cooperation:

the focus for next 20 years

CBFNC adopted a vision statement on March 29 that calls for transformation, engagement and community by focusing on four Christ-centered areas of ministry.

The Assembly featured worship services, a ministry celebration and business session, workshops and times of fellowship. Divinity students gathered for some separate sessions, while children were led in their own Assembly.

Those attending the Assembly adopted a $1.48 million budget for 2014-15 and gave $5,732 in offerings for campus ministry in North Carolina.

Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC’s Leadership Development Coordinator and chairwoman of the 20th Anniversary Celebration Team, said the Assembly theme, “Still,” has multiple meanings. The team wanted to show how CBFNC is still God’s, still following God, still active and still doing missions. The team embraced the various definitions of Still, Chappell said. “That’s life,” she said. “It’s both/and, not either/or.”

Ken Medema, an improvisational musician who has been blind since birth, participated in both worship services. During Saturday morning worship, Medema asked for stories about CBFNC, then immediately came up with short songs about the comments. After a story about women being ordained, Medema’s song talked about how “the good old boys” said pulpits weren’t for “sisters” and said a woman “brings a kind of love no man can bring.”

Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator, talked about the meanings of Still in his address, which was based on Hebrews 10:23-25. He reminded those attending of the Fellowship’s accomplishments and talked about the future. Hovis said the Fellowship finds value in coming together. “Good things happen when good people come together,” he said.

Hovis then gave his interpretation of the vision statement. “Our life together moving forward will be increasingly and intentionally guided by three overarching commitments: transformation, engagement and community,” he said. “All three are important. All are necessary.”

Hovis said the vision document is not a statement of faith or an operational goal with specific goals, objectives and time lines. “Instead, it is a navigational tool, more of a compass than a map, pointing us in the general direction we need to go, but giving us the freedom, 4 • The Gathering – May/June 2014

by Steve DeVane

together, to flesh out the details, making adjustments along the way,” he said.

Members of the 20th Anniversary Vision Team presented the vision statement during three workshops on March 28 and during a business session the next day. Team member Dave Odom said during the workshop that the three commitments – transformation, engagement and community – are connected. “We believe these commitments are things that will stand the test of time,” he said. “We believe there’s history behind them.”

The commitment to transformation is based on Romans 12:12, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The statement of transformation says that Cooperative Baptists in North Carolina “desire to be agents of God’s newness.”

Odom said transformation starts with God. “Transformation is God’s work,” he said. “We partake in it.

We are transformed. God is at work in the world,” Odom said. “God is at work in our lives.”

Donna Bissette, a member of the team and past moderator of CBFNC, said transformation is the ultimate goal. “We want to draw people to Jesus,” she said. The commitment to engagement is based on James 1:22, “Be doers of the word.”

Bissette said engagement is an outward focus. “For me, it’s the one that puts flesh on CBFNC,” she said.

“This is sort of the hands and feet of the three commitments.” The commitment to community is based on Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love.”

The statement says fellowship in CBFNC’s name points toward a “deep desire for connection.”

The statement calls for the vision to become reality through four areas of focus: Showing mercy and seeking justice Nurturing healthy congregations Empowering laity for missional living Clarifying identity and covenant Bissette said the areas of focus provide a yardstick for determining ministries. They are intended to be broad, but clear, she said.

Team member Jack Glasgow said the vision statement is about helping churches serve God and serve people. Instead of a list of programs, it is intended to be

a way of seeing the mission of God in the world, he said. “That’s interpreting the document, but I think that’s the spirit of the document.”

Greg Rogers, who served on the vision team, said the vision lets churches collaborate and find new expressions of ministry. “I think these statements are broad enough to let us live into the Spirit,” he said.

The vision team has been working for two years. It sought to find a sense of what people and churches affirmed about CBFNC and what they hope, dream and need for the future.

Odom said team members learned that Cooperative Baptists in North Carolina are happy with CBFNC but concerned about the health of individual congregations.

Team member John Vestal said the statement emphasizes the importance of making disciples. “What is so exciting about this document is it says we are all ministers,” he said. “You don’t have to go to seminary to have God’s call on your life.”

Hovis told those listening to his address that they are not Independent Baptists, but Cooperative Baptists. “We need each other. We are incomplete without one another,” he said. “We’ve spent our first 20 years focusing on our freedom.

I pray we’ll spend our next 20 years focusing on cooperation.”

Top to bottom: Vision Team panel discussion, workshop participants, Vision document presentation and General Assembly worship.

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Summary of Individual

Contributors

January 2013-December 2013

While the bulk of financial support for CBFNC ministries comes from church budgets, individual gifts are an important and growing source of mission and ministry funding. Undesignated individual gifts are applied to the CBFNC Mission and Ministry Offering, one hundred percent of which funds our diverse ministries.

CBFNC is grateful for all gifts, regardless of size, donor, or designation. May God continue to entrust to us God’s mission and provide the support necessary to carry it out.

Would you like to give to CBFNC as an individual, honoring/in memory of someone important in your life or in support of a particular ministry or project? You will find information on our website, www.cbfnc.org.

Name........................................... City/State Anna & LaCount Anderson...Scotland Neck Seth & Jennifer Asbill.................Knightdale J.D. & Margaret Baldree................... Shelby Deborah & Dean Baughn.......Rutherfordton Al & Pat Bennett........................Greensboro Caroline & Ralph Bentley............Statesville David & Mavis Bissette.......Winston-Salem Ken & Gail Boaz..................Winston-Salem Tom & Betty Bodkin........................ Raleigh John & Nola Boezeman.......................Apex Karen & Steve Bolton..................... Durham Dorothy Bowers................................... Eden Greg & Donna Bowers............... Winterville Tommy & Gail Bridges....................Sanford Carol Brown.................................Greenville Catherine A. Brown..................... Oak Ridge Kelly Brown........................................ Sylva Mary Brown...................................... Raleigh Charles & Grace Bullard...............Asheboro Warner & Roberta Bumgardner .............................................. Wadesboro Linden & Alice Burch..........Lake Junaluska Morgan Burnett.........................Waynesville Jim & Joyce Camp.......................Lexington Bette Carter....................................... Raleigh Tony Cartledge.....................................Apex Jack & Mary Lib Causey..............Statesville Kenny & Trishia Chapman......... Cullowhee Ka’thy & Russell Chappell ........................................Winston Salem James & Elizabeth Clark......Hendersonville Susan Clark...........................................Apex Marie & Homer Clontz..............Horse Shoe Austin & Betty Connors................... Raleigh Gail & Holland Coulter........Hendersonville 6 • The Gathering – May/June 2014

Terry & Judy Cox........................High Point Jim Cross...........................................Oxford Barbara Dallas...................................... Eden Brian & Dannelle Dickens.............. Whittier Michael Dixon....................... Elizabeth City Elizabeth J. Dunn..................Cumming, GA Ruth Durham...............................High Point Elizabeth & Mark Edwards........... Nashville Martha & Wallace Edwards.... Spring Hope Jane & Richard Eskew.........Winston-Salem Johnnie Evans............................. Morrisville Kimberly & Michael Ferguson . ....................................... Fort Hood, TX Sue Fitzgerald.......................Winston-Salem Heather Foster..................................... Sylva Marie & Steve Fox........................... Benson Debra & Curtis Freeman................. Durham Woodrow Freeze...............................Bullock Brad Galbraith............................... Asheville Lou Ann & Paul Gilliam........ Murfreesboro Jack & Barbara Glasgow................. Zebulon Shannon & David Hall.....................Mebane Tommy & Pat Hardin......................Spindale John & Kathryn Harris.................. Rose Hill Cathy & Bill Hartsell......................Charlotte David & Vanessa Hawes..............Whiteville James & Doris Helvey.........Winston-Salem Rena & Bill Henderson............... Ridgecrest Frank Hendrick.....................................Elkin Scott & Linda Henson...................... Maiden Brenda Hipp.............................. Thomasville Cathy & Michael Hopkins.........Fayetteville Donald & Jo Ann Horton................ Zebulon Marion & Don Horton.................Knightdale Larry & Kim Hovis.......................Pfafftown

Barry & Amanda Howard......Pensacola, FL Barbara Huggins............................... Raleigh Doris Hughes................................... Edenton Jesse & LindsayHunt.......................... Boone John Hunt............................. Boiling Springs Nancy & Franklin Ivey.................Statesville Beth James.................................. Laurinburg Bob & Elaine Jeffcoat..................... Durham Linda & Joseph Jones.................. Clemmons Anthony Jordan............................... Wingate Rebecca & Larry Keesler...........Mount Airy Dan & Wanda Kidd..................... Cullowhee Elissa Kincaid.................................. Hickory Cathy C. Kiser......................Winston-Salem Joseph & Meade Lamb.......... Elizabeth City Bob & Rhea Lamb............................. Shelby Sara & Stuart Lamkin................... Louisburg Mable Laney................................ Burlington John Lawrence.................................. Raleigh Bill & Crystal Leathers........Winston-Salem Steve & Alice Little...........................Marion Benedetta & Mark Mansell.............. Raleigh Mary & Greg Martin................. Weaverville Milton C. Martin.....................Hopewell, VA Carolyn & Rick Matthews...Winston Salem Paula & Scot McCosh................Fayetteville Corene McDaniel........................Forest City Karen & Randy McKinney.............. Raleigh Roella Mellnik.............................Forest City Geneva Metzger.........................Greensboro Jean & Gene Millsaps............... Mooresville Harold Mitchell.....North Myrtle Beach, SC Memory Mitchell.............................. Raleigh Margaret Moore.....................................King

Doug & Candace Murray.................. Wilson Charles & Janice Nicholson........Forest City Matt & Michelle Norman.................. Leland James & Starr Oliver.......... Chesapeake, VA Esther & Tim Parker......................... Raleigh Susan & Wally Pasour.................Haw River Jason Perry................................. Weaverville William Phillips........................... Cullowhee Clara Privott........................... Rocky Mount Bo & Gail Prosser.......................Tucker, GA Donnie & Ann Ramsey............. Weaverville Lucy B. Rash................................Statesville Kim & Robby Ray..........................Charlotte Paul & Anne Raybon........................Candler William & Janet Rhodes............... Asheville Jonathan Rigsbee.......................Kernersville Kennon & Peggie Roberson ........................................Winston-Salem Nancy & L.J. Rogers........................Mebane Brickson Sam..................................Charlotte William & Carolyn Scoggins ......................................... Elizabethtown

Milton Sewell.............................Mount Airy Shirley Shelburne........................ Lillington Charlotte H. Shelton........................... Ayden Michael & Sandra Simmons.....Buies Creek Martha & Wilbert Simmons...........Charlotte John Singletary............................... Pittsboro Bobbye Smith.............................Yadkinville Roy & Charlotte Smith.........Winston-Salem Shirley Smith......................................Trinity Frances Stewart....................Winston-Salem Doris Stocks.................................High Point David Stone................................... Mars Hill Terri & Dave Stratton............Fuquay Varina Jim & Marion Summerville.......Chapel Hill Jimmy & Dot Taylor.........................Monroe Susan Taylor...............................Chapel Hill Kristen E. Thayer.............................. Raleigh Leon & Joyce Thomas...................Southport Anita Thompson.............................. Ahoskie Mack & Carol Thompson................. Raleigh Ann Wall........................................... Raleigh Kimsey & Renae Welch...........Trent Woods

Transformation at work

Neil & Whitney Westbrook........... Salisbury Amy Whittington.............................. Benson Jean Williams......................... Elizabeth City Tim & Lynda Willis................. Clemson, SC David & Ann Wilson............. Maryville, TN Linda Winslow............................Jamestown Ray & Melba Wyche....................Whiteville Richard & Betty Wynne................... Raleigh The Red Radish............................. Asheville Wagner Agape Ministries ................................... McLeansville, VA Western NC Baptist Network........ Asheville

NC Baptist Foundation Endowment Fund:

Blanche Wall & William A. Brown Hannah & Frank D. Hills Mary W. Brown Lynn Camp Odom H.Manly Hocutt Elizabeth Simmons

by Glenn Phillips, Pastor, First, Goldsboro

I encourage you to consider participating in Impacting Tomorrow 2014. Four years ago, First, Goldsboro, a 170-yearold county seat congregation, attended Hopeful Imagination, and in 2012 we participated in Impacting Tomorrow. Each was essential to the missional transformation of our congregation.

Our church found the stories of missional faithfulness to be inspirational, applicable, and essential for our missional journey.

It galvanized our staff and lay leadership to discover God’s work in our community and to join God and other Christians in that work. The conference helped birth new vitality in worship, and led to an extension of ministries that were more inwardly focused, such as prayer shawls, handicap ramps, and benevolence, which are now being done in our community and in partnership with other Christians.

We have rediscovered the call to find where God is at work and to join that work, which has revitalized our church in ways we had only dreamed and continues to influence our congregation. Impacting Tomorrow will enhance your missional journey as you continue to impact tomorrow for God. Impacting Tomorrow — May 16-17, 2014 Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information and to register.

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2014 CBF 2014 CBF General General Assembly Assembly

2014 CBF General Assembly Georgia 2014Atlanta, CBF General Assembly Atlanta, Georgia

Woven Together Woven Together

June 23-27

June 23-27 Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Threads of faith

Join usus inin celebrating Join celebrating how our stories how our storiesasas Cooperative CooperativeBaptists Baptistsare are

Threads of faith and fellowship and fellowship

Woven WovenTogether Together

A cord of three strands

A cord of three strands is not easily broken is not easily broken

- ECClesiastes 4:9-12

- ECClesiastes 4:9-12

with each other with each otherand and with God’s mission with God’s mission Celebrate CBF and Celebrate CBF and Co-missioning during Co-missioning during a family-friendly a family-friendly dinner banquet and dinner banquet and commissioning service

commissioning service

church starters, chaplains

church chaplains and starters, pastoral counselors. andRegister pastoralfor counselors. this event at Register for this event at thefellowship.info/ thefellowship.info/ assembly/commissioning assembly/commissioning

Workshops Workshops Attend practical workshops with

Attend practical workshops with topicslike like topics • Issues facing the modern • Issues facing the modern church church • New trends and tools in • New trends and tools in ministry ministry • Models and opportunities for • Models opportunities for missionand involvement involvement •mission Resources for teaching and • Resources for teaching and learning •learning Personal growth Worship/music • •Personal growth • Bible studies • Worship/music • Bible studies

Worship Worship

Gather with Cooperative Baptists to to Gather with Cooperative Baptists bebeinspired and challenged by inspired and challenged by • Annual state of CBF speech • Annual state of CBF speech from Executive Coordinator from Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter Suzii Paynter • Keynote addresses from Andrew •Young, Keynote addresses from Andrew former U.N. Ambassador Young, former U.N. Ambassador and civil rights leader and civil rights • Sermon from Guyleader Sayles, •pastor Sermon from Guy Sayles, of of First Baptist Church pastor ofN.C. First Baptist Church of Asheville, • Proclamation and vision for Asheville, N.C. CBF from Moderator-elect • Proclamation and vision for Kasey CBF Jones from Moderator-elect

Kasey Jones

Register and learn about fellowship opportunities, auxiliary events, Register and learn about fellowship auxiliary events, the Assembly schedule and more atopportunities, thefellowship.info/assembly

the Assembly schedule and more at thefellowship.info/assembly

8 • The Gathering – May/June 2014

Practicing grace

Reading Day – a day devoted to the pleasure of reading. Who wouldn’t like that? Reading Day, however, means something different on a college campus. It is the day before exams begin. It’s the last 24 hours before judgment day. What better place to spend it than in a church?

First Baptist Church of Elon is adjacent to the campus of Elon University. For years, it struggled with its role. Some members saw the college as an opportunity. Others considered it a threat. In the last four years, both of those perspectives were given credibility. Four years ago, the church formed a college ministry team. After some prayer and reflection, the team realized, “The University is our Jerusalem.” One of the team member’s children attended college elsewhere and told of a local church that opened its doors to students during exam week. The team decided to give that a try. From 10am – 10pm, the church was open. About 25 students came to enjoy the quiet not found in their dorms and the space not available in the full tables of the University library.

Church members provided snacks. The church boosted its internet capabilities.

Although attendance was less than hoped for, the team members considered it a success.

Soon afterward, church members found their parking lot and campus covered with beer cans, broken bottles and empty coolers. “We were furious,” says Mark Mofield, pastor of First Baptist Church of Elon for more than 11 years. (Mark is now pastor of Temple, Durham.) On Friday night, a fraternity and a sorority had used the church for party parking. “I thought, like a lot of members, ‘those good for nothing students!’ I called the school administration and demanded an apology, which they promised, as well as funds to pay for clean-up.” Justice was served.

“On Monday, I got an e-mail from the president of the fraternity. At the end of the formal apology, it said, ‘I would like

It took us a long time to figure out college ministry.

We found out, you begin with relationships.

by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator

to meet with you personally to talk about ways to build a better relationship. We do not want you to define us by this moment.’

We preach a lot about grace, but will we take this opportunity to practice it?” They met. Mark asked the fraternity to join a churchwide clean-up on the following Saturday. “Our hope was that if people worked side-by-side, they would get to know one another and relationships would begin.” Mark called the the sorority with the same invitation. On Sunday, Mark used his sermon to tell the story of what had happened. “I announced the clean-up day and asked people to pledge to come.” Some older ladies said they could not do the work, but they would provide snacks.

On Saturday, they came. One hundred and twenty students were paired with more than one hundred church members, and they went to work. Church members asked the students, “What does your organization do?” and were told of multiple projects the students did. That week, the fraternity president called the church to say, “We’d like to do a project for the church.” They became boosters for the exam-week open house.

“It took us a long time to figure out college ministry. Most of us want to begin with a program,” says Mark. “We found out, you begin with relationships. Students want surrogate grandparents they can talk with. They want to serve in the church, not just be entertained.” As the congregation was jolted into building relationships with students, “the college ministry began to blossom. We understood that this is our ministry. We can do this.”

What lesson was most profound for the church? Mark answers, “When we actually practice grace, it can make a difference.”

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CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts

January - March 2014

Missions & Ministry Offering in honor of Dewey Hobbs

by Larry and Kim Hovis Missions & Ministries Offering In Honor of the Staff of Oakmont, Greenville

by Kevin and Nicole Davis General Assembly Offering for Campus Ministry in memory of Charles Ripley

by Mrs. Carolyn Ripley

Check out

Your gifts to a CBFNC endowment fund can plant seeds of blessing, hope, and help.

free resources on www.cbfnc.org!

New items added weekly.

Designate a gift for scholarships, new church starts, or where it is most needed.

Contact Jim Hylton at jhylton@cbfnc.org or (336) 759-3456 for more information.

May 15, 2014

Kim and Marc Wyatt

serving in Canada wyatt@thefellowship.info They are off-field in Wilmington July 2013 - June 2014

children’s ministry summit elevating May 29, 2014 Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information.

preaching

2014

Youth Leadership Conference s o ut heast r e g i o n

CBF Global Missions Field Personnel Off-Field Assignments in Our Area

September 22, 2014 Duke University School of Divinity Visit www.cbfnc.org for more info

First Baptist Mount Olive

Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information.

Coordinator Visits

Ministers on the Move February 2014 - March 2014

Ardmore, Winston-Salem

First, Raleigh

First, Albermarle

Green Creek First,

First, Canton

Columbus

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Barry Keys has been called to be Pastor of First, Valdese.

Pritchard Memorial,

First, Greensboro, has affirmed Kim Priddy as Minister of Missions.

First, Greensboro

St. John’s, Raleigh

Watts Street, Durham, has called Dorisanne Cooper as Senior Minister.

First, High Point

The Memorial, Greenville

First, Lenoir

Westwood, Cary

First, Mount Airy

Yates, Durham

First, Elon

Charlotte

CBFNC ministry coordinators are available to visit your church to speak, preach, teach, consult, lead and minister in ways appropriate to your context. Contact the CBFNC office for more information.

10 • The Gathering – May/June 2014

David Hawes has been called to Godwin Heights, Lumberton, as Pastor.

Zion, Shelby, has called Matthew Storie as Pastor.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc.org. For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit our reference and referral page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.

May/June 2014

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

Wanda Kidd......... College Ministry Coordinator..... WKidd@cbfnc.org

Ka’thy Gore Chappell.... Leadership Development Coordinator.... KChappell@cbfnc.org

Eddie Hammett ....Church and Clergy Coach.......... EHammett@cbfnc.org

Rick Jordan ............. Church Resources Coordinator.......... RJordan@cbfnc.org

Javier Benitez ......Hispanic Network Leader Coach... Rocafuerte90@hotmail.com

Linda Jones . ........... Missions Coordinator...................... LJones@cbfnc.org

Rebekah Ayers .... Programs Manager................... RAyers@cbfnc.org

Jim Hylton .............. Business Administration Coordinator.... JHylton@cbfnc.org

Sarah Mitchell .... Communications Manager......... SMitchell@cbfnc.org

Jack Causey ............. Ministerial Resources Coordinator...... JCausey@cbfnc.org

Gail McAlister ..... Financial Manager................... GMcalister@cbfnc.org Derek Wilhelm ..... Administrative Assistant.......... DWilhelm@cbfnc.org

Regional Coordinators Region 1 – Western: Gail Coulter . .............

Region 2 – Foothills: David Smith .............

Region 3 – Triad: Bill Leathers .................

Region 4 – South Central: Drag Kimrey ......

coulterig@bellsouth.net davsmith@charter.net wleathers@triad.com dragkimrey@roadrunner.com

CBFNC College Ministers Kelly Brown ........... Western Carolina ... wcucoopstudentfellowship@gmail.com Ashley Mangrum ... UNC Chapel Hill . ....................... amangrum@cbfnc.org Lawrence Powers ... East Carolina................................ lpowers@cbfnc.org Coordinating Council Ray Ammons, Gastonia, Moderator Lisa Rust, Lumberton, Moderator-Elect Marion Horton, Knightdale, Recorder Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Past-Moderator Mike Eddinger, Cary, Treasurer Kathy Driver, Raleigh Heather Folliard, Durham Wayne Hill, Wake Forest Jeff Matthis, Sylva Rick Matthews, Winston-Salem Doug Murray, Wilson Mike Queen, Winston-Salem Susan Taylor, Chapel Hill

Endowment Management Board Andrew Barnhill, Wilmington Ron Cava, Henderson Austin Connor, Raleigh Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem Norman Jameson, Winston-Salem

Region Region Region Region

5 6 7 8

– – – –

North Central: Tom Jackson ......

Capital: Mack Thompson...........

Southeast: Mike Johnson .........

Northeast: Jesse Croom ...........

Curtis Privette.......

Danny Steis . ........

David Stone..........

Chris Towles .........

Faith Formation Ministry Council Stella Perrin, Taylorsville, Chair Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines, Chair-Elect Giles Blankenship, Fayetteville Beth Cockman-Wood, Sanford Brian Harrington, Liberty Kerrie Clayton Jordan, Smithfield Barbara Glasgow, Zebulon Louisa Monroe, Fayetteville Tyler Roach, Morganton Scott Thrailkill, Goldsboro Leadership Development Ministry Council Layne Rogerson, Greenville, Chair Shane Nixon, Mocksville, Chair-Elect Sarah Boberg, Red Springs Jerry Chiles, Raleigh Buddy Corbin, Asheville Jeanell Cox, Durham John Daniels, Waynesville Kheresa Harmon, Shelby Mark Reece, Mount Airy Nathan Rice, Southern Pines

pastortj@aol.com mackthompson1@att.net mikejohn303@earthlink.net jmacroom@hotmail.com

Appalachian...................... curtisdprivette@gmail.com Duke University . .................... dannysteis@gmail.com Western North Carolina.....................dstone@unca.edu Wake Forest.................................. towlescj@wfu.edu Missions Ministry Council Blake Dempsey, Nashville, Chair Paula McCosh, Fayetteville, Chair-Elect Elba Benitez, Pittsboro Greg Burriss, Siler City Kent Cranford, Gastonia Allison Gallimore, Oxford Sarah Lamkin, Louisburg Michael Lea, West Jefferson Nate Leonard, Morehead City Christa Warise, Winston-Salem Mike Womble, Wilmington Tiffany Young, Bladenboro

Financial Report: January 2014 Contributions Undesignated - $183,204 Designated - $454,774 February 2014 Contributions Undesignated - $95,047 Designated - $269,741 April 2013 - March 2014 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $127,140

May 16-17, 2014 Oakmont Baptist Church Greenville Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information and to register.

The Gathering – May/June 2014

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Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina 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

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

Return Service Requested

Upcoming Events ~ MAY/JUNE EDITION Adult Spirituality Retreat

Elevating Preaching

May 2-4, 2014 Caraway Retreat Center

September 22, 2014 Duke University School of Divinity

Western NC Baptist Fellowship Spring Gathering

Youth Fall retreat with CBFVA

May 4, 2014 First, Tryon

October 3-5, 2014 Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA

Southeast Region Youth Leadership Conference

Deacon Ministry: Leadership Training for 21st Century World

May 15, 2014 First, Mount Olive

2014 Impacting Tomorrow May 16-17, 2014 Oakmont, Greenville

October 11, 2014 United, Winston-Salem Focus: Mobilizing Missional-Focused Deacons

2014 Children’s Mission Days -

Children’s Ministers’ Summit

November 1 - Zebulon, Zebulon November 8 - Zion, Shelby November 15 - Oakmont, Greenville

CBFNC Family Day

Deacon Ministry: Leadership Training for 21st Century World

May 29, 2014 Watts Street, Durham

July 29, 2014 Wet-n-Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park, Greensboro

Youth Whitewater Retreat August 30-September 1, 2014 Asheville

Youth Beach Retreat

September 12-14, 2014 NC Baptist Assembly, Caswell

November 8, 2014 Viewmont, Hickory Focus: How Deacons Function in an Inward-Focused Church & Model Missional-Focused Ministry

Youth Ski Retreat

January 2015 Beckley, West Virginia

Youth Choir Festival March 6-7, 2015 location TBA