The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - November–December 2018

gathering the

of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

November/December 2018

Vol. 23 Issue 6

How a Responds to Disasters

Caring for God’s People Read about CBFNC’s hurricane relief efforts on page 6

Confronting the Devil

I

watched a lot of television as a teenager in the 1970s–some would say too much! One program I remember quite well was The Flip Wilson Show. One of Wilson’s best-known characters was Geraldine Jones. Whenever Geraldine would confess a transgression, she would excuse herself with the phrase, “The Devil made me do it!” It always brought a big laugh. It seems the Devil kept quite busy with Geraldine.

What’s your view of Satan? C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters, states: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight. (p. 17) The New Testament seems to take the concept very seriously.

Luke Timothy Johnson explains, The New Testament’s extensive language concerning malevolent spiritual forces is never humorous. The terminology varies – some texts speak of the Devil or Satan, others of demons or unclean spirits, of powers and principalities, the Ruler of the Power of the Air, the Dragon and Ancient Serpent – but taken together, these terms point to a conviction, broadly shared by the writers of the New Testament, that a cosmic power, lesser than God but greater than humans alone, inhabited the world and worked against human good in a manner that was anything but comic or quaint. (Commonweal, 9/26/2011) Unlike Geraldine, I don’t blame the Devil when I say a bad word or eat an extra cookie. I don’t think the Devil is responsible for my poor decisions on a daily basis. But I do find myself drawn to texts such as Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

How else can you explain the African slave trade, the Trail of Tears, and the Holocaust? Yes, greedy, sinful human beings were complicit and responsible, but when thousands cooperate to execute evil on such a scale, something else must be going on.

As Johnson explains, “there exist powers, at work in and through humans yet commanding a superhuman blind energy, that labor not for the good, but for the destruction of humans and of all human beauty and grace.”

I see the “powers and principalities” at work today in racism, sexism, corporate greed, and mass gun violence. I see the Devil creating conditions of violence and poverty that cause people to leave their homes and migrate to places where they are not welcome. I see the Evil One at work creating addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex.

How do we confront the Devil? First, we’ve got to admit the Devil is real. There are malevolent powers at work in the world, stronger than human beings, actively opposing the will and ways of our good and gracious God. Second, we must work together to oppose these powers, to attack them not only where they strike individuals, but also in the institutions and structures that support them, including, when appropriate, our own churches.

To do this work, we need super-human resources. Ephesians 6 describes these resources as “the whole armor of God.” Ultimately, only the power of the Holy Spirit harnessed through the courageous, collective efforts of the people of God can defeat the Devil and stop oppression, injustice, and violence.

Harnessing that power begins with prayer and issues forth in courageous action. May God give us eyes to see and courage to act.

The stakes are too high for us not to confront the Devil.

It’s no laughing matter.

Cooperati ve Baptist

Fellowshi p of

North Car o m

li While church budget support provides the ission and ministry of na fering bulk of the resources to finance CBFNC’s ministries, individual contributions are a vital source of funding. Envelopes are provided in this issue of the gathering. Please consider giving to CBFNC’s annual Mission and Ministry Offering, either by mailing a check in this envelope, or via credit card on our website, www.cbfnc.org.

We are grateful for all gifts regardless of the amount.

Cooperativ e 2640 Reyn Baptist Fellowship of North old Carolina Winston-Sa a Road lem, NC 27 106

Offering Envelopes

To order additional envelopes to distribute in your church, call (888) 822-1944.

2 • The Gathering

November/December 2018

The Gift of ‘Ah-Ha’

by Marc Wyatt, CBF Field Personnel

I

had the privilege of participating in a Racial Equity Institute (REI) workshop last May thanks to CBF of North Carolina. From the start, the facilitators had my full attention.

Simply stated, the 16-hour workshop helped me to develop a new understanding of how racism has been constructed and systemized in America.

Early in the seminar we took turns going around the room introducing ourselves and stating what we hoped would be the outcome of our learning. I said, “My name is Marc and I don’t want to be a racist anymore.”

During one of the breaks a young black man approached me and thanked me for being honest and vulnerable. He told me his name was Nick. Later we shared lunch and our stories.

At the end of the REI we went around the room again.

Only this time, we shared how we were doing and what we planned to do with what we had learned. I was deeply affected by the words of each of the black professionals. Each in turn shared a similar “ah-ha” experience. They shared how they had felt the weight of racial inequity always upon their shoulders. The REI had given them a gift. They were all too familiar with their personal experiences but now they had been given affirmation; they weren’t imagining things. They were living in a racially inequitable America.

I was transformed as I realized that there wasn’t just one America. There are two Americas - maybe even a dozen.

There is the America I grew up in. And there is the America minorities inhabit. And the two aren’t the same.

When I returned home and tried to explain this to my wife, I found myself emotionally moved. I began to consider my black neighbors across the street and down the block. I don’t really know them. We are friendly, but seem satisfied simply to pass greetings and smiles to each other as we come and go. The next day my neighbor was cutting the grass. I went over and stopped him. I apologized for not being a better neighbor. I told him that I wanted to introduce him and his wife to my wife, Kim. We had a great conversation.

Turns out his name is Marc. Go figure?!

REI gave me a sacred gift. You may get yours by attending the next Racial Equity Institute near you.

THE CBFNC RACIAL RECONCILIATION TEAM is committed to helping our churches understand racism in its institutional and structural forms so that we all can be better equipped to work for change. It is partnering with The Racial Equity Institute which is committed to bringing participants into an awareness and analysis of the historical and cultural roots of institutional racism and how the disparities of racism continue today in our systems. It does not focus on individual bias but embraces a movement approach. It believes that “systemic interventions and training can work to change thinking, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for all populations.”

REI’s Phase I workshop is a full two days, led by two or three trainers with 40 participants. Through presentations, discussion, video, and interactive exercises, attendees are taken on a journey of inherent racism in our country from the 1600’s to today. If you are interested in attending an REI workshop, contact Linda Jones at ljones@cbfnc.org.

Unidiversity is a weeklong Christian summer experience for youth.

Meaningful worship, creative Bible study, and loads of fun help us reach our vision of bringing together youth from diverse backgrounds and communities to celebrate the unity we share in Jesus Christ. Camp is unique in that the week is planned and led by church ministers and volunteers.

Unidiversity Youth Camp 2019 July 22 - 27, 2019 University of Tennessee | Knoxville Group Registration is Open! $375/person Visit unidiversity.org for more information, or send an email to: info@unidiversity.org.

is holding summer camp near you, North Carolina, and we’d love to show you around!

We are in Greensboro, Ashville, Danville, VA, Lynchburg, VA and Greenville, SC. If you have never seen camp, you are invited to come visit for a day next summer. All our camps are choc full of fun, parties, Bible study, and thoughtfully planned worship services for youth and children. Each program also offers uniquely-planned camp experiences related to mission involvement, missions education, and personal discipleship. We believe that hands-on mission experience, education, and reflection opens up the hearts and minds of youth and children and leads them to live lives that help make earth as it is in heaven. Dates, rates, and locations for 2019 can be found at www.passportcamps.org. Or, to schedule a guided tour, email us at info@passportcamps.org. Registration is now open!

November/December 2018

The Gathering • 3

I

was milling about, adjusting my pastoral stole, – by preparing to be present with some of our local Mary Elizabeth teachers at a press conference when the news Hanchey reporter approached me.

Why was I there? I answered with a simple affirmation of our public schools and the teachers that serve in them. But he was asking a different question, and he persevered. Why are you here, as a faith leader, in support of public education?

I stared at him for a moment, summoning all of those things that are true about public schools and God’s children who gather there. As stories about community and brokenness, wealth and poverty, injustice and restoration, passion and exhaustion, the love of discovery and the lack of paper, and the provision of care for the least of these swarmed, fighting for the spot on the tip of my tongue, I wondered if I might ought to simply say: because of Jesus.

Because of Jesus.

Those who undergird their strain against systems of inequity and injustice with the simple refrain that God is love are not wrong. But there is more: Jesus taught about the impoverished and marginalized. His message was clear. Feed them. Eat with them. Heal them. Carry them to safety. Do not try to use rules of procedure to get out of it. Do not act like you don’t know who your neighbor is. Do not let your love of prosperity or orderliness or possessions distract you from working for the kingdom of God here and now – on earth as it is in heaven. There is no need to cherry pick citations from the gospels because these admonitions fill them.

(attempt to) provide school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, and breakfast and lunch. But there is not enough funding to do these things well. Because of that, the children in our care as a community are in danger.

Inadequate funding puts our children in danger.

I have had the opportunity to listen recently. I heard stories about: • students falling on or being inappropriately disciplined on buses because their physical disabilities are not being addressed.

• schools where sinks don’t work and hands cannot be washed and soap does not exist.

• schools that only see nurses for a couple of hours a week even though they have children with grave medical fragilities who need monitoring and medicating all day every day.

• hundreds of students on free or reduced lunch who must be fed something no matter how drastically child nutrition budgets are cut.

• teachers who show up to school exhausted and fragile because of the second and third jobs which they must work so that their own children can eat.

These stories are not outliers. They happen in every school district.

We are failing to care for our impoverished and marginalized because we are failing to adequately fund the schools that meet TIPS FOR ENGAGING WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY their needs today and educate them for tomorrow. In these 1. Consider the difference between charity and justice and do both. failures we perpetuate inequity and injustice. With these failures, 2. Charity work will be most welcome and most effective if you work to meet stated we jeopardize both the present and the future of our children. needs of the schools. Consider how your mission group might form a partnership with The poignant reality is that this injustice jeopardizes all of a school or with the school system. us. Until all of our children have access to the food, clothing, 3. Justice work strives to change systems and realities. It heals the whole body rather and shelter required to live, all of us suffer from the sickness than treating individual wounds. Consider how your mission group might engage in of our brokenness. Until all of our children can be educated advocacy for justice within your own school system and for public education across in schools that are clean and safe and staffed with the most the state. qualified educators who can give their full attention to the 4. NC Faith Leaders for Public Education (NCFLPE) would love to come to your region art of teaching because they are paid a decent wage, all of us and lead a 2-hour training. Please contact us at ncflpe@ncchurches.org. suffer from the brokenness. Until each mind and each body is valued and accommodated – wheelchairs, crutches, processing 5. Connect on social media. These connections will expose you to data, events, disorders, language barriers, life-threatening allergies, autism, resources, and discussion about public schools. health disparities accounted for – then all of us suffer from the • On Facebook you can follow @ncflpe, @PublicSchoolsFirstNC, brokenness. @NCTestingReform We must not believe the scarcity narrative. Because we • On Twitter you can follow @NCJC_Education, @EducationNC, and @PS1NC. worship a God of abundance.

There is enough. It may need to be budgeted differently. But 1 in 4 children in North Carolina live in poverty. More than there is enough.

1 in 10 live in extreme poverty. More than 600,000 children in North Faith communities must commit to showing up as advocates Carolina do not have access to adequate food, clothing, and shelter. for the public schools, to championing the common good, and to Children who are raised in poverty face struggles that their peers do articulating a story more powerful than the narrative not face. Their academic outcomes hang in the balance. of scarcity.

Our public schools are hubs of serving the impoverished Because of Jesus. and marginalized. Public Schools are required by law to provide transportation to and from school, and to provide transportation on Mary Elizabeth Hanchey is a member of the CBFNC Faith Formation Ministry Council. She wrote this article in her role as specially equipped buses for children who are differently abled. They 4 • The Gathering

November/December 2018

the Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach for the NC Council of Churches. This excerpt is altered and reprinted by permission.

THE CRISIS OF

aging out of foster care

M

inistering to the least amongst us takes many shapes and forms and it is often people we do not even think about. One of these populations includes the young people who are aging out of foster care. At age 18 they are considered adults and in many cases are emancipated to begin their lives on their own. Those teenagers are some of the most at-risk people you will ever meet. They come from situations that were unstable, often abusive, with very little support system in place to help them move to adulthood.

In North Carolina, there are over 10,000 children in foster care. Last year, close to 500 of them aged out of the foster care system. Here are some of the statistics that will follow them.

• 20% of foster care youth will become instantly homeless upon aging out.

• Less than 3% of teenagers who age out of foster care achieve higher education.

• 72% of girls who age out will become pregnant before the age of twenty-one.

• 24% of older youth who age out of foster care are affected by PTSD. • Only 50% of older youth in foster care will have employment by the age of 24.

• Only 57% of foster care students will graduate from high school, compared to 85% of the general population.

by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC Collegiate Engagement Coordinator

North Carolina offers some services that provide safety nets to help with this transition. However, for a youth to qualify for these services they must be actively seeking graduation from high school, be able to attend college through a grant program (which only covers partial expenses), or have needs and disabilities that prevent them from living on their own. These transitions are complicated for a student in a stable family, so imagine how complicated it is to attain these goals without a support system.

Home Base at Western Carolina University is one attempt to address these systemic issues. The building that previously housed the Baptist Campus Ministry was sitting vacant. The Assistant Vice Dean of Student Success approached the Baptist Children’s Homes of NC with an idea. He wondered if WCU and the BCH could partner to provide a place where their students who had aged out of foster care or other emancipated students could have the support to thrive while in this high-stress time of life. It was quickly adopted as an excellent idea for all the people involved and it came together very quickly.

Dr. Jim Dean is the director of Home Base. His job is to provide resources and community for these at risk young adults. At their place on campus, they have a food pantry, clothing closet, emergency housing, a computer lab, and a place for them to hang out in a building that was decorated, by their request, to look like a home.

It is the great hope of CBFNC that the CBFNC family continue to look for ways to see our mission with college students and young adults as much more than just mission trips and Bible studies. We believe that we are called to be the presence of Christ wherever the least amongst us needs a word of grace and an advocate for peace and justice. This is just one way that one of our partners, the Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, is carrying out that mission. Continue to pray that we will have eyes to see and ears to hear the voices of those around us who are calling out and then be moved to action.

How can you help? Here are some suggestions from Jim Dean: Visa, grocery store, gas station, and Walmart gift cards go a long way. It is a simple way for people to donate and it’s easy for me to distribute to students. These gifts help students pay for travel expenses like gas and meals, which enables them to spend school breaks with family members. Another wishlist item is a 15-passenger van to take students on trips during school breaks. Donate: Home Base, PO Box 2133, Cullowhee, NC 28723 November/December 2018

The Gathering • 5

O

ur state has experienced two “thousand-year floods” – less than two years apart! Matthew and Florence were unwanted visitors that devastated eastern North Carolina. CBFNC is not a disaster relief organization, but we are a missional fellowship that cares deeply about our people, their churches, and their communities. How does our fellowship respond to natural disasters?

Care The first thing we do when disaster strikes our state is to express care. With both Matthew and Florence, with winds still blowing and the rains still falling, we began reaching out to partner churches, primarily through their pastors. Text messages, phone calls, emails, and social media are the avenues we use to let them know how much we love them and are praying for them. While we certainly aren’t able to speak to everyone directly and quickly, we make a good faith effort to love one another in the midst of the storms and soon thereafter.

Communicate We not only communicate that we care, we also seek to share with the rest of our fellowship how they can pray and help.

We receive and share reports from churches that were affected so that churches in safe areas can provide support. As Len Keever of First, Dunn and Allison Collier of Angier, Angier, communicated after Florence, their church members were out in the community as soon as the rain stopped, “neighbors helping neighbors,” clearing debris from their property.

We also communicate needs from other agencies. For example, after Florence, FEMA contacted CBFNC for assistance with housing for disaster response workers, thinking we operated retreat centers. Of course, CBFNC owns no real estate, but we communicated that need with our vast network, with the hope that someone in or connected to our fellowship could meet that need.

Connect Though CBFNC is not a disaster response organization, we partner with those who have the calling and capacity to do that work. These partners include: Baptists on Mission (North Carolina Baptist Men) – CBFNC provides funding for Baptists on Mission. When disaster strikes, we connect volunteers with NCBM for feeding and recovery operations.

CBF Global Disaster Response – CBF Global seeks to identify neglected areas or people groups and organize long-term recovery efforts in those areas. They have been especially helpful in North Carolina in the aftermath of Florence.

Other Agencies – As with the FEMA example cited above, CBFNC will assist other agencies and organizations when they call on us, such as Red Cross and Salvation Army. For example, a Mennonite disaster relief group established its base of operations on the campus of First, Lumberton, after Matthew.

6 • The Gathering

November/December 2018

How a Responds to Disasters

by Larry Hovis CBFNC Executive Coordinator

Convene After Florence, CBFNC convened regular conference call meetings of pastors and church leaders to share information, to support one another, and to coordinate response efforts. These meetings not only enabled everyone to be more effective in ministry, they provided pastoral support within our beloved community.

Commit When disaster strikes, the world’s attention is riveted on the affected areas for a brief time. As Cooperative Baptists, we seek not only to address immediate needs, but also to support a long-term presence. For example, with Matthew, some of the funds collected by CBFNC were used to purchase gift cards distributed by partner churches to their neighbors in critical need. Other funds were used in creative ways by partner churches, such as Dortches, Rocky Mount, which initiated “Rest in the Lord,” a ministry that provided over fifty mattresses to homes in their community. Other funds were used to help rebuild the Robeson County Church and Community Center, an ecumenical organization supported by several CBFNC churches that ministers to the underserved year-round. It is led by Andrew Collier, a member of First, Lumberton.

How does a fellowship respond to natural disasters? In genuine, effective ways that flow out of our deep relationships and unique capacities. Thank you for your participation and support.

2018-2019 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients Listings include scholar name, hometown, current church membership, ministry goal, and school. Visit www.cbfnc.org/give to donate.

Thanks to you . . .

25 students have received direct scholarship aid. These students are enrolled in divinity schools and seminaries in North Carolina and other parts of our country.

CBFNC has provided a tremendous level of support for theological education in our state and beyond.

4 in-state partner divinity schools

$344,607 has been provided by congregations and individuals through the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan to support theological education.

Thank you for your partnership in preparing leadership for Christian ministry.

CBFNC HISPANIC NETWORK THOMAS ALEXANDER ALVARDO

Sanford Southwest, San Antonio, TX Music Ministry Logsdon Seminary, San Antonio, TX

LAURA SOFIA ORTEGA MARIN

have received significant support to aid specific scholars and to underwrite additional costs of delivering quality theological education.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ

Sanford Southwest Baptist, San Antonio, TX Music Ministry Baptist University of the Americas, San Antonio, TX

Raleigh Iglesia Bautista La Roca Asbury Theological Seminary

SCHOLARS FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHO ATTEND OUT-OF-STATE OR NON-PARTNER SCHOOLS RONALD PAUL HAYES

High Point Oak Grove, Boone Congregational Ministry Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, VA

“MICHELE” MILLICENT JOHNSON SHADDEN Winston-Salem Peace Haven, Winston-Salem Chaplaincy / Congregational Ministry Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury

JUSTIN CLAUDE MCDOWELL

Shelby First, Shelby Worship Leadership/ Religion & Policy Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, TX

November/December 2018

The Gathering • 7

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY SARAH BLOSSER BLACKWELL Matthews Providence, Charlotte Christian Education

TARSHA BANISTER

Raleigh Temple Memorial, High Point Congregational Coaching

MARY BETH BECK-HENDERSON CHRISTI STEWART HOLLIFIELD Marion First, Marion Children & Family Ministry

Winston-Salem Knollwood, Winston-Salem Chaplaincy or Congregational Ministry

DANIEL RAY GODFREY KELLY TOBIAS SETTLEMYRE Sumter, SC Spencer, Spindale Congregational Ministry

Monroe First, Jamestown Youth Ministry

KAYLEE GODFREY

Saluting CBF GLOBAL SCHOLARS

in North Carolina WAKE FOREST SCHOOL OF DIVINITY: Justin Cox, Christian McIvor, Kristan Pitts (SC), Holly Cunningham (KY), Katie Hambrick (GA) GARDNER-WEBB SCHOOL OF DIVINITY: Laleita Small, Lauren Hamilton (SC), Will Raybon, Jennifer Jennings (SC), Austin Tibbetts (GA), Sarah Laurence (SC), Holly Strother CAMPBELL SCHOOL OF DIVINITY: Summer Caniglia, Anna Moxley, Patrick Griffin, Tyler Ingram DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL: Lynn Holmes, Camille Loomis (VA), Tarvic Linder 8 • The Gathering

November/December 2018

High Point First on Fifth, High Point Congregational Ministry

CYNTHIA GAMBLE NORDSKOG

Winston-Salem Ardmore, Winston-Salem Food & Faith/Congregational Ministry

EVAN SIEGES

Matthews Knollwood, Winston-Salem Chaplaincy

CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL ELIZABETH BRITT

Raleigh New Hope, Raleigh Youth & Campus Ministry

EMILY PATTON

Raleigh Hayes Barton, Raleigh Children & Family Ministry

MICHAEL SIZEMORE Fuquay-Varina Hayes Barton, Raleigh Campus Ministry

DAVID BRANTLEY

Raleigh Trinity, Raleigh Congregational Ministry

GRANT GUBBINS

SARAH GILBERT

Raleigh Trinity, Raleigh Theological & Devotional Writing

Ipswich, MA College Professor

EVAN EDWARDS

Georgetown, TX Ephesus Baptist Church, Chapel Hill Hospital Chaplaincy

THE LOLLEY SCHOLARS REBEKAH GORDON

Campbell Divinity School Trinity, Raleigh Community Ministry

EMMA TILLEY ALAN CLARK NEWCOMB

Gardner-Webb School of Divinity Boiling Springs, Boiling Springs Youth/Congregational Ministry

Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School First, Richmond, VA Congregational Ministry November/December 2018

The Gathering • 9

First Baptist Church Greensboro

te Journ ra

Serve ey

Called Together

Thursday, March 28 & Friday, March 29

2019

Celeb

2019

25

ry

CBFNC

Annual Gathering

a n n ive r s a

MARCH 28, 2019 Leadership Institute Led by Tod Bolsinger

25th Anniversary Celebration

Thursday, March 28, 2019 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains, serves as vice president and chief of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1993, Dr. Bolsinger served as senior pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church from 1997 to 2014. Prior to that he was associate pastor of discipleship and spiritual formation at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Clyde Edgerton is the author of ten novels, a book of advice, a memoir, short stories, and essays. He has been a Guggenheim Fellow and five of his novels have been New York Times Notable Books. He is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers and is the Thomas S. Kenan III Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at UNC Wilmington. He lives in Wilmington, NC, with his wife, Kristina,and their children.

Join us for this time of fellowship, learning, and growth!

10 • The Gathering

November/December 2018

Featuring Clyde Edgerton

MARCH 29, 2019 Registration Living Water Cafe Exhibit Hall Open

Workshop Session #1 Opening Worship

Led by Tod Bolsinger

Workshop Session #2 Workshop Session #3 Ministry Celebration Business Session Closing Worship

Join us!

For registration & details, visit www.cbfncag.com

Registration Opens January 1, 2019!

CBFNC FINANCIAL REPORT August 2018 Contributions Designated: $94,568 Undesignated: $151,592

September 2018 Contributions Designated: $76,578 Undesignated: $134,508

CBFNC HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS Hurricane Florence Relief, by Ray and Cathy Owen, Winston Salem, In memory of Stuart Burch

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG! cbfnc.wordpress.com

To contribute, e-mail acook@cbfnc.org.

April 2018 - March 2019 MONTHLY UNDESIGNATED GOAL: $104,922

Donate to CBFNC today! www.cbfnc.org/give

MINISTERS ON THE MOVE

Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Felicia Fox to First, Gastonia

as Associate Pastor for Youth,

Children and Discipleship Chris Howe to First, Graham

as Pastor Stuart Lamkin to First, Weaverville

as Pastor Mary Langley to Wake Forest, Wake Forest

as Minister to Children and Families David Little to First, Littleton

as Pastor Carter McNeese to First, Fairmont

as Pastor Tom Ogburn to Westwood, Cary

as Pastor Leah Reed to First, Raleigh

as Minister with Community Wil Worley to First, Mount Olive

as Associate Pastor for Students and Families When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, please let us know (cbfnc@cbfnc.org).

For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit the Career and Calling page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call (336) 759-3456 or (888) 822-1944.

COORDINATORS’ VISITS

August 2018 - Septembert 2018 Calvary, Mt. Airy Decatur, GA CBF Movement Leadership Team First, Asheville First, Burlington First, Clayton First, Elon First, Greensboro First, Huntsville First, Mocksville First, Monroe First, Mount Airy Guilford Park Presbyterian, Greensboro Iglesia Bautista Mars Hill, Mars Hill Mars Hill University Pfafftown, Pfafftown Piney Grove, Mount Airy Racial Equity Institute, various locations Red Latina (CBFNC Hispanic Network) Robeson Church and Community Center, Lumberton Trinity, Raleigh United Methodist Church, Raleigh North Carolina Conference Unity Christian Church International, CBFNC ministry coordinators are available to visit your Fayetteville church to speak, preach, teach, consult, lead, and minister.

Wise,Contact Wisethe CBFNC office for more information.

November/December 2018

The Gathering • 11

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

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry 2640 Reynolda Road Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Return Service Requested

NOVEMBER 2018 501 Foundations of Christian Coaching

Day 1: November 2 Day 2: November 3 Christmount Conference Center Black Mountain

RE (Reimagining Evangelism) November 4 Hominy Baptist Church, Candler

Growing Young Regional Workshop

JANUARY 2019

MARCH 2019

January 25-27 Winterplace, WV

March 8-10 Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte

NC Growing Young Cohort

2019 Annual Gathering

Summit 1: January 31-February 1 Summit 2: September 5-6 Trinity, Raleigh

March 28-29 First, Greensboro

Youth Ski Retreat

FEBRUARY 2019

Mid-Winter Young Adult Retreat

November 10 First, Black Mountain

Feburary 15-17 Camp Thunderbird, Lake Wylie South Carolina

Children’s Mission Days

Children’s Choir Festival

November 17 Conetoe Family Life Training Center, Tarboro Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte

February 23 Myers Park UMC, Charlotte

Youth Choir Festival

Upcoming

888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org

Events