‌I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. (John 11:25) April 2014
FREE (252) 526-9908
Raper Hall on the campus of University of Mount Olive Tuesday, May 20, 2014 • 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.homemissionsandevangelism.com
April 2014 Home Missions Month
This is a calendar of denominational events and regular holidays and special days/seasons of the Christian year.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
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As times/dates may change, you can scan the QR code above for a more complete and up-to-date list.
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WEDNESDAY 2
THURSDAY 3
FRIDAY
SATURDAY 4
5 Cape Fear W. Conf. Covenant Church @ 9:30 a.m.
Western W. Conf. Little Rock Church @ 9:30 a.m.
Pee Dee W. Conf. White Oak Church @ 10:00 a.m.
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12 Albemarle Woman’s Conference Trinity Church @ 9:30 a.m.
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Palm Sunday
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Tax Day
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Easter
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Easter Monday
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Administrative Professionals Day Morning Star Retreat 25–27
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Good Shepherd Sunday Morning Star 25–27
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Good Friday
Patriot’s Day
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May 1, 2014
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…On the Last Week By Teresa Eason If you knew the last week of your life would bring you great suffering on behalf of others, would you willingly accept that suffering? If you knew your last days would take you into hostile territory, a place you loved, a place where you had served, would you go anyway? If, in your final week, you looked upon the country you love knowing she loved you not, would you weep? If, in your last days you went to your church to pray and found people sinning blatantly against God, would you speak against them and drive them out? If, in the final chapter of your life, knowing of your mission to speak the truth of God’s love and His masterful plan to save the world, would you speak this truth even if people didn’t believe you, even if it meant dying? If you had only one message to leave behind, would you testify that Jesus is the Son of God and tell others to believe Him, trust Him, love Him, serve Him, and tell others about Him? If you could spend your last week teaching believers how to be more like Jesus, convincing unbelievers of their need for the Savior, and silencing the naysayers, would you? If you knew those in authority, leaders you should be able to trust, in bloodthirsty, power-hungry ambition,
were plotting to kill you, would you hang around for the outcome? If you told your friends what was about to happen in these final hours and they still didn’t “get you,” would you continue to be patient with them? Could you feast with them and sing a hymn with them in celebration? If you had one last chance on your last night, would you pray for relief? Would you pray for your friends and family and their salvation. Would you pray for the generations yet to come? Would you seek your heavenly Father in complete submission to His will? Would you surrender? Jesus did. In the last week, He did all of these things and more. He taught the people what they needed to know, and when they didn’t comprehend, He taught them again and again. When He was rejected by those people who should know better, He didn’t give up on mankind; He prayed for us. Jesus didn’t dine with royalty at the Last Supper. He broke bread with his friends, and His betrayer. He drank the cup, knowing His blood would be the Cup poured out for them, and for us. Modeling humility and service, He washed His disciples’ feet. Jesus languished in the Garden of Gethsemane. He anguished, spending the night in prayer till His sweat was like drops
of blood, asking His Father for another way, yet accepting the Only Way. He stood trial, completely innocent. He remained silent in spite of the perfect defense. He was sentenced to death, yet found not guilty. He bore the cross upon which He died, with every sin ever committed by every person ever alive having been pounded onto His bruised and battered body and driven into His hands and feet with crude and brutal nails. Jesus suffered rejection, emotional torment, the ultimate attack from Satan, betrayal, denial, condemnation, brutal beatings, humiliation, the weight of the world’s sin on His crucified body and utter despair at the separation from His Father; then He died. Yet this was not the end. We know the last week was just a taste of what was to come. We know that death was just the beginning. We know that resurrection morning, Jesus arose victorious. If we have accepted Him as our Savior, we know our own resurrection awaits us. Yet, before we celebrate Easter, in light of what Jesus did for us, let’s examine within ourselves the sacrifices we are willing to make in order to live fully in the power of the resurrection today and every day! Let’s live every day as if a day in the last week.
(See: Matthew 21 & 26; Mark 11 & 14; Luke 19–20 & 22; John 12 & 13) Teresa and her husband Don are members of Lee’s Chapel OFWB Church outside of Dunn, NC in northern Sampson County. Retired from Harnett County Schools where she first taught students with disabilities and later served as Director of Exceptional Children Programs for more than 17 years, Teresa believes that we don’t retire “from” but we retire “to.” She enjoys volunteering at Lee’s Chapel as Christian Education Director, Sunday School teacher, small group facilitator, and general encourager and supporter of people living life to follow Christ. 2
April 2014 Managing Editor Darren Davenport
Volume 132 • Number 4
editor@fwbpress.com
jerry@fwbpress.com
Circulation, Accounts Receivable Amy Stokes amy@fwbpress.com
Accounts Payable Wallie Hargrove Editorial Assistants Dixie McLawhorn, Carlton Oakley Graphic Designers Jerry Goff, Nathaniel Ingram, Dixie McLawhorn Production Team Ronnie Jones, Ted Johnston, Joshua Roundtree
■ FEATURES & COLUMNS Reflections: A Guest Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Restore One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Church’s Desperate Need. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Pondering the Past with Celia Hales. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Caring for the Soul with David Morrow. . . . . . . . . . . 22 From a Woman’s Heart with Nora Koonce Avery. . . . . . 23 Lesson Inner View with Adrian Grubbs . . . . . . . . . . . 26 A Sling and a Stone with Marc Boswell. . . . . . . . . . . 27 Dr. Pepper’s Book Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Psalms for the Soul with Linda Herring. . . . . . . . . . . 38
www.fwbpress.com President Jeff Daughtry
jeff@fwbpress.com
Vice President Darren Davenport darrend@fwbpress.com
Board of Directors
Frank Flowers (Chairman), Central Mike Scott (Vice Chairman), Eastern Royce Reynolds (Secretary), Albemarle Joe Ballance, Cape Fear • Kelley Smart, Central Nancy Hardee, Pee Dee • Mark Hobbs, Central Linda Weathersby, Central • MeLinda Edwards, Western The purpose of this paper is to promote the cause of Christ among Original Free Will Baptists, and we reserve the right to refuse any article or news that is inconsistent with our purpose, programs, or policies, and that does not reflect a spirit of harmony and cooperation with the Free Will Baptist Press Foundation and the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. The contents herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and policies of the editor or of The Free Will Baptist. The responsibility for each article is given the person whose name appears under the title or to the person submitting said article.
For information on subscription rates, submission and photo guidelines, advertising rates and guidelines, and more, visit <fwbpress.com/tfwb>.
■ DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRIES Home Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Foreign Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 University of Mount Olive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Convention News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Cragmont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Children’s Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
■ ANCILLARY MINISTRIES NC Foundation for Christian Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . 30 Youth Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Woman’s Auxiliary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
■ COMMUNITY CONNECTION . .
© 2014 The Free Will Baptist • All Rights Reserved. The Free Will Baptist is edited and published monthly by the Free Will Baptist Press, P. O. Box 159, 3928 Lee Street, Ayden, North Carolina 28513-0159. Second-class postage paid at Ayden, North Carolina (USPS 2094-4000). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Free Will Baptist Press, P. O. Box 159, Ayden, NC 28513-0159.
ON THE COVER The empty tomb.
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contents
Production Manager Jerry Goff
By Jake Monroe, Staff Writer On Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1, the LIFE Conference was held at the newly renamed University of Mount Olive. Many people were asked to hold workshops on various subjects but one young couple stood out from the rest. Chris and Anna Smith spoke about their ministry, Restore One. Restore One was founded in June of 2012 after Anna held an internship at a restoration house for minor sex trafficked girls. It was during this time that Anna found the calling on her life to fight against human trafficking. After working in this field for some time Chris and Anna decided to found their own ministry. At the conference Anna revealed a statistic that many people aren’t aware of and that is North Carolina is in the top 10 for human trafficking. Some of the big contributors to this are the major highways that run through North Carolina and the several military bases. Common patterns for luring victims into sex trafficking include: the promise of a good job in another country; false marriage proposal into a bondage situation; being sold into the sex trade by parents, husbands, and boyfriends; and getting kidnapped by traffickers. Sex Traffickers often subject their victims to debtbondage where traffickers tell their victims that they owe money (living expenses, transportation into the country, etc.) and they must repay the debt by pledging their personal services. Traffickers typically “condition” their victims using starvation, confinement, beatings, physical abuse, and many other methods. Physical risks to these victims include broken bones, sexually transmitted diseases, sterility, and forced abortions. Psychological harms include grief, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide, and many other things no person should ever go through. Many suffer from traumatic bonding, the coercive control the perpetrator instills in the victim, which is fear and gratitude for being allowed to live. There are various forms of trafficking such as prostitution, pornography, stripping, live-sex shows, mail-order brides, military prostitution, and sex tourism. It is estimated that between 100,000–300,000 American youth are victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and the 325,000 more are at risk of becoming victims. It was also shown that 40–70% of street youth engage in prostitution to make ends meet. Restore One seeks to show them that there is another way to live. The government has set up many programs which help people get out of trafficking and integrate them back into society which is what Anna and Chris have set out to do. The problem is growing so fast that one day it will pass drugs as the number one global criminal enterprise. 4
Restore One was founded to open safe houses to help those who are victims of these horrific events. Today Chris and Anna are working to open the first shelter in the U.S. to strictly help sexually exploited and sex trafficked males. In the U.S. we see the males a lot of times as the perpetrator and not as a victim. The Anchor House will provide a program to help these boys heal and one day reintegrate them into society. Studies have shown that many of the boys who attempted to leave the sex trade were discouraged because there were so few programs that were designated for males. In a study interviewing sexually exploited men 80% of them said there was a great need for programs that address the specific issues that men go through in the sex trade.
It is estimated that between 100,000– 300,000 American youth are victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and the 325,000 more are at risk of becoming victims. Chris and Anna have been working so diligently to get this project up and running that they have managed to get enough donations to start building the first cabin of the Anchor House. They shared with us during their speech that they get calls all the time about boys who are victims of DMST and don’t have anywhere to house them. This house will help so many young boys physically, mentally, and spiritually to grow into victors rather than victims. The latest thing that Anna and Chris have been working on is teaming up with Black Tree Media Group to create a documentary called Boys. They will be traveling across the United States hearing testimonies and shedding some light on this horrific world. During Anna’s speech on Friday night she and Chris had just returned from Philadelphia where they met a man on the streets who told them that they were right in the middle of what is called the fruit-loop. This is the area where men go to pay for the sexual favors of other men. This atrocity cannot be allowed to continue and as fellow Christians we cannot sit back and do nothing. We must help those in need and show them the love and life that God can provide. Restore One is always looking for new volunteers. If you cannot volunteer a donation would be greatly appreciated to help continue the construction of the Anchor House.
The Church’s Desperate Need By The Reverend Brad Williamson One of the most memorable moments in our nation’s space program occurred in April of 1970 with the launch of Apollo 13. What makes Apollo 13 famous is not the launch, the American people had found those commonplace by that time, nor the astronauts on board. The reason Apollo 13 is remembered is because of what happened during the mission. Two days into the flight, a catastrophic failure in the oxygen system occurred, scrubbing the mission and placing the astronauts in grave danger. Even those of us not alive during this time are aware of the story of Apollo 13 because of the 1995 movie based upon the mission. What is seared into our minds is a quote from the movie—“Houston, we have a problem.” Though misquoted by the wrong character, that line has found its way into American conversation. “Houston, we have a problem” has become the catchphrase for those wishing to identify a problem or need. In that spirit, I humbly offer this as a critique of the church—“Houston, we have a problem.” I wish to sound the alarm, as it were, concerning a desperate need of the church. My brothers and sisters, we have a discipleship problem. What I mean is that we are not fulfilling the task given to us by our Lord. As Original Free Will Baptists we speak often and loudly about fulfilling the Great Commission, but I am afraid we have misunderstood what Jesus is asking for us as individuals and as churches to do. All of my life I have heard the call for us to be “soul winners” for Jesus, and that is a worthy and correct call. I have noticed something though; with all of the emphasis on “soul winning” we have forgotten just what Jesus commissioned us to do. Notice what that commission is according to Matthew 28:18–20, “And
Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (esv, emphasis added). While we have focused on “soul winning” our Lord has commissioned us to make disciples. We focus on baptism numbers and attendance numbers, but we have forgotten to actually disciple those who have placed their faith and trust in the Savior of the world. Take an assessment of your church; what is being intentionally done to make sure new believers become spiritually mature believers? What tools, methods, and ministries are incorporated in your church to see people become conformed to the image of the Son? In what ways does your church seek to help people love God and love others well? Does your church or yourself even consider intentionally discipling people? What are you doing to help other believers grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior? If we are honest with ourselves, we will probably have to admit that we are failing to carry out the Savior’s command. I contend that most Original Free Will Baptist churches do not intentionally disciple believers. The church’s desperate need is for us to fulfill the mission given to us by our Savior. If that mission is to make disciples, the question must be asked—”What is a disciple?” More specifically, “What did Jesus mean by disciple?” It appears from studying Matthew 28:18–20 that, when Jesus speaks of making disciples, His concern is for men and women to accept His teachings, conform their lives to Him, and follow Him as His kingdom
is inaugurated. Discipleship is more than learning about Jesus’ teachings. For Jesus, becoming one of His disciples means that the believer will live out what has been taught. With all authority given to Him, Jesus sends out current disciples to go to the nations to bring in more people to the kingdom of God. As disciples, believers are more than learners, they are unconditionally surrendered to the king, and, subsequently, obey the command to go and teach others to live the same way. Part of that command is to baptize them into the community built in relationship with the Triune God and with fellow believers. This baptism serves as an initiation ritual into the kingdom community, but more is to follow. The believers are to also learn so that they may go out and bring others into the kingdom. In Matthew’s Gospel, a disciple is a learner and a follower of Jesus. The life of a disciple is different because of an attachment to Jesus. This attachment is based upon the Master who has given His life as a ransom, which leads to followers committed to more than life-changing teachings. Jesus’ disciples are to go and make other like-minded followers. It appears that a disciple in the New Testament is considered as one who has been called by Jesus to come and learn from Him. That learning is more than intellectual knowledge; rather, it is life transforming. This seems to fit with the Gospels’ portrayal of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus’ disciples find their attachment in the person and work of Jesus, not solely His teachings. Without using the term “disciple,” the rest of the New Testament canon appears to affirm that a Christian will be a follower of Jesus whose life is transformed by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. By being article continued on page 37 5
2600 W. Vernon Avenue • Kinston, NC 28504 • (252) 526.9908
home missions & evangelism
Registration begins April 7! When: Friday, November 7, 2014 @ 7 p.m. • Saturday, November 8, 2014 @ 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Where: La Grange First Free Will Baptist Church, La Grange, North Carolina Cost: Early Registration: $12 per person • After October 1: $18 per person • Group rates available
Introducing:
Dr. Kathy McReynolds, Keynote Speaker
Dr. McReynolds is the Director of Academic Studies for the Christian Institute on Disabilities located at the Joni and Friends International Disability Center. She has been instrumental in the development and success of the Beyond Suffering curriculum, which will be featured at the summit. Dr. McReynolds is also an adjunct professor of Biblical Studies and Apologetics at Biola University.
Learn how to reach people with disabilities in your community and GROW your church through experienced speakers and a variety of specialized workshops!
Wheels on Fire for Christ Join us for SPIRIT NIGHT at Chick-fil-a of Kinston on April 8 from 5–8 p.m. and help support Wheels on Fire for Christ and the L-14 Summit. ®
(15% of the profit from the three hours will benefit WOFFC and be used for summit expenses.) 6
Rev. Scott Broadway, Coordinator Erin Broadway, Education Coordinator (252) 268-9097 [mobile] • (252) 526-9908 [office] erin@wheelsonfireforchrist.com scott@wheelsonfireforchrist.com www.wheelsonfireforchrist.com
April is Home Missions and Evangelism Month Good Shepherd Sunday Sunday, April 27, 2014
Your funds will help us to “Touch Lives for a Lifetime.” 12
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Original Free Will Baptist Church Cagayan de Oro City
P. O. Box 39 • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746.4963 • www.ofwbi.org
OFWB International
Mindanao, Philippines We are very thankful that God is using OFWB International as an instrument for helping the Free Will Baptist Church in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Your help has lessened our burden financially and allowed us to set our focus on works that God has entrusted to us. 2013 was a great year of success and victories in our church in the following ways. Bringing the Church to the unreached community—Two new outreaches have been opened in areas where the Gospel is rarely proclaimed, namely: Land Fill, Cagayan de Oro and Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro. Instead of bringing them to our church area, which is a big problem for them because that would entail transportation expenses (these people live in slum areas and living below the poverty line) we instead bring and establish the church right on their vicinity.
Land Fill, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City
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Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City
More Souls Won in Youth Camp 2013
During the summer of 2013, the OFWBC in Cagayan de Oro organized a youth camp. Glory be to God because more young souls have been won to Christ.
Christ Centered Pre-School
OFWBC Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Playschool in Cagayan de Oro is making progress. From a humble beginning of 20 pupils, it has now multiplied into 65 pupils. Aside from the opportunity to train the children in a Christian way, the school has also extended financial help to subsidize the church ministries.
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Rosie’s Grandmother Rosie, the housekeeper at the assisted living community where my mother lived, is a lucky woman. Though she is probably 45 years old, she has a living grandmother. Her grandmother lives alone, entertains her family with complete meals that she cooks, does all her own housework—and will soon celebrate her 100th birthday. Years ago, Sarah, for that is her name, was taking much medication under doctor’s orders. She was not doing well. Family members who lived in Chicago intervened. They came to Sarah’s town of Oxford, Mississippi, whisked her away to Chicago, and there took her to a new doctor, a doctor they trusted. This doctor did a very surprising thing: He took Sarah off all her medication. And, now, years later, she takes no pills at all. If you want to try this, be sure to go to a doctor who agrees with you. Sarah
did. Tinkering with needed medication is a good way to an early grave. But the Chicagoan doctor had found the secret for Sarah, and Sarah’s very large family—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as greatgreat—are very grateful. Rosie tells me that her grandmother now insists, as she always has, in doing all her work. “Don’t take my work away from me!” she exclaims. Somehow Sarah knows that it is the work that is keeping her going. She is not willing to give up being a part of this world. Rosie says, “Now, she is slow (emphasizing “slow”). “It might take her a day to polish a coffee table. But it gets done. And she does a good job,” Rosie explains. When Sarah has her family over for meals, she even insists on cleaning up after them, doing her own dishes.
Soon, by the time you read this, Sarah’s extended family will have descended on Oxford for the third straight year—to celebrate a birthday for Sarah. They came when she was 98, then 99, and this will be the 100th. Sarah says that she doesn’t know how long she has, and she wants to see everybody. Rosie has the good genes of her grandmother. Though clearly middleaged, she has absolutely no lines in her face. And Rosie has a radiance that, to me, speaks of a vibrant prayer life. The family of Sarah is blessed to have her into her very old age. We are warmed by this example of a hardworking woman who just won’t give up. Sarah doesn’t need her family’s help with her work. She just needs time. And her God.
A former religion librarian at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Celia now lives with her husband Paul in Oxford, Mississippi. She was previously employed at both the Free Will Baptist Press and Mount Olive College.
Church & Ministry Positions Available • Ordained Minister (38 years experience) is seeking opportunities to serve. Will fill in for vacations, sickness, interim, or pastoral. Available now. Please contact: Braxton Carter at (919) 553-7246 [H] or (919) 868-5923 [M] or by e-mail at <preacherbrack@aol.com>.
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634 Henderson Street • Mount Olive, NC 28365 • 1 (800) 653.0854 • www.moc.edu
University of Mount Olive
Former NFL Football Player Jerris McPhail Shares Life Lessons
Jerris McPhail, former professional running back with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, believes anything is possible if you believe it. McPhail says, “My motto is ‘With God first, and hard work, you can’t lose.’” McPhail feels that motto has helped him to excel in every phase of his life. As a child growing up, McPhail was raised in a broken home. He remembers bill collectors knocking on his door, threatening to evict his family. He remembers running from an abusive stepfather. He remembers the struggles that his mom had to endure raising a family on her own. He remembers not having the same shoes and other things as his friends had. He remembers playing football at Clinton High School, where the local community rallied behind him at every game.
“Those experiences and struggles are what motivated me,” McPhail said. “I could have said, ‘Poor me, my daddy’s not here;’ ‘poor me, my mom comes from the projects;’ and ‘poor me, I don’t have what my friends have.’ I could have let those things define me, but instead I let them motivate me.” After high school, McPhail received a full scholarship to Wake Forest University to play football. Despite being only three hours away, he felt homesick. He eventually chose to leave the school and find work in a factory back home. He soon realized that to make it out of the life he had always known, he would have to return to college. With the help of his high school coach and some connections he had at the University of Mount Olive (formerly Mount Olive College), McPhail was offered a position on the Trojan basketball team. “Mount Olive gave me a chance,” McPhail said. “I remember the 4:30 a.m. runs, the basketball practices with Coach Clingan at the helm, and the way that everyone seemed to know my name at the College. I really enjoyed my time at Mount Olive.” But the one thing that Mount Olive did not have was the one thing that McPhail missed the most… FOOTBALL. He left UMO and walked on at ECU. In his senior year at ECU, McPhail rushed over 1,000 yards. That’s when he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, and later played with the Detroit Lions. An injury in 1999 required McPhail to retire from the game of football, and he moved back home to Clinton, NC. “People always ask me why I came back to Clinton, and I tell them, if you can’t find support at home, you won’t find it anywhere. “ Back in his hometown, McPhail has immersed himself in his community. The 41-year old is married to his wife Mahogany, and they have two daughters, Jizzel and Jene. McPhail’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped him to open two day cares, both of which are five star centers; he owns and operates Grid Iron, a 24-hour gym and nutrition center; and he also volunteers in the community. This past Thanksgiving marked the fourth consecutive year that McPhail article continued on page 15
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UMO to Offer Special Education Program Starting Fall 2014 Beginning fall 2014, students at the University of Mount Olive will have yet another major to choose from—special education. According to Dr. Tommy Benson, division chair for Arts and Education, the University chose to add a special education program because school systems across North Carolina are seeking certified exceptional children teachers. “Conversations with local school system administrators revealed a desire that the University explore the possibility of offering certification in special education,” Benson said. “Job opportunities abound, but even more importantly, the needs of these children need to be addressed by competent, trained professionals who understand the special needs exhibited by this population.” The key components of the K-12 licensure program include basic general education and professional studies requirements, coursework in content disciplines of English/reading, math,
science, social studies, and special education. Special education courses will include: Introduction to Exceptional Children, Assessment and Evaluation, Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom, and Classroom Management and Organization. Also, as with all of the education programs at the University of Mount Olive, students are required to do field experiences as freshmen through their student teaching experience. Benson shared the mission of the teacher education program at UMO, “Our mission is to transform education (and thereby lives) by preparing and producing education professionals knowledgeable of the content they teach, skilled in pedagogy, and passionate about teaching all students. In collaboration with the educational community, teacher education is committed to providing a rigorous, coherent, and relevant curriculum; developing students into proficient teachers and supporting their
efforts to become skilled professionals who strive to meet the diverse needs of 21st century students and schools in our global society. Throughout the program, the curriculum balances college coursework with classroom experiences, reflective thinking, integrating theory and practice, and maximizing learning opportunities.” Graduates of the program could seek jobs as teachers, diagnosticians, clinical support personnel, consultants for IEP development and implementation, homebound instructors, and other support personnel for exceptional programs. Benson added, “This is yet another way that the University can respond to its surrounding communities. Exceptional needs students are an underserved population and parents and school systems want people to work with their students who have a passion for these children and who are well-versed in best practice.” For more information, contact Dr. Benson at <tbenson@moc.edu>.
COMING EVENTS at the UNIVERSITY of MOUNT OLIVE • Free Spirit Spring Concert April 10, 2014, 7:30 p.m. • Mount Olive Assembly Hall (207 Wooten St.) Free Spirit, a mixed vocal ensemble of the University of Mount Olive students, has a reputation throughout North Carolina for providing a quality mix of Contemporary, Gospel, Southern Gospel, and a cappella Christian music. The spring concert will feature contemporary praise and worship anthems, Southern Gospel ballads, high-energy music by the ladies of the group, and worshipful hymn arrangements.
• University of Mount Olive Concert Choir Spring Performance April 15, 2014, 7:30 p.m. • Mount Olive Assembly Hall (207 Wooten St.)
• Spring 2014 Student Art Show Reception April 17, 2014, 4–6 p.m. • Teresa Pelt Grubbs Fine Arts Gallery and Laughinghouse Hall Student Gallery The work displayed in the Spring Student Art Show will show the diversity of work by students in the Art and Visual Communication Department, including many first-time exhibitors. The work of senior Courtney Siefert will be featured. Come enjoy the growth of our students as they progress through our program. The show will close at the end of May.
• Stop Human Trafficking—A Day of Awareness April 24, 2014, 7:30 p.m. • Mount Olive Assembly Hall (207 Wooten St.) 13
Winter Glitz 2014 Arabian Nights…Fly Away on a Magic Carpet The University of Mount Olive Alumni Association held its Seventh Annual Winter Glitz event to raise money for student scholarships on Saturday, February 22. The theme for this year’s event was “Arabian Nights…Fly Away on a Magic Carpet.” Nearly 200 people attended. The Lois K. Murphy Regional Center was decorated to resemble themes from the Arabian Knights. Guests were served Arabian punch as they perused more than 130 silent auction items. In the Alumni Dining Room tables were adorned to look like a Sultan’s banquet. The middleeastern themed dinner included beef kabobs, couscous, Arabic Fettoush salad, whole green beans with seasoned tomatoes and rice Kheer pudding for dessert. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Miss Goldsboro Emily Tucker, UMO Alumna Kelli Kosuda, and a collection of UMO students who called themselves 14
the Arabian Knights who performed a medley from Disney’s Aladdin. The performers were accompanied by talented pianist and UMO alumnus Tom Casey, who also provided dinner music for the event. As usual, live and silent auctions were held to help raise money for scholarship funds for the University. UMO alumnus George Futrelle served as the event auctioneer. Alumni President Tom Patterson was the master of ceremonies. “Winter Glitz is a way the University Alumni Association can come together to build community among each other while doing something good to help students,” said Alumni Director Hope McPherson Fields. “Our alumni have a passion to help students receive an education. They understand the importance of giving back, because many were also once recipients of donor generosity.”
Admitted Student Days at the University of Mount Olive: Students who have been accepted and paid their confirmation fees are invited to attend one of the Admitted Student Day events scheduled for April 12, June 20 or July 18, 2014. To register, visit the UMO website at <www.umo.edu> and click on the sign up link or type the following into your browser: <http://survey.moc.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=p2KM9l8&Pre view=true>. Openings are available: High school seniors who have not made their college decision can still apply and be accepted to the University of Mount Olive. UMO is one of the most affordable private colleges in NC, and taking all fees and extra expenses into consideration, compares favorably with UNC institutions. Residence hall space is open and scholarship openings are available for academic merit, athletics, music, and other areas. Contact us at <admissions@umo.edu> or call 800-653-0854 with questions or to arrange for a campus tour. The University of Mount Olive is the Number #1 value for adult education with experienced staff and faculty at all locations. One-night-a-week seated classes and online options that fit your work and family schedule are available. • The online MBA program admissions requirements can be reviewed at <http://www.moc.edu/programs-ofstudy/online/mba>. Contact Lesley Seibel, online admissions counselor, anytime at (919) 346-7046 or by email at <lseibel@moc.edu>. • Summer session begins in April, so contact an admissions representative at the location nearest your home or work: Evening College at Mount Olive, Research Triangle Park in Durham, and in Wilmington, Jacksonville, New Bern, and Washington, NC. The University of Mount Olive is also located in Goldsboro on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. <admissions@moc.edu> • Students who have little or no college experience can complete their associate degree and then proceed to a fouryear degree option. UMO offers business management, MIS (online), accounting (online), human resources (online), healthcare administration, criminal justice (online), early childhood, religion, and RN to BSN (online). Classes are available seated (except where specified online) one-night-a-week, from 6–10 p.m., for five weeks per session. Financial aid is available.
Jerris McPhail continued from page 12
has spearheaded a free Thanksgiving meal for those less fortunate. This year he fed over 150 people, with his mom and his wife by his side, giving back to the community that always rallied behind him. McPhail shares his advice about achieving what you want in life. “One thing that I would advise everyone is to be self-motivated and don’t give up on your dreams. I feel that you can speak things into existence. I always told myself I was going be a professional athlete. And before I knew it, I was catching touchdown passes from
Dan Marino. Every stage of my life, I prayed; first to be a high school superstar, then a college superstar, then to make it in the NFL. I was fortunate enough to have my prayers answered.” And although his daughters are only three and 12, McPhail already has aspirations for them. “I want them to do whatever they have a passion for. I want them to expect nothing but appreciate everything. And, I want to instill in them that education is something that people can never take away from you.” 15
P. O. Box 39 • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746.4963 • www.ofwb.org
Convention News
■ ■ ■ ■ The 102nd Annual Session ■ ■ ■ ■ of the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists May 21–22, 2014 Theme: “Being People of Service in the Community” Acts 1:8 ■ Wednesday, May 21 8:30 9:30–10:30 10:30–10:50 10:50–11:45 11:45–1:00 1:20–2:20 2:30–3:30 3:40–4:40 5:45 7:30
Registration Opens—Kornegay Arena Convention Worship Service (Special Musical Guests: The Beaverdam Boys) Morning Message . . . . . . . The Reverend Buddy Seay, Pastor of Beaverdam OFWB Church Break—Visit the Ministry Display Areas Opening Plenary Session Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . University of Mount Olive Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend Ray Wells Scripture & Prayer Greetings from the Office of the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend Al Warrick Convention Executive Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend Ray Wells Convention Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend Kevin Jackson Nominating Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend Leon Grubbs Necessary Business (Credentials Comm.; First Readings, etc.) Special Recognitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Acting President Warrick Conference Moderators, Ordaining Council Chairmen, Convention Executive Committee, 2013–14 Wall of Honor Recipients Afternoon Learning Sessions Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Convention Services Office Lunch in the Murphy Center Learning Session I Learning Session II Learning Session III Sunday School Banquet—Murphy Center Mission Rally Hosted by Board of Foreign Missions
■ Thursday, May 22 7:30–8:45 9:00 9:30–10:30 10:30–10:50 10:50–11:45 11:45–12:15 12:15 12:30
Minister’s I M P A C T Breakfast—Alumni Dining Hall in Murphy Center Hosts—OFWB Headquarters and the OFWB Ministerial Association Registration Re-opens Convention Worship Service (Special Guests: Doug Seymour, Roger Hill, and John Blackwell) Morning Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend Josh Whitfield Break—Visit the Ministry Display Areas Ministry Final Reports and Recommendations Sunday School • University of Mount Olive • FWB Press • Home Missions • Retirement Homes Church Finance • Children’s Home • Minister’s Program • Foreign Missions • Cragmont Election and Installation of Officers, Boards, and Committees Resolutions Committee Report Final Business (Credentials Committee, Misc.) Memorial Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Gary Barefoot The Convention is Adjourned
The 103 rd Annual Session of the Original Free Will Baptist Convention will convene May 20–21, 2015. (Note: All times and personnel are subject to change) 16
The 102nd Annual Session of the Original Free Will Baptist Convention May 21–22, 2014 The following workshops will be held on Wednesday afternoon. Transportation between Kornegay Arena and Raper Hall will be furnished by Webb’s Golf Carts of Wilson, NC.
Session 1 (1:20–2:20 p.m.) ■ OFWB Children’s Home: News and updates, coming events, and resident profiles highlight this report from Director and CEO, Mr. Gary Lee. ■ Church Finance/Minister’s Program: The Reverend Don Fader provides insight on how to keep your church financially healthy while building for the future, and how to assist your Pastor in planning for retirement. ■ Cragmont Assembly: The new Dining Hall addition is almost complete and time for summer camping is just around the corner. Here, the Reverend John Williams share updates, progress reports and summer preparations from our mountain ministry. ■ Foreign Missions: The Reverend Harold Jones always has some exciting news from the countries we serve. Here news from schools, children’s homes, hospitals and churches from Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Haiti and other points of ministry around the world. ■ Home Missions and Evangelism: Interim Director Tim Heath shares information on the direction and focus of your homeland ministry. Target areas for new congregations plus an update on Disaster Relief and how your church can be involved in community recovery ■ Free Will Baptist Press: Sunday School literature, Bible School materials, posters, letterhead, Bibles, story books, devotionals, TFWB Magazine, the latest chart-topping CDs…there so much available at Cross and Crown Christian Stores and Palmer Printing. Hear Director Jeff Daughtry share so much more. ■ Retirement Homes: People Helping People: That’s what happens when you partner with this ministry. Life sometimes is difficult for the senior citizen or the disabled. Let the Reverend Ronnie Taylor share how you can bless the life of a brother or sister in Christ. ■ Sunday School Ministry: Coming off a very successful LIFE Conference, Mrs. Mary Dudley is excited about the future of OFWB Sunday Schools. If you want to put a spark back into the teaching arm of the church, you will discover some valuable secrets in this high energy session. ■ University of Mount Olive: What’s in a name change? UMO President Dr. Phil Kerstetter shares the requirements for and advantages of university status. New academic programs, along with community and denominational outreach highlight the life of our fastest growing ministry. ■ Gospel Centered Discipleship: The Reverend Brad Williamson: What did Jesus mean when he commanded the church to make disciples? What are the characteristics of a disciple? Where does the gospel fit into all of this? A remake of last’s year’s session with some added information. ■ The Future is Now. Let’s Get Ready!: The Reverend Al Warrick: Strategic planning determines where an organization is going, how it’s going to get there and how it will know if it got there or not. Help us define our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in this interactive 2-session workshop. ■ NC Foundation for Christian Ministries: Ricky Warren, Don Lassiter: Provide for your later years while continuing to bless the ones you love and the ministry you love once your life on earth has ended.
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Session 2 (2:30–3:30 p.m.) ■ OFWB Children’s Home: News and updates, coming events, and resident profiles highlight this report from Director and CEO, Mr. Gary Lee. ■ Retirement Homes: People Helping People: That’s what happens when you partner with this ministry. Life sometimes is difficult for the senior citizen or the disabled. Let the Reverend Ronnie Taylor share how you can bless the life of a brother or sister in Christ. ■ Sunday School Ministry: Coming off a very successful LIFE Conference, Mrs. Mary Dudley is excited about the future of OFWB Sunday Schools. If you want to put a spark back into the teaching arm of the church, you will discover some valuable secrets in this high energy session. ■ Home Missions and Evangelism: Interim Director Tim Heath shares information on the direction and focus of your homeland ministry. Target areas for new congregations plus an update on Disaster Relief and how your church can be involved in community recovery. ■ Free Will Baptist Press: Sunday School literature, Bible School materials, posters, letterhead, Bibles, story books, devotionals, TFWB Magazine, the latest chart-topping CDs…there so much available at Cross and Crown Christian Stores and Palmer Printing. Hear Director Jeff Daughtry share so much more. ■ Cragmont Assembly: The new Dining Hall addition is almost complete and time for summer camping is just around the corner. Here, the Reverend John Williams share updates, progress reports and summer preparations from our mountain ministry. ■ University of Mount Olive: What’s in a name change? UMO President Dr. Philip Kerstetter shares the requirements for and advantages of university status. New academic programs, along with community and denominational outreach highlight the life of our fastest growing ministry. ■ The Future is Now. Let’s Get Ready!: Al Warrick: Strategic planning determines where an organization is going, how it’s going to get there and how it will know if it got there or not. Help us define our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in this interactive 2-session workshop. ■ The Physical Implications of the Crucifixion of Christ: Michael Cariveau: What exactly did the crucifixion do to the physical body of Christ. We know why He died; now discover the pain and agony He suffered in the process of dying. ■ Avoiding Clergy Burnout: John Hill: The years of ministry have not produced results like you thought they should. Your creative ability and passion, as strong as they may seem, have hit another dead end. How do you turn things around before your spiritual towel gets tossed in the ring? This valuable workshop will aid those young in ministry as well as the seasoned, spiritually mature clergy. ■ The In-Between Church: Dr. David Hines: This workshop provides insight and discussion on the needs of congregations during pastoral transition, the role of the interim minister, transition as a change agent, and how church leaders and the congregation can contribute to necessary and inevitable changes. ■ Evolve Counseling Services: Teshia Weeks: When you or your family need someone impartial to listen, God will always provide the right person. Learn how communicating your thoughts can lead to a more healthy life with those you love and the God you serve.
Session 3 (3:40–4:40 p.m.) ■ Home Missions and Evangelism: Interim Director Tim Heath shares information on the direction and focus of your homeland ministry. Target areas for new congregations plus an update on Disaster Relief and how your church can be involved in community recovery. ■ Cragmont Assembly: The new Dining Hall addition is almost complete and time for summer camping is just around the corner. The Reverend John Williams shares updates, progress reports and summer preparations from our mountain ministry. 18
■ Carolina Bible Institute and Seminary: Specialized education for the student who desires Bible-based courses of study to assist in preparation for ministry or to enhance their personal knowledge of Scripture. Dr. Rudy Owens is the facilitator. ■ Camp Vandemere Update: Mr. Rick Price shares information, pictures, and stories, and gives an excited look into the rebuilding and future of the camp. ■ The Future is Now. Let’s Get Ready!: Al Warrick: Strategic planning determines where an organization is going, how it’s going to get there and how it will know if it got there or not. Help us define our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in this interactive 2-session workshop. ■ Gospel Centered Discipleship: The Reverend Brad Williamson: What did Jesus mean when he commanded the church to make disciples? What are the characteristics of a disciple? Where does the gospel fit into all of this? A remake of last’s year’s session with some added information. ■ The Physical Implications of the Crucifixion of Christ: Michael Cariveau: What exactly did the crucifixion do to the physical body of Christ. We know why He died; now discover the pain and agony He suffered in the process of dying. ■ Avoiding Clergy Burnout: John Hill: The years of ministry have not produced results like you thought they should. Your creative ability and passion, as strong as they may seem, have hit another dead end. How do you turn things around before your spiritual towel gets tossed in the ring? This valuable workshop will aid those young in ministry as well as the seasoned, spiritually mature clergy. ■ The In-Between Church: Dr. David Hines: This workshop provides insight and discussion on the needs of congregations during pastoral transition, the role of the interim minister, transition as a change agent, and how church leaders and the congregation can contribute to necessary and inevitable changes. ■ Evolve Counseling Services: Teshia Weeks: When you or your family need someone impartial to listen, God will always provide the right person. Learn how communicating your thoughts can lead to a more healthy life with those you love and the God you serve.
The Board of Directors of the Free Will Baptist Press will be available during the Wednesday afternoon workshops at the 2014 Convention of Original Free Will Baptists to listen to you. Please bring your suggestions, questions, complaints, and compliments.
Printing is our Passion! Books • Brochures • Newsletters • Business Cards Stationery • Business Forms • Tracts • Pew Cards Offering Envelopes • Church & Wedding Programs and More! Full Service Bulk Printing and Mailing
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P. O. Box 39 • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746.4963 • www.ofwbsundayschool.org
Sunday School Ministry 20
by jake monroe, staff writer
More than 300 people attended the LIFE Conference at the newly renamed University of Mount Olive in Raper Hall on Friday February 28 and Saturday, March 1 from every Original Free Will Baptist Conference. Friday night kicked off with some live music from Mr. Hank Barbee and a moving presentation from Restore One Ministries. The conference continued on Saturday morning with more music from Mr. Hank Barbee and the presentation of Superintendent of the Year to Mr. Fred Richards of Everett Chapel and the Sunday School Teacher of the Year, Mr. Clifton Kimberlin of White Oak Grove. Workshops took place immediately following and continued throughout the day. Representatives from Standard and Group Publishing gave workshops showing off their VBS themes and Sunday School curricula for 2014. A variety of workshops took place throughout the day including “Using Social Media in Evangelism,” “Caleb’s Dollar Ministry,” “GNET (Good News Evangelism Team),” “Children Dealing with Bullying,” and a couple introductions to various books of the Bible. In between workshop sessions ministries and vendors were set up for attendees to browse including Foreign Missions, The Harvest Connection, and Restore One Ministries. Also in attendance was the Cross and Crown mobile Christian Store where attendees could pick up the book they had been looking for or a VBS kit. Thanks to Mrs. Mary Dudley assisted by Mrs. Gail Heath and the Sunday School Board of Directors, the LIFE Conference went off without a hitch. We hope that everyone made it home safely and look forward to seeing you at next years LIFE Conference on March 7, 2015.
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with David Morrow
The Breath of Life A very common stress-relieving technique is deep breathing exercises. When an individual purposefully exercises the involuntary act of breathing, it can provide a moment of relaxation in the midst of a real life storm. Ever wondered why? The breath of life, which God gave to Adam (Genesis 2:7), changed a form of dust from the ground into a living being. The letter-for-letter translation of the Hebrew word that the King James Version translates as “being” is nephesh; and that word, in other parts of the Scriptures is most often translated as “soul.” God used the breath of life to create a living soul. Likewise, the letter-for-letter translation of the New Testament Greek word psuche originates from the Greek word that means, “to breathe.” Psuche is the origin of the English word “psych” or “psychology;” and it is most often translated in the New Testament as “soul” as well. Other translations include “life,” “mind,” and “heart.” Mark 8:35–37 is a great example because the word psuche appears four times: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Twice it is translated “life” and twice it is translated “soul.” Therefore, in the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, and the Greek language of the New Testament, the essence or “soul” of who we are as creations of God can be traced back to, and renewed by the simple act of breathing. It is interesting that as a human being or a human soul, we have three parts (mind, body, and spirit) that make up our being. Through our understanding of the Trinity, God is One Who also has three parts (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). After all, we are created in God’s image. Caring for the soul does require focus on all three parts. When your body is healthy, your thoughts and emotions are at peace, and your relationship with God is growing; you have a very well balanced life that has the greatest opportunity for loving and healthy relationships with others. Yet, when one or more of the parts of our soul is out of balance, life can be a very difficult struggle. Additionally, the negative actions of others often negatively impact us to exacerbate that struggle. During that struggle, it is easy to want to blame God. Wm. Paul Young wrote a wonderful book in the Christian fiction genre titled
The Shack. To highlight his understanding of the Trinity, Young developed three characters that represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When “Papa,” which is Young’s character that represents God the Father, is speaking about the struggles of life she states: “Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I needed it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.” God does not orchestrate tragedies. Yet, we live in a fallen world, and sometimes the struggles of life are difficult to navigate. During those times, as well as when life is wonderful, our job is to care for each aspect of our soul, thankfully receive God’s grace, give grace to others, develop relationships that are healthy, and seek opportunities to share God’s love. When you need a reminder that God’s presence is real in your life, take a deep breath and remember that God’s breath is the source of life; and by accepting God’s grace from the Cross, God lives in you.
David Morrow is a graduate of Campbell University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned a Master’s of Divinity in pastoral counseling. His is a licensed marriage and family therapist and also an ordained minister. He has 23 years of experience in the mental health field and works for CareNet Counseling East. His offices are located in Greenville, and Kinston, North Carolina. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music, spending time with his family, and playing golf. 22
with Nora Koonce Avery
The Lesson I Learned From Smokey “Meow!” The grey cat greeted me at the back door as I left for work. I figured she was a neighborhood cat that had decided to ramble. “Go home,” I shouted. I hated cats. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand how anyone could possibly want one for a pet. Cats were aloof and unfriendly, kind of like Mrs. McKaslin*, a lady that lived a few miles down the road. Try as I might, I couldn’t make friends with that woman. She always appeared to be in her own world, and seemed to resent anyone intruding. She probably liked cats! This cat had shown up out of the blue one day and obstinately refused to leave. I simply tried to ignore her, but I finally resigned myself to the persistent “meow” every time I left the house. She didn’t appear emaciated, so she was either foraging for her dinner or stealing food from our next-door neighbor’s cat. No one in the area knew anything about her. Why had she picked our house, when she could have had her choice of a dozen others? My dislike of felines was rooted in my childhood. I had a friend that had a cat, and every time I attempted to play with him he scratched me. Sometime later another friend offered me a kitten from their cat’s litter, and the same thing
happened. Nope, cats weren’t for me. Now if only someone would tell that persistent grey tabby that! About a week after the mysterious feline appeared, our family went on a 10-day vacation. I forgot about the furry animal and enjoyed my time away from work. When we returned, though, the cat was still keeping vigil on the patio. I finally told Eddie, my husband, that anything that tenacious deserved to at least be fed, so I bought a bag of cat food. Then I named her “Smokey.” It wasn’t a very original name, but I had never had any reason to name a cat before and didn’t have any experience in picking a suitable moniker. In the coming weeks we settled into a routine, Smokey and I. As usual, she greeted me when I came and went, and she was allowed to roam free inside the house whenever she wanted. I even installed a litter box for her. During this time my elderly mother’s health was failing, and I was going through a difficult time in my life emotionally. Smokey seem to know when I needed a friend. She would jump up on the arm of my chair and, as soon as I touched her fur, she would start purring. Her beautiful eyes seemed to portray a
belief and acceptance that she was where she was supposed to be. I was beginning to believe it, too. I learned that she loved the back of her ears scratched and to have the fur on her back rubbed. I sneaked in a hug every now and then, but she wasn’t too fond of that. She never scratched me, though, not once! It was obvious Smokey had not had an easy life. She had scars on her face, and a missing section of her earlobe belied a possible fight with another cat or other animal in her past. She understood adversity, albeit in cat terms. Smokey was with us four years, but one day a hunting dog that was loose got into an altercation with her and she didn’t survive. I was devastated. I never found out where she had come from, but there is no doubt in my mind that her showing up on my patio that warm spring day was all in God’s timing. I had been wrong about cats, and He used Smokey to teach me a lesson. “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). I needed to learn not to prejudge animals or people. You see, I learned something else. I was wrong about Mrs. McKaslin, too. *Name has been changed.
Nora grew up in Trenton, NC and now resides with her husband, Eddie, in Cove City, NC. They are members of Wintergreen OFWB Church, and she serves as the Woman’s Auxiliary Vice President. She and Eddie have two sons and three grandchildren. Nora enjoys photography and reading.
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1233 North Fork Road • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • (828) 669.7677 • www.cragmontassembly.com
CRAGMONT ASSEMBLY
Summer Prayer Challenge
Cragmont is requesting the priceless gift of your faithful prayers for our summer camp weeks. Listed on the next page are the camp weeks and each camp director. We challenge you to select a week and become a prayer warrior for that particular week, its staff, and its campers. Starting today and continuing through August 31, each time you pray ask for God’s care and blessings on the week you have chosen. I realize the actual, physical week may end long before August but the truths planted in the camper’s lives need to grow and flourish long after their camp week. You might want to send a card or cards to your week’s directors to assure them their week is being brought to God in prayer. It could be the extra encouragement those directors need to see them through the days of planning, organizing, and implementing a camp week that glorifies Christ.
Small Projects; Big Impact
The winter and early spring months have witnessed the completion of a number of “small” refurbishing projects at Cragmont. Every place needs a facelift from time to time. Among these projects are: • New baseboard on the downstairs south hallway, • New showers in the Girl’s Dorm, • Floor repairs in the Hollifield House, • Refinishing furniture from Velma Morris’ home to accent Velma’s Hearth in the dining room addition, • And my favorite project, a meditation/study room across from the chapel. Even “small” projects come with a price tag so please continue to remember Cragmont in your giving. As any good steward knows you need to keep your facility in top-notch condition and you need to replace the funds you spend as soon a possible so the money will be available for the next project.
Moving to the Finish Line
We are getting more and more excited as Velma’s Hearth continues to move forward to completion. We can hardly wait for our camper to enjoy our new dining area.
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2014 Cragmont Summer Schedule • Morning Star • Pee Dee Youth Conference April 25–27, 2014 July 7–11, 2014 Joan Little Heath Conner 7063 Stantonburg Rd. 727 Mount Olive Rd. Farmville, NC 27828 Bladenboro, NC 28320 (252) 753-3217 (910) 740-4454 jlittle@nc.rr.com heathkellieconner@yahoo.com • Ministerial Association of OFWB • General Youth II Conference June 1–4, 2014 July 14–19, 2014 Josh Whitfield Brad Williamson, Director: (252)-244-0207 1079 Beaver Creek Rd. Wilma Parker, Registrar: (252)-522-0967 Deep Run, NC 28525 P. O. Box 6423 (252) 286-3014 Kinston, NC 28501 deeprunpastor@gmail.com wilmaparker@embarqmail.com • Dayspring Retreat • General Youth I Conference June 4–7, 2014 July 21–26, 2014 Joan Little John Hill & David Currie, Directors 7063 Stantonburg Rd. Todd Sutton, Registrar: (252) 747-7567 Farmville, NC 27828 6801 NC Hwy 222 E (252) 753-3217 Stantonsburg, NC 27883 jlittle@nc.rr.com toddsutton1@gmail.com • Christian Cadet Conference • Young People’s Bible Conference June 16–21, 2014 July 28–August 1, 2014 Joey Williams Chuck Owens 139 Windyfield Dr. 218 Wildwood Rd. Goldsboro, NC 27534 Havelock, NC 28532 (919) 734-9080 (252) 733-9031 jwilliams@stoneycreekchurch.net copo22@nc.rr.com • Cragmont Youth Conference • Cornerstone Woman’s Retreat June 23–28, 2014 August 3–8, 2014 Angela Mattox Joan Little 1469 Wintergreen Rd. 7063 Stantonburg Rd. Cove City, NC 28523 Farmville, NC 27828 (252) 671-7176 (252) 753-3217 cragmontyouthconference@gmail.com jlittle@nc.rr.com • Youth Frontier Conference (YFA/AFC) • Emmanuel Woman’s Retreat June 30–July 5, 2014 September 12–14, 2014 Frankie Baggett Joan Little 5403 Weyerhaeuser Rd. 7063 Stantonburg Rd. Ayden, NC 28513 Farmville, NC 27828 (252) 746-7850 (252) 753-3217 frankiebaggett@embarqmail.com jlittle@nc.rr.com
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A deeper look inside this month’s lessons from the OFWB Foundation Curriculum and commentaries based on the International Sunday School Lessons. The last Sunday in March we began Unit 2, “What the Prophets Foretold.” Palm Sunday is the setting for the lesson texts from Matthew and Zechariah. Matthew often quotes the prophets to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of scripture, and several symbolic actions that day are derived from the Old Testament and have messianic undertones. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. We cannot be certain from Matthew if Jesus rode the female donkey or the colt, but Mark 11:7 and Luke 19:35 make it clear that He rode the colt which had never been ridden. Laying branches and cloaks in the path of the donkey was part of coronation processionals. Shouting “hosannas” to the “Son of David” come from the part of the Psalms which were sung or recited at all major Jewish festivals (118:25–26). The crowd that gathered certainly understood that Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah. Matthew 21:10 has a word that loses a lot in translation; the Greek word is seio, from which we get our word “seismic.” It means “to shake.” The word is used five times in the New Testament, and three of those are in Matthew: 1) when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem the whole city was shaken, or put in turmoil; 2) the earth shook when
Jesus died on the cross; 3) the guards at the tomb shook when they saw the angel. These were seismic events. In lesson two, Isaiah 56:6 and Jesus in Mark 11 address a problem that had plagued Israel for a long time. The temple was intended to be a “place of prayer for all people,” but the temple compound was arranged in such a way as to restrict participation. Unbelievers were not allowed in; Gentile believers who had not converted to Judaism were restricted to the outer court; Jewish women could approach as far as the Court of Women; the men of Israel could assemble in the inner court; and only the High Priest was allowed to enter the temple itself. By Jesus’ day merchants had set up business where worshippers should gather. Sellers of livestock and money changers provided a legitimate service for pilgrims to obtain sacrificial animals and the proper coins for the temple offering, but their activities cluttered the worship areas. Isaiah and Jesus called for opening the holy space for all people and nations. We might ask ourselves about the barriers, visible and invisible, that we erect to protect our sacred place. In lesson three, Jeremiah tells of a king that the LORD will raise from the house of David; and Zechariah describes
with Adrian Grubbs
a crown of gold and silver to be placed on the head of Joshua the priest, who as king would rebuild the temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians. Then the Gospel of John says that a crown of thorns and a purple robe were put on Jesus (Joshua in Hebrew), the King of the Jews. The Bible text on Easter Sunday is from Hosea and Luke which speak of the third day. The women who went to the tomb were not expecting what they found. And where were the eleven? Lesson five begins with the fourth Suffering Servant Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 52–53). It must have sounded like a strange prophecy in that day; but the Gospel writers, and we, clearly see Jesus. In Luke 24 Jesus enabled the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the other disciples later, to understand the scriptures as they relate to Jesus. The Gospels and Epistles had not yet been written, so the scriptures referred to are the Hebrew Bible: Law/Torah, Prophets, and Psalms/Writings (24:44). Those were the scriptures for Jesus, the first disciples, and the early church. According to what Jesus told them that day, each Old Testament division speaks of Him.
H. Adrian Grubbs, Jr., was born in Dade City, Florida, to the Rev. Herman A. and Lillian Kinard Grubbs. The family moved to Mount Olive, NC, in 1959. Adrian was ordained in the Eastern Conference in 1963 and has served eight churches. After a 30-year pastorate at Deep Run OFWB Church he retired in 2007 because of vocal problems. Grubbs has served the denomination as President of the Sunday School Convention, Moderator of the Eastern Conference, member of the Eastern Conference Ministerial Examining Board, and is currently on the Mount Olive College Board of Trustees. Adrian and Jo Ann have one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. 26
with Marc Boswell
An Easter Reflection Over the past month, I’ve been privileged to spend time with three remarkable young women. My younger cousin, being one of these folks, called me a few months ago with news that she had recently accepted a job in a different time zone, far away from the comforts of home. I was eager to join her on the move out west. Aside from some snow, the trip was not terribly adventurous, which is exactly what one hopes for on such an occasion. Flat tires, wrong turns, or heavy road construction are not the type of thing one needs on such a trip. After fifteen hours in a car together we finally arrived and she was able to get settled. Throughout the trip, I was struck by her courage to move into the unknown, leaving behind family and friends as she made a fresh start, wholeheartedly trusting in God in this next phase of her journey. I was also able to spend the weekend, recently, with some old acquaintances, and now friends, from back home. As they visited with my wife and me, they shared their stories and their hopes, their joys and their pains. What particularly struck me about these folks was their dogged persistence to believe in the God who offers new life in the midst of difficult and tragic situations, in the God
who believes in us even when others tell us that we’re not valuable or that we’re broken because of who God has made us to be. As with my cousin, their faith led them to embrace new life in the midst of doubt and uncertainty. Their openness to the new things God was doing in their lives and in other communities left both my wife and me feeling very fortunate to have been able to get to know them and to hear their stories during their visit. As I was trying to make sense of the very rich, blessed time that I was able to spend with all of these folks over the past several weeks, my mind wandered to the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in the Gospels. Throughout these accounts, we read of the courage and audacity of several women who were close to Jesus throughout his life and his ministry. We read of women who had the nerve to believe in Jesus’ resurrection before the other disciples, many of whom were nervous and doubtful. These are the same women who boldly took this good news and found the others and began proclaiming the gospel. Stepping out in faith, they boldly challenged conventional wisdom, preaching the resurrection of Christ and the power of God to break the chains of oppression and suffering, sin and death. Not everyone understood
them. Not everyone believed them. Yet God still moved in a mighty way through these disciples and preachers. God moved through their faith to further usher in the reign of God, regardless of how legitimate others perceived their testimony to be. I would be remiss to reflect upon the witness of these women in the Gospel narratives, and the witness of my cousin and my two friends, and to not also mention the witness of the many other strong women who have nurtured, befriended, guided, taught, and loved me through the years. From classmates and professors, to my mother and grandmothers and other cousins, to aunts, bosses, pastors and ministers and dear friends, they have all been witnesses to and reflections of God’s resurrecting power and unending faithfulness. There is more light and justice and peace in the world because of their work. It is my prayer that during this Easter season we may cultivate a mindfulness to recognize those people through whom God’s new life has been made available to us. May we give thanks for the witness and honor to the struggles of those folks through whom abundant life is made more tangible in this world.
Marc Boswell is from Saratoga, NC, where he grew up as a member of Spring Branch OFWB Church. He is ordained in the Central Conference and currently lives in Richmond, VA, where he is working toward the completion of a Ph.D. in the fields of Theology and American Religious History at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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P. O. Box 249 • Middlesex, NC 27557 • (252) 235.2161 • www.fwbchildrenshome.org
Children’s Home
Free Spirit in Concert In late February, the Home was treated to worship through music from Free Spirit from University of Mount Olive. It was another wonderful experience for our campus. Bonding together over Pizza, sharing worship, and ending with music from Handel’s Messiah…well it just doesn’t get any better than that. The children and staff at the Children’s Home enjoyed the music ministry of Free Spirit. Thank you Dr. Armstrong and all of the Free Spirit Group for sharing the Gospel with us through music.
Change for Children
2014
By now you should have received a letter announcing our upcoming Change for Children Campaign. This is sure to be an exciting campaign. Each year we learn of some very “unique” strategies that churches and groups use to have fun while collecting change for the children. The blue bags and other materials will be mailing out the middle of this month. Please say a prayer for the Home as we continue to serve children who are so desperately in need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 28
• • • Needs List • • • • Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaners (HD) • Vinyl Mattress Covers Waterproof (twin size) • Cloth Mattress Covers • Trash Bags (13 gallon or larger) • Zip Lock Bags (gallon and quart) • Plastic Clothes Hangers • Personal Hygiene Items: antiperspirant for girls and boys, bar soap, toothpaste body lotion • Cleaning Supplies (pine-sol, Fabuloso, bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners) • Liquid Dish Soap • Trash Bags (13 gallon larger) • Microwave Oven (large capacity, high wattage) • (3) New-40 inch Self-Cleaning Stoves
Smith and Deans Cottages Renovation In 1953, construction (two single-story quarters connected by a breezeway) was started on campus on the site of the old boy’s dormitory. These were originally built as cottages for girls. They later came to be named Deans Cottage and Smith Cottage, in memory of the late Reverend Ben B. Deans, and S. A. Smith, former superintendents of the Home. In 1993, Smith Cottage underwent renovations and was re-opened, after having been closed for 10 years. Deans Cottage received renovations in 1994. Now 20 years later, renovations are taking place to implement upgrades to the bathrooms and laundry rooms in these cottages. Crews began work in December 2013 to upgrade the plumbing, including new piping and fixtures, ceramic tile on the floors, and walls as needed. If you would like to help with the cost for these much needed renovations and upgrades, you may send your gift
earmarked “Smith/Deans Renovation.” These gifts may be made in memory or honor of someone special. The kids can hardly wait to start enjoying these improvements.
HOME RUN 5K RUN/WALK Registration Form
Name: _____________________________ Address: ____________________________ City:_ _______________________________ State:_________________ Zip: _________ Phone:______________________________ e-mail: _____________________________ Sex: M F Date of Birth____________ Registration Time: 8 a.m. • Race Time: 9 a.m. Participants registering on or before April 25, are guaranteed an event fitness towel. All registrants will be entered into a post-race drawing for prizes. You must be present to win. Entry fees: $25 Pre-registered • $30 Race Day (Groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate of $15 per person) Race Location: Free Will Baptist Children’s Home, Inc. 7907 Buck Deans Road • Middlesex, NC 27557
I plan to: Walk Run 5K Runners should choose whether they are running for recreation (no official time given) or competitively (receive official chipped time).
Competitive Recreational Please mail registration form and your $25 registration fee to: Free Will Baptist Children’s Home Inc. P. O. Box 249 • Middlesex, NC 27557 29
Foundation Awards $23,000 in Ministerial Scholarships for the Academic Year
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P. O. Box 210 • Mount Olive, NC 28365-0210 • (919) 6 58.5250 • admin@ncfcm.org • rwarren@ncfcm.org
NC Foundation for Christian Ministries
• Dustin Bannister
Campbell University Divinity
• Justin Barnett
Southeastern Baptist Seminary
• Jonathan Best
St. Thomas University
• Marc Boswell
Garrett Evangelical Seminary
• Duane Casey
University of Mount Olive
• John Henry Chapman
Southeastern Baptist Seminary
• Neal Cox
Campbell University Divinity
• Matthew Forrest
Campbell University Divinity
• Susan Lackey
Campbell University Divinity
• Carmen Gonzalez-McKernie Duke Divinity
• Vickie Medlin
Campbell University Divinity
• Ricky Warren
Campbell University Divinity
• Michael Woolard
University of Mount Olive
Applicants for Foundation Scholarships must meet the following requirements. Contact the Foundation for more details.
These students have met the requirements below, agreed to service the OFWB denomination, and have been awarded scholarships for the Spring Semester. We are grateful for their calling, their desire to learn, and for those who help make it possible. Thank you.
1. Be a graduate of an accredited college or university (Undergraduate applicants are allowed); 2. Be accepted at an ATS (Association of Theological Schools) accredited Divinity School or Seminary, with special consideration given to students participating in the partnership between Campbell University Divinity School and University of Mount Olive; 3. File an application for financial aid and authorize a statement of expenses and awards each semester; 4. Provide a letter of recommendation from the OFWB Church of which he or she is a member; 5. Provide a letter of recommendation from their ordaining council indicating good standing if licensed or ordained; and 6. Provide a signed biographical statement.
The Foundation gratefully acknowledges these gifts given during February of 2014 in honor or memory of those listed. In Memory of Mrs. Kathleen Sasser
In Honor of
The Reverend Ronnie Hayes
By Bertie A. Sanders
By Ricky and Angela Warren
Mr. Raymond Clifford Gray, Sr. By Bertie A. Sanders
J. W. Bell, Jr.
By Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wallace
Mrs. Kathleen Sasser
By Ricky and Angela Warren
Mr. Raymond Clifford Gray, Sr. By Ricky and Angela Warren
Mr. Raymond Clifford Gray, Sr. By Mrs. Brenda L. Edwards
Floyd Carroll
By Thomas L. Wallace
Bernice Powell
Mr. Elbert Cook Lettie Best
Jennifer Merritt
By Mrs. Dianne B. Riley
Dr. Michael R. Pelt
By Gene & Martha Sue Faircloth
J. W. Bell, Jr.
Dr. Sam and Connie Weeks
The Foundation Legacy Society
By Bertie A. Sanders
Jennifer Merritt
By Mrs. Dianne B. Riley
By Thomas L. Wallace By Thomas L. Wallace
Micah James Baker
By Mrs. Dianne B. Riley
By Bertie A. Sanders
Micah James Baker
By Ricky and Angela Warren
Jennifer Merritt
By Ricky and Angela Warren
By Frank and Betty Sutton
An Open Invitation to the Eighth Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Foundation for Christian Ministries
Featuring special music by the Convention Choir and the distribution of over $70,000 to worthwhile charities and ministries
For those with a plan to leave a lasting legacy for good.
Retirement Income Comparison
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 Murphy Center, University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, North Carolina Dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7:00 p.m. Advanced Reservations Required Please confirm your reservation by April 25 Name(s)_____________________________ Numbers in your party _____ ___________________________________________________________
CD Rate 1
Annuity Rate 2 (At age 70)
Address______________________________________________________
0.23%
5.1%
City___________________________ State_ ______ Zip Code___________
(March 4, 2014)
1. National Average 12-month CD rate (Source: Bankrate.com) 2. Lifetime rate from the Foundation for a person age 70
U.S. Mail NC Foundation for Christian Ministries P. O. Box 210 Mount Olive, NC 28365
e-mail or Telephone admin@ncfcm.org (919) 658-5250 Fax: (919) 635-3777 31
youth convention 32
Help Support the Fountain of Youth Endowment and Stop Hunger Now at the 2014 Youth Convention Each year, each church is asked to send in “project money” to the Annual Youth Convention in May. In year’s past, this money was designated to a certain “project” for a designated denominational ministry. The ministries were on a rotating schedule, so each one benefited once every 10 years or so. In 2012, the Commission on Youth & Student Ministry Leadership and The Original Free Will Baptist Youth Convention established an endowment with the NC Foundation for Christian Ministries to benefit the Original Free Will Baptist Convention Ministries. They named this endowment “The Fountain of Youth.” Long after we have left this earth our giving will continue through this established fund. After the initial amount of $10,000 has been received, an annual distribution of the interest earnings will be given to the ministries. To date, approximately $3,000 has been received toward this Youth Project. For the past few years, our children and youth have also engaged in service projects at the Annual Youth Convention. This year’s officers and representatives decided for the 2014 service project to be the packaging of at least 10,000 meals for the Stop Hunger Now ministry. Stop Hunger Now is an international relief organization driven by the vision of a world without hunger and a mission to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and lifesaving aid to the world’s most vulnerable and by creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary
resources. Stop Hunger Now’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based program that coordinates the streamlined packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, flavoring and 21 essential vitamins and minerals. The meals are easily transported to crisis-burdened areas or supplied to school feeding programs around the world. The meals cost only .25¢ per meal to create. More information on Stop Hunger Now can be found at www.stophungernow.org. To accomplish the goal of packaging at least 10,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now AND working towards the $10,000 needed for the Fountain of Youth Endowment to start benefiting our denominational ministries, the Youth Convention is asking each church to send in at least $150 prior to the Annual Youth Convention. Approximately half of the money sent in will be used to pay for the 10,000 meals we will be packaging for Stop Hunger Now and the other half will go to the Fountain of Youth Project. For more information on the Stop Hunger Now project and the Fountain of Youth Endowment, please contact any member of the Commission on Youth & Student Ministry Leadership. Youth groups, auxiliaries, individuals, or other church groups may send in their contributions for these projects at any time. Please mail them to: OFWB Youth Convention, c/o Victor Jones, 264 Kirby Thigpen Rd, Pink Hill, 28572.
EACH CHURCH IS ASKED TO SEND AN OFFERING OF AT LEAST $150 TO GO TOWARDS THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH PROJECT AND TO FUND THE PACKING OF AT LEAST 10,000 STOP HUNGER NOW MEALS
2014 YOUTH CONVENTION Of Original Free Will Baptists May 16–18, 2014 University of Mount Olive ENJOY GREAT MUSIC, A DYNAMIC SPEAKER, FUN-FILLED WORKSHOPS, INFLATABLES, AND FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN KIDS AND TEENS! FOR ALL AGES PRE-SCHOOL—18 YEARS OLD! Keynote Speaker: Kevin Davis, Minister of Youth, Antioch Baptist Church, Lumberton, NC. Founder of Kevin Davis Creations Ministry. Graduate of Campbell University and Southeastern Baptist Seminary. Find out more about Kevin Davis at: http://kevindaviscreation.com Band: Traditional City (formerly The Noise) www.TraditionalCity.com
For more information or a registration packet, contact Victor Jones at (252) 559-3876 or <nonakent@hotmail.com>. 33
Book reviews in this column are not meant to reflect any theological or political positions.
Thomas Moore, Care of the Soul New York: Harper Perennial, 1992; 1994 paperback. 312 pages. ISBN 0-06-092224-9.
The Journey of the Soul as Seen in Classical Narratives Thomas Moore Thomas Moore is a retired monk from a Catholic religious order, earning his Ph.D. in theology from Syracuse University. His academic studies have included the University of Windsor, the University of Michigan, and DePaul University. Now in New England, Moore writes books with Care of the Soul a theological journey of the soul through classical mythological stories from Odysseus, Demeter and Persephone, the Eleusinian mysteries, Narcissus, Hera and Zeus, Saturn, Bellerophon, Phaethon, and Acteon. Moore sees the human soul as the incarnation of Spirit within us (262) which includes the “wedding of heaven and earth” (263). Moore sees the human soul as our “profound” (19) individuality, as the “essence of each person” (19), as “a sense of sacredness of each individual life” (19), as “the mystery of human suffering” (20), as the “heart of every human being” (20) with the “beast” and “star” of our “innermost nature” (21).
The Journey of the Soul in the Odysseus Narrative
In the classical Greek Homeric narrative, The Odyssey, Odysseus becomes the absent father who goes on a 10-year journey, leaving behind his son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope. The son, Telemachus, is unhappy because he feels “the confusion of a fatherless life” (34) while Penelope weaves a shroud during the day and unravels it at night—symbolizing the “mystery of the soul: whenever something is being accomplished, it is also in some way being undone” (34). Odysseus travels, his soul on a journey through contact with the “lotus-eaters” where he learns not to allow his soul to exist only with a “diet of flowers” (35), through contact with Circe and Calypso where he experiences love, through contact with the giant Cyclops where he learns the necessity of both “law and culture” (35), and through contact with the “land of the dead” where he meets family and figures of history so that he experiences “family and culture in a profound, transformative way” (35). Our soul’s journey must be a “visit to our own depths” (35). The journey of the soul is “unpredictable” (36), “collective” (36), “unknown” (37), individual, and daring. Left behind in Odysseus’s home is Mentor who teaches Telemachus and instills fatherhood in 34
Odysseus’s son, the “spirit of fatherhood” (39) an archetypal need for individual and society. The odyssey of the soul is “always in progress” (39) and “takes place eternally” (39).
Demeter and Persephone Demeter, the mother of Persephone, suffers anguish when Persephone reaches for the narcissus flower and discovers the earth opening up with Hades appearing and kidnapping her to the underworld. Moore notes the underworld for the Greeks “was the proper home of the soul” (41), because the soul is attracted to the shadow side of reality, ushering in the loss of innocence. Persephone will become an individual through her exposure to the dangerous, dark underworld which fate and experience bring (43). In grief at the loss of her daughter Persephone, Demeter grieves and becomes a nurse for the boy Demophoön whom she places in a fire at night to make him immortal (44). What appears dangerous “may be beneficial from a greater perspective” (44). Demeter, however, refuses to allow fields to bear fruits, because she wants Persephone back. Finally a compromise is made with Hades: Persephone has a pomegranate seed in her mouth so she will have to return to Hades for one-third of the year after spending time with her mother Demeter. What does this mean? The soul must spend time in the underworld of “pain, lost relationships, fading hopes, and failed endeavors” (46). These dark experiences may be called Persephone underworld experiences (48). Moore notes: “Hades is also known as Pluto, the god of wealth. Both Demeter and Pluto enrich life, though their harmony most frequently appears as a riddle” (49). From this narrative comes the Eleusinian mystery of life. Eleusis is a town near Athens where the Eleusinian mystery “involves our resurrection—like Persephone, like the appearance of grain in season—from soul-making depth into a continuous, bountiful life” (47).
The Narcissus Seeker of Self-Discovery
The narrative of Narcissus appeared in Ovid’s Metamorphoses where 16-year-old Narcissus reveals a self-love that allows for no “intimacy with another” (58). Echo loves him, but she can only speak “phrases she has just heard from someone else” (48). The problem for Narcissus is that he is “distant, cold,” and “self-contained” (48), all traits of “soullessness” (59). Nemesis
intervenes and has Narcissus fall in love with his own image in a pool. He reaches into the water to grab the image, but he can’t grab it or hold it. The water becomes a source of transformation, because Narcissus “falls in love with a person in a watery mirror who he thinks is someone else, even though it is himself ” (62). Love transforms. Love of the image sends passion and fire into soulless Narcissus. The narrative, Moore believes, reveals the transformation from “rigid self-containment” to “the flowering of a personality” (65). The narrative speaks of “a flower waiting to break through the hard surface of narcissism” (65). Moore insists that the “dangers of narcissism is its inflexibility and rigidity “and that “suppleness is an extremely important quality of soul” (65). Moore claims that “we have a pool in us where a deeper sense of I, another ego, may appear for our attention and affection” (68). In short, the “narcissistic person tries very hard to be loved, but he never succeeds, because he doesn’t realize yet that he has to love himself as other before he himself can be loved” (68). In the journey of the soul, the story of Narcissus reveals that the soul must love itself, listen to itself, and move from a cold love to a love of the object outside himself in nature. Narcissus moves from his cold subjectivity into nature, the self united with nature, the self united with a “religious sensibility” (75). Marblelike Narcissus becomes more natural-like as a flower “whose roots are deep” (75). Narcissus loves the object outside himself which enables him to love himself. The narrative “contains the seeds of self-acceptance and a loving attachment to the broad world” (76).
The Narrative of Hera and Zeus as the Soul’s Journey to Embrace Order and Creativity Here is the jealous wife of the chief Greek god Zeus whose love of entire creation leads him to relate to his world in erotic and creative ways. Zeus has many affairs while his wife Hera wants faithfulness, order, and stability back home. Hera’s jealousy reveals a “cast of characters,” what Moore calls “the moralist, the detective, the paranoid, and the arch conservative” (103) combined in Hera. Hera’s jealousy of the freedom of her husband Zeus to express his creative, erotic nature is about the tension within the soul of limits to freedom (Hera) versus a creative “attachment with everything in the world” (Zeus) (106). Hera’s distress is not her perception for “not being honored” (109) or respected. Zeus is unfaithful as he roams his universe. Moore claims that Hera “comes into play in the tension between having and not having another,” because “this tension is one way of bringing different aspects of ourselves together” (108). Hera’s dependence joins Zeus’s independence. Hera has to see the “necessity and value” (114) in her own life so that she reduces
her preoccupation with the life of Zeus. Zeus also must show greater respect to his own dependence to Hera.
The Narrative of Saturn as the Soul’s Journey into and Through Depression The Roman god Saturn is known as the old man who presided over a golden age and now in his old age experiences an inner melancholy. In Saturn’s longing for the perceived more perfect past, his “reflection deepens” (139), destroying the “notion that life always has to be cheerful, and be instructed by melancholy” (141). According to Moore, Saturn’s “need for withdrawal” and his “vague emotions of hopelessness” (145), all point to the soul’s journey into and through empty spaces, withdrawal and solitude an effort “to meditate, think, or just be alone and sit” (147). What does the soul seek? Moore refers to the bardo state as that attempt at a new birth, where the past life must be confronted in order to move from the empty “coldness, isolation, darkness, and emptiness” (153) into a new life, a new point of view, a new perception of mystery now and ahead. Moore insists: “We might also discover that depression has its own angel, a guiding spirit whose job it is to carry the soul away to its remote places where it finds unique insight and enjoys a special vision” (154).
The Narratives of Bellerophon, Phaethon, and Acteon in the Journey of the Soul Moore notes that the soul seeks “its own transcendence” (249). The boy Bellerophon narrative reveals the story of a boy who has “the puer spirit” (248) wishes to flee the earth and rise to a transcendent, larger universe. Bellerophon jumps on the winged horse Pegasus so that he can rise upward to hear the conversations of the gods. What is this desire? Moore describes the flight as “the desire to know what it is not given to humans to know” (249). If the yearning becomes “excessive,” the “resulting collapse may be a severe detachment from life in the world” (249). Other narratives point to the danger of an excessive longing for the ascent toward transcendent knowledge. Phaethon rides his chariot too close to the sun and crashes back to earth while the hunter Acteon intrudes upon Artemis at her bath, the intrusion causing him to be transformed into a deer by Artemis and then hunted and killed (249). These narratives point to the role of the imagination in the journey of the soul. Reason must confront imagination. To Moore, “images” becomes what he calls the “tabernacles of spirituality and containers of mystery” (301). The narratives capture “the eternal in the everyday, and it is the eternal that feeds the soul—the whole world in a grain of sand” (303).
Pepper Worthington was born in Kinston, NC, and married an OFWB retired minister, Michael Gauker Warning, in 1996. The Rev. Warning served as pastor to Free Union OFWB at Sea Level, NC. She received her B.A. degree cum laude at Meredith College in 1965, her M.L.A. degree at Johns Hopkins University in 1969, and her Ph.D. with Phi Kappa Phi honors at the University of Maryland at College Park in 1976. She has been a professor of English at Mount Olive College since 1979. She is also currently the director of the Mount Olive College Press.
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Woman’s Auxiliary
The Life Membership Award The Woman’s Auxiliary of Daniels Chapel OFWB Church honored two of its members, Sybil Maddrey and Barbara Pittman, with The Life Membership Award on Sunday, February 23, 2014. Sybil and Barbara were honored in the morning service with many of their family members present. Barbara has been a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary for 58 years. During these years she has held every office in the auxiliary one or more times including president. Barbara works tirelessly for her church and auxiliary; this year serving as chairman of the Social and Study Course Committees. She spends an enormous amount of time cleaning and organizing things at church. She also sings in the choir, works with the youth, and leads the Tuesday morning prayer group. Barbara does an outstanding job of whatever she undertakes. Barbara is presently retired from a career with Watson’s Electric Company. Her career did not interfere with her dedicated service to God through her auxiliary work or any other area of her church. Barbara stated, “I spent my early years in the auxiliary in training— learning from those precious, Godly women. They knew how to step up
Barbara Pittman and Sybil Maddrey were presented The Life Membership Award from the Woman’s Auxiliary of Daniels Chapel Church. Pictured from left to right are Barbara with her husband, Royce and Sybil with her husband, Charles.
to the tasks ahead on them, regardless of circumstances. We got things done and have for many years.” Barbara is married to Royce Pittman and they are the parents of a son, Chris Pittman and a daughter, Janet Williamson, and they have five grandchildren. Sybil has been a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary since September, 1967. During this time the Woman’s Auxiliary decided to form another group for the younger women-thus came the JWE Auxiliary. Sybil served in many capacities during her time in the JWE including president on more
Sunday School Curricula • Summer Quarter The deadline for ordering or changing a standing order for the Summer Quarter is April 10, 2014 You may contact Amy Stokes by phone at 1.800.849.3927 or by e-mail at <amy@fwbpress.com>. 36
than one occasion. She later became a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary. In the Woman’s Auxiliary she has served as president, vice-president, and a member of the social and benevolence committees. Sybil has worked endlessly, organizing many fundraisers. Her organizational skills have been invaluable for many activities of the auxiliary [especially anything dealing with food preparation]. Sybil also served as deacon of the church and worked with the youth for many years as YFA leader. Her faithfulness in attending auxiliary meetings, Sunday school, morning and evening worship services, and Wednesday night service is second to none. She achieves all this while still engaged in a career at Thomas Yelverton Memorials. She stated, “It has been such a blessing to learn from the younger and older members and be able to come together and work for the Lord.” Sybil has been a blessing to the Woman’s Auxiliary. Sybil is married to Charles Maddrey and the mother to three sons, Chuck, Gene, and Selby and the grandmother of 12 grandchildren.
New Sandy Hill Church News
Smyrna Church News Top picture: Representing Smyrna Church in the Meadow community at the annual family night at the University of Mount Olive on February 1, from left to right, are: [front row] Caroline Snipes and Kaytlin Dunn; [second row] Helen Smith, Kim Dunn, Brooke Parker, Tina Snipes, Doris Parker; [third row] Kenneth Smith and Timmy Parker. The group enjoyed the variety of food in the campus cafeteria and the girls and boys basketball games. Middle picture: Pictured are the Smyrna Church Sunday School officers who were recognized on February 16 as part of Sunday School month activities. Pictured from left to right: [front row] Rose Anderson and Brenda Parrish (song leaders), Doris Parker (secretary), Carolyn Capps and Helen Smith (teachers); [back row] Doris Godwin (treasurer), Gayle Whitman (pianist), Ray Anderson (superintendent), and Godwin (greeter). Bottom picture: Pictured is Ray Anderson, Smyrna Church superintendent, presenting to Doris Godwin a certificate for 55 years of perfect Sunday School attendance. The presentation took place at the closing of activities for Sunday School month.
community connection
Pastor Anderson Barnes issued a challenge to his congregation at the beginning of the year. He said “this is the year of revival for our church.” He challenged the church to invite people in and help boost attendance. He set a goal for Sunday morning service of 100. Attendance usually runs 65 to 75 on Sunday morning. On the first Sunday in March, we almost made our goal. There were 98 in attendance for morning worship, which included a baptismal service for four, two new conversions, and two rededications. Late in February our pastor was shocked when the congregation planned and executed a surprise birthday lunch—homecoming style— immediately following the morning service in his honor. We definitely pulled one over on him. There are many good things happening at New Sandy Hill, and we invite you to visit with us whenever you can.
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Psalms for the Soul with Linda Herring
The Bible speaks to us but the Psalms speak for us. Psalm 102:7 says, “I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.” Has your nest been torn apart by a storm? Have you lost your mate? Jesus can relate. His disciples did not “get Him.” They argued over who would be the greatest. They failed to pray for Him in His most difficult moments. On the cross He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; see also Mark 15:34). There is a story of the single lady who hung a pair of trousers on her bedpost, then sent God a letter: “Father, help me if you can. I have hung a pair of trousers here please fill them with a man.” Loneliness can be devastating to your self worth. The God who knew that Adam was imcomplete not only created Eve for him, but introduced them and brought them together. God knows your name, address, and every detail about you. And better yet—He cares. And one more thought: Sometimes loneliness is not the absence of affection but the absence of direction, not the absence of people, but the absence of purpose. So begin to reach out to others. Do not let the stresses of the day steal your Psalm.
Linda Herring is married to Vernon Herring. They have two children, Amy and Vernon and three grandchildren, Jenna, Jared, and Noah. Linda is an active member of the White Oak Grove OFWB Church in LaGrange, NC. Linda leads a Bible study group, Circle of Friends. She has been a drama director of two dramas that she wrote, They Called His Name Jesus and The Book of Ruth. She is a resource for the OFWB Woman’s Auxiliary. Her outreach ministry includes this column in TFWB, a radio broadcast by the same name (aired on WAGO 88.7 FM), and a weekly devotional article for the La Grange Weekly Gazette and The Sampson Weekly. She also has a devotion book printed by the Mount Olive College Press.
The Church’s Desperate Need continued from page 5
transformed, Jesus’ disciples are called to carry on His work. Now that “disciple” has been defined, another question is raised. Does this describe the people who constitute your community of faith? Connected to this question is the idea that our churches ought to consist of believers at different spiritual levels of maturity, but each believer is growing and maturing in his or her faith. Again, is this reflected in the group with whom you are connected? If so, PRAISE GOD! If not, then I humbly propose that we begin to think about fulfilling Christ’s command to make disciples. The church desperately needs to take this issue seriously for it is a serious command given to us by our Lord. Here is the crux of the matter though, if we are serious about being disciples, if we understand who Christ is and what He has done, then I believe we would not need convincing that we should be making disciples. We would see it as a joy and privilege to go and help others meet Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. Pastors and church leaders 38
would not have to cajole and convict church members to make disciples, they would have to actually rein them in! Pastor, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, small group leader, and any other person involved with leading and teaching, what are you doing to champion the cause of making disciples? Are you talking about it, leading studies on it, modeling it? What are our churches doing to encourage each member to make disciples? What is great is that there are more resources now than ever before to help individuals and churches make disciples in an effort to fulfill Christ’s command. More is being written on the subject than ever before, more information is available than ever before. Take advantage of what is available and tailor it to your particular needs and context. I am in no way an expert on the subject but I have focused my research for my doctoral project in this area. My passion is to see our churches filled with believers growing in their faith. I welcome the opportunity to come and share with your
church more about the need to make disciples and how to begin doing just that, so please feel free to contact me. I believe that the church has a desperate need in the area of discipleship and I want to do my part as a pastor and as a member of this denomination to see to it that our churches are equipped to address that need. I mentioned at the beginning the Apollo 13 mission and the problem it faced. While those astronauts did not land on the moon, they did make it home. Their problem kept them from completing the mission, but they did return safely because of the help they received from the NASA engineers. Keep this in mind; our God, who commissioned and sent us, has also empowered us to fulfill that commission. On our own and in our own strength we will never make it, but by His power and His grace we can complete the mission and bring honor to our King. I pray that we all will grasp the desperate need our churches face, and we will seek to fulfill Christ’s command to make disciples from among the nations.
Check out the Newest Retreat for Women of the Original Free Will Baptists
Bread of Life Retreat
“Come to the Table” Thursday, May 8, 2014 • University of Mount Olive W. Burkette and Rose M. Raper Hall
Hosted by the Executive Board of the Woman’s Auxiliary Convention
Registration and Refreshments begin at 8:00 a.m. Opening Session begins 8:30 a.m. • Something for women of any age • Change in traditional schedule • Choose your Track • Variety of Workshops (Bible Study, Music, New Devotional Ideas, Conversations with God, Media Ideas)
Worship—Rodgers Chapel @ 10:55 a.m. • Retreat/Convention Choir Sings • Devotions • Special Music (including Hand Bells) • Woman of the Year • The Ordinance of Communion
Lunch—Lois K. Murphy Regional Center @ 1:00 p.m.
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Albemarle Woman’s Spring Retreat Theme: I Love to Tell the Story Date: April 12, 2014 Trinity OFWB Church
268 Candy Field Road • Pantego, NC 27860 9:30 to Lunch
Speaker: Kitty Barnes
This will be a time of laughter and spiritual renewal. Sure to be a wonderful experience for all. Don’t miss it.
Questions: Sandy White, Program Chair (252) 395-1025 Kitty is a retired educator who lives in Lucama. She attends Little Rock Church where she teaches the Senior Adult Class, sings in the choir, and serves as assistant clerk. She also serves the denomination as a member of the Sunday School Board.
Only He could surrender and suffer through the needle’s eye Even now unravels our scarlet knot that blinds His crimsom thread the remnant tie Redeems and weaves the cords that everlasting binds. — Scotty McCoy —
Winterville FWB Church is seeking to hire a full time youth minister. The individual chosen for this position will be expected to plan, develop, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate youth related programs and ministries of Winterville Free Will Baptist Church in partnership with parents, members, and staff. If you are interested, please send a résumé to:
Chris Viverette
Winterville FWB Church Pulpit Committee 489 Cooper Street Winterville, NC 28590 40
Woman’s Auxiliary Convention of Original Free Will Baptists The State Woman’s Auxiliary Convention will meet May 8, 2014 at The University of Mount Olive in the Burkette and Rose Raper. Hall. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. This year’s Convention is hosted by the Executive Board of the Woman’s Auxiliary Convention. The registration fee is $25 and should be sent by April 25 to the State Treasurer. In order for your local auxiliary to be registered, you must send your money to: Mrs. Nadine Crocker, 568 House Rd., Kenly, NC 27542, Phone: (919) 284-3341 Even if you cannot attend, please send your registration anyway as the Convention needs your support. We hope, however, to see you there. Thank you.
Per Capita Dues Now is the time for you to collect your per capita dues, if you have not already done so. These dues should be collected during the first months of the year in time to be sent to your District Treasurer before, or in time for, your District Convention. The dues are $1 per member per year. Send these dues to your District Treasurer; she will keep 50 cents and send 50 cents to your State Treasurer. It is necessary that you cooperate in this as these dues provide a part of the funds for the operational expenses of your Convention. Thank you for your past support. We know that we can continue to count on you. Yours in Christ, Nadine Crocker, State Treasurer
Spring Revival April 7–9, 2014 Monday–Wednesday @ 7 p.m. Bethel FWB Church Whortonsville The Reverend Mike Scott will bring the message each night. There will also be special music.
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Spreading the Word. For Life!
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Grammy and Dove Award Nominee Singer, Songwriter, Comedian Member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame Doors Open at 6 p.m. Show Starts at 7 p.m. All Seats $10 General Admission Kids 10 & under admitted free An evening of Family, Fun, and Entertainment No Reserved Seats
Tickets Available
May 1, 2014
Call (252) 746-4963 for more information
Friday, June 27, 2014
Tim Lovelace and the fabulous
Wilmington Celebration Choir Kornegay Arena on the campus of the University of Mount Olive, Mount Olive, NC Brought to you by area Businesses, Churches, and HQ Promotions.
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID 28513
USPS 2094-4000
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