TFWB • May 2015 by Free Will Baptist Press

May 2015 Children’s Home Month This is a calendar of denominational events and regular holidays and special days/seasons of the Christian year.

Sunday

Monday

As times/dates may change, you can scan the QR code above for a more complete and up-to-date list.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

National Nurse’s Day

Mother’s Day

National Day of Prayer

Armed Forces Day

Woman’s Auxiliary Convention

OFWB Convention

Pentecost

Memorial Day

The Mark of a Godly Mother By The Reverend David Pooser Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. (Proverbs 1:8–9 esv) Do you have a nighttime prayer that you remember saying with your mother and father from your childhood? I do! Parents set a great example for young children when they pray, and it seems to me that they exceed this example when they lead their children who then learn to pray. In my home, my father taught me to pray, but there came a time when he was no longer around and my mother stepped right in and began to teach me and my younger sisters to pray in the same way. Each night we all prayed out loud and we mentioned beforehand something good God had done that day acknowledging His presence in our lives. A sermon by our pastor encouraged my mother to add to our prayer Psalm 23. Our mother led us in not only memorizing the verses of Psalm 23, but in an understanding of their meaning. She explained to us the meaning of the words, and helped us picture the imagery of the verses in our minds. The verses were placed on the wall in our room and we were encouraged to read them every day. For her, it was not enough to just recite words, they were supposed to be meaningful conversation with God. The position of the mother is one that continues on long after her children have left her home. When her children begin to have their own families they find themselves following in her footsteps in teaching their children to have meaningful conversation with God and to understand the meaning of the words of the Bible. Perhaps it is the way in which a mother is able to joyfully do the same things day after day in the raising of her children that makes her an incredibly effective teacher in the area of prayer. She understands the importance of doing it right, of doing it right

this time, and doing it right the next time. She understands that you don’t love every child the exact same way, but in the exact way that they need to be loved, and that each child needs love each day. A mother knows that she hasn’t taught a child to do something until her child can begin to do the task on their own. Personal prayer is something we can do together, yet not something that can be done for us by someone else. Mothers appear to know this because they remind us that one day, we will be out of the house and will need to do things for ourselves. Prayer is one of these things that mom is not always going to be there to do for us, and someday, she will no longer be here to do it with us. One family shared that as their mother was fading from this world and her children were gathered around her they asked her to pray for them one more time. She answered, with a smile, “I thought that I had taught you that! Do you mean you haven’t learned it by now?” She was just having a little fun and they did all laugh at her spirit, but she went on to say, “I will pray for you, but I also want to pray with you.” She began the prayer time just as she had when they were little, and by the time the circle of prayer had closed with the youngest child saying an amen, their mother had gone—home to Heaven. A mother is a beautiful person, she gives and sacrifices, encourages and inspires, patches you up and puts you back on your feet, but a mother who prays for you and with you does all of that and more in that she is an eternal blessing in your life and that of your family. I hope that you will take the time to cherish your mother this year, and if she is still here, may I suggest that you take the time to ask her to pray with you, that you may hear her voice lifted up to our Lord in praise and gratitude, in worship and in faith, in love for you and the One who gave you to her. To all of our mothers I pray that your day is blessed and that we, your children, are able—in a significant way—express to you all that God gave us when He gave us you to be our mothers.

David Pooser, and his wife Dawn, are originally from Florida but have happily been in eastern North Carolina since 1997. David has had the privilege of serving as a staff member at Black Jack FWB Church with the Rev. Calvin Heath and at Elm Grove FWB Church with Dr. Franklin Baggett. Since 2002, Sidney FWB Church and the wonderful members of that congregation have been home for David and Dawn and their three children, Noah, Jordan, and Annabeth. A verse that has always been of hopeful encouragement for David is, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1 esv). 2

Managing Editor Darren Davenport editor@fwbpress.com

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May 2015

Volume 133 • Number 5 ■ FEATURES & COLUMNS Reflections: A Guest Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Pondering the Past with Celia Hales. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Psalms for the Soul with Linda Herring. . . . . . . . . . . 19

Editorial Assistant Carlton Oakley

Sanctified with Andrew Mozingo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Graphic Designers Jerry Goff, Nathaniel Ingram

From a Woman’s Heart with Nora Koonce Avery. . . . . . 23

Production Ronnie Jones

Dr. Pepper’s Book Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Lesson Inner View with Adrian Grubbs . . . . . . . . . . . 34 A Sling and a Stone with Marc Boswell. . . . . . . . . . . 36

■ DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRIES Children’s Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 www.fwbpress.com President Jeff Daughtry

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Vice President Darren Davenport darrend@fwbpress.com

Board of Directors Mike Scott (Chairman), Eastern Mark Hobbs (Vice Chairman), Central Kelley Smart (Secretary), Central Joe Ballance, Cape Fear • David Pooser, Albemarle Richard Cuddington, Western 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.

Foreign Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 University of Mount Olive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Home Missions & Evangelism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Cragmont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Home Missions & Evangelism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Convention News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

■ ANCILLARY MINISTRIES NC Foundation for Christian Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . 32 Woman’s Auxiliary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

■ COMMUNITY CONNECTOR . .

. . . . . . . . 4

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ON THE COVER: An example of a website designed by Free Will Baptist Press.

Contents

Production Manager Jerry Goff

Community Connector

Superintendent of the Year of LIFE Conference

Pastor Bob Smith of White Oak Grove Church is shown presenting a plaque and a certificate on behalf of the Sunday School Ministry to David J. Dawson of White Oak Grove Church. Dawson, in competition with his peers, was awarded this honor at the recent LIFE Conference held at the University of Mount Olive. In addition, the church received a monetary gift from the Original Free Will Baptist Sunday School Ministry made possible by a gift from Dr. Thomas R. Morris who recognizes excellence in individuals in the Free Will Baptist Church. Dawson was unable to attend the LIFE Conference due to a family commitment.

New Sandy Hill Church News The month of March and the coming of Spring brought many sharing opportunities for members at New Sandy Hill OFWB Church, Bailey NC. A food drive was organized by the Sunday School to benefit the local food pantry. Classes were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items each Sunday. The items were counted on the last Sunday in March. There were more than 500 items piled into a shopping cart in the church lobby. It was definitely a success for the food pantry. The efforts by the members of our Golden Years Sunday School Class paid off. They were the winners of that contest. On Friday night prior to Easter, the Sunday School hosted our annual night time Easter egg hunt. A meal of hot dogs, chips, cupcakes and drinks was shared prior to the “flashlight” egg hunt. This event is always a fun time for the church and community children of all ages. On Easter Sunday morning, Pastor Anderson Barnes spoke briefly on the resurrection while the sun came

bursting forth over the horizon. Forty plus people attended the Easter Sunrise service and were witnesses to another beautiful Sunrise Service. A great breakfast followed. With more than 125 in attendance, the Easter worship service was another beautiful service. Pastor Anderson reminded us that God gave the ultimate sacrifice when He sent His Son to die on an old rugged cross so that we might have eternal life and that Christ arose and lives today. Good things are happening at New Sandy Hill Church. We are enjoying the fellowship of God’s people, while feasting on the Word that is shared at each service. Our church theme for the year is: 2015, the year we strive, no longer just survive. We are committed to working together to share the good news of Jesus Christ and his love with the community and all who enter into New Sandy Hill Church. Come join us whenever you are in the area. You are always welcome.

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>. 4

Scout Sunday 2015 Pack 55 and Troop 55 of the Boy Scouts of America celebrated Scout Sunday on February 24, 2015, at Shady Grove Church in Spivey’s Corner, NC. Senior Patrol Leader Brayden Coats led the scouts and congregation in reciting the Pledges of Allegiance to the US Flag and Christian Flags, as well as the Holy Bible. Pack 55 and Troop 55 are units from the Coharie District of the Tuscarora Council and are chartered through the Westbrook Grange. Shown are: (front row) Cub Scouts Jeremiah Baggett, Cale Jackson, Christian Williams, Nicholas Williams, and Jonathan Stephenson. (Second row) Boy Scouts Logan Blackburn, Jackson Lee, Brayden Coats, Austin Hargrove, and Luke Williams. (Back row) Boy Scouts Dylan Blackburn, Michael Gautier, Bailey Joyner, and Jonathan Williamson.

Spreading the Word. For Life!

with locations in

Ayden • Kinston • mycrossandcrown.com 5

March Madness at Juniper Chapel NCAA basketball means a lot to many people, and the tournament in March and April is the highlight of the season. 64 teams compete for the coveted prize of being the NCAA Championâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but of course only one can claim that honor. It is this very premise that inspired us to inaugurate our own March Madness style competition, Sister Sherri Hackney came up with the idea of enlisting sixty-four people to compete in a Bible Sword Drill competition in which one person would eventually prevail as the winner. The brackets were put in place, and the four regions were listed as Youth, Young, Younger and Wish They Were Young. On Sunday night, March 15, the competition began. Sherri Hackney and Rusty Page were on hand to call the play-byplay, Richard and Barbara Banks were the judges and Pastor Mike Scott announced the all-important Bible verses. Two at a time the competitors faced off frantically searching for the Scripture that would propel them to the next round. After a half hour of fierce completion, the field was narrowed down to 32; and shortly after that there were only 16 left standing. With excitement in the air the Elite Eight emerged, and this eventually led to the Final Four. Josh Briley was left 6

standing to represent the Youth, Connie Ordiway represented the Young, Tina Bryan represented the Younger and Danny Fillingame was there for the Wish They Were Young. After Danny and Tina were eliminated, Josh and Connie faced off for the final challenge. Obadiah 1:17 was the final verse, and with lightning speed, 12 year-old Josh Briley took the top prize. He was awarded the trophy crowning him as the first Juniper Chapel March Madness Bible Sword Drill Champion. For added excitement, brackets were handed out the week before the completion began allowing people to guess who would progress to the final round. Lisa Tripp easily beat out all the other entrants and received a trophy for her success. After everything was said and done the evening was enjoyed by all who attended. Refreshments were provided and were eaten at tables decorated with memorabilia from the University of North Carolina, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, and Duke University. As we look to the future, March Madness will become an annual event as Juniper Chapel continues to faithfully present Christ to a lost and dying world.

 A

Mother’s Praying Heart  By Judy Nobles Lewis There are things that only a mother’s heart can know That only a mother’s heart can feel That is why a mother will often boldly go Before the throne of God and kneel She kneels asking first for her own forgiveness Her own short comings and sins She prays for her country, her job; her needs Her family and her closest friends Oh, but when that mother kneels to pray Asking God for the desires of her heart It is her children that are foremost in her thoughts Right from the very start She prays for their happiness, for their protection And for the choices they will make along the way Praying that in their life they will seek God first And in His will they will always stay Her delight is found in Third John Chapter one and verse four To hear that her children walk in truth Brings her no greater joy Yes, there are things that only a mother’s heart can know That only a mother’s heart can feel And that is why a mother will often boldly go Before the throne of God and kneel

P. O. Box 249 • Middlesex, NC 27557 • (252) 235.2161 • www.fwbchildrenshome.org

Children’s Home

Board Workshop

The Children’s Home Board of Directors attended a workshop taught by Karla Williams of The Williams Group on March 7. She spoke on philanthropy and what it means to the success and future of the Children’s Home.

She explained that everyone has time, talent, and treasure to donate to our childcare ministry. Everyone is different and has something different to give; yet we are all vital to the success of The Home. Some people have talents to share with our residents, such as tutoring, crafts, speaking, or cooking. These talents are just as vital to the success of our ministry as any other. Many of our young people come from environments of neglect and benefit immensely from meeting caring people. As you plan events for the various groups at your church, think about what you have to give to the Children’s Home. During this event, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Parrish was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his service to the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home. Dr. Parrish has faithfully served on the Board of Directors for 12 years. The current Board of Directors for the Children’s Home includes: the Rev. Johnny Sullivan (Chairperson), the Rev. Douglas Skinner (Vice Chairperson), Sherry Askew (Secretary), Ila Penny (Assistant Secretary), Billy Hines, Dr. Ken Benton, James Cahoon, the Rev. Sherman Dilley, Wanda Crocker, Dr. Edward Croom, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Parrish, and Teresa Foster.

Palm Sunday Service Pearsall Chapel and Robert’s Grove Churches joined us Sunday night for a Palm Sunday service. Dianne Riley, Director of Church Ministry, spoke on Holy Week, from Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to his death on the Cross. The service began with a processional of everyone in attendance waving palm branches and placing them at the altar. Members of both churches, as well as our kids, read scripture detailing the events of the week. Taylor, Malory, and Olivia of Robert’s Grove all sang beautiful solos. Dawn, Susan, and Angela, also from Robert’s Grove, and Dianne blessed us in song. The girls from Rodgers Cottage provided us with a wonderful song recorded by Sandi Patty during the service. The worship concluded around the altar with everyone singing Jesus Paid It All and There’s Power In the Blood (a Children’s Home favorite). After the service ended, Pearsall Chapel presented each cottage with a basket of goodies. Robert’s Grove had Easter baskets filled with candy, personal items, and school supplies for all the young people, which they truly enjoyed.

March Madness “March Madness” brought additional hoop time for the guys of Deans Cottage. Mike Davis (former basketball player for the University of Mount Olive), along with a friend, Matthew, visited the campus for some playing time with our guys. Not only did they shoot hoops, but they also shared their testimony with the boys. After the game and a time of sharing, Gatorade and green St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes were enjoyed by all.

The Real Love of God As Palm Sunday approaches, we enjoyed a wonderful worship service in which the girls from Rodgers Cottage led the praise music, including There’s Power in the Blood and Sanctuary. One of our girls from Rodgers shared an interpretative dance of a beautiful song entitled Alleluia; it was a very spiritual and moving piece. Dr. Ken Benton, pastor of Shady Grove Church in Spivey’s Corner and a member of the Board of Directors at the Children’s Home, was the speaker. He shared from the children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, about being real and the “Real Love of God.” This message was so moving that you could have heard a pin drop in Memorial Chapel. Dr. Ken and his wife, Dr. Marilyn, heard prayer requests and prayed with the young people. The service closed with singing Loving God and Loving Each Other. 9

Smith Cottage Sets the Table The young ladies and staff of Smith cottage turn their daily meals into a feast for the senses. Each month they set their table with different plates, napkins, and glasses focusing on the current holiday or season.

Lenten Devotion Each Wednesday during the season of Lent, the staff of the Children’s Home gathered for a brief devotional time. Several of the staff members took turns leading the weekly devotion and prayer. The final Lenten devotion focused on the disciples and Jesus having communion with them, including the washing of their feet. This final time of devotion during the Lent season for the staff was followed up with a time of fellowship and lunch provided by Dianne Riley, Director of Church Ministry.

Change For Children Campaign

Julie’s Gifts and Melissa’s Musings On St. Patrick’s Day our female teens were treated to an introduction to journaling, followed by cupcakes and ice cream floats. Julie and Melissa spoke to the girls about the positive effects of journaling, as well as different styles of journals. The girls learned that journaling doesn’t always mean writing; it can be drawings, words, quotes, clippings from magazines, and more. Melissa talked about using journaling as a means of expressing yourself and your feelings, in good times and bad. After a brief discussion about St. Patrick spreading Christianity to Ireland, the girls excitedly decorated key lime and orange cream cupcakes with frosting, sprinkles and more. They also enjoyed ice cream floats of the same flavors. The green and orange refreshments were a nod to the flag of Ireland, which is green, white, and orange.

Have you seen the blue change bags at your church? May is Children’s Home Month and our annual Change For Children Campaign. Your church may have new members or youth groups that are not familiar with the Children’s Home and its mission. Please help educate these people about The Home, as everyone is vital to our success. We hope that you are participating in our Change For Children Campaign by filling a blue bag with change! You can even turn it into a contest between Sunday School classes or groups within your church. Challenge each group to bring in the most change and award a prize to the winning group. The money raised during this month-long event will help offset the additional costs associated with summer and school being out. Please send us pictures of your families and groups with their blue change bags! Pictures can be emailed to <cbrown@fwbch.org> or post them on Facebook and tag us @Middlesex Childrens Home. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the residents with what they need to be successful.

The Importance of Good Dental Health Our young people recently spent the afternoon in a workshop on the importance of good dental hygiene. Melissa Collins and Katie Arends, two dental hygiene students from Wayne Community College, spent the afternoon teaching our teens about proper dental care. They talked about what a healthy mouth looks like and how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about blindingly white or perfectly straight teeth. The kids were also shown the correct way to brush and floss their teeth, as well as other health problems that can be caused by poor dental health.

P. O. Box 39 • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746.4963 • www.ofwbi.org

OFWB International

Training the Youth Getafe, Bohol, Philippines BY PASTOR JERSON DEGAMO

We meet with our youth every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. We hold our meetings in different homes. On this particular night there were about 11 youth who attended. We shared the Word of God, and everyone was blessed and encouraged. We assigned every young person the task of learning how to handle the activities during a Worship Service. This will equip them for serving the Lord through their local church. We are thankful that our youth are very active and have a strong desire to serve the Lord. To God Be the Glory.

Annual Convention Mission Rally MAY 20, 2015 Importance of Mission Rally Offering for Foreign Missions The Annual Convention Mission Rally will be May 20 at 7:30 p.m. in College Hall at the University of Mount Olive. We hope you will make every effort to attend. Your special gift at this rally will enable the Board of Foreign Missions to continue reaching around the world with the Gospel. Thank you in advance for your generosity. REMEMBER! YOUR GIFT MUST BE EARMARKED “FOREIGN MISSIONS” OR PLACED IN A SPECIAL ENVELOPE THAT WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE RALLY (Home Missions will be hosting the Rally this year). 12

The Commitment of the Church to Youth Saltillo, Mexico BY ISAI DUEÑES MORENO

The Cristo Viene FWB Church is committed to promoting the spirit of unity and fellowship among young people and children of the church. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to the task of different activities to meet their basic needs. To meet their spiritual needs, we share with them prayer and Bible reading. Within a family atmosphere, we try to promote moral values that are based on biblical principles. We also use recreational and sports activities, which helps keep them away from the streets and vices that abound today. We are going through different difficulties, because the influence of this world prevails. The environments where our children develop, such as the street, school, friends, or work, even in the same household, are affected. Our desire is to build a new generation of believers who love and serve the Lord from their youth. We are striving to make them healthy—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In this way we avoid trauma or disorders that lead youth to live a life full of problems, because of the bad decisions made in the

absence of wise counsel, that only God gives in His Word. We want to help them avoid a painful life, because of the presence of sin, but mostly we want to prevent our youth from living away from God’s saving grace.

Vacation Bible School

2105

— Caleb’s Dollar Ministry — WITHOUT FOOD HUNGER RETURNS For the past two years, we have asked the Vacation Bible Schools across our denomination to give their weekly offerings to help support Caleb’s Dollar Ministry, to feed the children in our schools in other countries. For many of the children, it is the only meal they receive each day. We know how other projects are attractive, but without food hunger returns. This is a ministry that must have consistency year after year. We are, therefore, asking each Vacation Bible School to make this your project for 2015, and for the years to follow. Each meal only cost 10¢, but for the dear children who receive the meals, it is a blessing beyond words. We are currently providing meals for 600 children each day in our Christian Schools in Liberia, West Africa, at a cost of $60 per day. This amounts to 3,000 meals per week at a cost of $300. Please share this with the Vacation Bible School Director in your local church and encourage them to adopt this as a permanent yearly project. The kids will be blessed and so will the churches. Thank you on behalf of the children. With a grateful heart, Harold Jones, Executive Director 13

634 Henderson Street • Mount Olive, NC 28365 • 1 (800) 653.0854 • www.umo.edu

University of Mount Olive

Gudac Reflects on Her Time at UMO

Kayla Gudac, a Johnston County native, is preparing to graduate in May with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. During her time at the University of Mount Olive, Gudac has transformed academically and grown in her faith. Gudac graduated from North Johnston High School in 2011 and pursued UMO after visiting the campus numerous times for basketball games and activities affiliated with her hometown church, Pine Level Free Will Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Tim and Julie Gudac.

“I was raised in a small town, and went to a very small high school, so UMO was a natural fit,” said Gudac. “Growing up I had visited the University many times. I liked the friendly atmosphere, and the professors seemed to truly enjoy their work. I knew that I would be able to adjust well while gaining my own independence in faith and academics, which was my goal in attending college.” Being part of the honors program and simultaneously pursuing a minor and major, Gudac has been academically busy over her four years at UMO. She

is confident that her hard work in the classroom will pay off in her future endeavors with graduate school. “I am an overachiever, so I had multiple 21 credit hour semesters. However, UMO made it possible for me to succeed,” explained Gudac. “My professors have always helped me in every way possible and they have inspired me to continue my education at the graduate level.” Even though her studies and heavy class loads became stressful at times, Gudac believes that her faith has guided her through her college experience. “Attending college isn’t stress free because you are strong in your faith; however, by being surrounded by friends and professors that understand your faith, the college experience is a lot more tolerable,” said Gudac. “This past year, I was paired with a prayer partner through the FWB Church Support office, and she sends me texts and emails at the best of times. My faith has been the backbone of my undergraduate career.” Looking forward to her May graduation, Gudac is grateful for her experiences and the relationships she has made at the University of Mount Olive. “The past four years have transformed my education and my faith. I am truly grateful for the experiences I have had and the scholarships I have received that made it all possible.”

Congratulations, Jason! The University of Mount Olive congratulates alumnus Jason Mitchell (Class of 2013). He is currently attending Claremont School of Theology, where he is completing his Master’s Degree. Jason has so impressed his professors at Claremont that they have offered to fully fund his PhD. This is very rare in PhD programs. Jason is the son of Sele and Jenean Mitchell of Marlboro Free Will Baptist Church. Way to go, Jason! 14

Enrollment Growth at UMO Promotes Expansion Ground has been broken and construction will begin on two new residence halls at the University of Mount Olive to keep up with demand in its growing traditional student enrollment. The facilities are being built adjacent to the existing Whitfield-Herring Apartment Complex, and behind the Nancy Chapman Cassell softball field. Each three-story residence hall is designed to accommodate 36 upper class students in six-person suites. Each suite will have six private bedrooms, a common area that includes a kitchen and a living room, a bathroom with multiple private showers, and a deck. The residence halls were designed by Dunn & Dalton Architects of Kinston and are being constructed by Daniels and Daniels of Goldsboro. The estimated cost of construction is $2.4 million. With nearly 60% of the traditional student body living on campus, the new residence halls are a much needed addition. Vice President for Student Affairs Dan Sullivan said, “Construction of the two new residence halls has been prompted by the continual enrollment growth of the

campus and the increased demand for on-campus housing. Last August, we were almost unable to accommodate all of the requests for housing, and early indications from our Admissions Office are showing another increase in enrollment for the fall of 2015. We know that having our students living on campus contributes to success in and out of the classroom.” Construction is also being planned for a pathway that will facilitate travel between the residence halls area and the Byrd Apartment Complex located at 207 Wooten Street. Construction on both projects is expected to be completed by the time students return in the fall. University of Mount Olive President Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter said, “Over the past decade we have introduced new majors, increased our athletics offerings, made a strong commitment to the arts, increased our financial aid, and invested in our facilities. All of these factors, and other initiatives, have led to an increase in traditional student enrollment and retention and the demand for more student housing. It’s an exciting time to be at the University of Mount Olive.” 15

Educational Opportunities Getting Ready for Trojan First: UMO Bound: New Freshmen planning to attend UMO in Fall 2015 who have been accepted and have paid their deposit are requested to attend one of the following special days especially designed for them. The purpose of Trojan First is to provide information to accepted students about their admission status, scholarships and financial aid, athletic programs, and campus life. Students will also complete their Fall 2015 class schedule. Trojan First is scheduled for Friday, June 19 and Friday, July 17, 2015. New freshmen should choose the date that best suits their schedule. To be sure you are eligible to attend: 1) Complete the online application at <www.umo.edu>. 2) Have your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores sent to: Admissions Office, University of Mount Olive, 634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, NC 28365. 3) Pay confirmation fee: $50 for commuters; $100 for residential students. 4) To register for this important day, go to <https://www.umo.edu/admit-student-form> or contact <admissions@moc.edu> or call (800) 653-0854. Other admitted student days are also scheduled. Choose the best date and get registered. Limit of two guests per student. Scholarships and financial aid: Make your college attendance affordable! All college students, regardless of age, should complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) each year in order to maximize the assistance they can receive to offset the cost of attending the University. • It is best to complete your taxes for the calendar year 2014 before completing the FAFSA. The IRS data retrieval tool, which is a part of the FAFSA form, will enable you to use your tax information to complete many of the FAFSA questions. If you want to do the FAFSA prior to filing your taxes, please gather your W2s and other tax information before attempting to complete the form. • Go to <www.fafsa.aed.gov> to find the online form. Call UMO at (800) 653-0854 for assistance. Institutional Scholarships for traditional students are awarded based on high school and/or college achievements (merit), talent (athletic, music, art), or financial need. Some scholarships are available for students majoring in special programs, also. Consult with your admissions representative to learn more <www.admissions@umo.edu>. The #1 Value in Adult Education Programs is at the University of Mount Olive. Programs are available in seated, one-night-a-week options and online at locations near you in Research Triangle Park, Wilmington, Jacksonville, New Bern, Washington, and Evening College in Mount Olive and at Johnston Community College in Smithfield and now in Fayetteville. Early Childhood Program to be offered in nontraditional format at Fayetteville Partnership for Children beginning in Fall 2015. Contact the Evening College Admissions team for more information at (844) UMOGOAL. Program offerings at UMO locations include the associate degree in general studies, and bachelor degree programs with majors in business administration, MIS (online), accounting (online), human resources (online), healthcare administration, criminal justice (online), early childhood, religion, and leadership. Contact <admissions@umo.edu> to learn more about when and where programs are offered and for start dates to accommodate your schedule. Online programs at UMO: The University now offers several programs that are totally online, with 24/7 access: • Master of Business (MBA): admissions requirements can be reviewed at <www.moc.edu/programs-of-study/online/ mba>. Contact Darrius Douglas, MBA online admissions representative at <ddouglas@umo.edu> for assistance. • RN to BSN: applicants who have completed their two year degree in nursing and are licensed nurses wishing to complete the bachelor degree in nursing online can contact Nina Ciric at <nciric@umo.edu> for more information. • Criminal Justice: applicants wishing to complete the criminal justice and criminology degree online can contact Joe Reynoso, admissions representative at <jreynoso@umo.edu> for more information.

UMO Offers New Technical and Professional Communication Certificate The University of Mount Olive is offering a new certificate in Technical and Professional Communication (TPC). The certificate equips UMO students with the tools necessary for today’s global economy by providing hands-on learning and real-world examples. The certificate curriculum can be completed in one academic year or less and includes 12 semester hours. Students do not need to have a degree in order to pursue the certificate. The courses include public speaking, business communication, advanced composition, and technical writing. “The TPC certificate will allow students in any academic program to enhance their résumés, stand out to potential employers, and move up in their company,” said Dr. Alexis Poe Davis, director of the Quality Enhancement Plan and coordinator for the TPC Certificate at UMO. “UMO alumni are excellent candidates for the TPC certificate as well. Most likely they’re

already in the workplace, and the TPC certificate could open doors for promotion within their organization or perhaps even a career change.” Davis noted a report by the National Commission on Writing, which indicates that more than half of all companies in the U.S. take writing skills into account when making promotion decisions, and two-thirds of all salaried employees in large companies have some writing responsibility. “Large American corporations spend more than $3 billion annually to remedy their employees’ writing deficiencies,” Davis said. “The UMO student who has completed the certificate in Technical and Professional Communication is already ahead of the game and will stand out to an employer.” For more information about the TPC certificate, contact Dr. Alexis Poe Davis at <adavis@umo.edu>.

Easter Dinner Easter dinner is one of the great spring semester traditions at the University of Mount Olive. It is a night where faculty and staff members serve students a special meal. Students are asked to make table reservations and dress up for the event. Emily Schneider, UMO director of student activities, said, “This year’s dinner was another success with around 340 students participating. It is a fantastic opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to interact in an environment of cheer and fellowship. Whether serving the food, or simply eating amongst close friends, every member of our campus looks forward to this event!” 17

House Memories An important address for me personally is: 307 East Second Street. But the house number has changed in Ayden, North Carolina, now. And there is no longer an “East” or “West” to Second Street. The house at that location belongs to a new family. I hope that they love that house as much as my family did. We made memories for four generations. Sweet memories, memories tied to the church just around the corner, Ayden Free Will Baptist Church. What is it about a location that draws us back to our roots? This house does that for me. I was born there, in the front downstairs bedroom on a late summer night in September, 1946. For a while after my birth, all four generations lived in this house. They were my great-grandmother, Celia, whose husband had built the house in 1907; my grandparents, Ed and Anna; my parents, Ed and Joyce; and the eagerly awaited new baby, Celia. Ed, Joyce, and Celia would soon move 65 miles away, but the house never failed to beckon for summer vacations, all holidays, and many weekends. The primary residents, though, were the elder Celia, the elder Ed, and Anna. Celia lived there from 1907 until her death in 1977. Ed lived there once he had married Anna in 1918 until his death in 1982. Anna lived there from 1907 to 1982, moving away only because she didn’t want to live alone after Ed died. Longevity doesn’t make a house a home, though. Only love does that. And there was plenty of love at 307 East Second Street. I remember the family room in the house, always called

the “back porch,” because it was an enclosed sun porch. When Celia was getting older, into her nineties, her farm manager and nephew Leslie declared in a visit one day that she had a “gold mine” in that room. He meant not to imply wealth, but to say that she had a room filled with peace, a quiet room, where she sat by the Siegler heater, on one side, radiating warmth, and a window, on the other, also radiating warmth. She herself was radiating warmth in the form of love for all her many visitors. Sunday afternoon was the preferred time for calling on Celia and her family. There were many nephews and nieces who visited, for Celia had come from a large family. This is where I heard family stories that delighted me. Kirby, one nephew who lived just two houses away, told such hilarious tales of the escapades of him and his brothers as children that my grandmother Anna would constantly exclaim, “Kirby, you just must write all this down!” Celia’s younger daughter, Cora Lee, her husband Harry Lee, and their children and grandchildren visited often also, though Cora Lee came most often not on Sunday but after one of her frequent trips to Greenville. In the summer, on one of my childhood visits, I would often be delighted to look out and see Aunt Cora Lee coming in with her granddaughter Gladys, just my age and a delightful playmate. The current pastor at the Ayden Free Will Baptist Church, twice the Rev. C. H. Overman, often visited as well. And Dr. Burkette Raper and his wife Rose of Mount Olive College came. There was never any hint that Celia’s final years were lonely. She Article continued next page



FREEDOM WEEK

2015

Summer Camp at Camp Vandemere

 18

Sunday, June 28through July 2, 2015

Mark your calendar and make your plans to join us for Freedom Week 2015. We are planning toward a spirit filled week with lots of fun, too.



Applications will be available by contacting Ronnie or Wanda Taylor at (910) 324-4663 or <ronniewanda@embarqmail.com>. Be among the first campers to use the new facilities at the new and improved Camp Vandemere.



Bible speaks to us but the Psalms speak for us. Our voices can be tools for great good. However, our voices also have the T hepower to injure. It often starts out with something small, a comment, a brief conversation. At times, we may express our opinion

in a critcal way (Did you see how he or Do you know why she?) Our questions and comments may sow seeds of doubt and distrust that can hurt someone’s reputation. Another word for this is gossip. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about your words, and let it transform any heart attitudes that might be prompting gossip. Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight.” Be a blessing with your words. 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.

Spreading the Word. For Life!

with locations in

Ayden • Kinston • mycrossandcrown.com

continued from previous page

encouraged visits by the gentle spirit of love that she emanated. This is the way it ought to be, in my estimation. We live too lonely and isolated lives, separated as we are frequently by distance as well as inclination. We are too caught up in selfimposed isolation to just “go calling,” as it was known. And we think that we need to phone first. Nobody thought of phoning Anna before showing up at her back door. And she wouldn’t have had it any other way. In our isolation, we often don’t feel loved. Oh, we know that God loves us, but sometimes he seems distant as well (for we often become distant from Him, not talking to Him in prayer nearly often enough to keep up the communication). Younger generations are trapped by computers, and keeping in touch by email and texting—sometimes almost constantly. Technology takes its toll.

Sometimes we need to take a break. Almost none of us would give up our gadgets, but we need to be sure that we rule them, not the reverse. And we need more afternoons of friendly visiting, in a house where we are welcomed. The house at 307 East Second Street now belongs to another, whom I have heard loves the house also. Time marches on. We can’t live in memory, but memory can sustain us in isolated moments, harkening us back to a simpler world—where Kirby told stories of an even earlier time. The mind is its own place, and it can make a place of love when treated gently and given resources of companionship to draw upon. That is my hope for you today, that you will make the house you live in a place of love, a welcoming place for you and your family, as well as friends who might stop by just to say “hello.”

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 (now known as the University of Mout Olive). 19

2600 W. Vernon Avenue • Kinston, NC 28504 • (252) 526.9908

Home Missions & Evangelism

A pl ace DEC wher ISIO e NS a re m ad

Home Missions and Evangelism is excited to host the Annual Missions Rally. We would like to encourage everyone to come and join both Foreign Missions and Home Missions for the rally. If you haven’t been to the annual rally, make this your year. Along with your contributions to the missions outreach of Original Free Will Baptists we would like for each church to bring as many unchurched people as possible. As a part of the Rally, we will have a testimony from one who came to a life intersection. The Taylors will share the gospel in song and an evening message entitled “Drawing All Out of Darkness”

Home Missions & Evangelism 2600 West Vernon Avenue Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 526-9908 www.homemissionsandevangelism.com

The Annual Missions Rally Wednesday, May 20, 2015

 Pre-Rally Concert: 7:00 p.m.

Special Guest:

 Annual Missions Rally Opening: 7:30 p.m.  Presentation of the Missions Offering: The Reverend Harold Jones

Executive Director of Foreign Missions

 A Moment of a Life’s Intersection The Reverend Justin Barnett  Special Music: The Taylors  Evening Message: “Drawing All Out Of Darkness”

An Intersection: A Place Where Decisions are Made Both Foreign Missions and Home Missions and Evangelism would like for everyone to come and enjoy this night together. The donations given on this night will be dispersed as designated. All contributions received that are not designated will be divided equally between Foreign and Home Missions. If you are unable to attend and would like to contribute you may do so online and on Facebook. These sites are secure and may be convenient for your busy schedule. Thanks for your prayerful support and we greatly value every prayer and every contribution…we could not do what we do without your support!

Satan’s Favorite Christians “You’re my favorite kind!” he shouted. His voiced echoed as though it came from a deep abyss. His dark red and black cloak trailed behind him as he eyed the woman before him. She was scared and crying and obviously confused. Unfortunately though, it was her own doing that she found herself here. “No! Please not here! I am a Christian!” she cried and screamed. Terror was flooding her even more. “Christian’s don’t come down here,” pillars of fire and smoke shot from all around as his voice rumbled. “Like I said, you’re my favorite kind! You think you’re Christian because you prayed your little ‘save me’ prayer but you never actually meant it nor did you do anything to make me think you had really changed.” He paused and turned away, “and now, you’ll pay for it.” “I went to church! I tried not to do bad things! I…I….” “Church doesn’t save you!” He jumped forward and grabbed her by the hair. “NO!” Read through Psalm 26. Scholars believe this is a passage that shows what the ideal participant of worship should possess. Worship here implies a lifestyle that exemplifies God in all we do, think, and say. This passage speaks on the topic of integrity—doing what we say we do. These verses go through saying “I do do [this]” and “I don’t do [that].” But towards the end, in verse 11, David says he will walk in his integrity but also, “redeem me.” Why does David need to be redeemed if he does everything right as the previous verses indicated? Because, as we know, David did not always do right. Shall we recall his adultery

“You’re my favorite kind because you don’t see what you did wrong. You only see what you did right. And I love that. Here are a few examples: You never tried to talk to that Mormon coworker about who Christ really is. You never admitted to stealing from the grocery store. You never admitted that you lied on your tax returns. You weren’t faithful to your husband. You verbally abused your kids. You sat in your pew on Sunday mornings and never actually acted like Christ was real.” He waved his hand to a deformed creature standing nearby. It rushed forward and opened a large rocky metallic door. As he did, flames burst out and the heat intensified. “Throw her in. I am done talking. Today is a busy day here in Hell.” As she screamed and cried the demons and the devil pushed her forward and through the door. Her time had come. (From a dramatized rendition of the play ‘Judgement House.’)

with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, her husband? In the first verses of this passage David sets up what the ideal worship life— Christian life—should look like. We should wholeheartedly trust in God. We should walk in His faithfulness. We should not associate with those not of our faith. We should hate evildoings. We should live lives of innocence. We should give thanks, and so on and so on. Our integrity is shot down when we do not do what we say we do. On the other hand, our integrity can be sustained by doing what we say we do. When we stray from the path God has called us to walk as His sanctified children we have committed hypocrisy. We must ask for forgiveness

from God, make amends to people where necessary, and live a changed life before both God and people. My prayer is that we be the people we say we are. We must stand against injustice, whether it be in the lives of others around us or in our own lives. We must stand up for holiness. Won’t you live the integrable life God has called you to live? Satan’s favorite Christians are those who ignore God’s Word and disregard holy living. And although we will falter and fail in some areas of our lives, and our integrity may become damaged, there is still more than enough grace to cover us all of our sins. Be set apart to live for God, and your integrity will take care of itself.

Andrew Mozingo resides in Winterville, North Carolina and is employed with the Free Will Baptist Press. He is studying religion with a concentration on Christian Ministries as a student of Liberty University Online in Lynchburg, Virginia. After finishing his bachelor’s degree with LUO, he plans to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for further training. His aspirations are to become a youth pastor and eventually hold a full-time pastoral position. Andrew is engaged to Michaela Dixon of Kinston, North Carolina with a wedding date set for fall 2015. 22

with Nora Koonce Avery

God is Always On Time I nervously glanced at the clock. I had a customer coming over in a few hours that needed some photo restoration work performed and I didn’t have the software I needed. I had purchased a new computer and had tried to transfer the software from my old computer but the file wouldn’t open, no matter what I did. There was no way I would be able to work on these photos without it! The only other option would be to purchase the newer version of the software, which would run around $500. I didn’t have that kind of money. I then did what I always do in desperate situations. I prayed a desperate prayer with faith that God would show me what I needed to do. Throughout the Bible we see God answering prayers at the last minute. In Genesis, God told Abraham to take his son Isaac up on a mountain and to offer him on an altar as a burnt offering. “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). God didn’t tell Abraham which mountain to go to. He only told him to go and promised to reveal which mountain

in due time. Then when they reached the designated mountain, there was the issue of what was to be offered as a sacrifice. “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together” (Genesis 22:7–8). I have often thought how hard it must have been for Abraham to have to wait to see God’s plan revealed. Until the last minute he didn’t know how—or if—Isaac would be spared, but he trusted God and God came through just in the nick of time with a ram that had gotten caught in a thicket by his horns. In Acts, we see Saul being given directions by God, “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). Note that God didn’t tell Saul at that time what He wanted Saul to do, but let him know that He would tell Saul after he arrived in the city. There was an incident that I remember from my childhood that also demonstrates

God’s faithfulness at the last minute. My Dad, who was a logger, had been out of work for some time due to wet weather. We had very little in the house to eat, and no savings to tide us over. I remember asking my mother about a cousin that I adored, and my mother told me that he and his family might come for a visit in a little while. Later that afternoon they did, and brought with them needed funds to purchase groceries. We didn’t have a telephone, and neither did my Uncle and Aunt, so my mother had no way of knowing they were on their way to our house, except by her strong faith in the Lord. Shortly before my photo restoration client was due to arrive, I poured over the internet one more time searching for answers as to why this software wouldn’t work, and there in tiny print I got a suggestion to check to see if a driver needed to be updated. I clicked on the link and downloaded the needed driver, then again tried to open the software. It worked! God had led me to the right website to get the needed fix. Whether it is a life or death situation or a simple computer problem, God always comes through, just in the nick of time.

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. 23

1233 North Fork Road • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • (828) 669.7677 • www.cragmontassembly.com

Cragmont Assembly

What’s Happening at Cragmont?

Seeds Planted A few weeks ago a former summer youth camper returned for a brief visit. She now directs the children’s ministry at her church. She brought the senior and youth pastors of the church to give them an hour tour of Cragmont. It was her “camper memories” that bought the threesome here to consider using Cragmont for a church retreat. It was exciting to see her excitement over the additions and improvements to the facility she had loved as a child. It was especially wonderful to hear the pastors who had made the trip with her share the excited anticipation she had revealed as they made the journey. She did not just want to come see Cragmont; she wanted others to know her “Cragmont Experience.” That excitement was a very special testimony to the seeds Cragmont had planted in the life of that young woman when she was a camper. This visit brought to mind another visiting former camper who had come by a few months back. This was her second visit within the last twelve months. Both visits were very brief and lasted only about an hour. This time she brought her primary school age son. A part of the visit involved showing her son Cragmont. This you woman had come to Cragmont with her counselor parents before she was old enough to be a regular camper. She returned year after year through her growing-up years as a camper and later as a counselor. Clearer imprinted on our Cragmont memories are the summers she came as a camper during YFA week and spent the weekend at Cragmont so she could be a counselor AFC week. Now she wanted her child to see this place where seeds for Christian service had been planted in her life. These visits have caused us to remember other lives into which Cragmont planted seeds. One young woman who experienced a summer camp week at Cragmont serves her local church as Sunday School superintendent. Another young woman from the same church started out as a Cragmont camper and later served as the “gofer” for the director of General Youth II and then as a junior counselor. She now directs youth activities and the Christmas program at her home church. These seeds that have flourished are not listed to overlook the preachers and others who work full-time in some area of Christian work, but to show that the far-reaching effect of Cragmont touches the lives that sit in the pews. It includes those who earn their living at another job and still give of their talent and ability to the church of Jesus Christ.

As in the ‘Parable of the Sower,’ Cragmont has cast many seeds for the Master. Surely through the summers of Cragmont’s existence some seeds have fallen by the wayside and a camper returned home untouched by their week at Cragmont beyond some fun. Truly some seeds fell on stoney ground and the zeal for Christ that was embraced at Cragmont faded quickly away. There were other campers who have allowed the plants from those seeds to be crushed and their Christian commitment stolen by the world when they returned home. But some Cragmont campers took those seeds and nurtured them and produced abundantly for Christ. Some campers have never forgotten. They have turned that Cragmont experience into a lifetime commitment. Some campers hunger to pass that experience in Christ that they knew at Cragmont on to others. All this leads to our yearly request for your prayers for Cragmont’s summer camp weeks. Our challenge to you as an individual or as a group is to choose a week from the summer camp schedule and start praying for that week of camp today. Pray for the director of that week, for the counselors and for the campers. Pray for them as they prepare to come. Pray especially for them during their week of camp. Continue to pray that the seeds they have planted will produce bountifully when they return home. Pray that God will bless these leaders with an extra measure of godly wisdom, patience and love. Pray for campers to have a rich and wonderful Cragmont experience that will be a part of their continuing walk with Christ. Also pray for the Cragmont staff this summer. We are small in number and we face long, busy days. Choose a staff member that you promise to be a special prayer warrior for this summer. Pray that our staff will serve with Christian love and commitment to provide for physical needs to the soil of our campers’ lives will be ready to receive the Master’s seed.

2015 Cragmont Summer Schedule Ministerial Association of OFWB • May 31–June 4, 2015

Josh Whitfield • 1079 Beaver Creek Road • Deep Run, NC 28525 • (252) 286-3014 • deeprunpastor@gmail.com

Dayspring Retreat • June 10–13, 2015

Joan Little • 7063 Stantonburg Road • Farmville, NC 27828 • (252) 753-3217 • jlittle@nc.rr.com

Christian Cadet Conference • June 15–20, 2015

Joey Williams • 139 Windyfield Drive • Goldsboro, NC 27534 • (919) 734-9080 • jwilliams@stoneycreekchurch.net

Cragmont Youth Conference • June 22–27, 2015

Angela Mattox • 1469 Wintergreen Road • Cove City, NC 28523 • (252) 671-7176 • cragmontyouthconference@gmail.com

Youth Frontier Conference (YFA/AFC) • June 29–July 3, 2015

Frankie Baggett • 5403 Weyerhaeuser Road • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746-7850 • frankiebaggett@embarqmail.com

Pee Dee Youth Conference • July 6–11, 2015

Heath Connor • 727 Mount Olive Road • Bladenboro, NC 28320 • (910) 740-4454 • heathkellieconner@yahoo.com

General Youth II Conference • July 13–18, 2015

Brad Williamson—Director: (252) 244-0207 • Wilma Parker—Registrar: (252) 522-0967 P. O. Box 6423 • Kinston, NC 28501 • wilmaparker@embarqmail.com

General Youth I Conference • July 22–25, 2015

John Hill, David Currie, Todd Sutton—Directors • Todd Sutton—Registrar: (252) 747-7567 6801 NC Hwy 222 E • Stantonsburg, NC 27883 • toddsutton1@gmail.com

Young People’s Bible Conference • July 27–31, 2015

Chuck Owens • 218 Wildwood Road • Havelock, NC 28532 • (252) 733-9031 • copo22@nc.rr.com

Cornerstone Woman’s Conference • August 2–7, 2015

Joan Little • 7063 Stantonburg Road • Farmville, NC 27828 • (252) 753-3217 • jlittle@nc.rr.com

Emmanuel Woman’s Mini-Conference • September 11–13, 2015

Joan Little • 7063 Stantonburg Road • Farmville, NC 27828 • (252) 753-3217 • jlittle@nc.rr.com

Cragmont Staff: John, Arlinda, Phyllis, Brenda, Daniel, Becky Jo, Stephanie

Meet at the Table for Velma’s Hearth To our honor roll of woman’s auxiliaries who participated in the “Meet at the Table” project for Velma’s Hearth we are proud to include: Oak Grove Woman’s Auxiliary (Pee Dee)—$100 Phase Three of Velma’s Hearth will begin during the next winter season. Hopefully if funds continue to arrive we will be able to purchase and install some new equipment in the kitchen area. If you have not had a “Meet at the Table” event to benefit Velma’s Hearth consider planning one for this summer. “Meet at the Table” is simply what OFWB have always done especially well. Plan an event where you eat and sell tickets or receive a free will offering for Velma’s Hearth.

Strength for the Journey Hear the Sounds… Woman’s Retreat Program (Hosted by the Albemarle District)

Thursday, May 14, 2015 Free Union Original Free Will Baptist Church Pinetown, North Carolina  Hear the sounds of “Gathering” Registration and Refreshments—8:30 a.m.

 Hear the sounds of “Journeying” “Bible Study” for all “Ministry and Fellowship” of service “Recognition, Stewardship and Accomplishment” “Footsteps” and walking time “Happy” sounds of remembering “Music” sounds of Traditional, Contemporary, Gospel “Worship” the Lord of Lords and King of Kings

 Hear the sounds of “Personal” information • Something for women of any age • Three Breaks • Very short business session for delegates after the program • Lunch—$5 including beverage • Lodging—Hampton Inn Washington (30 minutes from Free Union)

Call (252) 940-4556 for a reservation; Mention OFWBWA Convention for a special group rate. Come “Hear the Sounds” with Christian Friends as we gain “Strength for the Journey” from each other, from the program, and from the Holy Spirit.

— Dianne B. Riley — Program Prayer Chair

• Have you taken an assessment to determine the status of your Christian Education program? • Do you have a systematic method for training your teachers and other leaders? • Do you encourage the use of the resources available through the Sunday School Ministry? • When was the last time you invited someone from the Sunday School Ministry to visit your church and share the benefits of its program?

• Are you exploring different scheduling strategies to meet the needs of your congregation?

Sunday School Ministry

Is it growing? Is it stagnant? Is it on the decline?

P. O. Box 39 • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746.4963 • www.ofwbsundayschool.org

What Is The Status of Your Sunday School On Any Given Sunday Morning?

• Do you require background checks for your Christian Education workers, especially for the younger children? • Do you know your mission statement and the objectives for the Christian Education Ministry in your church?

Remember: The status of your Sunday School will determine the health of your church.

P. O. Box 39 • Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746.4963 • www.ofwb.org

Convention News

THE 103rd ANNUAL SESSION of the

Original Free Will Baptist Convention Wednesday–Thursday, May 20–21, 2015 Kornegay Arena & Raper Hall on the campus of the University of Mount Olive Strengthening The Church (Acts 16:5)

Worship Services Each Morning • Reverend Greg Barnes, Wednesday Speaker Special Music by Mr. James Kirby

• Reverend Don Ribeiro, Thursday Speaker Special Music by Reverend Duane Casey

• Fifteen Different Workshops on Wednesday • Strategic Planning Goals and Objectives • Plenary Session “Strengthening the Church” by Reverend Gary Bailey on Wednesday

• Misson Rally Wednesday Night hosted by the Board of Home Missions & Evangelism

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. on Thursday Sessions begin both days at 9:00 a.m. For more information, visit our website at: www.ofwb.org The Original Free Will Baptist Headquarters P. O. Box 39, Ayden, NC 28513 • (252) 746-4963 28

Original Free Will Baptist Convention May 20–21, 2015 Workshops Theme: “Strengthening the Church” (Acts 16:5)  Small Group Studies (Brad Williamson—Rm. 111): How to organize and conduct a small group study in your church. What are the pros and cons of this method of study? What subjects are available? Where do I get resources? How long does a weekly session last? How do I keep the group together after the initial study is complete?  Developing a Youth Activities Center (Ronnie and Josh Hobgood—Rm. 112): Creating a place and a purpose for our youth.  Revolving Worship (Doug and Melanie Seymour—Rm. 116): How to have an effective blended worship experience. It’s not just about music….  Innovative Preaching (David Hines—Rm. 120): Ministers have different mannerisms and styles in the pulpit. This workshop will help you enhance your delivery. Also discussed will be some do’s and don’ts for Sunday Morning.  How to Inspire and Motivate the 30-to-50 Age Group (Rick Warren and John Hill—Rm. 130–131): Kids have camp, music and more. Seniors have socials, trips and fellowship. What are we providing for the in-betweeners?  The Basics of Successful Church Music Ministry in the Small Church Setting (Vernie Fountain—Rm. 132)  Stabilizing the Church (Barry Stallings—Rm. 135): A declining church cannot reverse course until it first determines the cause of the struggle, and then works to level out. Once everyone understands the issues and seeks to actively and positively resolve them, then the slow process of sustainable growth can be realized.  The Healthy Church (Gary Bailey—Rm. 136): It’s all about Attitude.  Changing Times for Changing Worship (De Eakes & Marci Rollins-Smart—Rm. 137): Is Sunday at 11 a.m. locked in stone? This workshop highlights different worship/study activities that can be conducted at unusual times.  Community Involvement (Charles Renfrow—Rm. 209): Getting your church outside its walls will do more for the people within its walls…not to mention blessing the community you serve.  Focusing on Your Strengths (Roger Haithcock—Rm. 226): As individuals and as a church, we must learn to do what we do best. Find your strength, develop your strategy, practice your presentation…and then watch as others catch on! Rose Hill OFWB Church shares their strategies in creating and maintaining a community food bank.  Evangelism in the Local Church (Ronnie Taylor—Rm. 239): Elton Trueblood stated that, “the greatest field of evangelism in the world today is in the congregation of the local church.” This workshop will help share ideas for in-house salvation through consistent loving, caring and nurturing of those who struggle with their faith.  A Room for Prayer (Joe Crumpler—Old South Foods Conference Room): You’ll do nothing else here but pray—45 minutes of heart-felt communication with God. Prayer starters and suggestions will be available.  Preach It, Brother! (Rudy Owens—Rogers Chapel): Three hours of preaching by those new to the ministry or ministers searching for a place to minister. Pastoral Search committees are encouraged to be a part of these sessions.  OFWB Strategic Planning (Rick Watson/Al Warrick—Southern Bank Auditorium): A look at some of the Goals and Objective you suggested at area Strategic Planning Sessions and possible means of implementation. The one-hour sessions will begin at 1:20, 2:30, and 3:40 on Wednesday afternoon, May 20, at the 2015 Convention. Our theme for 2015 is “Strengthening the Church” from Acts 16:5 (nkjv). Our goal is to provide doable, workable solutions to difficult situations facing today’s church. Students should be able to return to their church with a mind-set that says, “This problem has a solution and here’s how we, as a church, can work together to solve it.” 29

Book reviews in this column are not meant to reflect any theological or political positions.

Max Lucado, Cast of Characters Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012. 230 pages. ISBN 978-0-8499-4673-8.

Christian Lessons from Biblical Characters Max Lucado Max Lucado serves as the minister to Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife Denalyn have three daughters: 8-year-old Jenna, 6-year-old Andrea, and 3-year-old Sara. He has spent a lifetime preaching, teaching, and writing, giving to readers inspirational books, children’s books, and gift books. His newest book, Cast of Characters, is an in-depth look at some of the common characters in the biblical stories—Jarius, Nicodemus, Jesus’s brothers, Mephibosheth, Josiah, Job, the thief on the cross, and others. Lucado takes these stories and adds his own modern twist, linking our common lives to the cast of characters in the biblical stories. Some 23 chapters present characters, begin with a biblical reference, and end with questions for reflection and discussion. This book may serve as a helpful resource in sermons, lessons, and meditations.

Among Some of the Women in the Cast of Characters Max Lucado develops the stories of the unnamed women caught in adultery, Simon and Mary loving Jesus in Bethany, and the woman with the issue of blood. Each of these three women appear as sources for spiritual guidance to questioning followers of Jesus Christ. Take the unnamed woman caught in adultery. Lucado stresses the power of shame to destroy the human spirit. He recalls the story of 18-year-old Rebecca Thompson who with her 11-yearold sister Amy were kidnapped and thrown from the Fremont Canyon Bridge some 40 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. Rebecca had been raped but had protected her younger sister Amy. However, in the push from the 112-foot bridge, Amy died while Rebecca lived. For 19 years Rebecca felt shame and guilt: she had survived while her sister had died. Then later Rebecca jumped from the Fremont Canyon Bridge—her suicide an act of “shame” and “never-ending guilt” (82). Lucado takes this story and links it to the deep shame the woman, who was caught in adultery by the Pharisees (the “appointed custodians of conduct”), felt (83). The trap had been set for her; she had been caught while the man escaped. The Pharisees hoped to corner Jesus with the Mosaic Law that 30

commanded stoning a woman to death for adultery. But Jesus writes in the sand and turns the law around. In John 8:7, Jesus states, “Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her” (85). The Pharisees drop their rocks and shuffle out. Jesus tells the woman in John 8:10–11: “I also don’t judge you guilty. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore” (86). What message is Jesus leaving? Do not feel shame. You are loved and found not guilty. His message comes not from writing in the sand but from God’s love soon to be seen even on a cross. The story of Simon and Mary loving Jesus in Bethany reflects the courage of Simon and Mary at a time when the Pharisees were after Jesus. Simon had been healed of leprosy and did not forget Jesus. Mary had once been perhaps a prostitute and knew what it meant to be without friends, misunderstood, and cast aside. Risking danger, they both love Jesus in Simon’s home in Bethany. Simon feeds Jesus while Mary brings a “large vial of perfume from her house to Simon’s” (16). The perfume “was worth a year’s wages” (16), but Mary in a risky, extravagant act of love pours the fragrance over Jesus’s head, shoulders, and back, creating reprimand from the disciples present but praise from Jesus. What was his message? Lucado claims: “There is a time for risky love. There is a time for “extravagant gestures. There is a time to pour out your affections on one you love. And when the time comes—seize it, don’t miss it” (17). The story of the woman with the issue of blood is the story of a woman who merely wanted to touch the clothes of Jesus to be healed of her excessive bleeding. What Lucado sees in this story is the fact that the woman did something to find a cure—she took a step of faith, which she risked, for her need. And what did Jesus do? In Mark 5:34, Jesus speaks: “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole…” (43). Lucado believes this woman as Veronica, “the woman who walked the road to the cross with him,” wiping his forehead along the way “when the sweat and blood were stinging his eyes” (44).

Among Some of the Men in the Cast of Characters Max Lucado presents new ways of seeing Jacob wrestle with his past; Cornelius as a man labeled; Philip as a member “of the continued on next page

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bigotry-demolition team” (52) in Samaria and Gaza; Noah as the one bringing a “leaf of hope” (71); Peter and others as “highoctane” (95) witnesses after they had been with the resurrected Jesus; Nicodemus the high-court Pharisee who learned the limits of the law in the light of grace” (102); Ananias as the soul who would not give up on Saul (115); Nathan as the soul pushing David to confront sin in order to “put it away” (125) and allow God to begin anew in his life; Jesus’s four brothers, James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, as his physical family but not his larger spiritual family; the leper who was healed first by faith and its pronouncement only to be followed by the touch of Jesus (175); crippled Mephibosheth who sat at the table of King David; Josiah who “leapfrogged” (193) back in time to find his dream of faith; Job who both heard and saw God (205); and the thief on the cross whom Jesus saw, valued, and loved (225).

Images in Lucado’s Writing Max Lucado has a way with words that creates a poignant interest, a new perspective, and a memory device. He speaks of Jacob wrestling with God on the banks of Jabbok as Jacob “rolled in the mud of his mistakes” (24). He describes the paralyzed man where his feet “hung like ornaments on the ends of his legs” (61) and his “hands dangled like empty sleeves from his sides” (61). He defines a “divine love burst” (63) as leapfrogging the physical in order to deal with the spiritual (63). He describes Christians who bring hope to others as members of “the dove brigade” (75). He discusses “canyons of shame” (82) that run deep and “gorges of never-ending guilt” (82). He describes Annas and Caiaphas

as “the power brokers of Jerusalem” (95). He describes a farmer who plants “a seed of grace” (106). Before Paul’s conversion, he sees Saul’s possibility of becoming a Christian “as soon as a turtle learns to two-step” (111). Before Nathan got to King David, Lucado describes David’s soul as resembling “a Canadian elm in winter. Barren. Fruitless. Gray-shrouded” (122). He describes a drifter “wearing alcohol like a cheap perfume” (141). He claims that “Satan is to God what a mosquito is to an atomic bomb” (162). He speaks of leprosy as “death by inches” (171). He speaks of Mephibosheth “dropped like a cantaloupe from a torn paper sack” (185). He speaks of Peter being “awash in a whirlpool of sorrow” (211).

Lines Worth Remembering Certain lines in Max Lucado’s new book, Cast of Characters, are worth remembering. Among some of these loaded lines are these: (1) “Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good” (41). (2) “Conformity is not fun, but it’s safe” (104). (3) “There is something fundamentally good about taking time to see a person” (142). (4) “God’s holiness commands headline attention” (153). (5) “Heaven gives the boat, but you have to row it if you ever want to see the other shore” (183). (6) “As grace sinks in, earthly labels fade” (184). (7) “Reach for God’s goblet of grace and drink. Grace defines who you are” (186). (8) “All of us are signing on Jesus’s credit card, not ours” (225). (9) “Courage comes as we live with Jesus” (96). (10) “Hope is an olive leaf—evidence of dry land after a flood” (70).

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.

P. O. Box 210 • Mount Olive, NC 28365-0210 • (919) 658.5250 • admin@ncfcm.org • rwarren@ncfcm.org

NC Foundation for Christian Ministries

Thinking About What’s Next Thinking About Life After Death A vital part of Christian doctrine deals with understanding eternal life or life after death. For the early Hebrews, living forever meant having progeny—bearing children so that your name would “not depart from the earth.” Eternal life was through your “seed.” Subsequent to the exile in Babylon, they adopted a notion of the soul and came to believe that the soul could live on after death and some believed in the possibility of resurrection, where not only the soul would live on, but the body as well, would enter into some kind of afterlife. The Apostle Paul considered the afterlife a mystery and a blessed hope. Some people interpret the gospel be more about the Lord’s Kingdom “[the Lord’s] will be done on earth…” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2) while others focus more on building for the heavenly realm “…as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2). One practical way to address both interpretations of living on is through legacy giving. A legacy gift continues our influence, our intentions, our goals and our values even after we have crossed over into the mystery. It funds “[the Lord’s] will be done on earth…” Even after we pass on to our eternal reward, our legacy can live on in the form of continued good will and works helping to fit others for Heaven. Legacy giving allows one’s church favorite ministries, or other charities to enjoy advantages of secure funding for things like youth programs, lecture series, mission trips, facility upgrades and repairs, etc. Legacy giving is one faithful way of living on.

Thinking About Legacies There are so many legacies from which we draw. Parents oftentimes leave us with a powerful set of values and a strong legacy of service and acceptance of others. Even our faith creates in us a legacy of strong biblical knowledge and curiosity and humility. Our church congregation has invested in us legacies of affirmation and opportunity, of unconditional love and friendships that stand the test of time, of nurtured faith and tested values and growing stewardship. 32

As we focus on all the blessings left us by others, we must ask ourselves: What legacy will I leave? Hopefully these will include the hope of a strong faith, the enduring power of nonjudgmental love, and perhaps even the desire to make of our lives a difference in the world. As part of this, consider how including your church, favorite ministries, or other charities in your end-of-life giving plans will provide a legacy to future generations seeking to grow in faith and wisdom. There are many ways to plan such a legacy such as life insurance, gift annuities, and trusts, but the most common way to plan a legacy gift is with a will.

Thinking About a Will Everyone has the right to a Last Will and Testament, and regardless of how much you might own at death, it is your right and responsibility to determine how your remaining assets should be distributed.

A will allows you to: 1. Provide for your spouse and other loved ones at your death; otherwise, the distribution of assets is left to state law and the courts. 2. Determine the guardianship of any minor children. 3. Identify who will oversee the distribution of your estate. 4. Provide a charitable gift to your church, favorite ministry, or other charity that will sustain the work and provide a witness to your heirs about the importance of your Christian faith and philanthropic spirit. A will should always be drawn up by a qualified attorney familiar with your financial circumstances, family situation and your wishes. Advice from an attorney and other professional advisors should be sought when considering charitable giving. To learn more contact the NC Foundation for Christian Ministries at (919) 658-5250 or <admin@ncfcm.org>.

The Foundation gratefully acknowledges these gifts given during March of 2015 in honor or memory of those listed.

The Foundation Legacy Society

 • r • In Honor of • q •  Mrs. Rhonda Jessup

Mr. Donnie E. Lassiter

Mrs. Rhonda Jessup

Mr. Donnie E. Lassiter

Mr. Michael Rouse

Mr. Donnie E. Lassiter

By Bertie A. Sanders

By Ricky and Angela Warren By Mr. and Mrs. Bill May

By Ricky and Angela Warren By Mr. and Mrs. Roger Jessup, Kaleb and Kolby

AN OPEN INVITATION TO

For those with a plan to leave a lasting legacy for good.

Retirement Income Comparison CD Rate 1 (March 6, 2015)

0.27% Annuity Rate 2 (at age 70)

5.1% 1. National Average 12-month CD rate (Source: Bankrate.com) 2. Lifetime rate from The Foundation for a person age 70

Featuring special music, a delicious meal, warm fellowship, and the distribution of over $75,000 to worthwhile charities and ministries. Tuesday, May 5, 2015 Murphy Center, University of Mount Olive

Dinner served at 6:00 p.m. • Program at 6:45 p.m. Free with advanced reservations. Please call (919) 658-5250 and give the names of those in your party no later than April 23 33

A deeper look inside this month’s lessons from the OFWB Foundation Curriculum and commentaries based on the International Sunday School Lessons.

The four Sunday School lessons this month, beginning the second Sunday in May, constitute Unit 3 under the theme for this quarter, “The Spirit Comes.” These lessons come from 1 Corinthians 12–14, and Acts 2. In 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul addresses some problems in the church at Corinth that were brought to his attention by “the house of Chloe” (1:11). The beginning statement in 12:1, “Now concerning,” introduces a new topic—“spiritual gifts.” The Greek word for “spiritual gifts” can also be translated as “spiritual persons” or “spiritual things.” Some people have been heard to say that a minister, choir, congregation, or worship service is not “spiritual” enough to their liking. But they have used the wrong word; what they mean is “spirited,” which means lively or animated. A hymn can be calm and deeply spiritual, even if not spirited. Verse 4, with the use of the Greek word charismaton, makes it clear that Paul is talking about spiritual “gifts.” They derive from God’s grace (charis); they are gifts; they are many; they are different; but they all come from the one Spirit. Gifts are allotted as the Spirit chooses to everyone in the congregation (12:11). These gifts are given to each one for the benefit of the church, not for personal glory (12:7, 25). Lessons 1 and 2 contain two different lists of gifts in the church (only four gifts are in both lists). They are examples of the kinds of gifts that come from the Spirit; even combined it is not an exclusive list of the different gifts to Christians. Speakingin-tongues is at the bottom of both lists; in other words, Paul puts it last in importance, whereas the Corinthians thought this gift was the highest. Chapter 13 (lesson 4) makes it clear that whatever gifts one receives must be used in love (agape), else they are useless. God intends that all spiritual gifts in the congregation

with Adrian Grubbs

are to be complementary and harmonious and not competitive and divisive (12:7, 18, 24–25). Pentecost Sunday comes between the second and fourth lessons, and we look at two different kinds of glossolalia (speaking in tongues)—that experienced by the believers on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and that practiced in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 14). It should be noted that in Acts 2 Jews from all nations heard the Gospel proclaimed in their native languages, and about 3,000 were baptized. However, the glossolalia displayed by a few in Corinth disrupted worship with their gibberish, causing division in the church, and consequently was a problem Paul had to address. Glossolalia has a long and broad history in the Old and New Testaments and in the pagan religions. The best I can figure, a few members of the church in Corinth brought glossolalia into the church from their pagan past. Others will argue differently, but that is what I think at this point in time. It is true that Christianity throughout the centuries has borrowed symbols, expressions, and ideas from outside the Church that have been good and effective; but other outside influences have been brought in that were, and are, detrimental; some of those the Church officially declared to be heretical. We certainly need that gift of discernment mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10. What happened in Acts and what was happening in Corinth were two different things, even though the same Greek word is used in both places. The gift of tongues in Acts 2 is a reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel. At Babel the people were given different languages in order to divide and disburse them; on the Day of Pentecost people of different languages were drawn together, and many came to believe in Christ Jesus.

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. 34

2015 Cragmont Woman’s Retreat (s) Registration Form

Name:_ _______________________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________________ Phone:___________________________ Church:_ _____________________________________________ Emergency Contact:___________________________________ Phone #:___________________________

Woman’s Auxiliary

Please complete ONE form per person (make copies as needed) and mail with $25 nonrefundable registration fee to: Joan H. Little, 7063 Stantonsburg Road, Farmville, NC 27828 (make check payable to Cragmont Woman’s Retreat).

Rooms assigned when registration fee & form received. _____ I need a downstairs room due to medical reasons (Limited Availability). Roommates desired:______________________________________________________________________ Lodging request:

_____ Main Bldg. (2–4 per room) _____ Upstairs _____ Downstairs

_____ Lodge (3–4 per room)

_____ Motel (2–4 per room) _____ Hollifield House (6–8 per room)

_____ Girls Dorm _____ Boys Dorm _____ Floyd House (8)

CHECK Retreat and all related information which relates to that retreat. _____ Morning Star Retreat (April 10–12) • Speaker: Kathy Hayes _____ $25 registration fee enclosed ($80 [meals/lodging] due to Cragmont upon arrival). _____ Dayspring Retreat (June 10–13) • Speaker: Miriam Lamm/Jane Gainey _____ $25 registration fee enclosed ($90 [meals/lodging] due to Cragmont upon arrival). _____ Dayspring Retreat also welcomes couples/families. _____ Cornerstone Retreat (August 2–7) • Speaker: Kristie Bailey _____ $25 registration fee enclosed ($125 [meals/lodging] due to Cragmont upon arrival). _____ I plan to ride the bus at a cost of $55 (Travel Day—Sunday) The side trip will be to see Unto These Hills in Cherokee. Total Cost for side trip is $50 (Includes bus, meal, and performance) _____ $50 is enclosed for side trip. (MUST be received by July 1, 2015) _____ Emmanuel Retreat (September 11–13) • Speaker: Sharlene Howell $25 registration fee enclosed ($80 [meals/lodging] due to Cragmont upon arrival). 35

My Spider-Man Wallet I am the proud owner and carrier of a Spider-Man wallet. I bought it on a whim about a year ago. The outside is a faded blue with a vintage scene from the original comic book. I didn’t buy it to be trendy, but as a small reminder to not take myself so seriously. Apart from an occasional comment by my niece or nephew, I don’t hear much feedback (thankfully) when I take it out in public. Most people either don’t recognize it or choose not to comment. Recently, however, it did come up in conversation, and I thought the story worth retelling. I was at a restaurant for lunch one Sunday afternoon after attending an 11 a.m. worship service. After ordering something to eat at the counter, the young cashier who rang me up said, “Hey, that’s a pretty hip wallet.” Through my slightly embarrassed laughter, I awkwardly said thanks. The guy then said, to my surprise, “I just didn’t expect someone dressed like you to have something like that.” Dressed like me? I looked down—as if I had forgotten what I was wearing—and realized he must be referring to my Sundaygo-to-meeting attire: a pair of khaki pants, plaid dress shirt, and blue blazer. Admittedly, this was a pretty plain, safe look. I assumed, though, that this young man (probably 20 or 21 years old) would have known that I was coming from a worship service. “Well,” I responded, “I don’t usually dress like this during the week, but it is Sunday, so, you know, I kinda have to wear my Sunday best.” He looked confused. And he shot back, “What does the fact that it’s Sunday have to do with anything?” In this brief exchange, I realized that he was making no connection to the fact that many church goers feel the need or are expected to get dressed up (no denim or t-shirts) if they are

going to worship with a local Christian congregation. I assumed that he assumed that I was coming from church and, hence, the obligatory dressier-than-normal clothing. I was clearly wrong. Many people have written, lamented, warned about, and spoken to the reality that a lot of young people are growing up with no firm orientation in the life of the Church. Whether or not this was the case for the young man, it seems representative of a growing trend in which Christian folks can no longer assume that their practices and customs are recognized by or are the norm for everyone in our society. This is even happening in the Bible Belt. Some have referred to this as the end of Christendom in the United States, and they think this is a positive transitional period for the Church. Living in such a culture means that we have to figure out what a life of discipleship means again in a culture that doesn’t necessarily know the Church’s language or practices. Others think this is a cause for rethinking such language and practice so that the Church can become relevant once more for people who live in a culture in which church affiliation is no longer socially beneficial or expected. Either way, this young man didn’t first think that the customers coming into the restaurant must have been in worship that morning. Even if he did assume I was a church goer, he seemed to experience a complete disconnect that someone dressed in “church clothes” could also engage pop cultural things that were also of interest to him. I shudder to think that he also may have thought me to have the same values of someone like Pat Robertson. He almost certainly felt that he wouldn’t have fit in or been welcomed at any gathering from which I was coming. Sadly, I fear that he would be correct.

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.

As you may have noticed over the past three years, The Press has made many improvements. Some of these improvements include:

• A digital press supported by digital color printers • Better quality in your magazine, The Free Will Baptist (pictures and articles) • Ability to read TFWB online—in full color • Ability to shop with us online at www.mycrossandcrown.com • A news and information focused website (www.fwbpress.com) • New and improved appearance of bookstores • Speedier point-of-sale check out and inventory processes in stores • Availability of music-on-demand in stores

These improvements were requested by Free Will Baptists and necessary for The Press to remain a competitive force. They do, however, come with a great cost and have put The Press in a financial situation of struggling to generate the funds to purchase inventory and supplies and to meet weekly payroll. We, also, struggle each quarter to purchase Sunday School literature to supply our churches. And, a heating system will have to be purchased before next winter. We are in need of your help! You can help The Press in the following ways: • Share the needs of The Press with others • Pray for The Press • Include The Press in your annual church budget • Receive a special offering for The Press • Make a personal gift to The Press. (The Press is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and gifts are tax deductible.) The Press is an important ministry of Original Free Will Baptists and we are asking for your help so we can continue serving you and your church. Please prayerfully consider how you can help The Press continue its mission of “Spreading the Word.” Sincerely,

Jefferson D. Daughtry President

Spreading the Word. For Life! PO Box 159 • 3928 Lee Street • Ayden, NC 28513 252.746.6128 • 800.849.3927 • Fax 252.746.9248 www.fwbpress.com • www.mycrossandcrown.com

CHURCH MUSIC AND WORSHIP CONFERENCE CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL JULY 13-15, 2015

Campbell Divinity School Festival Choir

Luke Powery

Pepper Choplin

Randy Edwards

Dora Ann Purdy

Michael Glasgow

EXPERIENCED CLINICIANS| BREAK-OUT SESSIONS MUSIC READING SESSIONS | EVENING CONCERTS

Our Father: A Journey Through The Lord’s Prayer REGISTER BEFORE MAY 15 TO RECEIVE THE EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT divinity.campbell.edu/oasis.aspx | 1-800-334-4111 x 1962

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID 28513

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