CARINGPLACE Volume 47, Issue 2
Summer 2012
Vacation Bible School Teaching children is a blessing page 9
Someone You Should Know Meet Kristy Benefield, teacher at Mill Creek Elementary in Madison page 3
MEMORIAL DAY Remembering our veterans and their sacrifice in service to our country page 5
But I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence. Psalm 17:15
Whitesburg Baptist Church
High School Camp
Camp Speaker Jonathan Spencer
July 9-13, 2012
Set in a gorgeous splash of Alabama countryside about 16 miles south of Montgomery just off Highway 331, Fort Faith at Brigadoon offers modern, comfortable accommodations and endless acres of non-stop fun! Enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, incredible small group lessons, evening worship and Bible Study led by Camp Speaker Jonathan Spencer and Worship Leader Joshua Price. And don’t forget about the awesome late nights and talent show!
Find out more at WhitesburgBaptist.org/hsevents
Worship Leader Joshua Price
COST
$210 May 21 - June 17 $240 June 18 - 27 Register by June 27 Parent Meeting Sunday, July 1
2012 Middle School Camp Registration is over, BUT... there’s always next year!
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP 2013 JUNE 3 - 7
WhitesburgBaptist.org
Inside
CARINGPLACE Volume 47, Issue 2
Summer 2012
Contents 2 WinShape Camps Best. Week. Ever.
3 Someone You Should Know
Kristy Benefield, 6th Grade Teacher
5 Memorial Day
Remembering our veterans
9 Vacation Bible School
Teaching Children is a Blessing
Someone You Should Know page 3
the caring place
WHITESBURG BAPTIST CHURCH
Caring Place magazine exists to open a window into the multifaceted ministries of Whitesburg Baptist Church whose purpose is to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known. We desire to know Jesus Christ through the Word and Worship, to exalt the Savior through education and evangelism and to mature all believers to minister and to be on mission. Caring Place magazine is a bimonthly publication by Whitesburg Baptist Church, 6806 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, AL 35802-2299. (Permit No. 446) To get your copy call (256) 704-5678, ext. 210 and leave your mailing address. Subscription Rate: $12.00 donation a year anywhere in the U.S.
Publisher: Whitesburg Baptist Church Editor: Dr. Greg Corbin Publishing & Graphics: Melissa Schuster, Ron Snyder Editorial Assistants: Karen Tidwell, Beverly Dishman Distribution Team: Jennifer Baggett, Billy Davis, Larry Hardy, Marylin Johnson, Bob Raines, Walter Tharpe, Paul Lanier Bundling Team: Claire Byrd, Martha Cain, Jimmy Campbell, Debbie Canida, Betty D. Cloud, Mabel Evans, Nina & Tim Hopper, Marsha Quick, Linda Robertson, Barbara Saunders, Phyllis Smith, Dee Tolomei, Cynthia Williams.
Volume 47, Issue 2
Veterans talk about their service to our country
page 5
Summer 2012 | 1
By Michelle Qualls Winshape Day Camp is “the best camp ever” as my kids would say. I was very impressed at how active and busy they kept them the entire day. I have to admit that I was worried about the kids staying busy and having a lot of down time, but the kids never quit going or having fun. Even when they were in the worship time they were having a blast! The kids get to choose three of nineteen activities offered, and my kids have so much trouble deciding which ones to choose since they want to do all of them. One of my favorites from last year was the Fast Food track in which the kids got to make things themselves with average stuff from around the house. Then on the last day the parents got to come and watch the kids create their own recipe and make it for the class. It was so 2 | CARINGPLACE
much fun. The other activity I helped with last year was Photography. I was really impressed with how the teacher taught the proper techniques for taking different kinds of pictures and why they were doing it that way. I even learned some things in the class. The leader told me he did research with different picture taking styles and taught the kids those styles so they did not just walk around taking snapshots all day. They were taught how to take a certain type of picture each day and then they worked on that for the day. After having experience with these classes, I was really impressed. My daughter, Emmilee, has gone for 2 years now and is very sad that this will be her last year; she has really enjoyed it! The thing that I was most impressed by was how they shared God’s Word with the kids all
July 16 - 20, 2012 8 am - 5 pm For kids Grades 1 - 6 (completed)
day long, not just in Worship. In everything they did, they brought God into it. God is the center of our lives and always should be in everything we do. I encourage you to tell your friends and neighbors about our camp and bring them along to have a fun filled week, with God as the center of it all! I would say that Winshape Day Camp is the best camp you could send your kids to this summer! WhitesburgBaptist.org
SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
KRISTY BENEFIELD
6th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Mill Creek Elementary
W
here did you grow up, graduate from high school, college, etc.?
I grew up in Morgan County just south of Huntsville. I attended A. P. Brewer High School, and graduated in 1991. After high school, I attended Calhoun Community College for two years, and then transferred to Athens State where I received a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education.
attending Whitesburg together as we enjoyed Whitesburg’s Singles Ministry. I have two children, Josh who is 22 and Ellie who is 10. Josh is graduating from Auburn this spring with a degree in International Business, and Ellie is in 5th grade at Mill Creek Elementary. They are both wonderful! I am very proud of them!
Tell us about your family.
Tell us about your relationship with Christ and your church home.
My husband, Brent, and I were married in 1999. We dated for five years, and actually started
My real relationship with Christ did not start until I was 23 years old. I was a child that
Volume 47, Issue 2
Interview by Dr. Greg Corbin
grew up with a wonderful family, but we only went to church off and on throughout the years. My grandparents on both sides were excellent examples of devout Christians. I remember going to church with them a lot. I knew from a young age that I should accept Jesus into my heart, but never did. Through the guidance of Brent, my wonderful husband, family, and Whitesburg Baptist Church, I turned over all my fears and pains and took Jesus’ hand. What a wonderful morning that was! I was actually baptized that night with my entire family there Continued on page 4 Summer 2012 | 3
Someone You Should Know Continued from page 3
to support me. I won’t ever forget how happy my great-grandmother was that evening. The look of pride and happiness in her eyes is unforgettable. How long have you been an educator? What made you want to become an educator?
I have been teaching for 12 years. I have taught English Language Learners, kindergarten, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade. I taught kindergarten for two years, and it REALLY helped me become a better teacher. My job is very hard at times as a teacher, but I truly love it! I always had a feeling that I would love to be a teacher, but at first I went down a different path, working toward a business degree. I hate to say it, but I really did not enjoy any of the business classes! Finally, I decided to change my major to education. I always enjoyed being around children, and I did have wonderful teachers as role models in my life too.
Madison City Schools equips their teachers with wonderful technology and resources. My school system is very blessed! I also work in a wonderful environment, and have excellent co-workers. We are a family!
relationship with God with my students that they see it in my actions and attitude.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Pray that all the children that go to school wake up to a loving and caring family. So many students have to grow up so fast that they do not get to have a real childhood. I think that the students need our prayers more than the teachers. Teachers have great days when students have great days. Local school systems need us to pray for continued funding since the student teacher ratio continues to climb. Also pray for our schools to know how to attend to individual student needs. Every child is unique and school systems need to touch the life of every child. No child should be missed!
EVERYTHING! I enjoy the interaction with the students and teaching reading, language, and writing. I feel happy at school -- I know it is where God wants me. I love teaching my students new things, or reading new books with them. Seeing students relate a story we have read to their history lesson or real life is the best. I also love to see them get excited about a project or writing assignment we are working on, and WANT to learn MORE! How has God used you as a public school teacher?
I think God wants me to be a respectable role-model for my students. My students know that I Tell us about your present position love God, go to church, and teach and school. Sunday school. Everyone knows I teach 6th grade Language that public school teachers are not Arts at Mill Creek Elementary in allowed to teach/talk about God, Madison, AL. Mill Creek is only but I feel like my students know three years old, and was one of the me and know I love God. I pray first Green Schools in the state. that even though I can’t share my
4 | CARINGPLACE
How can we be praying for you as a public school teacher? How can we be praying for our local schools in general?
Tell us about any hobbies you have or anything else you would like for our church family to know.
I enjoy spending time with my family. We enjoy visiting Auburn several times a year and going to football games. Recently, we have found interest in Auburn’s equestrian events since my daughter, Ellie, loves horses - War Eagle! Relaxing at home by our pool is another favorite hobby of mine and (of course) shopping & reading! WhitesburgBaptist.org
05-28-12 MEMORIAL DAY Remembering our veterans and their sacrifice in service to our country
By Donna McIntosh
When asked to write an article with a focus on veterans, I jumped at the chance. My dad was in the Air Force during the Korean War and the mention of any veteran and the sacrifice they made in service to our country would bring a tear to his eye. Since Huntsville is a military city, we have many stories that could be told. Unfortunately, the article could only contain a couple of the stories from the following three men: Bill Mayes, Harvey Stewart, and Paul Freeman. Their service to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army represents action on the sea, in the sky, and on land. I wanted to know an essential question from each veteran: How did you see God working in the midst of the horrors of war and what lessons were learned?
Volume 47, Issue 2
before the order was given to fire. “He will never know how close he came!” said Bill Mayes. Someone On Target on watch with Bill said if he heard Bill Mayes a voice in the dark saying “This is U.S. Navy 1951-54 Korea Jehovah,” he did not know what he “Unidentified Contact, this would do, either! is Jehovah.” There was only a The USS Fechteler was one steady sound of static over the of 20 destroyers as a part of Task radio frequency. “Unidentified Force 77. Their job was to encircle Contact, this is Jehovah!” The the three aircraft carriers, three calls were more urgent as the lack cruisers, up to a dozen supply ships, of acknowledgement continued. and one battleship as a protective The approaching plane did not ring and, if necessary, put their have the IFF (Identify Friend or own ship in harm’s way to save the Foe) switched on and the order inner ships. If anything in the air, for sailors to return to their posts on or under the surface of the sea had been given. Several thousand was perceived as a threat, then the sailors were now locked and destroyers would aim at the loaded on the unsuspecting target with an “umbrella target. At the last possible of fire.” Destroyers are moment, it was later appropriately named, reported that the pilot whether they are locked realized his mistake and on a target or sacrificing switched on the IFF just Continued on page 6
Summer 2012 | 5
MEMORIAL DAY Continued from page 5
USS Fechteler circa 1954
themselves to protect. Mr. Mayes held several jobs including deck force, radar gang, and a rightside gunnery mount. While on the radar gang he was part of the Combat Information Center (CIC) and his shift consisted of watching the radar and keeping the target information on the plexiglass current and accurate. This job required him to hear information and transfer it backwards and in reverse order so it can be written on the backside to look normal to those on the front side of the glass. The plexiglass had lines radiating out and on a grid so that he could plot the coordinates. One mistake could be very costly in terms of sailors’ lives and battle strategy. He also had to use coordinates as a gunny mount. The fire control director from above would call out the coordinates and the gunnies 6 | CARINGPLACE
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/870.htm
would have to set their guns at that location. One time, two men were seen on the beach from the ship, one man in front with his arms up and the other behind him holding a gun. Looking through binoculars, the fire control director saw that the prisoner was a Marine and the gunman was a Communist. The director wanted to give the Marine a chance to escape and called for a starburst to be shot above them. The shot exploded above the two men and they both dove in a hole on the beach. After the smoke cleared, the men were observed getting up in the same order as before. As Mr. Mayes was talking, I thought of several ways these stories can apply to our daily lives. Our God, Jehovah, tries to direct our path and keep us on target. He plots the coordinates
for us to follow if we would just read our Bible daily. He provides a protective umbrella over us to deflect Satan’s fiery darts and has His own Fire Control Director, the Holy Spirit, pointing out the direction we should go. He also provides a way out when we find ourselves down the wrong path. We need to heed the warning shots He sends our way or we may find ourselves back in the same order again. And if I hear Jehovah calling for me, do I really need to have my frequency turned off or ignore his warning? Hopefully, we will know what to do!
Rice Field to Mission Field
Harvey Stewart U.S. Army World War II Korea Vietnam (2 tours)
The helicopter was crashing and he could not do anything but hang on and pray. After landing on its side, the helicopter flipped and finally rested upside down next to a stink pit in a rice field. Harvey Stewart found himself face down surrounded in mud under the helicopter. His boot was caught on something and no matter how he struggled, he just could not break free. He was drowning in the mud. The WhitesburgBaptist.org
stink pit was approximately 30” deep and dug to hold all forms of waste, animal and human. The pit provided the fertilizer when the water flooded into it and covered the rice fields. “I don’t know how it happened, but suddenly I just popped up and started praising the Lord!” He looked around and no one was standing near him and his boot was missing. He realized at that moment God had a purpose for his life while a full-blown war was raging around him. Mr. Stewart was a Pilot of the 118th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam during a tour from 1964-65. They had supplied support for the Rangers and Special Forces as a pre-service before the war. He was welcomed home in ’65 to lots of publicity. The second tour in ’70 was quite different. “I worked in the jungle for 10 months and I aged 10 years.” He was not welcomed home and found a changed America. Mr. Stewart began his career in 1945 as a 17 year old private in World War II but remained stateside. In 1950, he found himself in the middle of Korea and in the 60s and early 70s completed two tours of Vietnam. I asked Mr. Stewart about God’s plan for his Harvey Stewart Volume 47, Issue 2
life after the crash. “I saw that the military was the greatest mission field I could ever imagine.” He wanted to be in God’s Army and used the opportunities around him for Christian service. He implemented the following ministries: Assault Helicopter Company 1965 1. H i s c o m p a n y 118th http://www.118ahc.org/118thAML.htm supported an orphanage. Up to six children an Almighty God pulled him out would die per day and with of the rice field to make his job his supplies and medicines from mission field. some people in Huntsville, that rate changed to one child per week. 2. They sponsored a leper colony. Battleground 3. T h e y m a d e e s c a p e a n d Paul Freeman evacuation plans for the U.S. Army Korea Vietnam (2 tours) missionaries and practiced with them. There was no combat or 4. The Army had a 24-hour enemy aggression in the vicinity, rule between the “Bottle and so Paul Freeman thought he would Throttle.” Mr. Stewart had provide the soldiers with a treat: a his pilots fly everyday so they barber visiting the front lines. The would have to stay away from men lined up in chairs outside the area to chat and wait their turn to alcohol. The helicopter crash was a a much needed haircut. All that defining moment of his life when was missing was the barber pole. he realized that God was the one in Mr. Freeman was to be the last control and not him. Mr. Stewart of the soldiers to get his turn and got the opportunity to return to was looking forward to it when the Korea in 1992 and marveled soldier in front of him stood up to at the difference. “In ’52, the vacate the chair. Suddenly, a shot Koreans didn’t have a word for rang out and the standing soldier Jesus Christ.” He saw the amazing fell dead from a direct hit to his transformation of a country on fire Continued on page 8 for Jesus. He also marveled that Summer 2012 | 7
MEMORIAL DAY Continued from page 7
head. It was later discovered that a soldier, cleaning his rifle, did not realize that a round was still in the chamber. Even though the enemy was not close, the hazards from friendly fire could happen at any time. This was only one of many “close shaves” Mr. Freeman had while serving on the front. Mr. Freeman was part of the infantry, “where they throw hand grenades.” He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) given to those in the Infantry or Special Forces who served on the front lines. During a seven year period, his family was without their dad for three years. Having a young family at the time, I asked how he and his family endured the time of separation. He said that his wife, Martha, and their son and two daughters would get on their knees in prayer at night for him. He did the same thing for them from the other side of the world. That bond of prayer was the only weapon he and his family had to empower them to protect loved ones. He said that one had “better be prayed up before going into combat. The action was too fast and you only had time to react the way you were trained. It was when you had time to reflect on what happened that you would breakout in a cold sweat.” It was during the times of reflection that Mr. Freeman could see the hand of God working. “He acts in all, but not all are His.” We can be one of His, all we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God. The choice is ours. When Mr. Freeman returned 8 | CARINGPLACE
Combat Infantry Badge
to the States, he experienced a new battleground. There was not a name for it at the time but it is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He realized for himself it was more of a spiritual nature than a physical, mental or emotional one. He started to believe in and rely on himself instead of God for a period of two years. God worked in his life through conviction, and when Mr. Freeman asked for forgiveness of self-reliance, God took over in restoration. “It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time.” It was a slow process but he came out of it with a renewed focus on the Lord. Our own battlegrounds may not be military combat, but we each face conflicts and battles each day. If we are a believer in Jesus, we have a very powerful weapon in the form of prayer. We need to allow God to teach us how to pray and to use this weapon for His Glory and to overcome the battles in our lives.
http://www.vhpamuseum.org/awards/badges/badges.shtml
In talking with these men, I asked how God changed them as a result of being in combat. Bill Mayes was given a Bible by his future mother-in-law which he started to read on a daily basis. That Bible is a cherished possession of his today. Harvey Stewart not only considered his job to be a mission field but frequently goes on mission trips abroad. He recently returned from Jamaica on a mission trip. Paul Freeman brought his focus on prayer to Whitesburg Baptist and helped start the prayer ministry at the church. I want to thank these men for talking with me and for the many veterans we have at Whitesburg. Your service to our Lord and our country is a debt of gratitude that we cannot begin to pay. You have lived your life according to God’s principles. You affirm that Jesus is in your life and believe that He can work. You also have committed your life to His Word. Thank you for leading the way into battle, physically and spiritually.
WhitesburgBaptist.org
Teaching Children Is a Blessing!
By Michelle M. Smith Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:17-20
Serving the Lord and following the Great Commission is what drives Allison Nuckolls. The Whitesburg Baptist Church third grade Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher believes that God gave her the gift of teaching children. “I have the gift of teaching and believe I should use this gift for the Lord,” Allison said. “I love teaching the Bible to children and think it is a privilege to work with them.” Allison holds a Seminary and Masters Degree in Missions from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. She and her husband David, a computer programmer, moved to Huntsville several years ago. After searching for a strong, biblically based church, the couple discovered Whitesburg Baptist Church and soon became members. “After joining Whitesburg, I realized how much I missed teaching children, and God opened doors. I was soon serving as an assistant Sunday School teacher, which led to a lead position at Whitesburg.” Allison is now teaching third graders at The Place on Pulaski Pike. Allison feels she is making a difference for the children at The Place and it thrills her to see the Volume 47, Issue 2
Bus Ministry Kids grow and learn each week. “It is always the same group of children and they give their undivided attention to every Bible lesson,” Allison noted. “I feel like I am making a difference in their lives and because of the dynamics of this particular class, I feel I am being a light in the world and not just in a Christian bubble.” Allison is getting excited about the upcoming Vacation Bible School program, Amazing Wonders – Aviation (which will be held June 11-15), and being able to once again work with third graders, who she says are a great age group to work with. “They are all at such a fun age and are so cooperative and fun,” Allison said. According to Allison, most people make a decision for Christ as a child and she believes it is a Christian’s duty to share the gospel. “It is such an honor to see someone come to the Lord and know that God used you to do so.” At last year’s Vacation Bible School, Allison had the opportunity to lead a young girl to the Lord. Destiny stayed after class one evening and was eager to talk about what she was thinking and feeling. “Through the conversation, it was clear that she was ready to make
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 11 - 15, 2012 9 am - Noon For kids age 4 (by 9/1/11) through Grade 5 (completed). For more information visit WhitesburgBaptist.org/ kidsevents a decision for the Lord,” Allison said. “By the questions she asked and the responses she made to my questions, I knew she understood what salvation was. She prayed and asked the Lord in her heart and life and I have been blessed to watch her grow as a Christian over the past year.” Today, Destiny continues to attend classes all the time and Allison knows it provides structure and consistency in her life. “As a teacher my goal is to make learning about the Bible and God fun and teach children lessons that are applicable to their lives,” she said. Summer 2012 | 9
Whitesburg Baptist Church
Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Huntsville, AL Permit 446
6806 Whitesburg Drive Huntsville, AL 35802
the caring place
W H I T E S B U R G B A P T I S T C H U R C H
LOCATIONS & SUNDAY SERVICES Whitesburg Baptist Church 6806 Whitesburg Drive Huntsville, AL 35802
Worship 9:30 & 11:00 am Bible Study 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am
The PLACE
3911 Pulaski Pike Huntsville, AL 35810
Worship 9:30 am Bible Study 11:15 am
WhitesburgBaptist.org Pictured above: Whitesburg’s High School Choir Mission Tour Homecoming Concert