The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - June–July 2006

Come Enjoy . . . a New Way for a New Day

at the North Carolina State Meeting

3:45 - 5:00 p.m., Thursday, June 22

Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta International Ballroom F

As we all gather at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 2006 General Assembly Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, June 22 - June 23

We are using a different approach to the NC State Meeting this year . . . a New Way for a New Day in NC Baptist life. Each of our four Councils (Missions, Faith Development, Leadership Development, and Coordinating) will have a station where you can learn about and discuss their current work and plans for the coming year. We will also provide a fifth station just for mingling and networking with other North Carolinians. Visit www.thefellowship.info for complete information on the General Assembly.

CBFNC HAS PLANNED A YEAR OF FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, MISSIONS, AND LEARNING

Visit our website at www.cbfnc.org or call us at 888-822-1944 for all the details and to register for any of these events.

Youth Fun and Fellowship Day

Emerald Pointe Water Park, Greensboro

July 25, 2006

Where are all the 20 Year Olds?:

Discussing college ministry in the local church College Park Baptist Church, Winston-Salem August 12, 2006

Fall Youth Retreats

Myrtle Beach, SC

September 8-10 AND 22-24, 2006

Congregational Leadership Training Day

September 30, 2006

Single Adults’ Retreat with speaker Ka’thy Gore Chappell

Wilmington October 6-8, 2006

Missional Church Conference led by Brian McLaren

Wake Forest University campus, Winston-Salem November 2, 2006

Experience the World: A Day Camp Event for Children

Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh November 11, 2006

Youth Ski Retreat Pipestem, West Virginia January 19-21, 2007

Children’s Choir Festival

Temple Baptist Church, Durham January 27, 2007

2007 CBFNC General Assembly First Baptist Church, Hickory March 16-17, 2007

Youth Choir Festival First Baptist Church, Greensboro February 16-17, 2007

Youth Ministers’ Retreat Myrtle Beach, SC February 26 - March 1, 2007

Spring Youth Retreats The Vineyard Camp, Westfield April 20-22 AND 27-29, 2007

Hope, like the word love, is used so frequently and flippantly today, it has lost much of its true meaning. We casually say, “Hope you have a good day,” “hope you feel better,” or even “hope you win the lottery” without any deep down feeling or desire that these things really happen.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines hope as “1. To entertain a wish for something with some expectation. 2. To be confident.” To have hope, there must be some expectation that the wish will come true.

According to the topical index in the New American Standard Bible , The New Open Bible Study Edition, hope is “the expectation of future good.” Certainly, this type of hope is a cornerstone of our Christian faith. This hope for the future is clearly stated in 1 Peter 1:3 (NASB), “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Now that we have found hope for our lives through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we must ask the question, “What is my responsibility to my fellow man?” Shall we receive hope and not give hope to others in return? I believe the answer is at least threefold.

First, we must share the source of our hope with the millions that do not know Jesus as their personal savior. We must do this by presenting the relevant story of Jesus to an uninformed, and in many cases, unconcerned, world. This spreading of hope can only take place by simply lifting up Jesus, not by tearing down other religions. Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection are powerful enough to stand the test without our feeble efforts to help by condemning others. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “. . . ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ And she said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go your

“BAPTISTS IN THE FUTURE” WILL BE THEME OF RALEIGH EVENT

What will be the face, the conviction, the reputation of Baptists in 2050? That is the theme of a dinner-dialogue set for Monday, June 12, at First Baptist Church of Raleigh. CBFers are welcome to attend and participate in the event, the final program in a six-month emphasis upon Baptist Identity at First Baptist, Raleigh. Host pastor, Dr. Dan Day says the June 12 event will feature brief presentations on the theme by three younger generation Baptist leaders and a panel/dialogue follow-up to be moderated by Dr. Randall Lolley, former president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and member of the host church. The three presenters are Dr. Bill Shiell, pastor of First Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN; K. Hollyn (Holly) Hollman, Chief Legal Counsel of Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Larry Hovis, Coordinator of CBFNC. The meal begins at 6:15 p.m. with the program immediately following. Meal reservations ($5 per plate) are available through the church office: (919)832-4485, or firstbaptist@fbcraleigh.org.

- DON HORTON, MODERATOR

way. From now on sin no more.’” (John 8:10b-11)

Second, we must nurture hope within our communities. Each person’s community begins with his or her family. We must put our energy into growing a caring and loving family that seeks to serve each other. When that is accomplished, it will be easy to extend that care and love to our church family and to the larger communities where we live and work. The expectation of future good is nurtured as good is observed growing in ever expanding circles.

Third, we must revive our concern for all of God’s creation throughout the world and resolve to act in Christ’s name to change negative expectations into positive ones. People are starving both spiritually and physically around the world; but more and more are being fed by Christians who are choosing to act on their hopes rather than sit on their doubts. Our natural environment is increasingly at risk from ignorance and greed; yet, its restoration has often proven successful with simple concerted effort. We must share our resources through organizations that have earned and continue to earn our trust as they minister to the spiritual and physical needs of those less fortunate than we are. We must also unite to ensure appropriate stewardship of our natural resources to provide a hopeful future for our children.

Yes, there is hope as we wish expectantly for a world where families love and care for each other; where churches and communities thrive as family love and care spill over onto those around them; where the needy are lovingly provided food, clothing, shelter, and the gift of God’s Word; and where we care for God’s creation. I am confident that all of this will happen if we place our hope in Jesus and follow his example by practicing what we preach.

We Welcome These New (or Returning) CBFNC Partnering Churches as of 5/15/06

Boonville.........................................Boonville

Durham Memorial ..........................Durham

Elizabethtown................................. Elizabethtown

Fairplains ....................................... Fairplains

Florence ..........................................Forest City

College Park ...................................Greensboro

Emerywood High Point

First................................................ Huntersville

Lillington ........................................ Lillington

First................................................ Lincolnton

Bear Swamp Littleton

Antioch ........................................... Mamers

Haymore Memorial Mount Airy

First................................................ Plymouth

Calvary Reidsville

Bethel Robbinsville

First................................................Robersonville

Jonesboro Heights Sanford

RockyRiver Siler City

First................................................ Smithfield

Crossroads Fellowship ...................Weldon

First................................................West Jefferson

Winterville ......................................Winterville

Wise................................................Wise

CBF OF NORTH CAROLINA EXCEEDS BUDGET GOAL

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina reported strong giving to the organization’s ministries through its 2005-2006 budget. The Coordinating Council approved the year-end financial statement, which showed that CBFNC contributors gave 103 percent of the budget goal. This represents an increase in contributions of 20.4 percent over the previous year.

“We are extremely grateful for the faithful stewardship of our contributing partners,” said Larry Hovis, CBFNC Coordinator. “Through the gifts of the

FISCAL YEAR: APRIL 1, 2005 - MARCH 31, 2006

YEAR E ND TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

CBFNC Budget – $685,608

Other – $367,961

Total – $1,053,569

2005-2006 Budget Goal: $665,465

Received: 103%

HOW TO MAKE YOUR MISSION TRIP BETTER!

Before you go! In addition to packing . . .

•Take the time to learn about the people & culture.

•Prepare a 2-minute personal testimony:

•My life before I knew Jesus.

•How I came to know him as the leader of my life.

•My life since! How has God been working in my life.

•Daily give thanks to God for the opportunity to go!

•Pray, pray, pray for the people you’ll be building relationships with, for the work, for your health, for your team, for God’s glory to be revealed!

•Don’t take anything with you that you can’t afford to lose!

While you are there!

•Keep a daily journal.

•Include the day’s happenings and how you feel about it.

•Especially be aware of where you are experiencing God.

•Pace yourself; new climate, new situation.

•Be flexible (maybe even “fluid”).

•Accept the schedule, know that things change!

•Get the facts before jumping to conclusions.

•Ask God for strength, patience, wisdom and a peaceful attitude!

•Get to know everyone!

•Relationships with the people are more important than the task at hand.

•Be sensitive to the culture and the people you’ll be encountering and the missionaries you’ll be serving with.

•Respect their customs – no jokes.

•Be sensitive when taking pictures – ask permission first.

•Don’t make promises to the people there. (You might forget once you get home!)

•Above all, have a servant’s heart.

When you return!

•Individually and as a group, reflect on your experience.

•What was the best day?

churches and individuals who make up our fellowship, we are able to engage in missions in North Carolina and beyond, support quality theological education, resource churches, proclaim Baptist principles and facilitate genuine Christian fellowship. In these days, when many churches and ministries struggle with budget deficits, there is a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and passion around CBF, both state and national, in North Carolina. We invite all Baptists who share our values to join us in bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christ-centered ministry.”

- LINDA JONES, MISSIONS COORDINATOR

•What was a lesson you’ll never forget?

•The day that made it all worthwhile?

•What surprised you?

•How did the experience affect your prioirites?

•What was your most enjoyable experience?

•What was your greatest disappointment?

•In what ways did you see God?

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world…. let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.”

Missions Partnering Requests – Just click on “Missions” at www.cbfnc.org to read more about these projects!

Belize: Scholarships are needed for pastors attending the Baptist Bible School of Belize. A scholarship of $3,000 (or $1,000 a year) covers a student’s cost of all 20 courses toward a Pastoral Ministries Certificate.

Moldova: A Van Fund and a Camp Fund have been established for the Betesda Orphanage in Chisinau, Moldova.

Helena, Arkansas: Teams, families, and individuals are encouraged to come this summer to help build a pool house, to be a part of the swimming instruction team, or to participate in the ACC (All Church Challenge) that will include a kids camp, building renovations, and a community garden.

Ukraine: To receive email updates on the Village of Hope in Kiev, email Jeffrey Vickery at jandtvickery@msn.com. Keep in prayer the NC teams traveling to Kiev this spring and summer. Lens, France: The Louvre is building a second museum about 200 yards from the Baptist Church in Lens, France. As the museum expects to attract 500,000 visitors yearly, the church has begun renovations on their own facilities. Learn how your group could travel to help them with this project.

Pearlington, Mississippi: Volunteer homebuilding, framing, and roofing crews are needed in this community hard hit by Hurricane Katrina.

PARTNERING CHURCHES APRIL 2005 - MARCH 2006

Partnering Churches for the twelve months ending March 31, 2006, are listed below. Churches contributing to CBFNC are listed in bold type. Churches that contribute to CBF National only are listed in regular type. This list does not include churches who partner with CBFNC or CBF in other, non-financial ways and may not include churches who support CBF National through Plan C of the Baptist State Convention Cooperative Program Missions Budget, as this information is not consistently reported to CBF. If you believe your church should be listed but it isn’t, or if your church is listed in error, please let us know at (888) 822-1944 or cbfnc@cbfnc.org.

Earlys .............................................Ahoskie

First...............................................Ahoskie

First................................................ Albemarle

Angier............................................Angier

Neill’s Creek..................................Angier

Woodhaven....................................Apex

First...............................................Arden

First................................................Asheboro

Oakwood Park...............................Asheboro

West Asheboro...............................Asheboro

Calvary..........................................Asheville

First...............................................Asheville

Grace.............................................Asheville

Lily Branch....................................Bakersville

Calvary..........................................Beaufort

First of Smithton...........................Belhaven

Benson...........................................Benson

First...............................................Biscoe

First...............................................Black Mountain

First...............................................Bladenboro

Lennons Crossroads.....................Bladenboro

First...............................................Blowing Rock

Boiling Springs.............................Boiling Springs

First...............................................Boone

Charity........................................... Boonville

Boonville....................................... Boonville

Mount Moriah Calvert...................Brevard

First...............................................Bryson City

First...............................................Buies Creek

Memorial.......................................Buies Creek

Bullock..........................................Bullock

Burgaw..........................................Burgaw

First................................................Burlington

First...............................................Burnsville

First................................................Butner

Calypso..........................................Calypso

Hominy..........................................Candler

Greenwood Forest........................Cary

Westwood.......................................Cary

Casar..............................................Casar

Chadbourn....................................Chadbourn

Piney Forest...................................Chadbourn

Mount Carmel...............................Chapel Hill

North Chapel Hill..........................Chapel Hill

University......................................Chapel Hill

Park Road......................................Charlotte

Pritchard Memorial........................Charlotte

Providence.....................................Charlotte

St. John’s.......................................Charlotte

Sardis.............................................Charlotte

Shamrock Drive.............................Charlotte

First...............................................Clayton

White Oak.....................................Clayton

Clemmons First............................Clemmons

First................................................Clinton

Rowan............................................Clinton

McGill...........................................Concord

First................................................Cornelius

First...............................................Cramerton

Cullowhee.....................................Cullowhee

First................................................Denton

First................................................Drexel

First...............................................Dunn

Westfield........................................Dunn

Calvary..........................................Durham

Cedar Fork..................................... Durham

Hope Valley...................................Durham

Lakewood......................................Durham

Lowes Grove..................................Durham

Temple ...........................................Durham

Watts Street....................................Durham

Yates..............................................Durham

Edenton.........................................Edenton

First...............................................Elizabeth City

Elizabethtown...............................Elizabethtown

First...............................................Elkin

Elm City........................................Elm City

First...............................................Elon

Emerald Isle..................................Emerald Isle

Antioch..........................................Enfield

Enfield........................................... Enfield

Enka..............................................Enka

Fair Bluff......................................Fair Bluff

First................................................ Fairmont

Fairplains...................................... Fairplains

The Chapel Door..........................Fairview

First...............................................Farmville

Cedar Falls....................................Fayetteville

First...............................................Fayetteville

Lafayette........................................Fayetteville

Lake Lynn .....................................Fayetteville

Mount Pisgah................................Fayetteville

Snyder Memorial..........................Fayetteville

First...............................................Forest City

Florence........................................Forest City

Mount Vernon...............................Forest City

First...............................................Four Oaks

Pauline..........................................Four Oaks

Burningtown.................................Franklin

Franklinton...................................Franklinton

Aversboro Road.............................Garner

Covenant.......................................Gastonia

First............................................... Gastonia

Loray............................................. Gastonia

New Hope......................................Gastonia

Ranlo.............................................Gastonia

First...............................................Goldsboro

First...............................................Graham

Brandt Oaks..................................Greensboro

College Park..................................Greensboro

First...............................................Greensboro

Guilford.........................................Greensboro

Korean Mission.............................Greensboro

Lindley Park..................................Greensboro

Southeast.......................................Greensboro

Arlington Boulevard......................Greenville

Immanuel......................................Greenville

The Memorial ...............................Greenville

Oakmont........................................Greenville

Hallsboro....................................... Hallsboro

First................................................ Hamlet

Flat Rock.......................................Hamptonville

Carey.............................................Henderson

First...............................................Henderson

Providence.....................................Hendersonville

First...............................................Hickory

Penelope........................................Hickory

Viewmont .......................................Hickory

Hiddenite.......................................Hiddenite

Emerywood...................................High Point

First...............................................High Point

Parkwood......................................High Point

Cane Creek....................................Hillsborough

First...............................................Hillsborough

Hobbsville.....................................Hobbsville

First...............................................Huntersville

Lake Norman.................................Huntersville

Jackson..........................................Jackson

First................................................

Jamestown

First...............................................Jonesville

First...............................................Kannapolis

First...............................................Kernersville

Union Cross..................................Kernersville

Quaker Gap....................................King

Spilman Memorial........................Kinston

Oak Ridge Kittrell

Knightdale..................................... Knightdale

First...............................................Laurinburg

Goshen...........................................Leland

North Brunswick Fellowship.......Leland

College Avenue..............................Lenoir

First................................................Lenoir

Churchland...................................Lexington

First...............................................Lexington Jersey.............................................Lexington

Reeds.............................................Lexington Lillington....................................... Lillington

First...............................................Lincolnton Bear Swamp..................................Littleton Littleton Littleton

Mission..........................................Locust Louisburg......................................Louisburg First...............................................Lumberton First...............................................Madison Antioch.......................................... Mamers First...............................................Marion Mars Hill .......................................Mars Hill First...............................................Marshall First............................................... Marshville First................................................Mayodan New Bessemer...............................McLeansville First...............................................Mebane Mount Adar...................................Mebane Eatons............................................Mocksville First................................................Mocksville First...............................................Monroe Aaron.............................................Montezuma First...............................................Mooresville First...............................................Morehead City First...............................................Morganton Calvary..........................................Mount Airy First...............................................Mount Airy Flat Rock.......................................Mount Airy Haymore Memorial.......................Mount Airy Piney Grove...................................Mount Airy First...............................................Mount Gilead First................................................Mount Holly First...............................................Mount Olive Murfreesboro................................Murfreesboro First...............................................N. Wilkesboro First...............................................New Bern Kendalls.........................................New London First...............................................Newland Trinity............................................Newton Oak City........................................ Oak City Enon..............................................Oxford Hester............................................Oxford Oxford...........................................Oxford Roberts Chapel..............................Pendleton Mount Gilead.................................Pittsboro Pittsboro.........................................Pittsboro First...............................................Plymouth Hephzibah......................................Princeton Athens Drive..................................Raleigh First...............................................Raleigh Forest Hills...................................Raleigh Greystone......................................Raleigh

PARTNERING CHURCHES,

Hayes Barton................................Raleigh

Hillcrest .........................................Raleigh

HomeStar Fellowship...................Raleigh

Longview.......................................Raleigh

Macedonia.....................................Raleigh

New Community............................Raleigh

New Hope......................................Raleigh

Ridge Road....................................Raleigh

St. John’s.......................................Raleigh

Tabernacle.....................................Raleigh

Temple ...........................................Raleigh

Triangle .........................................Raleigh

Trinity............................................Raleigh

First................................................Red Springs

Calvary..........................................Reidsville

Richfield........................................Richfield

First...............................................Richlands

Rosemary.......................................Roanoke Rapids

First...............................................Robersonville

First................................................ Rockingham

Lakeside........................................Rocky Mount

Rileys Creek..................................Rocky Point

Rolesville.......................................Rolesville

Rose Hill........................................Rose Hill

First...............................................Roseboro

First...............................................Rowland

Lamberth Memorial......................Roxboro

Roxboro.........................................Roxboro

First................................................Rural Hall

First...............................................Rutherfordton

Enon............................................... Salisbury

First................................................Salisbury

Neel Road......................................Salisbury

Ephesus..........................................Sanford

First...............................................Sanford

Flat Springs....................................Sanford

Jonesboro Heights........................Sanford

Double Shoals...............................Shelby

First...............................................Shelby

Poplar Springs...............................Shelby

continued from page 4

Ross Grove....................................Shelby

Zion...............................................Shelby

Rocky River...................................Siler City

Nobles Chapel...............................Sims

First...............................................Smithfield

Sharon...........................................Smithfield

First...............................................Southern Pines

First...............................................Spindale

Spencer..........................................Spindale

Ephesus.........................................Spring Hope

First................................................Spring Hope

First...............................................Spruce Pine

First...............................................Stanfield

Mount Zion....................................Stanley

First...............................................Statesville

Concord.........................................Stedman

First............................................... Stoneville

Brunswick Islands.........................Supply

East Sylva......................................Sylva

First...............................................Sylva

First............................................... Taylorsville

Teachey..........................................Teachey

First............................................... Tryon

Round Hill.....................................Union Mills

Cornerstone...................................Valdese

First................................................Wadesboro

Spring Hill..................................... Wagram

Heritage.........................................Wake Forest

Wake Forest..................................Wake Forest

Woodland.......................................Wake Forest

First................................................ Wallace

First Fellowship............................Wallburg

Warrenton...................................... Warrenton

First...............................................Washington

First................................................Waynesville

First...............................................Weaverville

The Summit...................................Webster

The Church at Weddington................................Weddington

Crossroads Fellowship.................Weldon

NORTH CAROLINA’S RESPONSE TO PEARLINGTON NEED

Pearlington is a small town in South Mississippi, located on the banks of the Pearl River, sitting on the Mississippi/Louisiana state line. Pearlington was home to almost 1800 residents, but that number has decreased to around 900 since Hurricane Katrina. The day after the storm there were no habitable structures in the town. Today there are a few homes that have been rebuilt.

Many people have no plans to return at this point in time. Others look forward with optimism to the time their homes and lives are rebuilt. One reason so many people have this spirit of optimism is because of hope instilled by many of the faith-based groups that have poured out their labor, love, and resources. And, on a positive note, let’s not be critical of governmental response for they have had to deal with unprecedented widespread destruction, the magnitude of which the United States has never experienced. Many of their homes were destroyed or severely damaged by the storm.

One fact that seems to leap off the pages of my calendar of volunteer groups is the number of groups from North Carolina that have responded to the disaster in Pearlington. The volunteer groups have been dominated by folk from North Carolina, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Canada. Over 40% of the volunteers that have worked through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship have been from North Carolina. Why? Perhaps the answer lies in the

Weldon........................................... Weldon

Baptist Tabernacle.........................Wendell

Wendell.......................................... Wendell

First...............................................West Jefferson

Little Helton...................................West Jefferson

Fishing Creek...............................Whitakers Hickory ..........................................Whitakers

First...............................................Whiteville

Mount Zion...................................Whiteville

New Hope......................................Whiteville

Wilkesboro..................................... Wilkesboro

First...............................................Wilmington

Masonboro....................................Wilmington

Myrtle Grove................................. Wilmington

Winter Park...................................Wilmington

First...............................................Wilson

Wingate.........................................Wingate

Ardmore........................................Winston-Salem

College Park..................................Winston-Salem

Covenant........................................Winston-Salem

Fellowship.....................................Winston-Salem

First...............................................Winston-Salem

Knollwood.....................................Winston-Salem

Konnoak........................................Winston-Salem

Mineral Springs.............................

- DR. CHARLES R. HOLMES

fact that North Carolina is one of the strongest CBF supporters. Another reason may well be that their own experiences with hurricanes has given them the attitude of “Been there. Did that.” They may KNOW the need from first hand experience and feel driven to return that which they received. Yet, on another level, they may simply be imbued by the Christ who says “Inasmuch as you have done for the least of these, my brothers, you have done for me.” Whatever the motivation may be the citizens of this area will never forget what you did, and are still doing, for them. They may forget your names and faces but they will never forget the outpouring of your hearts, hands, and pocketbooks. No one made me a spokesman for Pearlington, but as a long-term resident of “the football field of Pearlington,” let me say on behalf of the area’s residents, THANK YOU! You have made my job easier. You have touched the lives of so many people. Keep up the good work!

Charlie Holmes is the CBF Disaster Response Coordinator in Mississippi. You may contact him at:

601-519-2785 or cholmes162@netzero.net

WHERE ARE ALL THE 20 YEAR OLDS?

There are ministries that every church struggles with. Some churches do better than others, based on their ministers’ priorities, their layperson’s interest and expertise and demographic dynamics. I’m thinking of specialized ministries, such as those for the grieving, the divorced, and the mentally or physically handicapped. All of these persons and the families around them are dealing with challenging issues with powerful emotions and deep spiritual needs. We can learn from one another – how does your church minister to _______ ? We can adapt a sister church’s methods to our situation. We can learn about resources that give our ministries depth and give our leaders confidence.

Part of what we in the CBFNC office do is read church newsletters and listen to church leaders so we can glean information that may be helpful to another church. Our missions handbook is based on this kind of “overhearing” and then “sharing.” It’s sort-of like gossip, only more helpful. Gossip fools the teller into thinking they are superior to the subject. This kind of sharing, however, has the teller sharing, “We are not superior, but we found one way that works. What can we learn from you that will help us to minister even better?”

One group most churches struggle with is college students.

“FOR THE FIRST TIME . . .”

- RICK JORDAN, CHURCH RESOURCES COORDINATOR

Recently, I attended a seminar on collegiate ministry among moderate Baptist churches. In his closing statements, John Pierce said this: “Every community is a college community.” I think he’s right. Some of us have a university within the shadow of our steeple. Others of us have community colleges within a couple of miles. All of us have college-aged students who live in our community, some of whom were raised in our own church. That makes our community a college community. There are 462,275 college students in North Carolina. Some of our churches are doing a remarkable job in ministering to these persons who are going through important transitions in their lives. Other churches shrug off this responsibility, as if to say, “We’ll just wait till they have kids and come back.” Most of us are in between those poles.

I would like to invite you to “Where are all the 20 Year Olds?,” a discussion on how churches can better minister to college students. We’ll gather around these subjects: small groups, mission trips, a church’s welcoming attitude, evangelism, internationals, community-college ministry and ministers as mentors. Join the discussion at College Park Baptist Church in Winston-Salem on Saturday, August 12 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. We will have a $7 box lunch available for those who have reservations by August 4. Call us to register. Some who come will be strong in one or more areas. No one that I know of is strong in all areas. We’ll all have something to learn.

- JIM HAMBLEN

Larry Hovis, Coordinator for CBFNC, reminded those gathered at the First Fellowship Baptist Church in Wallburg, NC, on Sunday, April 30, 2006, that we were participating in an event that would be considered as “first” from several perspectives.

•First Fellowship Baptist Church is the “first” congregation that was organized totally affiliated with CBF.

•The ordination of Jim Hylton, pastor, was the “first” time CBF had been asked to coordinate the ordination of a minister.

•The ordination was the “first” conducted by First Fellowship Baptist Church.

It was, truly, a momentous and historical occasion. While there were visitors from Pilot Mountain Baptist Association and other churches in the area, the members of the congregation filled most of the leadership roles in the worship service.

Larry Hovis presented the ordination sermon. All who desired were invited to participate in the “laying on of hands” which ended with Jim’s father, Dr. Paul Hylton, offering the final blessing.

The significant moments in this celebration for me were: the clear and profound responses from Jim during the examination period; the genuine love between Jim and the congregation; the warmth of the “welcome” to all the guests; and the Presence of the Holy Spirit in that place.

To God be the Glory…great things He has done to us . . . with us . . . and for us!

Jim Hamblen recently retired as Associational Missionary of the Pilot Mountain Baptist Association.

L to R: First Fellowship Chair of Deacons Bobby James, Jim Hamblen, Jim Hylton, and Larry Hovis.

FAMILIES ON MISSION

What did you do over Spring Break? Go to Florida? Take a cruise? Visit relatives? Do chores around the house? Go to work as usual and try to find something around town for the kids to do?

For five families from Winston-Salem, Spring Break 2006 was unlike any other and may serve as a new pattern for the way they approach this holiday for years to come. These five families (including the Hovis family), all members of Ardmore Baptist Church, joined together to engage in a Spring Break Family Mission Trip and Vacation. Our group consisted of ten parents and ten children who ranged in age from 10 to 16 years old. Each family drove its own vehicle and paid its own expenses with the adults taking vacation time from work. We spent four days working with CBF of Mississippi in Pearlington, Mississippi, to help with the recovery effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, followed by four days playing on the white sand beaches of Alabama’s gulf coast.

- LARRY HOVIS, COORDINATOR

our devotions were led by the children (girls one night, boys the other). On Maundy Thursday, our family led the group and we shared the Lord’s Supper together. There were no church staff members along to lead the group or organize our activities. It truly was a shared leadership experience, with everyone contributing his or her gifts and talents and no single person being “in charge.” I don’t recall anyone ever losing his or her temper or experiencing hurt feelings. It was an amazing “faith laboratory” in which the spiritual ideals we often talk about (priesthood of the believer, ministry of the laity, shared life in Christian community, utual respect and support, and others) were lived out in a way rarely seen in most families, churches or groups.

Our time in Mississippi was coordinated by Charlie Holmes, who had recently taken over directing the Pearlington project for CBF Mississippi (see related article on page 5). Pearlington is a small, unincorporated town near the Louisiana border that for a while after the hurricane was virtually neglected by the outside world. Though located several miles from the Gulf of Mexico, parts of the town were twenty feet or more under water. We were impressed by the way various volunteer groups have come together to help this community rebuild and proud of the leadership and service provided by CBF volunteers, including a large contingent from NC. In our group, adults and children alike worked hard hanging drywall, painting, surveying the neighborhood and visiting with folks (most of whom are living in trailers while their homes are being re-built), and working in the “Pearl-Mart” (the elementary school gymnasium which has been converted into a resource center for obtaining food, water, clothing and other supplies). We worshipped on Sunday and were served meals on weekdays at the First Baptist Church of Pearlington, an African American congregation which, as an expression of gratitude for the volunteers from around the country who have come to Pearlington, has provided wonderful, hot meals five days a week for up to three hundred workers a day. The dedication, devotion and graciousness of these dear friends in Christ were an inspiration to the members of our team.

Each night, during both phases of the trip, the families gathered together for evening devotions. Leadership of our worship time rotated among families, including two nights in which

Since I took my first mission trip as a college student twentyfive years ago, some of my best memories and life-changing moments took place on mission trips. This recent experience was no exception. I encourage you to consider undertaking a similar journey. If you have children or grandchildren, please consider including them. It will give you an opportunity to participate in missions, build relationships with Christian friends, experience the joy of serving the Lord, disciple your children in the faith, and have a wonderful time in the process. If you need help in finding opportunities, contact Linda Jones in our office. She would be glad to connect you with various possibilities. (A good option for the summer of 2006 is the All Church Challenge in Helena, Arkansas.)

We hear a lot these days about the Missional Church. It’s a vitally important concept. I think we also need to explore the topic of the “Missional Family.” Our families, our churches, and the world for which Jesus gave his life would all benefit from such a movement. For families to adopt a missional lifestyle will require that they do more than participate in a mission trip for a few days a year, but it’s a good start. What will your family do on its next vacation?

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CBF North Carolina

June/July 2006

Phone: (888) 822-1944 • (336) 759-3456

Fax: (336) 759-3459 cbfnc@cbfnc.org • www.cbfnc.org

Coordinating Council

Don Horton, Zebulon Moderator

Gail Coulter, Hendersonville Moderator-Elect

Carolyn Dickens, Raleigh Recorder

Roger Gilbert, Mount Airy Past-Moderator

Boyce Wilson, Winston-Salem Treasurer

Glenda Currin, Wilmington

Katie Ethridge, Beaufort

Kathryn Hamrick, Shelby

Larry Harper, Raleigh

David Hood, Hickory

Steve Little, Marion

Greg Rogers, Greenville

Roy Smith, Raleigh

Faith Development Ministry Council

Randy Barrington, Winnabow

Jennifer Baxley, Henderson

Elizabeth Edwards, Nashville

Bruce Hartgrove, High Point

Cindy Joy, Oxford

Karen Metcalf, Raleigh

Kristen Muse, Raleigh

Jeff Pethel, Rolesville

Blythe Taylor, Charlotte

Tim Wilson, Hickory

Leadership Development Ministry Council

Kitty Amos, Winston-Salem

Rhonda Gailes, Blowing Rock

Ron Glover, Monroe

Kheresa Harmon, Erwin

Burke Holland, Belhaven

Ken Massey, Greensboro

Pam Riley, Durham

Wayne Wike, Matthews

Larry Williams, Louisburg

Steve Zimmerman, Mebane

Missions Development Ministry Council

Cecelia Beck, Forest City

Kendell Cameron, Whiteville

Jim Everette, Wilmington

David Hailey, Raleigh

Carolyn Hopkins, Cary

Christopher Ingram, Smithfield

Bill Jones, Newland

Shirley Kool, Sylva

Judy LeCroy, Lexington

Jack Watson, Apex

CBF Council Members From NC

Sheri Adams, Boiling Springs

Jack Glasgow, Zebulon

Scott Hagaman, Marion

Bill Ireland, Winston-Salem Staff

Larry Hovis Coordinator

Crystal Leathers, Hickory

Mickie Norman, Leland

Guy Sayles, Asheville

Rick Jordan Church Resources Coordinator

Linda Jones Missions Coordinator

Nancy Parks Office Manager

Gail McAlister Financial Assistant

Beth McGinley Office Assistant

Don’t Miss the NC State Meeting June 22, 3:455:00 during the CBF General Assembly Atlanta, GA For details, visit www.thefellowship.info