The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - June–July 2006

June/July 2006

Volume 11, Issue 4

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?:

Missional Church Conference led by Brian McLaren Wake Forest University campus, Winston-Salem

November 2, 2006

Discussing college ministry in the local church

Experience the World: A Day Camp Event for Children

College Park Baptist Church, Winston-Salem August 12, 2006

Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh November 11, 2006

Fall Youth Retreats

Youth Ski Retreat

Youth Choir Festival

Myrtle Beach, SC September 8-10 AND 22-24, 2006

Pipestem, West Virginia January 19-21, 2007

First Baptist Church, Greensboro February 16-17, 2007

Children’s Choir Festival

Youth Ministers’ Retreat

Temple Baptist Church, Durham January 27, 2007

Myrtle Beach, SC February 26 - March 1, 2007

Congregational Leadership Training Day September 30, 2006

Single Adults’ Retreat with speaker Ka’thy Gore Chappell Wilmington October 6-8, 2006

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

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

June/July 2006

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HOPE

- DON HORTON, MODERATOR

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.

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

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CBF OF NORTH CAROLINA EXCEEDS BUDGET GOAL The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina churches and individuals who make up our fellowship, we are able reported strong giving to the organization’s ministries through to engage in missions in North Carolina and beyond, support quality its 2005-2006 budget. The Coordinating Council approved the theological education, resource churches, proclaim Baptist year-end financial statement, which showed that CBFNC principles and facilitate genuine Christian fellowship. In these days, contributors gave 103 percent of the when many churches and ministries FISCAL YEAR: APRIL 1, 2005 - MARCH 31, 2006 budget goal. This represents an increase struggle with budget deficits, there is a great in contributions of 20.4 percent over the deal of energy, enthusiasm and passion YEAR END TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS CBFNC Budget – $685,608 previous year. around CBF, both state and national, in Other – $367,961 “We are extremely grateful for the North Carolina. We invite all Baptists who Total – $1,053,569 faithful stewardship of our contributing share our values to join us in bringing partners,” said Larry Hovis, CBFNC Baptists of North Carolina together for 2005-2006 Budget Goal: $665,465 Coordinator. “Through the gifts of the Christ-centered ministry.”

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?

- 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.

June/July 2006

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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

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June/July 2006

PARTNERING CHURCHES, continued from page 4 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

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 ............................. Winston-Salem Northwest ...................................... Winston-Salem Peace Haven ................................. Winston-Salem United ............................................ Winston-Salem Wake Forest .................................. Winston-Salem Westview ........................................ Winston-Salem Winterville- .................................... Winterville Wise ............................................... Wise Deep Creek .................................... Yadkinville First ................................................ Yadkinville Maplewood .................................... Yadkinville First ................................................ Yanceyville Grace Haven ................................. Youngsville Youngsville .................................... Youngsville Zebulon ......................................... Zebulon

- 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

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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.

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

FINANCIAL REPORT APRIL 2006 CONTRIBUTIONS CBFNC Budget — $54,617 Other — $49,349

2006-2007 MONTHLY BUDGET GOAL: $65,417

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.

June/July 2006

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.

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

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- 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.

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?

Do You Want to Stay In the Know?

CBFNC has begun a Bi-Weekly E-Newsletter full of Up-To-The Minute Information on Events, Missions Opportunities, and News.

To subscribe, email us at cbfnc@cbfnc.org and ask to be added to the email newsletter list.

CBF NORTH CAROLINA 8025 NORTH POINT BLVD., SUITE 205 WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27106

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Don’t Miss the NC State Meeting June 22, 3:45 - 5:00 during the CBF General Assembly Atlanta, GA

For details, visit www.thefellowship.info

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 Carolyn Dickens, Raleigh Moderator Recorder Gail Coulter, Hendersonville Roger Gilbert, Mount Airy Moderator-Elect Past-Moderator Boyce Wilson, Winston-Salem Treasurer Glenda Currin, Wilmington David Hood, Hickory Katie Ethridge, Beaufort Steve Little, Marion Kathryn Hamrick, Shelby Greg Rogers, Greenville Larry Harper, Raleigh 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

Crystal Leathers, Hickory Mickie Norman, Leland Guy Sayles, Asheville

Staff

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

Larry Hovis ....................... Coordinator Rick Jordan ....................... Church Resources Coordinator Linda Jones ....................... Missions Coordinator Nancy Parks ...................... Office Manager Gail McAlister .................. Financial Assistant Beth McGinley .................. Office Assistant