June 2013

THE WEST VIRGINIASOUTHERN BAPTISTJune 2013 VOL. 43, NO. 5

A Cooperative Program ministry gladly sharing the truth and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the stories of our Lord’s work in and through the churches of West Virginia Southern Baptists.

call Kim at 304-757-0944

The West Virginia Southern Baptist2

THE WEST VIRGINIASOUTHERN BAPTIST

(USPS 097-990)

Greg Wrigley, Editorgregwrigley@wvcsb.org

304-757-0944

Published nine times per year byThe West Virginia Convention

of Southern BaptistsNumber One Mission Way

Scott Depot WV 25560-9406.

www.wvbaptists.org

Note: No paid advertising or subscriptions accepted. This

paper is fully funded by Southern Baptists in West Virginia.

Periodicals Postage PaidScott Depot, WV 25560

and additional mailing offi ces

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

The West Virginia Southern BaptistNumber One Mission Way

Scott Depot, WV 25560-9406

The WVCSB is Building Strong Foundations for a Strong Future

We are focused on ministries thatBuild the Kingdom:

Missions and EvangelismPrayer and Spiritual Renewal

Communication and Public RelationsStrengthening Churches

Fellowship...Fulfi lling the Great Commission

Executive Director Terry Harper

From the Executive Director:

Dear Friends,

I think we would all agree that the day in which we live is a very different time as far as preaching the Gospel and sharing Christ. We are living to witness America become a very dark place that seems to be far from the Living God and with little or no tolerance toward those who seek to practice true Christianity. Our secular media and those with a very worldly mindset have sought to push convictional Christians out of the limelight and into the shadows and really want to make us hush up and go away.

How should we respond to such a hostile attitude? I think the day demands that Christians respond with a loving and sweet spirit, but at the same time be more determined than ever to stand our ground. We simply cannot be forced into silence and be caused to quiver and retreat. That is exactly what the world wants us to do. Christ has called us to follow him even when it may be uncomfortable. The Bible still says that some things are wrong and we cannot make them right, simply because some modern crusader wants us to do so. We should not hit them over the head with it, be ugly or show extremism in our responses, but we should boldly and lovingly share the truth and take our stand. Frankly, I am afraid that too many of our lay people do not speak up more because the Pastors do not speak the full truth of the Gospel from the pulpit as boldly as we once did. What has happened to the truth of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? The Bible has not changed! It still teaches this blessed truth today as much as it ever has, but how often have you heard a sermon on that subject lately? I want to encourage our Pastors to preach the whole counsel of God. We must not pick and choose, but preach all of the precious doctrines of the Bible. If it is in the Book, we ought to preach it. I realize that such doctrines as the Atoning Work of Christ and the Second Coming sound a little “old fashioned”, but they are precious doctrines. Our people need to be taught these truths by the man of God who is in the pulpit or they will grow extinct from the body of Christ. June is the month for the SBC annual meeting to be held this year in Houston, TX. Please be in prayer for this meeting and for all that will transpire. Any Pastor’s wife who wants to attend the luncheon

while there should contact our offi ce. It is a pleasure to serve you and your churches. If there is any way that I can be of service to you, please call upon me. I have really enjoyed traveling across the state this month preaching in many of your churches.

DISASTER RELIEF IN TEXAS Texas Baptist Men and Southern Baptist Convention of Texas Disaster Relief are heavily responding to the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. Terry Henderson, TBM and Jim Richardson, SBCT both have enlisted several teams to respond.

Both Texas conventions are partnering in this effort that has affected so many lives in the area. Terry Henderson shared that they received a request from the City Liaison to cover records at the retirement home before the rain but it was still too dangerous a situation to accomplish.

Shower and laundry units are being provided by TBM and SBTC for the communities to help meet the needs of those residents that lost their homes. The Comanche unit of TBM is assisting the Fire Honor Guards. The Pfl ugerville Feeding Unit of SBTC is feeding the fi refi ghters, honor guard, families, and others attending the memorial service for the fallen fi refi ghters.

June 2013 3

You are invited to be with the Interna-tional Mission Board’s director of de-velopment for lunch and a presentation of how to inform people about the power of wills and trusts.

The Last Full Measure of DevotionYour Missions & Ministry Legacy

The Hilton Americas HotelAmericas Ballroom E/F on Level 2

Noon to 1:30 p.m.Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Pastor - join us at the SBC-Houston; Tuesday June 11th; Noon to 1:30 PM Reservation required. Get a ticket at: http://www.regonline.com/SBC_Lun-cheon Billy HoffmanDirector of DevelopmentIMB3806 Monument AvenuePO BOX 6767Richmond, Virginia 23230Conference begins with dinner on Monday, August 5 and ends

with lunch on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. Childcare and youth programming provided by the Convention.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. John SullivanExecutive Director for theFlorida Baptist Convention

Guest Speaker: Bobby PellDirector of Church Planting

for the Indiana Baptist Convention

Music: Jason Lovins Band

Deadline for reservations is July 9.

Register online or mail your deposit to: Susan Carpenter, One Mission Way, Scott Depot, WV 25560

This event is made possible by the North American Mission Board, your gifts to CP and by the Florida Baptist Convention

Cost: $35.00 per couple

Location: Pipestem State Park, Pipestem, West Virginia

SAVE THE DAY!

One of the most exciting and potentially helpful tools presented to churches and to associations in a long time is THE MINISTRY GRID, from LifeWay. Basically, it is an on-line based training school that addresses every aspect of church life, and provides a way to keep up with how a person is progressing. David Burt, our regional LifeWay resource representative, will meet with us on Saturday, September 14, from 11:00 am to about 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. He will explain and demonstrate to us THE MINISTRY GRID. The place is yet to be determined. This is for pastors, church staff, association missionaries, or anyone interested in the training of church leaders. Call to make reservations for lunch. 304-757-0944 xt 118, or gregwrigley@wvcsb.org

The West Virginia Southern Baptist4

Duck Dynasty's Commander Talks Faith

By Diana ChandlerMar 14, 2013

NASHVILLE (BP) -- The 8.6 million who viewed the 2013 season premiere of "Duck Dynasty" no doubt enjoy family patriarch Phil Robertson's antics, from his unkempt beard to promises of poor hygiene. But the fi sherman and duck caller with a master's degree in education also tells a story of faith.

Robertson's faith walk began in his late 20s during his "sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle" when his sister was handing out Christian tracts in a bar where he worked, he said in an interview at LifeWay.com.

"I just decided to follow Him 38 years ago when I heard that He, in fact, was God in fl esh. Not only was He God in fl esh, it took the blood of God to remove my 'sex, drugs, and rock and roll' lifestyle -- sin," Robertson said. "Well, I'm sitting there listening and I'm like, 'Man, that was a mighty kind thing to do for a scumbag like me.' Not only that, it wouldn't do me any good, though, if something could not be done about the six-foot hole I'm going into -- and you too, by the way."

When the reality show premiered in March 2012 on A&E television, his sons and co-stars told him to contain himself, "because the Hollywood people wouldn't let him get away with preaching," Robertson said.

Robertson's new book "Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander" will be available in May. He also tells his story of faith at churches and community events across the U.S.

Amidst the quackish wisdom, he seeks to model a Christian life.

"We're godly people. We really don't use fi lthy language. We really do fear God," Robertson said. "We really do love you; you're our neighbor. We're gonna be good to you, really. And, we love you, irregardless of how you feel about us. In other words, our love for you is not contingent upon whether you love us or not. We just love you and ... you say, 'well I don't like you.' I say that's OK. I love you anyway.

"I just go on down the road."

Robertson credits the Lord with his success, sharing his epiphany from a sinful, unfulfi lled school teacher to a faithful fi sherman and duck caller set on turning his life's passion into his livelihood.

After accepting Jesus at age 28, he told his wife 'Miss Kay' he would fi sh the Ouachita River and market and sell the duck call he had created from cedar wood to support her and their four sons.

"But if you fast-forward 40 years, from the fi shing and trying to get the duck call going to where we now are, we have now entered the world of Hollywood. We now have a multi-million-dollar business, and Miss Kay's line has now become infamous, 'Phil, I've been poor with you ... I've been rich with you ... rich is better,'" he said.

"Therefore, I either was real lucky, there had to have been a lot of coincidences, or God was right all along, 'Love Me, trust Me, work hard, do what is right and I will bless you and your barns will be fi lled up, tapped down and running over.' That's what happened. It's either luck or God said, 'I'll bless you. You did good.' I'm leaning toward it was the Almighty.

"There you go."

The entrepreneur was born to a fi nancially stretched family in Vivian, La., and attended Louisiana Tech University on a football scholarship, playing fi rst string quarterback ahead of hall-of-famer Terry Bradshaw. Robertson turned down an opportunity to play pro ball because it would have meant missing duck season, he has said.

He began making duck calls in a backyard shed, shipping orders, marketing the call to stores and earning a living mostly by fi shing. His family business has grown to produce and sell duck calls from a manufacturing plant in West Monroe, La., and to market various Duck Commander

products in stores across the U.S. and in several countries.

Diana Chandler is Baptist Press' staff writer. Copyright (c) 2013 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press

Interviews and testimonies by family members can be viewed on you-tube also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7KwrmlTPI8wROBERTSON GIVES TESTIMONY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PXVCzo6M640Robertson tells about how the business started

Danny Cunningham has served the WVCSB as a church planter for multi-housing since 2007. His ministry has focused on the large population of unchurched individuals and families that live in multi-housing communities. He has begun Bible studies at several apartment complexes and has also been involved in ministry at Slayton Work Camp. The need to reach the lost in these communities is great so the WVCSB has hired Danny to become the Statewide Church Planting Catalyst for Multi-Housing. Danny will be traveling the state to work with our churches to locate communities they can become involved with to reach the lost. You can email Danny at dannycunningham@wvcsb to discuss multi-housing communities in your area. Or call 304-550-2466.

June 2013 5

The West Virginia Southern Baptist6

George Beverly SheaCHARLOTTE, N.C. (BP)

George Beverly Shea, the longtime solo-ist for Billy Graham Crusades, died Tues-day (April 16) after a brief illness. He was 104.

Shea and Graham were lifelong friends, for decades living only a mile apart from each other in Montreat, N.C.

"I fi rst met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio," Graham

said. "As a young man starting my min-istry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world."

Graham added, "Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother."

A lengthy New York Times obituary said Tuesday Graham wasn't always the more famous of the two. When Graham asked him to sing at his preaching events in the 1940s, Shea already was a nation-ally known voice in Christian music, The Times said. Graham, at the time, was a "fl edgling minister."

"As has been widely reported, their early revival meetings were often advertised like this: BEV SHEA SINGS. Billy Gra-ham will preach," The Times said.

By the time old age led to the winding down of their ministry together, Shea had "faithfully carried the Gospel in song to

every continent and every state in the Union," the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) said.

Mike Harland, director of LifeWay Wor-ship, said it was hard to articulate the tremendous impact Shea had on church music as a singer, songwriter and musi-cian.

"He was a Christian gentleman whose tal-ent could have placed him on any music stage in the world. But his love for Christ compelled him to serve the Kingdom of God," Harland told Baptist Press.

Born in Canada, where his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, Shea grew up singing in the church choir and later studied voice with private teachers in New York while he worked as a clerk with the Mutual Life Insurance Company for nearly a decade, The Times said.

Shea composed the music to one of his best known solos, "I'd Rather Have Je-sus," at age 23.

Shea appeared regularly on Graham's weekly radio broadcast, "The Hour of Decision," which began in 1950, and throughout his ministry recorded more than 70 albums. He sang at the prayer breakfasts of U.S. presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. John-son and George H.W. Bush, The Times said.

Perhaps the most popular hymn Shea sang, The Times said, was "How Great Thou Art," which he sang by popular de-mand on 108 consecutive nights at a cru-sade in New York City in 1957.

Shea received 10 Grammy nominations, won a Grammy Award in 1965 and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammy organization in 2011, BGEA said. In 1978, he was induct-ed into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and in 1996 he became a member of the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

In 2008, Shea was part of the inaugu-ral class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists' "Hall of Faith."

Shea is survived by his wife Karlene and his children from his fi rst marriage, Ronald and Elaine. He was preceded in death by his fi rst wife, Erma, who died in 1976.

Erin Roach is assistant editor of Baptist Press.

Pastor Doug S t r o t h e r , Calvary, Mor-g a n t o w n , m o d e r a t e d the Spring Meeting of the Monon-gahela Bap-tist Associa-tion. [L] Mac McDona ld , Association M i s s i o n -ary, told how good it has been to get to know the pastors and the churches. Pastor Don Knotts [L] gave informa-tion about a mission trip he took with some others to the storm ravaged area of New York City.Pastor Dan A d k i n s , Charity Bap-tist, Wyatt, provided the special mu-sic.

[below] Gerry White, State Director of Missions, stands between Mac McDonald [r] and moderator Doug Strother. White was the guest speaker for the meeting. [bottom] Pastor David Mellquist, FBC Fairmont, led a commissioning service for those going on mission trips this year.

June 2013 7

WVCSB Calendar

June 7 - Men & Boys Golf Tourney 7-8 - Crossover, Houston, TX 9-10 - National WMU Annual Meeting - Houston, TX11-12 - SBC Annual Meeting - Houston, TX16 - Father’s Day16 - Baptist Men’s Day23 - Mission: Dignity Sunday22-28 - Preachers’ Kids Mission Trip30 - Citizenship & Religious Liberty Sunday30-7/6 - SonPower

July 4 - Independence Day (Offi ce Closed)11-21 - Tyrone Mission Trip13 - Discovering Church Planting21 - Serving Your Community Sunday21 - Missions Camp Volunteer Orientation22-26 - Missions Camp29-30 - NAMB/SEND Conference

August 4 - Social Issues Sunday 5-7 - Shepherding the Shepherd11 - Student Evangelism Day12-14 - National DR Roundtable18-24 - Worship Music Week (SBC)19-23 - Music Training Week (WVCSB)25-9/1 - Week of Prayer for State Missions & Ola Cox Offering

September 1 - Single Adult Sunday 2 - Labor Day (Offi ce Closed) 7 - WVCSB Executive Board Mtg14 - “The Ministry Grid”15 - Anti-Gambling Sunday16 - Discipleship Rally (SBC)20-21 - Men & Boys Retreat26-28 - Basic Training Journey/ Church Planting27 - WVCSB Nominating Comm. WVCSB Committee on Committees

The West Virginia Southern Baptist8

[above] Sara Murray [L] stands with Mycie Vue, who shared her wondrous story of how her family escaped from wartorn Laos. Sara stands with Franklin and Paula Kilpatrick, who serve as the coordinators for the “Bucket Project” with Baptist Global Response. [top right] [L to R] James Smith, Danny Cunningham, and Tony Inmon, stand with Gerry White, who all shared the work of the Church Planting Catalysts. [R] The group gathered around the assembled buckets to pray God’s blessing as they go to families in Africa.

[L] Several tables were fi lled with homemade goods and goodies for sale to benefi t the Mary Ida Tidsworth M i s s i o n s Endowment. [R] [L to R] Shirley Finley, Marie Davidson, Paula Kilpatrick, and Sara Murray stand with the 54 buckets made during the conference.

[L and R] The students gathered in the Good Shepherd Baptist Church auditorium for a get to know each other fun time. [below left] Some of the students signing in. [bottom left] Randy Spurgeon leads the group in a rehearsal. [below] Singing at Macy’s in the Huntington Mall.

Spurgeon used several people to help direct rehearsals and the concert: Danny Spurgeon, Joy Gilpin, Robert Ballard, and Claudia Wrigley. About 240 people registered for YSC this year; about 40 more than last year.

Y S C

WMU ANNUAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE 2013

June 2013 9

Your state convention staff meets each working day for a brief time of prayer. We pray for missionaries, campuses, associations, churches, and church plants by name each day. We invite our readers to pray as well.

West Virginia Prayer Focus

DateJune 10June 11June 12June 13June 14June 17June 18June 19June 20June 21June 24June 25June 26June 27June 28July 1July 2July 3July 5July 8July 9July 10July 11July 12

AssociationPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAlleghenyCoalfi eldsGreater HuntingtonImmanuelMonongahelaMountain StatePioneerPotomac HighlandTri-CountyUpper Ohio ValleyAllegheny

CampusShepherdWVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.ShepherdWVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.ShepherdWVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.ShepherdWVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateConcord Univ.Marshall Univ.ShepherdWVU MorgantownBluefi eld StateConcord Univ.

ChurchWest CharlestonWest RipleyWestmoreland, HuntingtonWestview, Caesars MountainWestview, MartinsburgWhartonWhite Sulphur SpringsWilliams CreekWillowbrook, PrincetonWitcherZoar, BurlingtonZoar, St. MarysAbundant Life, TriadelphiaAltizer, HuntingtonAmazing Grace, Capon BridgeAnstedAvondale, East Liverpool, OHBaker Heights, MartinsburgBeaver Creek, Meadow BridgeBerean, MorgantownBerkeleyBig Spring, MalloryBorderland, WilliamsonBradshaw Mountain, Paynesville

Church PlantNew Heights, MiltonNew Vision, Berkeley SprgsSolid Rock, HundredSouth WheelingUrbancrest, BeverlyAbundant Hope, BarboursvilleCarpendaleCenterpointe, HurricaneCherry GroveCherry River, RichwoodChinese FellowshipThe Church at MartinsburgThe Church at WinchesterCornerstone, Berkeley SpringsCrossroads, BurnsvilleDawn’s Light, HarrisvilleDayspring, CharlestonExalt Comm., So. CharlestonFerrellsburgFriendlyFrontier Comm., MorgantownGrace, Pleasant ValleyHarborLight, OceanaLighthouse, Follansbee

WASHINGTON (BP) -- President Obama addressed the nation's largest abortion provider Friday (April 26), criticizing pro-life laws on the state level and saying that those who wish to restrict or ban abortion are trying to turn back "progress."

Obama never mentioned the word "abortion" during his speech at the Planned Parenthood gala, preferring words such as "choice." Planned Parenthood performed a record 333,964 abortions during 2010-11, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

He became the fi rst sitting president to address Planned Parenthood.

"After decades of progress there's still those who want to turn back the clock to policies more suited to the 1950s than the 21st century," Obama said. "And they're involved in an orchestrated and historic effort to roll back basic rights when it comes to women's health. Forty-two states have introduced laws that would ban or severely limit access to a woman's right to choose."

He mentioned, by name, two states: North Dakota and Mississippi.

"In North Dakota, they just passed a

law that outlaws your right to choose, starting as early as six weeks," he told the crowd.

The law in question would prohibit abortion based on when the unborn child has a heartbeat, which could be as soon as six weeks into gestation. It is expected to be challenged in court.

In Mississippi, Obama said, "a ballot initiative was put forward that could not only have outlawed your right to choose but could have had all sorts of other far-reaching consequences."

He was referring to a personhood initiative, defeated at the Mississippi ballot in 2011, that would have defi ned the term "person" to include "every human being from the moment of fertilization." It lost, partially because pro-lifers in the state were divided over it and partially because opponents made the campaign about everything but abortion.

"When you read about these laws," Obama said, "you want to check the calendar. You want to make sure you're still living in 2013. Forty years after the Supreme Court affi rmed a woman's constitutional right to privacy, including the right to choose, we shouldn't have to

remind people that when it comes to a woman's health, no politician should get to decide what's best for you."

He then added, "The only person who should get to make decisions about your health is you. That's why we fought so hard to make healthcare reform a reality."

Planned Parenthood, he said in affi rming the organization's mission, "is not going anywhere."

The Editor’s qustions:---Since when is the murder of a developing human being “progress”?

---Forty years after Roe v. Wade? How about 180 years after the Bill of Rights before Roe was passed? And it was not a law by a legislature but a ruling by a judge.

---”no politician should get to decide what’s best for you.” Then why do we have 1600 pages of Obamacare doing just that?

---If 42 states have introduced legislation to curb the murder of the unborn, isn’t the President out of touch with the country on this issue?

The West Virginia Southern Baptist10

News from West Virginia ChurchesALLEGHENY

First Baptist, Craigsville, has taken delivery of their new digital church sign. The sign was to be erected upon completion of the concrete foundation. It will be a source of information and inspiration to the 7,400 vehicles which pass by daily. David Sommerville is the pastor.

GREATER HUNTINGTONFrom the Greater Huntington

Association newsletter: “Locust Grove’s Pastor Emeritus, Rev. William L. Boblett, Sr., went home to his reward on March 1, 2013. Rev. Boblett served as our pastor for eighteen years. The Locust Grove Church family will miss him while our ministry continues here, and we look forward to our Heavenly reunion someday. Our love and prayers go out to his wife, Shirley, children Chris, Bill, and Audria, during this diffi cult time.” Randall Robertson is the current pastor of Locust Grove.

MONONGAHELAGod continues to bless the work at

Real Life Church. We have seen 17 baptisms so far this church year and 31 professions of faith. Attendance is about maxed out for our building, running about 220. We need to add a third service but parking has hindered that. However with the help of WVCSB we did secure a loan to purchase a piece of property that will allow us to park an additional 35-40 cars.

Just as important as the souls being saved are the souls being discipled. We are seeing many people growing spiritually. Friday night Celebrate Recovery is averaging about 30. It is led by 4 fairly new believers. Lori Dunlap is the rock of that ministry. Three of the professions of faith and one of the baptisms have come from that work. We have 7 young men that have been meeting every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. since the fi rst of the year to be discipled in spiritual leadership. Fight Club, which is our mens’ prayer team, is running 13-18 men at 8 p.m. on Wed. nights, taking the battle to the enemy’s door. One of the greatest blessings of all is to see that about 80-85% of our regular attendance are people under 40. This is our target and God is fi nding glory in this generation in Lewis County.

------------Rick Brown

Welcome to Geoffrey and Becky Estep, the New Campus Pastor of Urbancrest Baptist in Beverly.

Calvary Baptist, Belington, said goodbye to a beloved Deacon, Jim Toothman, in a service at the church April 26, celebrating his life. A prayer garden at the church is planned in Jim’s honor.

Southern Baptist, Philippi, partnered with Calvary, Belington, for an after-school Christian club named “Kid’s Jam 2” and had twenty-three middle school students attend. Southern’s Backpack Ministry now provides meals for 44 needy children to take home each weekend. John Dixon is pastor at Philippi, while Jesse Mesa pastors the Belington church.

MOUNTAIN STATEEast End Baptist has called Chad

Lambert and wife Cindy as their pastor.Memorial Baptist in Beckley has

called James Boyd and wife Erin as their pastor.

Congratulations to Kyle and Kristin Neal on the birth of daughter Clare Elise, born March 24. Kyle is the Youth Pastor at Immanuel Baptist in Princeton.

Congratulations to Kyle Shambaugh from Berkeley Baptist Church who participated in the State Skills USA competition in Charleston in March. Kyle fi nished in 1st place in the Criminal Justice area, which qualifi es him for the national competition in Kansas City, MO, in June. Kyle is the son of Vince and Melanie Shambaugh.

Brushfork Baptist Church ordained Wes Lambert to the ministry on Sunday, April 14, 2013. The ordination was held at the church. Lambert is serving the church as the Interim Bi-Vocational Pastor. Pictured is Lambert [right] being presented an ordination certifi cate by deacon chairman Kenneth Estes. Lambert was presented the certifi cate during the April 21 morning worship service.----Zela Whitt, Assistant Church Clerk

To learn more about the West Virginia Convent ion of Southern Baptists, scan the qr code.

Pastor Everett Powell, Berkeley Springs Baptist [right, with tie], stands with the people he baptized on one Sunday morning.

June 2013 11

News from West Virginia ChurchesCarpenter Joins Men’s

SwimmingElkins, WV - Davis & Elkins College Head Coach, Nick Smith, announced the signing of Luke Carpenter from Nitro High School in Nitro, West Virginia. Luke is the son of Greg and Susan Carpenter. Carpenter is an exceptional swimmer who placed 5th in the 100 Yard Breaststroke and 7th in the 50 Yard Freestyle during the WVSSAC High School State Championships. “I am excited to have this great local talent in Luke. He is a relatively young swimmer who achieved many great accomplishments this year. I look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in the pool and the classroom here at D&E,” Coach Smith said. Carpenter is active in his community and high school where he has served many organizations through numerous community projects spearheaded by his church (Cross Lanes Baptist). He has also attended a mission trip to India and plays drums in church and in a local band. Carpenter has been named an Honor Student and is consistently on his high school honor roll. He recently was awarded the Promise Scholarship. “It was the small friendly environment that won me over. Any college can teach academics and offer athletics, but at D&E you’re not just another student,” Carpenter stated.

North Charleston Baptist Church held revival services April 28-May 1. The congregation welcomed a different speaker at each service, with special music brought by different people, too. The theme for the meeting was “Jesus is Coming Again”. The preachers were Greg Carpenter, Randy Spurgeon, Terry Harper, Rodney Hale, and Tony Inmon. (L to R) Josiah, Brittany, and Bryant

Underwood, brought the special music on Wednesday night. The trio ranges in age from 11 to 18 They played and sang bluegrass gospel. A meal was provided before each service on Monday-Wednesday nights.

Jennie Harbour, top left, taught the General Offi cers class at the Pioneer Baptist Association Vacation Bible School clinic. She also demonstrated some of the tools available for an evangelism presentation. [L] This table is set up to show some of the crafts available for use during VBS. [L] Terrie Hannah, VBS Director for Pioneer Baptist Association, led the music session for the training. [L] Claudia Wrigley set up an area to demonstrate the snacks. Popcorn, smores, cotton candy, soda pop, and other ideas for VBS were shown.

The West Virginia Southern Baptist

CAN I KNOW GOD? The answer is yes, you can know God, in a personal way. In fact, the Bible indi-cates that unless you know God as you would know a friend, then just knowing about God does you no good. And the amazing thing is that God wants to know you! Now you may think that where you have been or what you have done may cause God to want to have nothing to do with you. The Bible tells us that Jesus, God’s one and only Son, came to this earth to explain to us who God the Father is, and to shed His blood to provide the way that we could be forgiven. The Bible is clear that God is Holy, and Pure, and Perfect, and people are not. God is so Holy that He cannot even be in the presense of unholiness. So why does God want to have a friend relation-ship with us? Because He made us, and He loves us. So how do I get past my sin problem? That is what Jesus did in His death---He made a way to trade us His Holy nature for our unholy nature so we could be friends with God. How can that happen? First, admit to God that you are not holy, or good, or good enough, to be in His presense. Then tell God that you believe that Je-sus, His Son, died on the cross and shed His blood for your sin problem. And then, confess Jesus to be your only Savior and Lord, and commit your life to Him.

Reserved Seating Tickets may be purchased now for $69 by contacting lplwv.sue@gmail.com