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Berea - 1926 Robeson BURNT SWAMP

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CLIPPING SERVICE 1115 HILLSBORO

RALEIGH, NC 27603 0 , TEL. (919) 833-2079

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_ AUG c 6 9 9

Appreciation Day held at Berea for Pastor & Wife

Berea Baptist Church observed pastor/wife apprec· iion SundaJ, August 15th in honor of their pastor, Rev. James Bruce"swett and wife Ms. Peggy Swett.

Guest speaker forthe occasion was Rev. Mike cu111 ·ngs J)irector of Missions, Burnt Swamp Bap~ist Association. HE is a~~ p;esident of the N.C. Baptist State Convention. s

A covered dish provided by the ladies of the chu 1 followed the service in the fellowship hall. re 1 -

Berea Baptist Church Renews Commitment to Ministr and Missions

CLIPPING SERVICE 1115 HILLSBORO

RALEIGH, NC 27603 TEL. (919) 833-2079

rAROLINA INDIAN VOICE PEMBROKE, t;;l·

~vtJY~in FEB l 1.94

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For more than half a century. Berea.Baptist Church has been a part of the Pembroke community Under the leadership of Rex Bruce Swett, the congregation is trying a new approach to the original goal of the Church, ministering to the community The recent innovative programs include programs for the youth, as well as the elderlv

Recently Berea Baptist honored their senior adults with gifts. dinner. fellowship, and entertainment.

Youth activities have included a weekend vouth rallv at Kav Arthurs Precept in Chattanooga. Tennessee. During th°is retreat the youth became more familiar with the manv names of God and how it applies to their daily lives. They sponsored several fund raising events to help with the expenses for their trip.

The youth have instituted an Adopt-a-Mother Program and have an active program whereby they \ isit the elderlv in the commuruty

One of the programs that they are most proud ofis their missionary work with the Choctaw Indians in Riplev. TN. Sev enteen members of a missionarv team spent a week with the Choctaws at First Indian Church in Ripley The purpose for them was to share the joy ofknow iug God. While there the mission team conducted Vacation Bible School and home 1 isitation

Berea also took a greater step toward mission work and hosted a missionary for the World Mission Conference. The pastor; ReY. bruce Swett was a part of the World Help Missions and journeyed to Russia and had the opportunity to share Bibles as well as the gospel with people in Russia. Hungary. Romania.

The church also now has their first student in Seminarv. Thev are sponsoring Shonda Locklear who attends Sem inarv and she wl II become a missionary

The recent homeconunu al Be-rea \\·'1~ one '1! the tirst that manv of the members could remember' Pt iur ;i: •lit- llolllt-Lullli11g the congregarion rook part in a two week spiritual renewal During the first \1 eek they concentrated inwardly arid prayed for rhemselv es. Durinz the second week thev concentrated outwardly and prayed for others. The idea v, as that each one must be right with God himself, before he can make intercessory prayer for others

Other activities of the church have included a Deacon· s Retreat. Couples Retreat, an Easter Cantata, Children and Adults Christmas Cantata. Watch Nigh Service, the Lord's Supper during the new vear bv candlelight, as well as a ski trip to Boone, NC

A Historical Sketch of Berea Baptist Church In 1918 Mr. E.L. Odw11. a resident of Robeson. shared with Miss Mary

Livermore, another native Robesonian who was working with the Thomas vi lie Baptist Orphanage, his desire to donate '71.'2 acres of land for an Indian Orphanage and Indian training center for ministers. Miss Livermore shared the information with the leadership of'Burnr Sw amp Baptist Association of the Chero ee Ind· ans of Robeson ( ount \ 1 That oruanization ts now the Burnt ·-,wamp Baptist Association l. and the seed tor anew work beizan.

The school was completed 111 1 u:;::' u11 the former Odum- properrv and rrammg classes for ministers beuan . With l)ennission from the Associanon. a group of Baptist began meeting m the rranung school for worship and Bible srudv

By the end of the year these same worshippers requested the school property and it was granted to them.

In August of 1926 the group met to organize and called the new work, Berea Baptist Church. Charter members included: Mr. and Mrs. JC Oxendine, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Sampson, Mr. and Mrs. Evander Hunt, Mr. Bennie Chavis, Mr. Jodie Oxendine. Mrs. Charity Oxendine, Mr. Ashlev Oxendine, Miss Bessie Oxendine, Mrs. Annie Lizzie Locklear. and Rev L W Jacobs .. Berea is now experiencing changes through the leadership of Re". Bruce Swett. Swett rs full of energy and has a desire to lead new and deeper growth among the membership. Rev. Swett has used his special l!ift in music and personal relations to win new souls and awaken sleeping saints. A new musical group. known as the Bereans. are a testimom to this growing spirit.

In addition. Berea has official!\ begun a building program which will totally re-structure the present fac1I i11esand erect a spacious, modem sanctuary

The pastor and the congregario11 encourages evervone to become a part of the spiritual grov..1h at Berea Baptist Church

Berea Baptist Church is the epitome of their Homecomi11g prayer: ··Faith of our Fathers, renew us again. And make us a Church Family of God-fearing men. Seeking Thy guidance, Thy lo>e. and Th} will. For we are but Pilgnms in need of Thee still ...

Youth are show11 at Youth Ral~l' i11 Te1111essee

Rei•. Bruce Swett is ,\lzowll ;11 clmrch i11 Ru.Hi a.

Re••. Bruce Swett · · · R . · · 1.1· Jl1m,.,1KfrillK11111 B1h/e.1· m 11ss1a.

. Adre1111u Scott iJ JromChoctu .. , N. t' " u 1011

with youth

Fir,·t l11J' rch i11 Ripley. TN. · 1u11 C/111

Wak-a-tlumfor Odum Home

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A 1•iew 1~/"tlle Ce/ebratio11 to Honor 5ie11ior Adult.\

Y 011111 .~lww11 at youtll rally.

Youtll 1•isit e/der~v witll KiJh.