NEWS JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA BAPTISTS VOL. 176, NO. 10 MAY 8, 2010 WWW.BIBLICALRECORDER.ORG Inasmuch as you do for the least neighbors Churches cover state in missions By Norman Jameson BR Editor

s many as 1,000 North Carolina Baptist churches fanned out through their neighborhoods April 24 and May 1 conducting servant ministry in a second statewide AOperation Inasmuch effort. From Murphy to Manteo, edge to edge and mountains to the sea North Carolina Baptists painted, planted, potted and preached with their actions a selfless, servant spirit, sometimes co- ordinating with churches of other races and denominations to serve in Jesus’ name. Coordinated by N.C. Baptist Men utilizing a method originated by David BR photo by Dianna L. Cagle Crocker when he was pastor at Snyder OFF TO THE RACES — Children enjoy a sack race at Cross Culture Church’s Community Day April 24. The church was Memorial Baptist Church, Operation participating in Operation Inasmuch, a statewide effort to minister to neighbors. For more about Operation Inasmuch, see Inasmuch is growing into a national pages 9-12 and visit the photo gallery and video online. movement. On two consecutive spring Saturdays in North Carolina, it was a homegrown movement that moved Community Day many to action and some to tears. *** In North Hampton County, where crosses culture Connie Vann coordinated the efforts of By Dianna L. Cagle three churches, Grace had lived in her BR Assistant Managing Editor house 60 years. She just had a heart pace maker installed. Houses on both olunteers in black shirts greeted a slow but sides were vacant as neighbors had died steady crowd at Cross Culture Church Commu- and her own yard was so overgrown nity Day in Raleigh at Leesville Road Middle her house appeared vacant, as well until School as part of the statewide Operation Inas- youth and sponsors cleared it up. much April 24. “Isn’t it wonderful? Ya’ll are the “It was a big success for us,” said Clay Stevens, lead sweetest things,” Grace said. Vpastor. “We’re trying to show the love of Jesus in a tangible Vann had participated in Operation way.” Inasmuch in 2008 and said people at Fear of rain must have kept some people away when the Conway Baptist Church where he is a event began, but soon the skies cleared and the festivities member “talked about that day all sum- picked up at the middle school field. mer.” “When we’re doing something like this it’s so reliant on The church did another event on their the weather,” he said. own the following year and Vann said, The church, which used to meet at the middle school and BR photo by Norman Jameson “It was really good to see the fellow- now meets at Leesville Road High School, had about 75 BUILDING — Amos Pope, left, helps Eddie Joyner and J.D. ship and the cooperation that a mission Allen build a ramp to the home he shares with his father. The (See Community Day Page 10) men are from Conway Baptist Church. (See Churches cover 12) WMU-NC feels called to push forward in lean, rich times By Dianna L. Cagle Extravaganza (ME) April 16-18 at Ridgecrest Confer- 10.4 percent less than 2009. The WMU-NC had to BR Assistant Managing Editor ence Center. reach into its reserves several times to fund the 2009 “We had the challenge of learning new and differ- budget. In the midst of a weekend of laughter and learning, ent ways to do our work,” Fulbright told 921 in atten- She said the year was full of great contradictions a meeting took place describing the best and worst of dance. “We were able to pay our bills for 2009.” and extremes. times. Sharon Allred Decker, former vice president for In 2009, WMU-NC began 149 new organizations Quoting Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Duke Power and founder of The Tapestry Group, was at 60 different churches. But they also had a decline in Ruby Fulbright, executive director of Woman’s Mis- the featured speaker. Kyle Matthews, who ministers at magazine subscriptions, which fund national WMU. sionary Union of North Carolina (WMU-NC), shared a church in South Carolina and is a songwriter/singer, “We found and developed new relationships but of the tumultuous year it has been for the organization led worship. during her annual report April 17 at “Called” Missions The proposed 2010 budget — $1,192,482 — was (See WMU-NC Page 19) 2 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010

Vestal conf ident as CBF passes through adolescence

By Norman Jameson istry, which is the future,” he said. “The with the Baptist State Convention of BR Editor Southern Baptist culture that denies North Carolina. The same is true of women can be pastors is not only out of CBF as a whole, where “churches that ith the death of touch with the Spirit, it’s out of touch are a part of CBF are still in some way founding coordinator with scripture. related to, or partnering with SBC or and (spiritual) voice “Thirty percent of the churches in state Baptist conventions,” Vestal said. Cecil Sherman and China have female pastors.” He believes local churches affiliating the approaching 20th CBF also is committed to “biblical with multiple partners is a feature of the anniversary of its birth, the national justice.” Vestal said, “Our understand- future. WCooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) ing of the gospel is that commitment to He said, “the day is over” when local is reaching a point where its viability justice is as important as personal salva- churches can be expected to operate into the future will either be cemented tion. The Kingdom of God is coming, it exclusively within a certain structure or proven unlikely. has come.” identified by a denominational tag. Current CBF Coordinator Daniel State organizations have sprung up Instead they will partner “with whoever Vestal, 65, wonders why CBF viability around the national CBF movement. they choose to partner with to fulfill would be questioned, though one of the The North Carolina chapter, led by their mission.” prime movers in CBF’s formation said Larry Hovis, former pastor of The Me- Although Vestal doesn’t expect the years ago he considered CBF to be a morial Baptist Church in Greenville, is CBF to become a “majoritarian move- “one generation movement.” the largest state chapter, although CBF ment” anytime soon, he said, “I think “I disagree,” Vestal said between national still receives more money from we have a bright future.” revival services at First Baptist Church Texas than from any other state, accord- in Marion on April 18. ing to Vestal. Age of adolescence

“We were born out of the fires of BR photo by Norman Jameson While the N.C. chapter functions At age 20, he said his organization is conflict and a struggle for freedom, as ESTABLISHING — Daniel Vestal be- independently, field coordinators for “barely out of adolescence” and “what was nearly every other Baptist organi- lieves the Cooperative Baptist Fellow- CBF chapters in Virginia and Texas are God has done in the last 20 years is re- zation I know,” Vestal said. ship has a bright future in part because actually on Vestal’s staff, which num- ally remarkable.” “The principles that birthed us — the it is a “new” thing and has established bers 55. He said CBF has 160 mission- Vestal 65, has recovered from pros- love of freedom and the love of mis- an identity beyond that of the South- aries, although some are funded by CBF tate cancer. He said it is natural at his sion — have found new expressions ern Baptist Convention out of which it partners. age to think about his future and that of for a changing culture and a changing came. North Carolina Baptists until 2010 CBF, although he has no “clarity about world.” contributed to CBF national through when I’ll retire.” Some Southern Baptists upset with Although CBF “functions in many Plan C of their Cooperative Program The son of a pastor, Vestal was a the direction of the Southern Baptist ways like what in the past we called a budget. In 2010 N.C. Baptists reverted youth evangelist, and became a pastor Convention (SBC) met in 1990 in At- convention,” CBF elects no trustees, to a single giving plan that excludes at age 25. lanta to discuss options and formed the and owns no institutions. When asked CBF. He pastored churches for 27 years Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which his own denomination, he said he is “We were very grateful for our part- before spending the last 13 at the helm launched officially the following May. “Baptist.” nership with the Baptist State Conven- of CBF, which was a toddler when he The CBF will hold its annual meeting CBF quickly matured beyond “react- tion of North Carolina,” Vestal said.”We took it by the hand. June 23-26 in Charlotte. ing” to things SBC and developed its affirm the right of the BSC to make this His two sons and daughter are all “The SBC became a convention that own identity apart from being “anti- decision, but we regret the loss of this ordained to ministry. “I really believe had a command and control culture,” SBC.” When asked about several cur- partnership.” CBF is a renewal movement within the Vestal said. rent issues in the SBC, Vestal professed Most partner churches of North Car- Baptist family,” Vestal said. “God’s not “Either you conformed to that culture unawareness. olina CBF remain marginally connected through yet with Baptist churches.” or you didn’t have a place of influence The common denominator for CBF or leadership … even fellowship. That churches, he said, is that, “We share a was contrary to the Baptist spirit of passion for the Great Commission and freedom, autonomy and priesthood.” Baptist principles of faith and practice.” Originally CBF was founded simply Members “want to be a part of some- as a missionary sending agency but has thing bigger than themselves,” Vestal since offered a financial and spiritual said. “Many want to honor and live out impetus for the starting of other minis- the Baptist tradition that nurtured them. Struggling with tries. But they want to do that in very differ- Its admission to the Baptist World ent ways than convention Baptists, so the next steps? Alliance (BWA) was a significant factor we are fellowship Baptists more than All churches are different. But all churches are similar, in that they in the Southern Baptist Convention’s convention Baptists.” all have unique pain points. Churches are discovering that LifeWay withdrawing from that worldwide Bap- Consulting can help them make wise choices with use of comprehensive tist body. CBF commitments analytical tools and with a heart for what matters most to churches– One reason Southern Baptists pro- Vestal believes CBF is the “face of transforming lives. They can coach your key leadership in discovering tested CBF’s admission to the BWA the future” and that denominations that and removing obstacles and in taking necessary steps to achieve a clear picture of the future. was that the CBF is not a denomination. survive into the future will look and Such distinction is “not important” to function more like CBF, which is com- anyone under age 40 said Vestal, and mitted to the local church as “the center the CBF is “an association of Baptist of the missions enterprise.” churches and individuals.” “We’re committed to women in min- Vestal lauds predecessor, CBF founder Daniel Vestal succeeded the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s (CBF) found- ing coordinator Cecil Sherman, who died April 17, and called Sherman “a mod- Contact us today and schedule a free in-person or ern Baptist prophet.” webcast meeting to discover how we can work “He’s irreplaceable and irreplicable,” Vestal said. “I’ve never known a more principled person than Cecil. When it came to matters of conscience he was un- through your struggles together. compromising. He resisted fundamentalism and legalism with tenacity. He was a prophetic preacher, and a prophetic leader before there was a CBF.”

Sherman served two years as Baptist State Convention of North Carolina range to president and was pastor for 20 years of First Baptist Church in Asheville before bottom edge returning to his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, to lead Broadway Baptist Church as pastor. He left Broadway to become CBF’s first coordinator in 1991. “Cecil was a very effective congregational pastor,” Vestal said. “He cared about people. He mentored students with a pastoral spirit. Maybe one of his most lasting legacies will be his Sunday School lessons, which he did for years with Baptist Sunday School Board, then with Smyth and Helwys. “It’s ironic that one of his lasting legacies will be his love of scripture and exposition of scripture. What fundamentalists have said all these years is that we 615.251.2860 don’t love the Bible. He spent hours studying and teaching the Bible.” [email protected] Vestal said his wife once told him she can “soar as a Sunday School teacher www.lifeway.com/cc because of the fundamentals of Cecil’s lessons.” “His influence continues to live on and he will continue to have impact,” Vestal said.

range to bottom edge May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 3 GCR panel: Future Baptists will point to Orlando By Norman Jameson the task force’s recommendations has been overlooked their gifts to missions through the CP and individuals BR Editor as people studied the structural aspects. are going to have to give more if churches are to send Ultimately the task force cannot instruct individu- more. Southern Baptists in the future will mark their als, churches, Baptist state conventions or national annual meeting June 15 in Orlando as the beginning entities, they said. They can only lay out a compel- Local church focus of a Great Commission Resurgence in the same way ling vision, trust that Southern Baptists will stake Gilbert, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in they refer to 1979 as the start of the conservative their claim to it and believe that repentant, committed Winston-Salem and a former executive staff member resurgence that changed the face of the Convention, believers will give sacrificially to support it. At the of the International Mission Board, says recommenda- according to panelists at a Great Commission Resur- same time, task force members expect the boards of tions “will talk about the local church being the global gence discussion at Southeastern Baptist Theological agencies and institutions to respond structurally to the mission strategy center and the purpose of every board Seminary April 28. vision Southern Baptists adopt to free more resources and agency is to facilitate the effectiveness of the local And it may take as long to show similar results, to reach highly populated areas of North America and church.” they said, cautioning patience and reminding the unreached people groups overseas. Denominational structure changes “need to be ad- audience it took 20 years for the Convention to fully Several questions related to the potential effect of dressed over time,” Gilbert said. Danny Akin, presi- reflect the results of the actions that started in 1979. task force recommendations on Cooperative Program dent of host Southeastern Baptist Theological Semi- Just five days before releasing the second ver- (CP) support. The Cooperative Program is South- nary, said “we will” ask boards of trustees to “rethink sion of their recommendations, Great Commission ern Baptists’ voluntary giving method through their and reprioritize what they’re doing.” Resurgence Task Force members Danny Akin, J.D. churches that provides the primary support for all mis- All panelists expressed strong support of the Co- Greear and Al Gilbert were present to answer ques- sions, education and benevolence ministries. operative Program. Danny Akin said he would be “an tions presented by John Akin, representing Baptist21 Greear, pastor of the Summit Church in Durham, absolute idiot” not to support CP because more than which put the panel together. Al Mohler, president said younger churches are not as excited about giv- half of Southeastern’s budget comes from CP. of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and SBC ing through the Cooperative Program because they no President Johnny Hunt presented videotaped answers longer look to Convention leadership as pastors did 20 to questions they received earlier. Ronnie Floyd, GCR years ago. “We live in a flat world with lots of other NAMB as strategist Task Force chairman, answered questions live via ways to communicate” and find resources than by go- For a half century the North American Mission teleconference. ing to a denominational knowledge broker, he said. Board has worked with Baptist state conventions Panelists encouraged pastors to bring their maxi- The task force report is sending a “clear message to through cooperative agreements to help fund mission mum number of messengers to Orlando to vote ap- institutions that there is a real heart in Southern Bap- efforts in various states. Task force recommendations proval of the task force recommendations, which will tists to spend more money in missions,” Greear said. would end those agreements in favor of something be presented after lunch June 15. The task force was “The days of a bloated kind of centralized bureaucracy else not yet defined, that would give more money and named by Hunt at the 2009 annual meeting to deter- that leads the mission…those days are a’changin.” strategic leadership to the national agency, as well as mine how “Southern Baptists can work more faith- Exactly what they are changing to “will take some “direct supervision of their employees,” Mohler said. fully and effectively together in serving Christ through time to figure out,” said Mohler. But the task force Reaction to the task force’s initial report was fear the Great Commission.” is sure Southern Baptists don’t want to use mission that smaller state conventions would be devastated by Statements from task force members over time in- money simply to replicate a denominational structure losing NAMB funds that often comprise the majority dicate the task force has self-defined its role as finding in small state conventions, “but to create thriving of their budgets. Mohler said those fears are unfound- a way to produce efficiencies in the SBC structure that congregations.” ed because the task force wants more work in those will free resources “to push back lostness” in North “They want money deployed to planting gospel areas, not less. American urban settings and among unreached people churches,” Mohler said. The criticism that NAMB cannot be a good na- groups internationally. “We do need a great example from the leaders tional strategist from staff offices in Alpharetta, Ga., is That will require change, the panelists said. First, of our Convention in terms of support for the CP,” invalid the panel said, because they are recommending it will require “spiritual renewal through repentance” Mohler said. He said churches that are “committed” according to Floyd, who said the spiritual emphasis of are going to have to send more than six percent of (See GCR panel Page 8)

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© 2010 GuideStone Financial Resources 16208 04/10 4 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 Around the state Church Staff changes News JOHNNY MACK LEE has been called as pastor at Scotts Creek Bap- tist Church, Sylva. Most recently, Lee worked at Dove Christian Radio in Franklin.

Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Rutherfordton, has called CHARLES MCCLURE as pastor.

SHANE HARDESTY has been called as pastor at Carr’s Hill Baptist

Church, Brevard. He was pastor of Contributed photo Oakie Ridge Baptist Church, Chipley, ➤➤ Eagle➤Springs➤Baptist➤Church, Eagle Fla. Springs, recognized Irene Britt Thomas Contributed photo on March 28, above with plaque pre- ➤➤ Cumnock➤Baptist➤Church, Sanford, held a fundraiser through its Caro- Pisgah Forest Baptist Church, Pisgah sented by Pastor Todd Moore, during lina Faith Riders’ (CFR) chapter to assist with medical costs after a near fatal Forest, has called DAVID SPRAY as the morning service. Thomas joined the motorcycle accident Feb. 21. Boyd Herring had to have several surgeries and senior pastor. He was senior pastor of church in 1934 and has been the pianist/ almost two months in intensive care. CFR members began to pray when they First Baptist Church, Moody, Ala. organist for 54 years. She was treasurer learned of the accident. CFR members from Wake, Harnett, Chatham and Lee for 40 years and is currently the Woman’s counties joined together with churches and individuals to raise funds. Cumnock MIKE GARNER has been called Missionary Union director. She wrote the CFR chapter president, Tommy Smith, presented the family a check for $5,500. as pastor at Victory Community Baptist history of the church for its 100th anni- Adam Reece, CFR chapter president of Good Hope Baptist Church in Cary, also Church, Carthage. versary in 2001. Members gathered for a presented the family a check for just over $1,500. Merritt Taylor is Cumnock’s covered dish lunch after the service. pastor. Union Missionary Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, has called JACOB ➤➤ Trindale➤Baptist➤Church, Trinity EDMISTEN as youth pastor. He is a celebrated its 50th anniversary April student at Southeastern Seminary and 18 with two members of the 33 people was previously youth pastor at First who attended the body’s first meeting Baptist Church, Whitmire, S.C. in a two-story farmhouse March 30, 1960. Sylvester and Jo Stone are still TONY BUNTON has been called active members at Trindale. Former as pastor of Yadkin Baptist Church, pastor Dave Williams was the special Statesville. guest speaker. After lunch pastor Tony Moore and deacon chair Mike Southern Retirement opened a time capsule put together in 1985. It included a pair of glasses and PAUL CHILDERS, pastor of a study Bible of founding pastor Stan- Troutman Baptist Church, Troutman, is ley Earomirski, who led the church 25 retiring. With 34 years of ministry ex- years. perience, he has worked at New Buffalo Baptist Church, Grover; Alexis Baptist ➤➤ Memorial➤Baptist➤Church, Kannap- Church, Alexis; East Hickory Baptist olis, presented Camp Caraway with a Church, Hickory; and Concord Baptist check of $1,030 that the Royal Ambas-

Church. He was at Troutman for 12 Contributed photo sador’s of the church raised by gather- years. He and his wife, Brenda, will live ➤➤ Johnston➤Baptist➤Association and 11 association churches fed 350 active ing “sponsors” for their Car Derby in Mooresville, and he is available for and retired law enforcement officers who work or live in Johnston County on Racers. Kenny Adcock, RA leader, supply or interim work. Contact (704) April 13. The event was held at First Baptist Church, Smithfield. Kelton Hinton, accepted the check on behalf of North 880-4972. left, associational missionary, poses with Harold Webster, assistant superin- Carolina Baptist Men. The money will tendent for programs at Johnston Correctional Center, and his 2010 Richard benefit Camp Angel Tree, for children with one or more parents in prison. Opportunity Corner Caswell Award. To submit items: Pastor, wife getaway The Biblical Recorder is pleased “The Pastor’s Juggling Act: Balanc- to print significant news from the ing church, family & personal spiri- churches. tuality …” is open to all paid church Accuracy and timeliness are staff members June 3-10 at Ridgecrest enhanced if you send the infor- Conference Center and Oct. 7-9 at Fort mation to the Biblical Recorder as Caswell. soon as it is available. The paper is At times juggling the demands of printed twice a month. ministry can seem overwhelming. Not all items will be printed. Somehow pastors must balance so many Please make sure to either e-mail things. It will be led by the husband and digital photos or send prints of wife team of Eddie and Janet Thomp- photographs (photos printed on son. Eddie is a former North Carolina paper will not be accepted). pastor and leads a new emphasis for Church staff changes, obituaries marriage and family at the Baptist State of pastors and state Baptist lead- Convention of North Carolina. His wife ers, announcements of upcoming Janet is a RN and has extensive experi- events (with statewide interest) all ence in women’s ministry and worship will be considered. Send photos of leadership. Together they have led your mission projects or trips, note marriage enrichment conferences and burnings, etc., as well. retreats since 1992.

The retreat is limited to the first For e-mail sub- Contributed photo missions: dianna@ 30 couples to register. Cost is $99 for ➤➤ Calvary➤Baptist➤Church, Shelby, held a note-burning service March 7. The biblicalrecorder.org. couple (includes five meals and lodg- monthly payments for the $584,000-building were more than $4,000. The last Or, send to Bib- ing). payment was made in February. Gene Spangler, from left, chairman of deacons, lical Recorder, P.O. Contact Eddie Thompson at (800) Dan Wallace, former pastor for 30 years, and David Rabb, interim pastor, burn Box 18808, Ra- 395-5102, ext. 5644, or ethompson@ the note. ncbaptist.org. leigh, NC 27619. May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 5 BSC, institutions, agencies honor 18 with Heritage Awards

ourteen individuals or couples received recognition April 20 at the 10th an- nual Baptist Heritage Awards event in Greensboro, recog- nizing their contributions to the success Fof North Carolina Baptist entities.

Wingate University honored G. Byrns Coleman for his 50 years as a professor. Coleman is chair of Wing- ate’s Department of Religious Studies Joe Brown Gene Langley G. Byrns Coleman Kelton Hinton Ethel Locklear James M. Dunn and is the university’s Harry & Frances Cannon Professor of Humanities. He is admired for his strength as a theologian, teacher and friend of many in Baptist life and higher education. He has been supply and interim pas- tor of numerous area churches. Dennis Burton, director of missions for the Union Baptist Association, calls Cole- man “one of the best known Baptist pastors in our county.” His weekly Bible study program, aired over the Wingate University television station, is Dave Clay Dale Duncan Wade Shepherd Gerald H. Quinn Nina Phillips Carl Phillips in its 20th year. A native of Tennessee, Coleman is a graduate of Belmont College, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Scarritt College, and Vanderbilt University.

Meredith College honored Raleigh businessman and trustee Eugene M. Langley, Jr., for sharing time, talents and resources. Langley, a graduate of UNC at Chapel Hill, built Resource Manage- ment Associates (now part of Raymond Mary Anne Croom Jesse Croom William Byrd Sadie P. Byrd B. Marshbanks M.J. Marshbanks James Financial Services). Langley and his wife Vicky maintain fourth pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist which he was part owner. He served Locklear held many positions in strong ties to Meredith College. Since in Charlotte in 1984 and the church has on Campbell’s board of trustees and WMU in her church and in Burnt 1997, he has served three terms on the grown from 2,155 to 14,734. presidential board of advisors. Camp- Swamp Association. The association Meredith Board of Trustees and chaired In some years, Hickory Grove has bell awarded him an honorary doctorate recognized her in 1992 for 40 years of the search committee that brought baptized as many as 400 people. This in 2003. service. Her church, Harpers Ferry Bap- current but retiring president Maureen year church members will go on mis- Byrd has been instrumental in the tist Church in Pembroke, recognized Hartford to Meredith. The Langley sion trips from South America to Africa, success of numerous capital campaigns her for 60 years of service. Her pastor Family Scholarship provides financial while continuing to serve their local including the construction of the John Donald Bullard says “Mrs. Ethel’s heart assistance for students studying abroad. community through hands-on mission W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center, But- beats for Missions!” In recognition of their significant phi- projects. The church has also estab- ler Chapel and the Lundy-Fetterman She has been on several mission trips lanthropy, the Langleys are members of lished ministries to Latin Americans School of Business. in the United States and on one to South the College’s Stringfield Society, Heri- and Brazilians. The Byrds’ generosity extended into America where her group ministered tage Society, and the Thomas Meredith Hickory Grove Baptist Christian the community, where Byrd worked in six countries. All these experiences Society. Through his loyal, diligent and School has more than 1,000 students. through the Optimist Club, Cameron have given Ethel a deeper appreciation tireless efforts and his commitment to Hickory Grove has consistently been Boys Home and Jonesboro Heights of the way God works to share His love higher education, Gene Langley con- one of the BSC’s top contributors to Baptist Church. with all people. tinues to create exciting opportunities missions, giving more than $1 million “Over the years God has been mold- for current and future generations of through the Cooperative Program from The Biblical Recorder recognized ing a willing Ethel to have a passion students, faculty and staff. 2005-2009. The church has frequently Kelton Hinton, director of missions for for missions and many lives have been offered their facilities for statewide 11 years of Johnston Baptist Associa- blessed,” said WMU-NC Director Ruby Chowan University honored Jesse J. Baptist meetings. tion, and the six churches in his associa- Fulbright. and Mary Anne Croom for their service tion who are among the top 77 subscrib- through the local church and Baptist Baptist Children’s Homes of North ing churches in the state. Wake Forest University honored institutions. Carolina honored David Clay for his Because church members who read James M. Dunn, longtime Baptist leader In the local church Mary Anne has dedication in service to children and to the Biblical Recorder are more involved and current “founding faculty” member been teacher, WMU leader and deacon. BCH. and more supportive of their churches of Wake Forest University Divinity She has been on the WMU-NC execu- Because of his love for children and and of the mission, institutions and min- School, where he helps prepare a new tive board and is currently a network a deep desire to make life better for istries of North Carolina Baptists, the generation of ministers. Dunn’s pro- specialist for adults. them and for their families, Clay has Recorder honored those churches which phetic voice has long sounded across She established a scholarship at worked tirelessly for over half a century utilize the Recorder in ministry. the campus and the nation on issues of Chowan and is now in her fifth term on on behalf of Baptist Children’s Homes. Hinton received the honor on behalf Christian ethics and Baptist ideals. In the university’s board of trustees. Clay annually spearheads the of First Baptist Church, Smithfield; the classroom, the pulpit, and the public Mary Anne and her daughter, Ma- Thanksgiving Offering drive for BCH First Baptist Church, Clayton; Pine square, he has not hesitated to articulate linda Schantz, also donated land for a in First Baptist Church, Salisbury. He is Level Baptist Church; Clydes Cha- an unashamedly Baptist heritage regard- Baptist Children’s Home facility. an influential trustee, donor and cheer- pel Baptist Church, Wendell; Watkins ing religious liberty, public policy and As a pastor Jesse led Baptist church- leader and has passed along his devo- Chapel Baptist Church, Middlesex and social justice. es in Caswell County; Dunn; Nichols, tion to BCH to all family members and Nobles Baptist Chapel, Sims. For 19 years Dunn was executive SC; Charlotte; Carrboro; and Ahoskie. his pastor Kenneth Lance. “Thank you for putting together such director of the Baptist Joint Commit- He has been a trustee at Gardner- “Dave Clay is at the top of the list of a good paper,” Hinton said in a recent tee on Public Affairs, promoting causes Webb University and Baptist Children’s those who make a significant and posi- note to Recorder staff. “I enjoy read- related to “a free church in a free state.” Homes, and served on the boards of tive difference in the mission and his- ing each issue, usually cover to cover. I He has also served as pastor, executive the Biblical Recorder and the Baptist tory of Baptist Children’s Homes,” said especially like the missions articles director for the Christian Life Commis- State Convention, including two years BCH President Michael C. Blackwell. and the pieces about church health and sion, president of Bread for the World, as president of the Council on Christian novel ministries among churches.” chairman of the Ethics Commission Higher Education. Campbell University honored of the Baptist World Alliance, and on William and Sadie Patterson Byrd as Woman’s Missionary Union of boards of Churches Center for Theol- The Baptist State Convention of philanthropists. North Carolina honored Ethel Lee Ox- ogy and Public Policy, and Religion and North Carolina honored Joe Brown, A retired land developer in Moore endine Locklear, who was introduced to Ethics Newsweekly. pastor of North Carolina’s largest and Lee counties, Byrd spent 38 years missions by her mother and Sunbeam Baptist church. Brown became the with Rod Sullivan, Inc., in Sanford, of leader, Coree Oxendine. (See BSC, institutions Page 8) 6 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 GCR report tops annual SBC meeting agenda

Baptist Press Saturday at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, will include Frank Page, Ed Stetzer, O.S. ORLANDO, Fla. — The final report Hawkins and Jerry Rankin. DOMs also of the Great Commission Resurgence will have a chance to dialogue with a Task Force (GCRTF) will highlight the representative from NAMB regarding Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) the report from the Great Commission 153rd annual meeting when the two-day Resurgence Task Force. event convenes June 15 in Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. Registration The report, which was to be unveiled Registration for the Orlando an- May 3 at www.pray4gcr.com, has been nual meeting once again will provide the centerpiece of discussion in South- churches with the online opportunity to ern Baptist circles since messengers at register their messengers at www.sbc. the 2009 meeting in Louisville, Ky., net to avoid waiting at the counter upon authorized the SBC president to appoint arrival at the convention. a task force. The public conversation After online registration, the SBC intensified when the GCRTF released web site provides a church with a mes- a preliminary version of its report Feb. senger reference number form to be 22, with some hailing it as innovative printed out and presented by each mes- pastors adopt children. and others expressing concerns that it tion is lost. We have the answer. Let’s senger at the SBC registration booth in • Gatherings for pastors’ wives that would negatively impact cooperation do it!” exchange for a nametag and a set of bal- feature a June 14 conference and June with state conventions and hurt giving lots. The appropriate church-authorized 15 luncheon, as well as a Women’s through the SBC’s Cooperative Pro- Program highlights representative must complete all online Expo to build community, share re- gram. Among the highlights planned for registrations. sources and exchange ideas. While the task force expects to pres- this year’s program: The traditional registration method • The June 13-14 Woman’s Mis- ent its report June 15, they have not • Musical features throughout the also is available for those churches that sionary Union Missions Celebration announced whether its recommenda- meeting presented by the worship choir are unable or may not opt to access the and Annual Meeting, gathering under tions will be offered as a single motion and orchestra of First Baptist Church online registration. Registration cards the theme “Unhindered!” The program or several. The Feb. 22 progress report in Woodstock, Ga., and a 1,000-voice are available from state convention of- emphasis includes ways to address hu- was organized into six components, but combined choir and 200-piece com- fices. man exploitation, which is the focus of task force chairman Ronnie Floyd has bined orchestra. For further information about online WMU’s Project HELP for 2010–12. said the final version will be signifi- • Opening session reports by Morris registration and hotel choices for the The missions celebration will be held cantly different, because the task force Chapman, retiring president of the SBC SBC annual meeting in Orlando, visit in the Orange County Convention Cen- has received substantial feedback from Executive Committee, and the presiden- www.sbc.net. ter’s Chapin Theater (West Concourse, a wide range of Southern Baptists since tial message by Hunt. the original’s release. • The election of officers set to begin Level 3), beginning at 6:30 p.m. June Resolutions Another matter of major interest at 2:20 p.m. June 15. 13. Among the speakers at the missions celebration: Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Messengers wishing to propose is the fact that three Southern Baptist • The convention message by Mac resolutions must submit them at least entities (International Mission Board, Brunson, senior pastor of First Bap- author of this year’s WMU emphasis book, “Life Unhindered: Five Keys to 15 days prior to the annual meeting, North American Mission Board, SBC tist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., on giving the Resolutions Committee a Executive Committee) have presidential Wednesday morning and, that evening Walking in Freedom,” and Gen. Doug- las Carver, chief of chaplains for the two-week period in which to consider search committees at work. at 8:40, a closing sermon by Southern them. Detailed guidelines on submitting Candidates for any or all of those po- Baptist evangelist Tony Nolan of Wood- U.S. Army. • The Conference of Southern Bap- resolutions are available at www.sbcan- sitions may be announced and voted on stock, Ga. nualmeeting.net (by clicking on “Reso- by the respective trustee boards before tist Evangelists annual worship service will be held Wednesday afternoon, June lutions”). Resolutions may be submitted the annual meeting convenes, although Pastor’s conference, meetings 16, instead of prior to the convention, as online but must be followed up by a none of the three committees has re- • Crossover Orlando 2010 will in recent years. The change is intended letter of credentials from the submitter’s leased information that would suggest extend evangelistic block parties door- to increase participation of pastors who church. that possibility. to-door and street witness on Saturday, don’t arrive at the convention until after June 12, across the city and three- Sunday morning. The service will be Convention arrangements Theme county Orange, Seminole and Osceola held from 2-5 p.m. in a theater just up Shuttle service will be available to SBC President Johnny Hunt has region. In conjunction with Crossover, a the escalators from the meeting hall at and from all the hotels on the official selected “LoveLoud through the Great Hispanic family festival will be held at the Orange County Convention Center. housing list posted at www.sbcannual- Commission” (1 John 3:18) as the the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The timing is intended to allow mes- meeting.net, according to Don Magee, theme for this year’s sessions. • The 2010 SBC Pastors’ Confer- sengers to attend seminary luncheons, director of information/financial sys- “We’ve got to ‘Love Loud!’” Hunt, ence, which opens at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, make it back for the worship service tems for the SBC Executive Committee. senior pastor of the Atlanta-area First June 13, with a concert by popular and then attend the closing session of Shuttle passes can be purchased for $10 Baptist Church in Woodstock, said. Christian musician Travis Cottrell, the SBC annual meeting. The program at the convention center for buses run- “Loud Love moves beyond the four features a wide range of speakers from includes music by Greater Vision, a ning June 15-16. Complimentary shuttle walls of the church. I hope to encourage diverse backgrounds, including Tony Southern gospel trio, a message from service will run from the convention our folks to roll up their sleeves and get Evans, senior pastor at Oak Cliff Bible evangelist Tim Lee, a former Marine hotels to the convention center, begin- after it.” Fellowship in Dallas and president of who lost his legs in Vietnam, and a vid- ning June 13 at 2 p.m. and continuing “Our theme verse is clear,” Hunt said The Urban Alternative; C.J. Mahaney, eotaped message from evangelist Billy Monday. of 1 John 3:18 — “My little children, pastor of Covenant Life Church in Graham. Parking at the Orange County Con- let us not love in word or in tongue, but Gaithersburg, Md., and president of • Associational directors of mis- vention Center costs $11 each time a car in deed and in truth.” Sovereign Grace Ministries; apologet- sions will convene for their 50th enters the lot, Magee said. “It is not simply enough to say; ics speaker and author Ravi Zacharias; meeting June 12-14 with the theme Additional information about airport we must do!” Hunt added. “We have and Francis Chan, teaching pastor of “Celebrating 50 Years of Partnership shuttle and local trolley service also is embraced what we believe. It is now Cornerstone Church in Simi, Calif. in Kingdom Work.” Speakers for the available at www.sbcannualmeeting.net, or never to engage this generation with The program also will feature the event, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. what we believe — the gospel. Our na- launch of a national campaign to help (See GCR report Page 7) Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Enroll now for New Quarter on July 6, 2010

• Preparing the “God Called” to minister since 1946 • Study in a rich spiritual atmosphere • Earn an associate’s degree in Religion • Our graduates are serving churches all across the S.B.C. • Visit our beautiful campus near Hendersonville, N.C. • “Evening Classes” now available – Tuesday & Thursday • For more information call (828) 685-8886, or write: David Horton, President, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute 1455 Gilliam Road, Hendersonville, N.C. 28792 Owned and operated by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 7 Five candidates vie for SBC’s top positions While three men have announced as Jackson was the candidates to lead the Southern Baptist SBC’s first vice Convention (SBC), only one candidate president for 2006- has been announced for each of the two 07 and has been next positions. senior pastor of The SBC annual meeting will be Whitesburg Baptist June 15-16 in Orlando. Church in Hunts- North Carolina native Johnny Hunt is ville, Ala., for 31 completing his service as SBC presi- years. dent, having been elected to a second The church one-year term at last year’s SBC annual gives 4.6 percent of meeting in Louisville, Ky. Hunt is income to Coop- Jackson Traylor Wright Herrod Newman pastor of the Atlanta-area First Baptist erative Program eral Southern Baptist churches for will nominate Newman. Fountain cited Church in Woodstock. missions. more than 35 years, Herrod launched Newman’s stand on moral issues as the Georgia pastor Bryant Wright, Jackson, who has led the Alabama R.H.E.M.A. (Ron Herrod Evangelism basis for the nomination. Jimmy Jackson, president of the Ala- Baptist convention the past two years, Ministries Association) in 1995 based A native of Phenix City, Ala., New- bama Baptist State Convention, and Ted also has served as first and second vice in Sevierville, Tenn. Herrod’s pastor- man and his wife, Gwen, live in Winder, Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church president of the SBC. ates had included First Baptist Church Ga, and are members of North Metro in Pensacola, Fla., have all announced He holds a divinity degree and in Kenner, La.; First Baptist Church in First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville. their candidacies to lead the SBC. Ph.D. in Hebrew and Old Testament Fort Smith, Ark.; and Central Baptist These were current as of press time. Evangelist Ron Herrod and Ray from New Orleans Baptist Theological Church in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (EDITOR’S NOTE — For lengthier Newman, ethics and religious affairs Seminary. Tommy Fountain, who also is direc- information on candidates and other specialist for the Georgia Baptist Con- He is a native of Greenwood, Miss., tor of missions for Mulberry Baptist SBC coverage, see the Biblical Record- vention, will be nominated for first and and a graduate of Mississippi College. Association in Hoschton, Ga., said he er web site.) second vice president, respectively. Jackson and his wife Bobbi will cel- David Uth, pastor of First Baptist ebrate their 50th anniversary this June. Church in Orlando, has said he will Traylor’s nomination comes from Ed nominate Wright, pastor of Johnson Litton, pastor of First Baptist Church of GCR report tops annual Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga. North Mobile in Saraland, Ala. Wright is the founding pastor of A member of the Great Commission Johnson Ferry, which began in 1981 Resurgence Task Force, Traylor said SBC meeting agenda and now reports average weekly wor- his involvement with the work has been ship attendance of 4,383 and a resident “life changing.” membership of 6,121. Olive Baptist gives 10.1 percent of The church reported 459 baptisms in income through CP, down from 20 per- 2009. cent when he became pastor there. Wright was president of the SBC Evangelist Bailey Smith, a former Pastors’ Conference in 2006 in Greens- Southern Baptist Convention president boro. and former pastor, will nominate Her- Since 1997 Johnson Ferry’s support rod, who is the current president of the of the mission funding Cooperative Conference of Southern Baptist Evan- Program (CP) has decreased to a current gelists. 3.5 percent. After serving as pastor of sev- BP photo by Kent Harville FUN — In the Southern Baptist Convention children’s conference last year in Lou- isville, Ky., participants make crafts based on the theme, “Pirates of the Cranium.” The theme for this year’s children’s program in Orlando will be “Star Patrol!” (Continued from page 6) ference program can be phoned to Children’s Conferences International as are details about discount tickets to at 248-346-5373 or e-mailed to info@ Disney World. Information about other childrensconferences.com. The deadline Orlando attractions may be found at for enrollment is June 1 and is limited www.sbc.orlandomeetinginfo.com. to 400 children. Students who have completed grades Children and youth 6 through 12 will have opportunities Childcare for newborns through for worship and recreation in the Fuge 3-year-olds will be available from program sponsored by LifeWay Chris- Sunday evening through Wednesday, tian Resources of the Southern Baptist June 13-16. There is a non-refundable Convention, beginning Monday night, registration fee of $10 per child for June 14, and continuing into Wednesday preschool care. This fee is in addition morning, June 16. to the session fees for the convention. The program will include a day at The cost per session is $5 per child, not Universal Studios. The cost for Fuge is to exceed $40 per family, plus the $10 $60 per student, including all materials non-refundable registration fee. as well as tickets and food at Universal Lunch also will be available for Studios. Students can pre-register online preschoolers on Monday and Tuesday at at www.Fuge.com or sign up outside $5 per meal. Complete payment is due room W101A-B, level 1, in the Orange for all sessions, and lunch if selected, County Convention Center when they no later than arrival at the first session. arrive in Orlando. Registration is being handled exclusive- For more information, check the web ly online at www.sbcannualmeeting.net. site or contact Spratt at kevin.spratt@ Children ages 4-12 can participate in lifeway.com. an age-graded, scripture-based confer- All children’s programs will be ence conducted by Children’s Confer- held in the Orange County Convention ences International. Center (West Building). Full informa- The cost for the children’s confer- tion about programs for children and ence is $45 per child, which includes youth may be found at www.sbcannu- a nonrefundable $20 registration fee. almeeting.net, under the “Children & Questions about the children’s con- Students” tab.

COM01409_NC-Biblical-Recorder.indd 1 4/21/10 4:49:21 PM 8 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 GCR panel: Leaderesource trains church leaders Future Baptists By Melissa Lilley es that are interested in them and care about their BSC Communications community. The church becomes relevant. Couple this will point to Orlando relevancy with the new Bible training your leaders are A new resource from the Baptist State Convention receiving through Leaderesource, and you have the (Continued from Page 3) of North Carolina (BSC) is aimed at helping local makings of spiritual transformation in your town.” churches strengthen their efforts to be missional in the Jean Willoughby is one of the curriculum contribu- that NAMB staff be decentralized and work closely way they do Sunday School and small groups. tors. Willoughby has 37 years of experience in work- with state convention partners in local strategies. Leaderesource is a leadership development initia- ing with preschoolers and children. Her husband is Danny Akin advised those who fear they might lose tive that offers free downloads of training modules for the pastor of First Baptist Church in Mills River, a their jobs in a strategy shift that “If you are doing a Sunday School and small group leaders. Phil Stone, new church plant that leases building space on Sunday good job at penetrating lostness, why do you think we senior consultant for Sunday School ministries for the mornings from another church. Willoughby has served wouldn’t fund you? On the other hand if you are out BSC, has enlisted a team of pastors, education minis- in churches described as small, large, rural, city, poor there not penetrating lostness, why should we fund ters, student and children’s ministers, and lay leaders and rich. “Now I’m in a church where I have Sunday you?” from across the state to write training guides that will School in my suitcase,” she said. Baptists need to get resources out of the south and be available for leaders of preschoolers, children, The focus of her curriculum is preschoolers. She into other areas where there is “massive lostness and a youth and adults. Although the training can take place writes about tips for teaching preschoolers, such as paucity of resources,” he said. “If you’re doing a good any time, churches are encouraged to plan their train- how to be a growing teacher and how to make biblical job you’ll get more money, not less.” ing between August 15 and September 18 and use the concepts the foundation of the Sunday School. Gilbert said change is necessary because the SBC event as a kickoff. Willoughby’s training guide will help teachers structure was built in an industrial age. 1. Sign up online as a participating Leaderesource get prepared, because all too often “teachers think “We have an industrial model that is producing church at www.leaderesource.org. because it’s a two or five-year-old they don’t have to industrial age effectiveness,” he said. Each participating church will receive a free Ed prepare and they’ll wait until the last minute.” Teach- “This is the information age. We don’t need experts Stetzer DVD about missional small communities. ing children is more than babysitting. along the way who are the kingpins of knowledge. We 2. Visit www.leaderesource.org and download Another curriculum contributor is Eric Davis, need people who can facilitate movement.” the free training modules for your church to use in family pastor at Green Street Baptist Church in High Floyd reiterated his conviction that the Great Com- training your leaders. Each module includes a teach- Point. Prior to coming to Green Street two years ago mission Resurgence Task Force work will provide a ing outline, listening guide, handouts and PowerPoint Davis was on staff 12 years at Calvary Baptist Church “compelling vision” for Southern Baptists, the lack of presentation. in Winston-Salem. Davis is writing material to help which has contributed to the inertia of past decades. 3. Plan at least one day for a Leaderesource train- adult classes be more intentional about doing life to- “What happens in Orlando is critical to create a ing event in your church or association gether, rather than just coming together for an hour or climate for future change,” Floyd said. 4. After the training, go online and report the num- so each week for a lesson. When class members are in He said change will not be up to the denomina- ber of leaders you trained each other’s homes and encouraging one another and tion, but to individuals and churches who “will stand 5. Follow up on what you learn in the Leadere- providing accountability, “the class becomes an exten- and not tolerate certain things they are tolerating right source training by doing a mission project in your sion from just that Sunday morning hour,” Davis said. now, regarding the lack of Great Commission activity community Davis also wants parents to understand the vital in the SBC.” “By doing a class mission project and letting the role they play in the lives of their children. Parents “We’re voting on the future of the SBC,” he said. class or small group choose and organize the project help shape their children’s character, worldview and “We’re voting on whether the Great Commission mat- through their group, the church is likely to have more perspective on what is important in life. “The family ters, whether the SBC is willing to have a climate for people engaged in missions than ever before,” said schedule drives everything,” Davis said. “Whatever change. It is imperative for the future not only of the Brian Upshaw, BSC church ministry team leader. drives the family schedule will be influencing a child SBC, but of the Great Commission.” “Now, imagine the impact of dozens, perhaps to help them see what is important and what is not.” “This is step one,” Floyd said. “But it’s the most hundreds, of class mission projects occurring in your The online curriculums will be available this important step we’ll ever take.” town. Your community will begin to see local church- month. Visit www.leaderesource.org. BSC, institutions, agencies honor 18 with Heritage Awards (Continued from Page 5) an example of how any student with chairman of the first Harnett County devote more time and effort to missions determination can receive an education Planning Board. and was state disaster relief coordinator North Carolina Baptist Hospital no matter how harsh and difficult life before he became president. honored Gerald H. Quinn, who com- has been. Gardner-Webb University honored He has participated in at least 20 pleted his seventh term as a trustee in “Carl and Nina Phillips’ humble Wade Shepherd for his philanthropy and short-term national and international 2009. During his tenure he served on commitment to the ‘Lost Boys of Su- service to God and humankind. mission projects just since his retire- virtually every board committee, and dan’ surely embodies servant leadership Shepherd developed business skills ment after a 38-year career in education he chaired committees on Investments, and the believer’s response to ‘loving while still in college at Clevenger Col- as teacher, coach, principal and superin- Finance and the Foundation Board. thy neighbor as thyself,’” said Mars Hill lege of Business. For nearly 50 years he tendent of schools in Mitchell County. He served as the hospital board’s President Dan Lunsford. owned and operated the Wade Shepherd He is a graduate of Gardner-Webb chair in 1983, 1984 and 1994. He is Company, Shepknit Company, Sheplaw University and was 2004 N.C. Baptist retired president of Quinn Wholesale North Carolina Baptist Foundation Hosiery and Contour Foam, Inc. Men Layman of the Year. Company. Donny Lambeth, president honored Burgess and Mary Jane Marsh- Shepherd has been a long-time Dale and Angie, his wife of 46 years, of NCBH, said, “Gerald provided in- banks for exemplary giving and service. member and leader in Penelope Baptist have three children and eight grand- valuable, visionary leadership to Baptist The Marshbanks met when Mary Jane Church in Hickory for over 50 years. children. They serve together at First Hospital during its emergence as one of came to Burgess’ dentist office for ser- He is in his sixth term on the Gard- Baptist Church, Spruce Pine. the leading academic medical centers vice in 1957. He practiced dentistry in ner-Webb board, which honored him in the nation. His faithfulness to our Lillington for 34 years. with an honorary doctorate in 2003. mission, of providing excellent health Mary Jane graduated from Mars Hill He is a donor, student recruiter and an care that embraces the healing presence College, Appalachian State University unrelenting advocate for Gardner-Webb of God, kept us centered in a rapidly and UNC-Chapel Hill and she taught and its Christian principles. changing health care environment.” English in both high school and college. Quinn also has been chair of the Du- Burgess has served two terms on the North Carolina Baptist Men plin County Commissioners, president Foundation board and as a trustee of honored Dale Duncan, who recently of the Warsaw Jaycees, vice president Campbell University. Mary Jane is a concluded five years as president of of the North Carolina Jaycees, and a Life Trustee of Mars Hill College. the organization. Duncan took early member of the board at Barton College. Through family scholarship funds retirement as a school administrator to at Campbell and Mars Hill, they have Mars Hill College honored Carl and been directly involved in awarding 121 Nina Phillips of Charlotte who sold scholarships. their successful special events business They are charter members of Me- in 2000 and volunteered to be mentors morial Baptist Church in Buies Creek to two “Lost Boys of Sudan.” Their where both have been deacons and church, St. John’s Baptist, already was Sunday School teachers. Burgess was ministering to 40 Sudanese “lost” boys and the Phillipses encouraged them to SOUND SYSTEMS pursue education. For Churches Since 1961 The Phillips, who met as students at Sound • Video • Projectors Mars Hill College, were enthused about Free Consultation — Your Site Or Ours the Sudanese students attending Mars TRI-TRONICS Hill College where they remain bene- Pro Electronics LLC factors. “Systems That Work” Lillington, N.C. 27546 The Sudanese men brought a unique (910) 893-4183 dimension of diversity to Mars Hill, May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 9 OIAM volunteers return order and bring smiles

By Steve DeVane the community, gone on Others from Mt. Carmel trimmed Special to the Recorder mission trips and helped limbs and cleaned the yard of fel- with disaster relief efforts, low church members, Earl and Linda ontie Hoover loves her Vannoy said. Most re- Barker. Earl Barker, who was a welder flower garden. cently volunteers from the and pipe fitter in nuclear power plants, “I walk through the church went to High Point has cancer. garden thinking about on April 2 to help tornado Other church members worked in the how good God is,” she victims. home of Johnny Husley who has limited said. “It’s a mission-oriented mobility and often uses an electric MBut 32 operations, including open- church,” he said. wheelchair to get around. heart surgery when she nearly died, One of those on the Volunteers repaired a floor in Hus- have made it difficult for Hoover to High Point trip was Jim ley’s mobile home that was so deterio- work in her garden. On April 24, she Coltrane. On April 24, he rated he couldn’t get to the bathroom sat in a chair in her garden and thought was on a ladder cleaning in his chair. They also installed a dryer about God again as members of Mt. Hoover’s carport with a vent to keep lint and moisture out of the Carmel Baptist Church in Troy worked power-washer. house. in her yard and power-washed her “You’re helping the Church members also worked at the carport. Lord and you’re helping Troy home of Mary Poole, a former “I’ve been praying that the Lord people,” he said. librarian at N.C. State University, Vir- would send somebody to help me,” Coltrane, who helps ginia Tech and Duke University. Hoover said. “If I could, I’d be out here build NASCAR racecars Vannoy’s wife, Susan, remembers pulling the grass myself.” for a living, got a new per- thinking the house looked like some- The work was part of the church’s spective on such help after thing out of a fairy tale when she was a

efforts during the one-day community /Steve DeVane Special to the Biblical Recorder he went on a mission trip little girl. mission blitz Operation Inasmuch con- recently. The day after he Now it is in disrepair, overgrown ducted April 24 and May 1 by Baptist GARDENING — Montie Hoover, right, sits in her returned, a tree fell on his with trees and ivy. churches throughout North Carolina. flower garden and talks with Hope Davis. Hope and house, causing $50,000 in Poole said she appreciated the volun- Hoover, who lives in Mt. Gilead, said others from Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Troy were damage. teers cleaning her yard, cutting down a she appreciated what the volunteers helping Hoover clean up her garden and other ar- “I can understand how tree and repairing her porch. were doing. eas around her home in Mt. Gilead. See more photos people feel helpless,” he “I don’t have words to express how “I consider this a mission project,” pages 10-11 and online. said. wonderful it is,” she said. “I just can’t she said. “You don’t always have to go Vannoy read a passage in Matthew Louise McRae is not helpless, but do it anymore.” to another country to do missions.” 25 where Operation Inasmuch gets its she still appreciated the work the church Operation Inasmuch lets churches do name. members were doing in her yard. At Send us your photos missions in their own community. Mt. In it, Jesus says that “inasmuch” as age 85, McRae has been keeping up her The Biblical Recorder is sharing Carmel pastor Tom Vannoy told the 17 people help the “least of these” they house in Mt. Gilead by herself for 28 your Operation Inasmuch photos with church members participating that they help Him. years, while also caring for a mentally our readers. Please send 10-15 of your would make a difference in the lives of “When we’re out there touching challenged daughter. photos from your OIAM event to di- people they helped. people’s lives, we’re really touching She watched as men from Mt. Car- [email protected]. We will try “That’s really what it’s all about, Jesus,” Vannoy said. mel cut limbs from an oak she planted to get at least one in the newspaper and being Christ where we live,” he said This was Mt. Carmel’s second Op- decades ago. She’s thankful the limbs establish a photo gallery online. duringMothersDay a devotion 1-4 ad B_Layout before 1 the 3/26/10 workers 12:26 PM Pageeration 1 Inasmuch, but church members no longer threaten her home. Call (919) 847-2127 for more infor- went to their assigned projects. have done other mission projects in “It’s a blessing,” she said. mation. North Carolina Baptist Hospital Mother’s Day Offering presents

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www.concoxions.com (864) 587-7269 10 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 BR photos by Norman Jameson REACHING — Above, Morgan Garris, left, and Hayley Bur- gess make witness bracelets to go with volunteers to Canada this summer. At right, Skip Ritchie from Conway Baptist Church, plots placement of a support board for a ramp, while Stewart Woodard shovels out a space for the last board. Or- ganizer Connie Vann is in the background while homeowner Peggy Davis peers around the corner.

REACHING — Cross Culture Church in Raleigh used a variety of ways to minister. From far left: children play water balloon toss; volunteers grill hotdogs; brothers participate in a race; and Community Day crosses culture Clay and Cindy Stevens talk with visitors about the church. (Continued from Page 1) fire department for public safety day and did some of the same activities as on this most recent Community volunteers helping what eventually became about 600 Day. visitors. Stevens wasn’t sure about using puppets because Average Sunday morning worship attendance is they weren’t well received in September. But this time between 150-175 for the church that launched in Sep- children and their parents sat down on the ground to tember 2008. enjoy the show. A bouncy house and ponies drew the longest lines, Celeste Winston and Kristi McCown, who worked but families seemed to enjoy the food, puppets and side-by-side at the popcorn station for most of the day, arts and crafts as well. There were also three-leg and were part of the church plant. potato sack races. Stevens was pastor at Bethesda Baptist Church in Visitors were attracted by road signs, word-of- Durham for eight years and had always been inter- mouth, the church’s web site and public service an- ested in North Raleigh. nouncements on local media. He met with BSC church planter consultants to Stevens said he was “pleasantly surprised” at the discuss the possibility of a church plant in that area. turnout. “It seemed like a good He arrived early with his “We’re trying to show the love of place to start,” he said. wife, Cindy, who is secretary Jesus in a tangible way.” The long-range hope is of the Baptist State Conven- to plant churches along the tion board of directors, to set — Clay Stevens, pastor of I-540 ring around Raleigh. up and stayed late to pack up. Cross Culture Church, Raleigh “All that’s gotta come He also served as a gofer in God’s timing,” he said. and greeter and brought breakfast for the volunteers. “We’re praying now which direction?” “We want to be a church that reaches out and Visit www.crossculturelife.org and the photo gallery crosses over culture,” Clay Stevens said. and video from this event on www.biblicalrecorder. “We want to be a true reflection of our community. org. For your album, send 10-15 Inasmuch photos and We want to be a culture built on the cross.” information to [email protected]. Stevens stressed that it’s “not about me.” “It’s about Him being glorified. We’re doing our best to see that develop.”

Part of outreach Cross Culture had been doing Love Your Neighbor days every quarter. Stevens said projects are done by small groups, and each group is responsible for putting together a how- to guide once a project is complete. That way, other small groups can build on previ- ous ideas. BR photos by Dianna L. Cagle Last September the RIDING — The longest lines at Community Day April 24 were church partnered with the to ride the ponies. Children also enjoyed decorating their own frisbee and puppet shows throughout the day. May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 11 Contributed by Warwick Baptist Contributed by Warwick ANY AGE — Warwick Bap- tist Church in Hobbsville had arts and crafts, above, for the younger children while involving older children in recruit- ing volunteers for Contributed by FBC Goldsboro car washes, at left, PARTNERING — Members of First Bapist Church in Goldsboro work with St. Luke United and other tasks Methodist Church and First African Baptist Church to repair fascia and roofing at this that the church was house. “Operating beyond denominations was a privilege,” said Sherry Archibald, Wom- involved in around an’s Missionary Union director for FBC Goldsboro. the community. See photo gallery

Contributed by Warwick Baptist Contributed by Warwick online. Send photos It’s not too late to share your church’s involvement in Operation Inasmuch (OIAM). Please send 10-15 pho- tos of your efforts in this state- wide missions event to dianna@ biblicalrecorder.org. Please in- clude information about photos. ACTS OF SERVICE — Cynthia Hun- sucker, right, a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Troy, carries limbs as

part of Operation Inasmuch. Below, Jim Contributed by Danbury Baptist Coltrane power washes a carport. The WORKING — Chas. Cleary, left, a member of Danbury Baptist Church, gets a new back church had several projects going on porch. Pastor Bill Greenwood wields a hammer for the photo while Jud Berns, far right,

throughout its surrounding community. DeVane Special to the Recorder/Steve and Buster Fulp look on. Special to the Recorder/Steve DeVane Special to the Recorder/Steve BR photo by Norman Jameson DELEGATION — Above, Dianna Richey talks with volunteers about their assignments for Operation Inasmuch at Conway Baptist Church. At right, Marlo Ricks, right, and Angie Marushia lug debris while detaching a decrepit mobile home from a house. BR photo by Norman Jameson 12 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 Reed’s call is fulfilled in earthquake-shattered Haiti By Julianne Goldthwaite when he asked her if she would come Special to the Recorder to the hospital to get food, she refused and said, ‘No, I’ll just stay here,’” said n Jan. 12, W.D. Reed Reed. “She put the children first and watched television news had apparently resigned herself to die of the earthquake that there and I don’t know her name or devastated Haiti. what happened to her because there He sensed God shak- wouldn’t have been a funeral or an ing his heart with just as powerful of a obituary.” Opersonal “earthquake.” “She may have been lost physically “Everything in my life came into in this world, but, spiritually, she was focus and I knew God wanted me in right on target,” Reed added, with a Haiti,” said Reed, a new member of look in his eyes that said he had left part Biltmore Baptist Church in Arden. of his heart in Haiti. During six years in the Navy, Reed In the hospital the mission team fed traveled the world and saw starving the children milk and watered-down Pe- children in countries like Ethiopia and dialite to acclimate their bodies to food Uganda. Although he was not a Chris- again. Reed cared for the sickest orphan tian at the time, he felt God’s tug telling — a one-year-old baby girl whose par- him to “Feed My children.” ents likely died in the earthquake. She He completed nursing school at was catatonic and unresponsive to any Asheville-Buncombe Technical Com- WHO IS IT? — W.D. Reed, with nursing and construction experience, said a trip to feeling or pain. Reed picked up a red-tip munity College but fell into a life filled Haiti with North Carolina Baptist Men was a God-given appointment. He is apply- marker and wrote “Francheska” on the with drugs and alcohol. One night ing to go back full time to set up rural medical clinics. bottom of her foot because no one knew after a long party he told his wife, ‘We her name. would be better off dead than raising my construction education - it was all to pened Feb. 20 – his 50th birthday. That As far as Reed knows, “Francheska” our daughter in this life of drugs and prepare me for Haiti because they need day, the hospital got a desperate call is still living today. alcohol.’” medical and construction help over from an 88-year-old nun who managed Reed said the events of that one day That very night, Reed told his wife there more than anything right now.” a local orphanage. confirmed that what the team was doing the only time in his life he was truly When he stepped onto Haitian soil “The nun asked if we could come in Haiti was right because, on his 50th happy was in his church youth group, with a team from the N.C. Baptist Men, down to the orphanage to get the 40 birthday, God delivered 19 orphans for so they decided to leave their drugs and he was shocked at the animalistic be- children because none of them had him to help care for. “That day God alcohol-ridden lifestyle behind and walk havior he witnessed. eaten in three days,” said Reed. Dr. said to me, ‘Remember when I told you back into a church. Already the poorest country in the Steve Daub, a Greensboro family prac- to feed My children — now you are At Alexander Missionary Baptist Western Hemisphere before the earth- tice physician on the mission’s team, as- doing it,’” said Reed, who says that this Church that Sunday he fell under such quake, he saw hungry women standing sessed all 40 children, ages newborn to 10-day mission trip affected his life so conviction he walked to the altar during in lines miles long for food at distribu- three years old, and brought 19 of them strongly that he is currently applying the sermon, fell to his knees “and wept tion points. Men were not allowed in in most critical need to the hospital through the North Carolina Baptist Men as I prayed for God to save me.” the lines because the youngest, stron- while the Haitian government took the to be a full-time volunteer and plans to Over the next 14 years Reed contin- gest men had gotten to all the food other 21 children away to an unknown go back to Haiti to set up rural medical ued to work in agency and travel nurs- first at the initial post-earthquake food destination. clinics. ing and earned his bachelor’s degree in distribution points. It was very common “Dr. Daub said the nun kissed each (EDITOR’S NOTE — Goldthwaite is construction management. In November to see women fight on the streets over child as they left her orphanage and a writer in Canton.) 2009 he joined mis- bags of beans and sion-minded Biltmore “God was preparing me to rice. Baptist and felt more go to Haiti all my life” Mothers were Are you considering Pigeon Forge for your intensely that God leaving their babies at church camp or group retreat this summer? was preparing him for — W.D. Reed Petionville Communi- foreign missions. ty Hospital in Port-au- Then, the earthquake struck. Prince because they couldn’t feed them. Smoky Mountain Christian Village is THE ONLY “My whole life came into focus just Reed did third-world, hands-on nursing Christian retreat and conference center in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg ! like a camera lens comes into focus and when he used glass thermometers to it was like God was speaking directly check temperatures under tarps, car- to me that day when He said, ‘Your ried patients in the hospital from trucks mission never changed - I still want driven by frantic family members and, you to feed my children,’” said Reed. sadly, watched patients die in front of “Suddenly, I knew why God had led me him in the emergency room. to go into the service to learn different According to Reed, the most life- cultures, go to nursing school and to get changing day in his 10-day trip hap- Churches cover state in missions (Continued from Page 1) on handyman tasks as needed, and has now done three consecutive annual Op- day can bring. No other mission work eration Inasmuch events, “people know garners as much support as Operation us in this area,” Vann said. Inasmuch.” Terri Martin, a petite woman helping Vann thanked Crocker for following to pull an old trailer house away from through on his inspiration for Opera- the permanent structure to which it had tion Inasmuch, and said, “We should all been attached so the elderly homeowner Nestled along a secluded mountain ridge in the get goose bumps at the way God pulls could get an equity loan to make foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Smoky Mountain all His people together to accomplish a repairs, said, “It’s nice to be involved. Christian Village’s home-like chalets and lodges are goal.” It builds community in church to do set in the serenity of old growth trees and nature, He said churches that do not par- projects together.” yet only a few minutes from the shopping and ticipate in Operation Inasmuch “don’t “I wanted to help serve my church excitement of Pigeon Forge and Dollywood/Splash Country. The world famous Smoky Mountain National seem to understand the benefit they get and community and this is my commu- Park is only 3 miles away. This beautiful 44-acre out of it.” nity,” said Martin’s friend Marlo Ricks. property features accommodations that provide a Churches want to be involved in mis- Phillip Ricks ran the backhoe that was perfect setting for Christian retreats and meetings. sions, he said, but so many “can’t afford pulling the trailer apart. Young people Designed with flexibility in mind, it is ideal for to go a long way” and they could do like Morgan Garris and Hayley Burgess almost any type of event - large or small. missions at home as a church and effect made bracelets that will become prizes and witnessing tools for a mission team their communities. Call and make your group’s reservation now! Teenager Allyson Leggett stopped going to Canada this summer. raking in Grace’s yard long enough to Stewart Woodard, his son Michael say, “We should be out here doing this and Skip Ritchie built a ramp and rail- for the lady to show her that we care ing onto a house for a 94-year old wom- 866-844-9858 about her.” an who lives alone and drives weekly to www.tsmcv.org Because Conway Baptist Church has the grocery store. Stewart used to mow MEMBER 2525 Goldrush Rd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 an active Baptist Men’s group that takes her grass when he was a kid. May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 13 Associational senior choir celebrates 100 concerts

By Dianna L. Cagle BR Assistant Managing Editor

ilestones. Senior adults know many milestones mark life as you get older. But a milestone April 18 will hold a special place for some in Alexander Baptist Association as The Sing- ing Seniors sang its 100th concert at Antioch Baptist MChurch in Taylorsville. “It’s a family affair of excitement,” said Kenneth Lambert, director of missions for Alexander Baptist Association. The associational group started 11 years ago and averages one concert a month. The 47-member choir is led by Robert and Shelia Austin, members of Antioch where Shelia has been the music director for more than 40 years. Shelia covers most of the directing duties and Rob- ert sings in the choir and helps with public relations. “I do a little of the talkin’ and I try to help a little DIRECTING — Shelia Austin, right, leads the warm-up for The Singing Seniors, a choir in the Alexander Bap- with the plannin’,” he said. tist Association. The group performed its 100th concert April 18 at Antioch Baptist Church in Taylorsville. See At first the group sang from a wide repertoire but related videos online at youtube.com/biblicalrecorder. over the years “the Lord moved us into a totally reli- gious venue,” Robert said. all to praise the Lord.” with Austin on a Christmas musical about four years The Austins both worked in the education system Cline said Austin’s ago. Six area churches had done the same program so and had retired. They anticipated their choir venture patience has helped her those churches decided to do a large concert in Janu- would last six to nine months, but it grew rapidly and learn a lot. ary for the community. within two months they had 40 members. “We look forward Boutwell said the group “reminds me what it’s like “They were so reliable and dependable,” Robert to coming to practice,” to be a choir member.” said. said Cline, who sings “It’s good to keep the voice in training,” Boutwell The choir meets on second and fourth Tuesdays at a with the Austins in a said. “Retirement is a joy but you don’t quit.” local senior center and uses the winter months to learn trio and in the choir at Don Frye, who has been a member nine years, said a new musical. They perform at churches as well as Antioch. the group means a lot to him and his wife, Brenda. nursing homes or other venues. “I thoroughly enjoy They are members of Mount Herman Baptist Church “About once a month is about all our folks want to being with them,” Lam- in Taylorsville. be away from church,” Robert said. bert said. “It’s a great “Our group has become so close knit,” Don Frye The Austins try to limit their performances to Sun- fellowship. It’s not that said. “It’s like we have a family reunion every second day nights within a short driving distance. we’re professional (but) Robert Austin and fourth Tuesday. It could be only for one reason One of the hardest things is losing members, Robert we enjoy what we’re that they spend so much time with us. It’s a labor of said. With poor health and age comes the inevitability doing.” love.” of physical death. “At the same time you get to see a Rodney Boutwell, who recently retired as minister “That’s what (Robert and Shelia) exhibit to us,” lot of beautiful people,” Robert said. “I don’t want it of music at East Taylorsville Baptist Church, worked Frye said. “They’ve truly been a blessing.” to end. I still get excited.” Robert credits Shelia with helping other choirs around the county. Because of her direction the church choirs get better members. Plus, the music they purchase can be used by other area choirs. “I’m excited that we’ve endured,” Shelia said. “I’m amazed at the progress. It’s been a blessing to me person- ally to be involved.” Shelia said choir members range in age from early 50s to 80s. She’s thankful the as- sociational leaders have been supportive. “It really became a pretty good investment,” Robert said. “I think it’s been good for harmony within the as- sociation.” Vivia Cline, a choir charter member, said the choir has been a good experience. PERFORMING — Brenda Robertson serves as The Singing Se- “Sheila works with us,” nior’s pianist. Shelia Austin said there are currently 47 members of Cline said. the group which practices twice a month at a local senior center in “It doesn’t matter if we Taylorsville. The choir, which was created 11 years ago, performed make mistakes. She strives its 100th concert April 18. Since most churches can’t accommodate for better quality but most of orchestras, the group only occasionally uses other instruments. Do Your Great 8 Have the BR Tool? Your church leadership needs to read the Biblical Recorder. At minimum, these persons in your church need the Biblical Recorder in their toolbox: ministerial staff, Sunday School director, WMU or Embrace director, stewardship leader, deacon chair, missions coordinator, personnel committee chair and Baptist Men’s director. In every issue they will find: ideas, news about their fellow N.C. Baptists, features about people and churches doing creative ministries that can inspire your own leadership, and practical examples of individuals and churches going and making disciples. 14 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 Ridgecrest goes green

By Polly House throughout the day with an energy management sys- Baptist Press tem to optimize HVAC efficiency. • Fireplaces are equipped with timer controls. For people who have been to LifeWay Ridgecrest • Recycling bins are available throughout the cam- Conference Center, it’s no stretch to think “green” pus to encourage recycling by guests. with the center’s abundance of beautiful trees, shrubs • A linen exchange program is in place to cut down and grass. on unnecessary washing of linens, saving hundreds of What may come as a surprise is Ridgecrest’s com- gallons of water each day. mitment to being a good steward of its finances by • Ongoing steps include recycling of wood pallets BR photo by Dianna L. Cagle reducing energy consumption and finding eco-friendly and paper. Metals and other recyclables are salvaged alternatives to traditional ways of doing things. from demolition projects. RECYCLING — One of the ways Ridgecrest Confer- Among the environmentally friendly initiatives and • Vehicle fuel usage has been cut in half by down- ence Center is going green is by offering receptacles practices that have been put in place are: sizing to non-highway vehicles where possible and for guests to deposit bottles and cans. • All of the guest rooms use fluorescent lighting. adding the use of electric vehicles. Way’s conference centers (Ridgecrest and Glorietta). • More than 80 percent of the conference and public • A master plan for sidewalks and covered walk- “I am proud of our staff and engineers who are spaces use fluorescent lighting. ways is being followed to make the entire conference helping us find new ways to protect our beautiful • Occupied space, outside ambient conditions and center pedestrian friendly, thus encouraging guests campus. temperature determine the operational parameters. to walk instead of using their vehicles to move about “I’m also grateful to our guests who appreciate • The facility participates in a fluorescent bulb recy- campus. what we are doing and join us in recycling when cling program, keeping mercury out of local landfills. “These steps make sense for us, environmentally they’re on our grounds. When conservation is done • Conference and public spaces are monitored and economically,” said Byron Hill, director of Life- well, everyone wins.” News Briefs

Church openings outpace closings, The case now will be returned to the district court, Convention releases paper from suit which must further address the land transfer. support for church plants lacking JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Attorneys for A newly released LifeWay Research survey of 2 Christian journalists die in Nigeria the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) have volun- 1,004 Protestant pastors found only 3 percent of their tarily released the organization’s former official news JOS, Nigeria (BP) — Continued ethnic violence churches served as the primary sponsor of a church journal from a long-running lawsuit against several in Nigeria has claimed the lives of two journalists plant during the previous 12 months, and only 14 per- agencies that removed themselves from convention working for a Christian publication in Jos. The April cent gave financial support in partnership with other control. 24 killings continued the pattern of ongoing violence churches to help start new congregations. Word & Way, the historic Missouri Baptist news in the area following the March 7 massacre in which However, a second study completed in partnership journal founded in 1896, has been dismissed from as many as 500 individuals of Christian descent were with Leadership Network revealed more churches MBC litigation that has stretched over nearly eight murdered in nighttime raids by ethnic Fulani Muslims. open than close yearly. Only in recent years has the years. The journalists, Nathan Sheleph Dabak and Sunday annual number of new churches in the United States The convention, through its attorneys, filed a Gyang Bwede, were working for The Light Bearer, a outpaced the annual number of churches closing their document in Cole County Circuit Court on April 23 newspaper published by the Church of Christ in Nige- doors. voluntarily releasing the news journal from all claims ria, according to news reports. Twenty-eight percent of the congregations partici- against it. The slayings came less than two weeks after the pated in some way, financial or otherwise, in church The MBC filed legal action against five formerly April 13 murder of a Church of Christ pastor and his plants, LifeWay Research President Ed Stetzer said affiliated institutions on Aug. 13, 2002, in an effort to wife in Bauchi state who were forcefully taken from April 21 during the Exponential Conference, a church- force them to rescind changes in their charters. their homes by Muslims. planting seminar in Orlando, Fla. Among that 28 per- The Baptist Home retirement-home system, the Four other Christians were killed April 24, appar- cent, roughly half partnered with other congregations Missouri Baptist Foundation, Word & Way, Winder- ently in a revenge attack following the discovery of in supporting the new church financially, while 12 mere Baptist Conference Center and Missouri Baptist the corpse of a teenage Muslim who had been miss- percent took direct financial responsibility as primary University each changed their corporate documents to ing, the Compass Direct news service reported. The sponsor of the new church. self-elect trustees — the Home in 2000 and the others four reportedly died — three of them stabbed to death in 2001. Pastor agrees to just ride, stop — when hundreds of Muslim protestors rampaged throughout the area. Armed worshippers possible in La. preaching on Staten Island Ferry Wake Forest divinity school to be led BATON ROUGE, La. (RNS) — People qualified to STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (RNS) — Technically, carry concealed weapons should be able to keep them Michael Ihedioha still can hawk salvation aboard the by UCC New Testament scholar strapped on in a church or temple as a way to enhance Staten Island Ferry. WINSTON-SALEM (ABP) — A female New Tes- security, a state House committee decided April 28. But odds are that the preacher who scuffled with tament scholar and ordained United Church of Christ The House Committee on the Administration of cops on the boat will remain mum — or greatly reduce minister has been tapped to replace Baptist historian Criminal Justice voted 8-3 for bill that would allow the volume — during the 25-minute ride, after cutting Bill Leonard as dean of Wake Forest University a church to hire a security force or create its own by a plea deal April 21 to a misdemeanor charge. School of Divinity. authorizing the church’s board or pastor to tap parish- According to court records, Ihedioha, 47, a Nige- Gail O’Day, currently senior associate dean of ioners who have concealed weapons permits to bring rian native, was preaching around 12:45 a.m. with his faculty and academic affairs and the A.H. Shatford them to church. Louisiana law currently bans weapons arms outstretched, blocking an aisle. A police officer Professor of New Testament and Preaching at Emory in houses of worship. The bill is sponsored by Repub- aboard the Staten Island-bound boat approached and University’s Candler School of Theology, will become lican Henry Burns. told Ihedioha three times to keep moving. The preach- dean and professor of New Testament and Preaching Burns’ bill was amended to require a church that er remained put. Ihedioha was charged with felony at Wake Forest divinity school Aug. 1. allows armed parishioners to notify all members in second-degree assault, as well as obstructing govern- Leonard, 64, founding dean of the divinity school, announcements from the pulpit or in the weekly bul- ment administration, resisting arrest and disorderly will remain on the faculty as chair of church history letin or newsletter. conduct. Under the April 21 deal, Ihedioha, 47, pastor in the divinity school and the university’s religion of Christ the Lord Evangelistic Association, agreed to department. Survey finds Africa is most religious ride the ferry only for transportation and to abide by O’Day is a world-renowned scholar for research on all posted rules. WASHINGTON (RNS) — Researchers say the Gospel of John, the relationship between the Old they’ve found the most religious place on Earth — High Court: Memorial cross can stay and New Testaments, the Bible and preaching and the between the southern border of the Sahara Desert and history of biblical interpretation. the tip of South Africa. WASHINGTON (RNS) — A divided Supreme Religion is “very important” to more than three- Court on April 28 overruled a lower court that had Vivian McCaughan lived full life as quarters of the population in 17 of 19 sub-Saharan said Congress erred when it transferred a war memo- North American missionary nations, according to a new survey. rial cross in the Mojave National Preserve into private In contrast, in the United States, the world’s most hands. ST. CHARLES, Mo. (BP) — Vivian McCaughan, a religious industrialized nation, 57 percent of people The 5-4 ruling means the five-foot-cross, currently missionary who left a vast footprint on Missouri Bap- say religion is very important. encased in plywood as the case made its way through tist life, died April 18 at her home after a long battle The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life re- the legal system, can remain while a lower court con- with cancer. She was 62. leased the study April 15. tinues to consider the case. McCaughan, a North American Mission Board According to the survey, 98 percent of respondents Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court’s (NAMB) missionary serving in Missouri was featured in Senegal say religion is very important, following 5-4 majority, said, “The goal of avoiding governmen- during this year’s Week of Prayer for North Ameri- by 93 percent in Mali. The lowest percentage was tal endorsement does not require eradication of all can Missions and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering reported in Botswana, 69 percent, which is still a religious symbols in the public realm.” emphasis, with her husband Jim. healthy majority. May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 15 BCH breaks ground in Ahoskie, connects with history By Blake Ragsdale BCH’s care and Nov. 11 is considered BCH Communications the official date of BCH’s anniversary. Today, the church’s efforts to assist AHOSKIE — Baptist Children’s with Britton Ministries draw similar Homes of North Carolina (BCH) broke parallels to BCH beginnings. ground April 25 for a new group home The morning of the groundbreak- in Ahoskie. ing, Blackwell recounted Presson and Named Britton Ministries, the home Mitchell’s historic trip at First Baptist will provide residential services for up Church in Ahoskie. to nine children. At the end of the service, Pastor Dan- Before nearly 200 guests packing St. iel Glaze presented Blackwell with a Johns Baptist Church, Ahoskie Mayor check from the church for the Ahoskie- Linda Blackburn said, “Your vision and based home. dedication to establish a home in this “It’s astounding to witness churches area is to be commended. Children de- in this area pledge their support for the BCH photo serve to be able to share in every good new group home,” Blackwell explained. SHOVELING — Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina leaders break ground thing life offers.” “Their faithful and sacrificial support of on a new group home in Ahoskie. BCH President Michael C. Black- BCH is just as it was 125 years earlier.” well said the groundbreaking marked a Connaritsa Baptist Church in Au- dream of this much-needed home a real- Fulbright “can be as soft as velvet” and “full circle” for BCH, which traces its lander recently contributed $10,000, a ity,” Blackwell said. “tough as nails.” historic ties to the area to early 1885 substantial amount for the small con- “I can think of no better way to cel- Blackwell and the Fulbrights were in with the Chowan Baptist Association gregation and the largest contribution in ebrate Baptist Children’s Homes’ 125th seminary together at Southeastern Bap- in Ahoskie, known today as the West the church’s history. anniversary than to establish Britton tist Theological Seminary in the 1960s. Chowan Baptist Association. “Connaritsa has always been a sup- Ministries and offer hope and healing Blackwell thanked women of the During that time, area churches that porter of Baptist Children’s Homes to children and families in northeastern WMU-NC because of the “many things comprised the association agreed to even though its ministries were away North Carolina.” we’ve done together. Women have been give $1,250 towards establishing BCH’s from us,” said John Tayloe, deacon Since 1885, Baptist Children’s … truly the heart of (BCH).” first location in Thomasville. Chowan chair at Connaritsa. Homes of North Carolina has helped Blackwell shared one story about the was the first Baptist association to “Once we became aware of BCH’s children and families. BCH began with power of the WMU-NC. In 1988 Food contribute. plans to build a home in our community one campus, Mills Home in Thomas- Lion’s leaders offered to give a percent- Later that year on Nov. 11, John we knew we needed to be supportive.” ville, but now provides services in 18 age of receipts to the Baptist Children’s Mitchell, pastor of Ahoskie Baptist BCH looks to complete its $780,000 communities across the state. Homes. WMU got the word out about Church (now First Baptist), boarded a fundraising campaign for Britton Min- the challenge, and Food Lion had to train with nine-year-old Mary Presson istries soon and hopes to have the home Blackwell on road give a check for $64,000 to BCH. of Hertford County. Mitchell escorted built early next year. Blackwell spoke with a crowd at (EDITOR’S NOTE — Ragsdale is the girl on a 200-mile journey to her “We are so grateful to the Britton the annual Woman’s Missionary Union director of communications for BCH. new home in Thomasville. Presson family as well as our fellow Baptists of North Carolina meeting on April BR Assistant Managing Editor Dianna became the first child ever admitted into and community friends for making the 16-18. He pointed out that leader Ruby L. Cagle contributed to this report.) Researchers probe whether, why ‘free will’ exists

ORLANDO, Fla. (RNS) — Are people really ronment, God or something else — lead us to do all how things will turn out in the end? Does God give responsible for all the things they do? Do they have the things we do. humans the free choice to turn away? what theologians call God-given “free will” to choose “Gathering evidence for it one way or another, In the early 1980s, neuroscientist Benjamin Libet between right and wrong? Those questions are at the it’s quite possible,” said Alfred Mele, a professor of conducted an experiment that found subjects’ brains heart of a four-year research project underway at Flor- philosophy at Florida State who will lead the project. registered the decision to flex their wrists roughly 300 ida State University that aims to determine whether, “Scientists have been looking for evidence for and milliseconds before the subjects themselves became and how, free will exists. against free will since the early ’80s.” aware of their decision to do it. Funded by a $4.4 million grant from the John The debate however, is much older. For instance: The “Big Questions in Free Will” research project Templeton Foundation, the project will gather together Do humans, through their own freely chosen actions will devote $3.4 million for projects to explore the scientists, philosophers and theologians around the and decisions, determine whether they will go to concept of free will. Scientists will look for evidence question of what factors — free will, genetics, envi- heaven or hell? Does an omniscient God already know proving or disproving whether free will exists. Classified Advertisements

East Lumberton Baptist Church of Lumberton, NC, Winfree Memorial Baptist Church in Midlothian, VA, Freemason Street Baptist Church (CBF), an historic Pastor is seeking a full-time pastor who is dedicated to is prayerfully seeking an energetic; Christ centered yet progressive congregation in downtown Norfolk, Seeking FULL TIME SENIOR PASTOR whom God serving God, passionate for God’s people, and full-time Youth Minister. This position will partner VA, is searching for a minister of spiritual forma- is preparing for Olive Chapel Baptist Church, Apex committed to helping the church grow in member- with the senior pastor, church staff, youth leaders and tion and Christian education. We seek a person NC. Congregation ranges from senior life-long mem- ship and service to the Lord. Please send resume congregation to develop a sustainable youth ministry of faith, maturity, energy, creativity, warmth and vi- bers to new young families. Blend of traditional and to: Pastor Search Committee, 201 Whiteville Ave., to accomplish our mission of “Sharing Christ and sion. M. Div. is required. Send inquiries or resume some contemporary worship styles. Desire gifted Lumberton, NC 28358. Serving Others.” Candidates must have a seminary to Search Committee, Freemason Street Baptist and clear communicator of Scripture and sound degree and a minimum of 3 years of youth ministry Church, PO Box 1739, Norfolk, VA 23501. Deadline doctrine. Minimum of MDiv from accredited semi- experience or a bachelor’s degree and a minimum is June 1, 2010. Details about FSBC are available nary or divinity school. At least 5 years of pastoral Church Staff of 6 years of youth ministry experience. Interested at www.freemasonstreet.org. experience. Average Sunday School attendance candidates should submit their resumes and/or ques- 112 and Worship 210. Support missions through Minister of Music/Youth. West Point Baptist Church tions to [email protected]. Benson Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Di- Raleigh Baptist Association, BSCNC, CBF and of Kannapolis, N.C., is seeking God’s man to fulfill rector of Music for an established, comprehensive other local and global organizations. Send resumes the ministries of youth and music. The church is very Millers Creek Baptist Church is seeking a fulltime music program. Two Sunday morning services and letters of recommendation through June 1 to conservative in it’s theology and blended in its music Associate Pastor of Students (Middle –College) encompassing both traditional and contemporary Chairman, Pastor Search Committee, 1708 New and worship. The position is full time and the salary is Send resume to Dr. Jerry C. White, PO Box 559, music. Resumes to: PO Box 323, Benson, NC Hill-Olive Chapel Road, Apex, NC 27502 (email negotiable. Interest applicants should send resume Millers Creek, NC 28651 or email to jerry.white@ 27504; www.bensonbaptist.org. [email protected]). to West Point Baptist Church 1100 Pine Street Kan- millerscreekbaptist.org. napolis, N.C. 28081 Attn: Pastor Blair Bridle. Miscellaneous Pastor. Hallsboro Baptist Church, Hallsboro, NC, Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh is seeking a part-time DO YOU NEED A CHURCH PIANIST? We have is seeking a full-time pastor. We are a small, rural Associate Pastor/Worship Leader. Friendship (30 hours) student ministry associate. This position piano CDs for churches to sing by! Gospel, Hymns, church with a diverse congregation. We support Baptist Church, a conservative SBC in Jefferson, will oversee ministry to middle school students and Choruses, Praise, etc. Hundreds of Songs! Call bothBF C and SBC. Applicants should have a NC,s i seeking to fill a full-time associate pastor/wor- their families. In addition, he or she will assist in high Worship Service Resources 1-877-977-6800. FREE master’s degree from an accredited seminary or ship leader position. Salary is commensurate upon school and college ministries utilizing his or her gifted- DEMO! Special Church Pricing! www.pianocds.org. divinity school. Please send resume and references experience and educational background. The church ness.o T view a complete job description, go to www. to Search Committee, 3815 Sam Potts Hwy., Halls- averages 150 and offers a blended worship service. tbcraleigh.com. Please send resumes to Rev. Andy Share the Biblical Recorder — FREE. Order a boro, NC 28450. Send resumes to: Search Team, 891 Friendship Bap- Jung, Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, three-month free subscription for your family and tist Church Road, Jefferson, NC 28640, or email to: Raleigh, NC 27609. Deadline is May 16. friends. Contact Amie Moore at (919) 847-2127 or [email protected]. [email protected] ot make arrangements. Steeples & Encourage others to be more informed about N.C. Baptist life and missions. Baptistries Pews How to place a classified ad in theBiblical Recorder Choose one of three avenues: Tell our advertisers Quality Refinishing • Send e-mail to: [email protected] • Submit the information via the Recorder’s web site at www.biblicalrecorder.org you saw KIVETT’S INC. • Send a Fax to (919) 847-6939 For more information, call the office at (919) 847-2127. their ad in the (800) 334-1139 • Clinton, NC Cost for Baptist churches and organizations is $1.20 per word, number and stand- alone initial ($1.42 for commercial and non-Baptist entities) with a minimum charge of www.kivetts.com $35. Classifieds that run in the paper also are carried online. 16 OPINION Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 Mother’s Day and golf ‘In the name of Jesus Christ By Vince Hefner This past week I was at the PGA tournament at Quail Pastor, First Baptist Church, Cherryville Hollow. As I was watching the best golfers in the world “Tee it up,” I began to see similarities between golf and and His love’ his week our country will celebrate one of motherhood. By Milton A. Hollifield Jr. the best holidays/special days in our country, The first similarity is that golfers and mothers can make Mother’s Day. I cannot begin to tell you how the seemingly impossible look effortless. Have you ever BSC Executive Director-Treasurer much I owe to my mother for where and who I tried to hit a golf ball off a tee and place in the fairway? In am today. I don’t believe I would be a writer if order for this to happen you have to do several things right or the past week many of you have it were not for my mother, nor would I have the education at the same time to place the ball where you want it. been participating in the Week of I have without the encouragement and support from my A godly mother must deal with her children in just the Prayer for North Carolina Baptist T FHospital. Thank you for praying for the mother. I remember when I was in college and we were in right way and in the right spirit to achieve the right desire the financial aid office to settle my account for the follow- for her family. patients and their families, as well as the ing semester. A godly mother can help with homework with the staff, of our Baptist Hospital. The person told my Mom how much money I owed confidence of a seasoned college professor, clean the house The Week of Prayer helps us focus our (which was a large amount!) to stay in school and she while answering the phone with a professional and pleas- hearts as we prepare opened up her pocketbook, took out her checkbook and ant voice, and can do this year after year. Secondly, when a to give to the Moth- wrote the check. I knew she didn’t have that kind of golfer approaches the ball he is able to concentrate on what er’s Day Offering for money, but I didn’t say anything in front of the college he is doing without allowing external factors to mess him Baptist Hospital. This representative. up. offering helps ease I did feel faint and was hoping I would pass out and hit Even though the golf course is designed to be a chal- the financial burden my head on the corner of his table so the insurance I could lenge, the goal is to place the ball in a hole. A godly mother of patients at Baptist collect would cover the check! I did not pass out, and my can push away the outside influences of the world to make Hospital. Recipients Mom’s check did not bounce! That is just one memory sure her children get the best opportunities possible to suc- of this offering have of sacrifice that comes to my mind when I think of my ceed in this life. nowhere to turn for Mother. Thirdly, even if a golfer hits a bad shot, and they all do, financial help, and My wife is also an excellent mother. We have four adult they play the ball wherever it lands and takes another shot. their lives are changed children and I have seen my dear wife use the patience There is no way a godly mother can make every decision when they receive a letter that begins of Job in teaching them, praying for them, and correcting right, but they don’t quit making decisions even if they something like this: “Your hospital bill them, even till this day. make a bad one. has been paid by compassionate and Personally, I do not believe we are thankful enough for Thank God for godly mothers! mission-minded North Carolina Baptists godly mothers and how they guide us through life without Proverbs 31:10-12 tells us, “Who can find a virtuous and in the name of Jesus Christ and His love.” us sometimes even realizing it. They can do so many things capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her hus- In 2009, North Carolina Baptists gave at once; regardless of what is going on around them that I band can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She $663,013 to the Mother’s Day Offering am amazed that most mothers with adult children would brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” so that more than 150 patients could be not hesitate to tell you that they would have children all Don’t forget Mother’s Day. Remember, don’t give in to helped. Not long ago an article ran on the over again, but perhaps they would want different children! sin. Think about it! BSC web site about the Beck family and their struggle to pay for their seven-year- old daughter’s medical bills at Baptist Hospital. Teri Beck called the gift from the Mother’s Day Offering an “an absolute blessing” and said she is amazed that people who did not know her daughter or their family would care enough to give to an offering in order to help them and other families like them. I am very grateful for the ministry of Baptist Hospital. When Baptist Hospital began in 1923 I doubt anyone imagined just how influential and critical this ministry would become. During its an- nual meeting in 1920, the BSC voted to establish a Baptist State Hospital Com- mittee to study and make recommenda- Tar Heel Voices tion to the Convention efforts necessary for the establishment of a Baptist Hospital Saddened by Sherman loss there is “cooperation.” Instead of “convention” there is in North Carolina. “fellowship.” One year later, that committee had I am saddened with our loss of a man with the heart My most delightful “Cecil Story” is of his somewhat these words to say before the Convention: of a lion who saw changes for the worse among Baptists flamboyant sport coat which he brought from Texas to “The whole meaning of the movement is and had the courage to speak out clearly, regardless of any Asheville. It was tolerated until he wore it for a funeral to bring the healing art more definitely political or pastoral ramifications. of one of the more prominent members of the church and under the dominion of the Great Healer.” It is the rare pastor of a large church who does not check community. Quickly the staff who knew “proper preacher The Great Healer — He is why we the “direction of the wind and flow of the stream” before attire,” encouraged him to get his dark suit, white shirt, minister and He is why Baptist Hospital he takes a stand on anything. and conservative preacher tie. He quickly went back in his exists. Our prayer is that patients of Bap- Cecil had a sense of humor which would not quit, a office to change. tist Hospital will come to know the only brilliant mind which saw to the heart of most issues, and With great drama he jumped through his door to the One who is able to heal not only physi- an ability to communicate clearly with anyone who would main office saying, “TA DA — how do you like this Mrs. cally, but spiritually as well. read or listen to what he had to say. Widow!” — Only to find the widow standing there with the The leadership of Baptist Hospital con- Combine this with his brilliant mind and you have a rest of the mortified staff. In classic Sherman humility, he tinues to make certain that meeting physi- leader worthy of following into a new thing called Coop- apologized from the depths of his heart and was forgiven. cal and spiritual needs is priority. Donny erative Baptist Fellowship. We loved him most because he always made you laugh Lambeth, Baptist Hospital president, has Cecil, being a wordsmith, must have chosen the name in hard times! been on staff with Baptist Hospital in carefully. Those two new words replacing “Southern” and Gene Scarborough some capacity since 1988. “Convention” have meaning. Instead of “southern pride” Bath He understands the value in this work and he truly has a servant’s heart. I am glad to have someone like Donny serving REACT: in this role. Baptist Hospital is indeed a place Tar Heel Voices is your forum where the love of Jesus Christ and com- passion for others is displayed for all to • Letters are limited to 300 words and may be • Only one letter from a writer will be published see. As we seek to serve the Great Healer, edited for style, length and clarity. in a 90-day period. let us each be reminded of how He has • Name may be withheld only for sufficient E-mail to: healed our broken, sinful hearts — and or may we go and share healing with others. reason. [email protected], “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one • Letters must be signed and include an ad- Mail to: Editor, P.O. Box 18808, Raleigh, NC of the least of these my brethren, ye have dress and phone number. 27619 done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40 May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists OPINION 17 Voice of BSC Shouldn’t common language unite? y pastor preached on the Lord’s we are not as far apart as the rhetoric would claim. moves north Prayer and said one of its great It could mean we are brothers and sisters in effects through history is to give Christ and should affirm every positive step each or 21 years the pleasant voice in your ear when Christians a common language. of us makes, and not waste a moment’s energy to you called the Baptist State Convention of Then, on pages two and three of create a war of words over the differences. North Carolina’s (BSC) offices in Cary has been this issue, persons on different ends of the cur- Fthat of Cynthia Tucker. Her name probably never mat- tered to you as much as her first question: “How may rentM Baptist continuum use remarkably common I help you?” language to describe their intentions, hopes and What does tangential Most often callers want to connect to one of the purposes. It makes me dizzy. BSC staff, but a few years ago the Convention in- In Southern Baptist life, the Great Commis- affiliation mean? stalled direct dialing and each staff member has his or sion Resurgence Task Force recommendations Above I mentioned that most churches affili- her own number. If you know that number, you by- will emphasize returning the impetus for missions ated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are pass the switchboard to the local church. Daniel Vestal, who leads an tangentially connected also to their Baptist State and go directly to the organization born as an “anti-SBC” group, said his Convention. That is true whether in North Carolina phone of the person Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) or elsewhere. Tangential means “merely you seek. is committed to the local church as “the touching; slightly connected.” But when you don’t center of the missions enterprise.” EDITORIAL Since the easiest to quantify mea- know the number or Vestal, the second coordinator in the sure of a church’s involvement with the are not sure who you 20-year history of the CBF, said member Baptist State Convention is its gifts for need to speak to, or Spoke n churches of his organization “share a cooperative ministry given through the might not even have passion for the Great Commission.” The Cooperative Program, here are a few entirely formulated your question, having someone SBC’s Great Commission Resurgence examples of churches once hugely sup- like Cynthia Tucker say, “How may I help you?” is a Task Force … well, its name affirms its portive of the Baptist State Convention drop of Gatorade on a thirsty tongue. own position there. but who have moved to just a tangential Mondays are always crazy as people call with Vestal believes local churches affiliat- relationship — and which maintain the questions prompted by Sunday but Cynthia’s calm ing with multiple partners is a feature relationship primarily to stay qualified voice never wavers. of the future. Task force member J.D. for the insurance and retirement benefits In a world where genuine helpfulness is sparse, and Norman Jameson Greear said in a “flat world” churches can provided by the BSC. “product knowledge” is rare, Cynthia’s response is al- find resources beyond “a denominational ways a relief. If she doesn’t know the answer to your I offer comparisons between gifts to question she will find out and get back to you. She knowledge broker.” the Baptist State Convention by these churches in has a computer at her switchboard and is a deft online Most churches that affiliate with the CBF remain 2003 and gifts in 2008. Five years is long enough information retriever. Often she can find the answer tangentially connected to the Baptist state conven- to see the comparison clearly, and 2008 is before while you’re still trying to articulate the question. tions that once enjoyed their primary support. Most gifts from many churches dropped due to the Cynthia is a Christian on fire and she cajoled her churches that have affirmed the first round of Great economy. husband Greg into joining her on a mission trip to Commission Task Force recommendations similar- Church A, $7,600 to $0; Church B $13,619 to Ukraine in 2008 and they’ve never been the same ly are connected to their Baptist state conventions, $1,328; Church C $28,162 to $1,775; Church D since. Now, Greg has cajoled Cynthia into joining but not necessarily as their primary alliance. $20,453 to $3,767; Church E $25,000 to with- him on a mission trip to Chicago where his employer This is not to say the wishful but whipped drawn; Church F $164,389 to $44,839; Church G has asked him to move. More than Baptists who formed the CBF 20 years ago and $12,297 to $2,519. a mission trip, they are repotting the hopeful reformers of the SBC today are really You can easily see the impact of a church that their lives. political or theological clones. I doubt any Great no longer feels welcomed at the family reunion. Its Cynthia was on the public rela- Commission Resurgence advocates would endorse money follows its heart. And do not say a church tions staff when I supervised that Vestal’s affirmation of women in the pastorate or that shifts funds has no heart for the Great Com- area and she always bubbled with his position that “justice is as important as personal mission. See Vestal’s comments (above, page 2). ideas. In 2005 we wrestled with salvation.” Lest you hasten to judge churches that have how to produce a commemorative It’s just that the Baptist family once was large shifted funds to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship piece for the Convention’s 175th enough to include people who were this much alike for lack of support to the Baptist State Convention anniversary; another for Executive — even if they were this much different. Purchase that they once loved and supported in significant Director-Treasurer Jim Royston’s price for entry into the family reunion was cooper- ways, I invite your attention to page 144 of the Cynthia Tucker, retirement and still produce a Book ation in missions. With dividing lines more clearly 2009 Southern Baptist Convention annual. This the face of the of Reports and annual meeting pro- drawn, meetings of Baptist State Convention of page lists the North Carolina Baptist churches that voice. gram on time and within budget. North Carolina Baptists, and Southern Baptist direct gifts to the Southern Baptist Convention, Cynthia suggested we put them all Convention Baptists, are much more harmonious. in one book and make that book good looking and bypassing the Baptist State Convention of North quality enough that people would think twice before Conflict virtually is gone because those with differ- Carolina. tossing it in the trash after the annual meeting. ing opinion coalesced around like perspectives and Each church has every right to do that and still We followed her suggestion and produced one pulled away from involvement with family mem- be a BSC member church. Most of these churches of the most significant pieces since Gutenberg an- bers who vote a different ticket. are tangentially related still to the BSC because nounced the printing press! Harmony is nice. Harmony makes for quick they also give money to the BSC. But 77 churches It is a practice the Convention has followed ever meetings and for good feelings driving home. gave $1.1 million that is not counted as Coopera- since. Harmony like this also carries the danger that no tive Program because it did not come through the Because of her constant flow of ideas and prods wise perspective will surface if it might be per- state Convention and will not be distributed among for ways to do things better, I was told Cynthia would ceived as pushing against prevailing opinion. That all ministries. You’ll see on this list three members be a “hard staff member to supervise.” Instead, she’s is a dangerous silence because the very reason we of the Baptist State Convention Board of directors. been a constant cool breeze on a sweltering day. It have boards is to gather representation and collec- Do I need to itemize the implications of board hurts to voluntarily let someone like Cynthia pass tive wisdom around the conference table. members bypassing the Baptist State Convention from our circle of friends and colleagues. Tearful What does it mean that the Great Commission with their gifts? testimonies at her going away party proved that we all Task Force and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship You’ll also see on this list the churches of three are reluctant releasers. use the same language to describe their work? It Biblical Recorder directors. Two of them are work- To answer her question, “How may I help you?” could mean that the two groups define the words ing hard to change that in their churches. one last time, I would say, “Find someone just like differently so they don’t mean the same thing. It We are more alike than we are different. Let’s yourself before you go and leave her behind.” could affirm my pastor’s sermon point that Chris- celebrate our common love for Jesus, our heart for — NWJ tians need a common language. It could mean that missions and affirm each other everywhere we can.

Editor Emeritus Publication Volume 176 No. 10 R.G. Puckett, Editor 1982-1998 Published biweekly on Saturdays by Biblical Recorder Inc., 232 W. (919) 847-2127 Board of Directors Millbrook Road, Raleigh, N.C. Fax (919) 847-6939 Bill Flowe, chair; Gerald Hodges, vice chair; JoAnn 27609, as authorized by the Baptist www.biblicalrecorder.org Sanderson, secretary; Paul Arnold; Stephen Burrow; Patricia State Convention in annual session Faulkner; Mark Harris; Robert Hefner; Vincent Hefner; at Winston-Salem, Nov. 21-23, 1939. Richard Hicks; Chester Jones; Larry Locklear; Dennis (ISSN 0279-8182) Norman Jameson, Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, Thurman; Pat Vines; Don Warren; Larry Whichard. N.C. 27676. Journal of the Baptist Editor [email protected] Subscriptions State Convention Individual subscriptions, $15.99; Clubs, $13.79; Every Home of North Carolina Dianna L. Cagle, Plan, $12.49; Church News Service, $11.50; Bulk (10+) Postmaster: Send address changes to Founded 1833 by Assistant Managing Editor $11.50; single copies, 60 cents each. Payable in advance. Biblical Recorder Inc., P.O. Box 18808, Thomas Meredith [email protected] North Carolina sales tax is included. Raleigh, N.C. 27619-8808. 18 Sunday School Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010 Lesson for May 16 Formations Lesson for May 23 Share Your Faith Use Your Gifts

Focal Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-4:6 For someone to “call you to account” Focal Passage: 1 Peter 4:7-5:5 happens, good or bad, trust God (4:12- means that they’ve seen enough of you, 19). n the city where I attended divinity and the way you live, to ask questions. ack in the ’80s some self- Now, about those church relation- school a certain man preached regu- Sharing the faith starts with living the proclaimed prophet predicted ships: Leaders, lead happily, gently and larly on a busy downtown street cor- life. the end of the world. He even with integrity — no hidden agendas or Iner. He didn’t have a pulpit: he paced. “With gentleness and reverence” namedB the date. His announcement selfish motives. Followers, respect your He didn’t have a microphone: he yelled. means that you’ve seen enough of them made the national news. leaders. Everybody, be humble (5:1-5). His words were as hostile as his tone. to treat them kindly and respectfully — A man in our community, faithful None of this looks too out of the He held his oversized Bible open in to know them, to understand and active in another church, ordinary to me. Hard? Sometimes. We his left hand, the pages flapping in the them, even to care for them. was terrified. He called me up: have to be intentional. But whether it’s breeze. Evangelism isn’t just about “Tell your people! They’ve got the last day or every day, this is how The extended index finger of his right talking. It’s also about listen- to get ready!” we’re supposed to live. No other special hand pointed sometimes at the text, ing. I asked him, “Do you be- precautions are needed. sometimes at the sky, often at us. You have to earn the right to lieve in Jesus?” He did. On the Christian calendar today is People scurried by with their heads speak. “Do you believe Christ died Pentecost Sunday, the fiftieth day after down, gazing at their feet. Most gave Our lesson mentions two for your sins?” Of course! Easter. The Jews were in town for the him a wide berth. Nobody stopped to contexts: those who persecute “Do you trust God?” Abso- Feast of Weeks (for the seven weeks listen, not even me. us (3:13-18) and those we used lutely! since Passover) at the end of the spring Why not? Maybe we were disinter- to run wild with (4:3-4). “Then what is there to be harvest. The Holy Spirit arrived with ested at best, pagans at worst. Besides, Negative examples, to be afraid of?” tongues of fire and jump-started the Ed Beddingfield he was way too angry. sure, but at least we know I did throw in one piece of apostles’ preaching ministry (Acts 2). pastor, First Mainly, though, it’s that he was talk- something about each other. free advice: “If you live every Pentecost is sometimes called “the Baptist Church, ing at us, not to us, and certainly not Real faith isn’t communicated day as though it might be your birthday of the church.” Fayetteville with us. in a vacuum. It takes a relation- last, then you don’t have to Pentecost also begins a new season And what about the lady who rings ship. worry if it is.” of the church year called — get this my doorbell on Saturday morning, Don’t get sidetracked by the hard Peter believed it was any day now: — “Ordinary Time.” It stretches for a wanting to give me a two-minute pre- questions in the text: the “spirits in “The end of all things is at hand” (4:7). whole half year, until Advent. sentation of her version of the gospel? prison” and the “days of Noah” (3:19- So what was his advice? Any special At Pentecost Peter preached like Does she really think she can change 20), and whether baptism really “saves precautions? Not really: it was the beginning. In his letter he my mind — and capture my heart — you” (3:21). Pray seriously. Love one another. writes like it’s the end. And here we are, when she doesn’t even know my name? If we’re not careful, they’ll just dis- Practice hospitality. Use your gifts (thus 2000 years later, in Ordinary Time. When she doesn’t have a clue what’s tract us from the main issue: our lesson title) for one another. In If Peter had known it would go on going on in my life? Is my faith revealed in the way I everything honor God (4:7-11). so long, would his advice be different? Peter has a better idea: “Always be live? Don’t get caught up in wrongdoing. Probably not. prepared to make a defense to any one Is it a positive influence on those But don’t expect to be exempt from dif- No special precautions required: Just who calls you to account for the hope around me? ficulties just because you’re a believer. live each day as if it were your last. that is in you, yet do it with gentleness If someone asks about it, do I have Sometimes troubles come precisely Then live the last day like any other. and reverence” (3:15). an answer? because you are a believer. Whatever You’ll be ready. Lesson for May 16 Bible Studies for Life Lesson for May 23 To Love and Cherish I Pledge You My Faithfulness

Focal Passages: Ephesians 5:21-33; A woman was looked upon as Focal Passages: Matthew 5:27-30; volved. In fact, it is so serious that Jesus 1 Peter 3:7 property and when she displeased her Proverbs 5:15-21; 6:25-32 says that if our eye should offend us, husband in any manner, then he (and then we should go ahead and remove it othing frightens people more only he) had the option to write her a ex sells. I can’t even go and view instead of staring down the path of lust than to enter into a new relation- certificate of divorce and kick her out of one of the national news web sites and eventual physical unfaithfulness. ship thinking that it will be a his house for any reason whatsoever. without some side ad on the web Now, Jesus was not being literal situationN where you are in a submissive “Love your wife, just as Christ loved S site trying to get my attention when He said to remove your eye, but role. the church…” was an idea from for some questionable televi- He was trying to stress how this sin The biblical understanding of way out in right field. sion show coming on tonight, can sneak into our lives and poison our submission is so far from the common These believers knew how prompting me to try some new relationships with our spouse, children, understanding of submission in today’s much Christ loved them and online dating service for singles and friends. society that we will need to understand when Paul told them that the or married people, or to take The Bible is not silent about physical what the Bible shows us about sub- husband was to have this same a look at some new revealing intimacy between a husband and wife. mission to understand this passage in type of love for his wife, then a clothing designs for the season. In many different passages the reader Ephesians where wives are to submit to new understanding of this mar- Everywhere we go, it seems is advised that sexual intimacy is only their husbands. riage relationship began to take that we are bombarded with between a husband and wife. Well, that phrase for wives to submit place. temptations. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 5 that How did Christ love the to their husbands sinks like a rock in Dale Austin Jr. As our society comes to physical and emotional intimacy is only world? a pond when it is thrown out in casual associate pastor, accept this, we can see how truly fulfilling between a husband and We see in Mark 10:45 that conversation. Wakeminster marital faithfulness is no longer wife. Solomon goes on in Proverbs 6 Jesus came not to be served by The term used for submit literally Baptist Church, a practice that is required. Just with the consequences of adultery — us but to serve us and to give means to “arrange under,” and it is to be Raleigh take a look around at our ac- what appears fun and exciting like fire done in a voluntary way. His life for us. tors, actresses, political leaders, will only burn you in the end. Current This is better understood as wives This is the type of love and community leaders — faithful- statistics show that 34 percent of mar- voluntarily respecting their husbands service that a husband is to have for his ness in marriage is the exception and riages that involve physical infidelity and letting them be the spiritual and wife. not the rule, but just because our society eventually end up in divorce — the physical head of the These believers knew how The wife was not has that viewpoint does not mean that it husband, wife, children, and extended household. This term just to be a submis- is God’s viewpoint. family are harmed because of the ac- for submit never is to much Christ loved them sive servant. God’s standard still stands, and He tions of a few. mean that someone and when Paul told them Both the husband calls for husbands and wives to be faith- How are we to apply these words is to become like a that the husband was to and wife were to ful to one another in a loving relation- of wisdom to our daily lives? First, we forced slave to another have a new type of ship under the leadership of Christ. should take all precautions to guard person. have this same type of love relationship of mutual Jesus addresses the problem of mari- against temptation. Paul continues with for his wife, then a new submission to each tal unfaithfulness in Matthew 5. This includes questionable conver- this marriage relation- understanding of this other. Adultery starts with a deep desire or sations, very close emotional attach- ship theme and turns Wives, give due longing which is the original meaning ments to the opposite sex in place of his attention over to marriage relationship respect to your hus- of lust. the same emotional attachment that we the husbands. began to take place. bands in private and To lust in our hearts is the beginning should have with our spouse, and what The very first thing in public. Husbands, of mental adultery, and Jesus warns us we watch or read. Men crave physi- that Paul says to the husbands is to love cherish your wives in that lusting for another person can be cal intimacy; women crave emotional your wives. Now we think to ourselves private and public. just as destructive as the physical act of intimacy. that this is a no brainer, but that was not When we do this under the leader- adultery. We are warned by Jesus to be vigi- the case 2,000 years ago. ship and example of Christ, it will In Matthew 5, we see where Jesus lant; if the opportunity arises that may Love did not usually come into the change our marriages and families in warns us of this and that it is a very lead us astray, that we should address equation for marriages in that time. ways we cannot even imagine. serious issue in which to become in- the issue immediately. May 8, 2010 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists 19 WMU-NC feels called to push forward in lean, rich times (Continued from Page 1) Hartsell, vice president; Chris Harker, vice president of development; Tammi there were still strained relationships Ward, recording secretary; and Beth with others,” she said. McDonald, assistant recording secre- Fulbright said she uses an exercise tary. with the staff to reflect on what’s good Members-at-large for 2010-2011: and what’s bad. She’s learned that “we Jennifer Carter, Region 3, Bladen have a pretty amazing ability to adapt.” Association; Lucille Yancey, Region Fulbright said it is the duty of WMU 3, Eastern Association; Kim Bounds, to help individuals, churches and as- Region 4, Raleigh Association; Whitney sociations in “building relationships Edwards, Region 4, Raleigh Associa- that tear down barriers. We are invited, tion; Pamela Whitted, Region 6, Metro- challenged, commanded … to follow lina Association; Ruth Anne Johnson, Christ.” Region 7; Linda Sutton, Region 7,

A special offering raised $12,476 that Three Forks Association; and Ann B. BR photos by Dianna L. Cagle WMU-NC will use mostly for a con- Stamey, Region 9, Transylvania Asso- BEGINNING — Ladies at the Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina an- ference/retreat center in Lebanon and ciation. nual meeting prepare for the parade of flags at Ridgecrest April 16 that opened the

WMU-NC mission trips. first session of the weekend meeting. See related videos and a photo gallery online. “2009 was the best of times, the Specially called worst of times, but the Father was with Decker, who lives in Rutherfordton, He wants us to be. You are emphasis will be on human us in both,” Fulbright said. “In 2010 the spent time in the sessions and at the din- uniquely and wonderfully trafficking. commitment of the Woman’s Mission- ing hall encouraging women. made. If you desire to under- “By and large as a group ary Union of North Carolina is to be As a leader of Duke Power, Decker stand God you have to be in we are a people who are obedient and faithful. The Father will said she sensed in her soul that “some- relationship with Him.” willing to try new things (to take care of the rest.” how things weren’t right.” Part of that relationship better the kingdom),” she Budget requirements last year drew All of the responsibility she had requires you to be still and said. “People are choos- reserves down to about $600,000. taken on herself was taking its toll. surrender your heart. ing to participate in things She thanked her faithful staff who While the outside looked perfect, she because they know someone have accepted downward adjustments felt spiritually dead. National level involved. We want to be part in compensation and benefits, but none “Inside I was empty,” she said, shar- Jean Roberson of national of something.” have left and none were laid off. ing that all the voices were competing. WMU spoke of the impor- WMU has been making WMU-NC approves annual meeting “Voices telling you you’re too tall, too tance of praying for mission- Sharon Decker puts changes to meet the needs dates three years in advance. The 2013 thin, not right. Whatever it is it’s not aries and giving. She high- her hands into her of the women it reaches and dates of April 19-21 were approved. enough. You and I have fallen into the lighted the values of WMU: message at one of the wants to reach. Missions Ladies accomplished two projects trap of listening to the voice. All of us diversity, community, social WMU-NC sessions. Mosaic magazine has made during the weekend, assembling 55 hear it; you’re not good enough.” change, and embracing some design and content birthing kits for Zimbabwe, along with Decker is now a full-time student at change. changes including adding a Shades of eight to 10 boxes of children’s vitamins, Gardner-Webb Divinity School. She “It’s not just about me growing as a Red book club with a mission project baby toys and scarves. They also as- also hosts a radio show — “The Satis- mature Christian,” Roberson said. It’s related topic. Roberson highlighted two sembled 850 food kits and 350 hygiene fied Life” — in Charlotte on Sunday about “bringing about the kingdom of web sites (womeonmission.com and kits for the homeless for ministries in mornings. God around me. We can’t just sit in a mymissionfulfilled.com) to appeal to a North Carolina and Georgia. “God has uniquely equipped you church cocoon.” wider spectrum of women. The 2011 Officers elected for 2010-2011 to be His person, now,” she said. “It’s Over the last couple of years WMU meeting is set April 8-10 celebrating were Delores Thomas, president; Tana about trusting God to make of us what has focused on poverty. The next WMU-NC’s 125th anniversary. NC Job Corps wins national awards By Dianna L. Cagle into the darkest places.” BR Assistant Managing Editor Sandra Wright, site coordinator of Spiritual living CWJC of Gaston County, will receive A Christian Women’s Job Corps $641 to help with providing childcare as impacts generous giving (CWJC) site and participant have been well as paper and cleaning products to Churches are discovering that generous giving results when their congregation’s named as the 2010 national Woman’s those transitioning from being homeless spiritual growth increases. That’s why LifeWay Stewardship’s capital campaigns Missionary Union (WMU) winners. or living with other family members to are so successful—they focus on the church’s spiritual growth through prayer, National WMU leaders were on their own home. faith, trust, unity, and other key areas. hand during the WMU-NC Missions “What a blessing you will receive” Extravaganza April 17 to present the by providing a Christian context for Whatever your vision: awards through CWJC. State consul- women in need, Wright said. CWJC of • New construction • Reducing debt tant Cara Lynn Vogel also was part of Gaston County offers classes in budget- • Expansion • Renovation the presentation. ing as well as a Bible study. • Relocation • Planting a new work There were two 2010 winners in Shandale Hodges • Multi-site campuses/satellite church North Carolina. Gastonia received the will receive $1,000 to 2010 National WMU Foundation Site further education or Discover innovative solutions customizable for Award and a Raleigh resident was pre- provide for her children. sented the Sybil Bentley Dove Award, Hodges came to CWJC your church’s specific needs: given annually to a current or former thinking it was a job CWJC participant who advances herself placement service, not through life skills, academic develop- knowing the amount of ment and faith in God. commitment it would CWJC, which began require. With Pat Bryan nationally in 1997 as mentor, Hodges be- Hodges and started in North gan taking classes. She Carolina in 1999, has attended Bible study but 15 official sites and an also learned about budgeting. Call 800.251.4220 or e-mail [email protected] and ask us to mail you a affiliate site in South “I had to cut out some unnecessary package with more detailed information. www.lifeway.com/cs Africa. items in order to provide for my fam- Jean Roberson of ily,” she said. Going to SBC in Orlando? national WMU said Bryan, who is retiring as the site Come meet our stewardship consultants at the LifeWay booth. Attend our FREE CWJC and Christian coordinator for Raleigh Baptist Associa- Men’s Job Corps had tion’s CWJC, received the national site Mini-Building Conference, June 16th, 1:30-4:30PM, Room 305B West Building Wright at the Orange County Convention Center. more than 4,300 par- award in 2008. ticipants last year with Hodges is pursuing a substance abuse 18,000 volunteers. counseling degree and hopes to provide “I view them truly as heroes among a better future for her two children. us,” said Roberson about volunteers. She said being part of CWJC taught They deal with “violated probations, her about unconditional love. lost jobs, spiritual darkness, the lone- (EDITOR’S NOTE — Watch videos liness that exists, training, juggling of both winners on youtube.com/bib- public relations,” etc. licalrecorder or find links in this story “They do not shy away from walking online.)

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range to bottom edge 20 Biblical Recorder: News Journal of North Carolina Baptists May 8, 2010