parchment valley conference center news€¦ · 6/2/2016 · bottom line for now and always is god...

The mission of the West Virginia Baptist Convention is to empower local churches to be Christ honoring communities of faith and to help them fulfill their mission by enabling them to do together what they cannot do alone.

As I look over the 2015 ParchmentValley Conference Center financial data inregard to monetary donations, I amoverwhelmed with gratitude andappreciation.

I attended as many association meetingsas I could work into my schedule this past fall anddistributed information showing the areas ofgiving from our West Virginia Baptist Conventionchurches. Many of you read and absorbed thatinformation, and we now are seeing donationsfrom new churches as well as those that havealways been supportive.

The operation of Parchment ValleyConference Center is nosmall task. The weeklyoperating costs arealmost overwhelming,but because of thegenerosity of WestVirginia BaptistConvention churches,we are alive and welland looking forward toan even busier year thanlast. How blessed weare to live in the state ofWest Virginia, wherepeople give so generously.

Our invitation is always open to you tovisit and/or reserve Parchment Valley ConferenceCenter facilities for your church or church group.We will do our very best to accommodate yourneeds and make your visit pleasant andmeaningful.

My deepest thanks are extended to allthe churches and individuals who havecontributed financially to Parchment ValleyConference Center: “a place where lives arechanged.”

Frank MillerDirector of Operations,

Parchment Valley Conference Center

Parchment Valley Conference Center News

February - March 2016

Parchment ValleyConference Center is now hostto a new training program inJackson County, TempleChallenge. Temple Challengeexists to help motivate, inspireand educate people to theirbest obtainable levels in life.The unique training systemcaters to all individuals andtheir training goals in acomfortable atmosphere.Temple Challenge will helpcreate road maps thattransformindividuals’/communities’mindsets, lifestyles and habitsto instill the value of health infitness. Their motto is YOURBODY IS A TEMPLE, and TempleChallenge’s success will beachieved when their mottobecomes the way you live.1

Temple Challenge is biblicallybased on 1 Corinthians 6:19,“Do you not know that yourbodies are temples of the HolySpirit, who is in you, whom you

have received from God? Youare not your own.”

This instructional fitnessprogram is open to all persons at avery affordable cost, and your firstsession is free! The twelve weeksession cost is $120.00 and the 24week session cost is $200. Individualsessions are $5.00 each.

This new training programis gaining much recognition andparticipation. Classes are conductedin the Greenlee Activity Center atParchment Valley ConferenceCenter on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. andTuesdays at 6:00 p.m. Stacy Houseris the founder of Temple Challengeand Becky and Rick Marshall aretrainers for this location.

For more information onthe program, please visitthetemplechallenge.com. To register,please contact Parchment ValleyConference Center at 304.372.3675.

Your body is a temple ...1 Corinthians 6:19-20

______________________________1”Our Mission,” 2015,<http://thetemplechallenge.com/#club>(accessed January 6, 2015).

Tracy Mills speaks at theGuyandotte Associationmeeting.

Temple Challenge Comes to Parchment Valley Conference Center

The TEMPLE CHALLENGE

Mission:

NUTRITION + EXERCISE+ COMMUNITY + FAITH

= SUCCESS

2 The West Virginia Baptist/February-March

Vol. LXXXIII, Issue 02 February-March 2016

Table of ContentsCommentary: The Promise of a

Redo/Executive Committee Report 2

Adult Discipleship: New Year, NewOfferings/America for Christ Offering 3

Hispanic Ministries: Lessons for theJourney- Lecciones Para El Viaje 4

Thinking Missions: Seeds/Mountain State Mission Offering 5

Experiencing Passion and GrowingDisciples/American Baptist Men of West

Virginia Annual National PrayerBreakfast 6

Partnerships Make All theDifference/Spring Golden’eers 7

Investing in Future Generations at the WestVirginia Baptist Camp at Cowen 8-9

Bible Conference with Dr. GeraldKeown/Pastors4Pastors: The Ministers’

Council Spring Event 10

Northwest Area News/Northeast Area News 11

Southwest Area News/Southeast Area News 12

Senior High Convention/Spring Children’s Rally/2015 Ministers’Wives’ Retreat/Leadership Updates 13

Obituaries: November-December 14

Prayer Calendars: February-March 15

Coming Events/Church Officers’ Training 2016 16

Our spiritualjourney as a believer isgoing to take a lifetime.The Lord knows us andprovides us with a map forthe journey, but still,during that lifetime we willstumble from time to timeand take the wrong path.To begin we mustunderstand where we areon the journey. Life is a struggleand there are times of confusionthat create a fog of doubt aboutour relationship with God. We donot always allow the wind of theHoly Spirit to clear away the fog.Surrender of self to the Holy Spiritrequires we give up control to theLord in all aspects of our life.Many of us forget who is in chargeeven when we mess up.

The story of the potter inJeremiah 18 lifts up a celebration of adivine redo. The potter takes a wreckedvessel and reworks it into somethingnew and usable. He sees beyond thenow into the possibilities of the future.On many occasions we forget we seenow, but God sees forever. We see theworld, but God knows the universe.

Max Depree, in his book,Leadership Is An Art (New York:Doubleday, 1989) says, “The firstresponsibility of a leader is to definereality.” That applies to church leadersas well. Our present reality must beseen in the light of a divine future

reality. That divine reality canshape the kingdom work weattempt now.

One of the stumblingblocks of our witness as thechurch is our integrity. Wemust take our commitmentsseriously within the walls ofthe church and outside of ourcommunity of faith. Everyorganization, even the church,

suffers when folks say they will serveand then never show up. Others senseour lack of integrity and commitment.Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:37, “Let youryes be your yes and your no be your no.”The good news is we can repent of ourlack of integrity and be a people of theWord by keeping our word!

Discipleship can make apositive impact on our lack of integrityin the church. What a difference thatwould make in our witness to ourcommunities! The good news is we canwork on it until Jesus returns. Thebottom line for now and always is Godis in charge and He stills loves andforgives us. Psalm 103:11-12 says, “Foras high as the heavens are above the earth sogreat is His love for those that fear Him; asfar as the east is from the west, so far has heremoved our transgressions from us.”Thank God for His wonderful goodnews and the reality of His eternal redo.

Blessings

Commentary____________________by David L. Carrico, Executive Minister

The Promise of a Redo

Dr. DavidCarrico

There’s an App for That!The West Virginia BaptistConvention app is availablefor Android and Apple

products. Download yours today!

Executive CommitteeReport

The Executive Committee of theWest Virginia Baptist Convention in itsmeeting of January 8, 2016 accepted theretirement notice of Rev. Dr. Victor Shieldsas area minister for the Northeast effectiveFebruary 29, 2016. It recognized his 20years on the Convention staff andexpressed deep appreciation for hiseffective ministry.

The Committee also approvedthe contract for Rev. Dr. Michael Stephensto serve as the Interim Area Minister for

the Northeast area.The Committee appointed a

search committee that is responsible tosearch and recommend to the ExecutiveCommittee someone to replace the retiringShields.

The West Virginia BaptistConvention will receive resumes fromapplicants for the position of NortheastArea Minister for the West Virginia BaptistConvention. Resumes complete withreferences may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1019Parkersburg, WV 26102, ATTN: Dr. DavidCarrico. Submission deadline forconsideration is March 7, 2016.

The West Virginia Baptist/February-March 3

Adult Discipleship: New Year, New Offerings

The America for Christ Offering 2016 reminds us that service is a way of life forChrist’s church. Extending the hope, love and compassion of our Lord to ourneighbors and communities is a powerful demonstration that we have beentransformed. We are reinvigorated by this year’s theme to come alongside people as they journey through life. I am asking you to give generously to thisyear’s America for Christ Offering 2016 and in doing so, help us to reach ourstate goal in support of home mission.

One third of this offering supports the mission and ministries of the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life (Ephesians 2:10).

For additional information: www.abhms.org.

Your America for ChristOffering provides life

changing ministries andresources that impact

neighborhoods andcommunities across the

United States andPuerto Rico with the

love and hope of JesusChrist.

STATE GOAL:$125,000

Discipleship Ministries____________________by Lisa Simmons, Director

With the new year comes new offerings and opportuni-ties from Discipleship Ministries. In addition to the productiveand effective ministries for youth and camping, led by Rob Ely;children, led by Koreen Villers; senior adults, led by Jerry Losh;and conferencing, led by Frank Miller, Discipleship Ministries isenthusiastically announcing a new periodic resource newslettertitled Discipleship Now!

This newsletter is available to anyone interested ingrowing and maturing personally in their walk with Christ, andit is for local churches who want to begin or step up their encour-agement and support to believers. Discipleship Now! will befull of practical suggestions and ideas as well as having materialfor individuals to use as they intentionally move toward spiritualmaturity. The publication will include helps in the areas of adult,youth and children’s discipleship. Discipleship Now! will bepublished each quarter and is available to anyone who signs upto receive it. If you are interested in this FREE publication,please contact Valma Adams at 304.422.6449 or [email protected].

With the help and guidance of the DiscipleshipCommission, a new local church resource, titled HouseholdDiscipleship will be available in February 2016. The discipleshipcommission is encouraging every church to set aside one month

in 2016 to focus on discipleship in the home. The resourceincludes recommended readings for parents/guardians, practicalideas for use with families, four sermon topics (includes scrip-ture, main points and illustrations) and four print ready bulletininserts. This resource will be first distributed at the ChurchOfficers’ Training event on February 6, 2016 and will be availableonline. Hard copies can be ordered from the West VirginiaBaptist Convention office from Valma Adams.

Also at the Church Officers’ Training event, a disciple-ship workshop will be offered by Rich McClure of ParkersburgFirst Baptist Church (Parkersburg). This workshop is open toanyone interested in local church discipleship, whether you holdan official discipleship office in the church or not. Considerattending this workshop and learning and sharing with otherswho have a goal of strengthening the local church discipleshipplan.

Lisa Simmons, director of Discipleship Ministries, isinterested in working with you and your church to assess yourdiscipleship program and plans to assist you in moving forwardin encouraging and supporting discipleship. Contact her at [email protected] or 304.273.9693. Let’s work together to findGod’s plan for your congregation!


Noemi was 16 years old when she left her homein Ejido Manacal in Chiapas, Mexico. She was the oldestof seven siblings and saw how her mother and father, aPentecostal pastor, struggled to make ends meet.Manacal is a coffee-producing area, but not everyoneprofits from the crop. Those working on coffee planta-tions make $3.00 a day or $60.00 a month. The dire eco-nomic conditions in her village force most men, youngadults and even teenagers to seek better opportunitieselsewhere in Mexico or “El Norte,” as they call theUnited States. Unable to find a job in her community,Noemi followed the path taken by many of the youngadults in her community and headed to Tapachulas, animportant city in Chiapas. There she got a job at a storemaking $60.00 a month.

After six months in Tapachulas, she returned home for afew weeks. With a strong sense of duty tosupport her family, she ventured to MexicoCity, where she hoped to make more money.Working as a housemaid she made $80.00 amonth. Life in one of the world’s largestcities was not easy; she was alone and missedher family. She worked for six months andthen set sail back home. However, her jour-ney within Mexico was not over. She stayedhome a few weeks and then sailed farthernorth. This time her port of call was Tijuana.In Tijuana, she made $80.00 dollars a monthas a housemaid. It was there she wasencouraged by a friend to migrate to theUnited States. “Noemi, let’s go to the UnitedStates. My dad says that they make goodmoney over there. Let’s go ...” was her friend’s enticing remark.But she hesitated because of the horror stories she had heardabout those who attempted to cross the border. Her reply was, “Idon’t think so. Have you not heard everything they say aboutwhat happens? Women are raped ... no, no I am not risking mylife. I’d rather stay here.” She remained five months in Tijuanaand then plied back home.

She stayed with her family for two months. During thattime, a friend from church shared with her he was migrating tothe United States. “At least 20 people from Manacal are going inthis trip,” he added. Knowing so many people from her commu-nity were traveling gave her a sense of security. She would notbe surrounded by strangers. She would be protected by friends.“I will think about it,” she responded. She sought counsel withher parents. “If you are thinking about leaving, you should firstseek God to see if it is His will. If it is His will, doors will open,”

advised her dad. Noemi fasted and prayed for three days to seekGod’s guidance. At the end of that time, she felt God confirmedshe should make the journey. She was 19 years old when she leftEjido Manacal on February 14, 2004.

Her journey to the United States was priced at $2,000and lasted a week. Her assurance of God’s protection during thefootslog through the desert is remarkable. During her first fewyears in the United States, she was a migrant farm worker mov-ing across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio. Despitenot having a home, she was extremely happy and grateful for herwork. All she wanted was to provide for her family. “I had a lotof willingness to work and help my father and mother,” she says.Noemi, her husband and their two children have been living inRavenswood for eight years. She continues to be a farmworker.The weariness resulting from the agricultural work is obvious.She says, “Here one has to be working day in and day out in the

same type of work, in the fields, in the toma-toes.”

Noemi and her husband consider ita blessing their children were born in theUnited States. “Life over there [Mexico] isvery difficult,” she comments, “Thank Godmy children have clothes and shoes andfood. What I am concerned about is they aregrowing and they have everything. Theylack nothing and sometimes I think it is veryimportant they see one cannot have every-thing all the time. There are children withdeep needs in Mexico. So I wish I could takethem to Mexico to see and learn what life islike in Mexico. It is not about having every-

thing and you have to fight in life in order to have a better life.”

Noemi and her family are part of Iglesia BautistaComunidad Nueva Esperanza in Ravenswood. She is a joyfulwoman with a vibrant faith and spirituality demonstrated in herpassion for prayer and for sharing God’s love with others. She iscurrently enrolled in an online program to earn a certificate inevangelism and church transformation. Her journey of faith andhope should encourage us in our own pilgrimage to desire andcommit to a deep spirituality to seek God’s guidance in majordecisions, do everything out of love and always hope for a betterand brighter future no matter how dim or uncertain our presentcircumstances might be. Her journey is a reminder we also needto tune up our perspective to see Hispanic immigrants as peoplewho have come to bless and make the United States a betterplace.

Hispanic Ministries: Lessons for the Journey - Lecciones Para El Viaje

Hispanic Ministries____________________by Juan Aragon, Strategist

Noemi


Thinking Missions____________________by John Simmons, Associate Executive Minister

Missions and Administration

Have you ever wondered why the seedcatalogues always come inthe middle of winter? Justafter the Christmascelebrations are over andthe long night of winterbegins, we get thesebeautiful catalogues in themail that give us hope forthe coming spring andsummer.

I got my annual catalogue recently and as I lookedthrough it, I was amazed to find that though it is a “seed”catalogue, there are no pictures of seeds anywhere to be found.Every picture in this 52-page publication featured the outcome -the harvest - the fruit one could expect if seeds were planted.

The seed companies know the hope of harvest is whatsells seed. It is the hope of harvest that encourages planting. Itis the hope of harvest that keeps them in business whether theharvest is a beautiful flower or edible produce.

When I see the spectacular pictures in the catalogue Itend to be inspired to place my order to get seeds or plants

started so I can duplicate the depicted harvest. I tend to losethis inspiration when the work of plowing, hoeing, fertilizing,watering, weeding, etc … begins. I wish they would send mewhat was in the picture.

When I read the parable of the soils from Mark 4, Icannot help but believe the sower had the picture of the harvestin mind when he began to fling seeds. For the sower, it was notabout the rocks; it was not about the birds; it was not about thehard work; it was not about some seed not producing - it wasabout the harvest.

This can be a lesson for us. When we focus on theobstacles of ministry instead of the promised outcomes we tendto hold on to what we have. And each of us should know seedcannot fulfill its purpose in the bag.

As we engage in mission this year, let us make thefocus of our work be on the harvest. Let your mind and heartbe filled with a picture of hope. As William Carey said, “Thefuture is as bright as the promises of God.”

It is the image and promise of harvest that inspires usto plant.

Committed to Missions

Seeds

100% supporting the mission and ministries of the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

The work of the West Virginia BaptistConvention would not be possible without

your continued support of the

M o u n t a i n S t a t eM o u n t a i n S t a t eM i s s i o n O fM i s s i o n O f f e r i n g .f e r i n g .

We thank you.

2015 Total:$259,0732016 State Goal:$270,0002016 State Goal:$270,000


Student Ministries____________________by Rob Ely, Director

Several students from West Virginia attendedPassion 2016; a con-ference for 18-25year olds, where40,000 people spreadout among threevenues and had anincredible worshipexperience. It wasmy first experienceat Passion, but it willnot be my last. Ihope the WestVirginia Baptist

Convention and each Baptist Campus Ministries’ chapteron our campuses join the 60,000 in the Georgia Dome inAtlanta on January 2-4, 2017. The speakers were chal-lenging throughout our time, but one statement has real-ly made me think. Tim Smith, a pastor from Jackson,Mississippi stated, “Worship begins with a ‘view.’ Howyou respond to a person depends on your view of them.What is your view of God?”

Students from everywhere in West Virginia and theworld show up on a college campus with a view of God. It isour responsibility as Baptist Campus Ministries on each campusto help them understand the truth of God and Jesus Christ. Thechallenge arises when each student has a different backgroundand needs a different, complex set of questions answered. Thatis the fun challenge of college ministry! Ministering for threemonths at Marshall University Baptist Campus Ministries hastaught me to be on my theological toes because a day can be assimple as “How are we to be a light to this campus?” or as com-plicated as “I have a quick question: at the tower of Babel, what… ?” These discussions have happened over the years on collegecampuses, but the truth remains: “In the beginning, God …” andwe are to “Love the Lord our God, with our heart, soul, mindand strength.”

Growing disciples is what God has called us to do onthese campuses. Pray for the campuses of Alderson BroaddusUniversity, Concord University, Fairmont State University,Glenville State College, Marshall University, the University ofCharleston, West Virginia State University, West VirginiaUniversity Institute of Technology and West Virginia University!

Experiencing Passion and Growing Disciples

Marshall University students (standing)experiencing Passion 2016.

American Baptist Men of West Virginia

Annual National Prayer BreakfastFebruary 27, 2016

Locations throughout our state are now being soughtfor this very important day in the American Baptist Men’s min-istry year. This is a time for our West Virginia BaptistConvention men to gather together for concentrated prayer andbiblical teaching in conjunction with a fellowship breakfast.

If your church is already planning to host a prayerbreakfast on February 27 or if your church would be interestedin hosting a prayer breakfast on that date, please complete andmail the registration at right.

Your location will be added to our list to provide con-tact information to those who are seeking to participate in thisevent. The reported sites will be posted to our website and pub-licized via e-mail.

If you desire, you can be contacted with informationand provided assistance with speakers and materials. Pleasevisit www.wvbc.org/partners for location information and todownload the prayer guide. For more information, contactFrank Miller at 800.489.8564 or [email protected].

American Baptist Men Prayer BreakfastSaturday, February 27, 2016

Y es , my c h u rc h w i l l b e h ost i n g a p ra y e r b r e a k f a st o n t h i s da t e .

Church Name: _________________________City: _________________________Association: _________________________Contact Person: _________________________Address: _________________________City/State/Zip: _________________________Telephone: _________________________E-mail : _________________________Return this form to Frank Miller, AB Men of WV Prayer Breakfast Coordinator,1715 Lower Parchment Valley Road, Ripley, WV 25271.

American Baptist Men Prayer BreakfastAttendance Report/Offering Slip

Church Name: _________________________City: _________________________Association: _________________________Contact Person: _________________________Telephone: _________________________Number of Men in Attendance: _____________Amount of Offering: _____________Offerings received have been designated to support the Pastors’Emergency Fund.Return this form to Frank Miller, AB Men of WV Prayer Breakfast Coordinator,1715 Lower Parchment Valley Road, Ripley, WV 25271.

Cut on this line and return top portion.Return bottom portion with your offering.


As we move into 2016, we are off to a great startwith our BUILD-A-BUILDING PROJECT. With the help ofour West Virginia Baptist family donors, we are only$132,146 away from our goal with the Convention! Theadjacent property has been acquired and officially re-zoned for construction. We will be taking down the cur-rent building by spring and leveling the ground for newconstruction to begin. Once our goals are met and all60% of the funding is raised, we can receive the matching40% and start construction. Thank you for your consider-ation in supporting this valuable project for our childrento have a safe place, all under one roof to come to eachday.

Currently, we are working with four different agenciesas we provide a small upstairs room in our house for visitationfor separated families. In December 2015, we were blessed withthe donation of a house on Orchard Street in Weirton, which willenable the Weirton Christian Center to develop a much needed

place for supervised visitations for families, counseling, parent-ing and life skills’ classes and more. The generosity of MichaelPsaros, the owner of the home, is making it possible for severalagencies to collaborate in an effort to help rebuild families in ahome setting. Evyenia’s House of Hope will open in memory ofMichael’s grandparents, Harilaos and Evyenia Loufakis, whowere immigrants form Chios, Greece; lifelong residents ofWeirton; and members of the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church.We are looking for furnishings and solidifying community part-nerships to help cover the cost of operations.

Partnerships are so important to our ministry. It isamazing how many people, American Baptist Women’sMinistries’ groups, churches and organizations come together toserve our children. The saying “it takes a village” is so true.Many thanks for the support of the past year.

The children of WeirtonChristian Center learn what it meansto give as well as receive. Theyrepeated last year's penny projectand collected pennies since lastFebruary. They decided to presentthe total of $170.00 to the Table ofHope, which serves free dinners tothe public three days each week.The kids enjoy eating there and serv-ing once a month. Assistant Director,Deronda Bruich (second row center)is shown with Table of Hope coordi-nators and some of the children.

Table of Hope

S p r i n g S p r i n g G o l d e n ’ e e r sG o l d e n ’ e e r s

May 2-4, 2016 at Parchment Valley Conference Center Watch future issues of the West Virginia Baptist Newsletter

and the Pastors’ Mailing for more information.

Partnerships Make All the Difference

Weirton Christian Center____________________by Kim Weaver, Director

Since 1943, the West Virginia Baptist Camp atCowen has been a camp that has grown people spirituallyand born the effects of that spiritual growth in the physicaldevelopment of the camp. What at first started out as a fewcabins on a hillside with a dining hall, meeting hall andswimming hole in the river has since developed into 21cabins on a hillside with bathhouses, a beautiful dining halland administrative housing and work facilities, a newlyrenovated meeting hall and an indoor campfire area with anamphitheater across the road from it. If a camper from 1945wanted to attend a camp in 2016, they would first need atour of the camp to know where everything is. Why is thisworth noting? Everything changes over time and acampground would not be an exception to that rule. TheWest Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen has not grown withthe purpose of simply getting bigger and better. It has grownbecause people who have developed their relationship withGod at Camp Cowen have turned around to pour back intothe camp so it may impact the lives of future campers. It isan appropriate question to ask “What kind of campexperience would the children at my church have if no onehad poured into the camp in the past ten years alone?” TheBaptist Camp at Cowen grows physically because it hasdeveloped campers spiritually first and, in doing so, hascreated a desire for the next generation to experience Godin a similarly lasting fashion.

The development from a few cabins to 21 cabins came aboutbecause of the growing need to house more campers each summer. Itis clear it is time for the camp to experience growing pains again.The leaders at Camp Cowen desire to utilize the limited time theyhave with their campers to the best of their abilities, sharing inspiritual growth and activities that will grow their relationships withone another as the body of Christ. The Sunny Day Leadership andActivities Center will be the next step in growing the campphysically so campers will have more room to grow spiritually.

Rain is a gift from God, but when it begins to pour at thetime a small group leader is preparing to begin their daily lessonthere is a mental shift from, “What do I want my campers to learntoday?” to “What is ‘plan B’ for our meeting area and how will Iinform all of my campers?” If the leader is forced to focus on themeeting area it will distract them from the purpose of small groupsand Bible study that is supposed to be taking place.

The Sunny Day Leadership and Activities Center willfunction as a gymnasium facility as well as a learning center with ameeting room on the second floor and a classroom on the first. Thisnew facility will provide an indoor area where camps can continue tomeet and play even on stormy days at Cowen. Just as the Camp atCowen has developed to provide room for more campers to attend inone camping season, it is now time for the camp to build on, so thatregardless of weather conditions or scheduled activities, camp maycontinue to go on.

For this new building to stand, the leaders at Cowen willneed support both through prayer and finances.

Ways to pray specifically:

• Pray for discernment and wisdom in the newbuilding plans to help the leaders as they look to see howGod’s plan for this new building will function in theregular camp season.

• Pray for students and youth leaders who willprimarily utilize this building during the regular campseason.

• Pray for the learning, teaching and activities thatwill take place in this new building.

• Pray for strength and safety for the constructionworkers at Cowen.

• Pray for the churches, groups and individuals whoplan to support this new project financially that Godwould lead them in their giving.

• Pray about how this new building will bless WebsterCounty and the surrounding area churches.

Please consider personally supporting this new projectfinancially and prayerfully.

8 The West Virginia Baptist/February-March The West Virginia Baptist/February-March 9

Investing in Future Generations at the West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen

APRILAmerican Baptist

Men’s Work WeekendApril 29-30

MAYYouth Work Party

May 20-21

JUNEOlder Midler(grades 3-4)

June 5-8

Younger Midler(grades 2-4)June 10-12

Junior 1(grades 5-6)June 12-18

Junior High 1(grades 7-9)June 19-25

Junior 2(grades 5-6)

June 26-July 2

JULYHigh School 1

(grades 9-HS Grads)July 3-9

Junior High 2(grades 7-9)July 10-16

Senior Day2016 High School

GraduatesJuly 16

High School 2(grades 9-HS Grads)

July 17-23

Family CampJuly 26-August 1

SEPTEMBERCamp GlobalSeptember 2-4

“Where people meet Jesusand grow as His disciples in

a community of faith.

2016 Camp Cowen

Schedulewww.campcowen.org


PASTORS4PASTORS:The Ministers’ Council

Spring Event

March 3-5, 2016(Noon Thursday - Saturday Morning)

Parchment Valley Conference Center

“The Book of Jeremiah”

with Dr. Gerald Keown Associate Dean, School of Divinity; Bob D. ShepherdChair of Biblical Studies; Professor of Old Testament

Interpretation, Gardner-Webb University

Cost for the event: $70.00 for Ministers’ Council members,

$85.00 for non-membersPrice includes event registration, two night’s housing and all meals.

The event begins with lunch on Thursday and concludes with breakfast on Saturday.

For more information, contact Jana Raines at [email protected] or Bill Thomas at 304.428.8725.

Pastors4Pastors Spring Event Registration Form

March 3-4, 2016

ONE FORM PER PERSON. Please complete the following:

Name: ___________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City/State/Zip: ___________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________

Church/Org.: ___________________________________

Please check the appropriate box below.

_______ $70.00 - Conference Registration for Ministers’ Council MEMBERS

_______ $85.00 - Conference Registration for Ministers’ Council NON-MEMBERS

Special housing arrangements are available upon request.

To provide adequate arrangements registrations must bepost-marked and payment included by February 25, 2016.

Make checks payable to: West Virginia Baptist Convention Ministers’Council. Please mail your form and check to: William Thomas, 37 Mustang Acres, Parkersburg, WV 26104-8040.

West Virginia Baptist Convention

Bible Conferencefeaturing Dr. Gerald Keown

on the Book of Jeremiah

March 5, 2016Parchment Valley Conference Center

in Hill Hall

Conference Fee: $15.00 per personRegistration Deadline (with money enclosed): February 29, 2016

Guest Instructor: Dr. Gerald KeownAssociate Dean, School of Divinity; BobD. Shepherd Chair of Biblical Studies;Professor of Old TestamentInterpretation, Gardner-Webb University

Gerald L. Keown joined the School of Divinity faculty in 1996.He teaches Introduction to Old Testament I, Introduction toOld Testament II, Jeremiah, Hebrews and one Doctor ofMinistry seminar - The Ministry of Biblical Interpretation. Hisprimary area of research is prophetic literature.

WV Baptist Convention Bible Conference - March 5, 2016 Registration Form

COUPLES MAY USE THE SAME FORM. Please complete the following:

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

City/State/Zip: _______________________________________

Telephone: _______________________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________

Church/Org.: _______________________________________

Please check the appropriate box(es) below.__X__ $15.00 - Conference Registration Per Person (REQUIRED)_____ $15.00 - Conference Registration Second Person_____ $25.00 - School of Christian Studies ADVANCED Single CreditApply credit to: ______ Two-Year General Studies or

______ Three-Year Congregational Transform._____ $35.00 - School of Christian Studies ADVANCED Couple CreditApply credit to: ______ Two-Year General Studies or (First Person) ______ Three-Year Congregational Transform.Apply credit to: ______ Two-Year General Studies or (Second Person) ______ Three-Year Congregational Transform.

_____ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED

To provide adequate arrangements registration must bepost-marked and payment included by February 29, 2016.

Make checks payable to: West Virginia Baptist Convention. Pleasemail your form and check to: West Virginia Baptist Convention,

Attn: Donna, P.O. Box 1019, Parkersburg, WV 26102-1019.


Northwest Area News____________________

Reflections on Area Ministry Work

People are the reason we minis-ter for Jesus in anycapacity asChristians. Thisseems to be a mostobvious statement,but I have had tocontinue to remindmyself of this factover the years. It iseasy to get caught upin the details of min-istry and forget the

overall theme is serving people and wor-shipping the God who made them.

Ministry is not just doing howev-er. It is a joy we as Christian ministers canalso just “BE!” We are valuable justbecause we are created beings of God ourheavenly Father and redeemed beingsbecause of Jesus. I have been too busydoing to relax and enjoy being manytimes.

Working with church boards andespecially pulpit committees over theyears, I have seen this is a process. If weshort circuit our being and go straight to

doing, we will miss much and most likelymake mistakes. Prayer is a big part ofbeing as is study of the scriptures andChristian writings and discussion withother Christians. The Holy Spirit takeswhat we learn in this process and inte-grates it into who we are and thus helpsus to do what is right.

Churches that follow this processare the ones that best serve the Lord andothers. It is in His Being and our beingthat we find our doing. I have beenblessed by interacting with many church-es in the West Virginia Baptist Conventionthat have gotten this right. The results arereadily apparent: good pastoral/congrega-tional relationships, people coming toknow Jesus and growing as His disciples,churches making a difference in theircommunities and mission being support-ed around the world.

As I enter a new phase of min-istry in my retirement from the area min-istry of the West Virginia BaptistConvention, I look forward to more beingand more doing. God bless us all as wecontinue. Thank You, Jesus.

Victor ShieldsNortheast Area Minister

Northeast Area News____________________

Stephens Selected asInterim Area Minister for

the Northeast

Rev. Dr. Michael Stephens hasagreed to serve as theinterim area ministerfor the Northeastassociations of theWest Virginia BaptistConvention. Mikewill begin this posi-tion March 1, 2016due to the retirementof Rev. Dr. VictorShields.

Mike will work part-time, serv-ing the churches of this area until a newarea minister is in place. Mike comes tothe position out of retirement havingserved on the Convention staff as anarea minister for many years.

Contact information for Mikeis: [email protected] or 304.488.0140.

Victor Shields,Northeast AreaMinister, retiring

MichaelStephens,InterimNortheast AreaMinister

Lifespring Jackson HostsChristmas Shoppe

RAVENSWOOD - LifeSpringCommunity Church of Jackson County, asatellite church plant of South ParkersburgBaptist Church (Parkersburg) hosted aChristmas Shoppe for the community.

The church focused its promotion to threeunderserved communities inRavenswood, inviting children to comeand shop for free gifts for their parents orguardians.

Forty children attended the eventwith their guardians. They were servedrefreshments while they watched a videoteaching the real meaning of Christmas(bottom right photo). Each child was thengiven a guide to help them go through thetables of donated gift items and help themchoose a gift for their parents. Once thechild had selected gifts other teams of

people wrapped and labeled them (bot-tom left photo).

Pastor Mary Beth McCloy offeredwords of welcome to each family andinvited them to worship services. Thechurch is planning other events to reachinto the mission field in its community.


Southwest Area News____________________Porter Fork and Amy Join to Form Yawkey

Missionary Baptist ChurchThe Porter Fork Missionary Baptist Church and the

Amy Missionary BaptistChurch, both of the Coal RiverAssociation, have united toform Yawkey MissionaryBaptist Church. A near capacitycrowd gathered at the church,formerly the Porter Fork BaptistChurch, for a charter service on

January 3, 2016. Interim Pastor, Chester Bird led the service. Thechoir of Beech Grove Baptist Church provided special music andSouthwest Area Minister, Max Hill, preached the charter sermon.The charter will remain open for the month of January so all cur-rent members will be able to sign.

As both of the churches were members, the YawkeyBaptist Church will be a member of the Coal River Association.The churches were officially united on September 22, 2015. Theywere received into the Coal River Association at its annual meet-ing on September 26, 2015.

The Amy Baptist Church was founded in 1914 and itsoriginal building was destroyed by a flood. Ironically, its lastbuilding suffered significant damage in a flood and this was oneof the reasons for the merger of the two churches. Porter ForkBaptist Church was founded in 1921 with 21 charter members.Their building which the new church will use was constructed in1953.

Kenova First Baptist Encourages “Healthy Bodies Healthy Spirits”During the January 3, 2016 services at Kenova First

Baptist Church (Twelve Pole), members were challenged to startthe new year by making a committment to join the HealthyBodies Healthy Spirits Network. They were invited to go imme-diately to www.wvhealthyfaith.com. Within four minutes, 87 per-sons joined.

People who sign up for the network will receive faith-based health and wellness how-to materials to use in theirchurches. “This is literally a lifesaving mission,” said KenovaFirst Baptist Church Pastor Steve Willis, a member of the steeringcommittee of the new network. “If we are a healthier church, weare a stronger church, better able to encourage each other andserve our communities with the love of Jesus.” Willis is lead pas-tor at Kenova First Baptist Church, author of Winning the FoodFight and contributing author of the national best-selling DanielPlan. “We need to set a good example for our kids,” he said.

The network is partnering with Try This West Virginia, astatewide healthy-communities resource network. The Try ThisWeb site, www.trythiswv.com, is literally a how-to resource guideto hundreds of healthy projects churches can choose from.The network collects and shares faith-based programs, resources,funding possibilities and West Virginia success stories.

Several Huntington area churches have joined in a pilotproject to lead an eight week Daniel Plan. For more information,you may contact Joshua Sowards at [email protected].

Flint Chapel Continues Annual ChristmasMinistry at Springfield Nursing Home

On December 10, 2015 members of Flint Chapel BaptistChurch (Greenbrier-Raleigh) continued an annual ministry pro-viding December birthday presents as well as Christmas cards,

gifts and a mid-after-noon snack to the resi-dents of SpringfieldNursing Home inLindside. SoutheastArea Minister, Rev.Jim Anderson,brought along his gui-tar and everyone sangChristmas songs.

Additions to the ministry in 2015 included Mr. and Mrs. SantaClaus, who gave words of encouragement and cheer and broughtmany smiles. As always, those ministering were even moreblessed than those who were ministered to!

Silas Mullens Ordained into the Gospel Ministry

On November 29, 2015, at Rockastle Baptist Church(Greenbrier-Raleigh), Rev. Silas Mullens, interim pastor ofRockcastle Baptist Church, was ordained into the gospel ministry.The church choir shared the special music; Rev. Doc Adkins, pas-tor of Beckley FirstBaptist Church(Greenbrier-Raleigh)gave the charge to boththe church and candi-date; Rev. JimAnderson, southeastarea minister, led thelaying on of hands cere-mony; and Rev. GlennHatfield, chair of theRockcastle Associationordination committeepresented the certificate of ordination and gave the benediction.Eight churches of the association were represented and enjoyed awonderful time of fellowship as well as a great meal after theservice.

(left to right) Glenn Hatfield, DocAdkins, Silas Mullens and Jim Anderson

Southeast Area News____________________


SeniorHigh

ConventionFebruary 26-28, 2016Hurricane First Baptist Church

Theme: Recognize - I John 4:6R e g i s t r a t i o n f o r m a v a i l a b l e a t

w w w . w v b c . o r g .

SpringChildren’s Rally

For children currently in grades K-5. Sixth grade is optional.

Very Big Mistakes and WhatGod Did About Them

“If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithfuland just to forgive us our sins and to

cleanse us from all wickedness.” I John 1:9

March 12, 2016Parchment Valley Conference Center

in the Greenlee Activities Center

Cost: $12.00(if postmarked by February 29.)

$25.00 (if post-marked after February 29 or at the door)

For more information or a registration form, visit www.wvbc.org.

by Janey Carrico

Learning to love lavishly. Being encouraged to smileand share the joywith someoneelse. Taking timeto just relax.Serve with pas-sion. Be resilient.Using “we” whentalking about thechurch and itspastor. Thesewere just some ofthe phrases heard

at the Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat at Parchment Valley ConferenceCenter in November 2015.

Using Diana Davis’ book, Six Simple Steps-FindContentment and Joy as a Ministry Wife, as a guide, the groupof 19 pastors’ wives was informed and challenged by leadersMelanie Whetzel, Sandra Lutz, Linda Carpenter, Sandy Phares,Joni Lipsey and Janey Carrico. It was a great weekend of wor-ship together as Marilyn McClure led the music. Pastors’ wivesof all ages got to know each other and shared celebrations aswell as concerns in ministry, laughing, crying and servingtogether.

Saturday night brought giggles and squeals as thewomen competed in Minute to Win It games. The eveningtogether ended as everyone celebrated to Jason Gray’s video,Glow in the Dark, as the group sported glow in the dark headbands, necklaces, bracelets and an assortment of other decora-tions.

It was a spirit-filled weekend as lifelong relationshipswere built with wives who had met for the first time. Look forinformation about the 2016 retreat, to be held on November 11-13 at Parchment Valley, in future issues of the West VirginiaBaptist Newsletter and pastors’ mailing.

2015 Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat

Leadership Updates_______________

REV. DAVID BUSH to Rainelle First Baptist Church (Hopewell)as pastor on January 1, 2016MR. ADAM CHEESEMAN to Liberty Baptist Church (BroadRun) as pastor on November 1, 2015MR. LENNY DELANEY to Center Branch Baptist Church(Broad Run) as pastor on December 1, 2015REV. BRYAN WILLIAM KNIGHT to Pine Grove Baptist Church(Parkersburg) as pastor on December 16, 2015MR. JOSHUA RADCLIFF to East Clarksburg Baptist Church(Union) as pastor on January 1, 2016REV. MATTHEW TAYLOR to Webster Baptist Church (Union)as pastor on July 1, 2015REV. BRADLEY TENNEY to Bethany Baptist Church (Union)as pastor on November 1, 2015MR. SCOTT WIGHT to Parkersburg Baptist Temple(Parkersburg) as pastor on December 1, 2015


Obituaries____________________November-December 2015

RICHARD ARMSTRONG, 60, of CrossLanes, died December 25, 2015. He was amember of Charleston Baptist Temple(Kanawha Valley), where he served onseveral boards, taught Vacation BibleSchool and loved to sing bass in the choir.PAMELA BANEY, 67, of Dola, diedDecember 5, 2015. She was a member ofTen Mile Baptist Church (Judson), whereshe taught Sunday school and was clerk.BEDELL VAN BINFORD, 79, ofCharleston, died November 22, 2015.He served Calvary Baptist Church(Kanawha Valley) as vice-president of theSeekers Sunday School Class for severalyears, was director of the monthlyFriendship Group, was former churchmoderator and past chairman of the by-laws committee.WAYNE CALTRIDER, 82, of MineralWells, died December 17, 2015. He was amember of Mount Zion Baptist Church(Parkersburg), where he served as adeacon, and had previously attendedHopewell Baptist Church (Good Hope),where he also served as a deacon. LUCRETIA (CRETE) LOUISEBURDETTE CAMPBELL, 83, of Rainelle,died December 20, 2015. She was anactive member of Rainelle First BaptistChurch (Hopewell) for over 55 years,where she sang in the choir, taughtSunday school and Guild Girls and was amember of the American Baptist Womenand Ray Neal Christonian Sunday SchoolClass. DOROTHY IDALEEN CONKLIN, 83, ofVentura, California, died December 7,2015. She was an American BaptistForeign Mission Society (ABFMS)missionary to Thailand.CHERYL C. CONNELLY, 50, formerly ofWilliamstown, died December 1, 2015.She was a member of North ParkersburgBaptist Church (Parkersburg), where sheserved as a music director, was thedirector of the praise and worship bandand was a member of the Sycamore CreekBand. MARCIA KAY CORE, 75, of Wadestown,died November 19, 2015. She became amember of West Warren Baptist Church(Fairmont) in 1962 and had served astreasurer for a number of years prior toher illness.WILLIAM “BILL” FAULKNER, 87, ofNew Richmond, died December 29, 2015.He was a pastor for over 42 years at Black

Eagle Missionary Baptist Church(Rockcastle) and Spruce Grove MissionaryBaptist Church (Rockcastle).TREVOR SCOTT FEIGHT, 43, ofWalker, died December 22, 2015. He wasa member and youth director at PineGrove Baptist Church (Parkersburg). Hewas also a former deacon at NazarethBaptist Church in Pennsylvania. PHILIP CALVIN GAGE, 80, of Portland,Maine, died December 9, 2015. He was anAmerican Baptist Foreign Mission Society(ABFMS) missionary to Thailand.JAMES REUBEN GALBREATH, 95, diedNovember 11, 2015. He was associatepastor at Zion Baptist Church(Parkersburg).NADA ANN BAZELL HATCHER, 77, ofWest Williamson, died December 10, 2015.She was a member of Williamson FirstBaptist Church (Logan-Mingo), where shewas a member of the Viola RandolphMission Society and former member of thea cappella choir. PHYLLIS MARY (MARTIN)HENDRICKSON, 87, of Garland, Texas,died December 6, 2015. She was anAmerican Baptist Foreign Mission Society(ABFMS) missionary to the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo.BASIL ROLAND HUDSON, 74, of ScottDepot, died November 24, 2015. Heserved as pastor of Olive Baptist Church(Coal River), Sycamore Grove BaptistChurch, Twenty-Sixth Street BaptistChurch in Huntington and Leon BaptistChurch (Teays Valley). He was a memberof Mount Vernon Baptist Church (TeaysValley), where he served as Sunday schoolteacher, and also continued to holdrevivals, visiting the sick, elderly andanyone in need.JAMES BENSON JOHNSON, 82, ofAlderson, formerly of Fairmont, diedNovember 30, 2015. He was a member ofOld Greenbrier Baptist Church(Greenbrier-Raleigh). In 1966, he wascalled to Fairmont First Baptist Church(Fairmont), where he served for 29 years.He served as president of the GreaterFairmont Council of Churches, WestVirginia Baptist Foundation for CampusMinistry, West Virginia BaptistConvention, West Virginia BaptistHistorical Society and the AmericanBaptist Churches USA (1998-1999).BURNICE ULA LIFE, 101, of Fort MyersBeach, Florida and formerly ofClarksburg, died November 15, 2015. She

was previously a member of ClarksburgBaptist Church (Union). She was thewidow of S. Dwight Life.THOMAS RUSSELL LOUGH, 88, ofWashington, died December 2, 2015.He was a member of South ParkersburgBaptist Church (Parkersburg), where hevolunteered in the Cornerstone Ministry,sang in the choir and was a member of theHelping Hands Sunday School Class. EDYTHE (EDY) M. MCCARTY, 83, ofOregon, died December 6, 2015. She wasa Woman’s American Baptist ForeignMission Society (WABFMS) missionarywho served in Thailand. MARY HELEN MORRIS, 83, of GauleyBridge, died November 13, 2015. Shejoined Gauley Bridge Baptist Church(Kanawha Valley) in 1949, where she wasa very active member teaching Sundayschool, serving as assistant treasurer andwas the Vacation Bible School coordinatorfor many years. ROBERT MARSHALL PERRY SR., 87, ofPeterstown, died November 11, 2015. Hewas a member of Peterstown MissionaryBaptist Church (Greenbrier-Raleigh),where he served on various boards andcommittees and served as Sunday schoolsuperintendent for many years. VANIOUS H. SHUMATE, 91, of Mabscott,died December 2, 2015. He was alongtime member of Crab Orchard BaptistChurch (Greenbrier-Raleigh). He servedthe church as an usher and deacon forvarious terms.JANET LOUISE SMITH, 66, ofLumberport, died November 19, 2015.She was a faithful and longtime memberof Lumberport Baptist Church (Judson),where she served as a deaconess. JUANITA ELLEN SNYDER, 87, ofFarmington, died November 12, 2015. Shewas a member of Willow Tree BaptistChurch (Fairmont), where she led thecongregation in song, was the director ofthe youth choir and was the nurseryteacher for many years.JUANITA (PAUGH) STOUT, 91, ofBridgeport, died December 26, 2015. Shewas a lifelong member of Simpson CreekBaptist Church (Union) for over 35 years,where she taught Sunday school.ARNOLD EDWARD SWIGER, 85, ofWallace, died November 30, 2015. He wasa member of Wallace First Baptist Church(Judson), where he was a deacon.


Prayer Calendars____________________

FEBRUARY 1 - Carol Moats, vice-chair, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Stewardship Commission FEBRUARY 2 - Bud Hardman, treasurer, Goshen Association FEBRUARY 3 - The ministry of Deep Water Baptist Church;Thomas Skaggs, pastor (Fayette)FEBRUARY 4 - The ministry of Long Run Baptist Church; RobeyGodfrey, pastor (Elk Valley)FEBRUARY 5 - The ministry of Olive Baptist Church; JimmyLawrence, pastor (Coal River)FEBRUARY 6 - Church Officers’ Training today at ParchmentValley Conference CenterFEBRUARY 7 - The ministry of Logan First Baptist Church; RexThompson, pastor (Logan-Mingo)FEBRUARY 8 - Victor Shields, Northeast Area Minister, WestVirginia Baptist ConventionFEBRUARY 9 - The ministry of Pea Ridge Baptist Church; DanielLonderee, pastor (Guyandotte) FEBRUARY 10 - Nancy Wolfe, vice-chair, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Outreach Commission FEBRUARY 11 - The ministry of Sand Run Baptist Church; C. Donald Butcher, pastor (Broad Run)FEBRUARY 12 - The ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church; MattLyons, senior pastor (Kanawha Valley)FEBRUARY 13 - The ministry of Glenville First Baptist Church;Kenneth Fisher, pastor (Little Kanawha)FEBRUARY 14 - The ministry of Plum Run Baptist Church;Patrick Vincent, pastor (Fairmont)FEBRUARY 15 - The ministry of Independence Baptist Church;Carl Trickett, pastor (Goshen)FEBRUARY 16 - Tan Coats, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary to ThailandFEBRUARY 17 - Nancy James, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary to HaitiFEBRUARY 18 - The ministry of Mountain Baptist Church;Reginald Berry, pastor (Hopewell)FEBRUARY 19 - Yevette Shafer, vice-chair, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Discipleship CommissionFEBRUARY 20 - The ministry of Crab Orchard Baptist Church;Michael Sisson, pastor (Greenbrier-Raleigh) FEBRUARY 21 - The ministry of Cairo Baptist Church; FrankVannoy, pastor (Harrisville)FEBRUARY 22 - Denny Brown, moderator, Twelve PoleAssociation and pastor, Tabors Creek Missionary Baptist Church(Twelve Pole)FEBRUARY 23 - The ministry of North Shinnston BaptistChurch; Jeff Dytzel, pastor (Judson)FEBRUARY 24 - The ministry of Gilboa Baptist Church; LarryGreathouse, pastor (Good Hope)FEBRUARY 25 - Boyden Myers, American Baptist ForeignMission Society missionary (youth) to MexicoFEBRUARY 26 - Senior High Convention this weekend atHurricane First Baptist Church (Teays Valley)FEBRUARY 27 - American Baptist Men’s Prayer Breakfaststhroughout the state FEBRUARY 28 - Richard Marshall, member, West VirginiaBaptist Convention Christian Leadership CommissionFEBRUARY 29 - Barbara Bolick, American Baptist ForeignMission Society (ABFMS) missionary to Chile

MARCH 1 - Emerson Wu, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary to MacauMARCH 2 - Annie Dieselberg, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary to ThailandMARCH 3 - David Parajon, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary to NicaraguaMARCH 4 - Taku Longkumer, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety missionary to IndiaMARCH 5 - Bible Conference featuring Dr. Gerald Keown todayat Parchment Valley Conference CenterMARCH 6 - Brenda Rosier, member, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Stewardship CommissionMARCH 7 - Duane Binkley, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionaryMARCH 8 - Karen Harper, moderator, Harrisville AssociationMARCH 9 - American Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Training thisweekend at Parchment Valley Conference CenterMARCH 10 - Nathan Reed, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary (youth) to BoliviaMARCH 11 - Joan Hall, assistant for Mission Support, WestVirginia Baptist ConventionMARCH 12 - Spring Children’s Rally today at Parchment ValleyConference CenterMARCH 13 - The ministry of Petersburg First Baptist Church;Rick Bergdoll, pastor (Eastern)MARCH 14 - Jim Anderson, Southeast Area Minister, WestVirginia Baptist ConventionMARCH 15 - The ministry of Pine Grove First Baptist Church;Jerry Kuhens, pastor (Panhandle)MARCH 16 - Susan Dale, member, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Leadership CommissionMARCH 17 - Karen Smith, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionaryMARCH 18 - Tim Long, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety(ABFMS) missionary MARCH 19 - Kristy Engel, American Baptist Foreign MissionSociety (ABFMS) missionary to the CaribbeanMARCH 20 - Mayra Giovanetti, American Baptist ForeignMission Society (ABFMS) missionary to NicaraguaMARCH 21 - Steve McCartney, Site Maintenance manager, CampCowenMARCH 22 - The ministry of Cyclone Missionary BaptistChurch; Stephen Walls, pastor (Rockcastle)MARCH 23 - Jonathan Turner, member, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Discipleship Commission and pastor,Shuck Memorial Baptist Church (Greenbrier-Raleigh) MARCH 24 - Donna Snyder, assistant for Leadership Ministries,West Virginia Baptist ConventionMARCH 25 - The ministry of Big Tygart Baptist Church;Matthew Robinson, pastor (Parkersburg)MARCH 26 - The ministry of Saint Paul Baptist Church; MichaelPoke, pastor (Kanawha Valley)MARCH 27 - Thank you, Lord, for sending Your Son to die onthe cross to save us from our sinsMARCH 28 - Linda VanMeter, member, West Virginia BaptistConvention Christian Outreach CommissionMARCH 29 - The ministry of Hilton Village Baptist Church; EricKeister, pastor (Hopewell)MARCH 30 - The ministry of Vermont Baptist Church; ChadAsh, pastor (Judson)MARCH 31 - The ministry of Mount Carmel Baptist Church;Leon Brown, pastor (Union)

February 2016 March 2016

West Virginia Baptist Convention staff and missionarieslisted are on the occasion of their birthday.


The West Virginia Baptist is a newsletter of theWest Virginia Baptist Convention, associatedwith the American Baptist Churches, USA,

PO Box 1019, Parkersburg WV 26102;1.800.879.9822. US Postage Paid at Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Executive Minister: Dr. David L. CarricoEditor: Rev. John E. SimmonsAssistant Editor: Mrs. Valma AdamsLayout: Mrs. Donna Snyder

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit N

o. 36Parkersburg, W

V

West Virginia Baptist Convention

P.O. Box 1019

Parkersburg, WV 26102-1019

West Virginia Baptist Newsletter Submissions

Send submissions for The West VirginiaBaptist to: [email protected] or mail submis-sions to the West Virginia Baptist Convention,Attention: Donna, P.O. Box 1019, Parkersburg,West Virginia 26102. If you are submitting text,send typed copy only. We no longer accepthandwritten text. We also accept hard copy anddigital photos of 300 dpi (dots per inch). Pleaseinclude a caption for your photo and your nameand address if you want your photo returned.

Deadline for submission is the 3rd ofodd numbered months.

Coming EventsFEBRUARFEBRUARY 2016Y 2016February 6Church Officers’ TrainingParchment Valley Conference Center

February 15Presidents’ Day HolidayWest Virginia Baptist ConventionOffice CLOSED

February 26-28Senior High ConventionHurricane First Baptist Church

February 27American Baptist Men’s PrayerBreakfastsVarious Locations

MARCH 2016MARCH 2016March 3-5Pastors4Pastors: The Ministers’Council Spring Event with Dr. GeraldKeownParchment Valley Conference Center

March 5Bible Conference with Dr. GeraldKeown on the Book of JeremiahParchment Valley Conference Center

March 9-11American Baptist Men’s Disaster ReliefTrainingParchment Valley Conference Center

March 12Spring Children’s RallyParchment Valley Conference Center

March 25Good Friday HolidayWest Virginia Baptist ConventionOffice CLOSED

APRIL 2016APRIL 2016April 1-3Women’s CampCamp Cowen

April 16School of Christian Studies Worshipand Music (E-03) One-Day ClassParchment Valley Conference Center

April 23OmegaTo Be Announced

April 23School of Christian StudiesADVANCED The Book of Exodus One-Day ClassParchment Valley Conference Center

Church Officers’Training Event

February 6, 2016 at Parchment Valley Conference Center

Workshops include:Associational Leadership, Children, Clerks, Deacons, Discipleship,Exploring a Call, Financial Secretary, Missions, Missions: Cultural

Intelligence, Pastoral Relations Committee, School of ChristianStudies ADVANCED: Systems Transformation in the Local Church,Senior Adults, Technology, Trustees, Worship and Music, Young

Adults and Youth

Schedule:Registration is from 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m.Workshop session 1: 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Lunch: Noon - 1:00 p.m.Workshop session 2: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Event ends at 2:30 p.m.

For more information and a registration form, please visit www.wvbc.org.

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