IdeasInspiring

Friday, March 30, 2012 9

‘You never know when your last game is going to be, so play every game like it is your last.’

— Amanda Cook

By TAMMIE TOLERPrinceton Times

PRINCETON — Amanda Cookfell in love with basket-ball the first time she

ever took the court. At 5, thetiny post player could imag-ine herself shooting layupsand grabbing reboundsthroughout her high schoolcareer and into college.

That dream dimmed sud-denly in December 2011,when a brain condition diag-nosed earlier that year endedher basket-ball career atjust thebeginning ofher junioryear in highschool.

“It was real-ly hard towalk awayfrom thesport. Playingsince I was 5years old,basketballhad prettymuch beenmy wholeentire life,”Amanda said.

As difficultas stepping off the court forgood may have been, the 16-year-old has faced her realitywith grace and poise that hasleft the adults in her lifeproud and awed.

Amanda might have closedone chapter in her life, butshe didn’t erase the bonds shehad built with her Tigeretteteammates. In fact, she nevermissed a game.

The competition after sheleft the team, Amandaattended the game as a fan, acheerleader and a statistician.She sat on the bench and ral-lied the girls who were stillher team and her sister.

•••Although Amanda now

knows she had suffered somesymptoms from a Chiari TypeI malformation for severalyears, she had no idea howcomplicated her conditioncould be.

“She’s had what her doctorcalled bizarre symptoms for along time,” Amanda’s mom,Kim, explained. “We knewthat she had some thingsgoing on that weren’t quiteright, but we didn’t reallyknow how to proceed withgetting them checked.”

Amanda has had problemsswallowing for a long time,and her back hurt often,which is rare for someone asyoung and fit as the highschool athlete. And, despite

her athleticism, Amanda hasregularly struggled with per-fecting her hand-eye coordi-nation.

In February 2011, she washit in the head during compe-tition and required medicaltreatment. That’s when herbrain condition was identi-fied.

“It was like the wind wastaken out of our sails. Wewere going along just fine,and then, we were set adrift,”Kim said, thinking back tothe moment the family

learned theseverity ofAmanda’scomplica-tions.

Accordingto theNationalInstitute ofNeurologicalDisordersand Stroke,Chiari mal-formations(abbreviatedCMs) arestructuraldefects in thecerebellum,the part ofthe brain

that controls balance. “Normally, the cerebellum

and parts of the brain stemsit in an indented space atthe lower rear of the skull,above the foramen magnum(a funnel-like opening to thespinal canal),” the NINDSwebsite, ninds.nih.gov, states.“When part of the cerebellumis located below the foramenmagnum, it is called a Chiarimalformation.”

There are at least four dif-ferent forms of Chiari malfor-mations. Amanda has beendiagnosed with a Type I mal-formation, which involves thelower part of the cerebellum,without involving the brainstem.

Type I is the most commonamong CMs, and it oftendoesn’t produce identifiablesymptoms until young adult-hood or adolescence.

Once those symptomsappear, however, they may beserious and may include neckpain, balance problems, mus-cle weakness, numbness orother abnormal feelings inthe arms or legs, dizziness,vision problems, difficultyswallowing, ringing orbuzzing in the ears, hearingloss, vomiting, nausea,depression or headaches.

Although the Chiari malfor-mation would be enough foreven an exceptional teen todeal with, Amanda also has

one of the conditions oftenassociated with the malfor-mations. She hassyringomyelia, a disorder inwhich a tubular cyst knownas a syrinx, forms within thespinal cord’s central canal. Asthe cyst expands, it damages

the center of the spinal cordand forces the spinal discssurrounding it to bulge out oftheir typical space.

•••Upon diagnosis, Amanda

began seeing a neurologist atWake Forest Baptist Medical

Center. Dr. Daniel Couturedidn’t tell Amanda not to playbasketball again, but he cau-tioned her family that shewould be playing at her ownrisk, since another injurycould further complicateeither her brain or back con-

dition.Unready to call her hoops

career history just yet,Amanda decided to continueher play on the court with herbeloved Tigerettes.

Her season wasn’t destinedto last long.

In early December, during agame against NicholasCounty, Amanda took a hardfall on the court, and shecouldn’t jump back up likeshe once had.

“I remember laying there,on the court, and I couldn’tfeel anything. I couldn’t move.I couldn’t talk,” she said.

Eventually, Amanda didregain the ability to move andto talk, but on the way homethat night, she made a deci-sion that would change herlife and her future. She toldher parents, Kim and Scott,that she had to quit playingbasketball.

“We told her to pray about itthat night, and if she didn’tfeel any different about it inthe morning, when she wokeup, then she would have heranswer,” Kim said.

So, Amanda leaned on thefaith that is so vital to herfamily, and she asked God forhelp in making the call.

“I just asked Him for guid-ance to allow me to make theright decision,” she said.

When she woke up the nextday, Amanda knew her firstreaction was the one best forher. She went to Saturdaypractice to inform CoachDebbie Ball.

“I walked into practice, andI asked to speak to her in pri-vate,” she said. “As soon aswe were alone, I just startedcrying, and I told her that Ihad to leave the team … Ithink she already knew atthat point anyway, but shewas really understanding.”

Kim said Ball’s leadershipand compassion continued toset an example for Amandaand her teammates.

“She was very understand-ing. She was very caring, andshe even told Amanda thatshe could leave right thenand that she would tell theteam,” Kim said.

The 2011-2012 Tigerettes’first game without Amandacame soon, and the teen witha hurting heart debatedwhether she should attendthe game.

“I didn’t know if I couldactually go to the game, butby teammates talked me intogoing,” she said. “Knowingthat they wanted me to bethere, I couldn’t not go.”

At first, her role as a non-traditional cheerleader tooksome getting used to. Duringthe junior varsity games, shebehaved like a fan and men-tor, who happened to sit onthe bench. When the varsityTigerettes hit the court,Amanda kept stats and dideverything she could to boosther teammates’ morale.

nce a Tigerette, always oneORare brain condition forces Amanda Cook off the court, but not away from her team

Contributed photos

Still part of her team...Amanda Cook, 16, was forced to stop playing basketball, when the sport she loved threat-ened to complicate a brain condition diagnosed in February 2011. A Chiari Type I malforma-tion ended her basketball career, but Amanda continued to attend every Princeton SeniorHigh School Tigerettes game to cheer on her teammates and keep stats. And, she has sincediscovered she loves competitive running. At top, she takes part in the Emma’s TouchFoundation’s 5K Run in September 2011. Above, she’s pictured with her teammates.

Tigerette, page 15

By TAMMIE TOLERPrinceton Times

PRINCETON — Everymountain Erica Morganclimbs is a test in perse-

verance and endurance, butshe knows she doesn’t runalone.

The physical therapist, wife,mother and runner knowsthat God is with her eachstep of every run and everymoment of each day. As such,she believes that He was withher when she stepped out infaith and began a new min-istry at Cornerstone FamilyChurch.

“I have been running since Iwas 15. Running has been mypassion, kind of like my sec-ond nature,” she said.

In fact, Morgan ran her wayto a four-year scholarship atConcord University, whereshe earned a degree in athlet-ic training. Her faith in Godand her commitment to run-ning continued as she studiedphysical therapy atWytheville CommunityCollege and started her ownfamily with her husband,Michael.

In recent years, Morgan feltcalled to start some sort ofministry, but no niche sheconsidered felt just right –until she literally ran intoexactly the sort of ministryleader she would like to be.

“I went to a local race, andwhen I got done, I saw thisman who had also run in therace. He was witnessing tothe people around him, andthat just spoke volumes tome,” Morgan said. “I thought,‘That’s what I want to do.’”

So, she talked withCornerstone Family ChurchPastor Scott Catron, whoadvised her to plan a courseof action.

“He said that any time youwant to do any kind of min-istry, or any kind of projectreally, it’s always best towrite it out on paper,” shesaid.

She started writing, andplans started taking shape.Then, her supervisor at Pro1Physical Therapy offeredMorgan some reading materi-al on Run for God, a non-denominational, non-con-frontational approach to mix-ing faith with running as partof a plan to prepare people tobetter witness for Christphysically, mentally and spiri-tually.

“It combines the enduranceit takes to run with theendurance we all need in ourwalk with God,” Morganexplained.

•••Mitchell Hollis founded Run

for God in Dalton, Ga., in2010, when he sought a wayto combine sports and his lovefor God. According to his offi-cial biography available atrunforgod.com, “He is not apastor, nor is he a Bible schol-ar. He is simply a young manwho loves endurance sportsand wants to do more forChrist.”

The program evolved into a12-week curriculum thatblends devotional time andBible study with practicalinformation about runningand preparations for a 5Krun.

The program mission aimsto prepare people to be betterwitness for Christ physically,mentally and spiritually.

Physically, Run for Godbuilds a healthier person andmakes it possible to reach anew demographic of nonbe-lievers and potential believ-ers. Mentally, the programhelps participants learn thediscipline and endurance thatit takes to “run the race setbefore us.” Spiritually, itreminds participants toalways give God the glory forall that is accomplished.

Hollis still lives in Dalton,Ga., where he and his wife,Holly, continue to direct Runfor God, as the programspreads around the nation.

•••Each Run for God class,

which has united at 9 a.m.each Saturday since its localinception, begins with a timeof devotion, which carries amessage that Morgan hopesthe runners can put intopractice and praise when theyput on their sneakers.

One recent session focusedon 1 Corinthians 9:24, whichreads, “Do you not know thatin a race all the runners run,but only one gets the prize?Run in such a way as to getthe prize.”

“We discussed that andasked if anyone had anyinput on that,” Morgan said.“Then, with that verse inmind, we talked about run-ning gear – wick-away shirts,the right shoes and socks, atime watch – the things thatcan help us run the race theright way. Next week, we’regoing to talk about the differ-ent kinds of shoes that areavailable.”

There are approximately 30people involved in the Run forGod program locally.Although most meetings havetaken place at Cornerstone,Morgan emphasized that themission is non-denomination-al.

It’s also open for people whohave no previous runningexperience.

“For a lot of our partici-pants, this is the first timethey have ever run, especiallyin a race setting,” she said. “Ithink a lot of people like theaccountability. They havesomeone there to hold themaccountable for running andto hold them to the program.”

•••While many of the Run for

God racers may be novicerunners, Jamie Parsell is apassionate athlete that hasfound a kindred spirit and afast friend in Morgan.

Like Morgan, Parsell hasalways excelled athletically,

but basketball was her sportof choice until high schoolgraduation and a tight sched-ule pushed her toward run-ning.

Although the two passionaterunners had seen each otherfor years on treadmills andstreets nearby, they never gotthe opportunity to strike up aconversation and set a date torun together until the sum-mer of 2011.They’ve beenrunning together ever since.

“About every morning, wewould lace up our shoes andhit the streets, before the restof the world was up andabout. We ran and talked,sharing our faith. Erica hadan idea to start up a min-istry,” Parsell recalled. “Wetossed a few ideas back andforth, but never really cameup with a plan until Ericadiscovered the Run for Godprogram. As soon as she toldme about the running pro-gram, I was excited and eagerto help and participate.”

Along with sharing herfaith, Parsell also hopes theexhilaration she finds whenshe runs will inspire otherparticipants.

“I like the way I feel when Irun. I feel happy and confi-dent. When I am finished, mymind is at ease,” she said.“Sometimes when I am run-ning, I am amazed how won-derful God had made eachand every one of us. I feelblessed to have a healthybody and be able to run. Iknow there are some that arenot as fortunate.”

She also enjoys appreciatingall the beauty of God’s cre-ation while running, whetherthat includes a sunrise overthe ocean or a sunset behindPrinceton’s landscape. Parsellsaid it’s easier to admireGod’s amazing talent and givehim thanks while on a runthat pushes her past new lim-its each day.

“Sometimes when I run, I

find myself praying. It works.It is quiet and I can talk tothe Lord without any inter-ruptions like the TV, radio,phone or computer,” she said.

•••Tim Smith, a youth pastor

at Cornerstone FamilyChurch and the director ofPlanet Xtreme Teen Center, isa former soccer and footballplayer who has joined theRun for God program toresume workouts he realizedrecently he missed.

Everyday life and workschedules took him awayfrom the physical activitythat had shaped much of hisyouth, but when he learnedabout the local Run for Godprogram, he knew that had tochange.

“Erica started running anad for it at the church, and Ifigured it was time to get inshape,” Smith said.

His inspiration ran deep.“We did a winter retreat

with the teenagers inJanuary, and we were talkingabout how God created ourbodies as temples,” Smithsaid. “Although we were talk-ing about a variety of differ-ent issues, I really began tofeel convicted that I need toget in shape, not just spiritu-ally, but physically also.”

He said resuming a regularworkout routine “felt reallygood,” even if it did leave hislegs very tired after each ses-sion of running.

“It’s really nice to have aplatform that mixes physicalactivity with spiritual health,and I’m really glad it’s avail-able,” he said.

•••Morgan, Parsell and Smith

agreed that there are manyfaith-filled lessons to belearned while on the go.

“For most people, I thinkthey tend to talk to God whenthey’re in the shower or lis-tening to music in their car,but for me, I feel God’s pres-

ence the mostwhen I’m run-ning,” Morgansaid. “Those arethe times when Ihave the deepestconnection withHim.”

Those are alsothe times whenMorgan knowsshe needs to keeppushing in herrun and in her

life.“If I’m having a really hard

run, He’ll be like, ‘This iswhat you’re going through inthis similar situation,’” shesaid. “All I want to do is stop,but if I persevere and lean onGod, I reach the top of themountain, look back and real-ize that I just achieved that.”

Parsell finds encouragementthat there is a correlationbetween believing and run-ning a race for God.

“I love seeing the connectionbetween the Bible and run-ning. In the New Testament,there a lot of references torunning a race for Jesus,” shesaid. “It is just awesome tolink two of my favorite thingstogether — my faith and myhobby.”

While Parsell and Morganare experienced runners andavid athletes, Parsell remind-ed new runners that eachtime they tie their shoes andgo for a run, they are accom-plishing a goal and serving

God.“I love watching the begin-

ners, the ones who are new torunning, grow stronger eachweek. Running is a process,and you have to build up eachweek,” she said.

Morgan salutes the youngmoms who make time in theirbusy schedules to includeRun for God.

“When I was pregnant withmy son, Chris, I had peoplesay that I should kiss myrunning shoes goodbye,” shesaid. “I still run. I have to getup at 5 o’clock in the morningto do it, but I can still do it.Seeing moms take control oftheir good health inspires mefurther, and it makes mehappy to see that they under-stand they can still be activeand be a great mom at thesame time.”

A 5K race culminates eachRun for God 12-week pro-gram, and Morgan hopes herprogram will close with a runat Bluestone State Park,sometime in May. Details willbe released in the nearfuture.

For more information on thePrinceton Run for God pro-gram, visitfacebook.com/#!/pages/CFC-Run-for-God/205947766169788. Tolearn more about the nation-wide Run for God program,visit runforgod.com.

— Contact Tammie Toler atttoler@ptonline.net.

Friday, March 30, 2012 11

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DeAnna McKenzie, Dana Hawks, Toni Phillips.Seated: Debbie Browning; Not Pictured: Sasha Morgan

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Caring for Your BeautyOver 26 Years

Runningon faith...

New program calls on believersto test endurance, conviction

Photos by Jamie Parsell and contributed

Growing physically and spiritually...The Run for God program originated in Dalton,Ga., and as the curriculum that focuses on physi-cal and spiritual endurance spreads across thenation, it is currently under way in Princeton.Erica Morgan, pictured above-left, started theprogram earlier this year at Cornerstone FamilyChurch, but she emphasizes that the 12-weekclass and workout routine is non-denomination-al and non-confrontational. Each class includes adevotional time, an informational session helpfulfor runners and a running routine. It culminateswith a 5K, slated for May.

By TAMMIE TOLERPrinceton Times

PRINCETON – Names likePuggles, Cubbies, Sparksand T&T might not

appear in the Bible, but theyare at the heart of a ministrythat has taught childrenabout faith in more than20,000 churches worldwideover 60 years. And, it’s gain-ing new life in Princeton.

The First Christian Churchon Straley Avenue began abrand new Awana programthis month, and Children’sMinistry Director Kim Repasssaid she is ecstatic to see thechildren’s excitement aboutlearning scripture-based les-sons about God.

“We were just looking for aprogram to enhance our chil-dren’s ministry here and toreach more kids,” Repasssaid. “Basically, we want tohelp them, introduce them toJesus Christ and help build abiblical foundation for faith,so hopefully, they will carrythat through to adulthood.”

Repass, who has been thechildren’s ministry director atFirst Christian Church forthe last five years, believesit’s essential to instill faith inas many children as possible,before adulthood and cyni-cism set in.

“Studies show that once achild reaches about 15 yearsof age, it’s much harder toreach them for Christ,” sheexplained.

•••Awana, stands for “approved

workman not ashamed,”instilling the idea that Godneeds each of us to do hiswork on earth.

Awana traces its history andits roots to a the North SideGospel Center in Chicago.The innovative program com-bined active games, relevantscripture-based teaching andan outreach focus to inspire

Bible learning and achieve-ment.

The program caught onquickly in the area, reachingthousands of children andprompting other churches toseek out similar curriculum.

According to the Awanawebsite, awana.org, theAwana Youth Association wasfounded to meet the needs ofall the churches that steppedforward seeking the energeticapproach to teaching childrenabout God.

Now in its 60th year, Awanahas been implemented inmore than 12,000 U.S.churches and more than8,000 churches, schools andorphanages in 100 othercountries.

•••Awana classes, or clubs, are

designed to meet the needs ofeach individual age groupinvolved. For example, themiddle school club, calledTrek, will take part in activi-

By TAMMIE TOLERPrinceton Times

PRINCETON — If potentialfollowers can’t maketheir way to Liberty

Baptist Church, the bus min-istry will do its best to get tothem.

Each Sunday, Liberty sendstwo buses and two vans, plusoccasional extras and back-ups, into Princeton, Bluefieldand surrounding communi-ties to pick up and drop offworshippers who might nototherwise reach the Baptistchurch near Glenwood. But,the effort that makes theministry work starts longbefore Sunday School.

“Each bus has a captain onit, and each captain has hishelpers who ride with him tohelp coordinate the ride andlook after the riders,” busministry Director Jim Parsellsaid. “We all have a meetingevery Saturday, where weplan the routes and howwe’re going to reach out tothe communities that week-end.”

From there, the bus drivers,captains and team membersride out into the areas they’llbe traveling the next morn-ing, and they go door to door,visiting with the people wholive inside each home.

“I they don’t have their ownchurch, we invite them toride the bus to our church forSunday School,” Parsell said.

Although the bus ministrycaptains aim for a mix of 75percent children and 25 per-cent adults on the buses andvans, they will transport any-one who needs a ride tochurch.

“It’s just one of God’s toolsthat is out there, and we tryto use it to bring boys andgirls to the Lord,” Parsellsaid.

•••According to the Liberty

Baptist Church website, lib-ertybaptist-church.com, thebus ministry first geared upin 1978.

“As the church startedgrowing in membership andlooking for a way to grow[more], it began the first busministry in southern WestVirginia. Over the years, Godhas blessed our ministry withboys, girls and parents whohave accepted Jesus Christ astheir Lord and Savior,” thewebsite states. “Since 1978,

former riders have becometeachers, nurses, soldiers,and more. As of today, atleast three serve God as pas-tors locally and as far awayas California.”

Approximately 4,200 peopleare reached each yearthrough the program. Parsellestimates it transports 60-80people to church each week.

“On a good day, you may hit90, but when the rain isfalling outside and it’s cold,you can tell it,” he said.

Parsell thinks the simplicityand sheer joy of the bus min-istry are two keys to its suc-cess.

To draw even more potentialworshippers each week, histeam regularly creates pro-motional ideas that inspireexisting participants to bringtheir friends to church.

The current promotioninvolves war games, and inorder to take part, each ridermust bring a new person tochurch during the designatedtime.

“Church, to a child, shouldbe so exciting that they wantto come back to see what hap-pens,” Parsell said, explain-ing the rationale behind thepromotions. “You’d be amazed

how many of these kids goout and do everything theycan to bring a friend tochurch — just so they canplay in the war games.”

•••Today, Helen Lambert

Vance is a married mother ofthree, who faithfully attendschurch at Johnston ChapelBaptist Church, but she canvividly recall her first churchexperience. It came courtesyof the Liberty Baptist ChurchBus Ministry.

At the time, Vance livedwith her parents, three broth-ers and sister in an apart-ment building on ThornStreet.

“They came around visitingand asked my parents if Icould go to church the nextday,” she recalled. “I was infirst grade then, so I think Iwas about 6.”

Vance didn’t grow up withparents who attended church,but the experience shereceived made her feelblessed that the bus ministrycoordinators stopped at herapartment building that day.

“When I was growing up, wedidn’t have a vehicle. Therewould have been no way Icould have gone to Liberty. I

maybe could have walked toanother church, but my par-ents probably wouldn’t havejust let me walk throughdowntown Princeton, eventhen,” she said. “I think thatbus ministry was probablythe only way I could go tochurch, and over time, mythree brothers and sister alsorode the buses.”

Vance can still rememberwhat it felt like to ride theLiberty bus for the first time.

“I had never actually riddena bus before, because wewalked to school each day,”she said, chuckling. “So, I feltbig. I felt like a big kid.”

On that ride and so manyothers she would enjoythrough her high schoolyears, Vance recalled theteam leaders’ cheerful greet-ings and the songs – like theB-I-B-L-E and “Jesus LovesMe” — that the riders sangon their way to Liberty.

“We made friends and savedseats for our buddies,” shesaid. “We just had a reallygood time.”

She still recalls the smallgestures the team membersmade to insure the riders feltwelcome and appreciated.Some of her favorite gifts

were the freeze pops andsnack-size bags of potatochips that always put a smileon her face.

After completing highschool, Vance joined the mili-tary, visited other parts of theworld, lived in various partsof West Virginia and finallymade it home again.

Although she and her fami-ly attend Johnston Chapelnow, Vance said LibertyBaptist Church and itsunique ministry will alwayshold a special place in herheart and in her faith.

“It was them coming to pickme up that allowed me to goto church to hear God’s Word.It was that ministry thatallowed me to be saved andto know God,” she said. “If itweren’t for them, I don’tknow if I would have beensaved, if I would be aChristian or if I would haveever gotten involved in thechurch.”

For any parents consideringputting their children on thebus, Vance offered a resound-ing endorsement of the pro-gram.

“You have to plant the seedswhen they are young, andthese people love children.They look out for them,” shesaid.

•••Seeing the bright expres-

sions on young faces is one ofthe best parts of organizingthe bus ministry, according toParsell.

“When you see a boy or girlthat lives in this communitycome to Liberty, especially ifthey accept the Lord, younever forget the expressionson their faces or the love thatthe people in the church havefor the children,” he said. “It’sinspiring to know that thesechildren can go to a placethat they know they’re loved,but more importantly, a placewhere they can get to knowthe Lord as their personalsavior.”

His dearest memory of thebus ministry came in theform of a tiny blessing namedSavannah.

“There was this one time Iwas out visiting the commu-nities lining up my riders forthe next day, when this littlelady asked me if her grand-daughter could ride the bus.She was only 4 years old, andusually, our limit is 5,”Parsell said. “But, I told her

we would do a trial run thenext day to see howSavannah did.”

The next day, Parsell andhis team picked Savannah upat her scheduled stop, andthe visit worked like a charm.Although Savannah wasyounger than most riders,Parsell believed she was wisebeyond her years. Shebecame a loyal rider.

“She was just like the sun.When the sun came up onSunday, she was ready to geton that bus,” he said.

On one particular day,Parsell’s wife, Debbie, rodethe bus with him, and sheand Savannah struck up aninstant kinship.

“I looked over, andSavannah was leaning upagainst Debbie, saying ‘Yousure do smell so good. Yourskin is so soft. Your hair is soshiny…” Parsell said.

From that moment on,Savannah was an unofficialpart of the Parsell family. Thecouple asked her grandmoth-er’s permission to buy her anEaster dress, which soongrew to include tights, shoesand an entire outfit.

“Next thing you knew, wewere helping her out withschool clothes,” Parsell said.

Soon, Savannah was goingout to eat with the Parsellfamily and even spendingweekends at the family home.

Ultimately, tragedy touchedSavannah’s life, when hergrandmother passed away.Savannah ended up livingwith another family memberin Ohio, far out of reach ofthe Liberty Bus Ministry.

But, the Parsells still stayin touch with the youngwoman who won their heartsas a 4-year-old on a churchbus.

“These kids will open uptheir hearts and just loveyou,” Parsell said. “One thingthat will tear your heart outand put it back in you is tosee what some of these kidsgo through and still see howmuch they are willing to giveof themselves.”

14 Friday, March 30, 2012

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Buses carry believers to LibertyUnique ministry insures that transportation issues never stop worship

Photos by Jamie Parsell

All aboard...Jim Parsell is the director of the Liberty Baptist Church Bus Ministry, which brings approxi-mately 4,200 worshippers to the Glenwood church each year. The unique ministry travelsinto Princeton and Bluefield to make sure that not having a vehicle is never a reason not togo to church.

First Christian Church nurtures future leaders todayFaith of children...First Christian Church inPrinceton recently embarkedon a new adventure, as itbegan a new Awana pro-gram designed for childrenin pre-K through middleschool. Children’s MinistryDirector Kim Repass saysthe new ministry is a waythe church can reach out tochildren and introduce themto Christ.

Photos by Teresa DyeAwana, page 15

ties that are more complexthan those for the youngeststudents, such as the Pugglesor Cubbies.

Although Awana program-ming runs lessons designedfor a 2-year-old to a graduat-ing high school senior, Repasssaid the First ChristianChurch is offering clubs forchildren ages 4-5 years old upto middle school.

Repass, who serves as theAwana commander, said shecouldn’t pull her programtogether without the help ofAssistant Commander JohnDye and the assorted clubleaders who coordinate indi-vidual groups within theoverall program.

“Our high school studentshave even gotten involved,and they’re helping out withthe classes,” Repass said.

The first Awana lesson thatFirst Christian Church usedto unveil its Awana programfocused on John 3:16, whichreads, “For God so loved theworld that he gave his onlybegotten son that whosoeverbelieveth in him should notperish but have everlastinglife.”

“We started out with that,and that really is the focus ofwhat we want to teach the

children,” Repass said.•••

Weekly, more than 1.2 mil-lion children around theworld take part in Awana pro-gramming.

Awana.org states, “We helpchurches and parents partnerto develop spiritually strongchildren and youth who faith-fully follow Christ. We’ve’seen what happens when par-ents and churches worktogether to teach God’s Wordacross kids’ formative years.They produce young adultsmarked by lasting biblicalfaith and character.”

A recent survey of Awanaalumni found that those for-mer Puggles, Cubbies, Sparksand more believed Awana wasas valuable to their spiritualgrowth as all other churchactivities combined.

“Among alumni who partici-pated in Awana for at leastsix years, and whose parentswere involved in their spiritu-al growth, 92.7 percent stillattend church at least weeklyas adults,” the website states.“As grown-ups, most of ouralumni also continue tobelieve in God, trust Christfor salvation, study the Bible,pray regularly, serve theirchurch and even share theirfaith.”

Part of the process that hasmade Awana so successful isits high-energy blend of fun,

fellowship and faith.“We have game time. We

have lesson time, and thenthey have a Bible memorytime,” Repass said. “This iswhen we promote scripturememorization. They get toearn rewards for doing that.”

The first prize was a T-shirt,and Repass said the youngchildren loved the chance towin cool prizes for learningBible verses and lessons.

•••Repass believes faith is an

essential ingredient in every-day life.

“With the world as crazy asit is, Lord knows we all needHim,” she said.

Likewise, the churches oftoday need faithful childrento lead them and otherChristians in the future.

“Our church really supportsthe children and youth min-istries, and I’m very proud tobe a part of this,” Repasssaid. “Our kids are thechurch of today and tomor-row.”

The First ChristianChurch’s Awana programmeets each Sunday, 4:30-6p.m., at the church.

For more information onthat program, visit prince-tondisciples.org. To learnmore about Awana’s overallprogram, visit awana.org.

— Contact Tammie Toler atttoler@ptonline.net.

Friday, March 30, 2012 15

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“I just tried to show asmuch support as possible. Ifsomeone had a bad game, Itried to boost their spirits andhelp as much as I could,” shesaid.

•••Amanda didn’t miss a

Tigerettes game this season,and Kim even continuedreporting on the game actionfor the Princeton Times,despite the trials their familyfaced this season.

While they would neverhave chosen the hardshipsthey’ve faced, they are bothquick to point out that therehave been blessings amid theheartbreak and fear.

“One major one was that Ilearned to realize that thingscan always be worse thanthey are,” Amanda said. “Itwas really hard to give upbasketball, but it wasn’t the

worst thing that I could havehappen.”

And, she has discovered anew talent – competitive run-ning, which helps keep herinvolved in athletics, in asport less likely to involvecontact injuries. Plus, it does-n’t complicate her back prob-lem, at this point.

“That was major. I neverknew I could run like I can,”she said.

Her first official race wasthe Emma’s TouchFoundation’s 5K run thatkicked off the 2011 PrincetonAutumnFest last fall. Now,she is set to compete thisspring with the PrincetonSenior High School Track andField team.

And, although Amanda wasalready enrolled in certifiednursing assistant classes atthe Mercer County TechnicalEducation Center as a way toprepare for medical school,after meeting and experienc-ing the amazing things Dr.

Couture can accomplish, sheknows she wants to be a neu-rologist.

“I always knew I wanted todo something in medicine,but now, I know what direc-tion I want to take,” she said.

So, what’s in store forAmanda in her next season?

She plans more running,and academics will always behuge in her life and her fami-ly. And, she plans to continueturning out in support of herTigerette sisters.

“Her teammates are herfamily. I know she willalways be there for them, andthey mean a lot to her,” Kimsaid.

And if she could offer thoseteammates a bit of sisterlyadvice, Amanda said shewould remind them: “Younever know when your lastgame is going to be, so playevery game like it is yourlast.”

— Contact Tammie Toler atttoler@ptonline.net.

Tigerette...Continued from page 9

Awana...Continued from page 14