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Hopeful Imagination
Celebrating Partner Congregations and Their Faithful Generosity by Larry Hovis
Partner Churches
What are You Doing This Summer? by Wanda Kidd
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Pages 8-9
Page 10
Paraphrasing Matthew 25 by Mike Currin
Stretching Well Beyond our Comfort Zone into Uncharted Territory by Lee Canipe
Rekindling the Flame by Randy McKinney
Racial Reconciliation i ssue
cBFnc Missions initiative weekend: chowan university singers prepare to perform at littleton’s John 3:16 center.
of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • cbfnc@cbfnc.org • www.cbfnc.org
Larry Hovis Executive Coordinator LHovis@cbfnc.org
Rick Jordan ....... Church Resources Coordinator ....... RJordan@cbfnc.org
Linda Jones Missions Coordinator LJones@cbfnc.org
Jim Hylton ........ Business Administration Coordinator . JHylton@cbfnc.org
Jack Causey Ministerial Resources Coordinator JCausey@cbfnc.org
Laura Barclay Social Ministries Coordinator LBarclay@cbfnc.org
Coordinating Council
Steve Little, Marion, Moderator
Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Moderator-elect
Greg Rogers, Greenville, Past Moderator
Greg Watson, Hickory, Recorder
Gary Knight, Winston-Salem, Treasurer
Ray Ammons, Gastonia
Tommy Bratton, Asheville
Susan Ellington, Zebulon
David Hailey, Raleigh
Martha McDowell, Laurinburg
Lisa Rust, Lumberton
Bert Young, Bladenboro
Janice Young, Whiteville
Endowment Management Board
Jack Buchanan, Shelby
Joe Harris, Mocksville
John Hewett, Charlotte
Judy LeCroy, Lexington
Candy Tennant, Chapel Hill
Wanda Kidd College Ministry Consultant WKidd@cbfnc.org
Eddie Hammett ... Church and Clergy Coach ......... EHammett@cbfnc.org
Javier Benitez Hispanic Ministry Leader Coach JavierB1@embarqmail.com
Nancy Parks ....... Programs Manager .................. NParks@cbfnc.org
Sarah Mitchell Communications Manager SMitchell@cbfnc.org
Gail McAlister Financial Manager GMcalister@cbfnc.org
Casey Carroll Administrative Assistant CCarroll@cbfnc.org
Faith Development Ministry Council
John Vestal, Raleigh, Chair
Allen Winters, Hillsborough, Chair-Elect
Todd Blake, Fayetteville
Gay Gulick, Winston-Salem
Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton
Garin Hill, Shelby
Kathy Naish, Hickory
Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines
Tony Spencer, Forest City
Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs
Leadership Development Ministry Council
Mark Ashworth, Kernersville, Chair
Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair-Elect
Joseph Alexander, Winston-Salem
Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville
Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands
Rendell Hipps, Hickory
Tommy James, Sylva
Shane Nixon, Burlington
LeAnne Spruill Ryan, Durham
Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro
Traditional Churches Finding God’s w ay in a Changing world
Traditional Churches Finding God’s w ay in a Changing world
• Learn how churches move from “why we can’t” to “how we can.”
• Discover the power of relationships and how to create missional partnerships to impact a city.
Missions Ministry Council
Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair
Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair-Elect
George Fuller, Raleigh
Brandon Hudson, Winston-Salem
Christopher Ingram, Smithfield
Andrea Dellinger Jones, Raleigh
Pablo Juarez, Sanford
Len Keever, Dunn
Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington
Linda Winslow, Jamestown
CBF National Council Members from NC
Paul Baxley, Henderson
Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro
Don Gordon, Durham
Betsy Newton Herman, Raleigh
Beth McConnell, Charlotte
Robin Roberts, Raleigh
Blenda Sloniker, Hickory
Presenters include
Mike Queen, Jim Everette and community leaders, Jayne Davis, Kurt Watchel, Ruben Swint, Ronnie Russell, George Bullard, Bill Wilson, Eddie Hammett, Jeannie Troutman, Don Vigus, Bo Prosser, Larry Hovis and panel of students, Vick Griffin, Deacon Chair of FBCW, Carl Williford, Wanda Porter, and laypersons from FBCW
• Learn how churches move from “why we can’t” to “how we can.”
• Dialogue with pastoral staff and lay leadership that are effectively transitioning a congregation from maintenance to mission.
• Discover the power of relationships and how to create missional partnerships to impact a city.
• Experience encouragement, hope and help for leaders and congregations.
For more information and registration details, visit www.hopefulimagination.info
• Dialogue with pastoral staff and lay leadership that are effectively transitioning a congregation from maintenance to mission.
• Experience encouragement, hope and help for leaders and congregations.
October 22-23, 2010
Host Teaching Church: First Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC
Hopeful Imagination is for ordinary leaders who trust in an extraordinary God … who seek a divinely guided church to transform leaders, cities, families ... who expect to be changed and deeply desire to be used by God to change their world. this event is for all church leaders (clergy and laity).
Be sure to register by August 30th to receive the early-bird registration rate.
October 22-23, 2010
A 200 year old church making an impact today and tomorrow. Visit www.FBCWilmington.org.
Host Teaching Church: First Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC A 200 year old church making an impact today and tomorrow. Visit www.FBCWilmington.org.
Registration and workshop details will be available soon at www.cbfnc.org.
Co-sponsored by First Baptist Church, The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, Center for Congregational Health and the Columbia Partnership.
Most organizations (businesses, schools, non-profits, churches, etc.) have a mission statement. Too often, these statements are nothing more than high-sounding words that have little connection to everyday life. The stated purpose of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina is “Bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christ-centered ministry.” That really is what we do. We exist to bring together individuals, churches and ministry partners to pursue the mission of God in ways they could never do alone. We believe the admonition of Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching,” applies to the extended family of Baptist Christians. We exist to help make that happen.
Those we seek to serve include more than congregations, but local churches are the focus of our ministry. Once each year in this publication, we list the names of these “partner congregations.” You can find them listed on our website throughout the year, but we believe it’s worth the pages and ink to list them in The Gathering, which is our most broadly distributed communication tool.
Following the practice of an earlier time in Baptist life, we in the Fellowship Movement define partnership on the basis of financial support. Congregations
are not asked to affirm a doctrinal statement, submit a membership application or surrender to the discipline and oversight of a denominational hierarchy. Instead, a congregation’s financial gift is a tacit endorsement of our purpose, principles, vision, values and ministries. The reverse is not true. Because we accept a congregation’s gifts for our shared ministries, neither CBFNC nor other congregations are endorsing all of the beliefs or practices of that partner congregation. Autonomy of belief and practice is ensured for all.
$4,000,000
$3,500,000
$3,000,000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
$1,233,214
$1,051,883
$948,849
$2,370,821
$1,959,148
$1,455,378
$3,606,072
$3,018,832
$2,404,227
This year’s list of 358 partner churches includes North Carolina churches who have made a financial gift to CBFNC or CBF National during the eighteen-month period of October 2008 through March 2010. It also includes church plants that currently receive funding from CBFNC. Partner churches are classified according to three types of giving. Churches listed in regular type have contributed to CBF National, either the regular budget or the Global Missions Offering. These churches have not contributed to CBFNC. Churches listed in bold type have contributed to CBFNC. In almost all cases, they also contribute to CBF National. Churches listed in blue type have contributed to CBF, CBFNC and other ministry partners through the Mission Resource Plan, CBFNC’s
on page 6
Churches contributing to CBFNC are listed in bold type. Churches that contribute to CBF National only are listed in regular type. Designated in blue are churches who participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan, providing financial support for other Baptist ministries through CBFNC. For additional information about the Mission Resource Plan, visit www.cbfnc.org.
This list does not include churches who partner with CBFNC or CBF in other, non-financial ways.
Earlys............................... Ahoskie
First.................................. Ahoskie
First.................................. Albemarle
Mount Zion...................... Alexis
Angier............................... Angier
Baptist Fellowship........... Angier
Neill’s Creek.................... Angier
Olive Chapel .................. Apex
Woodhaven...................... Apex
First................................ Arden
First.................................. Asheboro
Oakhurst.......................... Asheboro
Oakwood Park................. Asheboro
West Asheboro Asheboro
Calvary............................. Asheville
First.................................. Asheville
Grace................................ Asheville
Morningside..................... Asheville
Connaritsa....................... Aulander
Lily Branch...................... Bakersville
First of Smithton............. Belhaven
Benson............................ Benson
First.................................. Biscoe
First.................................. Black Mountain
First Bladenboro
Lennons Cross Roads..... Bladenboro
First.................................. Blowing Rock
Boiling Springs............... Boiling Springs
Bolivia Bolivia
First Boone
Boonville.......................... Boonville
Mount Moriah Calvert... Brevard
First.................................. Bryson City
First.................................. Buies Creek
Memorial.......................... Buies Creek
Bullock............................. Bullock
Burgaw Burgaw
First.................................. Burlington
Northside.......................... Burlington
First................................ Burnsville
First................................ Butner
Calypso............................. Calypso
Hominy............................. Candler
First.................................. Canton
First.................................. Carolina Beach
Greenwood Forest........... Cary
Westwood......................... Cary
Chadbourn....................... Chadbourn
Piney Forest Chadbourn
Ephesus........................... Chapel Hill
HillSong............................ Chapel Hill
Lystra............................... Chapel Hill
Mount Carmel................. Chapel Hill
University....................... Chapel Hill
Grace Crossing................ Charlotte
Park Road Charlotte
Peace Covenant............... Charlotte
Pritchard Memorial........ Charlotte
Providence....................... Charlotte
St. John’s.......................... Charlotte
Sardis................................ Charlotte
First................................ Clayton
White Oak........................ Clayton
Clemmons First............... Clemmons
First................................ Clinton
Grove Park...................... Clinton
Rowan.............................. Clinton
McGill............................... Concord
First.................................. Cramerton
Open Arms .................... Creedmoor
Cullowhee........................ Cullowhee
The Summit..................... Cullowhee
First ................................. Denton
First.................................. Drexel
First.................................. Dunn
Westfield........................... Dunn
Angier Avenue Durham
Calvary............................. Durham
Durham Memorial.......... Durham
Glenn School Road Durham
Hope Valley...................... Durham
Lakewood Durham
Lowes Grove.................... Durham
Ministeria Hispano Reino Hoy Durham
Mount Hermon................ Durham
Temple.............................. Durham
Watts Street..................... Durham
Yates................................. Durham
First................................ Eden
Edenton............................ Edenton
Blackwell Memorial Elizabeth City
First.................................. Elizabeth City
Elizabethtown Elizabethtown
First.................................. Elkin
Elm City........................... Elm City
First.................................. Elon
Emerald Isle..................... Emerald Isle
Antioch............................. Enfield
Enfield.............................. Enfield
Enka................................. Enka
Fair Bluff.......................... Fair Bluff
First.................................. Fairmont
First.................................. Farmville
First.................................. Fayetteville
Lafayette.......................... Fayetteville
Lake Lynn........................ Fayetteville
Mount Pisgah................... Fayetteville
Snyder Memorial............ Fayetteville
Unity Christian Center... Fayetteville
First.................................. Forest City
Florence.......................... Forest City
Mount Vernon................. Forest City
First.................................. Four Oaks
Pauline............................ Four Oaks
Burningtown.................... Franklin
Centerpoint...................... Franklin
Franklinton...................... Franklinton
Fremont Missionary ..... Fremont
Aversboro Road............... Garner
Covenant.......................... Gastonia
First.................................. Gastonia
Loray................................ Gastonia
New Hope......................... Gastonia
Ranlo Gastonia
Reynoldson...................... Gates
First.................................. Goldsboro
Rosewood First................ Goldsboro
First ................................. Graham
Brandt Oaks.................... Greensboro
College Park.................... Greensboro
First.................................. Greensboro
Guilford............................ Greensboro
Korean Mission............... Greensboro
Lindley Park.................... Greensboro
Southeast.......................... Greensboro
Arlington Boulevard Greenville
Immanuel Greenville
The Memorial.................. Greenville The Memorial Hispanic Church .......................................... Greenville
Oakmont.......................... Greenville
Hamlet
Hope......................... Hickory
Hickory
Hiddenite
Kannapolis First.................................. Kernersville Main Street...................... Kernersville
Union Cross..................... Kernersville
Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras
King
Quaker Gap..................... King
Spilman Memorial.......... Kinston
Oak Ridge........................ Kittrell
Knightdale...................... Knightdale
Fairfield Mountains Chapel
.......................................... Lake Lure
First Reformed Landis
First................................ Laurinburg
Goshen.............................. Leland
North Brunswick Fellowship
Leland
College Avenue................ Lenoir
First.................................. Lenoir
Churchland...................... Lexington
First.................................. Lexington
Jersey................................ Lexington
First ............................... Liberty
Mount Pleasant.............. Liberty
Lillington Lillington
First ............................... Lincolnton
Bear Swamp..................... Littleton
Littleton............................ Littleton
Mission............................. Locust
Hickory Rock................. Louisburg
Louisburg......................... Louisburg
First.................................. Lumberton
Rozier Lumberton
First Madison
Antioch............................. Mamers
First.................................. Marion
Calvary........................... Mars Hill
Mars Hill.......................... Mars Hill
First Marshall
First.................................. Marshville
First.................................. Mayodan
New Bessemer.................. McLeansville
First.................................. Mebane
Mount Adar..................... Mebane
Eatons............................... Mocksville
First.................................. Mocksville
First.................................. Monroe
First Mooresville
First................................ Morehead City
First.................................. Morganton
Calvary Mount Airy
First.................................. Mount Airy
Flat Rock.......................... Mount Airy
First.................................. Mount Gilead
First................................ Mount Holly
First................................ Mount Olive
Murfreesboro................... Murfreesboro
Rock Creek..................... Nashville
First.................................. New Bern
Kendalls........................... New London
First.................................. Newland
Trinity............................. Newton
First.................................. N. Wilkesboro
Oak City Oak City
Union Grove.................... Oak Ridge
First Oriental
Enon
Oxford
Hester............................... Oxford
Oxford.............................. Oxford
Roberts Chapel................ Pendleton
Mount Gilead................... Pittsboro
Pittsboro........................... Pittsboro
Athens Drive.................... Raleigh
Crabtree Valley.............. Raleigh
Iglesia Bautista la Roca
.......................................... Raleigh
First.................................. Raleigh
Forest Hills....................... Raleigh
Greystone......................... Raleigh
Hayes Barton................... Raleigh
HomeStar Fellowship...... Raleigh
Hope Cafe........................ Raleigh
Longview ......................... Raleigh
Macedonia........................ Raleigh
Millbrook......................... Raleigh
New Community Raleigh
New Hope......................... Raleigh
Pullen Memorial............... Raleigh
Ridge Road...................... Raleigh
St. John’s ......................... Raleigh
Swift Creek..................... Raleigh
Tabernacle........................ Raleigh
Triangle............................ Raleigh
Trinity............................. Raleigh
First Red Springs
Calvary............................. Reidsville
First................................ Reidsville
Richfield........................... Richfield
First.................................. Richlands
Rosemary Roanoke Rapids
Bethel................................ Robbinsville
First Rockingham
Dortches........................... Rocky Mount
First................................ Rocky Mount
Lakeside........................... Rocky Mount
Rileys Creek................... Rocky Point
Rolesville.......................... Rolesville
Rose Hill........................... Rose Hill
First.................................. Roseboro
First.................................. Rowland
Lamberth Memorial....... Roxboro
Roxboro............................ Roxboro
First.................................. Rural Hall
First.................................. Rutherfordton
Enon................................. Salisbury
First.................................. Salisbury
Ephesus Sanford
First.................................. Sanford
Flat Springs..................... Sanford
Jonesboro Heights........... Sanford
Primera Iglesia Bautista
........................................ Sanford
Double Shoals.................. Shelby
Dover Shelby
First................................ Shelby
Poplar Springs............... Shelby
Ross Grove Shelby
Sandy Plains Shelby
Zion.................................. Shelby
Centro Familiar Cristiano
........................................ Siler City
Rocky River..................... Siler City
Nobles Chapel.................. Sims
First................................ Smithfield
Sharon.............................. Smithfield
First.................................. Southern Pines
First.................................. Spindale
Spencer............................. Spindale
Ephesus............................ Spring Hope
First.................................. Spring Hope
First ................................. Spruce Pine
First................................ Stanfield
First.................................. Statesville
First.................................. Stoneville
Brunswick Islands........... Supply
East Sylva......................... Sylva
First.................................. Sylva
Olyphic........................... Tabor City
Tabor City ..................... Tabor City
First.................................. Tarboro
Antioch........................... Taylorsville
First ............................... Taylorsville
Teachey............................. Teachey
First................................ Tryon
Round Hill Union Mills
Cornerstone Valdese
First................................ Valdese
First Wadesboro
Spring Hill ........................ Wagram
Falls................................ Wake Forest
Heritage Wake Forest
Wake Forest..................... Wake Forest
Woodland......................... Wake Forest
First ................................ Wallace
First Fellowship............... Wallburg
Warrenton........................ Warrenton
First.................................. Washington
First Waynesville
First................................ Weaverville
Crossroads Fellowship.... Weldon
Baptist Tabernacle.......... Wendell
Wendell............................ Wendell
First................................ West Jefferson
Fishing Creek.................. Whitakers
First................................ Whiteville
Mount Zion...................... Whiteville
New Hope....................... Whiteville
Wilkesboro....................... Wilkesboro
First.................................. Wilmington
Masonboro....................... Wilmington
Winter Park..................... Wilmington
First.................................. Wilson
Cashie............................... Windsor
Wingate............................ Wingate
Ardmore........................... Winston-Salem
Bethany............................ Winston-Salem
October 2008 - March 2010
College Park.................... Winston-Salem
Covenant.......................... Winston-Salem
El Mesias Winston-Salem
Fellowship........................ Winston-Salem
First.................................. Winston-Salem
Knollwood........................ Winston-Salem
Mineral Springs Winston-Salem
Northwest......................... Winston-Salem
Peace Haven..................... Winston-Salem
United............................... Winston-Salem
Via Faith Community..... Winston-Salem
West Side ....................... Winston-Salem
Winterville...................... Winterville
Wise.................................. Wise
Maplewood...................... Yadkinville
Grace Haven.................... Youngsville
Youngsville....................... Youngsville
Zebulon............................ Zebulon
Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information on partnering with CBFNC.
cooperative giving tool.
Partner congregations have been extremely generous in supporting our ministries. The accompanying charts (on page 3) show growth in giving from the previous fiscal year to the recently completed fiscal year. Growth in giving to partner ministries continues to expand at a phenomenal pace. Undesignated giving, which supports CBFNC’s basic ministries, is also very healthy, especially in the current economic climate.
Another interesting statistic concerns the growth in the number of partner congregations who contribute to CBFNC’s basic ministries program. As you can see from the accompanying chart, since 2005, the number of churches who make undesignated gifts to CBFNC has increased 35%, from 221 to 299.
by Wanda Kidd, College Ministry Consultant
continued from page 3
We continue to be humbled and gratified by the trust these congregations place in us. We remain committed to be faithful stewards, operating out of consistent values and principles, devoted to our stated purpose of Bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christcentered ministry.
As we look to the future, we are re-doubling our efforts around a new focus: Collaborating with North Carolina Fellowship Baptists to strengthen and develop a Christ-centered missional community for these rapidly changing times.
Thank you, North Carolina Fellowship Baptists, for your participation in and support of our fellowship. Our future, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, is bright. May our tribe continue to increase, to the Glory of God!
Through the work of CBFNC collegiate ministry, just under 50 students from North Carolina are working in churches and community ministries this summer.
Behind the scenes look at Ministry: collegiate congregational internship
Thirty-four North Carolina young adults will serve in churches from Fremont, CA, to Ahoskie, NC, this summer. The purpose of the internships is to get a behind-thescenes look at the ministry of the church. Some who will serve are considering ministry as a vocation, but others want to understand the role of nonvocational ministers. These students will help with worship, learn to visit in the hospital and participate in a variety of other aspects of ministry within a local congregation.
Coming into a new place with new expectations can be very complex for both the host and the visitor. These opportunities are often life-changing for all who are willing to risk the journey. When any church thrives, the whole community of faith benefits. Please pray for the students and the churches as they co-minister this summer.
ruined by student.Go summer
Each summer for the past nine years, CBF has sent college students and young adults forth to serve in a variety of ways around the country and around the world. North Carolina students have had a strong presence in this ministry from the beginning. Amy Derrick, the director of the program, likes to quote a student who reported that she was “ruined” by her summer of service. She explained that she would always see the world through different eyes because of the things that she saw and experienced during her time on the field.
The Student.Go students gathered in Alabama for orientation. This summer, North Carolina has a Student.Go team of students serving in Washington, D.C., through National Memorial Baptist Church, and six other students will serve in a variety of other places.
Please pray for the students and for the places where they are going to serve.
The CBFNC Missions Initiative weekend, held April 23- 25, in Littleton was a great success as well as fun and rewarding. Mike Currin, Pastor of Littleton Baptist Church, shares a paraphrase of Matthew 25.
by Mike Currin, Littleton Baptist Church
I was hungry and you fed me delicious hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn. I was thirsty and you gave me Coke or a bottle of water.
I was without a good book and you gave me the best book, God’s word. But you did not stop, you also gave me another book to read on my level and a bag of goodies to care for my teeth, and sanitizer to clean my hands as you clean my heart.
I was in need of a friend and you gave of your time to play with me, recognizing me as a person of value, getting to know my name and more about me.
I was in need of recreation and you gave me games to play and prizes to win, a balloon, laughter and friends to enjoy.
I was in need of health screenings and you gave them to me in love, concerned not just about the spiritual, but the physical needs too!
I was in need of spiritual encouragement and you sang to me the beautiful story of Christ and his love.
I was the lobby of the Homeless Shelter at Union Mission and two offices at the John 3:16 Center that needed painting, and you spread the paint with care to show to all who entered that we take pride in that which ministers in the name of Christ.
‘I tell you the truth, whatever you do today for one of the least of these friends of mine, you do for Jesus.’
Matthew 25:34-40 (sort of)
by Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro Baptist Church
We’ve never done anything like this before. Teams from our church have gone on mission to places like Gulfport; Washington, D.C.; and Helena, Arkansas. Those experiences stretched us well beyond the comfort zone of our familiar small-town life in northeastern North Carolina. They were challenging and rewarding missions for us, and they inspired new outreach ministries in our church. But here’s the thing: We didn’t need passports to get to Mississippi. We will need passports this summer. We’re going to Canada.
Often churches believe they are “too small” to go “on mission” in another country. Yet Lee Canipe, pastor of Murfreesboro Baptist Church, believes small churches are able to accomplish this and especially are called by God to go. Murfreesboro Baptist Church, along with First Baptist Church, Ahoskie, are sending a team to Montreal, Canada, this July. Lee shares their journey of faith …
This kind of mission — an international mission experience — is uncharted territory for Murfreesboro Baptist Church. Our congregation of 250 or so active members has, in the past, encouraged and supported individuals who traveled to other countries for various mission and ministry projects. This July, however, will be the first time we have sent a team outside of the United States.
It’s hard not to see the hand of God at work here. No one at Murfreesboro Baptist Church went out looking for a foreign mission experience. This one found us. In February of 2009, John Pond, our associational missionary, invited First Baptist Church of Ahoskie (our neighboring town) and us to explore the possibility of entering into a partnership with the Union of French Baptist Churches in Canada. It’s fair to say that this invitation took us by surprise. Most folks don’t naturally associate Hertford County with Quebec, where the vast majority of these French-speaking Baptist churches are located. I can’t speak for the initial response in Ahoskie, but when I shared the news of John’s invitation with our deacons, eyebrows were raised. After all, Montreal is a long way — literally and figuratively — from Murfreesboro. What in the world, one deacon asked, could we have to offer them?
As it turned out, a lot. When Anita Thompson, an associate pastor at FBC Ahoskie, and I went to Montreal on an exploratory visit in May of 2009, we found small Baptist churches — some of them native Quebecois; most of them made up of immigrants to Canada from former French colonies such as Haiti, Congo, and Rwanda; none of them with more than 75 members — that are struggling to be faithful to Jesus in an ever more aggressively
secular culture that once was described as more Catholic than Rome. In 1960, over 90% of Quebec’s population attended a worship service at least once a week. Today, less than 7% do. Christians in general are having a hard time in Quebec, where even Catholics are now greeted with suspicion. Much further down the religious totem pole, meanwhile, Baptists are considered to be a cult and greeted with downright hostility.
What we found, in other words, were fellow Baptists who needed encouragement and to be reminded that they aren’t alone in their discipleship. Sure, the pastors we met had ideas about outreach programs, renovation projects, Bible schools, and so forth. There were plenty of ways, we learned, that we could roll up our sleeves and help these churches further their ministry and share the Gospel in the Montreal area. More importantly, though, we could simply show up. We could go to Montreal and become their friends, worshipping together and singing together and praying together and eating together and whatever else it is that Christian friends do when they get together. This, I quickly realized, was something our little congregation could do.
You see, Murfreesboro Baptist Church does not have a lot of money. We don’t have a missions endowment. We don’t travel on chartered buses. We don’t make annual treks across the ocean to build schools and churches. There are many things we don’t do simply because we don’t have the resources. But we do know how to be friendly. We do know how to be kind. We do know how to smile and laugh and listen and lend a hand and make sure people know that we care about them. We do know how to do those things because we do it all the time in Murfreesboro. I remember thinking that if what these French-speaking Canadian Baptists really need are friends, then God has equipped us well to handle that kind of a job. There were people in my church who were, right then, more than ready to be international missionaries.
They just didn’t know it yet.
That’s what Anita and I learned last year in Montreal. God had opened a door for our churches to be on mission in Canada. We didn’t seek this opportunity. It found us. The next question was: How would we respond to this opportunity? After all, we’d never done anything like this before. Plus, the very idea of sending missionaries to other countries sounded prohibitively (for us) expensive. Before we could move forward, there were lots of questions to answer.
Before we could move forward, there were lots of questions to answer.
The Lord knew what He was doing. I had been praying for years that God would give my church the opportunity to be a part of an ongoing relationship with Christians in another country. My own time as a Cooperative Baptist missionary in Russia years ago had opened my eyes to the power of experiencing the body of Christ in all its multinational, multilingual, multiethnic, multiracial glory. Talking about this can only go so far, though. In order for us to appreciate the fact that there are indeed Christians in other countries, we have to go there and meet them ourselves. One week’s mission experience can do more than a year’s worth of sermons. An international mission, however, was not on anyone’s radar at Murfreesboro Baptist Church in the spring of 2009.
frighteningly foreign to a bunch of Baptists from northeastern North Carolina. While no doubt a challenge for us as rookie international missionaries, Canada also seemed do-able. Furthermore, it made sense financially as well. Murfreesboro Baptist Church may not have the budget to send mission teams around the world, but we could send a team to Montreal — and, as they say, the world has now come to Montreal, easily the most cosmopolitan city in North America and, arguably, the world. A fourteen-hour drive due north could put us on common ground with Muslims from North Africa, Buddhists from Vietnam, practitioners of folk religion from Haiti, and a whole host of other unreached people groups. Moreover, with most of the congregations in the Baptist Union made up of immigrants, we would already have a link to the international community there. Simply put, for a church like ours without a great deal of budget money available for things like supporting an international mission team, Montreal offered a lot of foreign bang for the buck (particularly with a favorable exchange rate!).
In other words, Canada was a foreign country that didn’t seem so frighteningly foreign to a bunch of Baptists from northeastern North Carolina.
Then God opened a door for us to send a team to Montreal and, suddenly, the pieces started falling into place. For a church that had never done anything like this before, Canada seemed like an obvious place to start. As I said, the Lord knew what He was doing. Language anxiety? Sure, they speak French in Montreal, but most folks there also speak English. Plus, all the important signs there are, by law, bilingual. Travel anxiety? You could drive your own car to Montreal from Murfreesboro. No airport security to negotiate, no oceans to cross, no time zones to figure out. Cultural anxiety? Montreal had its own baseball team for 35 years. Surely it couldn’t be all that unfamiliar.
In other words, Canada was a foreign country that didn’t seem so
So, what are we doing now? In February, we welcomed Patrick Deneut, the Baptist Union’s director of development, as our guest for a week. He preached in Murfreesboro one Sunday and in Ahoskie the next. In both churches, he invited folks to come to Montreal for a week in July. Right now, the Baptist churches we’ll be working with can only accommodate teams of eight at a time. The response, however, to Patrick’s invitation was much greater than we had anticipated — so great, in fact, that we have had to plan a second mission for October, and possibly another next spring in order to make sure that everyone who wants to serve as a missionary gets the chance to serve. Our July team is almost in place.
What’s next? Next, I suppose, come all the details that make planning for a mission experience such an undertaking. This is true under normal circumstances —which, for us, has always meant here in the United States. In these circumstances? Well, we’ll find out soon if there’s more to planning an international mission than just making sure everyone has a valid passport.
by Randy McKinney, The Memorial Baptist Church, Greenville, NC
At the beginning of 2007, two congregations came together in Greenville.
One was mostly Caucasian. The other was mostly African-American.
One was reeling from the hand of an arsonist to the tune of $3.5 million. The other became the presence of Christ, coming alongside the first church in their time of need.
A relationship was born as Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church opened their hearts to The Memorial Baptist Church.
At first, the relationship between the two churches blossomed. They came together for worship and fellowship. They came together for prison ministry and foreign missions. There were conversations about where God might be guiding the two congregations. However, the relationship between the two congregations lessened over time. The flame that ignited the two groups appeared to be diminishing.
A spark continued to flicker. The pastors of the two churches continued growing their relationship. They regularly met for lunch, prayer and conversation. The spark grew brighter as they became friends. While their conversations covered a variety of topics, they still sensed God calling their two congregations into relationship with one another.
time, there were some conversations regarding becoming more intentional in inviting African-American congregations to participate in the annual Operation Inasmuch held in Greenville. Likewise, the Racial Reconciliation Ministry Team of CBFNC was considering ways to bring diverse churches together for relationship beyond the lines of color. Finally, a team working with the CBFNC “Fellowship on the Move” inquired if there might be a point of connection. Could it be that God was bringing several sparks together in order to rekindle the flame?
World communion sunday
Sunday, October 3
Operation inasmuch
Saturday, October 30
The two pastors began to talk about ways to rekindle the flame that once burned bright. Local missions seemed to be a natural connecting place. Joining together to make a difference in the community in the name of Christ made perfect sense. Likewise, joining together to celebrate what we knew would transpire at the event seemed important. During the joining together, it made perfect sense to discuss the paths God might be calling the two churches to walk together.
As the two pastors sensed the leading of God, they were struck by the notion that there were other relationships similar to theirs being experienced by black and white churches in Greenville. So they assembled some of these pastors to have them consider becoming a part of the event. About the same
The result was the initial scheduling of a racial reconciliation emphasis for several churches in the Greenville area during the month of October. On Sunday, October 3, “partnering churches,” one African-American, one Caucasian, will come together to celebrate World Communion Sunday in a meaningful way of their choosing. On Saturday, October 30, participating black and white churches, including the aforementioned “partnering churches” will join together for Operation Inasmuch in the Greenville area. The “partnering churches” will be encouraged to follow Operation Inasmuch with a gathering to discuss the experience and discern what God might be leading them to be and do on an ongoing basis. On Sunday, October 31, CBFNC staff will worship in area CBF churches as a part of the “Fellowship on the Move” event. You might say God has rekindled the flame in ways beyond our expectations. Could God be sparking something in you, in your family of faith, and in your community?
Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator
Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:
Matt Dinkins has been called to serve as the Youth Minister of the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Pittsboro
Travis Russell has been called to the staff of the First Baptist Church of Whiteville to serve as their Minister to Children, Youth and Families
Chris Adams has been called to the First Baptist Church of Wilmington to serve as their Student Minister
John Harris has been called as the Pastor of the Evergreen Baptist Church of Rose Hill
David John Hailey as been called to the First Baptist Church of Burlington as their Youth Ministry Intern
Bob Johnson has been called as the Pastor of the Mars Hill Baptist Church in Colerain
When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc. org. For vocational placement or search committee requests, visit our vocations page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.
New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (As of May 20, 2010)
First, Burnsville (New MRP* contributor)
Ephesus, Chapel Hill
Immanuel, Greenville (New MRP* contributor) Calvary, Mars Hill
First, Mt. Holly (New MRP* contributor) Crabtree Valley, Raleigh
First, Reidsville (New MRP* contributor)
Riley’s Creek, Rocky Point (New MRP* contributor)
Jonesboro Heights, Sanford (New MRP* contributor)
Poplar Springs, Shelby (New MRP* contributor)
First, Spring Hope
Olyphic, Tabor City (New MRP* contributor)
Antioch, Taylorsville (New MRP* contributor)
First, Valdese
Wendell, Wendell
Winterville, Winterville (New MRP* contributor)
* Mission Resource Plan - visit www.CBFNC.org
July 29, 2010 Greensboro, NC
10 am - 7 pm for youth in grades 6-12 only. Visit www.emeraldpointe.com for water park features.
Cost is $32 (youth/adult) or $24 (junior - under 48”)
Price includes all-day admission and a picnic lunch. Register at www.cbfnc.org by July 22.
September 4-6, 2010 Asheville, NC
Guided rafting on Nantahala River or French Broad River; worship with band; meals provided; lodging at Lutheridge Conference Center. Early-bird cost for the weekend is $139 per person, all included (August 7 deadline). Regular registration is $149 per person, all included (August 14 deadline) Register at www.cbfnc.org.
September 24-26, 2010 Myrtle Beach,SC
Worship, sand sculpture contest, organized beach games, a block party, Bible study, putt-putt tournament, and lots of free time to play on the beach!
Early-bird cost for lodging, t-shirt and meals is $115 per person (deadline is August 27). Regular registration is $130 per person, all included (deadline is September 10). Register at www.cbfnc.org.
888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org
Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry
8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205 Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Return Service Requested
racial reconciliation Workshops
July 13 - Sardis BC, Charlotte
July 29 - FBC, Wilmington Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
Youth day at emerald Pointe Waterpark
July 29 - Greensboro Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
FREE TELECONFERENCES with Eddie Hammett: ensuring a Missional Focus through Programming
August 10 at 2pm Missional deacon Ministry that impacts and influences
August 17 at 2pm discipling Busy Adults
August 19 at 2pm Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
new church start Academy Rescheduled August 19-21, Village Inn, Clemmons Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
september 4-6 - Asheville Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
Youth Fall retreat september 24-26 - Myrtle Beach, SC Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
Fellowship on the Move
October 3 - FBC Henderson October 25 - FBC Burnsville (in partnership with Western Network) Follow www.cbfnc.org for more information.
Greenville Area Racial Reconciliation Emphasis October 3 - World Communion Sunday October 30 - Operation Inasmuch
”Hopeful imagination” church leadership conference October 22-24 - FBC, Wilmington Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.
children’s Mission day november 6 - First, Asheville Follow www.cbfnc.org for more information.
cBFnc christian coaching certificate training
Part i: november 8-9 - Raleigh
Part ii: February 7-9, 2011 Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.