What I Did On My Summer Vacation
It’s been quite a while since I was asked to write an essay on my summer vacation – 5th grade, I think. But it seems an especially appropriate thing to do again.
In 2009, following the lead of a growing number of congregations that had established sabbatical leave policies for their ministers, the CBFNC Coordinating Council established such a policy for our Coordinators. In 2010, Rick Jordan, our longest tenured Coordinator, became the first CBFNC staff member to avail himself of a sabbatical. I was eligible in 2011, but after prayerful reflection and conversation with the Coordinating Council, decided to wait until 2012.
The title of my proposal was “Silver and Gold – Utilizing Sabbatical to Celebrate Significant Life and Ministry Milestones.” 2012 has been a banner year for me: the twenty-fifth (silver) anniversary of ordination, seminary graduation, marriage, and the start of full-time vocational ministry; the eighth anniversary of service to CBFNC; and the fiftieth anniversary (gold) of my birth!
My sabbatical included the following major components:
n A “bucket list” trip to Alaska with Kim to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary
n CBF General Assembly in Ft. Worth, Texas
n Studies at Indiana University in Indianapolis
n A trip to four Canadian cities (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City) with a focus on visiting CBF missions personnel and Canadian Baptist leaders, including preaching in two Canadian churches (one English, one French)
n A rainy but restful week on the North Carolina coast
n Time at home between some of the above trips for rest, recovery, preparation, reading, and exercise
The benefits of my sabbatical were many. Here is a sample:
n Rest – This seems obvious, as sabbatical comes from the same root as Sabbath, and literally means rest. But few folks in our time, especially those in mid-life with many responsibilities, take the time for rest. Ironically, we who claim to be People of the Book are no better than the rest of our culture in keeping the fourth commandment.
n Renewal of call – While I greatly enjoyed every aspect of my sabbatical, I returned to work excited about my ministry and energized to pursue it with all my heart, soul, mind, and body.
n Re-tooling – The reading, formal study in Indiana, and visits with Baptists in Canada provided me with new ideas and tools that will make me a more effective leader in our fellowship.
n Empowering Staff – We had a plan for CBFNC staff to cover my duties while I was away. They did a fantastic job and emerged equipped and empowered to lead and serve in ways that hadn’t been available to them before.
by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator
I believe that sabbatical leaves are even more important for congregational ministers than for those who lead ministry organizations like CBFNC (see article below from Greg Rogers). Pastors and staff ministers face relentless pressures to lead their congregations in these difficult times of cultural transition, while also being on call 24/7 to provide pastoral care to their flocks. Tired, over-stressed ministers can’t lead and serve at their highest capacity. A sabbatical for your minister is a gift, not only to the minister, but also to your church. If your church doesn’t have a sabbatical policy, please consider creating one. CBFNC will be sharing resources for creating sabbatical policies on our website to help churches in this area.
I realize there are very few jobs in our country in which persons are granted a sabbatical. Because of that fact, some congregations are reluctant to even consider granting sabbaticals to their ministers. But sabbatical is a biblical commandment that is beneficial to both the shepherds of our congregations and the congregations themselves. Unless they own a business, congregational leaders can’t provide sabbaticals to most workers. But they can provide them for their ministers. Shouldn’t we follow the will of God rather than the dictates of the culture when we have the power to do so?
Sabbatical Testimonial
by Greg Rogers, Pastor, Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville
Our church provides a sabbatical for our ministers every five years. Thanks to Oakmont’s generosity, I have been blessed to have experienced two sabbaticals during my recent ministry as senior pastor. Both sabbaticals were life-changing and life-giving seasons of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual renewal. I was able to dismount the galloping horse of pastoral ministry for a brief time and focus on “being” more than “doing.” A sabbatical allowed me the luxury to think, reflect, and pray without a sermon to write, a study to prepare, or a pastoral care need to address. I was able to reconnect with my wife and children and reconnect with my God. I was nourished and nurtured through overseas trips, conferences, books, worship with other congregations, and just moving through and enjoying an agenda-less day without any other focus for the moment.
If we are to reach our God-intended potential, we must observe a weekly Sabbath devoid of work, pace, and activities to replenish the well and refresh the spirit. And periodically, ministers need some form of Sabbatical – an intentional pulling away from the “routine” where God has a chance to speak to us and form us more fully in the likeness of His son.
From the church’s perspective, a sabbatical is an excellent retention tool that encourages longer clergy tenures. I’m convinced that one of the reasons our church staff has an accumulated tenure of 180 years is due to Oakmont’s outstanding commitment to care for the health and welfare of our congregational ministers and staff.
Stories From the Field — God at Work in Santa Elena, Belize
From Travis Russell, Minister of Children, Youth, and Families, First Baptist Church, Whiteville:
Our trip to Belize was wonderful! We arrived in Belize on Saturday and stayed at the Aguada Hotel in Santa Elena. On Sunday, we attended Sunday School and worship at Santa Elena Baptist, meeting Pastor Manny and the Santa Elena congregation. There were two other American groups at church that morning. Everyone was very welcoming and inviting, making us feel right at home.
On Monday, our group met up with our partnering team from Oakmont Baptist, Greenville, NC, led by their Missions Director, Jimmie Hughes. We worked together each day, painting the school in the mornings and hosting VBS each afternoon. On the first day, we had approximately 30 children. Each day the number of children grew substantially, and by Thursday and Friday we had approximately 120 children.
Our team felt very blessed by our trip and looks forward to going back. We certainly felt God’s presence working in us and all around us. Not to sound cliché, but the people of Belize truly ministered to us and were the image of Christ for us just as much as, if not more than, we were to them. Thank you, CBFNC, for paving the way for us in Belize, and allowing this opportunity to be possible.
From Hal Melton, Associate Pastor/Missions and Senior Adult Ministries, Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh:
In May, our Medical/Dental mission team spent a week in Valley of Peace working with school children and village adults. One amazing story from the week: On Monday, a father came riding up to the clinic with a little boy named Jason on the back of his bike shouting “Help me! Help me! My son has been bitten by a snake!” It was a “Tommy Goff,” a poisonous snake!
Our team felt very blessed by our trip and looks forward to going back! We certainly felt God’s presence working in us and all around us.
Our two doctors were busy helping a man whose throat had been cut in a fight in a bar in Belmopan and needed serious attention. They also knew there was nothing they could do to help the boy without anti-venom. So Ryan and Wendee Smith jumped in one of our vans with the father and son and sped to the hospital in Belmopan, 20 miles away down a rough dirt road. As soon as they arrived, the
doctors started an IV of anti-venom and told the couple they had saved the boy’s life by getting him there so quickly. As the team was packing up to leave on their last day of work, the father and Jason came to say goodbye. The father said the team had saved his son and he wanted to pay us, but he had no money. They assured him that it was God who was in control of the situation, having the medical team there at the right time in the right place to be able to serve. The father asked if he could pray. As the team circled around him, he fell to his knees and prayed one of the most fervent prayers they had ever heard. It was in Spanish, but many “Dios” and “hallelujahs” and “gracias gloria Spiritus” and “Jesus” were heard. There was not a dry eye to be found. The team will never forget the worship they experienced in that moment. Our mission to do finishing work on the Santa Elena School in August was also an incredible experience. When we arrived, our team were absolutely blown away! The church members and other NC and Wisconsin church groups
had done an amazing job of plastering the walls, painting, and building a three-room bathroom, with running water, septic tank and a toilet and sink in each room. The school room closest to the road was completed, giving us a secure room for all our tools and supplies on site. We just stood for a long time with our mouths open wide! Praises to God flowed freely for the blessings bestowed on this community and Santa Elena Baptist Church!
By the end of the week, all doors and windows were in place. All ceilings were painted and a second coat of paint was on most walls. We had a lot of help from new friends Mike and Leslie, in addition to Manny and Paul who had helped in February. The children in the neighborhood were still out of school, wanting to help by sweeping, painting, and “playing school” in the one finished classroom.
Our prayers are now that the government gives approval to the school and it will be able to open for classes in January!
We are still looking for individuals and churches to help construct the Second Floor of Santa Elena School. E-mail Linda Jones, ljones@cbfnc.org, for more information.
Coaching For You and Your Church
March 15-16, 2013
First Baptist Church in Lumberton
Friday, March 15
Welcome and Orientation
Ministry Workshop Sessions
Fellowship Dinner (requires pre-registration)
Evening Worship
Fellowship Reception
Saturday, March 16
Ministry Workshop Session
Ministry Celebration (including adoption of 2013-2014 budget and council election)
Morning Worship
Learn more about General Assembly details and registration, divinity student experience, ministry workshop titles, discounted hotel options, childcare reservations, and exhibitor applications at www.cbfnc.org.
CBFNC, in partnership with Eddie Hammett, is working to create a “coaching culture” among CBFNC churches, councils, staff and leadership. A coaching culture creates and fuels collaboration, creativity, cooperation and discovers and explores options that move leaders and congregations forward from maintenance to missional ministry strategies.
Creating a Coaching Culture includes:
Coach Training March 8-9, 2013 – The Friday/ Saturday training dates will make it more convenient for lay leaders to participate.
A Coach Approach to Strategy Planning:
Discovering and Embracing Your Future – a coach guided 3- to 4- month process designed to help you evaluate what’s working, what’s not working and where God is leading your church for the next 3-5 years. The coach works to frame practical and relevant next steps for leadership and congregation to move into their discerned future.
Training for Congregational Coaches – for those who have completed the basic coach training, Eddie will be introducing possibilities and models for coaching congregations. This initial overview is scheduled for December 7, 2012, at the CBFNC office in Winston Salem.
Coaching Services for pastors/staff in their first years of ministry in a given location; or those who are facing steep learning curves or transitions in ministry.
Coach-Assisted Peer Learning Groups targeting distinct learning curves, professional or congregational challenges. The coach approach empowers the group to explore and discover solutions as well as support each other in finding and taking next steps.
Visit www.cbfnc.org/coaching for additional details, articles and endorsements by CBFNC leaders who have experienced the power of coaching in their ministries.
Send e-mail to EHammett@cbfnc.org to alert him of your interests, and he will share additional details about costs, schedule and tools needed.
CBF Global Missions Field Personnel Off-Field Assignments in Our Area
Keith Holmes and Mary Van Rheenen serving in The Netherlands Columbia, MO, August-December 2012 Raleigh, NC, January-June 2013 holmes@thefellowship.info
What is Your Evangelism Style?
Evangelism! What does that word stir within you? For many, the word is associated with manipulation and marketing. Yet, the gospel is “good news” and good news is something we love to share. What causes the disconnect? Is there a CBF-ish way to be evangelistic as an individual and as a church?
These were some of the issues three churches wrestled with over the past nine months in a CBFNC-sponsored pilot project created and implemented by the CBFNC Evangelism Task Force. An overnight retreat brought 10 laypersons and the pastor from each church together. Following that, two additional half-day retreats focused on readings and small group gatherings.
by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator
Ivy Bishop, a layperson from First, Hillsborough, says, “The best thing about the entire process is the give and take with other brothers and sisters in Christ. ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ and hearing from others what the Spirit says to them not only brings wisdom but is an encouragement to everyone. Excitement about evangelism is catching. At each gathering, new and interesting ideas came up. A fresh concept of evangelism was built from meeting to meeting.”
One powerful aid for discussion was videoed conversations with nonChristians. After watching a video of the famous illusionist (and atheist) Penn Jillette talk about his appreciation of someone willing to speak with him about his soul’s salvation, one retreat participant said later that when he saw an advertisement for a Penn and Teller show, he began praying for Mr. Jillette. One of the “attempts” at evangelism is this type of “praying behind someone’s back.” Another participant spoke of how he now sees persons he rides with on the bus every day in a different way. They are not strangers; they are children God loves. They are not so much “lost” as “missing.”
Is there a CBF-ish way to be evangelistic as an individual and as a church?
Randy Carter, pastor of First, Hillsborough, says the project helped him decide to have an annual emphasis on evangelism. “This freed us to think of evangelism in ways unique to our church and our setting. We actually have many things we are doing already that with a little tweaking can be used evangelistically. The project helped us to see evangelism as a process rather than a program.”
Paula Dunham, a layperson from First, Dunn, says she learned, “I can evangelize to people each and every day in whatever situation that I find myself in. I tended to think of evangelism as a Billy Graham type encounter, but I am now more knowledgeable about witnessing in day-to-day situations. It made me think that is exactly what Jesus did. While he preached to and reached large crowds at times, He also had a huge impact on people in individual, daily encounters.”
Rob Tennant, pastor of Hillsong, Chapel Hill, states, “I think a measure of success is ‘Is our church now ready to raise evangelism as a core value?’ I plan to have a targeted emphasis on this next year. We reach a lot of people who are looking for a church already through our website and other outreach efforts. But I would hope that with this emphasis, we will soon see people coming to Christ who weren’t planning on becoming members of any church until one of our church members began having ‘holy conversations’ with them.”
One Hillsong member has already begun doing this. As she underwent cancer treatments, she made friends with others who were also going through treatments. Two of those persons have grown increasingly interested in knowing more about Jesus and God’s love for them. Heidi Soden from Hillsong comments, “I am so encouraged to know that I can do this. Suddenly I am not afraid and dreading talking to people. Before, there was always an agenda like, how many people are you bringing with you into the Kingdom? This is very freeing and fun!” Rob continued, “I’d love it if five years from now what people think of when they hear ‘CBFNC’ is, ‘those are the people who have a great way to do evangelism!’”
The Evangelism Task Force has begun making plans for future projects and seminars. Contact Rick Jordan at rjordan@cbfnc.org or (336) 759-3456 if you would like to learn more.
Young Ministers Series: Rich Goodier,
Pastor, Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Durham
This is the second in a series of articles written by young ministers in our Fellowship. They were asked to share hopes and fears about the Baptist church or to write about something they are currently passionate about.
I remember being told by my pastor growing up, “You cannot fully understand Christianity in a comparative religion course. You must study it alongside of competing political theories.” This blew my mind and continues to challenge the way I understand my Lord.
From the appearance of man and woman in Genesis to the culmination of all things in Revelation, God seeks to establish humanity into a political order. We often forget this because the world distracts us with idealistic promises of democracy or hope in one political candidate or true change from another political party. But the Kingdom of God is our politics.
SERMON SERIES 2012
theory. Instead of being a voice crying out in a lost world, we abdicate our voice to the political structures of that very world. Where is the voice of the Church today? Why have so many of us given such unquestioned loyalty to one candidate or another? Where on Facebook are Christians praising and criticizing politics based on the standards of God’s Kingdom instead of defending one party and attacking the other based on allegiances other than Jesus?
There are Christians rising above a devotion to one political party. There are even some who are calling others to return to the Political Jesus, proclaiming on social networks that #JesusIsMyCandidate. The movement is an encouraging one, though too tame, too democratic.
Fai hand Poli ics
The Christian faith is fundamentally political because Jesus is fundamentally political. The titles attributed to Jesus, like Christ and Lord, were technically political titles in the Jewish and Roman cultures of the first century. The very name “Jesus,” means “salvation,” and gestures to the quintessential promise political figures then and now offer the citizenry. Christ is our salvation, and he will reign as king.
In reality, Jesus is no candidate ... as if we would elect Jesus as our President in 2012 ... as if Jesus would want to be President of our nation (cf. John 6:15). We do not elect Jesus; rather he elects us. At his name, he elects all of humanity to bow the knee and confess Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. The question is, will we submit to that sort of kingdom?
“Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
We the Church must remember what it means to be the Church, a new social and political reality, embodying the best of what humanity can be in this world, pointing the way through a wilderness of broken political systems and broken political promises. We can stand as a witness to the world, calling them to a new and supernatural politic, even guiding earthly kingdoms in this politic as long as they are willing to do it on Christ’s terms.
Cross before Crown.
Sacrifice before Splendor. Giving up one’s life before the Glory of true political power.
Christ’s Kingdom is not from this world, yet it certainly is invading this world. And when one political power enters the space of an incumbent political power, there will be waves! It was true then; it is true now.
Great Christians like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Oscar Romero who did not bifurcate their lives between earthly and heavenly politics made waves like Jesus and gave their lives for it. They understood that the politics we practice on earth are the very politics of the Kingdom.
So often we Christians, in hopes of making a difference in current political discourse, are co-opted into a political party or
Until then, we the Church stand as a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord!”
Will you be that voice?
Rich Goodier
A.B. in Biology at Harvard University, 2001 Missionary to Central Asia, 2002-2004
M.Div. at Duke Divinity School, 2010
2013 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients Each listing includes hometown, church, school attending, and vocational goal. To learn more about giving to theological education through CBFNC, visit www.cbfnc.org.
Scholars from North Carolina who attend Out-of-State or Non-Partner Schools
Jennie Nohemi Campos
Baptist University of the Americas
Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford
Youth Pastor
Jessica Lynne Chastain
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Murphy, NC
Cullowhee, Cullowhee
Social Justice Ministry
Mary Katherine Christian
McAfee School of Theology
Hickory, NC
Northside Drive, Atlanta
Music Ministry
Nicholas Hall Clanton
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Concord, NC
Cullowhee, Cullowhee College Ministry
Miriam Sarai Juarez
Baptist University of the Americas
Marion, NC
Pimera Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer, Marion Youth and Children’s Minister
Mary Little
Boston University School of Theology
Marion, NC
First, Jamaica Plain, MA
Pastoral Ministry
Benito Francisco Lopez
Baptist University of the Americas
Sanford, NC
San Antonio, TX
Pastor
Karla Claret Lopez
Baptist University of the Americas
Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana, San Antonio, TX
Missionary
Lucero Elena Lopez
Baptist University of the Americas
Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana, San Antonio, TX
Children’s Ministry
Martha Elena Lopez
Baptist University of the Americas
Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana, San Antonio, TX Outreach Ministry
Ngoma N. Masiala
Liberty University
Raleigh, NC
To bring people of shared interests and beliefs together
Jessica Maris Moses
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Wilmington, NC
Winter Park, Wilmington
To serve wherever led by the Lord
Ryan Phillip Saunders
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Durham, NC
First, Waco Sports and Recreation Ministry
Barbara Andrea Sostaita
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC
Rural Hall, NC Full-Time Ministry
Nelly Alejandra Tello
Baptist University of the Americas
Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford Minster to children in poverty
Karen Zimmerman
McAfee School of Theology
Mebane, NC
First, Jamestown International Missions
2013 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients
CBFNC is honored to partner with divinity schools in NC in support of theological education. These divinity schools are Campbell, Duke Baptist House of Studies, Gardner-Webb, and Wake Forest. During the 2012-2013 academic year, CBFNC is providing $11,000 per school for theological education scholarships. These funds are sent directly to the school where staff selects scholars and distributes funds. Each school determines the number of scholars that are selected.
M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb
www.gardner-webb.edu/admissions/graduate/divinity
Boiling Springs, NC Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry
Susan C. Borders Shelby, NC
Washington Missionary, Shelby Christian Counselor
Jeffrey Carter Shelby, NC First, Valdese Music Ministry and Christian Counseling
Kyle Chastain Canton, NC
Double Springs, Shelby Church Planter
David Hodge Murfreesboro, TN Ardmore, Winston-Salem Youth and Children’s Minister
Wake Forest School of Divinity
www.divinity.wfu.edu
Winston-Salem, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, MA of Religion, M Div/Juris Doctor, M Div/MA in Counseling
Perry Dixon Louisville, KY Highland, Louisville Youth Minister
Bryan Freeman Greenville, SC First, Greenville College Minister or Denominational Leadership
Chelsy Woods Mitchell Durham, NC Hope Valley, Durham Chaplain
Terry K. Roach Marion, NC Clinchfield, Marion Pastor
Lynnette J. Sills Asheville, NC First, Asheville Christian Education and Formation
Brian T. Simpson Gastonia, NC First, Lincolnton Pastor
Melissa Kessler Kernersville, NC First, Kernersville Pastoral Ministry or Chaplaincy
Rob Lemons Clemmons, NC Ardmore, Winston-Salem Missions or Church Administration
Jamie Sims Douglasville, GA Via Faith Community, Winston-Salem Food Justice Ministry
Ben Wines Goldsboro, NC First, Goldsboro Youth Minister
2013 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients
Campbell University Divinity School
www.campbell.edu/divinity, Buies Creek, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, MA in Christian Education, M Div/MBA, Doctor of Ministry, M Div/MA in Community Counseling
Lisa Grissom Raleigh, NC Westwood, Cary Pastor Daniel Heath Wilson, NC First, Wilson Youth Minister
Molly Rushing Wilmington, NC Crabtree Valley, Raleigh Church Communication
Alicia Turner Boiling Springs, NC First, Kernersville Children’s Minister
Tyler Wood Smithfield, NC First, Smithfield Missions or Pastor
Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School
www.divinity.duke.edu/programs/baptisthouse, Durham, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, MA of Theological Studies, Doctor of Theology
Jeanne Cross Moulton, AL Yates, Raleigh Missions
Tyler Smoot Houston, TX Humble Area, Humble, TX Vocational Ministry
Colby Whittaker Winchester, KY Yates, Raleigh Preaching and Adult Discipleship
10,000 Pound Challenge
by Cecelia Beck, Cleveland County Potato Project
For the last two years, CBFNC has sponsored Local Mission Engagement Grants for projects starting in April and ending July 31. In order to receive a grant, the church must work with one or more other churches and an outside organization. This year, 13 churches received grants! The Cleveland County Potato Project is one of the recipients of the grant. Ten churches, two businesses, one high school, Gardner-Webb University — and more than 400 volunteers — have challenged themselves to produce 100,000 pounds of potatoes this year! Cecelia Beck has been able to participate in sharing the potatoes. Hear her story ...
As a CBF Field Personnel working in a challenged neighborhood in Shelby, I am aware that many of my neighbors are hungry. There are several households just around the corner who do not have electricity or running water. Folks simply cannot afford rent and utilities. Fortunately none of those households have small children. There are, however, homes where children live that struggle daily to have enough resources to pay bills and eat at the same time. One of those homes has six children, and the four oldest come to my home often to visit. When they visit, I always offer bananas, apples, whatever I have on hand because many times when they come to my home on a late summer afternoon, they have had nothing to eat all day.
Their family is just one that has received several boxes of potatoes from the Cleveland County Potato project. From conversations with the children, I know that on many days the potatoes are the main course of the only meal they have that day. The Potato Project has not only provided food, it has provided encouragement. I have personally delivered thousands of pounds of potatoes to my neighbors in the past couple of years, and the refrain that is heard most often from the recipients is, “This is a blessing.”
New Contributing CBFNC Partner
Churches (As of October 4, 2012)
Ministers on the Move
Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator
Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:
Jeffrey Sholar is now serving as Pastor of the Cedar Falls Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
Allen Winters has begun his ministry at Temple Baptist Church in Wilmington as Minister to Families.
The congregation of the Olive Chapel Baptist Church in Apex has called Paul Arnold as Pastor.
Knightdale Baptist Church has called Joe Johnston as Youth Pastor.
White Oak Baptist Church of Clayton has called Todd Higginson as Pastor.
First Baptist Church of Statesville has called Landon Senn as Minister of Youth and Melissa Wilson as Minister of Children and Families.
Erin Rourke Collier has joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Lumberton as Minister to Children.
Hope Valley Baptist Church in Durham has called Bill Bigger as Pastor.
Stuart Lamkin has been called as Pastor of Hickory Rock Baptist Church in Louisburg.
Alicia Turner has been called to serve as Minister to Children and Missions for First Baptist Church of Kernersville.
First Baptist Church of Tryon has called Candy Wilson to join their staff as Minister of Music and Christian Formation.
Jo Ann Stancil has been called to join the staff of the Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wake Forest as Minister of Education and Administration.
Winter Park Baptist Church of Wilmington has called Allison Lairmore as Minister with Children.
When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc.org. For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit our reference and referral page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.
Coordinator Visits August 2012 -September 2012
First, Burnsville
First, Butner
First, Elkin
First, Hillsborough
First, Lexington
First, Lumberton
First, Mocksville
First, Mount Airy
First, Southern Pines
First, Waynesville
First, Winston-Salem Forest Hills, Raleigh
Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs Grace, Statesville
Grace Crossing, Charlotte
Hominy, Candler
Mountain View, Hickory
North Carolina Baptist Women in Ministry, Greensboro
Oakmont, Greenville
Park Road, Charlotte St. Peters, Charlotte
Tabernacle, Raleigh
Trinity, Raleigh
Unity Christian International, Fayetteville
Watts Street, Durham Westwood, Cary Winterville, Winterville
November/December 2012
The Gathering
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
Ka’thy Gore Chappell Leadership Development Coordinator. KChappell@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
Regional Coordinators
Region 1 – Western: Gail Coulter .............. 828.698.2385
Region 2 – Foothills: David Smith ............ 828.758.8428
Region 3 – Triad: Bill Leathers 336.774.3975
Region 4 – South Central: Drag Kimrey 910.276.8865
CBFNC College Ministers
Ashley Mangrum ............ UNC Chapel Hill ............... amangrum@cbfnc.org
Aileen Lawrimore Western Carolina alawrimore@cbfnc.org
Lawrence Powers East Carolina lpowers@cbfnc.org
Coordinating Council
Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Moderator
Ray Ammons, Gastonia, Moderator-Elect
Steve Little, Marion, Past Moderator
Lisa Rust, Lumberton, Recorder
Mike Eddinger, Cary, Treasurer
Tommy Bratton, Asheville
David Hailey, Raleigh
Marion Horton, Knightdale
Rick Matthews, Winston-Salem
Martha McDowell, Laurinburg
Doug Murray, Wilson
Mike Queen, Greensboro
Susan Taylor, Chapel Hill
Endowment Management Board
Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem
Judy LeCroy, Lexington
Bill McCullough, Youngsville
Anissa Nixon, Mocksville
Gene Puckett, Raleigh
Wanda Kidd College Ministry Coordinator WKidd@cbfnc.org
Eddie Hammett ... Church and Clergy Coach EHammett@cbfnc.org
Javier Benitez Hispanic Ministry Leader Coach Rocafuerte90@hotmail.com
Nancy Parks ....... Programs Manager .................. NParks@cbfnc.org
Sarah Mitchell .... Communications Manager ........ SMitchell@cbfnc.org
Gail McAlister Financial Manager GMcalister@cbfnc.org
Derek Wilhelm .. Administrative Assistant DWilhelm@cbfnc.org
Region 5 – North Central: Virginia Taylor 919.824.7890
Region 6 – Capital: Mack Thompson 919.781.2229
Region 7 – Southeast: Mike Johnson 910.422.3387
Region 8 – Northeast: Jesse Croom 252.482.3908
Jeanne Cross Duke University jcross@cbfnc.org
Chris Towles Wake Forest towlescj@wfu.edu
Faith Formation Ministry Council
Allen Winters, Wilmington, Chair
Stella Perrin, Taylorsville, Chair-Elect
Beth Cockman-Wood, Sanford
Bryan Harris, Smithfield
Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton
Brian Harrington, Liberty
Sandi Hood, Hickory
Tyler Roach, Morganton
Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines
Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs
Leadership Development Ministry Council
Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair
Layne Rogerson, Greenville, Chair-Elect
Dennis Atwood, Mount Olive
Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville
Sarah Boberg, Red Springs
Rendell Hipps, Hickory
Matt Johnson, Belhaven
Shane Nixon, Mocksville
Mark Reece, Mount Airy
Nathan Rice, Southern Pines
Missions Ministry Council
Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair
Len Keever, Dunn, Chair-Elect
Elba Benitez, Pittsboro
Everette Clark, Enka
Blake Dempsey, Nashville
George Fuller, Raleigh
Brandon Hudson, Winston-Salem
Andrea Dellinger Jones, Raleigh
Nate Leonard, Kannapolis
Linda Winslow, Jamestown
CBF National Council Members from NC
Darryl Aaron, Winston-Salem
Roger Gilbert, Mount Airy
Don Gordon, Durham
Christopher Ingram, Elizabeth City
Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro
Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington
Blenda Price Sloniker, Hickory
888-822-1944
www.cbfnc.org
Return Service Requested
Upcoming Events ~ November/December Edition
Children’s Mission Day
November 3, 2012 Edenton, Edenton
Fellowship on the Move
November 4, 2012 Peace Haven, Winston-Salem
Children’s Mission Day
November 10, 2012 Forest Hills in Raleigh Ardmore in Winston-Salem
Christian Education: The Issues and Possible Solutions for 2013-2015
November 16, 2012
CBFNC office in Winston-Salem
Introduction to Congregational Coaching
Onsite Face-to-Face Overview –December 7, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
CBFNC Office in Winston-Salem, NC
Follow up Teleclass for Q & A
Introduction to Coaching
January 14, 2013
CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem
Two-Day Congregational Coaching Training
January 14-15, 2013
CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem
Free Conference Call to Explore Christian Coaching
January 22, 2013, at 10am
2013 Youth Ski Retreat
January 25-27, 2013 Winterplace, WV
Collegiate Mid-Winter Retreat
January 26-27, 2013
Camp Mundo Vista, Sophia
Quickstart: An Introduction to Christian Coaching
January 28, 2013
CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem
Changing Church for a Changing World: A Fresh Expressions Vision Day
February 1, 2013
First Baptist Church, Greensboro
Children’s Choir Festival
February 9, 2013
First Baptist Church, High Point
Youth Choir Festival
March 1-2, 2013
First Baptist Church, Greensboro
Building Blocks of Christian Coaching (501 Class)
March 8-9, 2013
CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem
2013 CBFNC General Assembly
March 15-16, 2013
First Baptist Church, Lumberton
Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship (502 Class)
May 20-21, 2013
CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem
2013 Elevating Preaching Conference
September 23, 2013
Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem
Visit www.CBFNC.org to register and for more information. The Gathering is published six times a year. All questions may be directed to Sarah Mitchell, (336) 759-3456 or (888) 822-1944 or smitchell@cbfnc.org. For story submissions, contact Sarah Mitchell for requirements and deadlines.