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nd this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 894 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
John 6:39-40
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SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2014
Focusing on the Scripture
MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM
Pastor Chris Moore recently walks down Laverne Street — the street he grew up on — with his mentors, Dr. Robert Craven and Pastor Jimmy Holley. Moore said these two men have been with him throughout his spiritual journey. Moore will be leading the Easter service for the first time today at New Life Church in Dalzell.
Easter message thrives year round locally BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 Today marks a special occasion on the Christian calendar. Easter is when believers celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In many ways, it is a beginning. For Chris Moore, it will be his first sermon as lead pastor of New Life Church in Dalzell. “There is a degree of nervousness,” said the father of three. “If not, then I’m not in it for the right reason, which
is to glorify God. I’ve been reading and re-reading the text. I want to let the word of God speak to you and to my heart.” He’s also been saying a lot of prayers, Moore said. He is focusing on Mark, and the message that ‘He is risen.’ “That is the reason we celebrate,” the new pastor said. “The shed blood of Christ gives us access to the Father.”
GETTING ON THE PATH He’s had several mentors. He met Jimmy Holley, lead pastor at Northside Memorial
Baptist Church, when he returned to the place of worship he attended as a child. “We came the Sunday morning they were kicking off Vacation Bible School,” Moore said. “They made us feel welcomed. It was definitely a God thing. Jimmy preached on Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement.’ I don’t remember what all his points were, but God spoke to me that one day that I was supposed to be encouraging.” Holley said Moore took in the word of God and asked a
thousand questions. “You can watch people when you’re preaching, you can look in their faces and see if he or she is buying into this or just here,” Holley said. “Maybe it’s a Holy Spirit thing. I knew God would use him. I didn’t know in what capacity, but I knew He’d do something in (Moore’s) life and use him in some way.” He encouraged Moore to contact Richard Harris with the Santee Baptist Association, and the director of mission put Moore in contact with Bob Craven, dean of the
Turbeville extension of Covenant Theological Seminary. “When I first met Chris, he was looking into the education process,” Craven said. “As I watched him grow and soak in the theological information and truth, I could see he had commitment for the calling.” The following week, Moore was in classes. Craven is also the lead pastor at Turbeville First Baptist Church and gave Moore his first part-time ministry job as
SEE EASTER, PAGE A6
City partners with United Ministries to help water customers BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 If you live in the city and need help with your water bill, you may soon be in luck. The Utility Finance Department of the City of Sumter is partnering
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with United Ministries of Sumter County to start the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Program. The city department will collect the money and set it aside in a special fund. United Ministries will then distribute the funds through their Crisis Ministry to clients on city water. “We have a lot of customers that
need assistance with their water bills,” said Peggie Mintz, office manager for the utility department. “You just have to be in the business to know how needy some people are.” Mark Champagne, executive director of United Ministries, is one who is familiar with the need.
DEATHS, A5, A9 Robert L. Fralix Maryann P. Singleton Thomas B. Davis Jr. Terrie McMoore Ellen M. Arl Joshua W. McCammon
Lorraine A. Rogers Kevin Harris Edward Sanders Donna M. Poole William H. Jones George Hampton
“We assist with water typically if it is in danger of being disconnected,” he said. “We interview clients, help prepare a budget with each person that comes in and give them advice on how to use their money. We try to be good stewards of the
SEE WATER, PAGE A5
WEATHER, A10
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5 SECTIONS, 36 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 159
Mostly cloudy, breezy and a bit warmer during the day; clear to partly cloudy and cool at night. HIGH 66, LOW 46
Business D1 Classifieds D4 Comics E1
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