Justice AND Mercyat First, Four Oaks page 6

The Gatheringof the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

January/February 2015 • Vol. 20 Issue 1 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

2 • The Gathering – January/February 2015

Greater by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator perspective

CBFNC’s missions strategy, along with that of the larger CBF movement (and the best of our Baptist heritage), has always had a strong focus on what has been traditionally understood among Baptists as Christian Social Ministries. The first NC-based CBF missions field personnel, Fran and Mike Graham, focused their work on Slavic immigrants, performing that ministry primarily through expressions of mercy and justice. Two North Carolina-based CBF Global Missions personnel units, LaCount and Anna Anderson, and Cecelia Beck, are engaged in social ministry work, serving the homeless, under-resourced and most neglected in Northeastern NC and Shelby. Recently, another CBF Global Missions personnel unit, Marc and Kim Wyatt, have moved to the Research Triangle area to resource churches in ministries with internationals, including immigrants, students, and victims of human trafficking.

Much of CBFNC’s missions ministries in North Carolina and beyond has been implemented from a perspective of mercy and justice. This includes work on behalf of children at the Village of Hope in Ukraine, Local Mission Engagement Grants, immigration advocacy with our Hispanic brothers and sisters, partnerships related to prison advocacy, and more. The Wealth and Poverty and Racial Reconciliation teams continue to meet and pursue those ministries, with support from CBFNC staff. Even our faith formation ministries with young Baptists (children, youth, college students) has included a significant emphasis on expressing mercy and justice as a function of Christian discipleship.

So where do we go from here?First, we can reclaim our heritage and acknowledge, communicate and celebrate–more

intentionally and explicitly than we’ve done in the past–that many of our ongoing mission ministries are avenues of social ministry and seek to address mercy and justice. This includes not only our corporate work as North Carolina Cooperative Baptists but also that of individual congregations.

Second, we would like to enlist, beginning with the 2015-2016 academic year, divinity student interns to provide focused leadership and support for the Wealth and Poverty and Racial Reconciliation teams, and potentially other aspects of mercy and justice. This initiative would provide youth, energy, and new perspective to these ministries, and also intersect with CBFNC’s extensive Leadership Development Ministries. Any students interested in pursuing such an internship should contact Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC Leadership Development Coordinator (KChappell@cbfnc.org).

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the big picture over the long haul (to mix metaphors). When it comes to CBFNC’s commitment to Showing Mercy and Seeking Justice, that means the following:

n Christian Social Ministries (our organizational term for mercy and justice) has a long, proud tradition among Baptist churches in the South, and CBF from the beginning has been a steward of that tradition.

n CBFNC’s approach to missions–past, present and future–includes a strong mercy and justice perspective.

n CBFNC’s commitment to mercy and justice is broad and is not confined to a few programs or a particular staff member.

The prophetic challenge to “do justice and love mercy” (Micah 6:8) and Jesus’ instructions to minister to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40) make it clear that we are called to minister to the whole person – spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. May God continue to show us how to be faithful to that call as individuals, congregations, and a Fellowship.

CBFNC’s 20th Anniversary Vision report, presented to and approved by the General Assembly in March 2014, included four Areas of Focus, one of which is Showing Mercy and Seeking Justice. In order to pursue this emphasis the Coordinating Council expressed a strong desire to fill the Social Ministries staff position, vacated by Laura Barclay. Laura provided staff leadership and support to CBFNC’s Wealth and Poverty Committee and Racial Reconciliation Team.

When it comes to this Area of Focus, there is bad news and good news. The bad news is that CBFNC’s financial position simply won’t permit us to expand our staff at this time. The good news is that we have been re-thinking what this ministry area means and our engagement with it in positive and fruitful ways.

The Gathering – January/February 2015 • 3

Imagine walking into a room full of cloth-covered tables with real china and silverware, your choice of entrees and a nice person to take your order, refill your drink and bring your food to you. More than likely, you’ve eaten at a place like that. The owner of the restaurant wanted you to have a good experience in trade for his good profit. The waitress wanted you to have a good experience in trade for her good tip. But what if the owner of the restaurant was not concerned with profit and the person serving you did not accept tips? What if their motivation was solely to serve?

That is the dream Bob and Ruth Hodge had for a ministry called Martha’s Kitchen, named for his mother who used to fix sandwich-es for the locals in need. For years, the Lord stirred in him a vision: start a restaurant for those in need, a place where everyone would be treated with dignity, where you and your story were appreciated, where you could eat with no questions asked about your back-ground, your economic status or your religious affiliation.

In November 2006, Martha’s Kitchen was launched after Bob and Ruth retired and used money from the sale of their business to establish an endowment. Bob talked with the police department about the homeless situation in Carolina Beach, and estimated there were 50-75 persons. Bob made up invitation cards that the police distributed to the homeless persons, inviting them to a free hot meal. Bob, Ruth, and Jack and Tamsie Lynch (another couple from First, Carolina Beach) cooked the food in their homes and took it to the fellowship hall of the church. “We didn’t know what to expect, so we prepared for 75. Four showed up. But by Christmas, we were packed.” Meals were cooked and served every Tuesday.

Bob and Ruth invited oth-ers from the church to help. First now has six teams of 6-8 persons. A few years ago, the Methodist Men invited Bob to

share his story. Now there are two teams of Methodists who serve the food, so Martha’s Kitchen is now open on Thursday nights as well. The man who makes the tea and coffee each week is from the Catholic Church. A local sorority, Xi Delta Eta, and the Intercoast-al Realty Company provide service on fifth Tuesdays/Thursdays.

Since 2006, Martha’s Kitchen has gone through several changes. “You can make the money go so much further with the Food Bank. For example, meat is 11 cents a pound,” Bob notes. “The Food Bank has hoops you have to jump through that actu-ally helped us in other ways. Our people were getting burned out cooking all these meals at their homes and then bringing it all to church. To get Food Bank assistance, the food has to all be pre-pared in one kitchen and you have to pass kitchen inspections.” Two years ago, Martha’s Kitchen hired a chef to cook the entrée each week. “That took a load of work off of our volunteers!” Bob says. Most of the other food is donated by the local Food Lion grocery store. A local produce store, Port City Produce, donated $40,000 worth of fresh vegetables last year alone.

Ken and Teresa are Martha’s Kitchen recipients who moved from Montana to Carolina Beach for Ken’s health. He is a veteran, so the Department of Veteran’s Affairs has helped them with hous-ing (after spending six weeks living in their car). Then they found

out about Martha’s Kitchen. Teresa says, “It just means so much to know that somebody cares. They actually serve you. You don’t go through a line. You don’t wait through a religious service first. Most who eat are locals, though some are transient. He (point-ing to a man walking by) is from Florida.” Knowing who is at each table, that each person has a name and a story, gives a sense of community to Martha’s Kitchen. Ken and Teresa have since joined the church and volunteer for the church in other ways.

Bob and Ruth have other hopes for Martha’s Kitchen. Table-cloths, silverware, multiple entrées and service every day is still a dream. But caring cooks and servers, a weekly place of love and sup-port for those in need, and a ministry that honors a Christian mother’s memory? Those are all very real.

The CBFNC Wealth and Poverty Committee recognizes individuals and churches for their efforts in addressing local needs with the Grace Note. Martha’s Kitchen was a 2013 Hunger Fund recipient and a 2014 Grace Note recipient.

Is your church involved in a hunger ministry in your community? We’d love to add it to our Mission Data Base. Contact ljones@cbfnc.org.

solely to serve by Rick Jordan,

CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator

4 • The Gathering – January/February 2015

What do you learn after working with homeless men for four years? “All of us could look back over our lives to recognize our sins and our mistakes, to realize that we all need mercy,” according to Chad Reed. Chad, age 30 and a Campbell University Divinity School graduate, is responsible for intake and spiritual nurture of ten men at the Union Rescue Mission of Roanoke Rapids. “This is more than a homeless shelter. It is a recovery program. It is a place to assess life, to set goals, do soul searching, act on what needs to change and to connect with God.”

The program works best with 10-12 residents. Men who want to be in the program first sit with Chad for an hour-long interview. “This isn’t for everyone. For the sake of stewardship, I have to discern who the Union Mission is able to help. It certainly isn’t for the lazy or for those who are content to live in poverty. Most homeless persons are not that way, though. Most want to be proud. Most want to feel a sense of accomplishment. We design our ministry to help that happen.”

It is also for those open to the work of God’s Spirit in their lives. “Honestly, sometimes I think this is like a monastery. God is part of the daily schedule.” For example, each man reads the Bible for half an hour before going to work. “When you walk into the room and see these men sitting around reading the Bible in silence, it is a holy place, a holy time. It’s more than a place for drunks to sober up for the night.” Chad leads Bible studies every weekday evening and holds individual counseling sessions daily. “I treat the men how I would want to be treated if I needed recovery or food, like the Golden Rule says.”

There are common issues: poor decisions, bad relationships, burned bridges, impulsive behavior, minimal or no family support. “My feeling is, I don’t care what you’ve done prior to coming here; you’ve got a clean slate and there are only a few rules you must keep.” Chad points to the poster on the wall that reads, We Believe In: The Truth, Prayer, Be Humble. “Of course, if I am going to teach those three things, I also have to live it in front of them. I am very conscious to live it in our meetings as well as in my personal life.”

How does Chad measure success? “We may define success a little differently, because with each person, there is some success and some disappointment. But overall, we grade ourselves with a 50% success rate – meaning they graduate from the program and leave on good terms.” The Association of Rescue Missions defines success at 2%.

The Rescue Mission also provides food for the community, which is in dire need. According to the latest Census Bureau statistics, last

year, the median U.S. household income was $51,371. For Roanoke Rapids, the average was $29,696, making it the third poorest area in America. The Mission is a hub for food, distributing to 300 families and 1600 individuals a month.

What is next for the Mission? Leah, Chad’s wife, found a location for a woman’s shelter. It had been a crack house and has been vacant for two years. Last winter, Leah (28, also a Campbell Divinity School graduate) recruited a dozen host churches.

“They agreed to house homeless women and children for a week during the winter months. The church fed them breakfast and dinner, and provided two church members to stay overnight as hosts for the guests. During that 17-week period, 5 women moved from being homeless to their own self-sustaining life.” It will take some time and money ($60,000) and hard work to transform the house into a home for ten homeless women, but the process has begun.

Designing ministries of mercyby Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator

Room at the Inn House

Is your church involved in a homeless ministry in your community? We’d love to add it to our Mission Data Base. Contact ljones@cbfnc.org. If you’d like to help this ministry, e-mail Chad Reed (chadreedlovesyou@gmail.com).

The Gathering – January/February 2015 • 5

Kim and Marc Wyatt have been Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Field Personnel since 1996, serving first in Thailand and then 15 years in Canada working with internationals, refugees, international students, and human-trafficking victims. The Wyatts have entered into a ministry partnership with CBFNC in order to join, mobilize, model and train others to share the Gospel in culturally appropriate, loving ways to meet the needs of internationals in the Research Triangle and beyond.

Will you and your church collaborate and partner with the Wyatts and other churches, praying and reaching out in love to your neighbors? Marc shares …

It was just a regular day, a Thursday morning. We were planning to meet with a local pastor for lunch as a part of getting up-to-speed in our new ministry field. Kim took one look at my hair and said with a smile, ‘It’s time for you to get a haircut buddy!’ I had seen a local discount hair franchise a few blocks from our North Raleigh apartment, so I made my way over to it ... crazy hair and all.

I parked and went in the shop. I must admit I was a bit surprised when my eyes met hers. She was wearing a hijab. When she asked for my phone number, I told her I worked for the CIA and wasn’t comfortable giving out my personal information. Najaah (not her real name) looked up at me and laughed, ‘Really? The CIA? OK, Mr. CIA let’s work on that hair.’

I sat down and greeted her, ‘As-salamu alaykum,’ said with a southern accent, which in Arabic means peace be upon you or simply ‘Hi.’ That was all the Arabic I had. She smiled and replied, ‘Wa-Alaikum-Salaam’ (and peace to you as well).

She asked me what my work really was, and I shared with her that my wife, Kim, and I were ministers helping immigrants and refugees begin their new lives in the United States. That’s all she needed to know. For the next 30 minutes as Najaah did her magic on my hair, she also shared her immigration story with me.

Najaah had come to the U.S. some 25 years ago, sponsored

by her elder sister who had come to Raleigh to attend school. It was interesting to me that at about the same time Najaah moved from the Middle East to Raleigh, Kim and I had packed up everything we owned at the time (which fit in the back of my father’s car with room to spare) and

moved to the same area to attend seminary at SEBTS. Over the years Najaah had married, raised a family, started a

small business, and navigated the cultural stresses of being Muslim in the Bible belt. She went on to share with some energy that her marriage had not survived the years, but that she had done her best raising the children on her own. They are grown now and doing well with families of their own. It was as if she were just waiting for the opportunity to share her heart with someone who would listen. That someone at that moment was me.

It was just an ordinary day and I needed a haircut. Amazing Missio Dei, that our Father who sends us, his church, into the world also brings the people from the outermost parts of the world like Najaah near to his church (that is you and me) so that she and they might find him.

She finished my haircut. I paid the bill. Gave her a nice tip and told her I’d be back.

Is your church involved in an internationals ministry in your community? We’d love to add it to our Mission Data Base. Contact ljones@cbfnc.org. The Wyatts (wyatt@thefellowship.info) are available to help equip your church to minister with internationals.

better together by Linda Jones, CBFNC Missions Coordinator

Please join us as we pray for –Opportunities to share the Gospel in culturally relevant ways with refugees, immigrants, students and the trafficked

Cooperation and collaboration between organizations and institutions that serve internationals in the Triangle

Churches and individuals to develop and extend their cross-cultural witness among internationals

6 • The Gathering – January/February 2015

The gleaning ministry of First, Four Oaks, began as one project within our Operation In-As-Much weekend each Novem-ber. In the beginning, we offered the gleaning project as a way for our youth to participate in OIAM. Since then, we have seen many people from various age groups participate. It has truly become an intergenerational ministry.

We chose the gleaning project as a contextual ministry opportunity. In October and November in the area of Four Oaks, sweet potatoes are everywhere. North Carolina is the largest sweet potato producing state in the nation, and Johnston County is one of the top producers in the state. Sweet potatoes aren’t just a source of food, they are part of our culture. Also, we have farmers in and connected to our church who are able to supply the other resources we need—a field to glean and various equipment for harvesting. The gleaning ministry is a natural fit for our congregation.

The church has offered the traditional food pantry for many years. Anyone in need of food items can visit the church and receive what they need. We also participate in our local elementary school’s Backpack Buddies program. The gleaning project not only allows us the ministry of gathering, but also the ministry of giving. It offers us the opportunity to visit the members of our com-munity as we distribute the sweet potatoes throughout Four Oaks.

When we meet each year to plan Opera-tion In-As-Much for the fall, the gleaning project is often the first mentioned. In a way, the gleaning has become easy for us. And I think for me, as the pastor, that was a lesson in and of itself. Ministry does not have to be hard to be meaningful. Offering to God our passions and talents and resourc-es, and allowing God to use those for God’s glory and the betterment of the Kingdom, can be enjoyable.

How has this ministry affected those who are recipients? Two words: Expecta-tion and blessing. We have often heard from community members how they so look forward to the sweet potatoes. Of course they use them for fall recipes and are delighted to know that someone was thinking about them. But also, it places a sense of accountability on our congregation

to do what we say is important to us.On Sunday morning following our Operation In-As-Much,

we highlight OIAM during worship. Part of the service is given to testimonies. It always amazes me to hear how God is made known through the acts of gleaning and giving.

I think we often interpret ministry through a producer/ consumer lens. Ministry “happens” at the point of goods received. But, in the case of the gleaning project, it takes more than one person to bring the sweet potatoes from the field to the table. For example, is there a way to expand the ministry to involve the farm owners and the farm workers who prepared the fields even before we arrived? Is there a way to turn this into a web of ministry?

A natural way to ministerby John Norman, Jr., Pastor, First Baptist Church, Four Oaks

Is your church involved in a gleaning ministry? We’d love to add it to our Mission Data Base. Contact ljones@cbfnc.org.

First, Four Oaks, was a recipient of the CBFNC Hunger Fund and received last year’s Grace Note recognition.

The Gathering – January/February 2015 • 7

Pain to hope, by Buddy Corbin and Jeanell Cox

mourning to joy Each morning nearly 100 vocational Baptist ministers head to work, not in church buildings, but in a multitude of institutions and agencies across our state. North Carolina is home to 88 of the 750 CBF nationally endorsed chaplains.

Professional chaplains are ordained clergy who are trained to serve in institutional settings. Chaplaincy is specialized because it focuses on utiliz-ing spiritual resources of the individual and their community to assist in coping with trauma, illness, dying, grief and other life stressors. The chaplain may be called on to serve persons from their own faith tradition, differing traditions or little to no faith background. For CBF Chaplains, it means “being the presence of Christ” and trusting that presence will transform pain to hope and mourning to joy.

Chaplains are engaged in diverse settings including the military, hospitals, hospices, nursing facili-ties, retirement centers, correctional facilities, businesses, integrative health care, social service agencies, educa-tional campuses, public safety, veter-ans’ affairs and others. Chaplains are extensions of the church’s ministry, for chaplains are often present where parish pastors cannot practically be.

Hospitals, hospices, businesses, prisons, pastoral care and military organizations often require a certifi-cate of ecclesiastical endorsement for employment. This is a credential that assures the organization that the prospective chaplain is a member of an ecclesiastical faith-group. CBF has an Endorse-ment Council that meets three times a year to endorse prospective chaplains and pastoral counselors.

Professional chaplains complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theology or related field. Chaplains also complete specialized training called Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), though this training is not required for all chaplains. For certifi-cation with a national body the following is required: ordination,

ecclesiastical endorsement, and completion of clinical experience as a chaplain. Once criteria are met, the chaplain can apply for board certification which involves written paperwork and a com-mittee examination based on standards of practice.

With changes in healthcare funding, there are a declining number of positions for chaplains at present. Several years ago, North Carolina cut approximately 50% of its paid chaplain positions in correctional facilities due to budget constraints. Military oppor-tunities remain open and the Depart-ment of Veterans Affairs hires 40 to 60 chaplains a year to fill vacancies due to retirements and/or resignations. Many chaplain positions are being deleted or trimmed back from medical centers. Though spiritual support is required to be offered patients to satisfy a hos-pital’s accreditation (i.e. JACHO), it doesn’t specify what spiritual support should be.

Chaplains may have to raise financial support through means of a coalition of churches or requests from non-profit foundations. Industrial organizations may be asked to fund a chaplain within their orga-nization as a charitable tax-deduction. Military chaplains are fully funded through the federal government.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has historically affirmed the value of chaplains within the scope of its organization and vision. Individuals

considering chaplaincy as a career may contact CBF’s National Endorser Gerry Hutchinson at chaplaincy@thefellowship.info. Individuals may also call the CBFNC offices at (336) 759-3456 for connection to chaplains currently serving on ministry councils.

Buddy Corbin is a retired pastor and chaplain in Asheville. He has served on the CBF Endorse-ment Council and is a member of the CBFNC Leadership Development Ministry Council. Jeanell Cox is a chaplain and currently a supervisory education student at Duke Hospital. She also serves as the Administrative Coordinator of the North Carolina Chaplains’ Association. She is also a member of the CBFNC Leadership Development Ministry Council.

8 • The Gathering – January/February 2015

Northeast Shelby, NC bcecelia@hotmail Cecelia Beck ministers as an outreach worker in the struggling “Northeast Shelby Weed and Seed” area. By “weeding” out violence and other problems, the community can be “seeded” to allow for a healthier and more hopeful future. She lives out incarnational ministry to her neighbors focusing on the neighborhood children, forming deep relationships, and walking alongside them. Individuals and teams are always welcome to come and help. Walmart gift cards, gas cards, meals, school supplies and mentoring are always needed.

Northeastern NC www.morethancans.orgLaCount and Anna Anderson serve in poverty relief, focusing on food distribution, home repair, and ministering to homeless men, women and children. Mission teams can assist in distributing food, nutrition education, as well as Christian education. Three groups per summer: one each for June, July, and August. Donations of clothing or food are always needed.

Together for Hope of eastern Kentuckywww.ruralpoverty.net/Paula Settle serves in Owsley County, KY. Teams will be going to this Together for Hope project and participating in repairs, day trips with teens, senior adult activities, and preparing food boxes for seniors. Ministry funds for furniture, clothes, household items, Kroger gift cards are always needed.

Together For Hope of Arkansaswww.cbfar.org mpalmer022@gmail.comJoin Molly Palmer and Stacey Henderson, who are based at Helena Community Center engaging in literacy and youth development. Come be a part of CBF’s Rural Poverty Initiative reaching out to the Helena community. Teams, families and individuals are invited each summer to participate in the ACC – the All Church Challenge that will include a 2-week KidsCamp July 11-17 and July 18-24. You may volunteer at Swimming Camp during the ACC or another week. Building renovations, community garden help, Delta Jewels sale parties and other micro-enterprise opportunities are needed.

Belize Church-to-Church MinistryLjones@cbfnc.orgBelize, an English-speaking country south of Mexico, offers opportunities for church-to-church covenant. Ministry needs include construction, VBS, discipleship and leadership training. A new sanctuary is being constructed for Sand Hills Baptist Church in Belize.

Belize Rescue Home Constructionjamseekservesave@gmail.comEric and Julie Maas minister with the Child Development Foundation, a social justice ministry focusing on outreach, counseling, and sensitizations on abuse and exploitation of children. Construction teams are needed to build the new Rescue Home. Financial partners are also needed.

Passport, Inc. www.passportcamps.orgPassport is a nonprofit company whose goal is integrated, ecumenical, inspirational weeks of summer camp that model important lessons like service in the name of Christ. Passport Kids for 3rd-6th grades take place in multiple sites. 6th-12th grade students can join Passport Choices and Passport Missions.

San Francisco Bay Area rsample@thefellowship.infoRick and Lita Sample minister among internationals – refugees, immigrants, international students – and advocate on behalf of victims of human trafficking. They work with people from Afghanistan, Iran, Burma, Turkey, and many other places. Mission groups are encouraged to come, such as family mission trips, youth mission trips, prayer walking, and cultural experiences. Teams are able to visit different places of worship – Mosque, Buddhist Temple, Sikh Temple and other cultural places – along with learning something about those religions.

Living Faith Ministry in Lebanonoperationantioch@hotmail.comChaouki and Maha Boulos minister to the people of the Middle East. An evangelistic weekend celebration is held in the spring and an open-air, seven-day event called “Celebrate Jesus” is held every summer. Mission teams can help with the following: camps for orphan kids, refugee kids, and sports camps; Celebration events; women’s ministry Bible studies; and humanitarian ministries among the most neglected people. Food packages and other help for the millions of Syrian refugees are greatly needed.

Where can we go on a mission trip?

The Gathering – January/February 2015 • 9

Charlottewww.qcfamilytree.org www.littletreenc.org The Family Tree in Enderly Park focuses on being kinfolk rooted in discipleship in West Charlotte, as they share life together at the corner of Tuckaseegee and Parkway. Opportunities include working with children and youth, renovating an art studio, and setting up a creativity work space. Household donations are always needed. Little Tree, located on 25 acres of farm land in west Lincoln County, is focused on food ministry and agriculture as economic opportunity. Mission opportunities include a retreat center, local farming and poverty initiatives.

Barcelona, Spainmichelleandmatt@yahoo.com Matt and Michelle Norman are partnering with the Union of Evangelical Baptists of Spain working with immigrants and refugees from North and West Africa, Central Asia and Latin America. Mission teams can participate in the Mission Learning Lab, a spiritual formation process that helps a church discover and engage with the most neglected in their own community. The Normans are looking for churches willing to covenant long-term in friendship and ministry.

Romania rstocks@thefellowship.info Ralph and Tammy Stocks minister to 1st-8th grade Romany students at the Ruth School. Summer volunteer opportunities include Vacation Bible School, construction, and repair. During the school year help is needed with teacher appreciation week, Mom’s club and English Club activities. Teachers can volunteer to provide in-services for the staff of Ruth School with particular emphasis on teaching unique students.

Japancfoushee@thefellowship.info Carson and Laura Foushee serve in local church ministry partnering with Kanazawa Baptist Church through a partnership between CBF and the Japan Baptist Convention. The Foushees are currently focused on learning Japanese culture and language, leading English and Japanese worship services, teaching English to the church’s kindergarten students and their families, and building relationships with locals and internationals residing in the city.

Touching Miami with Love(305) 416-0435 x203 touchingmiamiwithlove.org Jason and Angel Pittman’s mission is to share the love of Christ by providing hope, opportunities, and resources with the Overtown community. The children and youth of Overtown need a safe haven from negative influences and a place to develop essential life skills. TML provides a sense of home and supplies the tools and support needed to be a strong family. We invite participants to serve alongside us. Volunteers are needed during the school year and summer (July 27- July 31).

Waterbury, Connecticut (203) 745-5140 Waterbury Baptist Ministry, an inner-city church in Waterbury, CT, was planted by Dr. Maner Tyson, Director/Pastor in 1991. Worship, fellowship, and ministries provide love, hope, and care to this multi-ethnic church. An adult Bible camp and an 8-week children’s summer camp ministers to 400 people each week and needs volunteers.

Balidjonor@mac.com Jonathan and Tina Bailey encourage Christian artists to stay connected to their cultures, using the music, dance and visual arts of their native community to express Christian faith. They hope that these expressions will help remove the walls between communities and local churches. They encourage churches and individuals to partner with Christian artists and communities around the world. They hope CBFers with skills in music, dance, painting, drama and other art forms will share their gifts with fellow artists in Bali.

HaitiCBF (800) 353-8741 steve.james@internationalministries.orgPartnering with the Haitian Baptist Convention, Steve and Nancy James travel regularly to small, church-related medical clinics. They provide medical training and encouragement to the staff, help find medicines and supplies, and consult with patients. Jenny Jenkins uses her medical experience to serve the people of Haiti, working to improve the continuity of health care.

Kiev, Ukraine podgaisky@juno.com Gennady and Mina Podgaisky have learned how to recognize street children and how to help transform the lives of orphans,

runaways, and children at risk. The Podgaiskys form relationships with street children, assist in providing them with basic necessities, and help those who want to move off the streets. The Podgaiskys helped start the Village of Hope, a foster care facility operated by the Ukrainian Center for Christian Cooperation. Mission teams are welcome to come and minister to children.

Texas(870) 995-3518 bnewell22@gmail.com Ben and Leonora Newell are working in Christian economic development in the Texas colonias. The Business As Mission

(BAM) principle helps start, grow and sustain businesses, and equip Christian entrepreneurs to run

productive businesses. The south Texas mission pilgrimage for 2015 include BAM, homeless ministry, immigration,

human trafficking all wrapped up in cultural learning and exchange. Cultural activities include cooking and ESL. BAM activities include business-related classes, concrete countertop incubator, pizza-oven construction and construction work on earth-block houses.

10 • The Gathering – January/February 2015

Ministers on the Move Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:

Michael Sizemore is now serving as Youth Ministry Director of First Baptist Church of Elkin

Christopher Reed recently joined the staff of Crabtree Valley Baptist Church in Raleigh as Minister of Music

Christopher Harbin has been called as Associate Pastor of Latino ministries at First Baptist Church of Huntersville

Matt Wallace has joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock

Kristen Tucker has been called to the staff of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte as Minister of Spiritual Development and Communications

Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church has also called Brack Ballard as Minister to Students

Thomas Lengyel is now on the staff of Durham Memorial Baptist Church of Durham as Minister of Discipleship, Children and Youth

Lee Ritchie has been called to Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem as Minister with Children and Families

Kevin McDaniel has been called to First Baptist Church in Canton as Minister to Students.

Leah Reed has joined Rolesville Baptist Church in Rolesville as Minister to Children and Youth.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at cbfnc@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.

CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts Iva Stone, Wadesboro;

Mission & Ministry Offering in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Senter

Your gifts to a CBFNC endowment fund can plant seeds of blessing, hope, and help. Designate a gift for scholarships, new church starts, or where it is most needed. Contact Jim Hylton at jhylton@cbfnc.org or (336) 759-3456 for more information.

First, Asheville

First, Burlington

First, Greensboro

First, Sylva

Forest Hills, Raleigh

Greystone, Raleigh

Longview, Raleigh

Mountain Grove, Hickory

Oakmont, Greenville

Coordinator Visits October-November 2014

CBFNC ministry coordinators are available to visit your church to speak, preach, teach, consult, lead and minister in ways appropriate to your context. Contact the CBFNC office for more information.

Piney Grove, Mount Airy

Providence, Hendersonville

The Memorial, Greenville

Trinity, Raleigh

Westwood, Cary

Winter Park, Wilmington

Zebulon, Zebulon

Zion, Shelby

Visit our website, www.cbfnc.orgto find a listing of our staff and leadership

Donate to CBFNC today! www.cbfnc.org/giveChoose a particular ministry, our Mission & Ministry Offering or undesignated

October 2014 Contributions Undesignated - $119,869 Designated - $204,819November 2014 Contributions Undesignated - $87,707 Designated - $169,277

April 2014 - March 2015 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $123,657

CBFNCFinancial Report:

The Gathering – January/February 2015 • 11

Transforming... together

Romans 12:1-2

new date and schedule!Thursday and Friday, March 19-20, 2015 Providence, Charlotte

2015 CBFNC General Assembly

Workshops will include ... Turning Events into Transformational Experiences Engaging Preaching in a Changing World Giving Caregivers What They Need Most Fighting Hunger, One Potato at a TimeTransformation Through Conversation Becoming a Transforming Leader Praying the Ten Commandments Can Conflict Be Transformed? The Spirituality of FundraisingWhen Helping Hurts: Equipping the Church to

Love The Poor Effectively

Proclaimers:

Andrea Dellinger Jones Pastor, Millbrook Baptist Church — Raleigh, NC

Steven Porter Global Missions Coordinator, CBF — Decatur, GA

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWINSTON-SALEM PERMIT NO. 162

8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North CarolinaBringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

Return Service Requested888-822-1944www.cbfnc.org

Upcoming Events ~ JANUARY/FEBRUARY EDITION

Youth Ski RetreatJanuary 9-11, 2015Beckley, WV

Small Church SummitsJanuary 27 at First, Mount OliveFebruary 5 at First, LibertyFebruary 19 at First, Drexel

Collegiate Mid-Winter RetreatJanuary 31 - February 1, 2015Camp Mundo Vista, Sophia

Recovering Hope for Your Church online dialogues in February, March, April and May

Youth Choir FestivalMarch 6-7, 2015Knollwood, Winston-Salem

Children’s Choir FestivalMarch 14, 2015First, Lumberton

CBFNC General AssemblyThursday and Friday, March 19-20, 2015 New date and schedule!Providence, Charlotte

Retreat for AdultsApril 24-26, 2015Caraway Conference Center, Sophia