a note of gratitude - Stanly Baptist Association

Organized 1885
27212 Hedge Road Albemarle, NC 28001
Phone: 704.982.1033
Fax: 704.982.3211
E-mail: office@stanlybaptist.org
www.stanlybaptist.org
Hal Bilbo, D.Min., Missionary
Libby Hartsell, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Darrell Nance, Moderator
Rev. Bounyong Vongsa, Lao Missionary
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER 2015
FROM HAL’S HEART
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 15:57
You have been blessed by God and by people. Regardless of your history, you have a
blessed life. Therefore, be grateful, especially for the smaller of blessings that pass through
the hands of others. Gratitude is the recognition and appreciation of the blessings that have
come your way. With gratitude, faith, generosity and godly contentment grow. Gratitude
makes you into a more pleasant and positive person.
Please allow me a moment to thank Pastor Brian Franklin for two years of friendship
while serving as our moderator. It was not without its challenges and he stepped up and
lead well in each case. Thanks to Dr. Darrell Nance and Dr. Miichael Madaris who served with
Brian and 3 Montgomery pastors on the Joint Leadership Team to pray through a stack of
candidates and arrive at our new Associate Missionary. Thanks to God for what He placed in
the hearts of Rick and Deb Miller for the sense of completion overseas and the longing for
home.
A special thanks to Anderson Grove Baptist Church and Big Lick Baptist Church for
hosting our special missionary edition of this year’s annual meetings. Thanks to Katie Houser,
the Lao New Hope Church and our Baptist Men (especially Jerry Barbee and Robert Mabry)
for preparing the food for hungry Baptists. Thanks also to Dreamworks Custom Cabinets for
designing, constructing and donating our flag stands. Also, thanks to Retha Ross and Chris
Johnson for preparing our beautiful hospitality baskets for our missionaries. What a week to
remember!
I give thanks to God for your churches, for giving yourselves and your treasures in
making Jesus known in word and deed. Without serious cooperation, this network that we
call the association would fall apart and the support our churches need would soon vanish.
I give thanks for your willingness to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders,
to prepare God’s church in our county for the rise of opposition in the coming days. We must
form a greater bond as a family of churches to stand together and serve one another.
Above all, I am thankful for God’s gift of eternal life in our Lord, Jesus Christ, for
watching over His Holy Word, that we might know Him and make Him known, and for the
gift of His Holy Spirit who reveals truth, guides us in prayer and living, and seals our souls for
salvation.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
HAPPY THANKSGIVING THURSDAY, NOV. 26
BIRTHDAY PRAYER
ACTIVITIES FOR
CALENDAR
For
NOVEMBER
15-22-Baptist Children’s Home
Annual Offering/Week of Prayer
26-Thanksgiving
(Office will be Closed)
18-Adam Hatley, pastor of West Albemarle
18-Teresa Pope, wife of Associate Pastor
of West Albemarle
19-Carine Yang, wife of pastor of First Hmong
24-Melissa Benfield, wife of pastor of Prospect
24-Brian Franklin, pastor of Plyler
26-Stoney Benfield, pastor of Prospect
27-Aaron Brooks
29-Shirley Hoffman
DECEMBER
01-Mark Little, pastor of Silver Springs
03-Andy Jung, pastor of First Baptist, Albemarle
17-Carla McSwain, wife of pastor of
Norwood, First Baptist
19-Gloria Hunsucker, wife of pastor of Vine Life
26-“Chuck” Hensley, pastor of South Stanly
27-Darlene Burris, wife of pastor of Grace
27-Wally Gilmer, pastor of Freedom
27-Tommy Ross, pastor of First Baptist,Locust
29-Charlotte Hartsell
30-Edna Bolin
30-Mindy Franklin, wife of pastor of Plyler
30-Michael Madaris, pastor of Highland
ASSOCIATIONAL PRAYER TIME
Thursday, Dec. 3, 7:00 p.m.
Stanly Baptist Associational office
Rev. Sid Martin 704.474.5273
Devote yourselves to PRAYER.
Colossians 4:2
DECEMBER
Nov. 29-Dec. 6 - Week of Prayer &
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
02-Research & Development
03-7:00 p.m. – Associational Prayer Time
08- 6:00 p.m. - Minister/Wife Christmas
Fellowship-Blue Bay
24-Christmas Eve (Office Closed)
25-Christmas
28-Office Closed
31-Office Closed
SEARCHING FOR A PASTOR
Anderson Grove, Rev. John Morgan, Interim
Hillside
Red Cross, Rev. John Green, Interim
Richfield, Rev. Chris Ehrlich, Interim
West Stanly, Rev. Wayne Willis, Interim
UWHARRIE WINTER CLASSES
January 25-February 29
Mondays-6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Old Testament(Part 1)
Genesis-Deuteronomy
March 7-April 18 - Mondays – 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m.
Old Testament (Part 2) Joshua-Malachi
Rev. Christian Herring will teach both sessions.
If you have questions, please give Dr. Bilbo a call at
704.985.3463
WOMEN’S MISSIONS
There’s a definite nip in the air!
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing at our fall session which
was held on Tuesday, September 29. Doris Hatley shared how and why she
and her brother started the Bridge to Recovery program. The information was
very useful in that it showed us how we can help those who are striving to
recover from alcoholism. As we all know it is a disease and those who have it
fight it every day. This is a wonderful local ministry that we can support as
they receive no government funding.
Thank you so much for participating in our “Red Box” Ministry. We collected
over 1,000 bars of soap. We sent 550 to Camp Mundo Vista for the women’s
prison. The remaining was divided up and shared with several of our local
ministries. Thank you to each church who participated and a special “Thank
you” to Claudette and the other ladies for sorting, counting and delivering the
soap. God bless each of you!
Our next meal at the Community Inn will be Thursday, January 14, 2016. It’s
hard to believe it is only a few months away.
Mission Extravaganza will be held at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center on
April 1-3, 2016. If you or your team are interested in attending, you can register
on line or call the WMU Office at 1. 866.210.8602.
We are looking at sponsoring a 1-2 day/night weekend get away for 2 to either
the beach or mountains. We will do a raffle in the spring. The proceeds will go
toward our Scholarship Fund.
Don’t forget to pay your dues by the end of December. They are $2.00/member.
$ .50 goes to the Scholarship Fund.
The weather is cooling down and we’ve a nip in the air, fall is just around the
corner and Christmas is approaching quickly.
May God bless each activity and project you do in the mission field. We know
that He is behind us every step of the way…
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to ALL….
Barbara…704.982.9508
Ministers' Wives Retreat
July 11-13, 2016
Caraway Conference Center, Asheboro, NC If you have any questions,
contact Margaret Harding at mharding@wmunc.org or Betsy McSwain
at rwmcswain@centurylink.net
A Training Conference to Equip and
Rejuvenate your Youth Ministry Team




Relevant Training
Powerful Worship
Valuable Resources
Honest Conversation
Merrie Johnson
1.800.395.5102, ext. 5568
mjohnson@ncbaptist.org
Vocational Evangelist Retreat
January 14-15, 2016
Caraway Conference Center
Sophia, NC
The Vocational Evangelism Retreat is a time
for those whose ministry vocation is primary
focused on evangelism and sharing the
Gospel through preaching, teaching, or in
creative ways — illusions, comedy, music,
drama or art.
Registration cost includes lodging, meals
and conference fee. Deadline for
registration is December 22, 2015.
For more information, please contact
Betsy Roland 1.800. 395.5102 ext. 5513
broland@ncbaptist.org
Lead Like Jesus with Jay Vineyard
January 14-15, 2016
North Carolina Baptist State Convention Chapel
205 Convention Drive
Cary, NC
Do you want to have more significant
influence in your home, workplace, church or
community? Join us for a one-day
Leadership Encounter where you will learn
how to lead like the greatest Leader of all
time, Jesus.
($50-meal and materials)
MORE INFORMATION
Ken Tan ktan@ncbaptist.org
1 (800) 395-5102 ext. 5641
Share your life. Speak the gospel.
February 29, 2016
Lawndale Baptist Church
Greensboro, NC
Disciple-making is both gospel-centered
and people-focused. Sharing the gospel
also means sharing something else — our
very lives. As we share the gospel through
our relationships, we let others know we
care about them, we’re concerned for them
and we’re committed to them. Join us for a
day of training and equipping in how to
invest your life in the lives of others for the
sake of the gospel.
Registration is required, but the conference is
free to attend. The cost for lunch is $7 per
meal and requires registration.
More Information: Patti Cardwell
1.800. 395.5102 ext. 5635
pcardwell@ncbaptist.org
Bethel Baptist is looking for a Christian
Music/Worship Leader (Part-time) to lead their
worship services, oversee the Children’s Music
Ministries, oversee the Music Committee and practice
with the Sanctuary Choir on Wednesday nights. This
person will also coordinate and work with the Praise
Team and work with the Pastor and staff in the
planning of worship services. For more info., you may
call the Church Office at 704.888.5040.
Dunn’s Grove (33803 Ridge Street, Albemarle) Fall
Revival-November 29-Dec. 2. Sunday evening service
will begin at 6:00 p.m.-Monday-Wednesday will be at
7:00 p.m. For more info., please call Pastor Jeremy
Holt at 980-581-1813. Thank you!
First Baptist, Locust(320 South Central Avenue, Locust) is
seeking a full time Minister to Children and Youth to serve
their growing church and community. To apply, please
submit your resume, statement of faith and cover letter to
First Baptist Church of Locust, Minister to Children and
Youth, P.O. Box 159, Locust, NC 28097. 704.888.2431
First Hmong, Albemarle (325 Henning Drive,
Albemarle NC) –The Women’s Ministry will be hosting an
egg roll sale on Sat., Nov. 21. All proceeds will help them
learn, build and minister to others who are struggling and
are in need of hope. Thank you in advance for your
purchase and donations to our youth. Below are the
ingredients that we will be using: ground chicken, noodles,
cabbage, carrots, onions, salt and black pepper. You may
purchase egg rolls at the church or ask for delivery by
calling Carine @ 704.207.1411. Thanks!
Mission (12444 Mission Church Road, Locust 28097) is
seeking someone for the position of Connect Pastor.
The position is part-time with the potential of become
full-time. The Connect Pastor will be responsible for
vision and oversight of 2 campuses. Please send
resumes to Jeremy Hyde, Lead Pastor at
jeremyh@missionchurch.org
West Albemarle (336 Church Street, Albemarle) will
serve a FREE Community Thanksgiving Dinner on
Thursday, November 26 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
You are invited to be their guest.
(No take-outs before 1:00 p.m.)
I wanted to take time
to thank both the
Montgomery and
Stanly Baptist
Associations for
allowing me to serve
with you these past few months. I have had the
opportunity to meet with many of the pastors and
visit several of the churches across both counties.
This has given me the opportunity to learn from the
experience and gain wisdom from many. This
experience of interning for the Baptist Association
has been a great time of growth and I have learned a
lot. Thank you to everyone for giving me this
opportunity.
Also, I wanted to share with everyone what I will be
doing after this internship comes to a close…
Moving forwards, my wife and I will be moving to
Washington, D.C. I will be working as an intern for
a church plant inside the city. The church is Pillar
Church, D.C. If anyone is interested in partnering
with me in this, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you again,
Dewayne Houser (704) 322-2070
dew.houser@gmail.com
COMMUNITY COALITION FOR CHRIST
Thanksgiving and Christmas Mission 2015
The CCC is in full swing as it prepares for the 2015
Thanskgiving/Christmas mission. Not only will meals be
shared with families, but each family will have a personal
visit and the the love of Christ will be shared with them.
Gifts will be shared with children which will include a Bible
for every kid that is served on the list. Approximately 350
kids will be blessed through this ministry. The CCC is in need
of many volunteers – pies need to be made, shopping needs
to be done, presents need to be wrapped, etc.
Also, if you can’t volunteer,
perhaps you can make a
monetary donation:
Make checks payable to Green
Memorial UMC with CCC
Thanksgiving in the remarks.
If you need more information,
or would like to volunteer,
please contact Brandon King
at 704.918.8357
or Hillari Biby at 704.438.4260
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR OCTOBER 2015
Church
Albemarle, First
Anderson Grove
Antioch
Aquadale
Badin
Barbee’s Grove
Berea
Bethel
Bethlehem
Big Lick
Calvary
Canton
Centerview
Clear Water
Community
Cottonville
Dunn’s Grove
Fairview
Fellowship
First Hmong
Freedom
Grace
Harmony
Highland
Hill Side
Immanuel
Kendalls
Kinza Memorial
Lakeview
Lao New Hope
Locust, First
Memorial
Mineral Springs
October
0
455.01
25.00
459.68
235.00
500.00
0
125.00
180.00
493.00
265.09
0
125.00
95.00
0
944.56
0
221.10
0
461.93
0
63.82
0
1,260.95
0
0
290.00
0
0
42.00
375.00
0
568.34
JanuaryOctober
1,125.00
1,408.24
225.00
1,883.91
2,357.59
2,000.00
664.00
1,250.00
1,800.00
5,292.00
265.09
4,500.00
1,250.00
279.00
479.14
3,043.65
0
1,713.30
0
2,091.63
1,342.72
722.71
0
14,069.04
0
4,345.65
2,540.00
4,078.60
1,892.61
512.00
3,750.00
4,000.00
2,526.10
Church
Mission
Mission @ Stanfield
Mountain View
Mt. Calvary
New London, First
North Albemarle
Norwood, First
Oakboro, First
Oak Grove
Paul’s Crossing
Philadelphia
Pleasant Grove
Plyler
Poplin Grove
Porter
Prospect
Red Cross
Richfield
Silver Road
Silver Springs
South Albemarle
South Stanly
Stanfield, First
Union Grove
Uwharrie Community
Vine Life
Vortex
Welcome
West Albemarle
West Oakboro
West Stanly
TOTAL
October
0
0
0
0
0
537.26
275.00
0
0
0
1,277.75
0
0
0
250.00
1,100.00
88.34
800.00
0
0
108.33
0
100.00
0
310.00
0
100.00
0
1,452.30
0
167.46
6,566.44
JanuaryOctober
1,500.00
183.00
1,500.00
200.00
0
6,149.10
1,175.00
1,875.00
0
3,600.00
5,111.00
1,506.00
3,375.30
983.64
2,349.98
11,000.00
1,153.59
800.00
500.00
562.50
974.97
0
900.00
2,200.00
2,575.00
120.00
400.00
0
16,027.88
0
2,441.30
69,163.26
13,751.92
140,570.24
In addition to Church Contributions received, we also received monies from other sources totaling
$8,475.86 which gives a grand total for the month of October of $22,227.78.
For the month of September and October we also received $2,050.00 for our Missions Celebration.
Minister/Wife Christmas Fellowship
Tuesday, December 8
6:00 p.m.
Blue Bay Seafood Restaurant
1901 E Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
HELPING
HANDS
November 30-December 2
December 2-4 - December 7-9
Christmas by the Sea retreats are programmed specifically for retired
and semi-retired adults and are a great way to kick off the holiday
season in a relaxing and entertaining way. For more information,
please call 1.910.278.9501.
THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS" - A CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Dec. 4, 5, 6 and 11, 12, 13
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Big Lick Festival Park
12743 Hwy 205 in Oakboro
Join us in our old fashioned Christmas
Christmas Village, which will include
snow, caroling and hot chocolate, bon fires, Christmas trail
hay rides and a Kids General Store. The highlight of the
evening will be the "Living Nativity". Come experience
the true reason for the season with a Nativity featuring
live animals. And each night children are invited to a
special "Birthday Party for Jesus".
So make plans now to attend. A joyous celebration
awaits you in the Christmas Village!
Presented by Mineral Springs Baptist Church. For more
information you may contact:
public.relations@mineralspringsbaptistchurch.org
Making
Christmas
a little
brighter for
children of
Stanly County.
If you would like
to make a
financial
contribution to
Helping Hands,
please mail to
P.O. Box 132,
Albemarle, NC
28002 or if you
have questions,
please give
Mrs. Anita a call
at 704.985.4515.
Thank you!
JANUARY 23, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.
KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER With
BRIAN FREE & ASSURANCE
“Peace and joy
to you and
yours this
Christmas
season.”
Hal & Karen
Randy & Libby
Stanly County Agri-Civic Center
March 18 & 19
2016 Johnny Hunt Men’s Conference
Prospect Baptist Church
January 25
Stanly Baptist Associational Winter
Session – Mission Baptist Church
6:30 – Fellowship
7:30 p.m. Session-Guest: Pastor Stoney Benfield
THE LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING
Why should we give?
“First and foremost, we give because God deserves the
worship of all people. And we-who are redeemed and
made new in Christ-are compelled to proclaim the gospel,
the only hope for the billions who have never heard of
Jesus.
We do this in partnership with IMB as we send missionaries
from our churches to make disciples and multiply churches
among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God.
In this partnership, Southern Baptists provide the funding
to support these missionaries and their ministries. The
more we give, the more missionaries can be sent!
100 percent of your gifts to the offering supports
missionaries and their ministries.”
Info taken from Lottie Moon Resource Packet
PLEASE GIVE!
Greetings from all the Baptist
Children's Home of North Carolina. Fall is
definitely in the air and Thanksgiving is just
around the corner. Be a child's hope and
participate in the annual offering for BCH. Last
year the offering ministered to 15,690 boys
and girls.
The children of the Baptist Children's
Home come from all kinds of backgrounds. It
touched my heart as I read in the Charity &
Children of children going hungry; some days
eating and some days not. Other children
faced hearing gunshots in their community
that was as common as a doorbell.
God has blessed most of us with a
warm home and plenty of food, so please
support the BCH annual offering and
remember to pray for the children and staff.
There are testimonies of these children telling
how much better their lives are now; safe,
warm, fed and most of all they have hope.
Lives are being changed!
Thank you and God bless you
all.
Judy Hartsell