In This EditionPAGE 2 CBFNC Turns 20: Celebrating a Milestone by Larry Hovis

PAGE 3 20/20 Campaign Leadership Gifts

PAGE 4 Seeking Hopes, Dreams and Ideas by Guy Sayles

PAGE 5 Campus Hunger — Fallout from the Economic Downturn by Wanda Kidd

PAGE 6 CBFNC Hunger Fund

PAGE 7 Young Ministers Series by Stephanie McLeskey

PAGE 8 Fellowship on the Move by Ka’thy Gore Chappell

PAGE 8 Considering the Senior Adults by Rick Jordan and Gail Coulter

PAGE 9 Serving and Learning at the Fort Worth Sessions by Wanda Kidd

September/October 2012 • Vol. 17 Issue 5 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

The Gatheringof the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

CAMPUS HungerFallout from the

Economic Downturn

page 5

2 • The Gathering – September/October 2012

CBFNC Turns 20: Celebrating a Milestoneby Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

How do you celebrate birthdays in your family? A birthday cake? A special meal at a restaurant or at home? Sending cards? Giving gifts?

How do you celebrate special birthdays, those for which the age ends in zero? A bigger party? A tacky ad in the newspaper with a corny poem like, “Lordy, Lordy, Lulu’s 40”?

CBFNC will be celebrating one of those special birthdays, our 20th, in 2014. In order to do it right, the Coordinating Council has taken three important actions.

First, the Council has formed a 20th Anniversary Celebration Team, consisting of Gail Coulter, Hendersonville; Carolyn Dickens, Raleigh; Mark Edwards, Rocky Mount; Don Horton, Zebulon; Crystal Leathers, Winston-Salem; Julie Merritt Lee, Hendersonville; Shane Nixon, Mocksville; Michael Simmons, Buies Creek; Will Watson, Winston-Salem; Bert Young, Bladenboro; Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC; and Larry Hovis, CBFNC. This team is charged with developing opportunities to help us celebrate this milestone, culminating in a special 20th Anniversary General Assembly at First, Greensboro, March 28-29, 2014.

second, the Council has formed a 20th Anniversary Vision Team (see article on page 4), charged with helping our fellowship discern God’s vision for our ministry focus as we prepare to move into our third decade. They will present their understanding of that vision at the 20th Anniversary General Assembly.

Both teams held organizational meetings in May 2012, and both will be busy over the next two years doing their work, involving a broad representation of our fellowship in the process. Be on the lookout for more information from them in the coming months.

third, the Council has launched the 20/20 Campaign to cultivate individual donors to support the mission and ministry of CBFNC. People usually give gifts at birthdays. Why not share a missional financial gift to commemorate CBFNC’s birthday?

71 individuals or families have already made leadership gifts to this campaign. Their names are listed in this edition of The Gathering. We’re grateful for their willingness to lead the way.

Everyone on our mailing list will be invited to join this leadership group in honoring CBFNC as we celebrate this milestone. If for some reason you don’t receive an invitation, information about the campaign is located on our website, www.cbfnc.org, or you can simply phone the CBFNC office and we’ll be glad to put one in the mail.

Our fellowship has come a long way in almost two decades. God has been very good to CBFNC. We have an opportunity to give thanks, build on the firm foundation that has been laid, and invest in the future. We’ve made great progress, but we’ve got a long way to go in “bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christ-centered ministry.” Thanks for helping us mark this significant milestone in the journey and prepare for the next leg.

The Gathering – September/October 2012 • 3

Russell & Nancy Myers ... Albemarle, NCJames & Linda Henson ... Albemarle, NCGerald & Eileen Richards ... Apex, NCCharles & Grace Bullard ... Asheboro, NCGilmer & Jo Johnson ... Asheville, NC. Janet & William Rhodes ... Asheville, NCErskine & Peggy Blankenship ... Beaufort, NCBert & Tiffany Young ... Bladenboro, NCMable W. Laney ... Burlington, NCAngela & David Vess ... Cary, NCMartha & Wilbert Simmons ... Chapel Hill, NCSusan & Michael Taylor ... Chapel Hill, NCJames & Marion Summerville ... Chapel Hill, NCJohnnie Wallace ... Charlotte, NCJean & Theodore Thompson ... Charlotte, NCKim & Robby Ray ... Charlotte, NCClarence & Bonnie Adams ... Charlotte, NCPatsy & Robert Everhart ... Clemmons, NCDorothy Bowers ... Eden, NCKesler & Ramona Askew ... Enfield, NCDianne & Van Lewis ... Farmville, NCMitchell & Donna Watson ... Fayetteville, NCMary Lou Ragan ... Fuquay Varina, NCMartha & Alfred Senter ... Hallsboro, NCHolland & Gail Coulter ... Hendersonville, NCElissa Kincaid ... Hickory, NCDoris Stocks ... High Point, NCMarie & Homer Clontz ... Horse Shoe, NCEmory Bass ... Huntersville, NCLinda R. Winslow ... Jamestown, NCJerry & Peggy Isley ... Kernersville, NCSeth & Jennifer Asbill ... Knightdale, NCMarion & Donald Horton ... Knightdale, NCLinden & Alice Burch ... Lake Junaluska, NCShirley K. Shelburne ... Lillington, NC

Johnnie W. Evans ... Morrisville, NCJames & Mary Byrd ... Mount Airy, NCMilton & Joan Sewell ... Mount Airy, NCJim Cross ... Oxford, NCRennie & Sandy Adcock ... Pfafftown, NCLarry & Kim Hovis ... Pfafftown, NCJennie & Edward Easterly ... Pickens, SCJohn & Priscilla Singletary ... Pittsboro, NCEunice Bland ... Raleigh, NCLou G. Kline ... Raleigh, NCStacy & Sam Pardue ... Raleigh, NCAustin & Betty Connors ... Raleigh, NCJack & Dixie Porter ... Raleigh, NCAlfred & Hazel Ayscue ... Rocky Mount, NCHubert & Marguerite Garner ... Sanford, NCCline & Doris Borders ... Shelby, NCWallace & Martha Edwards ... Spring Hope, NCJack & Mary Lib Causey ... Statesville, NCNancy and Franklin Ivey ... Statesville, NCKimsey & Renea Welch ... Trent Woods, NCWarner & Roberta Bumgardner ... Wadesboro, NCJane Hunnicutt ... Weaverville, NCSteven & Barbara Everhart ... Wilmington, NCJudy Farrow ... Wilmington, NCSarah Mitchell ... Winston-Salem, NCKennon & Peggie Roberson ... Winston-Salem, NCLaura Barclay & Ryan Eller ... Winston-Salem, NCKen & Gail Boaz ... Winston-Salem, NCRick Matthews ... Winston-Salem, NCWilliam & June Smith ... Winston-Salem, NCDoris Yates ... Winston-Salem, NCJames & Doris Helvey ... Winston-Salem, NCBill & Crystal Leathers ... Winston-Salem, NCBobbye T. Smith ... Yadkinville, NCDonald & Jo Ann Horton ... Zebulon, NC

Join our 20/20 campaign Leaders!The following individuals and families have made gifts to CBFNC ministries between January 1 and August 13, 2012. We are grateful for these leadership gifts in launching the 20/20 Campaign, one of the ways we are celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2014. All those who make individual or family gifts to CBFNC during the two-year period between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013, will be recognized at the 2014 General Assembly as 20/20 Campaign supporters.

cooperative baptist

fellowship of north carolina

Seeking Hopes, Dreams and Ideas by Guy Sayles, First Baptist Church, Asheville

20 20vision team

As CBFNC prepares to celebrate, in 2014, 20 years of mission and ministry, we give thanks for the opportunities we have had to make a difference in the name of Christ in our state and around the world. We’re grateful for the gifts, time, and energy Baptist Christians in our state have invested in “Christ-centered ministry.”

This twenty-year milestone is a wonderful opportunity for us to dream about the future and to discern the shape of God’s call to CBFNC in the years ahead. To guide our dreaming and discerning, the Coordinating Council created a “20th Anniversary Vision Team” and gave it this charge:

To propose priorities and key activities for CBFNC from 2015 to 2018. These priorities and activities will provide longer-term focus and direction, while leaving the development of strategies for their implementation, such as annual plans, to others. In light of those proposed priorities and activities, the work will include a review of CBFNC’s mission and values with a view to renew or refresh these statements.

The Vision Team will make a culminating report to the Coordinating Council in January 2014; the Council and Vision Team will then report to the 2014 CBFNC General Assembly.

The Vision Team has co-chairs: Guy Sayles, Pastor of First

Baptist Church of Asheville, and Bailey Edwards Nelson, Pastor of Flat Rock Baptist Church in Mount Airy. Dave Odom, Executive Director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, is serving as a key resource person for the Vision Team. Larry Hovis and Jim Hylton are providing CBFNC leadership and support. Ray Ammons, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Gastonia, is representing the CBFNC Coordinating Council. Other members of the Vision Team are:

Susan Ellington, member, Zebulon, ZebulonJack Glasgow, Pastor, Zebulon, ZebulonScott Hagaman, Pastor, First, Marion Craig Morrison, Minister with Youth, Snyder Memorial, Fayetteville Haven Parrott, Minister of Spiritual Formation, First, Kannapolis Nathan Rice, member, First, Mebane Jeff Roberts, Pastor, Trinity, Raleigh Greg Rogers, Pastor, Oakmont, GreenvilleJohn Vestal, member, Greystone, Raleigh

This diverse Vision Team brings rich experience to its task and asks for your prayers on its behalf.

Between now and the time the Vision Team makes its culminating report, it will be seeking the hopes, dreams and ideas of the CBFNC family. If you have early input to share about the future of our shared mission and ministry, please email Guy Sayles, gsayles@fbca.net or Bailey Edwards Nelson at pastorflatrock@embarqmail.com.

4 • The Gathering – September/October 2012

Racial Reconciliation and the Body of Christ

Friday, September 21, 2012 11am-4:30pm

Unity Christian Church International in Fayetteville

For more information or to register, visit www.cbfnc.org.

Visit www.cbfnc.org to register and for more information. Registration deadline is October 8, 2012.

November 3, 2012 Edenton Baptist Church, Edenton

November 10, 2012 Forest Hills Baptist Church, Raleigh

November 10, 2012 Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem

The Gathering – September/October 2012 • 5

Campus Hunger — Fallout from the Economic Downturn by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC College Ministry Coordinator

What can we do?

Ask your college-aged children about the issue both on their campus and personally.

Churches close to campuses need to contact Student Development to see how they can help (no strings attached).

Invite students to your church for food whenever possible.

Connect with the veterans’ group on your campus and look for ways to provide help with dignity.

Practice hospitality and generosity. This mission field has come to us.

A weekend news filler on a local TV station caught my attention. It said that a local state university had opened a food pantry for their students. I knew that students were being impacted by the multi-year economic downturn. To be honest, I had not thought about hunger as one of the fallouts, but it made sense when I thought about it.

I am already worried about the long-term effect of student loans. I am aware of the need for students to stay closer to home. I have even seen a rise in students without personal cars to drive. I have seen that students are more careful about the extra-curricular activities that they participated in at school ... but I had never considered the issue of hunger on campus.

At that point, I began to research the topic and ask students what they knew about the issue of insecure food on campus. They told me about people living on someone’s couch or eating off various friend’s meal plans, and some that were getting food stamps or going to local food pantries.

Colleges and universities are becoming aware of the issue and are exploring ways to address the problem. Most of the efforts are on a small scale and they are trying to determine the real need and how to get the word out. The first known pantry on a college campus started at Michigan State University in 1993 and has been a model for several others.

This year, the University of Arkansas was recognized by the White House for their efforts in meeting the needs of student hunger on their campus. Angela Oxford is the director for the Center for Community Engagement. She is a CBF-ordained woman who has found her calling helping students. I visited the pantry this spring and was impressed by the student involvement and commitment to this effort. Angela said that fewer than 25 people came to the pantry the first month, but over the year it has been operational they have served more than 2,500 people, many of whom are the working poor in the service industry on campus.

Factors in the rise in insecure food issues for students: Rise in tuition and other educational cost (i.e. books,

transportation, housing)

Reduction in student loans, both secured and unsecured, available to students

Financial stress at home

Shifting financial reality once the student has already incurred debt and must make hard choices about continuing

Fewer part-time jobs available to students on campus and in the surrounding communities

Resistance to tell their parents that they are struggling

Many students are focused on the immediate problems of getting into school and paying the required expenses to keep them in college. They think that they will figure out the rest once they get to school – including where to find money for food.

issues that are going to worsen the problem:

An influx of students who are being released from the military and will use the GI bill to get to school. The benefits will only pay for 36 months of schooling, and many of the funds have a lag-time in payment.

The national drought this year has watch groups predicting a 10-15% rise in food costs, heightening an already strained economy.

Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name

because you belong to the Messiah will certainly

not lose their reward. Mark 9:41 New International Version (NIV)

resourceswww.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2010/05/among-dorms-and-dining-halls-hidden-hunger/39766/NPR report: Hunger on Campus: 20100727_me_05.mp3

So You Want to Start a Campus Food Pantry? oregonfoodbank.org/Our-Work/Partner-With-Us/ New-Agency Kit/~/media/Files/So%20Yo...

Food Pantries Open On College Campuses - ABC News abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/food-pantries-open-college-campuses/story?id=12887860

In five short years, the lives of more than 300 people and their families have been changed. And lots of people are eating better because of it.

Triad Community Kitchen, a culinary and life skills training program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, offers a ten-

week course for people who are unemployed, under-employed, facing homelessness, and often living with personal problems that have prevented them from finding and keeping a job.

Students are referred to the course through the Goodwill Industries of NWNC work training program. Each class of about 20 students spends time learning the basics of food preparation through hands-on experience and classroom lessons. Chef Jeff Bacon, Executive Chef and Program Director for Second Harvest Food Bank, designed the curriculum that prepares students to find meaningful employment. Since opening in

2006, 325 students have graduated from the program. As part of their training, students prepare nutritious, ready-to-heat meals

which are distributed to partner agencies of Second Harvest Food Bank. These meals help agencies, such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters, meet the needs of hungry families as more and more are turning to them for food assistance. Many of the students have used the services offered by these types of organizations and understand how vital the work of TCK is to our hungry neighbors. Through the preparation of these meals, students are given the opportunity to “give back” to their community. Another part of the training includes the production of soups which are sold at Lowes Foods stores’ hot bar. “Crazy Good Chili” and “Loaded Baked Potato” are favorites available in the stores. Through the preparation of the soups and involvement in the TCK catering division, students are gaining real-world work experiences that prepare them for graduation.

But graduation from the program does not mean support for the student is over. TCK works with the graduates to place them in positions in the food service industry. Eighty percent of our students are placed in food service jobs immediately after graduation, demonstrating the excellent reputation enjoyed by TCK in our community. Many graduates choose to continue their education in the culinary arts.

All parts of the program help students gain greater self-esteem as well as develop skills to find and keep jobs, provide for themselves and their families, and understand the importance of serving their community. As Clyde Fitzgerald, Second Harvest Food Bank’s executive director says, “At Triad Community Kitchen, we give our students all the ingredients they need to prepare the best life for themselves and their loved ones.”Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC is a CBFNC Hunger Fund recipient.

A Recipe For Livingby Cindy Stubblefield, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC

18.2% of all North Carolinians

and 27.3% of children in NC

are food insecure.www.feedingamerica.org

This means families have to choose between food or medicinegroceries or gas

dinner or heating their homes

You can make a difference.

Hunger Fund

CBF oF NorTH CaroliNa

888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org

6 • The Gathering – September/October 2012Bulletin inserts are available at www.cbfnc.org.

36. 2 million families in the U.S. are food insecure

“Will it be food or medication this month?”

“What can my children do without so I can afford

the gas to get to work?”

Heat in the winter or a daily nutritious meal…Fatty cheap calories or more expensive fruits and vegetables…Medical care or baby formula…

There is no end to impossible choices.

This means they have to make choices no one should have to make.

36. 2 million families in the U.S. are food insecure

“Will it be food or medication this month?”

“What can my children do without so I can afford

the gas to get to work?”

Heat in the winter or a daily nutritious meal…Fatty cheap calories or more expensive fruits and vegetables…Medical care or baby formula…

There is no end to impossible choices.

This means they have to make choices no one should have to make.

The Gathering – September/October 2012 • 7

The ramble of thoughts that follows began as an attempt to write about my hopes and fears for the future of the Baptist faith, and of CBF in particular. However, as I sifted through my thoughts and feelings, I discovered that my hopes for CBF revolve around us continuing to do what we do best, and, to my own surprise, I don’t really have any fears for the future. I firmly believe that our future is in God’s hands, and I have yet to find a good reason to fear such a future as that.

In fact, that is my first hope: that we can let go of our fear. If, in some future moment, the institution of CBF as we know it should cease to exist, it will be because a better way has come along – but the values that we hold dear, and the bonds of fellowship that bind us, will remain important, and they will be foundational to whatever comes next. We do not need to fear our future, for God’s plan does not depend upon us. Instead, we continue to work for the kingdom’s coming, making plans with care, with faith, and with passion.

My second hope is that we will find ways of teaching and honoring our history and heritage. Our traditional Baptist values – honoring freedom, standing up for the cause of religious liberty, and benefiting from diversity of opinion, among others – are not only relevant in today’s world, they are necessary. I hope that we will continue to teach and model these values. They are not easy. An attempt to honor freedom can easily devolve into the battle cry that “No one tells us what to do.” The cause of religious liberty can become the cause of our own religious liberty above,

and at the cost of, all others. Sharing our opinions together can quickly turn into a shouting match. I hope that we will learn to

test ourselves as we carry on with our traditions, to be sure that we don’t get so hung up on being right that we forget about being gracious.

My third hope is that we will continue to come together for conversation and service. I hope that we will continue to find our strength in our community. As we join together to ask the tough questions, we honor our diversity and seek to learn from one another. Our recent

and ongoing conversations about such difficult topics as racial reconciliation, immigration, and sexuality are valuable and

important. They do not necessarily result in answers; instead, they help us to see the best in each other and to find ways of connecting further and more deeply with all of our sisters and brothers.

Lastly, I hope that we will be agents of, yes, hope. I hope that we can find new ways of sharing the love of God with the world around us, both near and far. I hope that we can recognize our own blessings, both material

and immaterial, and share them in ways that will further the causes of justice and mercy that are so central to God’s calling for the church. I hope that those we serve and those we serve with will be able to discover peace and grace in what we say and in what we do, and that our words and our work will relieve fear, however uncertain the times – for then we can know that we are moving in the right direction, and that our future is sound.

Young Ministers Series: Stephanie McLeskey, Chaplain, Mars Hill College

With this article, we begin a new series. CBFNC has invited some recent divinity school graduates to share their hopes and fears for the Baptist church.

8 • The Gathering – September/October 2012

As a recent returnee to North Carolina, I was thrilled when our realtor celebrated the closing of our new home with gifts of homemade pizza and fudge pie from The Fresh Market, a porcelain tray (highlighting Winston-Salem sites) from Dewey’s Bakery and a complimentary subscription to Our State magazine.

In a recent issue (the 3rd Annual Southern issue), I particularly appreciated the welcome by the editor, Elizabeth Hudson. In introducing the theme of Southern hospitality, she describes her Granny’s house as “warm, friendly and comfortable, a place where people, when they come there, feel at home.” (Page 8, Our State August 2012)

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina is planning three events in October and November 2012 that are titled Fellowship on the Move. The one afternoon/night events are mini General Assemblies where CBFNC comes to your location. While the overall theme for each is reconciliation, you will notice that each Fellowship on the Move is uniquely created for and planned by the people who live in the particular area. With your participation in Fellowship on the Move, it is our desire that you will be challenged to live the Christ-life more fully, you will receive attention and care from your “fellowship,” and you will “come and feel at home.” So, as the Cooperative Baptist FELLOWSHIP of North Carolina is ON THE MOVE, please plan to join us at the location nearest you.

cBFnc Fellowship on the Movesunday, october 7, 2012

(World Communion Sunday)4:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church, AhoskieProclaimer: Rev. Laura Barclay

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20Reconciliation: It’s About Jesus!

sunday, october 21, 2012(In partnership with Western NC CBF)

4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.First Baptist Church, Waynesville

Proclamation: narratives & bluegrass musicScripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Reconciliation: Connecting through our stories – a bluegrass worship experience!

sunday, november 4, 2012(All Saints’ Day)

3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Peace Haven Baptist Church, Winston-Salem

Proclaimers: Rev. Darryl Aaron & Rev. Nathan ParrishScripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Reconciliation: The Beloved Community

Fellowship on the Move 2012 by Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC Leadership Development Coordinator

“Families are God’s way of saying, ‘This is not going to be easy.’ Our families hold us, protect us and care for us. But the worst fights you’ll ever have are with family members. Who’s the first person you ever told, ‘I’m going to kill you!’? It was a family member.”

Ed Kilbourne shared this and many other humorous stories at the Western North Carolina Senior Adult Day, sponsored by CBFNC and SMICS (Smoky Mountain Institute for Christian Studies). Part of our responsibility as family members, he says, is to tell family stories. “Your family will probably not be the subject of a documentary. You have the responsibility to pass the stories along. My grandmother is long gone – now, it’s my time to tell the stories.” Ed told the group the story of a tornado he experienced. “It was the day our mobile home became mobile. I gained a senior moment of wisdom that day: There will be things you can’t do anything about.”

Gail Coulter, recently retired pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Hendersonville, met with senior adult ministry leaders at last year’s General Assembly. From that meeting and other surveys she has done, she notes that substantial numbers of most congregations are adults transitioning to retirement, enjoying retirement or working at life with location or physical restraints. These people are also a rich part of the congregation’s inter-generational vitality. These folks contribute mightily to the well-being of the mission and vision of the church.

Often churches can provide opportunities for spiritual, intellectual, social and meaningful involvement with and for these folks—“senior” adult choirs, Sunday school classes (both age grouped and mixed with other ages of adults), construction and house repair teams, visitation groups, monthly meetings, trips and retreats focusing on educational as well as entertainment experiences.

Not all churches can provide an array of such ministries. Through CBFNC, however, churches can partner with other churches. Transitional, older and senior adults need experiences that enliven continual spiritual development. In the western part of the state, two events focused on story-telling along with some lively singing and good eating. A fall event is in the offing with some helpful, educational and experiential break-out sessions.

Considering the Senior Adultsby Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator

and Gail Coulter, retired pastor

What has your church learned about senior adult ministry? Do you have a model or ideas that could help others? Do you have interest in seeing senior adult spiritual development experiences in your area of the state? Could you help CBFNC plan or implement these experiences? Contact Rick Jordan at rjordan@cbfnc.org.

Serving and Learning at the Fort Worth Sessionsby Wanda Kidd, CBFNC College Ministry Coordinator

This was the 5th year that CBF has partnered with CBFNC to provide a Missional Collegiate Experience for the week of the CBF General as-sembly. During the first two days of the week, we explore a topic chosen to help challenge students to think broader and deeper than they might have thought on their own.

in the past, we have explored the issues of human trafficking, new monasticism, rural poverty and immigration. This year, the topic of conversation was the complex conversation surrounding justice and prison. Dr. andy Watts, professor of Ethics at Belmont Uni-versity, challenged students to explore issues surrounding incarceration and restoration.

Broadway Baptist Church of Fort Worth graciously allowed us to use Camp Broadway for the Fort Worth Sessions. Twenty-five Fort Worth Sessions students and 15 students from Baptist University of the ameri-cas shared the space for the week.

Fort Worth Sessions students were involved in every aspect of the CBF General assembly. They attended various activities, provided child-care at the missions picnic and helped with the Baptist Joint Committee luncheon. They also assisted with assembly worship. it was a wonderful opportunity for students to get a behind-the-scenes view of the CBF movement.

Fort Worth Sessions provides students the opportunity to meet other students, learn about the ministry of CBF and gives them the opportunity serve and learn in a variety of ways ... and, yes, they had fun too!

Join us June 24-28, 2013, for Greensboro Sessions, in Greensboro, NC.

save the date!This is a “Save the Date” notice for regional fel-lowship meetings taking place in CBFNC’s eight regions this fall. in addi-tion to a focused agenda in each region, these meetings will provide an opportunity for the ministers in each of these regions to meet each other, have some fellowship together and share ideas and needs with the CBFNC leadership. larry Hovis and other CBFNC coordi-nators will attend each meeting.

listed below are the dates for these regional fellow-ship meetings as well as the contact information for the hosting regional Coordinator. Save the date in your region, then wait for an invitation from your regional Coordinator. You may also watch for more information at www.cbfnc.org, in our weekly ENews or call your regional Coordinator to make a reser-vation now. We look forward to seeing each of you! • September 18: region 8 (Northeast region)

Jesse Croom: 252-482-3908 (home) or 252-562-4081 (mobile)

• September 24: region 4 (South Central region)Drag Kimrey: 910-276-8865 (home) or 910-384-4500 (mobile)

• October 2: region 6 (Capital region) Mack Thompson: 919-781-2229 (home) or 919-609-0148 (mobile)

• October 4: region 5 (North Central region)Virginia Taylor: 919-969-7565 (home) or 919-824-7890 (mobile)

• October 15: region 1 (Western region)Gail Coulter: 828-698-2385 (home) or 828-551-4363 (mobile)

• October 16: region 2 (Foothills region)David Smith: 828-758-8428 (church) or 828-496-8051 (mobile)

• October 23: region 7 (Southeast region)Mike Johnson: 910.422.3387 (church) or 910-316-9910 (mobile)

• October 30: region 3 (Triad region)Bill leathers: 336-774-3975 (home)

The Gathering – September/October 2012 • 9

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

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

Stephen Loftis has been called by the Mountain Grove Baptist Church of Hickory to serve as Senior Pastor.Millbrook Baptist Church in Raleigh has called Bob Stillerman as Associate Pastor.Christopher Dawson has been called to serve as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Monroe.First Baptist Church of Elkin has called Richard (Rick) Bennett as pastor.Alex Bracey has been called to Calvary Baptist Church of Mount Airy to serve as Minister of Youth and Children.Sardis Baptist Church in Charlotte has called Joan Thurman Williams as Minister of Music.The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville has called Gregory Bowers as Pastor.James (Jim) Justice has been called as Pastor of Hiddenite Baptist Church.Harry Smith has been called as Pastor of the Ephesus Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.First Baptist Church of Burnsville has called Tommy James as Pastor.Hayes Barton Baptist Church of Raleigh has called Gayle Justice as the Minister with Children and Families.First Baptist Church of Sanford has called Jacob Peterson as Minister of Youth.Christa Warise has been called to College Park Baptist Church in Winston-Salem as Minister of Senior Adults and Congregational CareFirst Baptist Church of Yadkinville has called Ken Boaz as Pastor.Ron Cava has been called as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Henderson.First Baptist Church of Wilmington has called Matthew Cook as Pastor.Bernie Mansell has been called as Minister to Preschoolers and Children for Longview Baptist Church in Raleigh.Rob James has been called by Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wake Forest to serve as Minister of Youth and Missions.College Avenue Baptist Church of Lenoir has called Josh Lail as Student Minister.William Deal is now serving at First Baptist Church of Boone as Minister of Education, Youth and Children.Woodland Baptist Church has called Trey Gilliam as Pastor.

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.

cBF Global Missions Field Personnel off-Field assignments in our area Ralph and Tammy Stocks in High Point from May 28-Sept. 28rstocks@thefellowship.info

10 • The Gathering – September/October 2012

First, StantonsburgBear Swamp, Littleton

New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (As of July 23, 2012)

DEACON MINISTRY TRAINING

recovering hope for the church: From apathy to engagement Led by Jeremy Hyde, Lead Pastor; Ronny Russell, Mission Pastor; and Eddie Hammett, CBFNC Church and Clergy Coach. They will share the story of their rural traditional congregation that moved from about 150 in worship to now functioning as a multi-campus church with about 80 percent of their adult members engaged in small groups seeking to be a relevant force in a rapidly changing world.

Cost: $15 Includes breaks and lunch for those preregistered.Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information.

September 22, 2012Mission Baptist Churchin Locust10am-2pm

Campbell University Divinity School

First, Asheville

First, Graham

First, Lenoir

First, Marion

First, Mars Hill

Baptist Heritage and History Society at First, Raleigh

First, Rockingham

First, Winston-Salem

Greystone, Raleigh

Hester, Oxford

Knollwood, Winston-Salem

Longview, Raleigh

Mount Carmel, Chapel Hill

Oakmont, Greenville

Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford

Ross Grove, Shelby

University, Chapel Hill

Winter Park, Wilmington

Woodhaven, Apex

Coordinator Visits June 2012 -July 2012

2012 Faith and Immigration

Statewide SummitOctober 12, 2012

United ChurchChapel Hill

Visit www.cbfnc.org for details.

September/October 2012

The Gathering – September/October 2012 • 11

phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • cbfnc@cbfnc.org • www.cbfnc.org

The Gatheringof the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

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

Coordinating CouncilDonna Bissette, Winston-Salem, ModeratorRay Ammons, Gastonia, Moderator-ElectSteve Little, Marion, Past ModeratorLisa Rust, Lumberton, RecorderMike Eddinger, Cary, TreasurerTommy Bratton, AshevilleDavid Hailey, RaleighMarion Horton, KnightdaleRick Matthews, Winston-SalemMartha McDowell, LaurinburgDoug Murray, WilsonMike Queen, GreensboroSusan Taylor, Chapel Hill

Endowment Management BoardScott Hudgins, Winston-SalemJudy LeCroy, LexingtonBill McCullough, YoungsvilleAnissa Nixon, MocksvilleGene Puckett, Raleigh

Faith Formation Ministry CouncilAllen Winters, Hillsborough, ChairStella Perrin, Taylorsville, Chair-ElectBeth Cockman-Wood, SanfordBryan Harris, SmithfieldBeth Heffner, Rutherfordton Brian Harrington, LibertySandi Hood, HickoryTyler Roach, MorgantonKatie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs

Leadership Development Ministry CouncilScott Hovey, Durham, ChairLayne Rogerson, Greenville, Chair-ElectDennis Atwood, Mount OliveEd Beddingfield, FayettevilleSarah Boberg, Red SpringsRendell Hipps, HickoryMatt Johnson, BelhavenShane Nixon, MocksvilleMark Reece, Mount AiryNathan Rice, Greensboro

Missions Ministry CouncilKent Cranford, Gastonia, ChairLen Keever, Dunn, Chair-ElectElba Benitez, PittsboroEverette Clark, EnkaBlake Dempsey, NashvilleGeorge Fuller, RaleighBrandon Hudson, Winston-SalemAndrea Dellinger Jones, RaleighNate Leonard, KannapolisLinda Winslow, Jamestown

CBF National Council Members from NCDarryl Aaron, Winston-SalemRoger Gilbert, Mount AiryDon Gordon, DurhamChristopher Ingram, Elizabeth CityGlenn Phillips, GoldsboroAlicia Porterfield, WilmingtonBlenda Price Sloniker, Hickory

Financial Report: June 2012 Contributions Undesignated - $126,962 Designated - $186,698

July 2012 Contributions Undesignated - $116,752 Designated - $179,152April 2012 - March 2013 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $128,837

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

regional coordinatorsRegion 1 – Western: Gail Coulter .............. 828.698.2385Region 2 – Foothills: David Smith ............ 828.758.8428Region 3 – Triad: Bill Leathers ................ 336.774.3975Region 4 – South Central: Drag Kimrey ...... 910.276.8865

Region 5 – North Central: Virginia Taylor .... 919.824.7890Region 6 – Capital: Mack Thompson .......... 919.781.2229Region 7 – Southeast: Mike Johnson ........ 910.422.3387Region 8 – Northeast: Jesse Croom .......... 252.482.3908

cBFnc college MinistersAshley Mangrum ............ UNC Chapel Hill ............... amangrum@cbfnc.orgAileen Lawrimore .......... Western Carolina ............. alawrimore@cbfnc.orgLawrence Powers ........... East Carolina....................... lpowers@cbfnc.org

Jeanne Cross ................ Duke University .................... jcross@cbfnc.orgChris Towles ................. Wake Forest ........................ towlescj@wfu.edu

New Ministers to NC LuncheonSeptember 25, 2012 11:30am-2:00pm

For ministers (pastors and staff) and spouses who moved to a church/ministry position in NC during 2012.

Join us for a complimentary luncheon at the CBFNC offices in Winston-Salem. There will be fellowship as well as an opportunity to meet CBFNC staff and learn about our organization.

Register at www.cbfnc.org or call 888-822-1944.

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.

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWINSTON-SALEM PERMIT NO. 162

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

Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

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

Youth rafting retreatSeptember 1-3, 2012

”Gospel Without Borders”immigration documentary screening and panel discussionSeptember 4, 2012 2-4pmSaint Peter’s Catholic ChurchCharlotte

”Gospel Without Borders”immigration documentary screening and panel discussionSeptember 4, 2012 7-8:30pmPark Road Baptist ChurchCharlotte

Youth Beach retreatSeptember 21-23 2012Myrtle Beach, SC

racial reconciliation and the Body of christSeptember 21, 2012Unity Christian Church International, Fayetteville

2012 central nc deacon/spouse conferencerecovering hope for the church: From apathy to engagementSeptember 22, 2012Mission Baptist Church, Locust

elevating Preaching conferenceSeptember 24, 2012Gardner-Webb

Welcome event for new MinistersSeptember 25, 2012CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

Fellowship on the MoveOctober 7, 2012Ahoskie

2012 Faith and immigration statewide summitOctober 12, 2012United Church, Chapel Hill

Fellowship on the MoveOctober 21, 2012Waynesville

children’s Mission dayNovember 3, 2012Edenton, Edenton

Fellowship on the MoveNovember 4, 2012Peace Haven, Winston-Salem

children’s Mission dayNovember 10, 2012Forest Hills in Raleigh and Ardmore in Winston-Salem

2013 Youth ski retreatJanuary 25-27, 2013Winterplace, WV collegiate Mid-Winter retreatJanuary 26-27, 2013Camp Mundo Vista

children’s choir FestivalFebruary 9, 2013 First Baptist Church, High Point

Youth choir FestivalMarch 1-2, 2013 First Baptist Church, Greensboro

2013 cBFnc General assemblyMarch 15-16, 2013First Baptist Church, Lumberton

2013 elevating Preaching conferenceSeptember 23, 2013Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem

Upcoming Events ~ September/October Edition