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The West VirginiaThe West Virginia
MessengerMessengerFall 2019 | Volume 19 Number 3| West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptists
Honoring a Faithful Servant, as he prepars to leave our State!
More information on More information on Page 1 and Page 3Page 1 and Page 3
Send your email address to: [email protected] your email address to: [email protected]
I N P E R S P E C T I V Ew i t h t h e p r o m o t i o n a l d i r e c t o r
A NEW ERA BEGINGS . . . If you have not heard, this addition of the Messenger will be the last printed issue. The State Association voted in June to discontinue the printed edition of the Messenger due to the increased printing cost of the magazine, and the fact that financial giving is down in all areas of the State Association. Along with the motion to discontinue the magazine, was the understand-ing that it would go from a print issue to an electronic email format. Several other states have done this and it is working out very well for them.
I know change is hard. But, change comes to all of us. Change is part of our lives. It is how we deal with change that counts. The Jews did not want to accept the new era of salvation by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus; but those that did have never regretted it. The main com-plaint I hear is, “I would like to continue to receive the Messenger, but I do not have a computer or an email account.” Therefore, I am asking that someone in each church, take on the respon-sibility of printing off a few copies of the Messenger and distribute them to those at your church who still want a printed copy.
Along with the Email format of the Messenger, I have also began the “WVFWB Newslet-ter.” The edition was sent out this week. In the Newsletter, I shared articles and announcements from the National Association of Free Will Baptist, the State Association of Free Will Baptist (including the following announcements -- WAC Women’s Retreat, Sept. 6th & 7th at Bethel FWB Church -- Men’s Retreat, Sept. 13th & 14th at Cedar Lakes -- The Christian Education Board Retreat, Sept. 28th at Bradley FWB Church -- and others). There is also a place for Con-ference News (revivals, special services), a place for Churches looking for Pastors, and a place for Ministers looking for a church to pastor, and a schedule of the State Promotional Director.
If you want to receive the Messenger and the WVFWB Newsletter, I need your Email ad-dress. Currently I only have about 118 Emails from folks across our state. If you did not receive the Newsletter - most likely I do not have your Email address. You can send you email address to me at [email protected]. The Newsletter and Messenger can also be shared on Facebook, and the State Web site.
So, you see, change is not all bad. There are now more ways to access information and announcements concerning things of interest to Free Will Baptists. I believe this new means of communication will keep our Free Will Baptist people better informed then they have ever been on what is happening not only in our state, but across our denomination.
Rickie Holstein, W.V. State Promotional DirectorTo keep recieving The Messenger
Send your email address to:[email protected]
www.wvfwb.org 2
Greetings;
My fi rst memories of the WV Messenger, was when Bro. John Henson was the editor. It was done on regular paper, typed on a typewriter, duplicated on a duplicating machine, and mailed or delivered by Bro. John. It was good for its time, but as with everything, it changed. The Messenger has went through many changes and many different editors, but always with the goal of keeping the churches and their members informed of what is happening across the state and nationally.
That is still the goal, but the time has come, due to the cost and effectiveness of the printed version of the Messenger, that the State Association has voted to go to an online version. Many other states and national agencies have done the same. Over the years, the cost of printing and mailing has dramatically increased. Many times, what is published in the paper is “old news” by the time it reaches our churches. With the computer and cell phones, information can be sent so much quicker and at zero cost. Through email and social media, the news will get out quicker and to a much larger audience than with the hard copy.
No one likes change, but change is inevitable. We want to be good stewards of the Lord and a blessing to our churches. Please pray for the State Association. Send Bro. Rickie your information {email address}. Check out all of our Facebook pages {Christian Ed. Bd, WV Messenger, and others}.
Do you remember; the phone booths, party lines, 45 records, 8 track tape players, cassettes, typewriters, polaroid cameras, etc…. Please don’t hold on to something because that’s how it’s always been done. Embrace the change and let us move on in the work of the Lord. . Rev Earl White WV State Moderator
Message from the Moderator
We still have spots open for our upcoming trip to Bulgaria in December! Our teams will be spreading Help, Hope, and Healing by handing out Operation Christmas Child boxes to children in Pleven and Shumen. As you can see from our trip last year, it was a huge success both to the kids we were able to help and also to our team members!
This is a great opportunity for all!
Hanna Project
THE MESSENGER • Fall 20193
www.wvfwb.org 4
It Is Official! The Free Will Baptist National Convention
will be coming to Charleston, W.V. in July of 2026.
It will be a great honor to host the Convention. Much preparation will be needed between now and then.
In order to host the Convention, the West Virginia State Association will need to raise $40,000.00. I know . . . that sounds like a lot of money, and it is . . . But We Can Do It!
The Executive Committee met and discussed this. The solution they came up with was this: We are asking each of our Conferences to have a “Fall Harvest Time” Revival (much like we do for “March For Missions”). We are asking our churches to take up special offerings and bring them to the Revivals. All monies are to be sent to Curtis Hall, our State Treasurer. This money will be kept in a reserve fund for the cost of the National Convention. By doing it this way, it will not put any added burden upon our churches, it just gives the people an opportunity to help bring the National Convention to Charleston, W.V., where most every Free Will Baptist in our state can attend and par-ticipate.
I want to encourage each Church and Conference in our State Association to get on board with this, and help us raise the funds needed. Together, we can do it.
If you are a minister who feels God is leading you to pastor a church, please send us your name and contact infor-mation so we can list you in this sec-
tion of the WV FWB Messenger.
If your church is praying that God will send them a pastor, please send us your church name and contact information so we can list you in this
section of the WV FWB Messenger.
Ministers Desiring Ministers Desiring to Pastorto Pastor
Churches Praying for a PastorChurches Praying for a Pastor
Your Info Belongs HereMeadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church
Near Charleston, W.V. Contact: Brother John Hudson at 304-342-2879.
Loudendale Free Will Baptist ChurchNear Charleston, W.V. (Full-Time Pastor.)
Contact: Brother James Duncan at 304-342-0247
Hope Free Will Baptist ChurchNear Parkersburg, W.V. (Full-Time Pastor.)
Contact: Brother Jerry Plaugher at 740-423-5729
Frederick R. Dempsey 94 went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2019 at his residence in Lenore, WV surrounded by his family. Fred was a member of the Parsley Bottom FWB Church where he served as a Deacon for over 65 years. Bro Fred counted it a blessing and a privilege to serve as a deacon. When he saw a need, he did his upmost to help and thereby lightened the burden of his brethren. Fred was actively involved with the WV State Association during his early years, serving on the Au-dit Committee, Program Placement Committee, Nominating Committee, Business Committee and served on the Mission Board (which was very dear to his heart). Fred remained faith-ful to his work as a deacon and leader of the Parsley Bottom Church until God called him home. He was a World War II veteran of the United States Navy.
FREDERICK RAYMOND DEMPSEY, February 7, 1925 - June 3, 2019
5 THE MESSENGER • Fall 2019
w i t h S i s t e r J o d y S u l l i va n
WAC NewsWAC News
The winds of change are being felt in 2019 and WNAC is feeling these changes. A couple of years ago, WNAC ceased to be an auxiliary organization of the National Association and was voted to be a department of the National Association. Sis. Elizabeth Hodges, Executive Director of WNAC, is leading our national ladies into a new day of women’s ministry.
This “new day” will include a name change to WNAC dba FWB Women’s Ministry. It will promote the inclusion of women who have in the past considered themselves outsiders because they were not members and did not pay dues. If you are a Free Will Baptist woman, you are a part of the Women’s Ministry! There is no desire to lose our heritage but we must somehow include all Free Will Baptist women. Those who actively exist according to the WNAC manual can participate alongside those who use Bible Study or Prayer Group as their main emphasis. NO MORE US AND THEM! I am asking all the ladies in WV to please pray that God will direct our hearts in how to proceed to unite all of the women in our state as well.
In the past, WNAC has existed fi nancially on dues and offerings from paying members. We must be realistic and realize that now that WNAC is a department, they cannot exist on National Co-Op giving alone; therefore, some type of partnership will be needed. Ideas have been considered on how to fund this department. Pray that God will direct your church how to support the national ministry. Some groups will still receive and forward dues, others will take special offerings in place of dues. Other churches will add WNAC in their budget on a monthly basis. Despite the manner in which we support the offi ce, we must do it.
As the Women’s Ministry changes, there will be regional meetings for pastor’s wives, state offi cers,
etc. in the future. We are pleased to announce that the fi rst regional conference is already in the planning stage. It will be called “Flourish” and will be for ALL ladies but especially those from Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. This meeting will be hosted by the Central FWB Church in Huntington, WV on Saturday, March 28th, 2020. How exciting for our state to host the fi rst regional conference! We will be helping to make history! We’ve already heard of those planning to come from all over the US to be in attendance. Please pray now about your involvement in this one day conference.
When you hear of a WV WAC meeting, you are invited to attend ladies! It’s for all of us – not just a few. We have an annual convention on the third Saturday in May and a retreat on the Friday and Saturday AFTER Labor Day EVERY year. You are invited! And if you want to keep up on what’s going on during the year, we also have a Face Book page: Women Active For Christ, West Virginia. Like our page and keep up with what we’re doing.
The doors of opportunity are waiting to be opened and for you to step through. As Paul said, let’s forget the things of the past and reach toward the good things of the future (my paraphrase of Phil 3:13). So much more can be done for the Kingdom around the world, in our state, in our communities and our hearts if we band together as the body of Christ.
In His Grip,
Jody Sullivan,
WV WAC PresidentTo keep recieving The Messenger
Send your email address to:
6www.wvfwb.org
THE MESSENGER • Fall 20197
WV Freewill Bap st Chris an Educa on Retreat Hosted by: WV FWB Chris an Educa on Board
Bradley Freewill Bap st Church
Bradley, WV
September 28, 2019 9:45 am – 3:00 pm
Light Breakfast served and Registra on begins at 9:00 am
Sessions Include:
Discipleship with Bro. Jim Sturgill
Ladies Ministries with Sis. Linda Grimes
Train Them Up – Tips and Resources for Teaching Sunday School with Dr. Cheryl Jeffers
CTS / Bible, Music, and Arts Fes val with Sis. Amy Smith
Addi onal Sessions to be added and announced
More Informa on available on our website: wvfwbchris aneduca onboard.weebly.com
and on Facebook: Wvfwb Chris an Ed Board
Ques ons? Call Isaiah Ha ield (740) 485-2722
HHow to Fulfill the Calling
www.wvfwb.org 8
ALL AGES EVENT
ADVANCE
2020 WV FWB BIBLE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL WHEN DATE CHANGED! Saturday March 21, 2020 8:30 am
WHERE Nolan FWB Church 30 Nolan Street, Williamson, WV 25661
ENTRY FORMS—DUE BY MARCH 1, 2020 Available online @ verticalthree.com Submit to: Amy Smth 9454 River Front Rd. Lovely, KY 41231 606-626-5936
CATEGORIES
Vocal Performance
Instrumental
Performance
Bible Memorization
Drama
Recitation
Drawing
Painting
Writing
Puppetry
Sign Language
Photography
Textiles
And more!
Sponsored By
VIST US ONLINE
WVFWBCHRISTIANEDUCATIONBOARD.WEEBLY.COM FACEBOOK: WVFWB CHRISTIAN ED BOARD
Sponsored By:
THE MESSENGER • Fall 20199
Messenger DevotionalMessenger Devotional
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege it is to carry, everything to God in prayer! Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Old friends are to be cherished. In a world fi lled with troubles and trials, we must have a close friendship with our fellow Christians and keep our hearts and mind fi xed on a closer walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we work diligently to be a light to our fellow men as the day of His return approaches. The fi elds are white to harvest, but the workers are few. Work while it is yet day, when night comes not one can work. I was born into the Mounts family on August 27, 1941. A wonderful family that I am blessed to be a member of. On November 16, 1969 I was born again, by the mercy and grace of God. My wife wanted to go to church. I went only to please her. I had no intention of staying with her. I was going back home, but; God had a plan for our lives and he still does. I got blocked in the parking lot. It was a cold winter night, so I went inside. There was no place to sit in the back, so I made my way down the aisle where my wife (Beatrice) was sitting. The preacher spoke the Word that plowed my soul under. He told me that I was lost and needed Jesus Christ as my Savior. Beatrice and I gave our life to the Lord that night. I went there with a doubt, but I left with a shout because something got ahold of me. We have never been the same. We are so blessed and thankful for the wonderful life that we have shared. We were baptized the following Sunday and Yes, they had to cut the ice in the creek that cold winter day.
We have always prayed for God to direct our life and keep us faithful in His power. I have been preaching for more than forty years. I was a deacon for eight years prior to being called into the ministry. I have held all the offi ces in the churches except treasurer. I have worked in local churches, conferences, and the State Association. I am now the Assistant Moderator of the State of West Virginia of Free Will Baptist. A member if the Mission Board, Executive Board, Executive Committee, and moderator of the Tug River conference. I have pastored several churches. I have always had a desire to serve the Lord, be a faithful servant and win souls for Him. God is so good and all the time, God is good. It’s not about me, it is all about him. What a friend we have in Jesus. I am very thankful to know this man Jesus. Who gave his life on Calvary, to save a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see. He shed His blood and gave His life for who so ever will come unto Him. Jesus, the way the truth and the life, the only way to Heaven and Eternal Life. The bible or the Word are directions and instructions to make it home. St John14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also..
“What a friend we have in Jesus”“What a friend we have in Jesus”
* Well-known commentary series with Dr. Robert Picirilli as the General Editor
* Verse-by-verse study method used in text
* Summaries and application notes of Passages provided by writer
Available July 23, 2019
Page Count: 498
Price: $39.99
Audience: Pastors and Theology Students
www.wvfwb.org 10
McCorkle FWB Church’ would like to welcome their New Pastor & Family. Rev. Isaiah & Jessica Hatfield, McKinley
& Ezekiel. (Pictre to the left shows new building.)
Great Commiss ion News
“When it comes to fulfilling the Great Com-mission, we are too small to do it all, but big enough to do more.” Author Unknown. Many of you remember when I was a young woman with red hair, rejoicing in my salvation, and tell-ing everyone that God had called me to be a missionary. You welcomed me into your churches, listened to my testimony, and felt the burden of my heart to GO. You understood that not everyone has to pack their suitcase and GO. Your GOING consisted of prayer and finan-cial support. I will always be grateful for all that you did and continue to do for God’s servants on the mission fields. The Chesapeake FWB Church usually hosts the Kanawha Conference March for Missions Revival. Five years ago the Chesapeake ladies invited our sister churches to join us in a diapers/wipes shower for the Rivera twins. God blessed us with enough to take care of those beautiful babies for two years. Our GOING in this manner was very much needed and appreciated by Josue and Cristina, our Hispanic missionaries to the Eastern Panhandle. At the 2019 March for Missions Revival, the Chesapeake ladies, once again, encouraged others to participate with us in our State WAC Project. South-ridge, Dry Branch, and Crown Hill were generous in
their response. With their help, we were able to pur-chase and transport $455.00 worth of industrial-size food products to our May 18th Convention in Hun-tington. These food products were gifted to the Hun-tington City Mission. What a good example of “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV. In closing, I would like to honor two dear pas-tors who have recently gone to be with the Lord . . . Rev. George Smith in July and Rev. Edwin Hughes in August. Their funerals were joyful celebrations of their lives of service, service made possible by what the Lord Jesus had done in and through them. Brother George and wife, Audrey (Beckley); Brother Ed and wife, Aunilee (Summersville), opened their homes to me when I visited churches in their regions, through prayer and financial support and encouraged others to do the same. Thank God that He is rewarding their every effort. Thank you, dear ones, for GOING with me to Africa. May others rise up and stand in the gap, please dear Lord! THANK YOU! to each and every one of you who have understood that we are too small to do it all, but big enough to do more. May our Lord continue to bless our cooperative efforts to obey His Command. NOTE: If you want to continue to hear from me, please make sure that Broth-er Rickie Holstein has an e-mail address from you or someone in your church.
Until He Comes, Sister Alice Smith,
1254 Fields Creek Rd., Winifrede, WV 25214;
304-949-2713
GreatCommission
News
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local church and conference. Please email your ar t ic les to [email protected]. Art ic le deadl ine for the Spring pr int edi t ion is August 30, 2019. You can submit Facebook
ar t ic les anyt ime!By submit t ing mater ia l to The Messenger, you agree al l submissions are property of The
Messenger, and you agree The Messenger has been granted the non-exclusive r ight to edi t , use , and reproduce any submission. Not a l l ar t ic les received wil l f i t in to the space given in each issue, therefore we wil l “ t ry” to inser t unused ar t ic les a t a future date or on Facebook.
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Cover Photo: created by Adam White
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