Download the July Edition of The West Virginia Southern Baptist Newspaper in PDF format.

Download the June Edition of The West Virginia Southern Baptist Newspaper in PDF format.

Date: August 10 - 12, 2009
Location: Pipestem State Park

Speakers: Dr. John Sullivan of the Florida Convention and Evangelist Steve Freeman, from Colonial Heights, Virginia

Cost: $35.00 per couple

Conference begins with Dinner on Monday evening, August 10 and concludes with lunch on Wednesday, August 12.

Make your reservation while space is still open. Childcare and youth programming provided by the convention. Come as a family and have a great time together! Reservation due no later than July 3.

This event is made possible by gifts to the Cooperative Program of the SBC

Download the May Edition of The West Virginia Southern Baptist Newspaper in PDF format.

This issue includes the following topics;
- Missions & Children: Girls in Action & Children in Action
- Preschoolers and Prayer
- Royal Ambassadors
- Mary Ida Tidsworth Missions Endowment
- Acteens / Youth on Mission
- Women on Missions and Missions Mosaic

Download the Mountain Peak Visions: Spring Edition PDF for these articles and more.

Ministers' Wives
Annual Spring Retreat
May 1-2, 2009
Rippling Waters Retreat Center, Romance,WV
"A Heart of Obedience" Acts 5:29b
Come join your fellow ministers' wives for.a time of fun, fellowship and refreshment at our annual spring retreat.

Registration begins Friday, May 1 at 3:00 p.m., and dinner will be at 6:00. It will be a "pot luck" with each one bringing a meat, salad, vegetable or dessert (along with the recipe!).
There will be sharing time, praise and worship time, crafts, and special music by some of our own. We will also hear from Jeannie Beall and Melanie White.

Your cost for all this is just $10. So gather your sleeping bag and pillow, some favorite goodies and a 2-liter drink! Get your hubby to watch the kids! Ask for a vacation day at work! And plan to come join us for a wonderful event planned especially for you!
For more information, contact Florence Ann Ballard at the State Office (1-800-411-5758, Ext. 100).

Minister's Wife Spotlight Melanie White

Melanie is the wife of Gerry White, and together they plant churches in West Virginia. They currently serve at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Hurricane which will be celebrating its sixteenth anniversary in April.

A native West Virginian, Melanie grew up in Jackson County. At the age of twelve, she realized she needed a personal relationship with Jesus and gave her life to Him during a Sunday morning worship service. Following her graduation from Ripley High School, she attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Melanie felt God calling her into fulltime ministry. Being an education major, she thought that perhaps she might serve as an educational missionary. However, God had other plans for her! She met and married "a tall, pastoral major from Indiana." On their first date she told him she could not marry a preacher because she didn't know how to play the piano. They were married anyway and have a 14-year-old daughter.

Gerry and Melanie are very busy with their church and its many ministries. "We have a large community outreach at our church which includes a Counseling Center, Bible Institute, Daycare, Pre-school and Elementary School," says Melanie. "We are excited that we have the first Southern Baptist Christian elementary school in the state." Melanie is the principal and administrator of their daycare and schools, and she is currently working on a doctorate in education at Marshall University.

We will have the opportunity to get to know Melanie better at our annual Ministers' Wives Spring Retreat in May as she will be speaking on "A Heart of Obedience" at that event.

Family Album
New to the ALLEGHENY ASSOCIATION are Mike and Georgia Saunders at Southern Baptist Fellowship in Summersville. Leaving are Larry & Becky Sovine from Grace Baptist in Rainelle.
Changes in the COALFIELDS ASSOCIATION include Brian & Marsha Warden who have left Big Spring Missionary Church to to go Horsepen Baptist Church and John & Tammy Mays who have come to serve at Peytona Baptist Church.

GREATER HUNTINGTON ASSOCIATION welcomes Brady & Sue Lipscomb to Eastwood Baptist Church. They also have said farewell to Darrell & Debra Clark from Southern Baptist Church in Wayne and Hugh Summers who has left Eastwood Baptist Church.

Newcomers to EMMANUEL ASSOCIATION are Eric & Annette Benson at Highland Faith Fellowship. Leaving are Claude & Margaret Stevens from Harvest Time Southern Baptist Church.

Wade & Jamie McGhee have left Southern Baptist, Philippi in the MONONGAHELA ASSOCIATION.

MOUNTAIN STATE ASSOCIATION welcomes Don & Tincy Bowles at Jeanette Baptist Church, Travis & Cathy Hyde at Calvary Baptist in War, and Butch & Sandy Honaker at Burke Memorial Baptist Church. John & Sandy Parrish have departed from Jeanette Baptist Church.

New to POTOMAC HIGHLAND ASSOCIATION are Timothy & Sherry Hall who now serve at Wayside Baptist in Franklin.

In the UPPER OHIO VALLEY ASSOCIATION, Solid Rock Baptist Church welcomes Gary Grant.
In a non-associational church, George & Linda Hopkins have left Berkeley Baptist Church.

Seasons of Life
by Karen Hale
Recently, I have been very ill. On December 15th, 20081 had a large hernia repaired. The surgery went well, or so I thought. I picked up a staph infection and spent the next five weeks in the hospital. It was "Staph E," and there were drains running everywhere. I also had a fever of 103.1 for several days at a time.

Therefore, I had to have another operation to remove the infection. They had to leave the wound open. I had a place big enough for my husband to put his fist in — 12 inches long, 7 inches wide and 5 inches deep. They sent me home with a wound-vac, an IV, antibiotics, and Home Health. I had reached an all-time low for me, I had never been this sick before. It seemed that I couldn't do anything but cry.

Then I remembered what God said in Romans 8:25-28. "But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes inter cession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
I knew Jesus, family and friends were praying for me. They were going to God on my behalf. How comforting that was. I knew God was with me, even though I was too low to pray for myself.

Guess what ? I was able to attend both services on Sunday, March 8. What a blessing it was to hear people say they had prayed for me every day and to receive their hugs and kisses. I came out feeling warm all over. Aren't warm fuzzies grand!

I welcome the opportunity to say "thank you" for your prayers on my behalf. Your caring and faithfulness in prayer make it easy to say that our state is special... thanks to women like you!

Bible Study
You are God's Special Recipe
By Janet L. McClung, Lochgelly Baptist Church
We women are equipped to do so many extraordinary things, aren't we? It amazes me when I realize all the different talents we have, all the ways we stretch ourselves, all the different hats we wear, simultaneously! Yet, between men and women, it is mostly women who fail to realize just how unique and significant we are to the lives of the people we touch daily. Most of all, we forget that we are so important to our Heavenly Father that He never stops fussing over us! Just consider Psalm 139:1-18 for a moment:

"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted -with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yeah, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

God searches for you and knows you personally. He knows when you sit down and when you get up. He knows what you are thinking before you think it. He knows about your quirky personality, and He knows what you are going to say even before you say it!
He goes behind you and before you, and, thankfully, He limits the places you would go for your own benefit. You can't get away from His presence, for the Omnipresent God is with you wherever you go. Because day and night are the same to him, darkness doesn't even hide you from him.

You are carefully and wonderfully made. Before you even existed — even before you were in your mother's womb — He knew you. He knew about the DNA substance that makes you you\ Even your parts were written IN HIS BOOK before you were formed in your mother's womb (like a recipe). God's thoughts toward you are great. They number more than the sand on all the seashores!

It is amazing that sometimes we think so little of ourselves when God thinks so much of us! The next tune the enemy tries to downgrade you with his lies, just remember, there is a special mixture in God's book for YOU not like any of the others.
Hmm... I kinda like the sound of a Janet recipe.

Book Review
Apples, Snakes, and Bellyaches
by Calvin Miller

Those who attended the Pastors Conference last November had the opportunity to hear Calvin Miller read some of his poetry taken from Apples, Snakes, and Bellyaches. I've actually had this book for quite a few years so I decided to read it again.
This book is a humorous collection of poems geared to the older child and up. Inside the pages one will discover what happened to dinosaurs and how Adam and Eve's first date went.

Of course, "The One Minute Old Testament" and "The One Minute New Testament" take you through Bible History in a way you won't soon forget. Some of the other poems take the reader behind the scenes into the lives of some famous people. Did you know King Solomon got sore lips from kissing all his wives good night? Do you want to know what really went on at Abraham and Sarah's before Isaac was born? Isaac Newton also shares a little wisdom in his poem.

Apples, Snakes, and Bellyaches appeals to a broad age group because the poems are short and silly, therefore holding a child's attention. Adults are able to tap into their inner child and may even find themselves laughing out loud. Remember laughter is good for the soul.

Reviewed by Jean Beachum

Mark your calendars:
Ministers' Wives Retreat:
May 1-2, 2009

State Staff Spotlight
Jeannie Beall

Jeannie and her husband, Delton, are some of our new State Missionaries. Delton is our State Director of Missions. They have also served as North American Missionaries with the Southern Baptist Convention. They come to us from
pastoring in Princeton, Kentucky.

Jeannie was born in Texas and was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She and Delton have been married for 34 years. They have three children and one grandchild. Their ministry has allowed them to serve as pastor, church planter, or missionary in several states. Jeannie has also served as worship leader, children's choir leader, adult choir leader, Sunday School teacher, VBS clinician, and conference speaker.

Jeannie's hobbies include singing, sewing, shopping, decorating, raising Labradors and kittens, gardening and spoiling her grandson!

We welcome Jeannie and Delton to West Virginia!

Recipe Corner: APRICOT DELIGHT
contributed by Cheryl Harper
2 pkgs apricot jello 2 cups hot water 2 cups cold water
1 large can crushed pineapple
(drain & save juice)
2 bananas
1 cup small marshmallows
Prepare and let set.
4 Tbl flour
8 oz. cream cheese 1 1/2-2 cups whipped topping
Topping:
cup pineapple juice
Tbl butter
eggs (slightly beaten)
1 cup sugar

Cook together first 5 ingredients. When thick, add cream cheese. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over jello mixture.

Camper Scholarship Application Form

Parental Consent / Release Form

Mission Camp Registration Form

Directions: From US 19 South, turn left on WV 41 North (if traveling north on US 19 North, turn RIGHT onto WV 41 North. Go about one half mile, camp is on the LEFT.

This event is open to both men and boys. There will be two flights; low score or handicap flight 1, high score or handicap flight 2. Two team winners in each flight; closest to pin and long drive each flight.

Reservations limited to 120 participants.

Download the WVCSB Golf Tournament Flyer.
Download the WVCSB Golf Tournament registration form.

WHAT: assisting with Backyard Bible Club by teaching the Bible stories and the music from VBS BOOMERANG EXPRESS, maybe some painting or yard work; movie night; food drive; painting a mural on a building; guitar hero contest; help with Sunday night outdoor worship service; a block party for teens.

WHEN: need to be in Tyrone on Saturday, July 18; try to leave from the Charleston area.

Photo Gallery: Things and places you may see on the trip to Tyrone
Photo Gallery: Things you might do on the trip to Tyrone

WHY: to extend the Kingdom of God by assisting the work of a sister church, give opportunity for Southern Baptists in West Virginia to go on a mission trip

HOW: by van, car, or truck; leave from Charleston, get people along the way, or meet there

HOW MUCH: no more than $150 per person; will be less if you can ride with someone else; some meals will be provided; some meals on your own

REGISTRATION: deadline to sign up to go is Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - I need your name, mailing address, best phone number to reach you, email address, the church you attend, and [if under18] your age.

PREPARATION: What do you need to do to be ready to go?
1--Go to the association VBS training or to the training at your church. Go to either music, crafts, or Grade 3 or 4 Bible study. Help with your church VBS.
2--Prepare your testimony using this outline. Please write this out; not necessarily in detail, but full enough for you to tell it in story form that makes sense.
a) my life before Christ
b) how you knew you needed Jesus and how you accepted Christ
c) your life since becoming a Christian
3--You must be able to take directions from the Team Leader [Dr. Wrigley]
4--You must be able to be away from home for a week
5-- Practice smiling and having fun

CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES: traveling, dress comfortably; Sunday--dress nicely [pants, skirt, dress, nice shirt, no shorts, no t-shirts]; work days---shorts and t-shirts ok, shorts must pass the fingertip length test; long pants are suggested; tennis shoes for work and walk are highly recommended; take a light jacket---it might get cool! You may want to pack a swimming suit but I cannot promise you will get a chance to use it; ball glove; a camera would be nice, cell phones are ok, other electronics are ok but discouraged---you must take care of them!! Electronics that interfere with work or fellowship will be taken away from you until the end of the trip. this includes cell phones

Money---the $150 will cover your expenses, if you really like eating lots of snacks or buying souvenirs you will need more money than that

Bedding---you need to bring your sleeping gear, you will be on the floor; an air mattress is highly recommended; a sleeping bag is handy, or sheets and a blanket; remember your pillow; bring your Bible; we will be housed at the church building; the church has a kitchen we can utilize for some meals

Bring CD’s or audio tapes you can sing with, or an instrument you play.

Space for the trip will be limited to 30 people.

Contact Greg Wrigley, State Sunday School Director, West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists if you want to participate. gregwrigley@wvcsb.org OR 1-304-757-0944 ext. 118 - cell-304-741-7654

The service will begin at 4:30pm in the basement of the Marshall Student Center @ Marco's.

Jason Lovins (of YEC Fame) is the worship leader. Call Pastor Steve Willis at (304) 633-7259 if you have any questions.

Watch our video on YouTube.com.

Download the April Edition of The West Virginia Southern Baptist Newspaper in PDF format.

Adobe Reader (free download) is required to view these newsletters, a copy may be downloaded at the Adobe web site.

Download the March Edition of The West Virginia Southern Baptist Newspaper in PDF format.

Download the WMU Newsletter: Winter Edition [PDF Format]

Download the February Edition of The West Virginia Southern Baptist.

Download the flyer for this event.

Time of Singing and Fellowship, Music Reading Sessions, Choir Practice Sessions, Music Workshops, Concert, and Prizes. Join with us Saturday, August 15th from 10:00am until 5:30pm. Lunch Provided.

Registration Fee: $10.00 per Person
Deadline for Registration—July 25th, 2009
To Register: e-mail Randy Spurgeon at randyspurgeon@wvcsb.org
Or call 1-800-411-5758, ext.116 (Call for Group Discount)

This event is a ministry of the Cooperative Program and LifeWay Christian Resources