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H – hope (1 Timothy 4:10)
E – encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
R – responsibility (Mark 2:1-12)
O – obedience (John 14:15)

The campers also learned about India and the various ministries that missionaries are undertaking in that country.  On day two, campers actually made recycled paper out of old newspapers for use in a “moveable school” in India.  That night, the camp was transformed into an Indian Market, so that campers could learn more about India’s culture, food, sports, and religions.

On the third night, everyone enjoyed a “variety show”/”superhero” ball.  Our group performed a skit and a song, and that was a big hit.

Every day, the kids also had a “camper’s choice” rotation, chosing among crafts, sports, drama and worship leadership, etc.

Our only regret is that one of our would-be campers got sick and couldn’t come with us.

Thanks to everyone who supported the kids with financial support, encouragement, and prayers.

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This past Sunday, February 1, our youth once again participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring.  It was an opportunity for our youth to help fight hunger and poverty in our community.

At the end of the worship service, our youth stationed themselves at the exits of the sanctuary holding pots to collect canned and boxed food for our emergency food pantry.  They also collected over $330.00 for F.A.C.E.S., our local food pantry.  Many thanks to those who gave to this worthy cause!

Afterwards, the congregation enjoyed a soup lunch in the Fellowship Hall.  For more pictures . . .

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This year, nine of our youth and two from Tar Wallet Baptist Church left for Wingate University in North Carolina for PASSways youth camp. It was an awesome experience! This year’s theme was Countdown. The question is what exactly were we counting down? Well several things. First of all we counted down the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

There are eight Millennium Development Goals:

1. To end hunger and extreme poverty
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS , Malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

We also learned that we are counting down to the completion of these goals by 2015. In order to make this happen we as Christians must do something. Our motivation spurs from the fact that these goals reflect the teachings of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Our inspiration for the week was that God’s Kingdom has come , we must change our lives now!

During PASSways our youth learned about how these goals have a Biblical basis in their daily Bible study groups. They also had the opportunity to participate in many different faith experiences. Some had the opportunity to work at a day camp with children. Others did contruction work at a halfway house. Still others participated in what PASSways calls “choices”. Faith and the Arts, chosen by two of our youth explored how God gifts us with many different artistic talents and how those talents can be used to worship Him. Common Threads taught one of our youth how people of all racial, cultural, and even various religious backgrounds have something in common. Skin Deep helped one young lady to discover the beauty God sees in us beyond our surface appearance.

PASSways is an experience of a lifetime! If you missed the trip this year we hope you will join us next year! Registration will begin in October so keep your eyes on the calendar!

We experienced another day of celebration and thanksgiving as we officially installed the Rev. Amanda Johnston as our Associate Pastor during our Sunday morning worship. Dr. Curtis Freeman (pictured above with Amanda), Director of the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School, and one of Amanda’s former professors, preached in our service and issued a challenge for all of us to follow the higher calling of Jesus Christ. After the service, members of our social community outdid themselves with a wonderful reception for the whole congregation and Amanda’s family and friends.

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This past Sunday, we culminated our stewardship emphasis by celebrating Consecration Sunday. We heard a challenging and encouraging sermon by Dr. Scott Spencer, New Testament professor at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. The congregation turned in “estimate of giving cards” as a way to partner with God in what God is doing in our congregation and our community. After the service, we took the picture above, and then over 120 people headed off to the Gee Price Center of the Fuqua School for a celebration luncheon. There, folks enjoyed a fine lunch and they saw a 14 minute slide show of church events that took place last year.  Then Ken Copeland, the chair of our stewardship emphasis committee, announced that based on what was pledged during the worship service, we can anticipate a 19% increase in our operating revenue for the coming year.  It was truly a day of celebration and thanksgiving for what God has done for us! Please click on the group picture above to see a much larger version of the portrait.

Saturday morning, some our men got together for breakfast at church. We had great food, and many of our men shared their Emmaus Walk experience. It was inspiring to hear how God has been working in their lives.

Yesterday, we had an “adopt-a-student” cookout at the home of Kerby and Janet Moore. Thirteen Longwood students came and various members of the church “adopted” some of them to provide a home-away-from-home for the students. We had a great time reconnecting with returning students and we enjoyed getting to know the fresh(wo)men. Many thanks to Kerby and Janet for their hospitality. Thanks also to the members who have adopted students, but really, I think they will be the ones who will be blessed by the students!

We had a fun weekend welcoming Amanda and John Johnston to Farmville Baptist. On Saturday evening, we had them over for dinner together with five other young adults. We had a great time talking about pets, hiking and camping adventures, bungee jumping and parasailing, one person’s irrational fear of heights, another person’s irrational fear of growling dogs, yet another person’s near death experiences, etc. As you can tell, we covered a lot of territory!

Sunday morning, John and Amanda met our senior adults and youth during Sunday. Amanda participated in leading worship, and then we had a reception for them in the Fellowship Hall. It was a joyful and exciting weekend for all involved.

On July 8-13, eight members of our youth group together with Jordan Whiley and Gail Cave went down to Wingate University in North Carolina for PASSways Youth Camp. They were challenged to imagine how Christ can change their lives and their world. As part of putting what they’ve learned into practice, the group decided to raise money for the “Watering Malawi” project throughout this year.