July 13, 2008
This morning, nine of our youth and two from Tar Wallet Baptist Church left for Wingate University in North Carolina for PASSways youth camp. Amanda will be blogging live from camp and uploading pictures and updates in this post as the week progresses. So stay tuned for more news from camp! (more…)
July 9, 2008
This year 6 students and 4 adults went to Passport Kids Camp at Eagle Eyrie Conference center in Lynchburg Virginia. Attending the camp from Farmville Baptist were:Thea Cheuk, Erin Copeland, Christopher Landrum, Breanna Smalley and a guest from Meherrin Baptist Church Amanda Elsaesser. Amanda Johnston, Beth Cheuk, Kathryn Copeland, Janet Moore, and David Landrum all helped to chaperone at least a portion of the week.
The adults get to help out with the international market!
The theme for camp this summer was Trading Spaces. The campers learned all about our international neighbors right here in America. During their mission time they went through the experience “Portal to the United States” they got to see what it is like for people imigrating to America. At the night market on the second night of camp the children were able to explore an international neighborhood. This experience not only taught the children about various different cultures such as Bali and South Africa, but it also showed them that international people live all around us. (more…)
July 2, 2008
In April, we posted an article about three Baptist Collegiate Ministry students attending Farmville Baptist who were preparing to go on summer mission. Last week, we received the following letter from Emily Caviness.
Dear friends and family,
I have returned safely back home to Virginia! Thank you all for your prayers and financial support. From when I first decided to go to Macau, I didn’t know how I would pay for the whole trip, but God took care of every worry or possible trouble. Our team was able to teach English to 60 people while we were there, and we were able to hand out to restaurant workers 1,600 gifts inviting them to Macau Baptist Church. Mainly, though, God used us to show his love simply by creating friendships with the people. In Chinese, the phrase for “boring” literally translates in English to “talking about Jesus,” so it was a blessing to be able to show the people God’s light in a fun and personal way. (more…)
July 2, 2008
As we approach July 4th, the idea of freedom and independence has been on my mind. We as a country and as individuals value freedom, but many in our day and age find Christianity confining and constraining, an enemy to personal freedom. This view is in part due to our modern, Western understanding of freedom as being able to “think anything we want to think, and do anything that we want to do,” without relying on an outside authority or power. So how can one with such a view come to accept Christianity and Jesus Christ?
A book that I read during my vacation was very helpful in suggesting an answer. The book is called The Reason for God, written by Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. While there is much to comment on and commend in the book, one of the things that I want to share in this column is Keller’s take on true freedom. (more…)
June 12, 2008
This week, we had our Vacation Bible School using Group Publishing’s “Power Lab” curriculum. Throughout the week, we learned about the power that Jesus gives us to be thankful, to be helpful, to be brave, to live forever and to tell others of the good news. The participants conducted “experiments” that illustrated the “aha!” teaching point of the day. We had about forty children attend every day. Many thanks to Amanda Johnston, who served as VBS Director this year, and for the many volunteers from FBC and Zion Hill Baptist Church for making this VBS a success!
Click on “more” for a gallery of pictures of the week. (more…)
June 3, 2008
This past May I celebrated another birthday, and one of the things that I’ve noticed as I enter middle age is that gray hairs are encroaching upon my head. I try not to notice it too much, but it’s hard not to when Thea my daughter has made it a hobby to count them! When I look in the mirror and see a glistening silver strand, I am tempted to pluck it out. But then I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.”
In a culture that worships youth, it can be hard to embrace our growing maturity in terms of chronological years. And there is nothing virtuous about growing old in and of itself. As my father-in-law frequently says, “Growing old is not for sissies!” But this proverb reminds us that there is no shame in growing old either, especially when it is accompanied by the wisdom of God.
In his book, The Book of Wisecracks: Windows of Wisdom for Living Well, Gerald Mann reflects on that proverb and contends that gray hair can be a crown of glory . . . if it comes from outliving our sins and flaws. (more…)
May 21, 2008
Last Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., we sponsored a community-wide bike rodeo at the STEPS parking lot here in Farmville. About thirteen children brought their bikes to be inspected and serviced by Rodney Dunning and Jordan Whiley. After a bike safety presentation, the kids enjoyed riding around the course set up on the parking lot. And when they got hot from riding, they also cooled off with snow cones!
April 29, 2008
During our worship service on April 27, we commissioned and prayed for three Longwood students (pictured L to R), Neena George, Emily Caviness, and Robbie Yancey and as they prepare to serve as summer missionaries through the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Neena will be ministering in India for a month. Emily and Robbie will spend three weeks in Macau and Hong Kong teaching English. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers!
April 26, 2008
Today, our youth group together with the youth group from Tar Wallet Baptist Church hosted a car wash fundraiser for Passways Camp. It was a beautiful day for a car wash! The group washed a lot of cars and raised about $600! And as you can tell from the pictures, a good time was had by all. Click on “more” to see more pictures. (more…)
