· Paul's Contact
Information
· Spartanburg County Baptist Network:
1. Physical Address: 660 Cummings Street
· Spartanburg, SC 29303
2. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4884
· Spartanburg, SC 29305
· Office Phone: 864-582-8330
· Office Fax: 864-583-2001
Email: spaulmckee@bellsouth.net
Website: www.spartanburgcountybaptistnetwork.org
- This booklet is a partnership effort between the Network and its WMU to assist our churches in “Paying It Forward” in their Jerusalem and beyond. Let us know how we can be of further assistance to you or your church in learning about or becoming more involved in missions. Below is a list of some of the services we can provide you:
- Needs Assessments: To help you identify the needs in your community.
- Evangelism Training: Teach or provide you with materials to train your congregations in evangelism (One Hour/One Day Training, Share Jesus Without Fear, Prayerwalking, ICE-Intentional Community Evangelism-SCBC, Evangelism Response Center-NAMB, Block Party Trailer-IEBP).
- Mapping your Community: Great for use with Prayerwalking. Call Julie for details.
- Mission Studies: I am willing to teach Mission Studies for NAMB or IMB Emphasis Weeks. I have taught on Nigeria, Moldova, Venezuela and North Africa & 2010 NAMB Study.
- Missions In General: I am willing to speak about Missions to any group or congregation.
- Pulpit Supply: I am willing to provide Pulpit Supply when available.
- Training for Pastor/Staff Search Teams: Call Dr. Goodroe for details or to schedule.
In an effort to “Pay It Forward” in 2012, we must remember first and foremost what Scripture teaches us about life: Matthew 7:13-14 reminds us that “broad is the way and wide is the road that leads to destruction and many will find it. And small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life and few will find it.” We must be willing to open our mouths and share with people about the love, acceptance and forgiveness they can find only in a relationship with Jesus. “Faith comes from Hearing and hearing from the word of God.” Romans 10: 14-17
· Now let's “Pay It Forward” and those in need!
Table of Contents
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Section
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Page
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Topic
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I.
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1
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Brother Paul’s Contact Page
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2
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Table of Contents
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3
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2012 Theme: Pay It Forward
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4
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Acts 1:8 Mission Trip Opportunities
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5
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Upcoming Training Events
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6
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Upcoming Training Events (continued)
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II.
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2012 Listing of Mission Project Suggestions by Month
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7-8
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January
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· New Network Partnership with Carpenter’s For Christ
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· COSMOS: Children’s Outreach Support Ministry of Spartanburg
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9-10
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February
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· Easter Evangelism Extravaganza (Easter Egg Collection)
· Miller Place Ministry
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11-12
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March
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· “Homes For Life” Ministry
· Creative Arts Evangelism Training (Using Face Painting & Balloons)
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13-15
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April
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· Ethnic America Network Summit Transportation and Housing Ministry
· Prayerwalk Your Community: Discover Ethnic America in Spartanburg
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16-17
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May
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· Evelyn Henderson Mission Offering and Migrant Ministry
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· Carolina Pregnancy Center
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18-20
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June
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· Network Literature Ministry (Formerly: Luke 19: 10 Ministries)
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· Greater Spartanburg Ministries
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21-22
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July
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· National Softball Association of Fast Pitch Outreach
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· School Supplies Collection & SC Hunters & Landowners for the Hungry
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23-24
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August
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· Baptist Collegiate Ministry Pot Luck Connection
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· Rice Bowls for World Hunger
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25-26
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September
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· Child Evangelism Fellowship
· Sacks of Snacks Ministry
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27-28
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October
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· Piedmont Interstate Fair Ministry (Service Opportunities for all Ages)
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· Stand for Jesus
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29-30
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November
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· Feed the Community
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· Prison Packets
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31
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December
· Sonshine Club
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III.
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32-33
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Other Kingdom Connection Opportunities
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34 Servant Evangelism Opportunities
35 Experience the Maritimes of Eastern Canada
2012 THEME: PAY IT FORWARD!
“Pay it Forward” is our theme for this year. With more and more people searching for hope and meaning in their lives, never has there been a better time than now to pay forward to others what God has done for us. Random Acts of Kindness is a great way to involve every person in every church in the process of sharing the love of God. With lostness constantly on the rise in Spartanburg, my prayer is that your church will commit to “PAYING IT FORWARD” using Random Acts of Kindness all across Spartanburg and beyond. (*See Servant Evangelism page 34 for ideas)
If we are to successfully fulfill the Great Commission, we must not forsake our privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God has gifted each of us with different talents and skills to be used for His glory. Your talent and/or skills can be used randomly to show other people God loves them and so do you. Will you answer the call in 2012 to “PAY IT FORWARD” so that someone who needs to see, hear or feel the presence of God will be able to do so because of Jesus living in, through and around you? This can be done by PRAYING, GOING, GIVING, SERVING AND LOVING, something all of us can do.
The Bible tells us God’s plan for His people is to prosper them, not to harm them. People all around us are being held captive in their sins and have yet come to know Christ. But 2 Chron. 7:14 also reminds us of God’s command to his people “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” God and those in need of a Savior want us to be found faithful and true to the Word of God by “Paying Forward” the Grace given to us.
Will you answer the call in 2012 to “PAY IT FORWARD?”
ACTS 1:8 MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES
1. Escatawba, Mississippi Mission Trip: Dec. 26-30, 2011 & Dec. 26-30, 2012 (Location for 2011: Escatawba, Mississippi. Entire Family Welcome!
a. Team Leader: Rev. David Moore (Call for more details:706-0734)
2. Bluefield, VA/WV Small Church Youth Mission Trip: June 17-22, 2012
a. Team Leader: Bro. Paul McKee (call 582-8330 for more details)
b. Information Meeting: January 12, 2012 at Network at 7:00 pm.
c. Commitment Deadline: January 27, 2012 w/$110 Team Deposit
3. Bluefield, VA Pre-Easter Evangelistic Outreach Trip
a. Team Leader: Butch King at Boiling Springs, FBC
b. For Details: Call Me at Network or Amy Beheler=578-2828 ext 130
c. See February page in this Mission Booklet for more info. on ministry
4. Eastern Canada-Maritime Provinces Mission Trips: Summer of 2012
a. Partnership Coordinator: Bro. Paul (582-8330)
b. Team Leader: Keith Davis, Ron Gaddy, Sean Giovannetti, Robert Jackson & Tommy Sparks
c. Information Meeting at Network: January 12, 2012 at 6:00 pm.
d. See p. 34 of this booklet for more information on Canada trips.
5. Carpenter’s For Christ Partnership Trip to Guatemala
a. Team Leader: Mike Ravan (Call for more details ASAP @ 621-0916)
b. Host Organization: Hope of Life International
c. Trip Dates: Late February 2012 (*Tickets have to be purchased Soon)
d. Projected Cost: $1400.00 (Airfare, Housing, Food & In Country Travel)
e. Types of Ministries: Build a Special Needs Hospital, work in Feeding Center, Assist in Orphanage, Jungle Ministry-Rescue babies, help in school
6. Urban Atlanta Church Planting Partnership Opportunities:
a. Host: Jim Haskell
b. Locations & Dates: Flexible (You Coordinate with Partnership Churches)
c. Contact Info: 404-433-2104 ( for Tours), www.uacp.net or call the SCBC at 1-800-723-7242 and ask for Cheryl McCullough
7. Local Mission Opportunities: Get plugged into missions all around Spartanburg
County: I will help coordinate projects for Children, Youth &/or Adult groups.
*Mission Trips are a great way to “Pay It Forward” in 2012. Call soon for details.
UPCOMING TRAINING & EVENTS
1. Good News Club Workshops-FREE
a. January 5, 2012: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Sptbg=7-8:30 pm
b. January 6, 2012: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Sptbg=10-11:30 am
c. January 9, 2012: Grassy Pond Baptist Church, Gaffney=7-8:30 pm
d. There are 7 schools in Spartanburg County currently open to partnering with churches to do a Good News Club (GNC).
i. Three Principals have called personally asking how they can get a GNC started in their schools ASAP.
ii. Sadly, not enough churches are willing to do them.
iii. See the list of schools on page 25 under CEF.
2. FIRST Women’s Conference 2012
a. Date: Jan. 27-28, 2012 (Columbia FBC)
i. Friday: 7-9 pm & Saturday 9 am-12 Noon
b. Cost: $27 for the Weekend
i. To register, call 1-800-723-7242 or www.scbaptist.org/women.
c. Registration Deadline: None Mentioned
d. Theme: “Coming Together”
3. Salt & Light Men’s Ministries Conference
a. Date: February 4, 2012
b. Location: Gateway Baptist Church, Irmo, SC
c. Theme: “I Am Not Ashamed”
d. Cost: $40.00 for materials & meals: On or Before Dec. 16, 2011
i. $50.00 for material and lunch: After 12/16/2011-1/15/2012
ii. $50.00 for materials-No Lunch after Jan. 15, 2012
iii. To register, call 1-800-723-7242 or www.scbaptist.org/men.
4. State & Network Vacation Bible School Clinics
a. State Date & Location: February 4, 2012 (White Oak Conf. Ctr)
b. Network Date & Time: TBA
c. Contact: Network for more details
TRAINING EVENTS CONTINUED
5. State Evangelism Conference: February 22-24, 2012
a. Location: Upstate, Anderson University
b. Cost: FREE! *To register, call 1-800-723-7242 or go to www.scbaptist.org/men.
c. Evangelism Time: 6:00-9:00 pm on Feb. 22, 2012
d. Conference Time: 9:00 am-9:00 pm on Feb 23-24, 2012
6. Security Conference (*Each Church is allowed 2-3 representatives)
a. Date: February 28, 2011
b. Location: Network Office from 6:00- 8:00 pm
c. Cost: FREE, but Registration is Required
d. Details: This conference is designed to educate you on measures you can take to help protect your church, home and/or business.
7. Disaster Relief Training (*See website for time schedules)
a. Dates: March 2-3, 2012 & October 12-13, 2012
b. Spring & Fall Locations: White Oak Conference Center
c. Cost: $30 for new volunteers, $25 for returning volunteers
i. To register, call 1-800-723-7242 or www.scbaptist.org/dr
8. SC WMU Annual Meeting (Contact www.scwmu.org for details)
a. Dates: March 23-24, 2012 in Aiken, SC
b. Location: Millbrook Baptist Church
9. Children’s/Youth Network & State Bible Drills (Call 1-800-723-7242)
a. Network Children’s Date: April 15, 2012 (Poplar Springs Baptist Ch.)
b. Children’s State Date/Location: April 28, 2012 (Anderson FBC)
c. Youth Date/Location: May 5, 2012 (SCBC in Columbia, SC)
10. Mount Mitchell Bike Race Event in Marion, NC
a. Volunteers needed to work event on May 21, 2012
b. If interested, call Bro. Paul at 641-5140 by May 1, 2012
11. Network Annual Fall Celebration: October 30, 2012
Location & Time: Calvary Baptist Church from 6:30-8:30 pm
Remember to “Pay It Forward” as you seek God’s will in 2012!
January
“UNITED CARPENTER’S FOR CHRIST”
A Network Construction Ministry Partnership
As of 2011, the Network began a new partnership with UCFC as a means of involving our churches and individuals in community construction projects. We currently have several projects about to begin. If you or your church group is interested in serving on a project or know of one that needs volunteers, please call Mike Ravan at 621-0916 or Bro. Paul at the Network at 582-8330. We are recruiting volunteers/teams for the following projects:
1. Riding For Jesus Cowboy Church-Pacolet, SC
a. They have an old building that needs some demolition on the interior and then replace walls, painting, electrical, carpentry and possible plumbing.
b. If you have one or more of these skill sets or just a willing spirit and would like to “Pay It Forward,” please call Bro. Paul at 582-8330 to be added to the list.
2. New Life Deliverance Worship Center, Spartanburg, SC
a. A new inner-city church reaching out to at-risk adolescents, adults and un-churched families. Pastor Bunty Desor and some of their volunteers would welcome your help as they prepare their building for renovations
3. New Network Building: We may be purchasing the American Red Cross building and moving. Stay tuned for future updates/needs.
Come join in as we “Pay It Forward” and make a difference in Spartanburg
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COSMOS
Children’s Outreach Support Ministry of Spartanburg
The need for ministry to children throughout Spartanburg County continues to grow more and more each year. We are hearing homeless ministries like Miracle Hill, The Haven, Soup Kitchen comment on the number of children they are serving now. There are more children going to public schools today lacking adequate clothing, shoes, school supplies and/or needing free/reduced lunch, and still many going without food to eat until they return to school again.
Aside from hunger, many other needs are going unmet as well. While we as a community may not be able to meet all of the needs all the time, we as the body of Christ must be committed to trying to meet those physical needs that we can, with the hope of being able to meet their greatest need-their need for Jesus. Never before have people in America been searching for some significance in life the way they are now. Many of them are even looking for spiritual significance and meaning. Our sinful human nature tells us to seek that which is most pleasing to us, only to find we are still empty and hurting. But the Bible tells us in Matt.6:33 to “seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and all these things (food, clothing, shelter, etc…) will be given to us,” not all of our fleshly desires, but the new desires of our spiritual heart.
SO HOW CAN YOU HELP CHILDREN IN SPARTANBURG THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?
1. With winter coming on, many children need warm clothing to keep them warm and healthy:
a. Socks-Various sizes for boys, girls, men, ladies due to the size of some children
b. T-Shirts-Colored types without a logo (In various sizes)
c. Gloves and Hats for Children
d. Personal Hygiene Items (Like Shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc…)
2. School Supplies: Donate basic school supplies to the network during the year or in July
3. More and more students are living in hotels with their families or having to double up and live with other family members in an already crowded house. They share beds, blankets, wash clothes, towels and other personal items.
a. Household Linens and such are such a blessing, which we take for granted so often.
i. Towels and Wash Cloths are the biggest need
Will you join us as we “Pay It Forward” by investing in the life of a child here in Spartanburg?
February
Easter Evangelism Extravaganza
(A Church Planting Ministry)
God is so visibly at work in the Bluefield, Virginia area through a local church plant named Crosspointe Community Fellowship (CCF). While they are small in number and growing, they are huge in heart, spirit and obedience. God is leading them to plant three other churches in neighboring towns where the gospel is greatly needed as well. The city government and many businesses have begun to notice that this one church is the only church to have such a city and county-wide impact, wherein they have practically touched the lives of almost every person in their area with their various ministries.
The Network has had the privilege of partnering with CCF for the last 2 ½ years in a variety of ways. Some of you have been a part of this wonderful partnership where much fruit has been seen and many seeds continue to be planted. Our goal is to continue this partnership through 2012 at least and want to give you an opportunity to get involved in God’s work in this area of Appalachia.
On March 23-24, 2012, we will be assisting CCF again with their second annual Pre-Easter Extravaganza Block Party Outreach. This was a tremendous success last year with 3500 people in attendance and 24 salvations, despite tornadoes and severe thunderstorms attempting to hinder us and running us off an hour early. We dropped 20,000 Easter eggs from a helicopter, served over 4000 hotdogs, played lots of games, gave away tons candy, had loads of fun serving and had a choral concert/worship service. Some of you participated in this event and we need you and others to join as the anticipation is already stirring.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. Prayer Warriors: Due to Easter being moved up two weeks earlier, our trip is pushed back into late March, which could mean snow. Please pray for
a. Good Weather and Safety
b. All the Volunteers and Resources needed to provide these ministries to these communities
c. Strength to withstand Satan’s attempts to interfere
2. This year, we need churches to collect Easter eggs and place a piece of hard candy individually wrapped inside it. If you can tape them so they will not come open when dropped from a helicopter this would save us time later when preparing them for the drop. Either way, I need you to let me know about how many eggs you think you can help with. Our goal is 10,000 as a Network, which is 1/5 of the 50,000 total. This is a great way to involved all your mission groups in ministry.
3. Pray for the Service in Raven, VA that God would pave the way for many people to hear and respond to His call as we serve there as well.
We’re also planning to do a special worship service for the Community in Raven, VA this year. The summer of 2011 we held the first evangelistic outreach in many years in that community. We had a great turnout, 11 salvations and people asking when we were going to start regular services there. While there are some churches in the area, little if any, are reaching out to the community evangelistically and lovingly.
Let’s “Pay It Forward” and have an Easter Celebration to Remember!
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MILLER PLACE RESIDENTIAL CARE
Miller Place is a residential care facility that can house 19 residents ranging in ages from 24-85 years old. The staff provides a safe, loving environment where individuals can flourish and thrive in a home-like setting. Miller Place offers a variety of services including: 3 Meals and 3 snacks daily, medication administration, laundry service, residential activities and 24/7 monitoring of residents for maximum safety and quality of life.
How Can You Help This Ministry Help Others:
Miller Place accepts and can use almost any kind of donations you can imagine, but also has some specific needs like supplies and physical labor:
1. Assistance getting their 501C-3 status, which would help them gain access to other resources to better meet the needs of the residents
2. Cleaning Supplies (Pine Sol, Comet, Kitchen Degreasers & bathroom cleaners)
3. Washing Powders (Tide, Cheer, Gain and others)
4. Bleach
5. Dishwashing Detergent (Dawn, Palmolive and others)
6. Soap
7. Towels and Wash Cloths
8. Mops and Brooms
9. Ironing Board and Irons
10. Large 30 gallon Trash Can and Ex-Large Trash bags
11. Painters to help paint parts of facility
12. Carpenters (This is a smoke-Free facility, but needs smoking area outside home so residents who smoke can do so without getting wet).
Volunteers can help meet the above needs by having a pounding to collect the items listed. Bible studies for residents/staff are also welcome and desired. Please call to coordinate a time and date if interested. Call Bro. Paul with questions or more ideas.
Address: 140 Cox Street, 29306 Contact Mildred Miller at 573-7008 to help!
Will You “Pay It Forward” by Helping Miller Place Help others in 2012
March
Homes For Life
Homes for Life is a faith-based non-demonational 501c3 Non-profit ministry that is committed to helping homeless youth of the upstate of South Carolina.
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Every year, well over 20,000 youth leave foster care systems all over the United States. Just how well prepared are they for “real life”? Most do not have a driver’s license and many have not completed high school. All this after having come from severe dysfunction in their homes of origin and then being raised by the state. Basically, after leaving the foster care system, most are homeless. They turn to risky behaviors as a means of surviving and those behaviors lead to their destruction causing them to be wards of the state in other ways.
The hearts of the founders of Homes for Life were stirred to establish a non-profit ministry that would provide a loving, Christian atmosphere for these youth, and others who are homeless, to continue their education, find employment, develop needed life skills and transition to adult living truly equipped to be independent. Countless volunteers from the community and area congregations contributed many hours to preparing the home for comfortable living. Many groups and individuals “adopted” bedrooms, provided for food and other needed supplies. In June 2007, once the staff was assembled, Homes for Life accepted its first youth into their 16 bedroom home-style ministry facility.
Since that time, over 40 youth have entered the doors of Homes for Life. Many have achieved goals for their lives and all have heard the good news that they are loved, not just by the staff and volunteers associated with Homes for Life, but also by a loving God who has a plan for their lives. These services, along with mentors who come alongside these young men, have been offered at about 1/3 the cost of public programs as means of being good stewards of what God has been faithful to provide.
Mentors are always needed to assist these young men with education, employment direction, life skills training and spiritual guidance. If you have a couple of hours a week and would like to help a youth make a better and smoother transition into adult life, please contact Bill Mick-Exec. Director at homesforlife@yahoo.comfor more information.
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Will you help “Pay It Forward” and give a Homeless Youth a helping Hand in 2012?
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CREATIVE ARTS EVANGELISM TRAINING
This training will consist of hands on practical exercises aimed at teaching you how to, not only paint faces and create balloon animals and other items, but also share the gospel at the same time. These skills can be used in a variety of ministry venues and other fun events. Below is a sample list of venues and events at which to use such skills:
Fair Ministry Boys & Girls Clubs
International Festival Church Events/Festivals
Vacation Bible Schools Backyard Bible Clubs
Afterschool Programs Block Parties
Nursing Hms/Retirement Hms Migrant Ministries
Homeless Shelters Age Graded Camps
Sunday School Classes Mission Activity Celebrations
This will be our second annual Creative Arts Evangelism training. More and more people have expressed an interest in learning how to share their faith using these skills. So now is the time to invite your friends and family members interested in learning such skills. Please sign up soon since this training is open to everyone in the Network as well as our friends from Union Baptist Association.
Location: Network Office (Other Location if too many for Network)
Date: March 10, 2012
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
*Registration is Requested by March 2, 2012
Cost: $1.00 per person (This will help defray the cost of supplies)
Let’s get creative and “Pay It Forward” in 2012 right here and beyond.
April
Ethnic America Network Summit
FEEDING & TRANSPORTATION
Needed for the 2012 EAN Summit
People from all over North America are coming here for the Ethnic America Network Summit! It has never been in SC, and has not been in the South since 2006. We are the smallest city to ever host it. All the other cities have been megacities, with major league sports. So we want to be major league with our hospitality! As one of only two local Baptist associations in the membership of Ethnic America Network, we are the host organization for the summit, coordinating the event and directing the planning process. Because of its expected size, it will be at the largest auditorium in our county, Evangel Cathedral. As the host organization, there are two main ways our churches and their members can help with the hospitality. Although many ethnicities and nationalities will attend, the Summit is conducted in English. You do not need to speak a foreign language to help, but these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities have certain prerequisites.
YOU CAN HELP IN THE FOLLOWING TWO WAYS:
1. TRANSPORTATION: We need church buses & vans, and drivers! If you are interested, please reserve the bus or van through your church where you need to be registered as one of their drivers for insurance purposes. Then, contact the Network office at 582-8330 about the days you are available to assist us between April 19-21, 2012.
a. LOCAL SHUTTLES – Our main responsibility, requiring the most vehicles & drivers, is Thursday- Saturday, April 19-21, to shuttle Summit registrants between their hotels & Evangel. The Summit will first fill the 200 rooms at Clarion, a 5-minute drive to Evangel, without getting on the Interstate. Overflow hotels will be 5-10 miles away, mainly near the Interstates. Shuttles will run Thursday afternoon & evening, and morning/afternoon/evening on Friday & Saturday. You may serve the whole time or sign up for the times you are available and willing to serve.
b. AIRPORT SHUTTLES – We need a small number of vehicles and drivers to get people from/to the airports (GSP/CLT/ASH), especially on Thursday, but some on Tues/Wed/Sat/Sun. Let us know when you would be available. We especially need church vehicles not used on Sundays.
2. FEEDING: We need Disaster Relief volunteers to serve four meals; Lunch and Supper on 4/20 and 4/21. Disaster Relief Feeding training is helpful but not required.
a. Please sign up directly at the Network office, go to www.sptbgba@bellsouth.net or call 582-8330.
b. SUPPERS – Full, hot suppers will be served from the Evangel kitchen on Thurs/Fri/Sat.
c. LUNCHES - Cold, sandwich lunches will be served from the Evangel kitchen on Fri/Sat.
d. ETHNIC FOODS-Will be available all five meals from vendors outside for an added charge for those choosing this over the meal plan, We will need to serve most people from the kitchen though to stay on schedule.
The Summit evening sessions are multi-ethnic worship services, free & open to the public; after you finish your supper duty, you may stay for the rest of the service. Serving the meals, you will enjoy meeting people from all over North America, of many ethnicities, and representing many evangelical denominations or ministry/missions organizations. Most will be believers coming to be equipped for ethnic ministries, but the evening sessions may draw unbelievers coming with cultural curiosity. Southern Hospitality will be appreciated by all, but look for some who may need to see the love of Jesus. As for the morning sessions, those are fee-based and by registration only .
Join us as we “Pay It Forward” at the 2012 EAN Summit
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Prayerwalk Your Community
Discover Ethnic America in Spartanburg
God is and has been using prayerwalking all around the world to pave the way spiritually for His glory to be revealed. Life will be changed as Christians begin praying for and sharing their faith with their friends and neighbors in need. Below are some insights on WHY prayerwalking is important and HOW to do it. I hope you will choose to participate in this special movement and allow God to use you to impact lives around you with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
WHY IS PRAYERWALKING SO IMPORTANT?
1. The lost will not and indeed cannot be saved unless someone prays for them. (Lee Thomas)
a. Why? Because Satan has control of them. They are blinded to the gospel. (Acts 26:18)
b. Some people have never been prayed for.
2. Hebrews 7:25 reminds us that Jesus “always lives to intercede for them”
a. If Jesus is always living to intercede for the lost, then we must be faithful to do the same.
b. The power of prayer is seen in the fact that your prayer may keep someone else out of hell.
3. Also, we must pray for others to show our love for them. If we know the destiny of the lost and we aren’t willing to pray for them, then we cannot honestly say “we love them” can we.
a. Jesus commands us to pray for the lost “Present your case,” says the LORD. Set forth your arguments,” Is. 41:21
4. We see things in ways we never saw them before. Our prayers WILL bear fruit if we are faithful to pray.
5. In relation to Ethnic America, all we have to do is look around us and see the multitude of different people. God is bringing the world to our doorstep, especially here in Spartanburg where we now have 82 different languages represented.
SO HOW DO WE PRAYERWALK?
1. We cannot fail if we are faithful to prayerwalk. There is no right or wrong way for the most part, except to neglect doing it. Let me suggest a few helpful ideas to get you started.
2. You can drive, walk, go to a certain location where you can see multiple people or dwellings and pray.
3. It is best to prayerwalk in groups of two or three for maximum effectiveness. Larger groups often exclude some from participating. Walking alone works, but forfeits the insights and observations of a partner.
4. You can take a Bible, Scripture cards, hymnal, journal to document your thoughts and observations. However, you may have to be more discrete in certain areas of the world.
5. Memorize and/or read Scripture as you walk or pause momentarily
6. As you walk be aware of your surroundings, which gives you insights into the needs of your neighbors. (Swing Sets, Toys, Wheelchair Ramps, Ethnic Objects like beads and crystals, statues, etc…)
7. Lay hands on objects as you prayerwalk (Doors, Light Poles, Mailboxes)
8. Prayerwalk your neighborhoods, subdivision, block, zip code etc…
9. Identify ethnic families in your area of focus and begin to get acquainted. Invite them to the EAN Summit on April 19-21 at Evangel Cathedral
10. Call Julie at the Network for a printout of your area to assist you with your prayerwalk-The Network has a program designed to help with identifying some basic info of your area on which you can then build on.
PRAYERWALK YOUR COMMUNITY CONTINUED
Let me leave you with a poem that helps illustrate the need for and results of praying for people far and near on a regular basis.
TRAVELING ON MY KNEES
Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas.
I didn’t go by ship or plane
I traveled on my knees.
I saw so many people there
In bondage to their sin,
And Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.
But I said, “Jesus I can’t go
To lands across the seas.”
He answered quickly, “Yes you can
By traveling on your knees.”
He said, “You pray, I’ll meet the need.
You call and I will hear.
It’s up to you to be concerned
For lost souls far and near.”
And so I did, and knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease,
And with the Savior by my side
I traveled on my knees.
As I prayed on, I saw souls saved
And twisted persons healed.
I saw God’s workers’ strength renewed
While laboring on the field.
I said, Yes, Lord, I’ll take the job.
Your heart I want to please.
I’ll heed Your call and swiftly go
By traveling on my knees.
Let’s “Pay It Forward” in 2012 while Traveling on Our Knees!
May
EVELYN HENDERSON MISSIONS OFFERING
“OUR 2012 GOAL HAS NOT YET BEEN SET”
Each year, new emphases are chosen to help our churches focus on specific ministries to financially support during this month in honor of Ms. Evelyn Henderson’s many years of Christian service. A portion of this offering is also used to continue the Hispanic work among the migrants population.
In 2011, our Evelyn Henderson Missions Offering was designated to assist ten different ministry emphases. This year our focus will be on fewer ministries, which have yet to be determined, along with our goal. A decision will be made soon and publicized in the next issue of our newsletter.
Your Network staff will work diligently to determine which ministries will be highlighted in the 2012 offering. The number of ministries will be determined based on contributions from the previous year and the amount of assistance required to make a Kingdom difference.
*Please help us “Pay It Forward” by giving generously to this offering in 2012
MIGRANT MINISTRY
Every year, migrant workers from around the country make their way to Spartanburg to work the fields and orchards to help feed their families. Despite their willingness to work, many still struggle to provide for the basic necessities needed for their families.
How Can You Help This Ministry? By Assembling and Donating Migrant Kits: Below is a list of needed items:
· 1-Toothbrush 1-Washcloth
· 1-Toothpaste (6 oz) 1-Bath Towel
· 1-Soap (4.5 oz bath size) 1-Comb
· Place all items in a 2 gallon Ziploc bag
*Please deliver bags to Boiling Springs FBC by May 31, 2012, but let the Network know how many you collected and the number of helpers. For information on how to “Pay It Forward” by ministering to migrants, call Ms. Evelyn Henderson at 578-0313.
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Baby Bottle Campaign
In 2011, the Carolina Pregnancy Center served 2261 people, 64 of which were leaning toward abortion or still undecided. Of the 2261 people served, 27 of them made professions of faith as did two family members. Seven others recommitted their lives to the Lord.
The Baby Bottle Boomerang Campaign contributes significantly to the operating budget of CPC. This year, 10.35 percent of monies taken in have come from the BBB campaign. This amount was down from previous years, but still played a major role in funding this ministry. Your church can help support young women and families by giving wise counsel concerning pregnancy, abortion and alternatives when you participate in this fundraiser in 2012. Let’s “Pay It Forward” and help save the life of an unborn child.
How to Participate:
· Consult your pastor and ask for this ministry to be sponsored by your church.
· Give each family in your church a Baby Bottle (supplied by the CPC).
· Each family then fills the Baby Bottle over the course of the month with their loose change.
· Return it to an assigned person in the church.
· Announce in church the percentage of Baby bottles returned and donate proceeds to CPC in honor of Mother’s Day month.
· Celebrate life-giving alternatives with your church family.
While CPC always has a need for financial support to continue providing mothers and their unborn babies with the support needed, another need is greatly required. This need is for VOLUNTEERS like you. Please contact: Alexia Newman @ 582-4673.
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
1. Counseling with mothers who are facing some hard, real-life decisions.
o Additional Training Required: Next training offered in January. Call Soon!
2. Clerical Work & Sorting Donations: Volunteers are always needed to help organize.
3. Donating Needed Items: Diapers, Car Seats and Pack-n-Play play pens are the greatest
needs, but clothing, toys and other baby items are always welcomed.
THANKS FOR CARING ENOUGH TO GIVE!
June
Greater Spartanburg Ministries
GSM is a non-profit organization striving to meet the holistic needs of anyone in need throughout Spartanburg County. They provide emergency assistance to citizens of Spartanburg County who are experiencing times of crisis by feeding the body and the soul, This commitment is seen in their mission emphasis whereby they provide a variety of care ministries and share the Gospel message with each person they serve.
Services and Hours of Operstion:
1. Services: They offer support with food, clothing, furniture, counseling, Prison Chaplaincy to Northside and Livesay Work Release, Restitution services for Juveniles and financial assistance for housing and utilities.
2. Financial Assistance: Offered only on Mon, Tues and Thurs. from 10 am-12 noon
a. Those in dire need may come to request assistance anytime GSM is open.
b. Operation Warmth: From October –March, assistance with heating bills or the purchase of Kerosene is provided to the sick, elderly, poor and families with children as funds are available.
3. Thrift Store Hours: 9-5 M-F and 9-4 on Saturdays.
a. This is where clothing, furniture and household items are sold at a minimal cost to help fund other services and offer good, quality merchandise to the community.
Volunteer Opportunities Year Round: Volunteers are needed daily in several areas:
1. In the Thrift Store: Sorting and Hanging up Clothing and helping work the Counter
2. Packing Food boxes in the Food Pantry, Stocking and Shelving food Items.
3. Volunteers and Groups are especially helpful in Loading, Unloading and Delivering Furniture.
4. Screening Clients in the Office
5. Data Entry Work
6. To Give Donations of all kinds including: clothing, knick-knacks, household items, appliances, and furniture. Call us for pickup. Phone: 864-585-9371 Website: www.greatersm.org
For more information on how you or your group can be a part of GPS and begin volunteering today at Greater Spartanburg Ministries, contact: Kevin Koger at 585-9371 for more details.
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NETWORK CHRISTIAN LITERATURE MINISTRY
“AFRICANS USING HYMNALS TO SING PRAISES”
Adults and children worship using items you donated
Luke 19:10 closed this year due to loss of space, but we are continuing this wonderful ministry as a Network. However, this ministry will continue under the new name of “Network Christian Literature Ministry” (NCLM). We will have to transport all literature to Decatur, AL twice per year, which is the closest shipping location. Therefore, if you can assist at all with an occasional contribution to share in the cost of fuel to transport this material or can transport it, we would greatly appreciate your help.
As before, if your church or Sunday School class is looking for a mission project, NCLM is worthy of consideration. Nowhere else in SC can your used/unused literature be of such an eternal blessing than when it is donated to NCLM to be shipped around the world to third world countries using E.L. Hodges Ministry. About 20% of the world’s population currently reads and writes in English. The photo above shows children hungry to learn about Jesus. By partnering together, we can do so much more than we can do alone to dispel the darkness. So please keep collecting any used/unused materials at the end of each quarter and deliver them to the Network. The main items needed are:
· Good used Bibles, New Testaments and portions.
· Christian books of all kinds, including hymnals, commentaries, concordances, Bible dictionaries, Bible study books
o NOTE: Reference books and books with helps are desperately needed to provide libraries in Bible schools and churches overseas.
· Christian teaching magazines, including Sunday School Quarterlies (regardless of age or date) Vacation Bible School Kits, Monthly Devotionals (ex: Our Daily Bread) Foreign Missions and miscellaneous magazines
· Christian School & Home School curriculum books in all subjects (not public school)
· Miscellaneous Christian teaching materials such as
o Teaching pictures
o Flannel graph resource kits
· Christian sheet music
o Christian Music / Teaching Cassette tapes, VHS videos, CDs and DVDs
· Christian Evangelical Tracts
· Public School textbooks in the following subjects ONLY:
o English Grammar, Spelling Mathematics and Chemistry/Physics
WHAT NOT TO SEND
· Denominational state papers
· Ministry mail-outs, unless the majority of it is Bible teaching material
· Hand crafts
· Secular magazines, books, etc.
· Bibles with missing / torn pages, etc. Bad bindings are OK. We repair them!
· Incomplete Vacation Bible School Kits
· Christian Magazines focused on contemporary American culture and politics
o (ex: Homelife, Parent Life, Mature Living, Christian Single, Living With Teenagers, World, Mission Mosaic ).
Errant / Cult materials: DO NOT SEND
· Book of Mormon and Jehovah's Witness Bibles;
· Unity and Daily Word are published by a cult called Unity School of Christianity;
· World Religion publications;
· Roman Catholic books and magazines;
· Seventh-Day Adventist literature
· Humanist ("post-modern") Christian books / magazines / devotionals
o (ex: Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller).
Public School Textbooks in the following subjects: DO NOT SEND
· All English Literature and Reading
· All Social Studies and History
· All Earth Sciences, Biology and Astronomy
If you will pull these materials for us it will save us a lot of time. In other words, sort it as if you were giving it to a teacher in your church. Bundle each kind with RUBBER BANDS and place in a BOX.
Let “Pay It Forward” in 2012 by making our would-be trash another person’s eternal treasure.
July
NATIONAL SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION-FAST PITCH
We are pleased to announce that the 2012 NSA & Louisville Slugger Eastern Girls Fast Pitch Class A World Series will be held in Spartanburg, South Carolina! There will be divisions of play in the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U & 18U age divisions.
Established in 1982 by Hugh Cantrell in Lexington, Kentucky. The National Softball Association is a full service organization that offers a division of play and a level of competition that YOUTH through ADULT can enjoy. Go to www.playnsa.org for more information on the tournament.
Let’s welcome the more than 300 teams that are anticipated to participate in this tournament. Start making your plans today to attend and serve in this outstanding event! It will take place the week of July 23-29, 2012.
INVITATION: We have been invited to minister at this event by the York Baptist Association and NSA because of the tremendous response from the tournament participants in past years in York County. I will be meeting with representatives from both organizations to discuss the following three areas of possible ministry opportunities:
- Opening Ceremonies: Worship service opportunities are possible.
- This will include a sports related speaker and a high energy band.
- Facility Needed: To conduct this service on Sunday afternoon July 22, 2012.
- Umpire Banquet: Dinner and entertainment will be offered to all the umpires.
- Church Needed: To host the dinner for 90-150 umpires on July 22, 2012 in the evening
- The Network will provide the entertainment.
- Hospitality Tables: If granted permission by the Spartanburg Parks and Recreation Department, we would like to offer several teams to cover certain fields and distribute water to the umpires as needed or requested.
- If you would like to serve on a hospitality team to distribute maps, water or offer sports-related evangelism materials and help participants with directions, please call the Network office and get your name on the list.
I am also putting together a Planning team to help coordinate this event. If you have a passion for sports related evangelism and would like to serve on this team, please call Bro. Paul at 582-8330.
Let’s “Pay It Forward” and create a safe and Godly atmosphere to play ball!
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SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Collection Projects: Will you Gather School Supplies?
Each year we gather school supplies for the children that travel with their parents to all of the fair locations and children in Spartanburg county area. They greatly appreciate the supplies and use them to enhance their education. Supplies will be divided among the Fair children and local ministries.
The supplies needed are:
- Pencils - Pens -Crayons
- Pencil Sharpeners - Notebook Paper - Rulers
- Calculators - Markers - Erasers
- 3 Ring Binders - Folders - Scissors
- Highlighters - Colored pencils - Glue
*Items are due to the Network by July 30, 2012
SC HUNTERS & LANDOWNERS FOR THE HUNGRY
This is a non-profit organization with the objective of coordinating the distribution of venison from the hunters to the hungry. How can you set your sights on helping?
1. Take your legally harvested deer to a participating deer processor.
2. When picking it up, donate a portion of the meat to the program. The processor will save it for pick up.
3. You may also donate the entire deer. Help with the processing fee is greatly appreciated, but not required. Encourage others to do the same.
*For more information, call Harold Campbell at 583-5616 or 585-9218.
“Pay It Forward” as You Hunt and Help Feed the Hungry in 2012.
August
Baptist Collegiate Ministry Pot Luck Connection
In keeping with the spirit of Southern Baptist life, what better phrase than “Pot Luck” to use when referring to all that our Network churches have to bring to the table of ministry. We are asking that each church choose at least one of the following ministry opportunities and “Pay It Forward” in 2012. Students on every campus in Spartanburg benefit from BCM and the partnership they share with local churches. Many of them attend a local church and several go on to enter full-time Christian service. When we impact their lives, they in turn impact their respective campus.
HOW CAN YOU PARTNER WITH BCM TO IMPACT THESE CAMPUSES?
1. Move In Days- Be available to help carry luggage, boxes, etc. for a student making the transition from home to school again or for the first time. This is a great opportunity for you to meet and greet families as well as students and to offer a smile, word of encouragement and a helping hand.
2. Donate Food to BCM Food Pantry: BCM is seeing more students than ever before who are homeless, living in cars, share rooms with other students from night to night, skipping meals, etc… according to Suzanne. Please donate canned goods and non-perishables to help meet this need.
3. Adopt a Student-Would you open up your home to have a student over for a cup of coffee, some conversation, a special meal, a cookout or simply to do a load of laundry. It means so much for them to have caregivers in their college town. If you’re interested, call to be added to the list.
4. Retreat Scholarship: Offer to pay $50 to cover the full cost or $25 to cover half the cost of the state collegiate retreat at Myrtle Beach every February.
5. Provide a Meal for Students- Provide a meal/cookout for commuters and specific student groups during the school year. This is a wonderful tool to bring students together and create opportunities to have intentional conversations. Contact Suzanne at 266-0910 to set a date to bring a meal.
6. Prayer Support: Above all else,
a. Pray for BCM students as they share their faith and be a positive witness around campus,
b. Pray for student’s heart to be softened to hear and respond to the gospel, especially the organized atheist and agnostic groups standing strong against Christ.
c. Pray also for the Christian faculty, staff and administrators to stand strong for Christ.
d. Prayer-walking a campus is a great way to be involved in the work of BCM too.
Reach out in 2012 and “Pay It Forward” and connect with a Student!
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Rice Bowls for World Hunger
Hunger is no respecter of geography or ethnic group. It can be felt in an apartment in Eastern Europe, a cardboard shack in Central America, a tent in the Sahara, or a farmhouse in rural America.
Southern Baptist missionaries and volunteers are offering nourishment for the body and soul. And every Southern Baptist can have a part in those ministries through gifts to the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund.
With giving to the WHF decreasing by nearly a million dollars in the last year, when will you get personal about hunger? If we take God's Word seriously, the malnourished and hungry are our problem. Those who are afflicted were made in the image of God. He cares about them, which means we are to care about their welfare as well. Deut. 15:11 reminds us “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
World Hunger Statistics
· 1.02 billion people in the world do not have enough to eat. (One sixth of humanity is undernourished)
- Hunger and malnutrition are still the number one risks to health worldwide.
- Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes - that's one child every 5 seconds.
- In 2008, nearly 3 million children died before they reached their fifth birthday due to hunger and malnutrition.
- It is estimated that 684,000 child deaths worldwide could be prevented by increasing access to vitamin A and zinc.
Domestic Hunger Statistics
· 49 million Americans struggle with hunger, including 17 million children. That means 1 in 6 people do not get enough food to be healthy. (Feeding America)
- An estimated 35% of poor families in the U.S. are forced to choose between buying food and paying their rent or mortgage.
- Nearly half of all families headed by a single mother are food insecure.
- In our nation's cities, 1 in every 4 people in a soup kitchen line is a child.
- The cost of a meal at a Southern Baptist hunger ministry averages 30 cents per meal. (NAMB Report - PDF, 2010)
World Hunger Fund Giving Statistics
- 100% of all contributions go to feed hungry people. (Personnel are already in place; thus, administrative and promotional costs are borne out of other budgets.)
- In 2010, Southern Baptist hunger ministries fed more than 5 million meals to the hungry in North America. As a result, more than 33,000 professions of faith were reported. (NAMB Report - PDF, 2010)
- Southern Baptists' gifts for world hunger provided for projects in more than 68 countries in 2008.
- FACT: If every Southern Baptist gave just $1.00 per year, we could triple giving to the WHF in 2012.
Will you join us in 2012 and help “Pay It Forward” in the Fight Against Hunger!
September
CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP
The partnership between CEF and local churches began in 2001 when the Spartanburg School Superintendents granted permission to conduct Good News Clubs as an after-school club for elementary-age children. This permission also paved the way for similar partnerships to begin in Cherokee, Union and Laurens Counties as well. Today there are 4000 clubs nationwide, 98 % of which are Southern Baptist.
WHY ARE GOOD NEW CLUBS SO IMPORTANT?
1. 85 % of people accept Christ by the age of 14 year old.
2. 74% of all children in public schools are unchurched.
3. Apart from Churches adopting schools and hosting clubs, many children may never hear much about the gospel and certainly not see it lived out in front of them on a weekly basis.
In 2011, there were 69 local churches that adopted an elementary school in their communities throughout four counties. About 800 volunteers share the word of God with over 3800 children weekly, which led to 777 salvations. While this is great news, there are many other children still waiting to have a church adopt their school. Seven other schools still need churches to adopt them. Below is a list of theses seven schools. Please pray about whether God would have your church adopt one on your own or partner with another church and share the responsibilities.
· O.P. Earle Elementary (District One)
· Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary (District Two)
· Boiling Springs Intermediate (District Two)
· Cannons Elementary (District Three)
· Woodland Heights Elementary (District Six)
· Lone Oak Elementary (District Six)
· B.D. Lee Elementary (Cherokee County District)
Because of the good word of mouth testimonies between school personnel, administrators in these schools are asking why they don’t have a GNC. The only reason Mrs. Pat can give is “we are waiting for churches.” Remember, these GNC’s are not just programs. They are children waiting for someone to share the Word of God with them.
If your church is interested in partnering with one of these schools or even pairing up with another church and sponsoring it jointly, please call Mrs. Pat Hellings at 864-574-0236 or go to www.cef-spartanburg.org for more information. All the training you need is offered FREE OF CHARGE! Sign up now.
Good News Club Training Workshops are offered in January each year.
· January 5, 2012: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Sptbg=7-8:30 pm
· January 6, 2012: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Sptbg=10-11:30 am
· January 9, 2012: Grassy Pond Baptist Church, Gaffney=7-8:30 pm
Will your Church Accept the Call to “Pay It Forward” and Adopt a School in Need of a Club?
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SACKS OF SNACKS
While Child Evangelism Fellowship’s primary focus is meeting the spiritual needs of children, they have recently added a new arm of ministry called Sacks of Snacks. This arm of ministry was added based on the physical needs of children that were identified by teachers and volunteers working with them. It is hard to believe that we have children who are going hungry right here in Spartanburg County, but we do. Many of them receive little, if any, food once they leave school for the weekend.
WILL YOU HELP MEET THE NEED!
We need individuals to donate items for our sacks of snacks. These items should be easy for a child to open and require no cooking. Some suggestions include:
· Snack Pack Jello Cups
· Snack Pack Pudding Cups
· Snack pack Fruit Cups
· Snack Pack Applesauce Cups
· Individual Packs of Fruit Snacks Individual Packages of Peanut Butter Crackers
· Individual Packages of Cheese and Crackers
· Individual Size Boxes of Cereal
All items can be brought by the Network office or delivered to: CEF at 1849 E. Blackstock Road, Roebuck, SC 29376. Thank you!
WHO CAN HELP?: Businesses, Churches and Individuals are encouraged to help!
Thanks for helping “Pay It Forward” by Feeding the Least of These!
October
2012 FAIR MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
The Piedmont Interstate Fair is rapidly approaching, which means plenty of opportunities to minister to the 225 fair workers and staff who help make this a special event, as well as the countless number of fairgoers. The Reithoffer Shows will roll into Spartanburg on Sunday Oct. 7, 2012 and be here until the following Sunday Oct. 14, 2012. Once again, the fair workers are looking forward to returning to Spartanburg because of the warm, loving and generous treatment received from us.
· ATTENTION: Due to the success with collecting items over the past two years, we plan to use this same method again with your help. I will be contacting each church by July 9, 2012 to allow plenty of time for collecting items. As always, monetary donations are welcome. If your church has never helped, but would like to do so, please call Bro. Paul at 582-8330
Fair Ministry Opportunities
1. Our 2012 Goal: 225 Buckets of Love filled with the items listed at the bottom of the page.
i. The theme for 2012 will be announced later
ii. I hope your church will join us in “Paying It Forward” at the Fair this year.
b. Ministries Provided at the Fair and Ways You Can Help?
i. Collecting Buckets and/or donations assigned to your church, which are due into the Network office by September 17, 2012 by 4:00 pm. *This allows us time to order the remaining items that we run short on.
ii. Pack buckets at the Network.
iii. Cookout for Carnival workers and Fair Staff.
iv. Donate and/or distribute Home-baked Goodies to workers.
v. Volunteering in the Creative Arts and Literature Booths the week of the Fair
vi. Prayer-walk the Fairgrounds at a specific time, usually prior to daily opening.
vii. Hairstylist to cut hair on Wednesday from 11:00-2:00 pm.
viii. Provide Breakfast & Worship for all Fair affiliates on Sunday morning.
ix. Provide Sack Supper Sunday evening for workers as they tear down Fair rides.
x. (*Call Bro. Paul 582-8330 if interested in helping with the buckets or booths!)
Bucket of Love Items: (*I will be calling to request your help collecting specific items)
Bath Towels, Wash Clothes, Shampoo, Soap, Deodorant, Razors, Shaving Cream, Pens, Crackers, Water, Notepads, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Combs, Brushes, Bibles, Individually Wrapped Candy, Blankets (Wal-Mart-$5 each) Hot Chocolate & cups and Home-Baked Goodies.
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STAND FOR JESUS
October 15, 2011 was the first annual “Stand For Jesus” rally held in the upstate and took place right here in Spartanburg County. Hundreds of Christians from multiple denominational and ethnic backgrounds came together to take a stand for Jesus. The first “Stand for Jesus” rally was just a taste of what heaven will be like when we all gather around the Lord in praise and worship. Seeing hundreds of people, young and old, some pushing babies and some walking with canes, marching to Barnet Park and singing “What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus” was such a blessing.
With cars stopped to let the marchers pass down Church Street and on to Barnet Park, we were giving a testimony through song to the saving blood of Jesus! Nothing can describe the excitement of hundreds marching down the hill to the outdoor theatre at Barnet Park to the sound of a choir singing and a sea of red t-shirts declaring our “Stand for Jesus.” With speakers proclaiming the importance of families, our children, our young people, and our senior adults, the citizens of Spartanburg could have no doubt where Christians stand!
Don’t miss the opportunity to join together in the second annual “Stand for Jesus” rally on October 20, 2012! You will be blessed and will be a blessing to others in our community! Mark your calendars now and begin making plans to promote it among your church. We hope to have thousands of Christians walking the streets of Spartanburg and singing praises to the Lord as they take a “Stand for Jesus” Let’s show Spartanburg what it means to “Stand for Jesus,” not just once a year, but every day, by caring for one another, forgiving one another and loving one another. Call us at the Network and share your experiences throughout the year of how God is blessing your obedience to “Stand for Jesus.”
Join us as we “Pay It Forward” and take a Stand for Jesus!
November
FEED THE COMMUNITY
Every year for the last 24 years churches, community organizations and individuals have joined together to ensure that the needy and hungry in Spartanburg County enjoy a hearty, home-cooked Thanksgiving Day meal. 2012 will be our 25th year of service. We Need You!
In 2011, we served approximately 10,000 meals. In 2012, we expect to serve about the same number of meals or more using multiple churches, businesses, the Soup Kitchen and help from all of our corporate sponsors and individual donors. As you can see the need continues to rise for various reasons as does the need for more volunteers, donations and prayers.
While so many of us will sit down with family and friends and enjoy a nice, hot meal on Thanksgiving Day, many others will go hungry this year without your help.
So How Can You Help in 2012?
· We need your monetary donations: The cost is expected to be $25, 000+ in 2012.
· Churches, SS Classes & other groups can purchase/donate meals for $3.00 each.
· We need churches to donate 1500 home-made/store bought pies. No Frozen Pies.
· We need you to call & volunteer for specific times throughout Thanksgiving week.
· We need your help getting the word out to those in need who may still not know.
· We need your prayers that God will be glorified in all we do to help others.
For more details on how you can start planning now to “Pay It Forward” on Thanksgiving Day, call Bro. Paul at the Network at 582-8330!
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PRISON PACKETS
It’s time to collect Prison Packets again, which go to bless the prisoners in our South Carolina Prisons. In 2011, SCBN collected 1200 packets, which added to the statewide total of 25,475. Let’s work to exceed that number in 2012 and push for 1300. In 2006 and 2007, SCBN collected the most in the state, between 1500-1600 each year. So I know we can do it. I believe God will use each of these packets to touch the lives of men and women in prison who need a special touch. Thanks to all our churches who worked to make this possible in the past! I am confident, however, we can work to get the word out this year and do even better in 2012. Let’s all work together to do our part to assist the South Carolina Baptist Convention in gathering the 26,000 plus packets needed to make sure each prisoner is touched by the love of Christ this Christmas season all across the state of South Carolina.
Many of the inmates have no family or friends that show any interest in them at all. Whatever the reason(s) they find themselves incarcerated at this time in their lives, they have many needs waiting to be met. We however, have a mandate to “Pay It Forward” and ensure that every person hears the gospel of Jesus Christ, regardless of the circumstances. We, as Christians, have the answer to their greatest need, Jesus and His forgiveness. For there go you or I bwithout the Grace of God. Thanks to all the folks who volunteered to help check, bag and load the bags in 2011 as well. May God Bless You!
Below is the list of needed items. All packets are due at the Network by Nov. 28, 2012. *Note: This date has been moved up to give us time to review every packet to ensure correct items are included in each bag and to purchase the extra items needed. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions (582-8330). Last year’s packets were much more correct than previous years. Thanks for your continued attention to details! Workday for Prison Packets is Dec. 6, 2012
2012 Packing List
South Carolina Department of Corrections Approved Items
· One Black non-retractable pen (no wire clip) *As of July 2010, only black pens are acceptable!
· One 6.0 oz or larger toothpaste
· One adult toothbrush (factory sealed)
· One 4-6 oz bar of soap
· One junior legal or no larger than 5” ½ x 8” Writing Tablet (no wire bound and no 9”x12” Tablets)
· Five first class stamp-embossed #10 envelopes (Purchased at U.S. Post Office)
· Two rolls of candy (Lifesaver, Mentos, etc… in rolls only) *No Plastic Containers
· *Please DO NOT substitute sizes, amounts and especially not regular stamps for the embossed
*Put all items into a 1 Gallon Ziploc Bag
December
Sonshine Club
SonShine Club Inc. is a nonprofit 501c-3 ministry. Their sole purpose in this ministry is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and to share the love of Jesus Christ with special needs adults and their caregivers. The love of Christ is shared with every individual that comes to SonShine Club.
Their secondary goal is to help their special needs “friends” with life and social skills. They also work to give them the opportunity to give back to their community through service projects. It is their desire to equip their caregivers with the best available resources and information needed to offer the best care possible. They accomplish these goals through a weekly Saturday faith-based “day-camp” program where special needs adults can come and socialize with their peer group. These weekly events called Super Saturdays, consist of bible study, singing, lunch, arts & crafts, games, community service projects and lots of FUN. Residential homes as well as adults who live with their families are all welcome to participate.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
Two of the greatest needs the Sonshine Club has are for people to volunteer and help transport participants from their homes to the Sonshine Club on Super Saturdays. Many of their participants live with their aged parents and are home bound. “We have had several friends ask if we provide transportation, and unfortunately we answer, ‘not at this time.’ This is very heartbreaking.”
Be a Sponsor Host a Fundraiser Volunteer your time
Will you prayerfully consider “Paying It Forward” and donating one Saturday a month to make some new friends. Also, maybe your church would consider using their van and a driver to assist these folks in getting out of their homes occasionally. You can also become a sponsor or hold a fundraiser to help raise funds to help with ongoing costs of providing these regular services.
Contact: Larry McCullough-Executive Director at 864-804-3106 or www.SonShineClub.org
KINGDOM CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES
1. Souper Bowl of Caring: This is an organization started by youth to help alleviate hunger across America. Over 35.5 million Americans (12.6 million children and 22.9 million adults- mostly seniors) suffer from the devastating effects of hunger. Please consider helping!
a. To learn more about how you can help, please call 1-800-358-SOUP (7687) or visit www.souperbowl.org to receive your Souper Bowl of Caring folder to begin promoting this ministry in your church. You may also call Bro. Paul at the Network office at 582-8330 for assistance as needed.
2. The Haven: A Homeless Shelter for Women, Children and Families: Each year, The Haven serves approximately 300 individuals/families 24/7, 365 days a year on a shoestring budget at no charge to those receiving services. Pray for increased financial support!
a. Specific Needs You Can Help With: Food, clothing, silverware, diapers, bras, undergarments, household cleaning products, paper goods, office supplies, etc…
b. Volunteer Opportunities: Tutoring Children, Children’s Activities, Childcare Assistance for a couple of hours at a time and many other opportunities.
c. Contact Person: Cindi Goodin @ 582-6737 for more information
3. Security Blanket Project: An organization that provides support, encouragement and financial assistance to families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.
a. Service Area: Any resident living in Spartanburg County.
b. Services: Transportation, lodging, meals & other expenses not covered by insurance.
c. Volunteer Opportunities: Sponsor a child for Summer Camp, donate food for families, host a party for families and children or make a financial donation.
4. Children’s Shelter of the Upstate: They serve hundreds of children every year with housing, meals and loving support and guidance. They have capacity for 40 residents, 16 long term female beds and another 24 slots used for emergency care.
a. The “Welcome Box” ministry: This continues to be a blessing for the children.
b. Items for Children and Teen Boxes Include:
i. $1.00 in quarters (Used for age appropriate items)
ii. $5.00 Wal-Mart gift card for misc. items they may need
iii. Toothbrush and Toothpaste (Small Sizes)
iv. Small bag of candy (children), popcorn (teens)-*No gum
v. Chapstick (flavored for children, regular for teens)
vi. Hair ties (children), Hair Scrunches (teens)
vii. Small Stuffed animals; bubbles, sm. Activity item or stickers (Ch)
viii. Travel size shampoo/conditioner, deodorant and lifesavers for teens
c. Contact: Call Celeste Lowe at 583-7688 or Bro. Paul at the Network office at 582-8330 for more information on the many other ways you can serve here.
KINGDOM CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES
5. Harvest Family Ministries: It is a non-profit ministry serving individuals and families in School District 2. HFM relies heavily on your help in providing resources like volunteers, food, job assistance, monetary donations and most importantly –your prayers. HFM on average, serves 10 families per week with food and financial assistance. This year, they have served 35 families, touching approximately 100 family members/individuals.
a. Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9-12 and 1-4
b. Volunteers Are Needed: To sort and pack food items in pantry, assist with clerical needs and other miscellaneous tasks within the ministry.
c. Contact: Call Executive Director-Kelley Ezell at 864-578-1379
6. Pure Water Pure Love: Helping provide clean water for our missionaries and others
a. Contact Info: Call WMU at 1-800-723-7242 or go to www.scwmu.org for more details
7. Miracle Hill Ministries, Inc: It is the largest homeless shelter in Spartanburg and provides food, shelter, counseling, discipleship, GED classes, assistance in finding work and housing and free medical, dental and vision care. *Small Group Leaders are needed on Tuesdays.
a. Discover how you can become a part of this ministry by serving others right here in your Jerusalem.
b. Contact Calvin Vinson @ 864-583-1628.
8. Total Ministries: This ministry assists people emerging from hurting, emergency situations by providing for basic needs and by creating environments which allow people to make positive life changes.
a. Contact: Karen Bradley @ 585-9167 for assistance, hours of operation and/or volunteer opportunities and learn how you can be a vital part of this ministry.
9. Mobile Meals: This is a ministry that serves the homebound and those unable to prepare meals for themselves. There is no age or income restriction. They rely heavily on volunteers for most every aspect of ministry.
a. Volunteer Needs: To help prepare, package or deliver food, organize food pantry, volunteer drivers, assist with fundraisers and assist with clerical and phone calls, etc…
b. Hours of Operation: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday
c. Contact: Call Vivian Tanner at 573-7684 for more information.
This is a small portion of the various kinds of ministries the Network continues to partner with each year. They are all ongoing ministries that would welcome your support. As you seek to “Pay It Forward” in 2012, ask God how he would have you serve in these and the other ministries listed in this Mission Booklet so everyone can discover God’s love for them through our words & actions.
SERVANT EVANGELISM OPPORTUNITIES
The Following are Merely Some Ideas You Can Use to “Pay It Forward” in 2012:
· Become a Reading Buddy or a tutor for a child who needs help.
· Prepare a meal for the participants of a local ministry or homebound person.
· Conduct a weekly, monthly or quarterly worship service and/or crafts activity at a Nursing Home, Retirement Center and/or Assisted Living facility.
· Homeless Goodie Bags (Pop Top cans & such): Make some up, keep them in your car and “Share them” as you see people on the streets or with signs saying “Will Work for Food.”
· Offer to clean someone’s house or yard that’s elderly or unable to do it independently.
· Ask your waiter/waitress if you can pray for him/her about some specific need in their life. *Remember to tip well also so you won’t damage your witness.
· Do something special for a SS teacher, school teacher or principal, whether you have children or not.
· Be a Secret Pal to your Pastor and Staff throughout the year with small gifts or service.
· Bake some cookies or a meal and treat your local fire Dept. or Police precinct in honor of their service.
· On a rainy day, take an umbrella and go to your local grocery store and help people get their groceries to their cars or collect and return carts on any day for grocery stores.
· Serve a meal or in some other way at a Soup Kitchen/Homeless Shelter.
· Have your children or youth clip coupons for single parents in your church/community.
· Share your garden proceeds with the needy in your church/community.
· Offer Free Gift Wrapping at a Mall or Department Store and share Jesus while they wait.
· Set up a Hot Chocolate/Coffee Booth at a Bus Station, store, etc. & Share about Jesus.
· Help a College Student move into his/her dorm/apartment.
· Read the Bible, Newspaper or letters for someone in the Nursing Home/Hospice House.
· Volunteer to deliver books from the Library to a homebound person requesting them.
· Collect Gloves and Socks for the Homeless or a ministry to the needy during the year.
· Have your Acteens go to the Nursing Home and paint nails and brush hair for residents.
· Get trained in Disaster Relief and help someone in a time of crisis and need.
· Go grocery shopping for someone who cannot shop for themselves.
· Volunteer to help deliver meals or cook for Feed The Community event at Thanksgiving.
*As you serve others this year, encourage them to “Pay It Forward” to at least one other person also.
*Start with one Random Act of Kindness and watch God work!
EXPERIENCE THE MARITIMES
OF EASTERN CANADA
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If you are looking to “Pay It Forward” by sharing your faith and assisting with a local church plant experience this year, then come and Experience the Maritimes with us in 2012. South Carolina Baptist are teaming up with the Canadian National Baptist Convention to reach the Maritimes of Eastern Canada with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The goal is to plant 54 churches by the year 2020. There is much work to be done and we need your help.
WHY PLANT SO MANY CHURCHES IN ONE AREA?
The Maritimes area consists of approximately 2.7 million people. While there are several churches all across the Maritimes, most either have no evangelical outreach strategy or minimal to say the least and only about 20 are Southern Baptist Churches. Among Canada’s 35 million people, only 7% are thought to be evangelical Christians saved by grace through Christ Jesus and only 3-4% in the Maritimes. Thirteen of the twenty-five major cities in Canada have no evangelical church presence at all. The Southern Baptist churches in the Maritimes are small in number and resources. They are striving to reach the people there with the gospel, but need our help.
HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART IN THE MARITIMES EXPERIENCE?
1. Commit to praying for Canada and the South Carolina teams that will join them in their quest to plant 54 churches by the year 2020.
2. Commit to praying about becoming a Team Leader and leading a team to experience the Maritimes.
3. Commit to being a Team Member and experience the Maritimes personally.
4. Commit to return and share with others your experience and the needs/work that still exists.
5. Commit to making a financial contribution so someone else can go and serve if you are unable to go. God has miraculously used many people to help others go, so don’t allow a lack of finances to hinder you.
- WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MISSION REQUESTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS? (*See p. 4 for Information on Upcoming Meeting)
- Sydney Mines (Cape Briton): Working on Cape Breton Christian School in 2011/2012 and possibly some other ministry opportunities in 2012.
- Baddeck Baptist Church (Cape Breton): Pacolet FBC team will be returning again to help them with VBS and community outreach as well as worship services at their church in the summer. If you or someone you know is interested in joining this team or leading a team to another location, please call me at 641-5140 ASAP.
4. Goose Cove (Cape Briton) Backyard Bible Teams: There are two dates: July 19-29, 2012 is the first preference and July 26-Aug 5, 2012 is the second choice. Optimal team size is 6-8. Teams will conduct BYBC Monday-Friday from 9:30-12:30 in the Goose Cove community. This team will also do some community outreach and evangelism, minister to the Bible Study group of 15-20 through preaching, testimonies and songs. There is no other evangelical presence in this area.
- Halifax Nova Scotia: Partnerships with Journey Community Church and River Community Church will continue as well as two new possible church plants.
- Miramichi, New Brunswick: This is a new church plant. We have a team leader, but need team members.
*Pray about “Paying It Forward” and encounter the MARITIMES EXPERIENCE IN 2012.
Gather up all the pencils, crayons, scissors, and other school supplies you can find!
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