Mission projects often require volunteers to do all kinds of activities. During Stella Perrin’s recent trip to serve Ukrainian war refugees in Moldova, she did what she does best. She listened. Perrin participated in typical mission-trip projects—caring for children, cleaning up after meals, attending worship and even landscaping. But she also ministered to the refugees…
By Jeff Mathis Pastor, First Baptist-Sylva Here is a true statement: Some of us will be displeased with the results of the election. What’s less certain, First Baptist Church, is whether we’ll be displeased with one another. I know. I’m understating it. The word ‘displeased’ doesn’t begin to capture the range of emotions people feel…
By Amanda Atkin, associate minister of Faith Formation Greystone Baptist Church I was sitting in the sanctuary alone one Sunday afternoon, surrounded by the remnants of the Children’s Musical. It was wonderful; I was so proud of the kids. But as I reflected on the experience, I must confess I was touched by something a…
By Amy Shortt Minister of Music, Lakeside Baptist-Rocky Mount Started in 2013, NOTEBUSTERS, an annual community children’s music camp hosted by Lakeside Baptist in Rocky Mount, NC, meets the first week in August and is open to all children entering grades 2-7 who love to sing. Each year, music and activities are centered around a…
By Ed Beddingfield Pastor at Memorial Baptist Church, Buies Creek, NC One problem with slogans is that they rarely tell the whole story. Consider the title Pilate attached to the cross when Jesus was crucified: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” It was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, so that all who…
By Kim Wyatt CBF Field Personnel and Co-Founder of Welcome House Community Network Of all the things I thought I might do, teaching English to students using an online platform was not one of them. I never imagined teachers and students gathered daily for an hour or so staring into a phone. My world and…
By Rev. Amy Starr Russell Associate Minister-First Baptist Church, Henderson The “Protective Gown Project” of First Baptist Church in Henderson began as a voicemail with a simple request for 5 tables and the use of the fellowship hall in early April 2020. FBC members Nancy Noel and her son Dr. Robert Noel had an idea…
By J. Scott Hudgins CBFNC Director of Helping Pastor’s Thrive In late March my congregation, like many others, established a special task force on the COVID-19 pandemic to help our staff and church navigate through this remarkable season of our church’s life. Often at the beginning of each meeting (by Zoom, of course), my pastor…
Opinion by Alan Sherouse from The Christian Century Senior Pastor, First Baptist-Greensboro The weeks since the killing of George Floyd have seen some of the most sustained protests in US history, with swelling outrage at racial injustice and a growing acknowledgment of the reality of systemic racism in policing and throughout society. We in the church…
By Mark Mofield Senior Pastor, Temple Baptist-Durham My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; And by night, but find no rest. Psalm 22:1-2 Until a few weeks ago, I had…