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Published by adamtwo, 2018-05-31 17:30:59

2018 - May - Jun Issue The Messenger

The WV Messenger is published triennially by the West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptist.

Keywords: West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptist,Conference,Association,FWB,Messenger,WV

The West Virginia

Summer 2018 | Volume 18 Number 2| West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptists

Fill YOUR Spot!

PERSPECTIVE

Greeting from your State Promotional attended the State Promotional Director’s meeting
Director in Tampa Florida, attended an Executive Committee
Meeting (Charleston), visited Rev. Lewis Hall in the
Ps 117 “O praise the Lord, all ye hospital (Williamson), attended the wake for Rev.
nations: praise him, all ye people. For Lewis Hall (Delbarton), attended the funeral of Rev.
his merciful kindness is great toward us: Lewis Hall (Delbarton), attended Christian Education
and the truth of the Lord endureth for Board Meeting (Logan), attended Executive Board
ever. Praise ye the Lord.” Ps 150:6 “Let every thing Meeting (Harmony FWB), preached at Freedom
that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” F.W.B. Church, March For Missions Revival, spoke
on Missions at McCorkle F.W.B. Church, preached
ISN’T GOD GOOD? God has been so good at Slaughters Creek F.W.B. (Conference), attended
to me. He has blessed me through and by His son, the Bible, Music, and Arts Festival (Victory
Jesus, by saving my soul and making me an heir to His F.W.B.), attended an Executive Committee Meeting
holy kingdom. He has blessed me with the presents (Charleston), preached at Nolan F.W.B. Church
of the sweet Holy Spirit, that lives and dwells within (Nolan), and attended Mission Board Meeting (Salt
me, that leads, guides, and directs me. He has blessed Rock).
me with good health, that I might serve Him, and He
has blessed me with a good family. He has blessed me Things are looking good across our state.
with my extended Church Family. He has blessed me Fellowship is good. Folks seem to be encouraged by
with the opportunity to serve Him in many different the news of what is happing in the State Association,
capacities. He has blessed me with safe travel as I and the National Association. They seem generally
travel across our state. He has blessed me with the joy concerned about our Missionaries; about the different
of making new friends in areas of our state, that I had seminars that have been offered, and are being offered;
not been to before. He has blessed me with another about the Children’s Homes, the WAC, Master Men,
day of life . . . I could go on and on - but I could never Bible College, etc. The problem is, I do not have enough
thank and praise God enough for what He has done for time to talk about all of them as I visit Conferences.
me. I just want to say THANKS, to my LORD. I would love to come to your church and be able to
share with your congregation what is going on. If you
I continue to enjoy visiting with our Conferences would like for me to come, call me at 304-595-4246 or
and Churches. It is truly a joy to get together with God’s 304-595-2555
people! Since the last issue of the Messenger: I have
visited the Huff Creek, Kanawha, Calvary, Greenbrier Rev. Rickie Holstein
Nicholas, and Christian Fellowship Conferences. I State Promotional Director

UPCOMING EVENTS:

>>WAC State Convention May 19th, 2018 Fairdale FWB
>>West Virginia State Association June 8-9, 2018 Harmony FWB Church
>>National Association July 22-25, 2018 Little Rock, Arkansas
>>WAC Annual Retreat September 7th & 8th, 2018 Chesapeake FWB
>>Christian Education Board - Retreat Aug. 11, 2018 McCorkle FWB
>>Bible - Music - and Art Festival March 30th, 2019 Central F.W.B.

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend our annual WV State Association. We will meet this year at

the Harmony FWB Church on June 8, 9, 2018. The church is located at Wayne, WV. The Pastor of the church,
Rev. Mike Dillon welcomes everyone to attend. They have a beautiful facility and the congregation is looking
forward to hosting the Association.

Our theme for this year is, “The Church Shall Prevail” Mat. 16:18. I praise the Lord when I think about
what security and victory we have in the church. I love the theme.

-The church shall prevail because of it’s Foundation – Jesus said, “…..upon this Rock, I will build My
church.” Not on Peter, but the profession that Peter made (Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God).
1Co 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,” which is Jesus Christ.
-The church shall prevail because of it’s Builder – Jesus said “I” will build My church. He and He alone
built the church and He alone adds to the church. Act 2:47, “….And the Lord added to the church daily such
as should be saved.”
-The church shall prevail because of it’s Owner – Jesus said , I will build “MY” church. Let us never forget
that the church belongs to HIM.
-The church shall prevail because of it’s Security and complete Victory – The gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. 1Co 15:57, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Let us march on dear Brothers and Sisters. Let us fight the good fight of faith. Let us lay hold on eternal life.
Let us hold our banner high as we work and wait on the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. …..I look
forward to seeing you at the WV State Association.

Rev Earl White

Make Your Plans Now To Join Us! WV State Moderator

Messenger

Devotional “Bless the Lord”

When you begin the 103rd Psalm, David begins by for in the wrong places. They are all in Christ. In verse
saying “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within eight we are told that he is merciful, gracious, slow to
me, bless his holy name.” What is said in the next verses anger, and plenteous in mercy. It may seem strange for
will help us understand why the Lord is worthy of our that verse to start with merciful and end with mercy,
praise. David begins talking about the many benefits but remember how the sinner prayed, saying, “Lord be
that we enjoy by knowing the Lord. The first and merciful to me a sinner” and from that time forward,
most important is, He forgives us all our iniquities and we will need for the Lord to continue to show us mercy.
healeth all our diseases. When we think of someone David mentioned two points that never meet: the east
who is willing to forgive every sin and trespass that and the west. To think that God has separated our sins
we have ever committed, who is able and willing to from us so that they will never be recalled again. It’s
redeem our life from destruction and not only show us hard to imagine that the Creator of all things who made
kindness, but lovingkindness and tender mercies. Our us from just dust, cares so much about us that he would
minds can hardly grasp what has already been said, and take our place in death to redeem us. He has allowed us
the chapter has just started. When we think about the a relationship with him, given us his Holy Spirit, and
word lovingkindness: Love that is shown by kindness, given us the promise of eternal life.
and kindness expressed by his love towards us. Then
David tells that he has tender mercies toward us. There As the chapter comes to a close, there is a call to bless
has been enough said for us to see that we must surely the Lord. David calls upon the angels as well as his
praise him with all that is within us. host, his ministers and his works in all places of his
dominion. When I think about the Lord and all that he
I believe we would all have to say that during the has done, where he has brought us from, how he loves
time we spent in sin, there was something we each us in spite of our failures, I am overwhelmed by his
one searched desperately for and that was to find lovingkindness. We would just have to say, “Bless the
satisfaction in life. David said that the Lord satisfieth Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his
our mouth with good things and renews us. Everything holy name.”
that we were looking for and needed, we were looking

Downtown Little Rock skyline with the Arkansas River in the foreground.
The 2018 National Convention will be held July 22-25, 2018, in Little Rock, Arkansas. The
Statehouse Convention Center and Little Rock Marriott Hotel will serve as the locations
for registration, business sessions, exhibits, and adult, preschool, children’s, and 456
worship services. The DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock and Robinson Center will be the

sites of the CTS Ministry Expo and V3 teen worship services.

For more informaton go to www.nafwb.org

Randall House Classic
Curriculum is a
KJV-based,

lecture-style, in-depth
study of Scripture that
follows an eight-year
scope and sequence.

MISSION BOARD of the

West Virginia State Association of Free WillBaptist

Greetings from the W.V. State Mission Board,

It is an exciting time - - Things are happening - - God is blessing.

Bulgaria:
The work in Bulgaria continues to go forward. Tim Awtrey writes in his Annual Report of the work there .

. .”We praise God for what He has done in 2017.” The IM work in Bulgaria does not consist of fancy buildings or
mega-churches. Our forward progress is often measured in baby steps, but the gospel is going forward... our joy is
not found in the outward trappings of success, but in the hearts and souls of those coming to know Jesus Christ.”

Tim also wrote in the Report . . . “in 2017, we have seen more and more people attending a monthly gath-
ering that the Postlewaites host in their apartment... that they... need to find a new place to meet to accommodate
everyone. This is the starting point for a new church plant in Pleven...” “The church in Svishtov (where Tim is) is
continuing to mature as more and more Bulgarians step up into leadership positions. Transforming from a church
plant into a fully self-supporting church...” Continue to pray for the works in Bulgaria.

Eastern Panhandle:
Brother Josue Rivera continues to labor in the Eastern Panhandle of W.V., working with the Roca Church,

and trying to establish the 2nd Hispanic church there. He is currently having Bible Studiers in the home of several
Hispanics, in hopes of beginning regular services in the near future. Pray for their success.

Morgantown:
Brother Maitland Bailey and his family have been busy traveling across the state, visiting Churches and

Conferences, in an effort to raise awareness and financial support for the Morgantown work. In his last News
Letter, he writes . . . “We continue to praise the Lord for the faithful saints that have made one time offerings and
monthly commitments to help support the missions work in Morgantown.” “I must confess, going into this mis-
sion work was a big step of faith... At first, I felt all alone, as our family was preparing for the Lord’s work. Now
my feeling has changed. God has brought so many people and encouragement into our lives and we can see that
we are not alone.” Pray for them, that they can raise the support they need to go to Morgantown.

March For Mission:
Funds are coming in slowly for this year’s March For Missions Fund Raiser. I recently sent out a 2nd letter,

reminding churches to give. At this point, we are behind last year in monies raised. If you, or your church has not
given to this year’s March For Missions - I would ask that you pray and ask God what you can do. If He says do
nothing, then do nothing - But, if He says give, please give.

Great Commission News

Greetings to One and All, Lord and appreciate your freedom to hear the Gospel,
surely you will want to be a partner in God’s mission
Oh how I long for the return of the Lord Jesus! How to save the world. The late Mother Teresa, missionary
I long for loved ones, friends, neighbors, and those to India, said this “We can’t all do great things, but we
still unreached to be saved before it is eternally too can all do small things with great love.” Small gifts,
late! So, we pray, wait, and trust the Lord to help us given on a regular basis, kept me on the mission field
to be faithful witnesses, always seeking to share the for 36 years. Please prayerfully consider monthly
Gospel with others. support so that our missionaries can proclaim the
Word of God to the world (including the mountains,
I have recently heard two ministers say “God’s hills and hollows of West Virginia).
mission is to save the world; God’s method is to
proclaim the Word of God.” I don’t know the source In closing, let me encourage you through this verse,
of this quote. I agree . . . His mission and His method “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time
will always be the same. However, as I read news to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer
from our missionaries all over the world, I marvel at than when we believed..” Romans 13:11 KJV. He
the different ways and settings that are being used to is coming! May He find us faithfully obeying His
proclaim the Word of God. I am so excited that God command to GO and PREACH!
is, indeed, getting His Word to those who have little
to no access to the Gospel.

My friends, are you doing your part? Are you praying Love and prayers,
for our missionaries at home and abroad? Are you Alice F. Smith
supporting them financially? If you truly love the 304-949-2713

Churches Praying Ministers Desiring
for a Pastor to Pastor

War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church Your Info
Belongs Here
Wayside, WV
Contact: Bonnie Galford at (304) 466-4283

Johnny “JW” Watts Johnny Watts of Lenore West Virginia went home to

December 27, 1957 - April 16, 2018 be with the Lord on April 16, 2018. Johnny was saved

Parsley Bottom Free Will Baptist Church on Mother’s Day 1976, Johnny took membership with

the Parsley Bottom Church and started driving the Sun-

day School Bus under the watchful eye of Bro. Fred

Dempsey. Later in the fall of that year he married Karen

Hall. Johnny served as a Deacon of the Church for the

past 30 years. He was always involved with the youth

of the Church and was Sunday School Superenten-

dent over the past several years. He loved attending his

Church, fishing and watching his granddaughter, Kinna

Justice play ball. Johnny will be dearly missed by his

family, Church and community. Johnny always ended

his prayers by saying “I’m glad Jesus is My Friend”

Don’t wait until the next messenger comes our! Send
your articles in all year long to be placed on our

Facebook page! Stay up to date! Like, Share, Follow!

LIVING IN VICTORY
ON THE ROCK

WAC News

Do you ever feel like the harder you work, the them came and told us about their struggles in the
“behinder” you get? Seems like there are more same areas but they said now they had hope instead
things to do than time to get them done? It’s always of defeat. Pray for believers around the world even
that way in my life and I hear it all the time from the though you don’t know them. They need support
ladies at my church. Of course, age keeps creeping and help. Also pray for your missionaries who
up on us and we don’t move as fast as we once did are leading these folks. Missionaries have to be
– but we have so much to do! the “strong leaders” yet they struggle with issues
I ran across a devotion I did once a long time ago. It they can’t share with anyone else. Of course, we
was entitled, “What are you going to do with your met those who had not yet placed their trust in our
dash?” You know when a person passes away, the Father. Lord, help me to spend my “dash” in loving
marker at the cemetery will have the date of their those around the world.
birth followed by the date of their passing with a On this side of the big pond, I’m so thankful that
dash between them. The dash represents their life. WV has a group of women that love the Lord and
Sometimes it represents a short life span while want to serve Him through our state Women Active
others live a long life. for Christ group. These women are the best in the
Another thing about that dash - it’s non-descriptive. world!
You can’t tell a thing about the person by that If you are interested in finding out more about the
dash. It doesn’t tell if the person is a believer or WV WAC, you are invited to share in our annual
not, whether they were good neighbors, what their Convention on May 19th at Fairdale FWB Church
occupation was or how much money they made. near Beckley, WV. We are asking for a donation of
The purpose of that devotion was to assess what $5 per lady to help pay for expenses of our meetings.
we’re doing with our lives. We may do a lot of The theme is “Who Are You Listening To?” from
“churchy” things but does it come from a loving James 1:5-6. Our speaker will be Sis. Pat Brooks.
heart that is striving to serve God and people? Are The mission project for that day is to bring paper
we standing on the promises of God or sitting on products (toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, etc) or
the premises? I’m sure you’re like me, I love the Wal-Mart gift cards of any value for Sound Mind
Lord with all my heart and I want to do what He has Ministry in Lester, WV. They are a Christian drug
called me to do. He has called me to love missions and alcohol rehab facility for men. By all means,
and to serve women in particular. What a great please pray for this ministry. It is possible that we
purpose in life! Not only can I do them individually might have a visit from our new WV missionaries to
but together! Morgantown, WV. Ladies – please let me welcome
Linda Hutchison (WV FWB WAC treasurer) and I you with open arms to our meeting. We’ve done a
took a mission trip to help with a Ladies Conference lot down through the years with a few women. If
in Svishtov, Bulgaria in March. We met some more would come, we could do so much more to
wonderful women there. While we may seem to advance the kingdom. Hope to see you there.
think that life is different around the world, it is
very similar. They struggle with paying their bills, Jody Sullivan
buying groceries, troubled marriages and rebellious WV WAC President
kids too. Linda and I shared our personal testimonies
with these sweet ladies. As I looked around, I saw
tears flowing from their eyes…they were identifying
with us. After we completed the evening, several of

2018 Bible, Music, and Arts Festival

The 2018 Bible, Music, and Arts Festival was held on April 14, 2017 at Victory Free Will Baptist
Church in Pecks Mill, WV. The day was blessed with many children sharing their talents and wonderful
fellowship with all in attendance.
Churches with participating youth included:
• Big Elk Free Will Baptist, Warfield, KY
• Bright Star Free Will Baptist, Ethel, WV
• Central Free Will Baptist, Huntington, WV
• Freedom Free Will Baptist, Inez, KY
• Laurel Creek Free Will Baptist, Lenore, WV
• McCorkle Free Will Baptist, Sod, WV
• West Williamson Free Will Baptist, Williamson, WV
This year marked the first year for participants from Bright Star, Freedom, and West Williamson.
Big Elk Free Will Baptist was recognized and presented with a trophy for the most participants this year,
with 16 in attendance.
The West Virginia FWB Christian Education Board would like to thank the Victory FWB Church for
hosting the event and thank its members for all the help they gave with setup, food, judges, and cleanup.
To those who attended, thank you for the part you played: whether it be coaching, judging, instructing,
supporting, or listening.

- Thank you for supporting our youth.
Amy Smith

Bible Memorization Drawing Grades 4-6
Grade 1 – Kenadie Bryant, Laurel Creek, 2nd Place Randi DIngess, McCorkle, 1st Place

Grade 1 – Sawyer Jackson, Central, 1st Place MacKenzie Brewer, Laurel Creek
Grade 4 – Bella Dingess, McCorkle, 1st Place Evan Bryant, Laurel Creek
Grade 9 – Karrah Johnson, McCorkle, 1st Place Emily Baisden, Laurel Creek
Victoria Lackey, Freedom
Group Bible Memorization Tanner Jennings, Freedom
Grade 5 – McCorkle, 1st Place
Grade 6 – McCorkle Duo, 1st Place Emily Ratliff, West Williamson
Drawing Grades 7-9
Bible Sword Drill Tara Hunt, Freedom
Grade 4 – Abby Adkins, Freedom
Grade 4 – Tessa Thompson, Freedom, 1st Place Maddy Ratliff, West Williamson, 1st Place
Grade 4 – Maddy Morrison, Freedom, 2nd Place Drawing Grades 10-12
Grade 5 – Evan Bryant, Laurel Creek, 1st Place
Grade 5 – Evan Vinson, Freedom, 2nd Place Destiney Gilman, Laurel Creek
Grade 5 – Morgan Jude, Freedom Savannah Hall, Laurel Creek, 1st Place

Bible Millionaire Mixed Media Grades 4-6
Laurel Creek, 1st Place Gabriella Estep, McCorkle, 1st Place

Bible Tic Tac Toe T-shirt Design Grades 10-12
Freedom, 1st Place Destiney Gilman, Laurel Creek, 1st Place
Vocal Solo Grade K-3
Finny Jackson, Central, 1st Place Photography Grades 1-3
Vocal Solo Grades 4-6 Candace Davis, West Williamson, 1st Place
Maddy Morrison, Freedom, 1st Place
Brendan Hackney, West Williamson Photography Grades 4-6
Emily Ratliff, West Williamson Hayden Johnson, McCorkle, 1st Place
Vocal Solo Grades 7-9 Female
Karrah Johnson, McCorkle, 1st Place Nick Savage, West Williamson
Courtney Horn, Big Elk Victoria Lackey, Freedom
Vocal Solo Grades 10-12 Female Photography Grades 7-9
Alexis Luther, Bright Star, 1st Place
Hannah Ward, Big Elk Alex Mills, Freedom, 1st Place
Vocal Duet Grades 7-9 Charlie Fletcher, Freedom
Karrah Johnson & Bella Dingess, McCorkle, 1st Place
Vocal Ensemble Grades 7-9 Maddy Ratliff, West Williamson
Freedom, 1st Place Gracie Smith, Freedom
Vocal Choir Grades 10-12
Big Elk, 1st Place Tyler Starr, West Williamson
Instrumental Solo Grades 7-9 Photography Grades 10-12
Sydney Dove, West Williamson, 1st Place Destiney Gilman, Laurel Creek, 1st Place
Sign Language Grades 4-6
Morgan Jude, Freedom, 1st Place Photo Essay Grades 7-9
Sign Language Grades 10-12 ALex Mills, Freedom, 1st Place
Destiney Gilman, Laurel Creek, 1st Place
Group Sign Language Grades K-3 Photo Essay Grades 10-12
Big Elk Youth, 1st Place Hannah Ward, Big Elk, 1st Place
Group Sign Language Grades 7-9 Textiles - Needlework Grades 4-6
Big Elk Youth Teens, 1st Place Bella Dingess, McCorkle, 1st Place
Drama Duo Grades 1-3 Textiles – T-shirt Design Grades 1-3
Central Dramatic Duo – Sawyer and Finny Jackson, Tyler Davis, West Williamson, 1st Place

1st Place Fabric Art Grades 1-3
Puppetry Grades 10-12 Kenadie Bryant, Laurel Creek, 1st Place
Big Elk Youth, 1st Place
Ceramics Grades 1-3
Painting Grades 7-9 Addison Stepp, West Williamson, 1st Place
Abagail Stafford, Freedom, 1st Place
Ceramics Grades 4-6
Drawing Grades 1-3 Gary Davis, West Williamson, 1st Place
Alexis Maynard, Laurel Creek
Sawyer Jackson, Central, 1st Place Ceramics Grades 7-9
Kacee Canterbury, West Williamson, 1st Place

Conceptual Art Grades 4-6
Brendan Hackney, West Williamson, 1st Place

Conceptual Art Grades 7-9
Karrah Johnson, McCorkle, 1st Place

Conceptual Art Grades 10-12
Jacob Hanny, West Williamson, 1st Place

Personal Essay Grades 7-9
Maddy Ratliff, West Williamson, 1st Place

Slide Show Grades 4-6
Jodi Rollins, West Williamson, 1st Place

Messenger Submissions

The West Virginia Free Will Baptist family loves reading special news & events from your
local church and conference. Please email your articles to [email protected].

Ar ti cl e deadl i ne f or t he F a l l pri nt edi t ion i s A ug 30, 2018. You c an s ubm it F ac eboo k ar ti c le s
anytime!

By submitting material to The Messenger, you agree all submissions are property of The
Messenger, and you agree The Messenger has been granted the non-exclusive right to edit,
use, and reproduce any submission. Not all articles received will fit into the space given in
each issue, therefore we will “try” to insert unused articles at a future date or on Facebook.


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