On Saturday, January 9^th, the West Virginia Baptist Convention (WVBC) Executive Board met via Zoom to discuss and approve the 2021 budget and slate of officers.  Each of the four commissions (Discipleship, Leadership, Outreach and Stewardship) also met earlier in the day to discuss vision and plans for the upcoming year.

Over the last couple of years, the WVBC has made intentional efforts to improve the budget by reducing expenses while simultaneously expanding ministries.  They have also recently completed a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) conversion of their books to improve the transparency of finances by showing true ministry costs.  Over the previous two years, the budget had been decreased by more than $41,000, and for 2021, the Executive Board approved a budget that further reduced the budget by another $26,000.  Last year was the first time in over a decade that the WVBC finished financially in the black, thanks in large part to churches and individuals who followed through on their commitments despite a global pandemic.  Newly launched in 2020, the Rope Holder initiative saw individuals give more than $80,000 through the Mountain State Mission Offering.

This was the first meeting led by newly-elected president, Ryan Stoner.  Ryan’s installation service took place on Sunday, November 29^th, at his home church of Pea Ridge Baptist Church. Other elected officers included Cari Pauley (1^st Vice President), Don Biram (2^nd Vice President), Lois Merritt (Secretary) and Todd McClure (Treasurer).    We are grateful for the leadership of Lee Boso, who served as president during the unusual and historic 2020 ministry year.

As we move into 2021, please join us by praying for each of our commissions and these newly elected officers.  Their leadership is vital to our mission of doing Christ’s work together.

Family Advent Celebration

Written by Koreen Villers, Director of Discipleship

Christmas Advent is a time to prepare for the arrival of Jesus!  Advent is a time to prepare ourselves – as well as our houses – for Christmas.  Advent is a time of waiting and expectancy, and a time of contemplation. Advent is a great time to involve our children in faith celebrations at home.

What is Advent?

Advent is a call to followers of Christ to remember the birth of the Savior. The word advent stems from a Latin word that means “coming” or “arrival.”  The season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and depending on the year, can range from 22 to 28 days.  Its purpose is to help believers remain focused on the birth of Christ and Jesus’ glorious return.

The advent season is divided into four weeks, and each week features a different liturgical theme.  Traditionally, the first week remembers the hope and expectation of the Jewish people as they looked forward to the Savior’s arrival – and it also reminds believers today to wait expectantly for Jesus’ second coming.  The second week focuses on preparation: Over many centuries, God prepared the hearts of the Jews for Christ’s coming, just as He is now working in our hearts to prepare us for the Christs second coming.  The third week joyfully celebrates the coming of the messiah, and the final week celebrates God’s peace and love.

Why celebrate Advent?

The daily time that you will take with your kids will model what is important to your family.  Slow down the hustle and bustle of the season, and prepare for His arrival.  The time together will be an opportunity to talk more about Jesus in your home.  The change will be noticeable.  Counting down the days till Christmas will shift to the celebrating of the Christ’s coming.

Resources:

Here are several resources available to families or churches to help in this time of preparation and waiting.  Some resources are free and some have a minimal cost.  Choose one that best fits your family and begin the celebration.

• Everyday Emmanuel with Buck Denver
• Why do we Call it Christmas with Buck Denver DVD 
• Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp 
• D6 Everyday – Advent Kit
• Illustrated Ministry – Advent for Family
• Lifeway – Family Advent
• A Better than Anything Christmas (Amazon) – Family Advent
• KidMin Christmas-in-a-Box – Church sponsored Family Advent
• Orange Advent Calendar – Church or Family Advent
• Faithful Families – Church/Family Advent in-a-Box 
• Family Ministry Tools – 3 different Advent in Box options
• Deeper KidMin – Family Advent Bingo

Written by Rowena Sizemore

Out of This World Salsa is a mission project under the non-profit La Casa De La Amistad that provides assistance to women and children in poverty.  Originally started by John and Lisa Simmons, all proceeds go to projects which educate, empower and enable women and children to have a better life.

Field workers in southeastern Ohio pick the tomatoes, green peppers and jalapenos that we use in the salsa. Veterans raise most of our specialty peppers like Hungarians, habaneros and Carolina reapers. Volunteers do the rest, such as chopping and processing the salsa in a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)-approved kitchen at Parchment Valley Conference Center. We are a seasonal, limited run, second harvest operation that has a lot of fun cooking together.

Bill Stewart and I have both attended process control school to be certified in overseeing the salsa processing. The salsas that we make are: Sweet Salsa with West Virginia Maple Syrup, Mild Salsa, Medium Salsa, Hot Salsa and Reaper Salsa. To learn more about how you can get involved, contact me at rsizemore@mail.casinternet.net or follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outofthisworldsalsa/.

Over the past year, we have given more than $8,300 to assist women and children in poverty. God has a reason for us to make salsa!

Where to find Out of This World Salsa:

• Parchment Valley Conference Center (Ripley, WV)
• West Virginia Marketplace in the Capital Market (Charleston, WV)
• Black Dog Coffee (Martinsburg, WV)
• Hawk’s Nest State Park (Ansted, WV)
• Family Roots Farm (Wellsburg, WV)