News Updates and Forms

Written by Debbie Mulneix

One of the things I missed while in Asia was Autumn. I grew up in West Virginia and the state has some truly phenomenal fall seasons. I even love the bareness of the trees as winter begins because I understand the process is necessary for the new, vibrant season of spring. It was difficult to describe to people in the areas where trees only lose their leaves as new foliage is coming on.

I have come to the decision that my season has been, and still is, changing.

I will be retiring from International Ministries (IM) on October 31, 2019. I felt I needed to change my focus two years ago when I returned from the Philippines. I was excited to explore the new responsibilities of working with IM while living among my family in West Virginia and visiting several times a year with our partners in Asia. But now I realize my season as a missionary overseas is coming to an end. In other words, just like the trees, I need to make a break and strengthen my work with ministry here in the United States.

I have some deputation commitments before the end of October, but my focus will soon be on my home church, Philippi Baptist Church (Union), and specific local and international ministries that I support as an individual.

I have been blessed with an amazing Missions Partnership Team, including Rev. Dick Hepler, Rev. Dana Gatewood, Mrs. Sandy Phares, Mrs. Jeanie Phillips, Rev. Jim Stinespring and as volunteer assistant, Mrs. Susan Stinespring. I have had small churches faithfully support me with $25 per month and large ones with several hundred per month. There have been several churches that have spent time stuffing envelopes and hundreds of people that prayed for me, and I have been blessed. I chose this time to retire so these churches and individuals might seamlessly make support changes in their upcoming budgets. (However, I will still need support for September and October 2019, please.)

It has been a privilege and honor to work with our local Baptist churches, our international partners and with you for the last 20 years. Your faithfulness has been never-ending and your prayers continual. You have shown me mercy, understanding and forgiveness for my many shortcomings and faults. You have been examples of the “Hands and Heart” of Christ in so many ways, and I will always be grateful for you.

Philippians 1:3-6 says, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Blessings to you as you continue your support of the ministry of our Lord, both in our country and abroad.

Written by Keith Myers

A couple of years ago, on a friend’s recommendation, I began reading, When Helping Hurts, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. Little did I know, that upon completion of the second chapter, our ministry in Mexico would embark on a profound, yet simplistic shift that would comprise, not only our CICEM (Council of Rural Indigenous Evangelicals of Mexico) churches, but be an extension of the entirety of our relationships as believers in Jesus Christ. It is no secret that at the root of creation, we were created for relationship. Our primary relationship, as believers, is the vertical one between us and God. The other three horizontal relationships exist between us and our own self, us and other humans and finally, between us and the rest of creation. Where humanity failed in disobedience, Christ redeemed hope for these relationships in His death, burial and resurrection.

In regard to relationships, this past spring and summer, Deb and I had the privilege of being part of the West Virginia Baptist Convention’s (WVBC) missionary intern program by hosting two interns for five weeks. Additionally, engaging with teams from Fairmont State University Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM), Alderson Broaddus University, Oakwood Baptist Church (Kanawha Valley), hosting two young women from Sabraton Baptist Church (Goshen) as well as Boyden and Baillie bringing a team from their university, BIOLA. Our hope of these relational encounters is building a bridge between cultures. We invite folks to appreciate the primary question in our ministry, which is not “how can we help?” At the root of our ministry is the question, “how do we embrace the people and their culture?” It’s a subtle shift in our missional mentality that puts the relationship first.

There is not sufficient space to identify each of the impactful ministries that took place this summer; however, WVBC churches served as an integral part of embracing the people of our CICEM family and for that we are grateful. Our teaching and preaching is always undergirded with the idea of the restoration of these fundamental relationships. The connections we have with our brothers and sisters in West Virginia are essential in developing a deeper connection with of our brothers and sisters here in Mexico. We ask for your continual prayers and financial support as we attempt to embrace the call of God in our lives.

Written by J.D. Reed

International Ministries (IM) has three main focus areas. The first is “inviting people to become disciples of Jesus.” One of the ways this is realized in Latin America and the Caribbean is through the Master of Theological Education in Latin Ministries’ Program at Palmer Seminary. This program is a joint effort through Palmer, IM and American Baptist Home Mission Society (for United States’students) to help train pastors and leaders in Iberoamerica and the Caribbean. Just two months ago, I (J.D.) joined IM colleagues and celebrated the graduation of 14 students in Campinas, Brazil with our national partner, the National Baptist Convention of Brazil (CBN). The goal of this program is to train local leaders who can empower the local church, but also who can train other local leaders to do God’s work. Whether pastors, doctors, accountants or stay-at-home parents, all are welcome. So far, in just three years of the program, we have graduated over 50 students in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. We currently have students in Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia as well. This fall, we will start a new group in Ecuador and are excited to be in the planning stages of expanding this program all throughout Latin America.

The challenge is making the program affordable. In Bolivia, for example, the average wage is just under $300 per month and these classes are more than double that when taken at full price. With a generous scholarship from Palmer, we can significantly decrease that amount, but it is still more than they make in a month, so IM is trying to provide an additional scholarship so students can afford to be part of this amazing program. Because of their economic realities, only a few of them could participate without our help. Recently, I had the privilege to share with a student group that we were going to be able to give them a partial scholarship and joy filled the room. With a recession in their nation, many of the students were going to have to take a break from the program, but with this scholarship they will all be able to continue.

This is where I hope you can join in with this work. We need your help. Would you be willing to adopt a pastor and help them to be trained to meet the growing needs of the church in Latin America? We have a goal of training 500 leaders in the next ten years, but we can’t do it without the help of churches and individuals that care about the church. If you would like to help us train these pastors and leaders who will change their communities for the kingdom of God, visit our project page and give today! Thank you for being part of this movement in Latin America.

Just over a month ago, an email blast was sent out requesting $5500 to help cover Juan and Denise Aragon’s travel expenses to Los Angeles as they sought treatment for Juan’s medical condition: superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SSCD).  Other regions of the ABC-USA have been extremely generous to help cover housing and other expenses while they’re in Los Angeles. Since that initial email was sent out, churches and individuals within our WVBC family have responded with more than $11,000 in financial support!

Juan’s response when he learned the amount: “WOW! I’m speechless.  Don’t even know what to say.  GOD IS FAITHFUL.  MUCHAS GRACIAS!”

Just as faithful as you were in helping cover their travel costs (and more), we also ask that you help us cover them in prayer this week as they travel back to Los Angeles for surgery.  Below is a timeline of appointments for the next week:

• October 16 at 12:20 PM EST – CT Scan on Temporal Bones
• October 16 at 12:30 PM EST – CT Scan on Brain
• October 16 at 1:00 PM EST – MRI on Brain
• October 17 – Surgery
• October 23 at 6:00 PM EST – Postoperative Appointment

Thank you for keeping the Aragon’s in your prayers.  Follow their updates on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

More than 100 people gathered this past weekend at Camp Cowen and were challenged to “put your yes on the table and let God  place it on the map.”

On Friday evening, Trent Eastman (New Baptist Church, Huntington) unpacked what it means to be “called by God.”  Missionaries Dan Chetti, Debbie Mulneix, and Rhonda Reed then shared about their own experiences in being called.

Saturday was full of activities for both adults and children, centered on the theme of “Immigration, Emigration, and the Gospel.”  Adults had the option of choosing to attend different workshops, some of which provided updates on our missionary partnerships and others which focused on equipping people to better minister to internationals they meet in their own communities. Children participated in a global adventure and learned about several of our partnerships.

On Facebook, Mike Stephens (former WVBC staff) wrote of the weekend:

“Todd McClure took us on a Biblical journey showing God’s mandate for emigration (going out) and immigration (coming in) for the spreading of God’s good news throughout the whole earth.

Please pray the week of July 23-30 for the 14 volunteers working with ABMen USA as we cooperate in ABHMS’s project  “Rebuild, Restore and Renew Puerto Rico”.

Jack Cobb (Mount Vernon Baptist Church) will be leading a team of twelve from Judson Baptist Church at Belle plus Steve Nelson (First Baptist Church of Sistersville).  This sixth ABMen led team will be the first to focus on home repair. Our previous focus has been to restore churches so they can restore families.

ABMen is soliciting volunteers to join us for one or two weeks October 5-12 and or October 12-19, 2019.  If you would like information, contact us.

Stay tuned for the 2020 schedule.

Are you looking for a mission project idea for your children (or your entire church) to participate in this fall?  Look at the list below for some ideas of opportunities.  If you would like more information about any of these projects, please feel free to call Joan Hall at 304-422-6449.

Camp Alpha – Help Build a Cowen in Russia

Russian Baptists in the Ryazan region are in the process of building Camp Alpha, a Christian campground for children and youth to come together and  learn more about Jesus.  The property has been purchased, a few children and youth are gathering, but the construction of cabins and meeting areas is very slow due to lack of funds.  The potential is great.  A few American dollars will go a long way to make a Camp Cowen in Russia a reality.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Russia Missions – Camp Alpha.”

House of Hope Christmas – JD and Rhonda Reed, Bolivia

Missionaries JD and Rhonda Reed try to provide a Christmas present for all the children in the community/ministry sites.  This past year they provided gifts for 1,100-1,200 children.  The average is 20 bolivianos ($3) for a gift, drink, and a snack.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “House of Hope Christmas.”

Meds for Missions – JD and Rhonda Reed, Bolivia

Medical and dental clinics in Bolivia are in need of medicines and dental items that they either can’t purchase in Bolivia or cost is prohibitive.

Items that are needed:

¨ Toothpaste – MUST be travel size, NO regular size tubes.
¨ Toothbrushes
¨ Children’s Vitamins – NO gummies, they turn into globs and kids think they are candy. (check expiration date)
¨ Pre-natal Vitamins
¨ Antacids – generic Tums would be great

Please collect and deliver items to Valma at the West Virginia Baptist Convention Office in Parkersburg, WV.

Smiley Kits – Juan and Denise Aragon, Pueblo, Mexico

The Aragon’s hope to take dental care learning to the communities this summer using puppets and giving our Smiley Kits.

Each kit will include:

¨ 2  toothbrushes
¨ 2  tubes of toothpaste
¨ 1  dental floss
¨ 1  toothbrush cover
¨ 1  small plastic cup.

The Aragon’s would like to provide kits for 150 children. Due to shipping and custom issues, monetary donations will be collected and the items will be purchased in Mexico. The goal is $1,700.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Smiley Kits.”

Balones (Balls are Loads Of Nice Exercise Sessions) – Juan and Denise Aragon, Pueblo, Mexico

Balones also means balls in Spanish. The Aragon’s would like to provide a soccer ball and a basketball for each of their CICIEM churches.  The Aragons will use the balls as an evangelism tool. Families cannot afford to purchase the balls. Due to shipping and custom issues, monetary donations will be collected and the items will be purchased in Mexico.  Goal is $1,100.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Balones.”

Quarters for Grades – Weirton Christian Center

Students at Weirton Christian Center are awarded quarters for their attendance, doing homework each day and their grades.  It’s a quarter for each day of attendance and for doing their homework.  Grades are $1 for A $.75 for B, $.50 for C, and $.25 for a D.  Every time a grade goes up it’s an extra quarter.  This semester they had 3 girls who had 3 and 4 F’s and they have each brought their grades up, and earned a reward for that.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Quarters for Grades.”

Bucks for Bibles – Weirton Christian Center

Weirton Christian Center is in need of  children’s Bibles.  Weirton Christian Center gives each preschooler a Bible at Preschool Graduation.  They also need early reading Bibles, maybe even comic book style, so students can read the Bible on a reading level they understand while learning the importance of daily Bible reading.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Bucks for Bibles.”

Back to School Backpacks – Weirton Christian Center

Weirton Christian Center is collecting backpacks to assist
their students in going back to school prepared for a new school year. Backpacks can be a variety of sizes, colors and designs. Collect as many as you can.

Please collect and deliver items to Mark McCloy at the West Virginia Baptist Convention Office in Parkersburg, WV.

Keep Them Kickin’ – Camp Cowen

One of the favorite things to participate in at Camp Cowen is recreation activities, such as  4-square, 9-square in the air, gaga pit, basketball, soccer and volleyball to name a few.  Camp Cowen is requesting balls of all kinds to keep the campers kickin’.

Please collect and deliver items to Camp Cowen.

Time is Ticking On – Camp Cowen

For two years the outdoor clock on Alice Randall Dining Hall has not been working.  Kids do not wear watches and Camp Cowen policy does not allow cell phones during camp.  Therefore, the clock is what campers use to be on time. Please help Camp Cowen keep the time ticking on.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Cowen Clock.”

Give a Week of Camp – Camp Cowen

Help send a child to camp.  Scholarships for a week range from $90 to $230. Help send a student to “where people meet Jesus and grow as His disciples  in a community of faith.”

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “Camp Scholarship.”

Swinging Fun – Children’s Ministry at Parchment  Valley

Can you hear the children screaming with glee, swinging high above the ground?  The swings at the Parchment Valley playground are showing their age and need to be replaced.  Updated swings would be safer for the children to play on and provide enjoyment for years to come.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “PV Swings.”

Campfire Ring – Parchment Valley

Parchment Valley is building a new campfire structure at the lodges.  Due to the new power line right of way easement, the original campfire structure had to be removed. PV will utilize the Roy Keys Vesper area as the new campfire location; however, this area needs several improvements so the goal is $2,900.

Donations should be sent to the West Virginia Baptist Convention designated for “PV Campfire Ring.”

Another Brothers’ Keeper is in the books and those who took part in the ministry are already looking forward to next year.

Brothers’ Keeper (BK) is a service ministry established in 2000 through Parchment Valley Conference Center (PVCC).

This ministry allows youth to participate in a “mission trip” where they get to serve, learn, grow, and fellowship without having to worry about a passport.

Volunteers from church youth groups in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia gather every July in Ripley for a time of fun, fellowship, hard work, and on-site learning.

BK focuses on helping homeowners who have had some bad luck or life changes that have caused hardships in their lives, leaving them with housing needs that they cannot complete themselves.

One homeowner in particular, David Casto, had experienced a whirlwind of devastation. Between the passing of his wife, a tree crashing into his home causing major damage, and an accident on a mower, leaving him with a broken leg, he didn’t know how he would be able to come out ahead again. Through the help of Crew D with BK, Casto was able to start putting the pieces back together.

The crew came out to his residence and spent the week building him a new back deck and sharing the love of Christ with him by praying for him and showing him what being a bearer of hope really means.

“This is a wonderful group of people to come out and help people,” Casto said. “I feel really fortunate to have them in the county. I don’t know what I would have done without them here this week.”

Other homeowners that received assistance by the BK volunteers were also appreciative for the ministry.

“This week has been amazing, coming home and seeing a porch that wasn’t there before has meant everything to me,” homeowner Sheila Miller said.

BK 2019 proved to be a blessing not only to homeowners in Jackson County, but also to the 125 youth volunteers and additional adults that took part in the four-day mission.

“It was fantastic, I met so many new people and I got to help awesome homeowners with their porches,” second-year BK volunteer Chelsea Devins said. “We got to spread the love of God everywhere.”

“I loved helping out the community in multiple ways and really enjoyed seeing how we changed people’s lives,” first-year BK volunteer Brody Noble said. “I will definitely be back next year!”

“I love meeting new people and getting to help out with those who need it,” second-year BK volunteer Zoey Allen said.

“I love giving to God by helping those in need,” six-year BK volunteer Madison Keith said.

In it’s nineteenth year, BK is still going strong thanks to those who are willing to take time out of their summer break or regular work week to make the trip to PVCC in order to help others who are struggling with home repairs or other home maintenance needs.

“We had a lot of fun this week. My favorite part was spreading the word to the community and helping out people who need it the most,” first-year crew leader Jake Hypes said. “Not everybody can be as fortunate as everybody else, and those people need help in the world, that’s what we are here to do.”

“My favorite part was meeting these fantastic people,” first-year crew leader Denny Brown said. “I want to thank God for what he has given to us this week. Our people we work with and work for went above and beyond.”

“I love being able to work with the kids and teaching them how to do new things like working with power equipment,” six-year crew leader Larry Keith said. “I like teaching them new skills that they can use in the future or at least help their parents with.”

BK is an unforgettable experience for everyone involved and for those who work behind the scenes, it is something that they love seeing come together. Tom Dale and John Vannoy begin their BK work in February each year by doing site surveys and getting things ready by ordering materials and making sure they arrive at the sites on time for the work to begin.

“My experience started in March, seeing which homes would get repaired and all that, but this week has been fantastic,” four-year staffer Dale said. “I think this is the best group of kids and crew leaders we’ve ever had. They enjoy serving God and that’s what it is all about.”

“My favorite part this year was watching one man get saved while we were working on his house, six-year staffer Vannoy said. “He had been going through a lot of problems and this was the time for it to all come together. It has been a blessing to all of us.”

Many projects were completed during BK 2019, including 14 porches and six wheelchair ramps being built. Other projects including nine roofs being coated, walls and fences being painted, and numerous home repairs being completed.

“We do it all in Jesus name,” youth volunteer Mallory Bolen said.

Frank Miller is the director of the PVCC and he looks forward to BK each year. This year Miller and the BK team were able to help out homeowners in 50 Jackson County homes.

“We can change the world, and we are changing the world, one homeowner at a time,” Miller said. “That’s the way Jackson County is, we help one another, when somebody’s down, we help them back up and that’s a tremendous blessing that all these volunteers are taking back home with them, to go and to serve and to be a Brothers Keeper.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for Brothers’ Keeper or donating to the ministry, please contact Parchment Valley at 304-372-3675.

This article was copied from the Jackson County Newspaper. The original article can be found here.

Soon after the Baptist Missionary Society was formed in 1792, William Carey looked at the small band of brothers that stood around him and said, “Well, I will go down if you will hold the rope.” Andrew Fuller took on that challenge and spent the rest of his life holding the rope so that Carey could take the gospel to India.

When we think of missions, we frequently think only of people like Carey and others who go to the nations. But missionary work requires much more than a single commitment. It requires the equally important commitment of others who are willing to holding the rope. In that sense, missions is doing together what we cannot do alone.

In Romans 10, Paul explained missions in this way: How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? He then concludes: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

If you examine Paul’s listing in reverse order, it makes it easier to see the natural progression of missions:

1. The missionary is sent
2. The missionary preaches
3. The people hear
4. The people believe
5. The people call upon the name of the Lord

It is important to note that the latter steps cannot be completed unless the prior steps are done first. That is why sending (or rope holding) is an absolute necessity. Unless one sends, a lost people will never hear the gospel. That is what Carey realized. That is why he needed Fuller to hold the rope.

There are a lot of exciting ministries taking place all around our state convention right now:

• We have commissioned out more than 150 short-term missionaries to more than a dozen different countries, and we currently have four young adults spending their summer as interns alongside our some of our missionaries and missionary partners!
• Camp Cowen is in the middle of it’s sixth week youth camps this summer, and they have already witnessed dozens of decisions for Christ!
• Brothers’ Keeper just wrapped up it’s 19th summer of doing ministry in the Jackson County area, and they’re already making plans for an even bigger event next year to celebrate their 20th year!
• Baptist Campus Ministries concluded the school year with more than 100 students spending a week at Myrtle Beach, worshiping Christ, participating in service projects, and growing in fellowship with one another.  They even had one student from Concord University get baptized!

Exciting things are happening all around the state, and disciples are being made all around the world, as a result of people going and making the gospel known. But people can only go if they are first sent. And sending requires people to hold the rope.

One of the primary ways in which you can hold the rope is by joining us in supporting the Mountain State Mission Offering.  The Mountain State Mission Offering is what helps allow each of the above ministries to take place. Without Andrew Fuller, there would be never have been a William Carey, and without people willing to hold the rope through the Mountain State Mission Offering, the other life-changing ministries that we get excited about would also not exist. “How are they to preach unless they are sent?”

Is God calling you to be a rope holder? Without rope holders, missions cannot exist.

A component of the vision of South Parkersburg Baptist Church is to participate in missional living. On July 10-17, a team of 12 individuals will be doing just that. This team (7 adults and 5 youth) from the church will
be working alongside others as partners in mission and ministry. They will venture to Cochabamba, Bolivia, to be servants/missionaries to and with our partners at the House of Hope and the Reed Family. They will have two days of medical clinics where they will assist the local doctors, and the rest of the time will be construction at one or more of the many ministry sites in that city.

Please be in prayer for this group as they travel, work, and fellowship!

Team Members Include:
Luke Blain
Rich Blain
Rodna Blain
Marcia Campbell
Matt Conrad
Will Conrad
Becky Jones
Sundance Lewis
Jacob Stone
Levi Stone
Tim Stone
Sherri Wheeler

J.D. and Rhonda Reed

J.D. and Rhonda Reed have served in Bolivia since July 2011. J.D is a regional consultant for Theological Education throughout Iberoamerica and the Caribbean. He is the administrative coordinator for the Masters of Theological Studies Latino/a Ministries Program (MTS) for Palmer Seminary of Eastern University. He works with IM partners and global servants to help train pastors and church leaders throughout the region. Rhonda is a nurse (BSN) who oversees the House of Hope (Proyectos Esperanza) in the cities of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. House of Hope encompasses an array of health and development ministries led by local churches focusing on urban ministries to families and at-risk women and children.

For more information, click here.