Transitions
ON THE MOVE
Steve Lalk, to Sandy Creek Baptist Church, Jetersville, Va., as pastor.
Earl Jones, to Morningside Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C., as pastor.
Joe Edwards, to Gourdvine Baptist Church, Rixleyville, Va., as pastor.
Greg Robertson, to Calvary Baptist Church, Reidsville, N.C., as pastor.
Scott Covington, returning to Berea Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Va., to serve as pastor.
Shawn White, to Swords Creek (Va.) Baptist Church, as interim pastor.
William Carrell, resigning as pastor of University Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md., to become an administrator at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.
Bill and Mary Beth Cobble of Amherst, Va., to the International Baptist Church, Bratislava, Slovakia, as pastors.
Bob Turner, resigning as associate pastor at Ravensworth Baptist Church, Annandale, Va., to return to campus ministry.
Chris Ryder, to Fredericksburg (Va.) Baptist Church, as minister of music, effective Aug. 1.
Stephen Stacks, to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, Cary, N.C., as director of music ministries.
Jeff Ford, to Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as minister to families/church administration.
Charles B. Nunn Jr., concluding interim pastorate at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va.
Darrell Cook, to Tabernacle Baptist Church, Salem, Va., as interim minister of music.
Josh Witt, to Vinton (Va.) Baptist Church, as minister to students.
Matt Brady, concluding his ministry as music director at Lakeside Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.
Lee Turner, to Salem Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Va., as interim youth leader.
Aimee Hobbs, to Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C., as children’s minister.
Derrick and Tinita Kearse, to Vision Community Church, Stafford, Va., as music directors.
RETIREMENTS
Rick Elmore has retired as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Salem, Va., where he has served for the past eight years.
Lewis P. Harris Sr. has announced plans to retire as pastor of McCabe Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., effective Sept. 30. He has served there for 12 years.
A number of retiring staff members of the Falls Church, Va.-based Baptist World Alliance were recognized for their service during the BWA’s annual gathering in Santiago, Chile, July 2-7. Paul Montacute of Britian has been director of Baptist World Aid (BWAid) since 1993 and was previously director of the BWA youth department beginning in 1990. Lee Hickman of the United States has been assistant to the BWAid director for 25 years. Linda Falimy of Indonesia came to the BWA in 1991 as assistant to the director of communications and was appointed database specialist in 2006. Judy Campbell of the United States started with the BWA in 2001 as events coordinator and later became financial assistant. Montacute, Campbell and Falimy retire at the end of July and Hickman retires in December.
DEATHS
Lonnie Ross “Bill” Brock Jr. died June 29 in Greensboro, N.C., at the age of 88. He was former pastor of Hunton Baptist Church, Glen Allen, Va., and served as a Baptist missionary for 25 years in North Brazil. He also served as director of missions of the Green River Baptist Association, Rutherfordton, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Karen Ramalho Miranda, Katherine Simmons and Virginia Reynolds; and six grandchildren. A celebration of life was held July 2 at First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C.
Retired Virginia Baptist pastor H. Arthur Decent Jr. died July 11 at the age of 90. During his 40 years in ministry he served five churches in Virginia and North Carolina. In 2004 Barboursville (Va.) Baptist Church honored him as pastor emeritus. He is survived by his wife, Anne Jones Dechent; a daughter, Patricia Anne Reed, a son, Sidney Arthur Dechent; and four grandchildren. A funeral service was held July 16 at Ryan Funeral Home in Ruckersville, Va.
Tim Kirby, pastor of Zoar Baptist Church, Locust Grove, Va., died July 4 at the age of 59. He began his ministry as youth leader at Shalom Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va. He served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Ridgeway, Va.; Providence Baptist Church, Hayes, Va.; and Hermitage Baptist Church, Church View, Va., He is predeceased by his parents Clyde and Helen Kirby, and by his wife, Sharon. He is survived by two sons, Brian and Jacob; three brothers; and a sister. A funeral service was held July 7 at Bennett Funeral Home, Mechanicsville, Va.
James A. Pace died July 1 at the age of 49. He was formerly minister of education at North Riverside Baptist Church, Newport News, Va. He is survived by his wife, Rachel; daughter, Emily; mother, Pauline Pace; two brothers; and a very loved miniature schnauzer, Buttons. A celebration of life was held July 5 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Yorktown, Va.
ORDINATIONS
Morgan Caruthers was ordained to the ministry by Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. on July 8.
Steve Cole, youth director at Sandusky Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va., was ordained to the ministry by the church on June 3.
Kudos
John McKelvey of Godwin High School and Alex Britt of J. R. Tucker High School, both in Richmond, Va., are the recipients of the 2012 Lakewood Manor Retirement Community employee scholarships. Both work in the dining services department. Britt plans to attend the University of Virginia. McKelvey will attend the Virginia Military Institute. Each year Lakewood Manor awards two scholarships to current staff members or their children who are good students and have extracurricular accomplishments in their school, church and community.
Tracy Hartman, professor of homiletics and practical theology at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, recently served as Baptist House Chaplain at Chautaqua (N.Y.) Institute.
Two students recently completed programs of ministry training with the Christian Leaders Link (formerly the Christian Leadership Network). Stephanie Porter-Nichols, a master’s student and member of Marion (Va.) Baptist Church, completed the graduate certificate in theology. Her course of study included 10 two-hour courses in Bible survey, theology, ethics, philosophy, church history and leadership. She is currently editor of the Smyth County News and Messenger. Darrell Naff has earned the diploma in theological studies, a program consisting of 16 three-hour undergraduate courses in biblical studies, theology, philosophy, ethics, church history and ministry studies. He has recently been called as senior pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church, Lebanon, Va. The Christian Leaders Link is a ministry of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, providing training for professional and volunteer Christian leaders. The ministry is headquartered in Roanoke, Va.
Tony Cupit, former director of the Baptist World Alliance divisions of evangelism and education and study and research (both now merged into the division of mission, evangelism and theological reflection), was given an honorary doctorate by the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Cupit, an Australian, was keynote speaker at the June 9 graduation ceremony for the class of 2012. He was a BWA director from 1991 to 2005. Prior to that he served the Australian and international Baptist communities in a number of capacities, including as a missionary to Papua New Guinea, where he and his wife Margaret played leading roles in translating Christian Scripture into the indigenous language.
25 YEARS
Chad Johnson, 25 years as senior pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Meadowview, Va.
15 YEARS
Heather Tiller, 15 years as associate pastor of Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.
10 YEARS
Carolyn Sandridge, 10 years as organist at Walnut Hill Baptist Church, Williamsburg, Va.
Mike Wilkins, 10 years as pastor of Manly Memorial Baptist Church, Lexington, Va.
5 YEARS
Brad Russell, 5 years as senior pastor of Old Powhatan Baptist Church, Powhatan, Va.
Jim Hewitt, 5 years as pastor of Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, Bassett, Va.
Hilton Jeffreys, 5 years as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Salem, Va.
Events
SUN., JULY 29
Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; July concert series at 7 p.m. with Friends of the Groom, a Christian theatre group that proclaims God’s love using a unique blend of humor, story, inspiring content and scenes that are hard to forget. This year’s summer concert series is a celebration of music and song, recognizing Paul Honaker for the gift and blessing he has been to Bon Air and the Richmond community for 38 years. Honaker, retiring as associate pastor for worship and music on Sept. 1, sets the direction for Bon Air’s three services and 12 choirs, including two interpretive movement ensembles. He serves as sub dean of the Richmond Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and the Virginia Baptist Male Chorale.
Pope’s Creek Baptist Church, Montross, Va., will celebrate its 200th anniversary at 10:30 a.m. Three evenings of revival will follow, conducted by former pastors. Each service will begin at 7 p.m. and have music provided by local choirs.
SUN., AUG. 5
Derwin Hinson will be leading the 11 a.m. service at Glebe Landing Baptist Church, Laneview, Va. Derwin is a musician with a variety of song styles, adding Christian humor and a message.
Lael Baptist Church, Culpeper, Va.; 138th homecoming at 10:30 a.m.; David Small, guest speaker; fellowship lunch.
SUN.-WED., AUG. 5-8
Clifford Baptist Church, Amherst, Va.; revival with Roger Roller, evangelist.
SUN., AUG. 12
Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Good Ol’ Fashioned Gospel Sing” featuring the Southern gospel group, Dominion, in concert at 6 p.m. Dominion will formally release its newest CD, journey.
Rhoadesville (Va.) Baptist Church; 124th anniversary with homecoming at 11 a.m.; dinner at 12:15 p.m.
Rocky River Baptist Church, Siler City, N.C.; homecoming with Pastor Greg Burriss speaking; covered-dish lunch.
SUN.-WED., AUG. 12-15
Rhoadesville (Va.) Baptist Church; revival at 7 p.m. nightly; James E. Baucom Sr, evangelist.
Sedley (Va.) Baptist Church; revival services with Roger Roller, evangelist.
News
The recruitment efforts of Averett University over the past four years have been recognized by Noel-Levitz with a 2012 Marketing-Recruitment Excellence Award (MREA). The award recognizes state-of-the-art programs, services and strategies that have made an impact on campus student enrollment. Averett is one of four universities from across the U.S. recognized. The other schools were Delaware State University, Oral Roberts University and Salisbury University. Noel-Levitz is the leading higher education consulting firm specializing in student retention, recruitment, financial aid, market research and communications development.
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Mill Creek Baptist Church, Fincastle, Va., held groundbreaking service July 29 for new fellowship hall and classroom facilities. Pictured at right are church members participating in the groundbreaking.