Accepted a new call? Been ordained? Church celebrating an anniversary? Mission trip or project that you would like highlighted on the HeraldBeat page? Send info to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at [email protected].
Transitions
ON THE MOVE
Chris Mitchell, to Tabernacle Baptist Church, Salem, Va., as pastor.
Tim Marsh, to First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton, N.C., as pastor, effective Nov. 25.
Kenny Horne, resigning as pastor of Greenbriar Baptist Church, Vansant, Va.
Elizabeth “Eli” Withers, serving as interim and associate pastor of  Bethel Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va.
G. H. Vaughan, to McCabe Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., as interim pastor.
Don Bailey, to Elon Baptist Church, Madison Heights, Va., as assistant pastor.
Paul Etter, to Bowling Springs (N.C.) Baptist Church, as interim minister of music.
Cindy Walker, to Hebron Baptist Church, Appomattox, Va., as children’s and youth pastor.
Stephanie Tyree, to Elon (Va.) Baptist Church, as youth ministries leader.
Phillip Hall, to Grace Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C., as student minister.
Angie Denton, to Wytheville (Va.) Baptist Church, as part-time minister of children.
Alice Cates, to Chester (Va.) Baptist Church, as minister to youth.
Ashley Harper, to Branch’s Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as director of youth.
Bonnie Wright, to Wytheville (Va.) Baptist Church, as part-time minister to youth.
JoAnn Stancil, to Wake Forest (N.C.) Baptist Church, as minister of education and administration.
Pastoral transition
Manassas (Va.) Baptist Church recently called Jim Boltz as senior pastor and William “Bill” Higgins, who had served as its pastor for 20 years, is now serving as executive pastor. Boltz joined the staff over 3 years ago as lead pastor, providing leadership to the staff and ministries, sharing preaching responsibilities. At Higgins’ initiative and in consultation with its elders, both have been involved in succession planning for several years, said Boltz. Higgins will remain on staff to provide leadership in the areas of administration and adult education, as well as providing valued assistance in pastoral care and visitation, he said. “We know this is a different process for pastoral transitions,” said Boltz, “but for us it has been a healthy one.” If there are other churches that are thinking about doing something like this, we would be glad to share what we have learned if that would be helpful,” Boltz said. The church will celebrate this major milestone in its community of faith during special worship services on Nov. 4.
Kudos
ORDINATIONS
Mattie Patterson-Wezah and Zeko Wezah were ordained to the gospel ministry on Sept. 16 by Millfield (Va.) Baptist Church.
Brittany Riddle, ordained to the gospel ministry on Oct. 28 by Vinton (Va.) Baptist Church.
5 YEARS
Russell Andrews, celebrating 5 years as minister of music at East End Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va.
Frank S. Gribble III, celebrating 5 years as pastor of Fieldale (Va.) Baptist Church.
Michael Jordan, celebrating 5 years as pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Axton, Va.
10 YEARS
Brad Willis, celebrating 10 years as pastor of Kedron Baptist Church, Gladys, Va.
31 YEARS
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Temple Baptist Church, Covington, Va., recently recognized Betty Hodges for serving for 31 years as its church treasurer. In photo at right, a plaque of appreciation was presented Hodges by chairman of deacons, Curley Smith (left) upon her stepping down from the position after long and dedicated service.
Events
TUES., OCT. 30
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, speaking on the campus of Bluefield College at 11 a.m. as part of its Shott Lecture Series. Bush will speak about education and “America’s Promise in Uncertain Times.”
SUN., NOV. 4
Cobham Park Baptist Church, Warsaw; gospel quartet “Calvary’s Mercy” in concert at 6 p.m.
Crewe (Va.) Baptist Church; celebration of renewal at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Billy Hutchinson, speaker; Crewe Boys in concert at 6:30 p.m.
Fork Union (Va.) Baptist Church; 214th anniversary with homecoming at 11 a.m.; pastor Warren Johnson, preaching; covered-dish dinner.
SUN.-WED., NOV. 11-14
Scottsburg (Va.) Baptist Church; revival with Roger Roller as evangelist.
On mission
Justin Joplin, pastor of Westover Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., and Katie Lemmert of the Forest View Neighborhood Association visited Richmond City Hall recently for a reception honoring the ministry Westover has provided its Forest View neighbors. The association was awarded a $500 grant, to be used to expand the hospitality garden and purchase supplies for a community clean-up day. The grant is part of a city initiative called “Love Your Block,” which recognizes and supports local efforts to bring neighbors together for the good of their communities.
Bluefield Union Mission director Craig Hammond (second from left) accepting “sacks” of groceries donated to the mission by Food City of Bluefield, Va., part of the Bluefield College Ram’s “Sack the Quarterback” program.
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The “Sack the Quarterback” campaign at Bluefield College is a community service project that recognizes outstanding defensive effort on the Rams’ football team, while at the same time rewarding disadvantaged families with much-needed groceries. Every time the BC defense sacks an opposing offensive quarterback during a Rams football game, Food City — a local grocery store — donates a “sack” of groceries to the local food bank or ministry center. “Our football players are very excited to partner with Food City to help alleviate some of the hunger issues our community members face every day,” said BC head coach Mike Gravier. In addition to partnering with Food City, the Rams football team has been donating its time to work on skills with area youth football players. The Rams also volunteered at Dudley Elementary for its fall festival in October.
Effort Baptist Church
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The Verge youth group at Effort Baptist Church, Palmyra, Va., traveled to Pleasant Grove on Oct. 14 to provide community service. Several storms had brought massive trees down among some of the very popular hiking and running trails behind the new high school in Pleasant Grove. Thirty youth and adults worked to clear debris and brush from the paths and make them passable again. The team was so speedy in their work that they ended the day with great recreation at the soccer fields and playground at the school before returning to Effort. Verge youth leaders are Steve and Amy Beyer.
First Baptist Church, South Boston
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First Baptist Church, South Boston, Va., was the site for a Stop Hunger Now event where 1,014 meals were packaged. Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. Several churches in the Dan River Baptist Association took part in the packaging event held on Oct. 21 during its 175th annual meeting at First Baptist, South Boston.
Starling Avenue Baptist Church
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The youth of Starling Avenue Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., held a Pantry Raid on Oct. 21 to benefit the Grace Network, of Martinsville and Henry counties. The Grace Network, supported by more than 90 congregations as well as other groups, provides financial assistance and a food pantry for area residents. Over 1,000 cans of food were collected by the youth for the Grace Network as they visited the homes of members and their neighbors to ask for food donations. The youth are pictured with shopping baskets that they filled with food.
Glebe Landing Baptist Church
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Glebe Landing Baptist celebrates 240 years
Glebe Landing Baptist Church, Laneview, Va., celebrated its 240th anniversary Oct. 13-14. An old-fashioned bazaar, including a Brunswick stew, was held on Saturday. At the silent auction there were birdhouses shaped as miniature replicas of the church, along with fleece throws and decorative plates. Homecoming was held on Sunday with former pastors Jack Moody, Ed Harrow and John Carpenter speaking. Lunch on the grounds was served. The weekend also included the addition of a new sign in front of the church.
International Baptist Church
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Slovakian church maintains Virginia ties
The country of Slovakia in the heart of Europe could fit inside the borders of Virginia. Four months ago Bill and MaryBeth Cobble moved there to pastor the International Baptist Church of Bratislava. “We brought Virginia with us in the form of toys, shoes and clothing and didn’t waste any time giving them to orphaned children and homeless people. God has opened-wide the windows and doors to provide help for others,” they said. The IBCB is a congregation of English-speaking Christians from all over the world. The Cobbles home church is Beale Memorial Baptist Church in Tappanannock, Va. The children there collected a Vacation Bible School offering to share with children in Slovakia.