STAFF CHANGES
• Kendell Smith, to Sandy Level Church, Sandy Level, as pastor.
• Elizabeth Hagan, to Washington Plaza Church, Reston, as pastor.
• Gerald Reeves, to Kentuck Church, Ringgold, as pastor.
• Ed Vogt, to Sandusky Church, Lynchburg, as pastor.
• Louis Beckwith Jr., now serving as pastor of Calvary Church, Lynchburg.
• Justin Joplin, now serving as pastor of Westover Church, Richmond.
• Brent Martin, to Friendship Church, Fredericksburg, as pastor.
• Rick Lancaster, resigning as pastor of Vandola Church, Danville, to become a full-time hospice chaplain.
• William L. Burruss, has concluded his pastorate at Nomini Church, Montross.
• Dick Bailey, to James River Church, Williamsburg, as interim pastor.
NOTEBURNING
Rosedale Baptist Church in Rosedale began in a nearby store front in August, 1993. Land was purchased and construction for a church building was begun in 1996. On Sept 14, the congregation celebrated the retirement of its debt with a special service and fellowship meal. Pictured above (left to right): Mack Whited, trustee; John Maxfield, trustee; Stafford Compton, first pastor of the church; and Henry Price, trustee. J. C. Steele currently serves as pastor.
• Wayne Sellers, to Waverly Place Church, Roanoke, as interim pastor.
• John Tadlock, to Orcutt Church, Newport News, as interim pastor.
• Nick Varnado, to Furnace Creek Church, Rocky Mount, as associate pastor for music and education. His wife, Jamie Varnado, will serve as part-time children's director.
• Jonathan Barnett, to Newington Church, Gloucester, as youth pastor.
• Isaiah Garrett, to New Chapel Church, Rustburg, as youth director.
CHURCH NEWS
• Azalea Church, Norfolk, will host an evening of gospel music by “New Journey” on Sat., Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.
• Fairmount Memorial Church, Richmond, is partnering with the Bon Secours' Care-A-Van to provide a site on the second Monday of every month from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Care-A-Van is a mobile health clinic providing free immunizations and medical services to persons with no health insurance.
• Gayton Church, Richmond, will hold a Career Transition Workshop on Sat., Jan. 24. For information and registration, see the church's website, www.gaytonbaptist.org.
OTHER
• The Virginia Baptist Women's Chorale will be in concert Sat., Jan. 24 at Lake Ridge Church, Woodbridge, at 6 p.m. The program includes both traditional and contemporary styles of Christian music. The Chorale is composed of ladies from across the state who have music leadership roles in their churches.
• Lynn Yarbrough, Kingdom Advance Ambassador in China for Virginia Baptists, will present a China Update on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Virginia Baptist Resource Center. Yarbrough will share experiences and insights from her many years in China, as well as talk about how Virginia Baptists are needed there. One highlight will be information about the Summer English Program 2009. Yarbrough's weblink is www.lynnsupdate.com.
DEATH
• Hazel Tunstead Watson died in Richmond on Dec. 28 at the age of 89. She and her husband, Leslie, served as International Mission Board missionaries to Japan for 36 years. She was active in the Woman's Missionary Union in Japan and in the states. She was also actively involved in the ministries of Dover Baptist Association. A memorial service was held Jan. 4 at Biltmore Church, Glen Allen. Interment at Quantico National Cemetery.
THE CAMPUS COMES TO YOU
• In partnership with the John Leland Center, the Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network will offer college and masters Bible classes in spring 2009. Classes begin the week of Jan. 26, 2009, meet one night a week and conclude the week of May 15. Classes may be taken for credit or audited. Tuition is affordable and scholarships are available for members of BGAV churches. Classes and locations include:
• Baptist Student Center, UVa-Wise; Christian Ethics–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Ministry of Worship–Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke; Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels– Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Spiritual Formations (Growing in Christlikeness)–Tuesday, 9 a.m.-12 noon; Philo-sophy of Religion–Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. New Testament Introduction–Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Masters).
• Lebanon Association Building, Glade Spring; Introduction to New Testament–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• First Baptist Church, Nickelsville; Christian Ethics–Thurs., 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Henry County Baptist Association Building, Martinsville: Life & Letters of Paul–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
For further information and registration, contact The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network by phone 540-777-3014, toll free 1-866-223-9344, or email gary.chapman@ vbmb.org.
MISSION MOMENT
Twenty-two members of Berryville Baptist Church's youth group and puppet ministry, The Baptist Rascals, visited Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic last June. They conducted Vacation Bible School at Inglesia Biblio Christana, painted a wall mural, and visited a children's hospital and several barrios with the puppets. The team was prepared with both vocal and puppet music in English and Spanish. The team established a puppet ministry at its host church in memory of a friend of the youth, Jim Longerbeam. They donated a stage, curtains, puppets and music in hopes that it will continue to bless the church and community children.