Staff Changes
Wayne D. Underwood, to Jonesboro Church, Roseland, as pastor.
Rand Forder, to Muddy Creek Church, Powhatan, as pastor.
Chuck Price, to May Memorial Church, Powhatan, as pastor.
Garland Jefferson, to Falling Creek Church, Richmond, as pastor.
Merit Award
John Sheppard, pastor of
Community Fellowship Church, Gate City, has been awarded the Virginia National Guard Legion of Merit Award. Virginia's Adjutant General, Robert B. Newman Jr. and Guard Chaplain James D. Moore presented him with one of the highest honors given by the Guard. Sheppard has led a worship service on drill weekends since 2001 and has been on hand for special events and counseling for families during the local unit's deployment.
Michael Hester, to Faith Church, Goochland, as pastor.
Michael Garner, to Dover Church, Manakin-Sabot, as interim pastor.
Ordination
Nicole Matthews Tota was ordained to the gospel ministry by First Church of Clarendon, Arlington, on Dec. 3.
Noteburning Ceremony
Huguenot Road Church, Richmond, held a
noteburning ceremony
on Nov. 12, celebrating payment of a $1.6 million note on its sanctuary. Pictured is Marvin
Gregory, trustee, burning the note.
Retirement
Dave Cochran has retired as pastor of Mayo Church, Spencer, following more than 30 years in the ministry. During his ministry he only served five churches, all located in Virginia. He and his wife, Anna, were missionaries to East Indonesia from 1983-1988. He has served as pastor of Mayo Church since 1994.
Death
Martha Stone Koger, wife of Virginia Baptist minister Frank R. Koger, died Oct. 21. She was a member of First Church, Waynesboro. In addition to her husband she is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Shumate and Constance Sachlis; a sister; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at First Church, Hillsboro.
Resolution of
Appreciation
A resolution of appreciation from the
members of
Piedmont Association was given to John Gordon for his leadership and service to the association upon his
retirement as
director of
missions. He
received a gift of $200 which was to be sent to Oak Hill
Academy for the building fund
for a new boy's dormitory.
Other
Pete Parks, former Virginia Baptist campus minister, has been named staff chaplain for the emergency department-trauma center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Dwight Bucholz, pastor of Green Lakes Church, Portsmouth, received a doctor of ministry degree on Dec. 15.
Nita May has been called as the first regional ministries coordinator for Central Virginia Baptist Ministries. CVBM was formed by Dover, Middle District and Richmond associations to enable more effective cooperative ministry.
Seminary graduates
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., held commencement on Dec. 15. The following students from Virginia were awarded degrees. Receiving associate of divinity degrees were Jeffrey S. McPhatter and Rodney Alan Morrison of Virginia Beach. Bachelor of arts degrees were awarded to Matthew Peter Dupuy, Seaford; Melissa Anne Dupuy, Gloucester; Jonathan M. Laughinghouse, Chesapeake; and Claire Elizabeth Roberson, Roanoke. Receiving master of arts degrees were Katherine Elizabeth Denham, Chesapeake; Lisa D. Gowen, Lynchburg; Donna B. Robinett, Chesapeake. Master of divinity degrees were received by Leigh Suzanne Carter, Roanoke; Jason Keith Elliott, Collinsville; James Derek Futrell, Chesterfield; Bryan Joseph Laughlin, Colonial Heights; Paul Wesley McCafferty, Lynchburg; Paul E. Sutton II, Norfolk; and Albert Nathanael White, Lynchburg.
Sung Kwan Cho of Fairfax received the master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 15.
Mission Moments
First Baptist Church, Waynesboro
First Baptist Church in Waynesboro was a sponsoring church for a Habitat for Humanity
“House in a Box” built for a family in Jackson, Mississippi, who lost their home during Hurricane Katrina. The project consisted of building the interior and exterior walls and shipping them to the job site where other volunteers would complete the home. Approximately 40 people responded to the request for help on this project. Pictured clockwise are workers constructing the frame, loading it for delivery to Mississippi and team members with the truck ready for transport.
Blue Ridge Shores Baptist Church, Louisa
The Youth on Mission Group at Blue Ridge Shores Baptist hosted Fred and Elaine Byrd who work with the homeless in Richmond last October. The Byrds provide sandwiches and drinks every Sunday for people in need. They also share the gospel as they minister to these people. For several months the youth led a drive at Blue Ridge Shores Church to collect coats and shoes for the Byrd's ministry. Pictured with some of the coats collected are (front row) Ashley Webb, Noah, Caleb and Elizabeth Phelps, (back row) Emily Phelps, Kristen Morris, YOM leader Teri Webb, Lydia Phelps with Elaine and Fred Byrd. YOM leader Sarah Reid is not pictured.