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Transitions
ON THE MOVE
Darryl George, to First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Va., as pastor.
David Stancil, resigning as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bristol, Va., to accept the pastorate of Columbia Baptist Fellowship, Columbia, Md.
Norman B. Harris, resigning as pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C. to accept the pastorate of Kerr’s Chapel Baptist Church, Elon, N.C.
Tim Williford, resigning as associate pastor/youth at Hope Valley Baptist Church, Durham, N.C.
Matthew S. Dinkins, to Zebulon (N.C.) Baptist Church, as associate pastor for congregational care.
Stephen Arrington, to First Baptist Church, Monroe, Va., as youth minister.
DEATHS
Russell T. Cherry, a retired North Carolina pastor, died Dec. 2 at age 84. For 22 years he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C., retiring in 1992. But after the death of his first wife, Jewell, in 1993 he became pastor of First Baptist Church, Bladenboro, N.C., retiring a second time in 2003. His second wife, Faye, also preceded him in death. A native of Portsmouth, Va., Cherry also served as pastor of West Lynchburg Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va., as well as churches in Indiana and Kentucky. He was a former member of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and a former trustee of both Chowan University, Murfreesboro, N.C., and Campbell University, Buies Creek, N.C. In 1994 he established a chair of Old Testament studies at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He is survived by two daughters, a son, a step-daughter, a step-son and nine grandchildren. A funeral service was held Dec. 5 at First Baptist, Lumberton.
Sallie Hart Inge, widow of former pastor Herman C. Inge, died Nov. 22 at the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community at the age of 88. She was a retired teacher and served as music director at all of the churches served by her husband. Survivors include two sons, H. Clifford Inge, Jr. and Gordon H. Inge; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A service was held Nov. 25 at Lael Baptist Church, Lignum, Va.
Mary Pentecost, wife of Julian Pentecost, editor of the Religious Herald from 1970-1992, died Nov. 30. She was 88. A native of Georgia, she was a graduate of Mercer University, Macon, Ga.; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.; and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. She was a former religious education director at First Baptist Church, Danville, Va., and a reading teacher in the Richmond public schools. She was a trustee of Averett University, Danville, for 15 years and at the time of her death was a member of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, a son, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at River Road Church on Dec. 4.
Kudos
ORDINATION
William Edward Newsome was ordained to the ministry by East End Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va., on Dec. 4.
10 YEARS
Barbara Filling, celebrating her 10th anniversary as pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Charles City, Va.
50 YEARS
Ed Stansfield, interim pastor of Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., celebrating 50 years in ministry. He was ordained in 1962 at Corinth Baptist Church, New Kent, Va.
OTHER
Sammual Choi, pastor of the Korean congregation at Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, Va., was recently elected president of the Washington Area Council of Korean Baptist Churches, a fellowship of churches and pastors in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Christmas Music/Drama
FRI., DEC. 16
Hebron Baptist Church, Afton, Va.; “The Bethlehem Village,” outdoor Christmas production; through Dec. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. each day with early opening on Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
FRI.-SAT., DEC. 16-17
Mount Ararat Baptist Church, Stafford, Va.; “Christmas at Mount Ararat,” at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Tickets needed. Call the church at 540.659.2554.
FRI.-SUN., DEC. 16-18
Grace Baptist Church, Woodbridge, Va.; Christmas concert of worship; Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Highlands Fellowship Church, Abingdon; “The Corn Crib,” a family-friendly event focused on the simple lifestyle of the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1960 includes a 20th-century parade, live animals, music and a story of hope, presented on all five campuses. Tickets are free but need to be reserved. Check www.highlands fellowship.com. Times listed on website.
Villa Heights Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “A Baby Changes Everything” at 7 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 17
Fredericksburg (Va.) Baptist Church; “Angels Over Fredericksburg,” indoor/outdoor drama celebrating the birth of Christ, 5-9 p.m. For info check www.fredericksburgbaptist.org.
SAT.-SUN., DEC. 17-18
Bybee’s Road Baptist Church, Troy, Va.; “Mary Did You Know?” Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Keystone Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.; “Joyful and Triumphant,” at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.
SUN., DEC. 18
Alum Spring Baptist Church, Culpeper, Va.; “A Candlelight Christmas,” at 11 a.m.
Bedford (Va.) Baptist Church; “Savior of the Nations, Come,” at 7 p.m.
Belle View Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va.; “Christmas in Story and Song,” at 5 p.m.
Bethel Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va.; “Wonderful Time of the Year,” at 11 a.m.
Cobham Park Baptist Church, Warsaw, Va.; “Mary Did You Know?” at 11 a.m.
Colonial Avenue Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “The Story: A Christmas Suite,” at 10:30 a.m.
Dover Baptist Church, Manakin Sabot, Va.; “Behold Emmanuel: Love is With Us,” at 11 a.m.
Fellowship Baptist Church, Chester, Va.; “Hope Has Hands,” at 11 a.m.
First Baptist Church, Collinsville, Va.; “The Gift of Christmas,” at 11 a.m.
First Baptist Church, Elon, N.C.; “A Song in the Air,” at 6 p.m.
First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C., “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” at 7 p.m.
Floyd (Va.) Baptist Church; “Light Looked Down,” at 4 p.m.
Fort Trial Baptist Church, Stanleytown, Va.; “O Holy Night,” at 6 p.m.
Glenwood Memorial Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; “God With Us Emmanuel,” at 11 a.m.
Gordonsville (Va.) Baptist Church; “Majesty of Heaven,” at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Green Ridge Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “We Have our Saviour,” at 10:55 a.m.
Gwynn’s Island (Va.) Baptist Church; “Mary Did You Know?” at 7 p.m.
Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “A Song in the Air,” at 10:30 a.m.
Hillcrest Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; “It’s a Wonder-Full Life,” at 6 p.m.
Lyndale Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Mary, Did You Know?” at 6 p.m.
Mechanicsville Baptist Church, Gordonsville, Va.; “Saints and Angels,” at 11 a.m.
Mill Creek Baptist Church, Fincastle, Va.; “The Star Still Shines,” at 6 p.m.
Monument Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Winter’s Grace,” at 6 p.m.
New Hope Baptist Church, Chesterfield, Va.; “The Night Before Christmas,” at 7 p.m.
Pioneer Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “The Father’s Gift of Love,” at 7 p.m.
Powers Memorial Baptist Church, Hopewell, Va.; “Bethlehem’s Child,” at 11 a.m.
Providence Baptist Church, Red House, Va.; “Heaven on Earth,” at 11 a.m.
Rivermont Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; “The Love of God at Christmas,” at 4 p.m.
Shalom Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va.; “Shout the Good News,” at 7 p.m.
Smithfield (Va.) Baptist Church; “Emmanuel,” at 7:30 p.m.
Stanardsville (Va.) Baptist Church; “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” teaching the Christian significance of the 12 days, at 5:30 p.m. followed by a potluck dinner.
Sycamore Baptist Church, Franklin, Va.; “Mary Did You Know?” at 10 a.m.
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; Christmas in the Fan concert featuring the Richmond Concert Band, the Tabernacle Sanctuary Choir, the Meadow Street Band and Meade Skelton, from 4-6 p.m.
Temple Baptist Church, Durham, N.C.; “Journey of Promises,” at 11 a.m.
Upper Essex Baptist Church, Caret, Va.; “A Song in the Air,” at 7 p.m.
Victoria (Va.) Baptist Church; “Mary Did You Know?” at 11 a.m.
West End Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va.; “Reflections of Christmas,” at 11 a.m.
SUN.-TUES., DEC. 18-20
Wilderness Baptist Church, Spotsylvania, Va.; living nativity from 7-9 p.m.
MON.-TUES., DEC. 19-20
Hollins Road Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; living nativity from 6:30-8 p.m.
TUES., DEC. 20
Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; Christmas with the Annie Moses Band at 7 p.m. Tickets required. Call 540.977. 5701.
WED., DEC. 21
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Midlothian Tpk., Richmond, Va.; live nativity from 6-7:30 p.m.
SUN., DEC. 25
First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C.; “Gloria,” at 11 a.m.
On Mission
Sixty-five families and 150 children in Harnett County, N.C., will have a happier Christmas thanks to Campbell University’s first Christmas store. More than 180 Campbell faculty, staff and students volunteered to help families struggling this holiday season. Toys and gifts donated for the Christmas store totaled $8,500, including donations from churches and local businesses. Campbell, in Buies Creek, N.C., has challenged its students and staff to accumulate 125,000 volunteer hours this year in recognition of the school’s 125th anniversary.
Crossroads Community Church, Troy, Va., delivered 122 turkeys to the Monticello Area Community Action Agency before Thanksgiving. The congregation held a “Tag a Turkey” mission project to make this possible. Along with a generous donation from Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Troy, and the price offered the church by its local Walmart, the MACAA was able to receive all of the turkeys needed for families served by this organization.
News
Frank Gribble
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Frank Gribble III, pastor of Fieldale (Va.) Baptist Church, has used the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible to share with his congregation some of the history of the Bible. At right he holds a King James Bible printed in 1660. The Bible open on the table is a replica of the Gutenberg Bible printed in the 1450s and the first major book printed with a movable type printing press. Gibble says these Bibles are among a collection he has amassed over 40-plus years of ministry. His collection includes Bibles in most European languages, as well as most English translations. He also has several replicas of historic Bibles, including the Geneva Bible, Bishop Bible, 1611 King James, 1534 Luther Bible and Septuagint. The collection, he says, is a natural outgrowth of his love for God’s Word.
Jessica Elliott, head nurse at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., was honored by the Cary (N.C.) Town Council on Nov. 17 for stopping to assist police officer Chad Penland following a motorcycle accident in July. Medical authorities say Penland would have died within minutes after a pickup truck struck him had Elliott not intervened. Elliott, a registered nurse with 14 years of experience at hospitals and schools, travels to Cary several times a year to visit family. The two have remained in touch since the accident. Elliott has received text messages keeping her abreast of the police officer’s recovery, including his therapy, his first bites of mashed potatoes and his new motorcycle. Penland is “the real hero here,” along with God, Elliott said after Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht honored her with a proclamation.