STAFF CHANGES
• Chris Poluikis, to Covington Church, Covington, as pastor.
• David Benjamin, to Winfree Memorial Church, Midlothian, as pastor.
• Frank Gribble, to Fieldale Church, Fieldale, as pastor.
• Scott Welch, to North Fork Church, Virgilina, as pastor.
• John Graybill, to Crystal Spring Church, Roanoke, as senior pastor.
• Allen George, to SherLynd Church, Lyndhurst, as pastor.
• David Rathel, to Fork Church, Scottsburg, as pastor.
• Steve Johnson, to Cedar Grove Church, Lebanon, as pastor.
• Bobby Greene, to Oak Chapel Church, Orange, as pastor.
• Chris Bell, to Woolridge Road Church, Moseley, as pastor.
• Deborah Sems, to First Church, Manakin-Sabot, as pastor.
• Eric Pelter, to Mount Herman Church, Mineral, as pastor.
• Robert “Bobby” McGraw, to Harman Memorial Church, Maxie, as pastor.
• Robbie Catoe, to Mayo Church, Spencer, as pastor.
• Richard Goble, to Calvary Church, Orange, as pastor.
• M. Reginald Warren, resigning as pastor of Orcutt Church, Newport News. He will pursue other ministry opportunities after a time of personal leave.
• Steve Bingham, resigning as pastor of Brent-Lox Church, Chesapeake.
RETIREMENT
Gladys Arthur Long has retired as secretary of New Prospect Baptist Church in Hurt after having served there 42 years. When she began this job, she used a manual typewriter and a hand-cranked mimeograph machine. Gladys has been a member of New Prospect since 1957 and the church honored her with a church-wide reception and presented her with a plaque and wall clock. She's pictured above with four of the five pastors with whom she served (left to right): Harold C. Lewis, Robert E. Reese, Brady A. Willis (current pastor) and Charles W. Thompson.
• Ken Kessler, to Louisa Church, Louisa, as interim pastor.
• Tom Doubt, to Zoar Church, Locust Grove, as interim pastor.
• Otto Mazzoni, resigning as pastor of Woodberry Hills Church, Danville.
• Sam Harvey, to Riverdale Church, Roanoke, as interim pastor.
• C. Randall Ashcraft, resigning as pastor of Leesburg Community Church, Leesburg.
• Bill Russo, to Blackwater Church, Virginia Beach, as associate pastor.
• Greg Denton, to Virginia Heights Church, Roanoke, as minister of music.
• Jerry Hutchinson Jr., to Culpeper Church, Culpeper, as associate pastor.
• Roger Jones, now serving as associate pastor/youth at Hillcrest Church, Ridgeway.
• Lori Ann Strickland, to Northside Church, Mechanicsville, as director of children's and family ministries.
• Wes Scholtz, to Mount Pleasant Church, Colonial Heights, as associate pastor for children.
• Chris Dale, resigning as minister of music at Culpeper Church, Culpeper.
• Tim Shepherd, to New Hope Church, Appomattox, as youth minister.
• T. J. Easter, to First Church, Ridgeway, as minister of youth and children.
• Randy Markel, to Mount Vernon Church, Glen Allen, as associate pastor in pastoral care.
ORDINATIONS
• Lee Upchurch has been ordained to the gospel ministry by Harman Memorial Church, Maxie. He serves as their associate pastor and youth leader.
• Kevin Gibson, minister of music at Webber Memorial Church, Richmond, was recently ordained to the gospel ministry by the church.
• David Rice will be ordained to the gospel ministry by Broadus Memorial Church, Mechanicsville, on Oct. 19.
DEATH
• Retired Virginia Baptist pastor Daniel G. Wheeler died Oct. 3 at the age of 89. He was a charter member of University Church, Charlottesville, and had served as pastor of Middleburg Church, Middleburg, Long Branch Church, The Plains, and Rivermont Church, Danville. He was predeceased by his eldest son, Daniel G. Wheeler Jr. He is survived by his wife, Marion Booth Wheeler; two sons, David Wayne and Timothy Gilbert Wheeler; and a daughter, Rosemary Elaine Wheeler.
CHURCH NEWS
• Branch's Church, Richmond, is hosting “Into the Depths,” a Saturday seminar into the deep spiritual life in Christ, on Sat., Oct. 18 from 6-9 p.m. There will be worship and small group sessions. Cost is $12. Call 804-276-5000 to register.
• Correction: Zion Baptist Church in Emporia participated in rest stop ministry sponsored by Petersburg Association on Labor Day.
HOMECOMINGS / REVIVALS
• Barboursville Church, Barboursville; homecoming Oct. 26; revival Oct. 26-29; Tom Burke, evangelist.
• Bethel Church, Salem; fall renewal services Oct. 19-23; Michael Cloer, evangelist.
• Blue Run Church, Somerset; homecoming Oct. 19; Doug Farmer, guest speaker, covered-dish lunch to follow.
• Buckroe Church, Hampton; anniversary/homecoming Oct. 26.
• Calvary Church, Concord; homecoming Oct. 19; former pastor Hugh Bumgarner, guest speaker; covered-dish luncheon.
• Crewe Church, Crewe; revival Oct. 26-29; James Hamacher, evangelist.
• East End Church, Suffolk; 120th anniversary and pastor's 21st anniversary Oct. 19; E. W. McCall, pastor emeritus, St. Stephens Church, La Puente, California, guest speaker.
• Fairfields Church, Burgess; Loyalty Day and homecoming Oct. 19; former interim pastor G. C. Harbuck, guest speaker; lunch following service.
• First Church, Coeburn; revival Oct. 26-29; Reiny Koschel, evangelist.
• First Church, Independence; homecoming Oct. 19; Hal Eaton, guest speaker; special music by the Heritage Four; dinner following the service.
• Floyd Church, Floyd; revival Oct. 19-22; Darrell Fletcher, evangelist.
• Gravel Hill Church, Buffalo Junction; revival Oct. 26-29; Matt Rummage, evangelist.
• Kentuck Church, Ringgold; homecoming Oct. 26; William “Bill” Soyars, guest speaker; potluck dinner after service.
• Schoolfield Church, Danville; homecoming Oct. 26; Cliff Hudgins, guest speaker; covered-dish luncheon after service.
• Singers Glen Church, Singers Glen; revival Oct. 26-28; Charles P. Anderson Jr., evangelist.
• Story Creek Church, Ferrum; revival Oct. 26-29; Roger Roller, evangelist.
MISSIONS MOMENT
A 20-member mission team from First Church, Newport News, and West Hampton Church, Hampton, traveled to Romania June 24-July 6 providing camp for 125 children ages 6 to 16 at Camp Hargita. This is a first-time partnership for the two churches and has been First Baptist's mission since the first visit in 1993 by Jim White, then pastor of First Baptist, Dennis Adams, minister of music, and Richard Green. $40,000 was raised for the trip through various activities. This is in addition to donations of supplies and sports equipment. Each team member paid their own airfare.