STAFF CHANGES
• Jack Thomas, to Lyles Church, Palmyra, as pastor.
• Dennis V. Jones, to Dublin Church, Dublin, as pastor.
• Joshua L. M. Pittman, to Upper King & Queen Church, Newtown, as pastor.
• James Combow, resigning as pastor of Grassy Creek Church, Castlewood.
MISSIONS MOMENT
The youth from Williamsburg Baptist Church in Williamsburg participated in the Passport missions camp in the Boston, Mass., area the week of July 14-20. Work projects included cleaning and painting the basement of a Boys & Girls Club, cleaning a church basement and volunteering at a children's carnival. Pictured are Jessie Wigley, Jordan Bristow, Kellie Johnson, Beth Guse, April Cross, Gabrielle Granger, Kelsey Barbour, Megan Drewry, Sam Bonafe and Terri Wigley, leader.
• Gene Strickland, resigning as senior pastor of First Church, Galax, to accept an evangelistic outreach position in Norfolk.
• Charles Gibson, completing the intentional interim pastorate at Providence Church, Red House.
• Kenneth Fleet, completing an interim pastorate at Patterson Avenue Church, Richmond.
• Scott Chafee, to King's Grant Church, Virginia Beach, as pastor of discipleship.
• Roy M. Ford Jr., to First Church, Gretna, as interim pastor.
• Blaine Britt, to Sycamore Church, Franklin, as part-time minister of music.
• Tony Beach, now serving as associate pastor for Fort Trial Church, Stanleytown. He previously had served as minister of youth and education.
• Seth Horrell, to Williamsburg Church, Williamsburg, as pastoral associate for Christian growth and outreach.
• Suzanne Stovall Vinson, resigning as minister of Christian education at Ginter Park Church, Richmond.
• Betsy Dishman, to First Church, Waynesboro, as interim minister of music.
• Esther G. Hanks, to Oak Level Church, Bassett, as youth and children's coordinator.
• Jimmy Coates, resigning as associate pastor and minister of youth at King's Grant Church, Virginia Beach.
• Deborah Upton, to Bon Air Church, Richmond, as minister to children.
• Dale Tadlock, to First Church, Waynesboro, as associate pastor/minister to young adults & students.
• Trish Wise, to Victoria Church, Victoria, as youth minister.
• Tom Lynch, to First Church of Clarendon, Arlington, as associate pastor for community outreach.
ORDINATION
• Jimmy Lewis, pastor of Union Grove Church, Keysville, was ordained to the gospel ministry by the church on Aug. 5.
DEATHS
• Gene R. Ashworth, pastor of Sandy Level Church, Sandy Level, and the Bill Bolling Memorial Chapel on Smith Mountain Lake, died Aug. 18 at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Cook Ashworth; two sons, Don and Brian; one brother, Charlie Ashworth; and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held Aug. 21 at Sandy Level Church.
• Thelma Oakley Jones died July 30. She was the wife of the late Rev. William L. “Billy” Jones. At the time of her death she was a member of Calvary Church, Lovingston. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra J. Linn. A funeral service was held Aug. 2 at Calvary Church, Lovingston.
• Kenneth Tyree “Kenny” Wilson, pastor of Lynch Station Church, Lynch Station, died on Aug. 20 at the age of 55 as the result of a motorcycle accident. He had previously served as pastor of Inglewood Church, Lynchburg; Mount Ivy Church, Moneta; and Poplar Forest Church. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Moorefield Wilson; mother, June Hudson Wilson; a son, Joseph; three daughters, Sarah G. Wilson, Wendy W. Booth and Cindy W. Holt; two brothers; two sisters; and two grandchildren. A funeral service was held Aug. 24 at Lynch Station Church.
OTHER
• Virginia Baptist Women's Chorale will be in concert on Sat., Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Culpeper Church, Culpeper. The program, “Songs from a Woman's Heart,” includes both traditional and contemporary styles of music. The Chorale is composed of ladies across Virginia who have music leadership roles in their churches.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Buckingham Baptist Church in New Canton held its annual Vacation Bible School July 16-20. Seven decisions for Christ were made and 120 people attended the Family Picnic on the final day of the school. VBS Director was Betty Toney and Richard Long is pastor.
HOMECOMINGS & REVIVALS
• Belmont Church, Charlottesville; homecoming Sept. 16; Andre Myers, guest speaker; homecoming lunch followed by 2 p.m. concert by Dave and Becky Johnson.
• Faith Church, Hampton; 7th anniversary; Jubilee on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow with a musical celebration at 2 p.m..
• First Church, Dillwyn; homecoming Sept. 16; former pastor Terry Welborn, guest speaker; lunch followed by 1:45 p.m. concert by “Higher Ground.”
• First Church, West Point; revival Sept. 16-19; Royce Williams, guest evangelist.
• Grove Park Church, Portsmouth; homecoming Sept. 23; John Alford, guest speaker; covered-dish luncheon following the 10:30 a.m. service.
• Laurel Grove Church, Sutherlin; revival Sept. 16-19; Chad Boyd, guest evangelist.
• Mount Hermon Church, Bedford; 220th anniversary; homecoming Sept. 23; Fred Anderson, guest speaker.
• North Pamunkey Church, Orange; homecoming/revival Sept. 9-12; Roger Roller, guest evangelist.
• Oak Forest Church, Chesterfield; 20th anniversary Sept. 16; morning worship at 11 a.m. followed by luncheon and afternoon service at 1:30 p.m.
• Oakland Church, Disputanta; homecoming Sept. 9; Dalton “Buddy” Ward, guest speaker; covered-dish luncheon.
• Pioneer Church, Richmond; revival Sept. 23-26; Vander Warner, guest evangelist.
• Stockton Memorial Church, Chesterfield; 115th anniversary Sept. 16; Noel Pace, guest speaker; dinner on the grounds.
• Upper King & Queen Church, Newtown; revival Sept. 9-12; David Donahue, guest evangelist.
• Westover Church, Arlington; homecoming Sept. 9; former pastor Chet Smith, guest speaker.
• White Stone Church, White Stone; homecoming Sept. 23; James E. White, guest speaker; dinner on the grounds.