PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS CONTACT MAGAZINE
NASHVILLE, TN According to Steven Pierce, former army captain featured in the June issue of Contact, he shared a copy of the magazine with Mark Hilgers, an acquaintance from Wisconsin. Several weeks later he received a Wisconsin newspaper. To his surprise, he found a picture of Mark on the front page, handing the magazine to Laura Bush.
Mark asked Mrs. Bush to have her husband sign the magazine and return it to the soldier pictured on the front cover. On Inauguration Day, Steven went to his mailbox and found a manila envelope from the White House labeled “Official Orders.” Steven says, “My first thought was that I was about to be recalled to active military duty and be assigned to Washington, D.C.” When he opened the envelope, however, he was amazed to find the well-traveled copy of Contact signed by the President and his wife. Included was an official card reading, “Compliments of the President and Laura Bush.”
REACH THAT GUY ANNOUNCES CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Goal of 1,500 Christmas stockings set
ANTIOCH, TN You and your entire church can make a difference this summer. Reach That Guy, in association with the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, will be collecting Christmas stockings at the national convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Nineteen thousand boys and girls are part of this program. For details and suggestions email reachthatguy@randallhouse.com for more details.
You can also make a difference by participating in the blood drive sponsored by Reach That Guy. It will be held Wednesday, July 20. Please check your convention schedule for time and location.
TEAM CHURCH ANNOUNCES UPCOMING EVENTS
ANTIOCH, TN Randall House publications is pleased to announce upcoming Team Church Christian Education events for the next year. Regional events include:
Columbus, Ohio - March 19, 2005
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Nashville, TN - April 16, 2005
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Russellville, AR - April 16, 2005
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Charleston, WV - August 20, 2005
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Georgia - August 27, 2005
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Moore, OK - September 17, 2005
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TN (Tri-State) - September 24, 2005
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Florence, SC - October 1, 2005
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Spartanburg, SC - October 15, 2005
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Tupelo, MS - October 22, 2005
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Illinois - November 5, 2005
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Detroit, MI - May 20, 2006
For more information about Team Church events, including helping to host one in your state, please call (800) 877-7030.
W.B. HUGHES WITH THE LORD
Birmingham, AL – William Bonnie Hughes died unexpectedly on November 16, 2004, one day after his 85th birthday. Mr. Hughes answered the call to preach shortly after returning from a tour of duty in World War 2 and spent the next 47 years pastoring churches in Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.
A 1953 graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees for more than 10 years. Mr. Hughes was also instrumental in establishing youth camp programs in Tennessee and Alabama. Although retired, Hughes remained an active member of Mt. Olive Free Will Baptist Church in Twin, Alabama. He is survived by three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
ALABAMA EMPHASIZES BIBLICAL GUIDELINES FOR MARRIAGE
MADISON, AL Delegates to the 85th annual State Association that met November 10-12, 2004 at Madison FWB Church approved a resolution supporting an amendment to the United States constitution defining marriage as “only between one man and one woman.” This resolution also declares, “such an amendment should prohibit states from legally recognizing same sex unions, as civil unions or domestic partnerships.”
The association adopted a $550,000 budget including participation in the Acts 1:8 plan. Delegates also made two changes to the constitution. The first allows the general board to meet at any time during the Association meeting while the second redefines the constitutional procedures by which a church can become a member of the state association. A committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of incorporating the state association.
According to State Clerk, Kenneth Bozeman, 236 attended the meeting, including 79 ministers, 18 deacons, 26 delegates and 113 visitors. Rev. Junior Hill spoke three times in addition to messages by Rev. Danny Thompson, Rev. Mickey Crane, Rev. Barry Raper, and Rev. Tom Scott. Alabama Women Active for Christ sponsored a banquet at the Greenbrier Restaurant featuring speakers Carolyn Hendrix and Janie Aldridge.
Moderator Danny Thompson presided over the meeting and was reelected to another year of service. Other state officers elected include Assistant Moderator, Glenn Poston; Clerk, Rodney Yerby; and Assistant Clerk, Rev. Danny Williams.
The 2006 Association meeting will meet November 9-11, 2005 at the Forestdale FWB Church in Forestdale.
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FREE WILL BAPTIST YEARBOOK AVAILABLE
ANTIOCH, TN The 2005 Free Will Baptist Yearbook came off the press in February. Yearbooks have been mailed to district association clerks for distribution of complimentary copies to each local church. If you wish to purchase a copy for personal use, call Randall House Publications (800) 877-7030.
DEAN JONES ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION
ANTIOCH, TN After more than fifteen years, Dean Jones recently announced his resignation from Randall House Publications, effective July 31, 2005. While at Randall House, Dean served as Director of Student and Children Ministries, the Director of the National Youth Conference, and the Director of Truth and Peace Student Leadership Conference. When asked about his resignation, Dean replied, “For the past 17 years the Lord has blessed me with opportunities to work with the finest students in our denomination. Now, many of those students are in leadership positions in our ranks and beyond—serving the Lord. It has been by privilege to serve, and I know the Lord has other opportunities in store for my future.” Steve Greenwood, currently the coordinator of the National Youth Conference, will serve as interim Director.
REACH THAT GUY PLANS HUGE YEAR IN LOUISVILLE
ANTIOCH, TN - This July, Free Will Baptists from across the country will visit Louisville, KY for the 70th annual National Convention. One facet of our convention growing by leaps and bounds is Reach That Guy, a service project ministry. In three years, Reach That Guy has seen almost 3,000 volunteers impact convention cities physically and spiritually.
Any person who registers for the convention can join a Reach That Guy project. Most people are unaware of the financial impact students make on organizations like The Gracious Promise Foundation in Kansas City, KS. Last year, after just four days, every single service goal had been met. Reach That Guy saved this ministry more than $7,000.
More than 1,000 service opportunities await volunteers this summer. Much of our work will benefit the Salvation Army.
If you feel you are not physically able to join us on a service project,
there is good news! You don't have to leave the convention to
impact Louisville, KY. You can still become involved in this great work. Visit www.reachthatguy.org for suggestions or send an email to
FORMER STATE SENATOR DEAD IN MISSISSIPPI
BOONEVILLE, MS Charles Walden died Wednesday, December 15, 2004 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Walden was a member of the Martin Hill FWB Church in Booneville, where he served as a Bible teacher for more than 40 years. According to J.L. Gore, Executive Secretary of the state, “Charles Walden was one of the finest men I have ever known . . . [he] always put his work for the Lord first in his priorities. He set an example for all who are involved in Christian service.” In addition to his role as state senator, Walden was the only layman to serve as the Moderator of the MS State Association of Free Will Baptists. He was a 30-year board member of the FWB Children’s Home and a member of the national Master’s Men board. He also served as president of the Prentiss County chapter of Gideons International and was chairman of the Prentiss County American Family Association. He is survived by Barbara Ann Walden, wife of 47 years, three children, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
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