In April, we posted an article about three Baptist Collegiate Ministry students attending Farmville Baptist who were preparing to go on summer mission.  Last week, we received the following letter from Emily Caviness.

Dear friends and family,

I have returned safely back home to Virginia!  Thank you all for your prayers and financial support.  From when I first decided to go to Macau, I didn’t know how I would pay for the whole trip, but God took care of every worry or possible trouble.  Our team was able to teach English to 60 people while we were there, and we were able to hand out to restaurant workers 1,600 gifts inviting them to Macau Baptist Church.  Mainly, though, God used us to show his love simply by creating friendships with the people.  In Chinese, the phrase for “boring” literally translates in English to “talking about Jesus,” so it was a blessing to be able to show the people God’s light in a fun and personal way.

In preparing for the trip, a woman told our team “if you go to China for a week, you can write a novel about China; a month, you can write a paragraph; a year, you can write a sentence and any longer than that, you learn that words just cannot describe China.”  This couldn’t be truer, as China is so vast, complex and different from one province to another that my trying to describe China in generalities simply will not do it justice.  Macau (which became like home to us while we were there) was a friendly, smaller city with a lot of diversity and life.  Going into mainland China was like entering into a different world.  I saw poverty and hopelessness in a way I had never experienced it before, as I have been lucky enough to always know God, and to have grown up with much more than the basic necessities of life.  We were able to spend our last night in Hong Long, which was such a special, beautiful island.  We got to see the city from the peak of a mountain and sit by the ocean during the day.  Regardless of what city we were in, throughout the entire trip, God’s presence was distinctly there.  It is hard to believe that anyone could look at the mountains of Hong Kong or the kind faces of the people of Macau and not believe in Christ, but it is without Christ that thee wonderful places all had darkness about them.  Although it is difficult to explain, physical and spiritual darkness reined the cities, which made the trip sometimes heartbreaking.  It is now, though, that I know specifically who and what I can pray for.  Our team has been able to come back to America and share our stories with you.  In return, we ask you to pray that Christ is made known throughout China, a country so amazing, but so in need of a Savior.

In supporting me financially and sending me on this trip, God also used you all in this mission.  And because of your prayers, no one got sick, and we got the opportunity to share about Christ with people who may never hear it again.  So, thank you!

With love, Emily Caviness

As we approach July 4th, the idea of freedom and independence has been on my mind. We as a country and as individuals value freedom, but many in our day and age find Christianity confining and constraining, an enemy to personal freedom. This view is in part due to our modern, Western understanding of freedom as being able to “think anything we want to think, and do anything that we want to do,” without relying on an outside authority or power. So how can one with such a view come to accept Christianity and Jesus Christ?

A book that I read during my vacation was very helpful in suggesting an answer. The book is called The Reason for God, written by Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. While there is much to comment on and commend in the book, one of the things that I want to share in this column is Keller’s take on true freedom. Keller contends that freedom is not simply “doing anything I want to do.” In fact, in many cases, confinement and constraint can actually be liberating. The “restriction” of gravity allows us to move and keeps our atmosphere from floating away so that we can breathe. Even as our country fought and won our independence from England, that did not eliminate our need for government, an authority that limits and constrains certain behaviors. If we had no enforceable laws, we would live in anarchy, imprisoned in our own houses for fear of what others might do to us in their “freedom.” Therefore, freedom is not the absence of limitations and constraints. Human freedom flourishes within the context of the right limitations and constraints, those that fit our nature and liberate us (Keller, p. 49).

According to Keller, love is a great example of how true freedom works. One of the principles of love is that you have to lose some independence to attain greater intimacy. To experience the joy and freedom of love, you must give up some personal autonomy. And in the most radical way, God-in God’s love for us-constrained Himself when He became a limited human being in the person of Jesus Christ who suffered, sacrificed and ultimately died for us human beings. When we truly respond to Christ’s love, then doing what pleases God should not feel oppressive to us at all. Rather, like a person deeply “in love,” you will be motivated to know everything and do everything in your power to bring pleasure to your beloved. You won’t be afraid of giving up some of your “freedoms,” because you are finding your true freedom in your beloved. And when that beloved Person is Jesus Christ, the Truth and Love of God, then we will experience what John 8:32 promises: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

May true freedom be yours as you celebrate Independence Day this year!

- In Christ, Michael

This week, we had our Vacation Bible School using Group Publishing’s “Power Lab” curriculum. Throughout the week, we learned about the power that Jesus gives us to be thankful, to be helpful, to be brave, to live forever and to tell others of the good news. The participants conducted “experiments” that illustrated the “aha!” teaching point of the day. We had about forty children attend every day. Many thanks to Amanda Johnston, who served as VBS Director this year, and for the many volunteers from FBC and Zion Hill Baptist Church for making this VBS a success!

Click on “more” for a gallery of pictures of the week.

This past May I celebrated another birthday, and one of the things that I’ve noticed as I enter middle age is that gray hairs are encroaching upon my head. I try not to notice it too much, but it’s hard not to when Thea my daughter has made it a hobby to count them! When I look in the mirror and see a glistening silver strand, I am tempted to pluck it out. But then I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.”

In a culture that worships youth, it can be hard to embrace our growing maturity in terms of chronological years. And there is nothing virtuous about growing old in and of itself. As my father-in-law frequently says, “Growing old is not for sissies!” But this proverb reminds us that there is no shame in growing old either, especially when it is accompanied by the wisdom of God.

In his book, The Book of Wisecracks: Windows of Wisdom for Living Well, Gerald Mann reflects on that proverb and contends that gray hair can be a crown of glory . . . if it comes from outliving our sins and flaws. He argues: Hair does not turn gray. It turns clear! The Bible tells us that God knows each of our sins. It also tells us that He has counted our every hair. He knows the number of both. Every time I look at my hoary head in the mirror, I don’t think of my mortality. I think of my morality. Every “clear” hair represents a cleared offense. It is a sign that God “clears” our record, whenever we ask Him to.

Mann then writes this poem about his gray hairs:

When I look at my reflection,
it says, “You’re really getting old!
Your chest has fled to your midsection.
Your hair is silver instead of gold.”

But I reject mirror’s knell of my mortality.
My belly stands for eating well,
and my hair—morality.

No! I haven’t reached the goodness
For which I long have striven,
But every thread in my hoary head
Represents a sin forgiven.

Some of you reading this column are young and don’t have any gray hairs. But they will come! Mann’s reflection reminds us all that there is grace in gray hairs. They can be reminders of God’s continuing work of forgiveness in our lives, if we will only allow it to “take root” and cleanse us “as white as snow.” So Thea, keep counting those gray hairs!

Yours in Christ, Michael

Last Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., we sponsored a community-wide bike rodeo at the STEPS parking lot here in Farmville. About thirteen children brought their bikes to be inspected and serviced by Rodney Dunning and Jordan Whiley. After a bike safety presentation, the kids enjoyed riding around the course set up on the parking lot. And when they got hot from riding, they also cooled off with snow cones!

During our worship service on April 27, we commissioned and prayed for three Longwood students (pictured L to R), Neena George, Emily Caviness, and Robbie Yancey and  as they prepare to serve as summer missionaries through the Baptist Collegiate Ministries.  Neena will be ministering in India for a month.  Emily and Robbie will spend three weeks in Macau and Hong Kong teaching English.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers!

Today, our youth group together with the youth group from Tar Wallet Baptist Church hosted a car wash fundraiser for Passways Camp. It was a beautiful day for a car wash! The group washed a lot of cars and raised about $600! And as you can tell from the pictures, a good time was had by all.  Click on “more” to see more pictures.

Starting Wednesday, April 16 and lasting until May 7, Dr. Rodney Dunning will lead a study on “The Bible in English” a study on how we got our Bible, textual criticism, English translations, the notion of “inspiration” and Bible study tools. The following is the schedule of topics to be covered:

4/16 ….. Recovering the original text of the Bible

4/23 ….. English translations of the Bible

4/30 ….. The nature of the Bible as an inspired text

5/7 ……. Tools for interpreting the Bible

Rodney will post a summary of his presentation on his blog called “Very Important Stuff.” Click on the links above to read a summary of Rodney’s presentation.

Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published April 2008

Having just experienced a wonderful Easter service last week, it got me to thinking about new life in Christ for us as a congregation. This past year, I feel that we have continued to experience a renewed vitality in the life of our church. I am grateful for your faithful attendance in worship and Bible study, and for your service in the name of Christ in the church and in our community.

I am especially grateful for the ten new members who joined the church since May of last year: Russell Chassey, Rodney, Tammy and Sarah Dunning, Lindsey Davis, John and Amanda Johnston, Jordan Miles, Cameron Patterson and Jeaninne Milne. Of those, Russell, Lindsey, John, and Jeaninne were baptized, in addition to Sandy Covington. And on Sunday, April 6, we will celebrate with Jewel Moore and her family as Jewel comes to be baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ. What an occasion for thanksgiving to God!

As we baptize Jewel, I also know of several others who are very interested in becoming members of Farmville Baptist. And so, it is with these folks in mind that we will have a New and Prospective Member Luncheon after worship on Sunday, April 13. At the luncheon, I will give a brief overview of the beliefs and ministries of Farmville Baptist and answer any questions you might have. If you have been sensing that God might be leading you to formally join in the life and ministry of Farmville Baptist, I would love to hear from you and to cordially invite you to attend this luncheon.

May God continue to bless Farmville Baptist as we continue to grow numerically and spiritually in the days ahead!

Yours in Christ, Michael

Yesterday, we held a funeral service for Ethel Southall, one of our beloved members who unexpected passed away last week. Ethel was active not only at our church, but also at New Life Assembly of God, where she fixed hot dogs for their school every Wednesday, and at Heritage Baptist Church, where she participated in their Friday morning quilting group.

Ethel was the “momma hen” of her big family clan, and the whole sanctuary was packed with family, friends, and former students. During the service, we played Ethel’s moving testimony of her faith in Christ that she gave at one of our Lenten services last year. Her testimony can be heard here.

Ethel will be greatly missed by our church and by our community, but we know that she has entered into her eternal reward and is now reunited with her parents, her husband Walter, her younger brother Everett, and older brother Bill–a former Minister of Education here at Farmville Baptist who also recently passed away on March 7.

The picture above of Ethel with her oldest daughter Jayne was taken in March of 2006. Our hearts and prayers extend to Ethel’s family during this time of loss.