Updated Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007

BSC opens with look at "great and wondrous things"

By Steve DeVane

BR Managing Editor

GREENSBORO - North Carolina Baptists remembered "great and wondrous things" that God has done in the past, celebrated similar events now and looked forward to the future as the 177th annual session of the Baptist State Convention (BSC) opened in Greensboro Nov. 12.

Milton Hollifield, BSC executive director-treasurer, reminded messengers that in times of difficulty God shows his people great and wondrous things.Hollifield talked about how Baptist churches reached out to one another and formed associations in the early 1700s. This was a "rough and rugged time" when just surviving was an accomplishment, he said.

"They were simple people and quietly served their master," he said.

Hollifield said he often wonders what great things those early Baptists could accomplish with the resources available today.

"Maybe we have lost something our forefathers had, which was a deep and utter dependence on God," Hollifield said.

Ken Kessler, who works with associations for the BSC, talked about the 300th anniversary of Baptist associations. He said there are 80 associations in North Carolina.

Kessler introduced E.J. Hines, who recently retired after serving as director of missions for the New River Baptist Association for 41 years, and Larry Doyle, current associational missionary in Piedmont Association.

Hines said associations have fostered partnerships, promoted a global view of missions, equipped churches and served as strategists for local congregations.

Doyle said associations are at a critical moment in history.

They need to help churches network and discover and cultivate missional leaders, he said.

"I think exciting days are ahead," Doyle said.

Gulfport nears end

Richard Brunson, executive director of North Carolina Baptist Men, led a presentation on the 100th anniversary of Royal Ambassadors (RAs). He said he's thankful for the impact the program has had on young people, leaders and local churches.

The first RA chapter nationally was formed in 1907 at First Baptist Church in Goldsboro. Now there are more than 2,000 chapters in North Carolina, more than any other state.

Brunson also led a presentation about N.C. Baptist Men efforts in Gulfport, Miss., since Hurricane Katrina. He said N.C. Baptists have served about 162,000 volunteer days, which is about $25 million worth of labor.

North Carolina Baptists have cleaned out about 2,300 homes and rebuilt 647 houses with nearly 70 others in some stage of construction. About 420 people have made decisions for Christ, Brunson said.

Chuck Register, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gulfport, thanked North Carolina Baptists whose work has brought together families and changed eternities.

"You have taught me the deep, biblical truth of what it means to love your neighbor," he said.

Operation Inasmuch

Brunson also pled for involvement in a statewide Operation Inasmuch ministry project scheduled for April 19, 2008.

Organizers hope to have a mission blitz in all 100 North Carolina counties, involving 50,000 to 100,000 volunteers.

"That's going to be a great day," said BSC President Stan Welch.