USA > North Carolina > Ashe County > History of Ashe County Baptist Association, North Carolina SBC, 1949 to 1977 > Part 5
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Rev. J. O. Spencer, to whom the 1954-55 minutes are dedicated.
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ASHE MISSIONARY BAPTIST
The following visitors were recognized and welcomed: J. C. Canipe, State Evangelistic Secretary; Dr. L. L. Carpenter, Biblical Recorder editor; Dr. Zeb Caudle, Superintendent of Home of Aged, Albemarle; Rev. R. M. Hauss, Allied Church League; Mr. Glenn South, Three Forks Association; Mrs. Fred Fields, Rigby Association, Gainsville, Alabama; Jessie Shumate' and Luther Shumate of Lebanon Association.
ASHE MISSIONARY BAPTIST 27
In Memoriam
APPLE GROVE - W. M. Little.
BALD MOUNTAIN -- J. E. Sexton.
BIG FLATS - Lillian Greer.
BRISTOL - Effie Calloway, Dealos Dixon. CHESTNUT HILL - John Emmitte Gambill.
CLIFTON - Vance Richardson.
GLENDALE - Mrs. Maggie Lowman.
GRASSY CREEK - Rev. J. O. Spencer.
HEALING SPRINGS - Guiles C. Blevins, Susie Baker.
LANDMARK - Crump Blevins, Mamie Brooks. LIBERTY HILL - W. H. Wagoner.
LITTLE HELTON - Omer Testerman.
LONG BRANCH - Rev. Luther Testerman, Raymond Powers.
MISSION HOME - J. F. Blackburn, Wiley Church. OBIDS - Daniel Miller.
PHEONIX - Bessie C. Francis, Frank Childress.
PILOT MOUNTAIN - S. H. Miller, Will L. Byland. PINE SWAMP - Charlie Hartzog.
PLEASANT CHAPEL - Lester Greer.
PLEASANT HOME - Mrs. Lizzie Hudler. STURGILLS - Elzina Eller.
TUCKERDALE - Millie Darnell
WELCOME HOME - Nellie Blevins.
WEST JEFFERSON - Mrs. Ervin Eller, Charlie Phillips, Arthur Hurley, L. S. Vannoy, E. R. Sturdivant.
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Ashe Missionary Baptist
Association SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA 1886 - 1955 HELD WITH ORION BAPTIST CHURCH
DIRECTORY OF ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Rev. W. E. Denny, Moderator
Lansing, N. C.
Rev. H. M. Winkler. Vice-Moderator
Todd, N. C.
McDaniel Harless, Clerk-Treasurer West Jefferson, N. C.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Rev. S. S. Graybeal, Chairman Creston, N. C.
Wade Vannoy Jr., Vice-Chairman West Jefferson, N. C.
D. C. Severt, Secretary West Jefferson, N. C.
James Eller
Bina, N. C.
Rev. W. E. Denny
Lansing, N. C.
Worth Phillips
West Jefferson, N. C.
Mrs. Ralph C. Parsons
West Jefferson, N. C.
Rev. G. C. Burkett
Jefferson, N. C.
Frank McMillan
Crumpler, N. C.
Guy T. Shatley
Jefferson, N. C.
Marvin Osborne
West Jefferson, N. C.
C. M. Payne
West Jefferson, N. C.
STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1956
State, Home and Foreign Missions
A. D. Goodman Geter Roten
Orphanage
Hospital
Rev. J. H. Gentry
Pastor's Salary and Ministerial Relief
Robert Hartzog
Periodicals Mrs. Nell Phipps
Baptist Homes for Aged
Mrs. F. L. Waddell
Christian Education
Jack Graybeal
Temperance and Public Morals Mrs. Mollie Denny
Associational Work Associational Missionary Marvin Osborne
D. C. Severt
W. M. U.
Mrs. Ralph C. Parsons
Ministerial Conference
Rev. R. C. Ashley
Rev. H. M. Winkler Rev. S. S. Graybeal
Rev. G. C. Burkett Rev. Walter Day
Rev. G. L. Denny
Sunday Schools
Training Union
New Churches
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Orion Baptist Church, scene of 69th Annual Ses- sion of Association.
Rev. Paul Phipps, pastor of Orion Baptist Church.
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Program
ASHE MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
1956 Session
New River Baptist Church August 23, 24, 1956 Thursday, August 23 - Morning
9:30 Devotional and Words of Welcome Rev. Paul Phipps
9:45 Reception of Churches and Visitors; Appointment of Com- mittees
10:00 Report of Executive Committee and Associational Missions 10:30 Report of Sunday School Report of Training Union
Report of W. M. U.
11:10 Election of Officers for next Session
11:30 Associational Sermon Rev. R. R. Campbell
12:00 Recess for lunch
Thursday, August 23 - Afternoon
1:15 Report on Pastor's Salary and Minister's Retirement
Robert Hartzog
1:25 Report on Temperance and Public Morals Mrs. Molley Denny
1:50 Report on State, Home and Foreign Missions A. D. Goodman
2:30 Miscellaneous Business
2:45 Sermon
3:15 Adjourn Rev. S. S. Graybeal
Friday, August 24 - Morning
9:30 Devotional Rev. Earl Hartzog
9:40 Report on Progress and Problems Rev. M. D. Hart
10:25 Report on Christian Education Jack Graybeal
11:00 Report on Periodicals Mrs. Nell Phipps
11:30 Report on Home for the Aged Mrs. F. L. Waddell
11:50 Miscellaneous
12:00 Recess for Lunch
Friday, August 24 - Afternoon
1:00 Report on Orphanage Geter Roten
1:30 Report on Hospital Rev. J. H. Gentry
2:00 Report of Committees
a. Resolutions
b. Finance
c. Place and Preacher
d. Nominating Committee for Executive Board
2:45 Sermon Rev. G. C. Burkett
3:15 Adjourn
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Group (3) Group (4)
Frank McMillan
Wade Vannoy, Jr.
Group (5) Worth Phillips.
Group (6) Guy T. Shatley
Committee, H. M. Winkler, Ballard Harless, Hardy Greene.
In Memoriam
APPLE GROVE - Mrs. Jennie Blevins. BALD MOUNTAIN - W. C. Edwards.
BETHEL - Levi Tomlinson.
BIG FLATS - Miss Dollie Porter.
BLUE RIDGE - Mrs. Julia Phillips, Mrs. Dela Miller, Mrs. Claricie Miller.
BRISTOL - Geord May, Steve Mullis.
CHESTNUT HILL - Mrs. Cora Ward.
FAIRVIEW - Miss Member Eller
FRANKLIN - Mrs. Mary E. Monk.
FRIENDSHIP - Robert Marsh.
HEALING SPRINGS - J. B. Barker, Mrs. Kate Taylor. LANDMARK - Wesley Hamm, Mrs. Ella Barker, Mrs. Hattie Barker. LAUREL KNOB - Joe Goodman.
LIBERTY GROVE - Granville Watson.
LITTLE HELTON - Mrs. Chessie Barker.
MISSION HOME - W. L. Tomlinson.
NEW RIVER - Mrs. Tina Davis, Mrs. Cora Halsey, G. C. Shepherd, Crawford Blevins.
OAK HILL - Mrs. Lura Barker. OBIDS - Mrs. Bertha McNeill.
ORION - Leonard Patton Yates.
PHEONIX - Mrs. T. A. Farmer.
PILOT MOUNTAIN - James J. Parlier.
PLEASANT HOME - Howard Phipps
PLEASANT VALLEY - J. C. Jones, Ina Blackburn. SMETHPORT - P. S. Bumgarner, Mrs. Ethel Bare. STURGILLS - Nancy Blevins.
THREE FORKS - Myrtle Toliver, Ervin Lewis.
WARRENSVILLE - Vance Ashley.
WEST JEFFERSON - Anders Anderson, Mrs. J. C. Dancy, Bower Medley.
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Ashe Missionary Baptist Association - 1886 - 1956
ASHE MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
DIRECTORY OF ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Rev. W. E. Denny, Moderator Lansing, N. C.
Rev. H. M. Winkler, Vice-Moderator Todd, N. C.
McDaniel Harless, Clerk-Treasurer West Jefferson, N. C.
Rev. Audley Frazier, Associational Missionary . West Jefferson, N. C.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Rev. S. S. Graybeal, Chairman Creston
Wade E. Vannoy, Jr., Vice Chairman West Jefferson, N. C.
D. C. Severt, Secretary West Jefferson, N. C.
James Eller Bina, N. C.
Rev. W. E. Denny Lansing, N. C.
Worth Phillips West Jefferson, N. C.
Mrs. Ralph Parsons West Jefferson, N. C.
Rev. G. C. Burkett Jefferson, N. C.
Frank McMillan Crumpler, N. C. Jefferson, N. C.
Guy T. Shatley
Marvin E. Osborne West Jefferson, N. C.
C. M. Payne West Jefferson, N. C.
Rev. R. C. Ashley Warrensville, N. C.
McDaniel Harless West Jefferson, N. C.
STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1957
State, Home and Foreign Missions C. E. Howell
Orphanage George West
Hospital Rev. J. H. Gentry
Pastor's Salary and Ministerial Relief Guy T. Shatley
Baptist Home For Aged
Mrs. F. L. Waddell
Christian Education
Fred Hardin
Temperance and Public Morals
.Mrs. Lola Porter Associational Work
Associational Missionary
Sunday Schools
Marvin E. Osborne
Training Union
.D. C. Severt
W. M. U. Mrs. Ralph Parsons
Ministerial Conference Rev. R. C. Ashley
Finance Committee Rev. R. C. Ashley, Chm.
Truitt Eller A. D Goodman
New Churches
Rev. H. M. Winkler
Rev. S. S. Graybeal Rev. G. C. Burkett Rev. Walter Day Rev. G. L. Denny
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New River Baptist Church, scene of 70th Annual Session of Association.
Rev. Roe Pasley, pastor of New River Baptist Church.
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Rev. Audley B.Frazier
Director of Missions
ASSOCIATIONAL MISSIONARY REPORT
September 15, 1955 - August 20, 1956 Church and type of work done in each church:
APPLE GROVE -- Preached 2; Vacation Bible School 5. BALD MOUNTAIN-Preached 1.
BAPTIST HOME-Preached 1.
BETHEL-Vacation Bible School 6.
BIG FLATS-Taught Sunday School Class and preached 1.
BIG LAUREL-Visited in community 1.
BLUE RIDGE-Taught Sunday School Class and preached 1; Vacation Bible School 5.
BRISTOL-Taught Sunday School Class and preached 1; Taught Train- ing Union Study Course 4; Helped in Ordination of Dea- cons 1.
BUFFALO-Preached 1; Helped organize WMS 1; Vacation Bible School 6.
CHESTNUT HILL-Preached 1.
CLIFTON-Conducted Prayer Meeting 1.
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FRIENDLY GROVE-Helped organize RA Chapter, met with chapter 2; Conducted Prayer Meeting 2; Preached 1; Taught Sun- day School Class 1; Taught Sunday School Study Course 5; Spoke for Brotherhood 1.
FRIENDSHIP-Spoke in Training Union Assembly and in the Adult Union 1.
GLENDALE -- Preached 1: Taught Sunday School Class 1.
GRASSY CREEK-Spoke in interest of Training Un'on and association- al work as a whole 1: Visited in revival service 1; Visited in community in interest of work 1.
HEALING SPRINGS-Conducted Training Union Revival 5; Helped organize a Training Union 2 services; Helped set up a church budget 1, mimeographed the same; Vacation Bible School 5.
JEFFERSON-Taught Sunday School Class 1; Preached 2; Taught Training Union Study Course 5; Attended Revival service 1.
LANDMARK-Preached 1; Vacation Bible School 4.
LAUREL KNOB-Preached 1; Attended Revival Service 1.
LIBERTY GROVE-Visited in community in interest of church 2.
LIBERTY H'LL-Attended Revival Service 1; Spoke in interest of Bible School.
LITTLE HELTON-Conducted devotional in Sunday School Assembly 1; Taught Sunday School Class 1; Vacation Bible School 5; Visited in services 1.
LONG BRANCH-Preached 2; Vacation Bible School 5.
MIDWAY-Attended WMU Annual Meeting and spoke on Making Christ's Commission-Our Mission in the Ashe Associa- tion 1.
MISSION HOME-Preached 3; Taught Sunday School Study Course 5. MOUNTAIN VIEW-Visited in community 1.
MT. OLIVE-Conducted Sunday School Devotional, taught Sunday School Class 1; Attended Revival Service 1.
NEW RIVER-Taught Sunday School Class and preached 1.
NORTH BEAVER-Taught Sunday School Class 2; Preached 1; Vaca- tion Bible School 5.
OAK HILL-Preached 1; Vacation Bible School 5.
OBIDS-Preached 1; Visited in the community in interest of work 1. OLDS FIELDS-Preached 3; Taught Sunday School 1; Helped plan and taught in a Training Union Study Course 5.
PEAK VALLEY-Attended Revival and spoke in interest of Associat- ional work 1.
PHOENIX-Conducted Prayer Meeting 1; Taught Sunday School Study Course 5; Visited in services and community 2.
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P.LOT MOUNTAIN-Visited in community in the interest of the church 2.
PINE MOUNTAIN-Preached 1: Vacation Bible School 5.
PINE SWAMP-Preached 1; Vacation Bible School 5.
PLEASANT BRANCH-Visited in community in interest of the work 1. PLEASANT CHAPEL-Preached 1.
PLEASANT HOME-Preached ]; Attended Revival Services 1.
PLEASANT VALLEY-Visited in community in the interest of the church 2.
PROSPERITY-Vacation Bible School 5.
ROCK CREEK-Conducted Prayer Meeting 2; Preached 2; Visited in Revival Services 1.
SABBATH HOME-Preached 1.
SMETHPORT-Taught Sunday School Class and preached 1.
STURGILLS Taught Sunday School Class and preached 1.
THREE FORKS -- Preached 1; Attended Revival Services 2.
VALLEY HOME-Vacation Bible School 3.
WAGONER-Preached 2; Taught Sunday School Class 1; Taught Sun- day School Study Course 5; Vacation Bible School 5. WARRENSVILLE-Preached 1.
WELCOME HOME-Preached 1; Visited in community in the interest of the work 1.
WEST JEFFERSON-Preached 1; Taught Intermediate Mission Book 1.
Summary of work done in churches:
Sermons preached-41.
Sunday School Classes Taught-15.
Prayer Meetings Conducted-6.
Sunday School Study Courses Taught-4.
Training Union organized-1.
Training Union Study Courses --
WMS organized-1. RA organized-1.
Vacation Bible School Conducted -- 16. (Includes St. John's, Negro.) Ordination Services-1.
ASSOCIATIONAL PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS
Pastors' Conference, West Jefferson. 9.
Preachers' School, West Jefferson, 5.
Group Training Union Revival, Healing Springs, 1.
Foreign Mission Emphasis, December, 1955, with Dr. and Mrs. Charles A. Leonard, retired missionaries who worked in China and Hawaii speaking in the following churches: Obids, Peak Valley, Little Helton, Clifton, Three Forks, Smethport, West Jefferson, Grassy Creek, Big Flats, Liberty Grove. Apple Grove, Tuckerdale, Bethel, Friendship,
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TASHE& MISSIONARYM BAREIST
Healing Springs, Bald Mountain, Bristol, Laurel Knob, Jefferson and Old Fields.
Vacation Bible School Clinic, West Jefferson, I.
"M' Night Program, West Jefferson, 1.
Youth Night Program, West Jefferson, 1.
Mission Emphasis. May 68, with State workers, pastors and Asso- ciational Missionaries working in the following thirteen churches: Mis- sion Home, Bristol, Buffalo, Pleasant Home, Tuckerdale, New River, Little Helton, North Beaver, Clifton. Friendly Grove, Phoenix, Sabbath Home, Grassy Creek, for three nights speaking on Missions, Steward- ship and Church Budgets.
Bible School Promotion-Miss Ruby Williams of Buies Creek, North Carolina. A summer Bible School Worker furnished us by the State Sunday School Department, worked in our Association for six weeks and had ten schools in these churches, namely, Three Forks, Baptist Home, Liberty Grove, Pilot Mountain, Welcome Home, Liberty Hill, Rock Creek, Glendale, Grassy Creek and Pleasant Valley.
Training Union Promotion-Miss Patricia Brasington of Lancaster, South Carolina a Training Union Worker furnished us by the Training Union Department, worked in Wagoner and New River teaching a Training Union Book for five nights. She was able to organize a Train- ing Union in each of these churches.
Training Union Associational Meetings, 9.
Sunday School Associational Meetings, 4.
Evangelistic Meetings for pastors, West Jefferson, 1; for all work- ers, Friendship, 1.
MEETINGS OUTSIDE THE ASSOCIATION ATTENDED BY MISSIONARY
Associational Training Union Officers, Planning Meeting, High Point, 1.
Baptist State Convention, Asheville, 3.
Planning Meeting for Associational Missionaries, Fruitland, 1.
State Evangelistic Conference, Winston-Salem, 1.
Meeting of Hospital Representatives and Missionaries, Baptist Hos- pital, Winston-Salem, 1.
Sunday School District Meeting, North Wilkesboro, 1.
Regional Training Union Meeting, Elkin, 1.
Mission Emphasis. Surry Association, 3; Stone Mountain 3 and El- kin, 3.
OTHER EFFORTS USED IN PROMOTION OF THE WORK (Both Associations)
Individual Conferences, 179; Committee, 9: Group 29.
Miles Traveled 16,974.
Bulletins 441.
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"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." May we in the coming year work together to put the work of Christ first. I sincerely desire your prayers, cooperation and understanding as we go forward for Christ. Respectively submitted, Audley B. Frazier
This statement is inserted in at this time for the reason of space.
My appreciation of the nearly eight years with Ashe and Alleghany Association's Educational and busy, I hope helpful as I worked with the pastor's and laity of both Associationa's.
I believe the Lord lead in the work during those years.
Sincerely
Audley B. Frazier
P.S. I would like to add a word here, the work that Bro, Frazier, did here in these two Baptist Association's.
Is still being felt and much lasting good has been accomplished as for his coming our way.
Rev. Dr.M.D.Hart M. D. Hart
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In Memoriam
BALD MOUNTAIN -- H. A. Lauerence, Ben Houck, Charlie Houck. BETHEL-Mrs. Candice Baker.
BLUE RIDGE-Mrs. J. R. Johnston, Mrs. Julia Phillips.
BRISTOL-Mrs. Mary Jane Mullis, Steve Mullis, Arthur Mullis, Wm. Johnson.
GRASSY CREEK-Mandy Jane Barker.
HEALING SPRINGS-John Wiles, Bill Wiles, Deacon.
LANDMARK-Mrs. Mollie Fowler.
LAUREL KNOB-James Kimberlin.
LIBERTY GROVE-(Deacon) John A. Howell, Mrs. Lettie Howell, Mrs. Frankie Greer.
LITTLE HELTON-Alice Shaw, Alene Spencer.
MIDWAY-Henery Duvall, John Pierce (Deacon), Brent With- erspoon.
MISSION HOME-Conley Greene (Deacon).
MOUNT OLIVE-Thomas Sawyer.
NEW RIVER-Oran Porter, Croford Blevins, Fieldon Peddie.
NORTH BEAVER-Mrs. Dollie Sheets.
OLD FIELDS-Mrs. Emma Griffin.
ORION-Lee Lambert, Mrs. W. M. Dillard, Jesse Bare (Deacon). PHOENIX-Rev. T. A. Farmer, J. Q. Childers (Deacon).
PILOT MOUNTAIN-Mrs. Ellen Parsons.
PLEASANT CHAPEL-Mrs. Rose Shepherd.
PLEASANT VALLEY-E. A. Phipps.
ROCK CREEK-David Price, Miss Jennie Mahala, James Potter (Deacon).
ROUND KNOB-Oliver Polk.
SABBATH HOME-Mrs. William Price.
SMETHPORT-W. M. Barker.
STURGILL.S-Horton Blevins.
THREE FORKS-Mrs. Nora Mahala, L. K. Pennington.
TUCKERDALE-Wilson Anderson.
WARRENSVILLE-Mrs. Effie McNeill, Roscoe Eller, Charlie Turnmire.
WELCOME HOME-Roger Lowman.
WEST JEFFERSON-J. W. Gambill (Deacon), T. E. Campbell, Bron Hudler, Mrs. W. V. Woodie, Vance Phillips.
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our organizations, our Sunday Schools, and our people who uphold the banner for higher moral standards?
Respectfully submitted,
Mollie H. Denny
REPORT ON RESOLUTIONS
The 70th annual session of the Ashe Association has been inspiring and challenging.
1. Be it resolved that we extend to the New River Baptist Church and all the people who have had part in supplying this fine and deli- cious meals. Their kindness and hospitality is to forever be remember- ed.
2. We desire to express our appreciation to the program committee for the well planned program. To our missionary for his fine report, and to our officers for their service rendered through the year.
3. We express our appreciations to all the speakers who have spok- en on the program. May we be more dedicated to the task of giving Christ to the World, beginning in the Ashe Association, because of our fellowship with each other these days.
Respectfully submitted,
M. D. Hart, Chairman Walter Huddler Mrs. Fred Waddell
REPORT OF THE W. M. U.
Woman's Missionary Union has a vital part in helping to build a Christian world of tomorrow. Members of missionary societies and young peoples organizations work through prayer, Bible study, mission study, community missions, and stewardsh.p to help accomplish this great task.
We are grateful to report that we have had more gains than loss- es during the past year, but most of our gains were entirely too small. The need in our association, our state, our southland, and in the world would warrant a substantial gain from year to year.
Our gains in organizations observing the seasons of prayer, mem- bers contributing to the co-operative program, number of tithers, num-
We can do more and better work in our association. Our small ber of study classes, study of books on soul winning. societies studying guide to community missions, those making community surveys, church- es observing church night of stewardship, and in subscriptions to all W. M. U. magazines are very small and each one needs new emphasis now.
To keep up our gains and decrease our losses we should put more and more emphasis on prayer, both individual and united. We should engage in community missions, mission study, and stewardship in a greater way than ever in the past.
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gains challenge us. Our iosses shame us. Shall we strive to take ad- vantage of our opportunities?
Our annual meeting at Midway was well attended. Our guest speak- ers, as well as many local people brought messages of interest and in- spiration.
Officers installed are: Supt. Mrs. Ralph Parsons. West Jefferson; Associate Superintendent Mrs. Burl Vannoy. West Jefferson; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. J. T. McMillan, West Jefferson; Director of Mis- sionary Fundamentals, Mrs. Fred Owens, Warrensville; Prayer Chair- man, Mrs. Dewey Campbell, West Jefferson; Young Peoples Leader, Mrs. Turner Watson, West Jefferson; R. A. Counselor, Rev. Bill Bur- chett, West Jefferson; Community Mission Chairman, Mrs. Blan Greene, West Jefferson; Stewardship Chairman, Mrs. John Rhodes, West Jef- ferson; Mission Study Chairman, Mrs. Billy Bare, Warrensville; Litera- ture Chairman, Mrs. Worth Phillips, Idlewild; Margaret Fund and Cor- ver School Chairman, Mrs. Kay Harding. West Jefferson.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Ralph Parsons
REPORT ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
It is indeed a privilege to have the opportunity for me to bring you this report on Christian education this morning. All of you know the importance of education. In our society it is one of tlfe fundament- als to successful living. It is our way of life, our feeling of security, our gateway into the future-a future perhaps even more complex than our own 1956.
Being a teacher, I like to think that education helps our children to learn to do things in a practical sort of way. That is by observing the task to be done, and then choosing the shortest and most practical way to complete that task. For many of us, it is hard to give up old ideas and methods, basically because we are afraid of what is new. We lag behind, not trying to understand this newness, but in an effort to compensate for what we don't understand, we do everything in our power to keep things just as they are, just as our father's found them. Is this progress?
Seriously though, what do we mean by Christian education? Why is it so important to us? Is it simply teaching our cliildren some Bible courses? Is it preparation for the ministry, or some other phase of church work? Any answer you gave would perhaps be partially cor- rect. It includes all of these. I like to think of Christian education as a place where a student may pursue his education in an atmosphere and environment characteristic of a christian society in which values and ideals are derived in accordance with christian teachings.
In general, the Baptist program of Christian education includes the teaching ministry of the Christian home, the local church with its
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ASHE MISSIONARY BAPTIST
varied programs, the Baptist schoo's and colleges supported by the Conventions within the various states, and our Southwide seminaries.
Here in North Carolina in our seven Baptist colleges-namely, Wake Forest, Meredith, Mars Hill, Gardner-Webb, Campbell, Wingate, and Chowan-we had a total enrollment of 5,921 students last year, and already more than this number have been accepted for the coming college year. North Carolina is second only to Texas in the number of students enrolled in her Baptist colleges. Of those students enrolled, it is likely that at least 20% are preparing themselves for some full time church work. Others are going out into other fields: teaching, law, business, medecine.
Enrollments in Southern Baptist colleges and schools reached a re- cord total of 53,682 for 1955-56, surpassing by 3,602 the previous high of 1954-55. For the fifth year in succession, enrollments of ministerial students reached a new record total. Cooperative Program support of Southern Baptist educational institutions increased around 6.4 per cent.
Each of our seven North Carolina colleges now in operation is en- gaged in expanding its plant facilities in both housing and class rooms to meet the ever-growing needs. It is reliably predicted that within a brief period of twelve to fifteen years the present college population of 50,000 in North Carolina will be doubled, which means that instead of 18.000 Baptist young people in college in our state, as at present, we shall have 35 to 40,000. Here is a challenge to all Baptists to help in providing opportunities for christian education to these future leaders.
During the past year, less than half a dozen students from Ashe county were attending our Baptist schools. Our area has been favored greatly by the movement of Wake Forest College to Winston-Salem. We must capitalize upon this opportunity to provide christian education to more of our high school graduates. This responsibility rests on all of us in offering christian guidance in education to our young people, stressing the values and advantages of Christian education.
The inevitable question arises, "Why choose a christian college?" Because it provides the education and the influences needed for the development of Christian leadership at just the time when the pattern of adulthood is crystallizing into permanence under the influence of the new freedom, new responsibilities, and new stimulation of college life.
We must constantly remind ourselves that these colleges are sup- ported and operated primarily for the training of Baptist young people, and that we can best express our interest in them, first, by encourag- ing the young people in our churches, who are graduating from high school, to enroll in one of these seven Baptist colleges, and second, by
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continuing to provide financial support through our present Nine-Year Program of Advance.
Respectfully submitted, Jack D. Graybeal
REPORT OF THE ASHE MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION
The ministers of the Ashe Baptist Association have met regularly each month during the past year, with a well planned program in in- terest of our denominational work. We have had the regular attend- ance of fifteen for each service. with some laymen in each service.
The annual school for the pastors was held in February of this year. This school was a very effective one for the pastors of the asso- ciation. The program was of great interest to all the ministers who attended, dealing with the problems of every day church life. The fel- lowship was even better, the meals were served by the church at West Jefferson.
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