Summer’s Here!
As most of you know, summer is a REALLY BIG DEAL at West Charleston, and with most of the church plants, as well. While we’ve tried not to over-extend ourselves this year (We’ve discovered we’re getting OLD!), this summer is looking like it will be no exception to the rule. We have VBS, kids’ camps, mission teams, mission trips, cook-outs, outreaches, and much more planned over the next few weeks. It promises to be an exciting season for everyone!
West Charleston Baptist Church
The ministry at West Charleston continues, though we have been through some very difficult times lately. Most of you know that we celebrated the homegoing of Sonny Smith, our long-time friend, brother, and “cook extraordinaire” back in March. Losing Sonny was very difficult for our entire congregation, and time only reminds us of all the many ways we counted on Sonny for help, love, and support. We have also dealt with the chronic and severe illnesses in some of our long-term membership:
-Sue Pinney, who has been a matriarch in so many ways at WCBC, has been dealing with a foot infection and severe back pain for months, now. She is still moving around and doing all the things that she does, but she has pain and problems nearly all the time.
-Louise Webb, who has coordinated our fellowship meals for so long, passed away on June 16. This is another devastating blow for our fellowship.
-Sunny Davis, who has been such a joy and inspiration to so many, especially with her ability to tell the stories of God’s Word to our children, is ill with heart problems and lung disease.
And yet, even as we deal with sickness, suffering, and death, God is faithful and His people carry on. We are so grateful for His grace and mercy, mercy and grace! Our worship times are sweet, and filled with comfort and strong teaching, and our fellowship is unwavering. The bonds between us only grow stronger as we face hard times together. And we continue to show God’s love in practical ways as we strive to reach the west side with the good news of Jesus.
Afterschool Ministry
Summer usually brings a hiatus for our afterschool ministry. The hiatus will be short-lived this year, though, as we make the transition to becoming a center that serves only students who attend schools with a year-round calendar. We ended our afterschool program on Monday, June 7, and resume on Monday, July 12. We are very excited to be working closely with our brand-new neighborhood school, West Side Elementary, as it opens its doors. The new school will not be in its new building until later in the school year, but we will be helping out in many ways as they begin the year on two separate sites. Starting in July, ALL our afterschoolers will come from a single school, which will make us able to provide services with MUCH more cooperation, coordination, and continuity with the children’s teachers and school administration.
We will also be able to use LOTS of summer mission teams to provide homework help, tutors, and a great variety of activities for our afterschoolers during their first term.
Backpacks
It is our goal, as school begins, to provide a new, filled backpack for every single student at the new West Side Elementary School, as well as maintaining our tradition of providing backpacks and school supplies for all of our “church kids.” This means collecting over 400 backpacks, along with the “stuff” to go in them. Some of the churches coming for mission trips are already on board to help, and we have begun to receive donations. If your class, church, or mission group needs a project for June, feel free to collect new backpacks and school supplies, or receive an offering to help. Some folks have asked us if they can send money, and if so, how much would be needed to provide a backpack? We believe we can purchase and fill a backpack for $20 to $25. If you'd like to help, we would be grateful. We know that God will supply all our needs, according to HIS glorious riches! Click on this button to get all the details.
R.A.N.D.O.M. Youth Ministry
The youth ministry at WCBC is called RANDOM- Reaching and Nurturing Disciples On Mission. As with many youth ministries, it has waxed and waned over the years, depending on our youth population. Right now, we have the potential to grow this group significantly, because of Debbie’s class. These fifth graders that Debbie has reached out to for a full school year are ready for a youth group. We are praying for an opportunity to reach these kids for Jesus by starting youth activities for them this summer.
We believe that God has brought these young people to us “for such a time as this.” These wonderful children love each other already, and many of them have a relationship with Jesus. Please pray for this ministry. Pray that the kids will respond and come to Christ. Pray that our youth group will grow and honor God.
We had 17 students at the first event, and 7 at the second. They are enjoying the events, and are learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Multi-housing Ministries
We are looking to grow the multi-housing ministry with the opening of at least 4 new ministry sites this summer. Missionary Danny Cunningham is bringing in 3 student summer missionaries to help go into these trailer parks and apartment complexes to begin children’s activities, block parties, and outreach ministries. Ten of our fifteen PowerPlant projects will be in multi-housing locations, providing lots of hands to carry out the plans laid out for this summer. The goal is to lay the groundwork for a regular Bible study in each of the locations. We already have ongoing meetings at 3 locations, and Danny is constantly working to grow each site into a viable church start. Please pray that God will give us fruit for the labors at each of these sites this summer.
Our Own Proof
Many of you have traveled with us to New York City, and those who have not have heard us speak of our friends and colleague there, whom we love and admire. One of those friends that we treasure most is Andrew Mann, the pastor/director of Graffiti2 in the Bronx. Since we’ve known him, Andrew has been accompanied constantly by his faithful companion, a professional therapy dog named “Proof.”
We are proud to report that Proof is being recognized at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida as the North American Mission Board’s first missionary dog! We have loved proof for so many years, and she is such a minister to the children (and adults) of the south Bronx! No dog has ever deserved the recognition more. Way to go, Proof! If you would like to meet Proof and her people, please stop by West Charleston Baptist on Wednesday, June 30 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. We will be having a special drop-in to "show off" our friends from New York.
We have also commented over the years that OUR ministry would be greatly enhanced by “our own Proof.” We have really seen the benefits of the dog, and have thought of so many ways we could use a professional therapy dog in our work. So, late last year, we began the preliminary application process to get our own therapy animal.
We are currently going through the steps of obtaining approvals and permissions, both at West Charleston Baptist Church, and at West Side Elementary School, as the dog would serve in both locations. Mrs. Debbie will be speaking to the Kanawha County School Board on Tuesday, July 6 at 6:00 p.m. She will be making the proposal to have the dog in her classroom. If you can attend this meeting as a show of support, please do so. Please pray with us that God’s perfect will be done as we make this major decision.
Family News
On March 4, our family celebrated the arrival of Elliot Frederick Cannada. He is Tres and Courtney’s 3rd child, and he is as beautiful as his sister and brother. We have not met him in person yet, as he lives in Alaska, but we hope to get there in September. Tres was promoted to Staff Sergeant in May, and he, Courtney, Emeri, Ethan, and baby Elliot are thriving in Anchorage.
Billy and Shannon are home from North Greenville University for the summer. Billy is doing an internship with the West Virginia Radio Corporation, writing news. Shannon is back at Kmart for the summer, and both are doing well.
Norm and Deb have both had some health stuff going on this spring—Norm with his diabetes and ulcers, and Debbie with her back. But God has given us great medical care, and both are on the up-swing, feeling better. Debbie had some nerve-block shots in her back, which have taken care of the pain! Praise the LORD.
As always, dear friends, we love and thank you for all the help and support you so graciously provide for us. We could not do what we do without you. As always, we remain
In His Grip,
Norm, Debbie, Tres, Courtney, Billy, Shannon, Emeri, Ethan & Elliot
