For those of us in the local church, this information can be very beneficial as we continue to fine tune our own ministries making them relevant to families in our communities. Each congregation will have to determine their own strategy and zero in on those issues they feel more equipped to tackle, but without a doubt, some very effective and creative opportunities can be designed that will help us not only strengthen families but help us focus our energies and efforts on pointing people to Christ. It would be great to hear which needs your congregation begins to focus on and how you make the connection from what you know to what you do. Share with us what resources are chosen to get the job done so all of our churches may learn from one another.

• 10. Materialism: "The placing in high regard of ownership and consumption as a family priority."
• 9. Balance of Work and Family: "The rising pressure to invest more of one's energy in work at the expense of family."
• 8. Negative Media Influences: "The growing influx of destructive images and messages into the home."
• 7. Lack of Communication: "The increasing abbreviation or near elimination of meaningful family member interaction."
• 6. Financial Pressures: "The chronic misuse of debt and/or mismanagement of financial resources."
• 5. Lack of Discipline: "The death of respectful behavior as a norm in our schools, churches, and families."
• 4. Lack of a Father Figure: "The absence of a father in the home or lack of strong participation in the family."
• 3. Busyness: "The participation in numerous activities crowding out quality family fellowship."
• 2. Divorce: "The ongoing wave of broken marriages and families both within the church and without."
• 1. Anti-Christian Culture: "The stripping away of Christian heritage and traditional values."

Both classes will meet at Bonsack Baptist Church, 4845 Cloverdale Road, in Roanoke (corner of US 220 and US 460). Tuition for both classes is $375 per class; additional scholarshipping is available. Each class provides 3-hours credit.

For further information and registration, please contact The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network by phone (540.777.3014 or 1.866.223.9344—toll-free) or by e-mail at info@vachristianleadership.net. The Network is a ministry of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board

Suck Spring Baptist Church is now accepting resumes for Pastorate position. Send resumes to:
Pastor Search Committee
1066 Twin Hills Dr.
Bedford, VA 24523
Or email nssva@msn.com.

Hunting Creek collected $169.05 for the 2006 World Hunger Offering.

On Sunday, October 29, Mount Hermon surprised Mrs. Joyce H. Williams with a special recognition of her 50+ years as treasurer of the church. She was presented a silver plate and a mustard seed pendant for her faithful service.

Daren and Shawna Davis were guests at North Bedford on Sunday, December 17. In addition to delivering the morning message, Daren presented certificates recognizing the church for being Strawberry Association's top givers as well as top per capita givers to the 2005 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. North Bedford is looking for a part time Youth Pastor. Resumes should be mailed to P O Box 153, Forest, VA 24551, or emailed to dshuffman8185@msn.com. For additional information, telephone 434.525.7442.

Pastor David Timma will lead Quaker in "Through the Bible in One Year," a 52 lesson study by Dr. Alan B. Stringfellow.

Thaxton is seeking a part-time Youth Minister with potential to become full-time. Fax resume to 540.586.5126 or call toll free 1.866.875.5269

Carolyn Sumner is resigning as secretary at Trinity to accept an administrative assistant position at Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta, effective December 31, 2006.

Art Murphy of Arrow Ministries, Orlando, Florida, will be leading a children's leadership training conference at North Roanoke Baptist on February 22-23. Art served for 17 years as Children's Pastor of FBC, Orlando. He is now head of Arrow Ministries. This training conference for teachers and workers is called "The Next Level" and is in conjunction with a parenting conference to be held on February 24-25. Mark your February calendar now! For more information, visit www.ArrowMinistries.com or refer to the brochure included in this month's newsletter packet.

	
Church	Shoeboxes filled
Bedford..................	93
Hunting Creek..................	47
Mentow..................	73
Mount Hermon..................	61
Mount Olivet..................	38
Norwood..................	108
Palestine..................	86
Quaker..................	25
Shady Grove..................	60
Staunton..................	100

If you are making cross stitch gifts for the Albania House in Athens, Greece, you may bring them to the SBA office by March 26, to be mailed with gifts from other churches in the association.

The Roanoke Valley Baptist Association in partnership with the Emerging Leaders Team of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board will hold a three-day regional youth evangelism conference set for April 18-20, 2007, at Bonsack Baptist Church. The theme for the three-day event is "yoU-turn" and is based on Romans 12:1-2. Seeking to challenge students to reach their non-Christian friends, the event will include a challenge rally on Wednesday night, special evangelism training for students on Thursday night, and conclude with a "harvest rally" on Friday night.

Special guests include guest speaker, Justin Lookadoo from McKinney, Texas. Those who attended YEC this past August 3-4 will know first-hand the powerful communication skills of this passionate youth speaker. The guest worship leader will be Phil Baquie of Nashville, Tennessee. Phil is well-known to Virginia Baptists who have experienced his worship leadership through events at Junior and Senior Weekends at Eagle Eyrie or at Impact Virginia. The conference is FREE to all students and leaders. A full publicity piece will be mailed in early 2007. For additional information, contact Bob Hetherington at the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association, 540.366.7631, or contact Ken Dibble, Youth Ministry Strategist, at 800.255.2428, ext. 2255. Web address is www.yec.org.