We are grateful to the 35 participants from about a dozen of our churches who took part in the February 22 worker training at Thaxton Baptist Church. We appreciate Thaxton’s willingness to host the event and providing lunch for the participants. A special thanks to Rocky Chocklett of Hunting Creek and Sue Lipscomb of Radford for their leadership. All reports have been excellent, and there was considerable interest expressed in “Part 2."
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Dr. Emile Sam-Peal, Executive Secretary, Liberian Baptist Missionary and Educational convention, has reported to Virginia Baptists that the small, relatively inexpensive packets of seeds purchased here and sent to Liberia have yielded significant, life-changing results.
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The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announces that Franklin Graham, along with local church and civic leaders, will hold the Southwest Virginia Festival 2003 with Franklin Graham in Salem Stadium, May 2-4, 2003.

"I look forward to bringing God's message of hope to the people of Southwest Virginia," said Graham, who recently accepted local church leaders' invitation to lead the Festival. "People will hear a lot of music from award-winning artists, personal testimony, and most importantly, an opportunity to change their life."

For more information, click here.

...ESL?
We are in need of more ESL teachers. If the Lord has been speaking to you about becoming part of this important ministry opportunity, please give us a call. We want to help you prepare and get started. You may contact either Winnie Agee at 540-586-3555 or the Association office at 540-586-8345. If you prefer, e-mail Winnie at wla840@aol.com or the SBA at sba@sbava.org.

...Prayer?
We are always looking for brethren interested in supporting our ministries through prayer. If you would like to become one of our Internet prayer warriors, simply send your name to us at sba@sbava.org.sba@sbava.org.
Thanks!

Mentow has called Rev. Timothy E. Mathia as pastor. There will be an installation service for Rev. Mathia on Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m., at which Dr. Robert G. Moore, III, pastor of Bonsack Baptist Church of Roanoke, will be the guest speaker. You are invited to be a part of this special service and share in the joy the church family feels in God having led them to their next pastor. There will be a reception immediately following the service.
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April 4 Jerry & Liz Parr (Suck Spring)
April 29 Elmer & Tiena Sellers (Retired)

Vacation Bible Schools still remain one of the best evangelistic tools our churches use to reach people for Christ. Across the Southern Baptist Convention in 2001, our total enrollment for VBS was 3,230,493, an increase of 400,000. Out of this number, 109,045 people accepted Christ as Savior. Praise the Lord for these wonderful results. But more importantly, what is your church planning to do this year to reach families in your community? Consider VBS!

LifeWay’s curriculum this year is entitled "Kingdom Caper—Cracking the Character Code." The setting is jolly old Great Britain for a brilliant VBS detective adventure centered around Colossians 3:12-14. Training for teachers will be offered Thursday, March 27, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Green Ridge Baptist Church, Roanoke. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a jump start on planning your VBS this year.