The following story is shared in Bill Fay's Share Jesus without Fear. "It was early spring and the hope of the new season was reflected in the worship service I was attending. But hope was not to be found everywhere in the community. During the service, the pastor read a letter he had received from a woman who lived not far from the church. She was asking for prayer and help for her family. Recently her husband had become involved in drugs, and as a result, was about to go to prison. Making matters worse, the family had been contacted by a social agency that was to assume custody of their children. The woman was desperate. The pastor went to the address on the letter and found the family at home. He led the husband and wife to surrender their hearts to faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.

Later, while the man and his wife stood in the baptistry during a worship service, the pastor mentioned the letter that led him to this couple. He asked the woman, 'How did you happen to write to our church?' She responded, 'I did not just write to your church. I wrote to all the churches in the community. You were the only one who answered.'"
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Steve Manuel recently had the opportunity to visit Spain and spend some time with one of the Spanish Baptist Union leaders, Rev. Jorge Pastor. The Baptist Union has a number of very fruitful and interesting ministries going on, one of which involves a school in the town of Denia located on the Mediterranean coast. On occasion they ask for volunteer Christian families in the United States to host an exchange student for a brief time. Below is a letter from Jorge that outlines this unique opportunity to have a young student in your home during the month of July. For more information, contact Steve.
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Joe Flowers is now serving as Hunting Creek's Interim Minister of Music.

Rev. Charles Stinson, pastor of North Bedford since September 1970, has announced plans to retire at the end of December 2005.

PowerSource Feats of Strength from Thomas Road Baptist Church will be at Palestine on Sunday, May 15, at 6:00 p.m. This is a group of about 20 Christian athletes who perform many feats of strength while sharing their faith. Young people in the community and area schools are invited. May we not miss this wonderful opportunity to touch young lives for Christ!
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Upon arrival and throughout the meeting, everyone enjoyed delicious refreshments provided by Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Rev. Dennis Moore, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 7:15 p. m. The focus of the meeting was Evaluation Forms which were completed as the meeting progressed and turned in at its conclusion. Reports were given by department directors/committee chairmen. Mr. Hoyt Dellis (Palestine) was elected Vice-Moderator and Mr. Carl Wells (Bedford), was elected as Personnel Committee Chair.

Dr. David Henderson, SBA's Virginia Baptist Mission Board Representative, reported on the following:

• Giving is down and ministries are being funded at 80% of budget.
• Total membership in 2004 new church starts is at 2,244.
• Virginia Baptist's will be parting ways with Averett University and that the funds held in escrow will be used for a Pastor's School at Bonsack.

Women on Mission: Sedalia will lead devotionals at Oakwood Manor for May; Palestine, in June. (Rosie Minter would appreciate churches volunteering to help with devotionals in October, November and December.) Flint Hill will host the May birthday party for residents of Bedford County Nursing Home; Beaverdam will host it in June.
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We are asking our churches to promote this year's Association Missions Week just as we did last year, challenging folks to set aside just one dollar a day for seven days. Remind one another how important this offering is to our work and also how easy it is to come up with just one dollar a day. Give up a soft drink, coffee, snack, or a half gallon of gasoline a day, and you're there! That one dollar will never be missed, but its impact on this Association when combined with the dollar many others will share is tremendous. Thanks for standing together in this challenge. Posters and offering envelopes for bulletins (or pew racks, etc.) are included in newsletter packets that go to each church.

Services will be held next to Road Connections on Washington Street in Bedford.

May 6 John Napier (Timber Ridge)
(not listed in last month's newsletter)
June 6 Tim Dooley (Bethlehem)
June 30 Joe Prince (Retired)

June 2 Mike & Debbie Jones (Sedalia)
June 13 Woody & Phyllis Elliott (Bethel)
June 17 Philip & Lois Ayers (Glade Creek)
June 20 Harry & Nilah Leland (40 yrs.) (Shady Grove)
June 23 Daren & Shawna (Missionaries)
June 27 Charles & Irene Stinson (North Bedford)
June 28 Larry & Janet Ross (Mount Zion)