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'I love my new church....
Thank you God. Amen.'
From the heart of a BVBC third-grader come words of gratitude that would have many of us saying "Amen!" Katherine Pullig, 8-year-old daughter of Kristi and Mike Pullig, wrote a thank-you note to God for the new sanctuary at BVBC. When Cindy Donohue, director of children's ministries, saw it, she believed many others would be blessed by it, too. We agree.  Because that image may be difficult to read, we have typed it out here: "Thank you God. Hi. I'm Katherine. I am going to tell you a story about thanking God. We go to church at Brandywine Valley Baptist Church. The sanctuary was too small for everyone who came and do you know what we did? We had to do construction."But I loved our sanctuary. It had bibles and a shelf in front of you. So we had to go to the gym."After we went to the gym awhile I was used to it. Sometimes, I would remind myself what the old sanctuary looked like. "The sanctuary soon was almost ready. Finally it was ready! Praise the Lord God Almighty! He is the king who really made us to make the sanctuary."I looked at it one time and remembered that I wrote on the floor. This is what I wrote: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.' Nobody can see my writing because it is covered with tile."I love my new church. It is like the old sanctuary almost."Thank you God. Amen."What do you thank God for?"On our list at BVBC News is your letter, Katherine, which put into words what many of us feel. Thank you for letting us share it here. It turns o  ut that the pros think this place is something special, too. The Delaware chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. gave R.C. Fabricators a 2009 Excellence in Construction Award for its work on the project, designed by architect George Yu. Executive Pastor Bill Parsons sent this photo of the award presented to BVBC. The new sanctuary was dedicated on Sunday, Nov. 1, in a brief standing-room-only service tucked between the second and third worship hours. In this photo, three  longtime members are ready for the service to begin (left to right): Evelyn Sharp, Joan DeLong, and Peggy Baker. The congregation sang "To God Be The Glory," and Pastor Bo Matthews led a prayer of dedication. Also offering a prayer, on behalf of the next generation, was Samantha Cullin.  In the photo below, Bruce Gordon -- chairman of the Board of Deacons -- celebrates afterward with his granddaughter, Madison.  On behalf of all of us -- from charter members to the youngest among us -- we have dedicated this space to you. And we quote Katherine Pullig once more: "Thank you God. Amen." |
From the Pastoral Staff This Month: Brenda WilsonLight and warmth bring reminders of God's glory
I grew up in Knoxville,
Tennessee, just 30 minutes from
the Great Smoky Mountains. Many
weekends I headed for the mountains. To
me, the mountains have always been a visible reminder of the majesty and glory
of God. In the fall, the brilliant red
and gold of the leaves surrounding me seemed to create a cathedral, a place to
worship the Creator.
A few years ago, I drove to a conference in the Adirondacks in lat e September, on a roadway framed by
golden trees forming a canopy over the road. I seemed to be driving through the streets of gold right up to the
throne of God.
Our new sanctuary produces that same feeling in me. The light, the warmth, the golden hues fill
me with a sense of reverence and an awareness of the glory of God.
The Gathering
Place also is a space filled with light. I see His
image and His light in the people who come through the doors and enter the Gathering Place. There is an excitement there of the family of
God coming together in a special place to worship Him and greet one another.
As Director of Assimilation and Communication on the
pastoral staff, part of my job is meeting people, connecting them to God and to
the community of believers at Brandywine
Valley. But it's more than a job. I find joy in
seeing people find their place in the Body of Christ at BVBC and joining other
believers in experiencing the grace of Jesus, the love of God and fellowship in
the Spirit. The light that bathes our
building reminds me of the verse in 1 John 7 that says, "If we walk in the
light as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin." The light of this church building is but a reflection of His light, in
which we find fellowship with Him and each other.
Brenda Wilson
Director, Assimilation & Communication
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Willie Mah elected chairman
of BVBC's Board of Deacons
Willie Mah, who has attended BVBC for more than 15 years and been a member of the Board of Deacons for about a year, will be the next chairman of BVBC's Board of Deacons.
Willie, 48, of Newark, was elected by the board to replace outgoing chairman Bruce Gordon, whose term ends this month. Brett Dorsch was elected vice chairman.
"I sort of felt like a junior deacon and I think there were probably more capable people in the room, but the pastoral staff seems to have a lot of confidence -- and that's great," Willie said.
He and his wife, Tina, have thre  e children -- Jessica, 11, Henry, 10, and
Wesley, 6. He works as a territory manager for MWI Veterinary Supply,
which provides medical supplies to veterinary hospitals.
He takes the helm during a period of significant change at BVBC, which has just come through an 18-month construction project.
"It's
an exciting time," he said. "Everybody has been waiting and waiting -- and now you can sense the excitement.
When people were struggling, they were putting on their Sunday game face. But in the last
month, I think people were generally overjoyed. You can see them in that little welcome
center -- and you almost need a sergeant-at-arms with a paddle, telling them to 'Get to Sunday School!' They want to be together and talk. And that's a great problem to have.
"I do hope that the Board of Deacons will work closely with the pastoral staff
and represent the congregation well, and that we will be in lockstep moving BVBC
towards God's purposes for the church," he said.
He sees prayer as an essential part of the process.
"I'm starting to get callouses on my knees," he said.
Join us in thanking God for the service of Bruce Gordon and in prayer for Willie Mah and all of those who continue to serve on BVBC's Board of Deacons.
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Children's Ministry welcomes
two new staff members
As hundreds of families come through our hallways to drop off children in their Sunday School classrooms each week, they will have two new faces to help serve them. Our church staff is excited to welcome Kristi Pullig as our new Early
Childhood Ministry Assistant and Rochelle
Anderson as our new Elementary Ministry Assistant. Both will assist Cindy Donohue, director of Children's Ministries,
with Sunday morning and some weekday ministry responsibilities.
Already, both women are valuable assets to our ministry, coming to us with a wealth of ministry experience, solid education backgrounds, and
wonderful hearts for the Lord and kids. They will assist with Sunday morning operations, volunteer
recruitment and curriculum development.
BVBC's Julie Lober took this photo of the Children's Ministry team, including (left to right): Joy McDermott, Kristi Pullig, Cindy Donohue, and Rochelle Anderson.
Kristi Pullig was raised in a Christian
home, and grew up attending Bethany Baptist Church
in Newport, Del. She gave her heart and life to Jesus
Christ when she was 7 years old. She
is a graduate of Wilmington Christian School
and Messiah College, with a degree in elementary
education with a focus in music. She taught preschool and sixth grade at Wilmington Christian School.
Kristi and her husband, Mike, have one daughter, Katherine, who is in third grade. Kristi and Mike have been members of BVBC for 10 years. Between Bethany and
BVBC, Kristi has taught Sunday School, VBS, directed the children's choir,
coordinated MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), and worked with the MOPPETS children. Outside of church, Kristi
works part-time at the YMCA and teaches piano.
Kristi loves nothing more than seeing children trust in Jesus and grow in their faith.
Rochelle Anderson was raised by Christian parents who taught her God's Word and lived
out the words of Psalms 78: "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of
the Lord, his power, and the wonders He has done." When she was 10, she reaffirmed an earlier
decision to trust Christ as her personal Savior and committed her life to His
purpose.
Rochelle graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University with
a degree in Bible and Elementary Education and a minor in Urban
Specialization. She later earned a master's degree in Christian Counseling
from the same school. She has taught third grade in Timothy Academy in Philadelphia and fifth grade at Delaware County Christian
School. She and her husband, Steve, serve with Prison Outreach of Delaware. They live in Hockessin with their three
children - Rebekah, 7, Steven, 3, and Jacob, 17 months. Rochelle and Steve have been members of BVBC for 10 years. Rochelle has been
a Sunday school teacher, a VBS group guide and emcee, a small group leader, and
MOPS coordinator, treasurer, and discussion group leader.
Rochelle looks forward to partnering with parents to
help them to "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will
not turn from it" Proverbs 22:6. She delights in seeing boys and girls be
drawn to Christ!
As you see Kristi and Rochelle
in the hallways, please welcome them!
Cindy Donohue
Director, Children's Ministries |
BVBC kids have one
fun-packed Incredible Night
One Incredible Night was AWESOME. We had 92 middle school kids come
out for the all-nighter, and what an all-nighter it was! 
I have to
admit, I do messy games just so we can get pictures like the one above
... that will make me laugh for years to come!
We played group games, had a gospel talk (I told the story about the three worst
decisions I ever made ... and then the best decision I ever made),
had inflatables and hockey in the gym (see below), a video game room, a
board game room, the Loft (with pool tables, foozball, air hockey,
DDR), the Battle Zone (a room with a bunch of nerf guns - one of the
biggest hits of the night), and a movie room.
We also hit the road for
a couple hours at a skating rink and a couple hours at a bowling alley.
Lydia won the drawing for the iPod Touch, a real highlight of the
night, and we gave away a bunch of T-shirts!
I think this was the best-behaved group of middle
school kids I've ever had on an all nighter! All in all, it was an
amazing night!
Matthew McNutt
Pastor of Student Ministries
Editor's note: To learn much more about Matthew and read his accounts of other student events, check out his excellent blog by clicking here. |
Home from Hungary,
Brenda Herhei enjoys
friends, family, 'God gifts'
Editor's note: Brenda Herhei is back from Hungary, where she serves in a town called Petőfibánya, about 45 minutes from Budapest. She is home for a brief visit, returning to Hungary in February. BVBCNews invited her to write on anything at all, and she sent this delightful glimpse into her life:
The life of a missionary on home assignment is
interesting -- a bit of the familiar and the unfamiliar all at the same
time. Here is a brief peek into some of
the serious and not-so-serious thoughts floating around in my head on any given
day.
* I've been Sunday School hopping. I'm finding that it's a fascinating way
to learn about many individuals I've only ever seen from a distance. Did I say it was
fascinating? Honestly! It's fly-on-the-wall fascinating to sit back and hear what people are thinking. You can learn a lot this way!
* As missionaries we travel a lot and so
I've decided to write a travel advice book. Tip No. 1: "If on two of your last three
flights everyone clapped when the plane landed, consider a new
airline. Today."
* I can't believe how many miracles I've
seen this furlough as God has provided for me over and over again. Housing, a car, money just when I needed
it, someone who speaks Hungarian ... all miracles! And here I thought all the miracles I
got to see only happened on the other side of the Atlantic.
* I continue to be shocked by how many
Americans get Hungary
and Turkey
confused. Either it's the old food
association theory or I'm convinced that all of our third grade geography
books have an error in them that needs to be fixed.
* One of the things we leave behind to go
to another land is family. Recently
I received a "God gift" when I ran into my sister and nephew at Panera
Bread. The mere fact that right now
I live close enough to family members to accidentally see them made me
want to cry with joy.
* I've been thinking about how life comes
full circle. This time last year I
was really struggling and frankly in a lot of pain emotionally. Only one short year later I see how those
very difficulties are the thing God is using to encourage others. This past year is also the first time I
considered the idea that God may be more concerned with the state of my
heart than the state of my happiness.
* Waking up Monday through Friday at
5:15 a.m. to walk three miles is not actually as rewarding as it sounds
(apparently the long-term benefits are not enough of a pull for my instant
gratification personality). I'm thankful for the lure of good conversation
with an old friend to get me out of bed.
* Meeting so many new small groups and
hearing about your lives has been immensely encouraging to me. The way I
see you living out your faith in your jobs and communities is a great
source of hope as I think about the future of America.
* I sat in Barnes & Noble bookstore
and wondered why so many people were whispering. It's not a library people. Speak up!
* I've
been thinking a lot lately about how fragile our hearts are. My
sister gave me some wise advice today as she prayed that God would "guard
my heart from the things that are not from Him but open it to the things
that are." I'm not sure where this prayer will lead me but
until the day I see more clearly I'm thankful that I've given my fragile
heart to Him.
Thanks for listening,
Brenda Herhei
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Barry Wallace to teach
new adult class in third hour
Due to the new worship schedules, Adult Christian Education
is offering a new class at a new hour, 11:15
a.m., starting on Dec. 6.
Barry Wallace, who has taught many classes over the years at BVBC, will teach on "The Making & Shaping of Influe ntial Character." Barry is passionate about helping Christians to
understand their faith and showing them how to make an impact in the lives of
people.
The class will explore how we influence
others by the lives we live. As we meet people at work, church, school, in our neighborhoods - how do our lives influence them for, or against,
a relationship with God?
This interactive class examines the lives of
prominent biblical characters to see how their lives influenced others and how
we might learn to be godly influential people.
The class is located in Fellowship Hall and is
open to all adults.
Mark J. Smith
Teaching Pastor
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Brief Relief:
Young musicians perform
to help homeless get basics
To prepare for a weekend of service to the homeless in Wilmington, BVBC Youth Ministry invites you to the sixth annual Brief Relief Benefit Concert from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Because underwear
is the least-donated item to homeless shelters, admission to this concert is either $5 or a
new pack of men's underwear.
BVBC youth will spend the weekend of Jan. 15-17 serving the homeless in Wilmington, and during that time we will donate the underwear and all proceeds from the concert. Last year, about 250 people came out, raising more than $1,000 and donating more than 100 pairs of underwear!
Six bands (mostly local college and high school students) will perform on two stages during this year's event. In addition to the music, information about local ministries to the homeless will be provided, and food,
drink, and band merchandise will be available for purchase.
Among the bands performing are: Koji
(coming from Harrisburg); Your Way
Out (starring Tim and Chris Heider); Jordan
Maguire (solo); My Name is
Drew (Wilmington Christian School); and Survive
This City (Unionville High School).
Brief Relief will be held in BVBC's gym. Everyone is welcome!
Chris Zwakenberg
Assistant to the pastor, Student Ministries
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Adults enjoy new space
for Christian Ed classes
On Sunday, Nov. 1, members of Adult Christian Education classes
returned to their former home in Fellowship Hall -- but this wasn't exactly the home they had
left. Classes now meet in bright new
rooms that feature sound-proof partitions.
True to our old form, the classrooms are located just steps away from a
new Java location that features different coffee blends and a variety of
snacks. Come enjoy fresh-brewed coffee and
tasty treats, learn from our team of excellent teachers, get reacquainted
with old friends and make some new friends!
You'll discover with us that learning
about the Bible can be fun!
Mark J. Smith
Teaching Pastor
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Peter and Karen Maganda
seek support for ministry to orphans, widows of Uganda
Pastor Peter and Karen Maganda (formerly Karen Hynes) are in the area on a short visit from Uganda. They return at the end of December.
Karen has been a part the BVBC family since 2003. Her BVBC
small group was the first to help send her on a sho rt-term mission trip to Uganda.
Karen and Peter share the
love of God by ministering and caring for HIV/AIDS orphans and widows in poor
rural communities of Uganda. They mentor and disciple all ages in the word of God, train
indigenous leaders (especially youth) and mobilize churches and teams to do
mission outreach.
Among their prayer requests are:
* Prayer for the leaders who are serving while Peter and Karen are here in the U.S.
* For continued provisions that are needed for the ministry
both in Uganda and for Karen
and Peter while in the U.S.
* For the healing of Karen's father, with whom they are staying while in the U.S.
Peter and Karen are in the area until Christmas and are raising
support for vital needs, including: a ministry vehicle, a Power Point projector, a laptop computer, a generator, and funds to complete construction of a church (now halfway completed).
For more information, contact them at (302) 442-5482 or (302) 475-1399.
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BVBC team gearing up
for service in Morocco
Over the past three summers, BVBC has sent teams to serve in Morocco in p  artnership with
Compassion Corps, a
faith-based organization that works alongside indigenous ministries in N. Africa
to bring God's love and light to those in need. A team now is forming that
will go to Morocco from July 8-July 26,
2010. BVBCers are invited and encouraged to be a part of what God is
doing in this part of the world.
Morocco is a "closed" country, which means the Gospel cannot be openly preached and our teams are not allowed to
proselytize. But it is also a country wide-open to works of compassion that shine His light and cause the
Moroccan people to ask why we do what w  e do.
Please consider a summer trip to
Morocco this year. It is a life-changing experience as those who
have gone before can
testify. God can and will use you in so many ways as
we run a summer camp for 400 village children (such as those in the photo above, by Lois Wallace), work with children in orphanages,
detention and special needs centers, minister to women who are often the
forgotten and overworked ones, encourage the believers who live and work
in-country, and spend
times of prayer in the cities where we stay.
Watch the Ministry News and BVBC Web Site for details
(January). You may also contact Beth
McMillen at Compassion Corps, (610) 955-8052 or Dianna Shatley in the BVBC Missions Office
at (302) 478-4255.
Dianna Shatley
Director, Missions
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Merry Hearts thankful
to be together, back home
Merry Hearts, a BVBC ministry to retirees, held their first
luncheon in the new Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Appropriately, Pastor Bo Matthews gave a Thanksgiving devotional. And they are thankful: After 18 months of
meeting at Immanuel Church
in Wilmington during construction, th ey are back home.
Coordinator Peggy
Baker says one of the primary purposes of Merry Hearts is fellowship. As you get older, it can be more difficult to get
acquainted with people. If you are not
actively involved in a ministry, there are fewer
ways to meet new people, especially
in a church with several worship services. Merry Hearts has become an important ministry to older members of the congregation.
Peggy does most
of the cooking with the help of Dot and Milt Harris, who became involved with
Merry Hearts after Prime Timers ended. Prime Timers was a ministry for 50+ BVBCers
focused mainly on trips. Peggy's sister,
Joan DeLong, plans the programs, does the reservations and birthday gifts which
are given every month. Peggy assumed her role in 2005, taking over for
Eddie Burnett, who served for 18 years.
Merry Hearts meets once a month from January to May and
again from September to December, with an indoor picnic in the summer to help
people stay connected. December and May
luncheons are held at the Delaware National Country Club.
Each gathering involves a
luncheon and a program. Past programs have
included the Rev. Tom Laymon from the Sunday Breakfast Mission, Melissa McGrath speaking on her missions trip to China, and a
representative from the Ronald MacDonald House. Missionaries on short- and long-term assignments have been featured, as well
as BVBC staff.
The group also gives back
to the community through projects such as knitting and providing yarn for the
Seamen's Center of the Port of Wilmington and gifts for missionaries.
The December luncheon will be at noon Wednesday, Dec. 16. The cost is $17 and the featured program is the Delaware Military
Academy choir. Reservations must be made through Joan DeLong
at (302) 762-3293 by Monday, Dec. 7.
Brenda Wilson
Director, Assimilation & Communication
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English classes provide
boost for newcomers
On Sunday, Oct. 4, Rio
Sibarani, who pastors a congregation in Jakarta, Indonesia,
urged BVBC to reach out to the Muslims in our community. He said we no longer have to travel
to some far-off place to share our faith.
In fact, the world is coming to us; the world is at our doorstep.
But will we open our doors and welcome
the world into our community here at BVBC?
Paul says in Galatians 5:6 that "the only thing that counts is faith
expressing itself through love." As we
show love to our Muslim neighbors -- and to many other ethnic groups around us -- our faith in Christ will also be expressed.
How can we sincerely and
successfully do this?
The number of people who want and
need to learn English is increasing in the
U.S. A church-based ESL (English as a Second
Language) program can be an effective outreach tool in helping to build
relationships, meet basic human needs, and provide a natural setting for sharing the Gospel.
We are taking steps to begin such
a ministry here at BVBC. An ESL workshop
has been scheduled for Jan. 8-9. Information is available at the Missions Corner.
In addition, a 12-week beginner and
intermediate class will run from March 12 through May 23,
2010. Each
class will have at least two teachers. We
are currently looking for teachers. If
you are interested in teaching or know someone who might be interested, e-mail or
call Dianna Shatley in the Missions Office -- (302) 478-4255.
You do not
have to speak another language or be a professional teacher to learn to teach
English or ESL.
In December, we will update you on our plans with more
specific details. We covet your
prayers. As Henry Blackaby often says,
pray that we will see where God is already working and then join Him. We want Him to lead and guide us in how to
best serve those in our community.
Lisa Grimsley
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Lectures prompt inspiring discussion on 21st C. church
The Adult Christian Education Ministry's fourth
annual lecture series, held Nov. 6-7, was not only provocative, it was inspirational, many who attended said.
The subject was: "Proclaiming
the Gospel and Being the Church in the 21st Century," and
Dr. David Dunbar, president of Biblical Seminary,
painted a compelling picture of the culture in which American churches like
BVBC minister today. Not content to just
describe cultural tectonic shifts, he spoke energetically about how Christians
m ust not only proclaim the message of Christ but actually live lives of
service, generosity, and graciousness.
His lectures seemed to strike a chord in the BVBC members who attended,
because 97 percent of those surveyed said the lectures were relevant to them and they
would attend more lecture series.
Here
are a few comments:
* "Excellent
speaker. Complex subject matter effectively condensed and communicated. Timely
and important topic for the growth of our church."
* "The
speaker was very passionate about his topic. The group was like family."
* "What
I liked best was the speaker, he was very passionate about changing churches to
reach the world. He was able to give some examples, which was helpful."
Mark J. Smith
Teaching Pastor
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Coming Soon: Family Fusion
Family Fusion -- where kids bring their parents to church -- comes to BVBC at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 10 in the gym.
Join us for a
45-minute program of drama, high-energy worship, and memorable
teaching for elementary kids and their parents. But all ages are welcome!
Family
Fusion is part of BVBC's commitment to support families by offering a monthly program
for kids and parents to enjoy together.
For more
details, visit the Children's Ministry Web site by clicking here.
Below are a
few scenes from the kick-off of Family Fusion during the Fall Family Fun Night on Oct. 30.
Cindy Donohue
Director, Children's Ministries
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What's Happening?
* Friday, Dec. 4, 7 to 9 p.m.: Women's Game Night. Bring your favorite game and a snack to share. Room 148. Register online by clicking here.
* Tuesday, Dec. 8 through Thursday, Dec. 10: 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. A Christmas Masterpiece. Music by BVBC choirs. All performances sold out.
* Saturday, Dec. 12: Angel Tree party, 1-2 p.m. at Hanover Presbyterian Church, Wilmington. To help, call Theresa Silva at (302) 654-8797.
* Wednesday, Dec. 16, noon: Merry Hearts luncheon, with music by the Delaware Military Academy chorus. Cost: $17. Registration deadline: Monday, Dec. 7. Call Joan DeLong at (302) 762-3293.
* Wednesday, Dec. 30, 7 to 10:30 p.m.: Brief Relief. Concert by young area musicians benefits ministries to Wilmington homeless. All ages welcome. Cost: $5 per person or a new pack of men's underwear.
* Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8-9: Learn to teach English as a second language. Cost: $25 per person, $30 per couple (includes lunch). Register at the Missions Corner or check the web site for more information.
* Sunday, Jan. 10, 11:15 a.m.: Family Fusion kickoff in gym. Geared for elementary ages, but all are welcome.
* Sunday morning sermon Series -- "What God Is Like" -- coming in January and February.
* Saturday, Jan. 30: Women's Winter Tea. Save the date. Watch for details.
For much more on BVBC's ministries and events, visit our Web site by clicking here.
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Our Mission
To introduce people to Jesus Christ and help them to follow him.
Our Vision
To be a community of Christ-followers, known by our love:
- Engaging our God in heartfelt worship
- Engaging our community with compassion
- Engaging our culture with gracious discernment
Our Values
- Being devoted to Christ
- Pursing holiness without being self-righteous
- Practicing generous Christian orthodoxy
- Building relationships
- Working together
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BVBCNews is produced by:
Brandywine Valley Baptist Church
Office of Assimilation & Communication
Brenda Wilson, director
(302) 478-4255 |
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