And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina

130/9

Help make this year’s “SAVED” annual offering a success! (Page 5) Katelyn reaches goal and begins college. (Page 6)

10/17

Have you ever wished Nine-year-old Jake dreamed of flying away to some safe place.

Iused to dream about flying all the time –I dreamed of being like Superman. I was

always strong. My sisters and I would runaround the yard, laughing and playing. I would reach out my arms and jump. It was so much fun.

But it didn’t last. Did your parents ever get angry?

My step-dad did . . . a lot. And Mom, she never seemed to care. I used to dreamthat I could fly so far away and never haveto hear him yelling ever again. I dreamedof going to a place where my little sisterswouldn’t cry, and we wouldn’t be scaredanymore.

Do you ever wish you could fly? I do.And one day, I did! (See story on page 3)

BECAUSE OF YOU, THEIR LIVES WERE

2 0 1 7 A N N U A L O F F E R I N G

Charity&Children

This column is the final in a series of lessons on creatingwith inten-tionality!

One of the most creative thingsI’ve ever done in ministry is start the college outreach at Ridge RoadBaptist Church in Raleigh. This wasin 1970 when I was 28.

I was minister for youth and college students but we had no college students. We had nothing.

It started with some freshmenfrom NC State and from nearby all-female Meredith College. Eventually,we had more than 100 every Sunday.It was hard work – creative work –and among the most rewarding I’veever done.

I was able to motivate adults inthe church to help, which was a keyto success. The Krispy Kreme dough-nuts I provided each week at a specialdiscount of $4.80 for 10 dozenhelped. I also got the address ofevery freshman from Meredith andNC State and wrote them a personalnote. They never forgot that.

We started a coffee house in a building adjacent to the church. We had 200 on opening night. It was a creative venture that carried a high risk that some church mem-bers would not understand what wewere doing. Our continued operationof the coffee house actually came to a vote and this unique outreach min-istry was overwhelming approved.

That was a period of creativitybacked with passion and an ability to get people to do what I wantedthem to do. It was the first time I realized I had leadership potential.

After I left that church staff to become a pastor, I met with my students from those years annuallyfor probably 15 straight years. Several are in ministry careers

and one is on my trustee board now.Nothing requires creativity like

starting something from nothing. When North Carolina Baptists

shifted their focus for ministryamong a rapidly-aging populationaway from residential facilities, theyasked Baptist Children’s Homes to come up with a plan – and to beresponsible for whatever we created.

This was an opportunity to put a stamp on something completelynew: There was no template, nomodel and no precedent. This wouldbe pure, utter, 100 percent creativity.In other words, I salivated.

We brainstormed and imagined.We came up with a name that itselfexudes energy: NCBAM – NorthCarolina Baptist Aging Ministry.

We’ve gone from nothing to providing year-round service forhundreds of frail elderly adults thatenables them to stay in their homes.Our staff is minimal, and its primaryfunction is to organize volunteerlabor across the state, with thehands-on labor being provided by local church volunteers.

All these volunteers needed was a central clearinghouse, which weprovide, and off they go to minister.

We’re growing and expanding. We sponsor a conference every yearfor retired ministers. We help with conferences for aging that other entities conduct. We’ve establishedthree Aging Adults Innovating Ministry (AAIM) regions and helpchurches establish better senior adult ministries.

We had a mandate to meet a spe-cific need. BAM(!) – that’s when thecreative juices flow and good things

arise from nothing.The social conditions that called

Baptist Children’s Homes into existence in 1885 did not remainstagnant. Through the decades,we’ve developed services and createdministries – in addition to traditionalresidential care – to meet changingneeds.

We began a home for teen mothersand their babies; a ministry to devel-opmentally disabled adults; familycare for hard-working moms andtheir children; early childhood education; specialized group homes;and outdoor year-round campingprograms for both boys and girls.We’ve established a relationship withan orphanage in Guatemala andhelped sister institutions in Brazil.

Timing is everything. I had beenapproached many times over theyears by elderly parents with adultchildren who were mentally unableto live by themselves. The parents’greatest concern was what wouldhappen to their children when theparents were no longer around to care for them.

With much investigation and someseed money, we established one byone a network of homes where theseadults can live and age with caringsupervision. When the brass ringcomes around, you’ve got to grab it.

Don’t be discouraged if your ideasdon’t go anywhere. Sometimes, theydo need to be pushed.

Mastery of the creative process israrely an accident. What is absolutelycritical is to be aware that:

• Creativity requires inspiration.• Inspiration demands action.• Action expresses creativity.

SeizingCreativity

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; Jim Edminson, editor (wjedminson@bchfamily.org); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org); Marcia Housand, account clerk. Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes. It is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC and mailed by Excalibur,Winston-Salem, NC. Circulation: 62,000 seven times a year, 30,000 four times a year. Periodicals postage paid at Thomasville, NC, and at additional mailing offices. For free subscription or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction orchange, use the above address and write to Attn: Circulation Manager, send an email to address@bchfamily.org or call at 336-474-1209. Subscribe online at bchfamily.org/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

Vision: sharing hope . . . changing lives

Mission: To provide the highest quality

of Christian services to children, adults

and families in a caring culture of

measurable excellence

Read Baptist Children’s Homes’ stories at bchblog.org.2 10/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

PART 3 By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO

My Superman t-shirt is pretty old, but itstill fits. I put it on with the cape I made

and go outside to play. I run putting my arms out in front of me, close

my eyes, and jump as I high as I can. I’m flying.My house was a dark place where bad things

happened. My stepdad yelled at me and my sis-ters, but mom didn’t seem to care. When he gotreally angry, we hid in my room hoping he didn’tcome inside. I did it to protect myself and tokeep my sisters safe.

My sisters are three and five years old. I hatedto hear their cries when the bedroom door swungopen.

When I dreamed about flying, I would grabmy sisters by their hands and would take themaway. I flew higher and higher until we couldn’tsee the house anymore or hear the yelling.

One day, I stopped dreaming and did some-thing. One day, we really did fly away.

I woke up early one morning, put on my Superman t-shirt, and packed some of my sisters’stuffed animals and toys in my backpack. I lookedaround for some food,but there was noth-ing –– there was hardlyever any food.

I woke up my sistersputting my finger tomy lips and told themto be quiet. The lastthing we wanted to dowas wake our parents.

I took my sisters by their hands. We crept through the house andout the back door. My sisters asked, “Where arewe going?” I didn’t really know. I just knew wehad to get far away –– as far as we could “fly,” I thought.

Cars passed us along the road. I couldn’t tellhow far we walked, but our feet began to hurtand we were hungry. If we had been at school,we would have already eatenlunch.

We couldn’t stop; what ifour stepdad found us. I hearda car door shut behind and I turned –– I was so afraid.

I was relieved to see it wasa policeman –– his car’s lightsflashing. He asked us whatwe were doing alone on theroad. “Oh, no,” I thought.“What if the policeman de-cided to take us back home?Our stepdad would be soangry.”

I took a deep breath andasked, “Could you please take us to foster care?Our parents are mean to us. We’re hungry andthey hurt us.”

I remember the policeman not saying any-thing. He only looked at us with sad eyes. Thenhe spoke. He told us everything was going to beokay. He asked us to believe him.

The next few hours went by fast. One minutemy sisters and I were climbing into the back of

the police car, the next we weretalking with a lady in an office.She said she was a social worker

and that she helped kids like us.She told us not to worry; she

was taking us to a new home.She said it was a place where we didn’t have to beafraid. Where nobody was ever angry and therewould always be lots to eat.

She said our new home was big and there were

kids who had a rough time like us. It was calledthe Baptist Children’s Homes.

We walked up the sidewalk and a man andwoman witha bunch ofkids werewaiting for uson the porch.

He toldme that hewas Mr.Robert, hiswife’s namewas Ms.Diane. Heasked us ournames.

“I’mJake,” I said.

“These are my sisters Robin and Sarah.”I learned that Mr. Robert and Ms. Diane

are called cottage parents. They’re here to takecare us. Before you knew it, we had our ownbedrooms and new clothes to wear. Mr. Robertexplained that churches help us and pray for us.He said they make sure we have everything weneed –– that includes lots of food.

At dinner, we sat down with the other kids at the biggest table I had ever seen! There was so much to eat; we never ate like this at ourhouse –– and we never sat together. Mr. Robertprayed for our food and mentioned each child,including me and my sisters.

I thought, “This must be what a real familyfeels like.”

I love our new home. And I love the churchwhere I attend with the other children of my cottage. It is where I asked Jesus into my heart,where I got saved.

I wished we could fly to safety, and my wish came true for me and my sisters. It’s funny,I didn’t know what would be waiting for us whenwe got there. But now I know –– it was lovewaiting for us.

Brave boy leads sisters to safety and a new home_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

Editor’s Note: Jake’s story is written in the nine-year-old’s voice. The story is real, but the namesof the children are changed.

Watch the video. Download resources at bchoffering.org. 310/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

[ A N N U A L O F F E R I N G F E AT U R E }

Experience their story! Scan the QR code belowto watch the video or visitwww.bchnc.org/bchsaved.

4 10/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9 Leave a legacy through planned giving. Visit bchlegacy.org.

On September 7, I had the privilege of attending the Western Area Conference

(WAC) at Broyhill Home in Clyde. This is alwaysa great event filled with fellowship, encourage-ment and, of course, great barbecue. Our staffand children prepared for days in anticipation of their guests’ arrival.

Friends from churches all across westernNorth Carolina made their way to affirm theirlove for Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) children. The afternoon was filled with hugs.

The first person I saw was BCH’s WesternArea Development Director Lewis Smith. Hehelped unload handouts and offering materialsfrom my car. As we were unloading the car, I noticed the bus from Bear Creek BaptistChurch arrive. It was driven by one of my long-time (15 years) friends, Bruce Cannon.Prior to pastoring at Bear Creek, Bruce served as the director of missions in Bladen Baptist Association.

Bruce and his church members gathered to tour a Broyhill Home cottage. One of themembers was in a wheelchair and unable to do the tour with the group.One lady volunteered to staywith her, but I told them togo ahead and I would staywith the one they calledMaw Lib.

I pulled up a chair, not aware of the hugeblessing I was about to receive. The face of thisbeautiful “angel” looked up at me with a twinkle in her eyes that I will never forget.

“I love my Lord,” she said. “When the presence of God goes all over me, I just get so excited that I have to lift my hands and

praise Him.” She shared about the passing of her husband

and one of her children. She didn’t linger on hersadness, but moved on to tell me how she andher husband had served the Lord –– they helpedstart numerous churches in Ohio and NC. When

they moved back, they became involvedwith Broyhill Home. She smiled withsuch joy as she talked about workingalongside her husband to paint cottagesand install new flooring and cabinets.

She expressed how happy she was to be at WAC. “I really look forward to this visitevery year.”

As the sun began to lower in the sky, I positioned our chairs so that she could fill thewarmth of the sun. She took my hand in hers andtold me that this would be her last time at WAC. I clumsily responded that I was sure she would

be back next year. And with that same twinkle inher eyes and joy on her face, she shared she wouldbe “going home” soon – she was in Hospice care.

There was an excitement in her voice and a radiance that shone around her as she told mehow she was ready. She raised her hands praisingher Lord while I witnessed what she had said earlier: “When the presence of God goes all over me, I just get so excited...”

We held hands as she told me how much she loves Broyhill Home and the children. I’m so thankful for this time we spent together. I witnessed how Maw Lib is a beacon of light in a dark world.

Thank you to the many like Maw Lib thatpray, volunteer and give of their support so a child has an opportunity. We cannot provide this ministry without you! Thank you for yourobedience to God’s calling on your heart to care “for the least of these.”

As I travel across the state visiting with you,our BCH friends, I am touched to my very coreby your love and concern. Our world is full oflostness. Each day children walk through ourdoors, frightened and alone –– lost.

Luke 19:10 reads, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Thank you Maw Lib, and thank each of you who give so doors and hearts are open to the message “Jesus Saves.” Our ThanksgivingOffering theme this year is SAVED. Please taketime to watch this year’s video and be a voice of support for our children in your church. For

information on how you and yourchurch can make a difference, call me at 336-689-4442.Brenda Gray’s passion is children. She serves BCH as the executive vice president, development & communications. Gray directs all fund-raising/friend-raising activities for the state-wide services.

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

Maw Lib loves children, is a beacon in a dark world_____________________________________________________________________________________

By Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications

G I V E GIVE to make an eternal

difference.C A R E

Watch the video. Download resources at bchoffering.org. 510/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

[ A N N U A L O F F E R I N G }

Note: Because of the sensitivity of their situation, the photos and the names of the children have been changed.

Without churches participating in the Annual Offering, Baptist Children’s Homes could not have ministered to21,015 children, families and individuals in 2016. Please encourage your church to collect an offering.

Order Free Materials. If your church has not ordered posters,envelopes, bulletin inserts, or the new SAVED DVD, ask yourchurch representative to call 336-474-1209 to order today.

Invite a Speaker. Schedule a Baptist Children’s Homes speakerto share the ministry with your congregation. Schedules arefilling up quickly! Your church representative can call 336-474-1209 or visit www.bchfamily.org/speaker.

Share the Story. Download ads, social media posts, one-minutepromo video and media slides for your services. Share on yoursocial media. Download resources at www.bchoffering.org.

Eighteen-year-old Katelyn is reaching a goal.Only weeks ago, she and her cottage father

Tim Johnson loaded her things in the cottagevan and drove to Mars Hill University in Madi-son County to move Katelyn into her dorm.

“Going to college is important,” Katelyn says.“I finished high school, but I wanted more. Myparents didn’t have the education to get a goodjob. It’s going to be different for me. I’m plan-ning on getting a nursing degree.”

Katelyn’s mom and stepfather struggled withdrug and alcohol addiction. She says they were“super bad on drugs.”

“Mom was so messed up that she would forgetshe had kids,” Katelyn remembers. “She left usalone one time for three days because she forgotabout us. She had a lot of problems.”

Katelyn doesn’t remember being afraid, but inthe chaos of her home life there was hardship anddays when she and her younger sister did nothave food to eat. She says she didn’t realize untilshe came to Broyhill Home in Clyde a little morethan two yeas ago that she was malnourished: “Iwas so skinny then.”

Katelyn grew up being constantly bullied. Herfamily moved often. The parents’ money wouldrun out and there would be no money for rent.“I was always starting a new school. It was nor-mal to me, but I knew my life was different fromthe other kids’ lives. They knew it, too, and theymade fun of me.”

As a teen, Katelyn’s world crashed in on her. The pain of a life lived on the edge of herparents’ addictions became overwhelming andshe turned away from the real world, turning inside herself. Instead, she began living in a world of self-harm –– hurting herself to lesson

the inner pain she suffered.“Things seemed to only get worse and I began

using drugs,” she confesses. “I never wanted to,but they numbed me inside and I wouldn’t cutmyself.”

Despite the ups and downs, Katelyn and her stepfather were close. He was the only fathershe had ever known and she was a “daddy’s girl.”His drug-related death broke her heart. She says, “He developed an infection from a bad needle. The infection was horrible, damaging hisheart –– it was like eating it away. After a secondsurgery to stop the infection, he died.”

It was almost unbearable. The dazeKatelyn lived in wouldn’t lift until shecame to Broyhill Home.

“It took me a while to find my way,”she says. “It hit me one day that everyonearound me was trying to help me. I hadnever experienced that before. I recall thinking,‘They really care about me.’ I realized that theyloved me.”

Katelyn began to enjoy life like other teens.She no longer had to take care of her sister. Shefocused on her school work and became friendswith the other children on campus. But thebiggest change in her life came just a few monthsafter Katelyn arrived: “I got saved!”

“I watched my cottage parents,” she says. “I began to see in them something that I didn’thave and I realized I needed it – I needed God.”

Katelyn attended a Christian youth meeting.There was singing and a speaker. The speakertalked about life being turned upside down andtumultuous without God. He told the youth thatJesus could be the “anchor” in their life. Whenthe altar call was given, Katelyn stepped forward.She went up front and kneeled.

“I love the verse Hebrews 6:19: ‘We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure,’” Katelyn recites. “That night I surren-dered. I knew Jesus could save me. I realized thatnight just how big it was –– what Jesus did forme. That night my life connected with Jesus.”

Katelyn is willing to shareher story with others. Shetells people about her past,but she also tells themabout how her life haschanged. “God doesn’t want

people to suffer like I did,” she says. “That’s notwho He is. God has given me a loving, stable en-vironment where people love me. I now have‘hope and a future.’”

Katelyn hasn’t cut herself in two years. Hermother is off drugs and “is clean” and lives nearher parents. Katelyn visits with her often.

“Mom has come a long way,” Katelyn says.“She is attending church. Things are better.”

Katelyn has found the “key to life.” She says it is God. All the love and acceptance one looksfor is found in God. “It all begins with Him.”

6 10/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9 Subscribe family and friends to C&C at bchfamily.org/subscribe.

[ CHILD’S FEATURE STORY }

Katelyn claims Christ as anchor for hope and a future_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

Broyhill Home resident Katelyn started Mars Hill University in Madison County this fall semester. The eighteen-year-old also works at a restaurant in a nearby town. She is saving money for a car and looks forward to earning her degree

in nursing. She has been in Baptist Children’s Homes’ care for a little more than two years.

H O P E HOPE changes lives and dispels

darkness.

Share the Story –Schedule a Speaker

Invite a Baptist Children’s Homes speaker to share at your church.

It’s a perfect way to prepareyour congregation for the

ANNUAL OFFERING.

Call today as speakingengagement dates are

filling up quickly!Call 336.474.1209 or v is it

www.bchfamily.org/speaker

All of the 58 Western Area Conferences heldat Broyhill Home in Clyde over the years

have been special. How could they not be? Whenyou bring as many as 1,100 Baptists from acrossthe western part of the state together to celebrateGod working in the lives of hurting children andfamilies, plus add gospel music and good barbe-cue, you are bound to experience somethingmemorable.

This year’s event held on September 7 was no exception. Despite the threat of abnormallycool temperatures, folks began arriving early to tour cottages and preview this year’s annualoffering video. Music began to fill the air as children greeted guests and dinner was served by members of Crestview Baptist Church of Canton. The evening’s program featured testimonies by Angel (featured in the June issueof C&C), Family Care mom Caitlin (featured in the January C&C), and Broyhill Home alumRoberta Edwards. The Friends of Children awardwas presented to the WMU of First BaptistChurch Bryson City. Then Baptist Children’sHomes (BCH) president/CEO Michael C.Blackwell surprised BCH’s Statewide Director -Child/Residential Services Linda Morgan by presenting her the prestigious BroyhillFounders Award for Distinguished Service.

In his presentation, Blackwell said: “The Broy-hill Founders Award is rarely given and is earnedthrough decades of loyal support and dedicatedservice to the ideals that brought Broyhill Home into existence in 1971.”

Only three others have been recognized. They are: Paul Broyhill, Glenn Brown and

Fred Lunsford. Morgan is the first BCH staffmember to receive the award.

“You could have knocked me down with a feather,” Morgan said. “Receiving the awardfrom Dr. Blackwell was one of the most high andholy moments of my career.”

For 44 years, Morgan has been instrumental intaking what was a blackberry patch in a mountaincove and turning it into a haven of hope for “theleast of these.”

“When you think of one person who has dayby day impacted BCH’s ministry in the moun-tains, you think of Linda Morgan,” Blackwellsaid. “She has been an enthusiastic supporter andprovided extraordinary leadership-by-examplesince 1973.”

Morgan gives God all the credit. She said itwas His love that changed her life and it is Hislove that changes the lives of the children andfamilies who find hope everyday at BCH.

[ WESTERN AREA CONFERENCE }

Morgan receives prestigious Broyhill Founders Award____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell surprised BCH’s Statewide Director - Child/Residential Services Linda Morgan bypresenting her only the fourth Broyhill Founders Award ever given at the Western Area Conference on September 7.

Discover ways to help at bchfamily.org/getinvolved. 710/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

The WMU fromFirst Baptist

Church in BrysonCity, led by directorLynn Seay, receivedthis year’s “Friendsof Children Award”at the Western AreaConference (WAC)on September 7.

Each year, an individual or groupis recognized fortheir dedication and support of the children andfamilies Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) servesthrough its Western North Carolina locations.

“I have been friends with Rita Maddox fromtheir WMU for a longtime,” said Betty Porter,cottage parent at Broyhill Home’s Frizzell-Hig-

don Cottage. “Foryears, they’ve made ourchildren Easter baskets,brought back-to-schoolsupplies, and Christmasgifts.

“The boys and girls feel God’s lovethrough what they doand know that some-one cares about them.”

The group was presented the award byBCH President/CEO

Michael C. Blackwell and BCH’s Linda Morgan. “We’ve done so much, people ask us why we

continue to do it,” Maddox said to the crowd.“It’s very simple: this ministry is the real deal.”

The WAC is held annually at Broyhill Home in Clyde on the Thursday after Labor Day.

BCH is the “real deal” to volunteers________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 10/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9 Connect with BCH on facebook.com/bchfamily.

As older boys and girls at Baptist Children’sHomes (BCH) begin to think about the

future, friends of the ministry are eager to en-courage their dreams through the Thomas H.Davis Runway for Success. Each year, Runwayprovides a hands-on educational experience forBCH’s children as they consider their futures.

This year’s event held on August 1 combinedlearning opportunities at these businesses:Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, Tar Heel Capi-tal Corporation in Boone, Hollar and GreeneProduce Company in Boone, and Critcher BrosProduce in Deep Gap.

“It was good to see the faces of the childrenwe’ve been praying for at BCH. They are alwaysclose to our heart,” said Denise Critcher, who isan owner of Critcher Bros. along with her hus-band Roger.

The children not only received an inside look

at how the businesses operate, butspent time with the owners. RogerCritcher started by sharing his faith.

“Roger asked them, ‘Do you believeyou can love someone you’ve neverseen before?;” Denise said. “You couldtell their wheels were turning. Rogershared that while he and I didn’t knowthem, we have loved them for a longtime, prayed for them, and that Jesusloves them.”

From learning about the producebusinesses, the Wendys restaurants op-erated by Tar Heel Capital, and theworkings of the 87-acre Chetola resort,Runway provided the children a day ofinspiration and insight. The event ismade possible by the Tom Davis Fundestablished by Piedmont Airlinesfounder Thomas H. Davis.

Runway for Success offers inspiration and opportunities_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Before stepping back into the classroom this year, children from Mills Home in

Thomasville stepped into the spotlight for the annual fashion show Hope in Style on August 26.

Community friends, including event lead sponsors Belk and Vanguard Ministries, joinedtogether to raise funds for the boys’ and girls’daily care and provide them the new back-to-school outfits they modeled at the event.

“I can’t tell you how much fun it is for ourstore employees to do this for the children,” saidLaura Danclovic, manager of Belk in High Point.“It’s such a privilege.”

In the days prior to the event, Danclovic invited the children to shop for new clothes withthe help of volunteers. Belk provided the outfits

free of charge.Ciara picked out

new jeans, boots and a stylish kimono top-per. As much as sheenjoyed shopping, therelationships she builtwith those who helpedher meant even more.

“These women take time out of theirday to shop with usand help us lookgood,” explainedCiara. “They ask youabout school, what grade you’re in, what stylesyou like – they really want to get to know you.”

Thrivent Financial, a national not-for-profit Christian financial service providerwith offices in Greensboro, completed the ensembles by taking the children shoeshopping. The shopping team includedGary Everhart, who serves as a Thrivent financial representative, and his wife Carrie, who serves on the Hope in Styleplanning committee.

“After attending Hope in Style consecu-tive years and being asked if I would serveon the planning committee, I couldn’t re-sist the opportunity to get involved withthese incredible kids,” said Carrie Ever-hart. “It’s a true blessing to see God’swork being fulfilled. Witnessing it from

behind the scenes makes the experience all themore rewarding.”

“We’ve gotten to know them over the past few years,” Ciara said of the Everharts. “They are super nice and great to talk to. If you find the right shoes to go with your new outfit, theywant you to have them.”

Hope in Style is directed by Karen Slate. Slate serves as Baptist Children’s Homes’ Direc-tor of Development, Central Area. The eventtook place at the Greensboro Country Club andwas emceed this year by WXII 12 News ChiefMeteorologist Lanie Pope. Entertainment wasprovided by High Point musicians Blue RidgeJames and pianist Randy Stewart. Stewart servesas pastor of Mills Home Baptist Church. To learnmore about Hope in Style visit www.hopeinstyle.org.

[ HOPE IN STYLE 2017 }

Community volunteershelp children shine_____________________________________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

Above, children from Mills Home in Thomasville could not help but smile as community volunteers and friends applauded them during the finale for Hope in Style on August 26. The boys and girls model their new back-to-school outfits during the event. Below, Mills

Home’s Thomas poses with Laura Danclovic, manager of Belk in High Point.

Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) boys and girls from across the stategathered at Critcher Bros. Produce in Deep Gap for Runway for Success.The produce company, which has long supported BCH, was one of fourbusinesses children learned about during the annual event on August 1.

If you wish to subscribe to Charity & Children (C&C)

(it is free) or make a change to youraddress, contact Deneesha Edwardsat dedwards@bchfamily.org or contact C&C editor Jim Edminsonat wjedminson@bchfamily.org orcall him at 336-474-1217.

Anytime you have a correction or addition for our address book,send it straight to Sally Beck Fergu-son at 25 Southern Pine Trail, Or-mand Beach, FL, 32174. It is nevertoo early to send new information.

Chrissy Maiden Turner is lookingfor these friends from the 1980s:Angie, Lisa, Dewayne and MarkSimpson. Contact her if you canhelp at Doraturner43@yahoo.com.

Also, send the information toSally at the address above.

In the Mills Home (MH) AlumniAssociation business meeting onAugust 5, President Bob Maytonexpressed deep appreciation formembers leaving the Alumni Coun-cil this year. They are: Jay Wood,James Byrd, Janice Lewis Doherty,Larry Vaughn, and Charles Tanner.

Bob expressed further apprecia-tion for this year’s Alumni Council.They are, including himself, the following: First Vice-President-Pres-ident Elect, Sharon DeHart Stiles;Second Vice-President, Pete Knight;Secretary, Flora Hicks Patton; Treas-urer, Joe (Pat) Jolly; Council Mem-bers Bucky Clark, Faye YarboroughRidge, Paulina Hanner, JimmyRochelle, and C&C alumni columnist Lib Johnson.

Important issues brought beforethe members in the association’smeeting and to be given seriousstudy with recommendations to follow, were these: returning to the brick project at The MitchellMuseum, returning to the churchchime project (much favor shown),and reconsideration of several partsof the by-laws.

Charles Tanner gave the awardwinning report of the evening andkept us in gales of laughter. He re-ported on The Mitchell and that thebig thing this summer was gettingthe ocean wave repaired. He deter-

mined that it had fallen over after itslast repair because of the constantdrainage to the “ditch-like” areawhere the ocean wave had sat since1926. He and his crew of Jay Wood,Sam Barefoot and Don Ramseysuccessfully moved it back closer tothe building to a strong pole alreadystanding. He noted humorouslythat the pole would be standinguntil “Jesus comes.”

Charles also thanked the crewwho came to clean the Mitchell justbefore Homecoming: Keith Camp-bell, Randy Stewart, Lib Johnson,Flora Hicks Patton, Jimmy Rochelle,and James Byrd. And he thanked Joeand Linda Jolly for the printer theydonated to the Mitchell. He espe-cially appreciated the signs placedon the commodes which read, “For historical purposes only.”

Kris Lether has requested prayersfor his mother, Addie Lee BattsLether ‘43. On Aug. 7, a trip to theER revealed she had a broken verte-brae in her lower back. She spent a short time in a rehab facility but isback home where Kris is able to carefor her. I’m sure she would appreci-ate cards from friends. Her addressis 86 Nelson Road West, Sequim,WA, 98382. Kris also expressed delight at having met two of hiscousins recently, a son and daughterof his mother’s brother Steve.

Rita Lynn Owens Rector recentlyasked on Facebook for prayers forher brother Jerry who just suffered a stroke. She sends her appreciationfor prayers on his behalf and reportsthat he is recovering nicely but stillhoping for more speech and mem-ory improvement.

Reunions with long lost friendsor relatives are always interestingand exciting. Recently, DennisVaughan was reconnected by phonewith the son of his twin brotherDonnie who passed away in Feb,2012. Donnie’s son was adopted byhis stepfather (a long story) whenhe was about three and Dennis hadbeen trying to locate him for 10 or15 years. Dennis said in a note:“Yesterday, I came home and had a phone message from his half-sisterwanting to know if I was related to

Donald. I called her back and left a message. She returned my call andasked if she could give her brother(my nephew) my phone number. Of course, I agreed. She informedme that if he didn’t call me, his wifewould. She and his wife had beensearching without his knowledge for his dad’s family. The outcome is that I have become friends withall three on Facebook and hope toget together soon. (I’m really emo-tional about all this and he is stilltrying to process it.) I want him to have time to process the news before I do anything but I told himI’d like to get together. He said thathe too wants to meet. Right now I just feel so blessed.”

Our memorial list for 2016-2017 is extremely long this year.Our alumni are not dying at a faster rate, we are simply learning of moredeaths from previous years that wehad not known about. (I think thatis because of Sally Beck Ferguson’sinternet skills.)

Robert Alexander, 1937-42; GwenAlexander Bridges, 1936-40; Chris-tine Beshears Evans, 1955-66; EugeneLee Belch, 1933-39; Nancy BroadwayTorres, 1950-61; D. Allen Carroll,1943-56; Peggy Cashwell Ward,1933-39; Ralph Curtis, 1943-51; MaryElgin Fairrington, 1942-50; CharlesLeonard Evans, 1934-45; HenriettaEverett Adams, 1929-43; Jack MixFine, 1942-50; Mae Fore Baity Culler,1947-54; Donald Foust, 1942-53; Eldora Furr La Foy, 1935-41; DorothyGriggs “Dot” Latham, 1943-46; Lil-lian Grindstaff Dees, 1926-38; JeanieHelms Cooper, 1960-68; Rachel HicksSnyder, 1931-43; Marie Horne Rigby,1955-61; Clyde Jolly, 1953-57;Matthew Lambert, 1978-80; Vera Lamonds Nance, 1941-45; Bill Led-better, 1942-53; Billy Lord, 1940s-50s; Ruth McCarson Davis, 1942-50;John McCracken, 1968-73: Joyce Mc-Donald Henry 1955-64; Charles“Chunny” Mull, 1942-52; Randall“Randy” Overby, 1967-71; LorraineOwen Brewer, 1959-64; DeweyPhelps, 1944-51; Margaret Price Hall,1937-45; Donald David “Coach”Price, 1973-76; Wade Register, 1963-64; Helen Mrs. John Roberts, 1960-69; James Sebastian, 1960-65; Stella

Shew Marshall, 1927-35; Jimmy LeeTart, 1959-67; Lynn Turner Hassell,1983-85; Della Mae Watson Colman,1923-39; Emily Werner Toomey,1954-62; Annie Belle West Nelson,1934-41; Howard “Slim” Whetstine,1931-37; Julia Whitley Bush, 1936-44;Norma Williams Shouse, 1954-60.

Also, Stella Shew Marshall diedon February 20, 2010. She died at her home in Flint Michigan withfamily attending her. She was bornApril 15, 1922 in Wilkes Countyand was 87. Her body was cre-mated. She came to MH in 1927and graduated in 1935. She wasmarried to Thomas M. Marshall, Jr.

Another earlier obituary was of Dorothy “Dot” E.Griggs Lathamwho died December 18, 2012 at theRandolph Hospice House in Ashe-boro. She was buried at RandolphMemorial Park in Asheboro. Dotentered MH in 1943 with sisterJoyce and she left in 1946. She waspreceded in death by Joyce and oneother sister not at MH. She was amember of the Pleasant Hill BaptistChurch. At the time of her death,she was survived by her husbandJames Latham of Randleman, onedaughter and two grandchildren.

I learned from Carolyn McCarsonTharrington that her sister Betty McCarson Bordeaux passed away on Friday, August 18. She had beenliving in Delco for many years, butnear the end she was in care of theLower Cape Fear Hospice and Life-care Center in Whiteville. A widowfor a number of years, Betty is survived by two sons, one daughter,brother Donald, sister Carolyn, fivegrandchildren and 11 great grand-children. It is very hard losing two sisters in less than a year, butCarolyn is grateful that she and Donspent valuable time with Betty whileshe was still responsive. Send con-dolences to Carolyn at: 106 CastleDr., Smithfield, NC, 27577 and at: Don at 1521 Dodgetown Rd.,

Walnut Cove, NC,27052.

Lib Johnson was a resident of MillsHome from 1946 to 1957. Johnsonbegan writing the Mills Home alumnicolumn in 1992.

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Alum’s family reconnects after long search –Remembering “brothers and sisters” who passed_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson (336) 299-7412 libsjohnson@triad.rr.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni 910/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

You can help!bchfamily.org/getinvolved

10 10/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9 Discover ways to help at bchfamily.org/getinvolved.

_______________________________Kennedy Home

Hurricane Matthew inflicted widespread damage at Kennedy Home in October 2016. Ithas taken a year to repair and recover from thedevastation. With the help of hundreds of vol-unteers, including friends from Apex BaptistChurch in Apex, the work has been done tobring back the Kinston campus. From August 16through mid-September, the group from Apexremodeled the kitchen in the gymnasium. Thekitchen, which was ruined by the storm, hasbeen completely revitalized and restored. Thevolunteers installed a new kitchen island, builtcabinets and did new electrical work. Learnmore at www.kennedyhome.org.

_______________________________Odum Home

Friends from Tabor City Baptist Church deliv-ered supplies to Odum Home in Pembroke. Donations included sheets, towels, housewares,school supplies, and pillows._______________________________

_______________________________Drake Cottage

The boys from Drake Cottage in Franklin helpedat their school to be ready for the new year bydoing landscaping and yard work. Children incare give back in their communities._______________________________Hope in Style

Above, community volunteers and friends cametogether with Mills Home children and staff fora shopping day at Belk in High Point. Volun-teers helped the boys and girls pick out newback-to-school clothes for them to model atthe Hope in Style fashion show. Belk providesthe clothing at no cost. Below, friends fromThrivent Financial in Greensboro also took thechildren shopping at Shoe Show. Thrivent pro-vided new shoes for each child. See the fullstory on page 8.

_______________________________Broyhill Home

Children and staff at Broyhill Home in Clydeput on their approved eclipse-watching glasseson Monday, August 21. Boys and girls at BCH’sstatewide locations were able to experience thephenomenon._______________________________

_______________________________Children Helping Children

Students from Seventy-First High School inFayetteville volunteered recently at OdumHome in Pembroke. The high schoolers spentthe day giving Indian Memorial Cottage a freshcoat of paint.Learn more about Odum Homeat www.odumhome.org._______________________________NCBAM

Michael C. Blackwell, Baptist Children’s HomesPresident/CEO and founder of the North Car-olina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM), sharesexcerpts from his book Above the Clouds dur-ing the chapel service at Summerfest. Theevent at Fort Caswell on Oak Island is a retreatfor retired and semi-retired adults. Dr. Black-well was the event’s featured speaker. _______________________________Church Support

For years, members of Pine Grove BaptistChurch have supported BCH’s boys and girlsthrough their annual “Mile of Pennies” efforts.This year, they presented a check for $11,000 toBCH’s Lewis Smith during their morning wor-ship service on September 3. The church sur-passed its goal by $1,000. Left to right are:Ervin and Debbie Keener, offering leaders; GregRogers, church pastor; Smith, and Mike Chast-ian, associate pastor.

Every day at churches and BCH facilities “around the state,” staffmembers, residents and North Carolina Baptists are making news. In Charity & Children and throughBCH's social media posts, friendscan connect daily, weekly andmonthly to learn about all of BCH's happenings.

Around the State

Great fun was had during the annual Kennedy Home

(KH) Alumni Beach Cottage Re-treat at Indian Beach. Everyone wasworried about the weather, but weended up having plenty of sunshine.When it did rain, we had great timesinside. The fellowship was whatcounted.

Everyone who attended, excepttwo ladies, were at KH in the 70swhen Becky and I served. Of theother two, one was there before ourtime and one came after we left. Ido wish we could have had manymore folks present but the sweet six-teen who attended had a wonderfultime. It was just like a family re-union. We spent three nights andfour days together. When it wastime to go, everyone pitched incleaning the cottage. We cleanedand scrubbed – the stoves, counters,bathrooms, and from top to bottomand everything in between.

Those attending were this yearwere: Donna Weeks Duty (67-74)and her husband Dave; DebbieStallings Lassiter (69-76) and herhusband David; Patsy Hensley Love-joy (55-74); Priscilla Craft Woodard(73-78) and her husband Johnny;Gary Caulder (63-73) and his wifeDebbie McCormick (72-74); MaryFeige (83-89); Joyce Harrell Eure(70-76); Janet Clark Williams (57-67)and her husband John Williams;Hugh Kirkman (75-76); and Beckyand myself (72-77).

The group came up with a list ofthings they learned at the retreatthis year. They are:

1. If you’re under the weather orneed a helping hand, they will takecare of you! (Becky and I are so ap-preciative to everyone who helpedBecky. She is unable to go upstairsand suffers other physical ailments,but you came to the rescue.)

2. We all worked as a true family,helping each other when needed.

3. John and Becky Thompsonloves us. (And we love them.)

4. If you needed towels, sheets orpillow cases, somebody will haveyour back.

5. Lemon Pledge and cookingspray will silence a squeaky door.

6. Mary Feige can make every ladyfeel special and beautiful. Shepainted nails and says she enjoyedgetting to know everyone better.

7. Singing professionally is not re-quired to have fun with a Karokemachine.

8. Grown adults painting HappyRocks can be fun.

9. There are lots of rooms at thecottage in which to enjoy.

10. The upstairs air conditionerworks great.

11. People can make quiet, grace-ful exits and entrances.

12. People of all ages can laughand have wholesome fun together.

13. If you leave your bait out onthe pier, a turkey buzzard will comeand get it.

14. Life is fun.15. God still loves us all the time. 16. We remain brothers and sis-

ters after all these years. 17. We all love music because

John and Becky taught us how tolove music and make a “joyfulnoise.”

18. We had three of our men be-come plumbers and helped solveour problem.

19. Playing dominos make youforget about unnecessary things.

20. Age is just a number when we get together.

The rock painting project wasgreat fun. We painted rocks thattold a story expressing caring handsand warm hearts. We made therocks to put around at churches,parks, restaurants, and all over theplace for others to find.

Some of the group spent timefishing but didn’t catch very much.

Debbie and I presented devotionsand hope next time to have a lotmore folks share a devotion.

The meals were delicious. Forlunch and dinner, we enjoyed: ham,turkey and cheese subs, pimentocheese, chicken salad, potato salad,delicious ham, sweet potato casse-

role, string beans, and rolls. Weserved breakfast casseroles, ham bis-cuits, bacon, sausage, grits, eggs,toast, and jelly for breakfast. ,

And I cooked a supper of home-made spaghetti with salad bar.

Special thanks to DebbieStallings, Debbie Caulder, Priscilla,and Gary for helping to prepare themeals. All stepped up and helped fixthe food and clean up.

Everyone participated in all theevents, meal preparation and cleanup. It was a great time and all arelooking forward to the next retreat.

Everyone expressed a heart-feltthank you to Baptist Children’sHomes and especially to KH direc-tor Brian Baltzell for making the re-treat possible. We will have nextyear’s dates after the first of 2018.

Steve Richard Harrell (71-76)posted a picture showing that KHuse to have a version of waterolympics at the pool. The pool wasalways one of the best places tohang out. Even I enjoyed the veryhigh diving board. My son Johnnywas coming off the high dive whenhe was four years old.

There were awards presented atthe games – 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.Amy Walker (daughter of Mr. andMrs. Melvin Walker) could swim thelength of the pool under water. Isaw her do this many times. Somesaid she swam “as good as a fish.”

I loved it when the lifeguard did-n’t show up and I got to fill in. Itook Senior Life Saving to be quali-fied. The hardest thing was swim-ming the length of the pool acertain number of times. I tried toto convince the teacher that by thetime you got to the person that faraway it would be too late. He wasnever sympathetic. We had to godown to the bottom of the pool andbring up a real person. Of course, Ihad to bring up Bill Beacham. Hewas a retired policeman and a lottaller than me. Bill ran the gym anddid a great job.

I loved roller skating in the gymthe best. When he couldn’t bethere, guess who ran the gym, me!

And I loved it. Becky and I would fill in at the

cottages when the houseparents hadto go away for a week’s training,too. Becky always said the Lordhadn’t called her to be a house-mother, but I think she did a greatjob.

I received a note from TammyTaylor Wiggins. She writes: “Myname is Tammy Wiggins. TammyTaylor at the time I lived at KennedyHome. My time there was a brief. Ilived in Lenoir and Biggs Cottages.Lenoir Cottage was a boys and girlsCottage at the time and Biggs Cot-tage was an all girls Cottage.

“I have to say that the entire timeI was there, all I wanted to do wasto go home to be with my mother.But, looking back I remember it wasa very nice place to be. We wereable to go the gym in the afternoonwith our age groups, and the swim-ming pool was great! There were alot of activities for us all and weeven had a sewing room where wecould pick out clothes. I remembergetting a white dress for churchfrom the sewing room and I think-ing I was beautiful at the young ageof 10.”

Tammy, this is all I received onmy computer. Would your write tome again and tell me more. Let usknow the years you were at KH andshare more about the things you re-member. Also, what have you donesince being at KH.

Folks, see how easy it is to sharesomething about your time at KH.Your stories make this column bet-ter. Please help by sending informa-tion about your years at KH or thetime since you left. We all want tohear from you.

Always remember that Becky andI love you very much. Give us a callor e-mail and let us know how youare doing. We want to hear from

you. Love you abunch. – jt

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Annual Beach Cottage Retreat a “wonderful time” –Alumna remembers beautiful white Sunday dress_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By John Thompson, 2324 Country Club Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (252)671-3515 jthompson117@ec.rr.com

John Thompson was the choir director at Kennedy Home from1972-1977. Today, he enjoys a veryactive retirement.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni 1110/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

Read more at #Homeword or bchfamily.org/charityandchildren.12

Ihave got to be doing something. Mymind is always “on.” I invent things

to do just to stay busy and engaged.When I’m coerced to sit, time drags.Five minutes being still seems like 20minutes. When I do sit, my mind runsthrough a field of “what ifs . . .” and“why nots . . .”

“What if I move the bed of irises to the other side of the yard?” “Whynot clear the wooded area behind thehouse to make more yard space for the grands?” “What if Kathy and I take a trip during the Thanksgivingholiday?” “Why not take part in thechurch’s next mission trip?”

In my relationships, I love to do,too. A dad’s solution to one of mychildren’s problems puts a smile on my face. Having the right answer to a dilemma that a friend faces gives mea feeling that I have helped. Reachinginto my wallet to make a daunting sit-uation less troublesome for a neighboror stanger is a good solution. Going tohelp someone by swinging a hammeror sawing a board is satisfying.

My first step into Christian ministrywas as a youth director. I was youngwith long lists of “what ifs . . .” and“why nots . . .” My pastor Ben Atkin-son and I would meet monthly to review the activities I was planningand discuss my ideas. Almost withouttaking a breath, I ran down the listand each time I looked up to seeBrother Ben with a soft smile on his face. His response was always the same: “That all sounds fine, Jim,but remember, the greatest thing youcan do is just be. Just share Jesus.”

For a “do” guy, that was harder

than you wouldthink. I mean, I believe sharingJesus was most im-portant, but howwould I “do” that.

Danny and Ginger Mallette were great youth par-ents. They were active and supportedthe youth ministry in every way theycould. Their son Trey was a good kid.We joked around with each other andhe was attentive in Bible study. It waspretty ideal.

Kathy called from the kitchen where the phone hung on the wall.She told me to come quickly. Dannyhad suffered a massive brain aneurismand was not expected to live.

I knew what to do. I had to go.I walked into the hospital waiting

room and it was full with friends andloved ones. I placed my fist on my hipsand looked to see what could be done,but for the first time in my ministry,there was nothing I could do.

The doctors came out to let Gingerknow that they had done all theycould and time would tell. We gath-ered around and prayed together.Danny’s life was in God’s hands.

Ginger and Trey’s hearts werebreaking. I sat next to Trey in silenceand waited – doing nothing. I wouldjust “be” and learn the ministry ofpresence . . .

Kathy has been teaching high school students for nearly 14 years.During this time, I have helped anyway I could. I have decorated bulletin boards. I have carried boxesup flights of stairs. I have scrubbedthe tops of students’ desks with disinfectant and then scraped gum from beneath them.

At best, being a public schoolteacher is difficult and teachers can use a helping hand. There’s alwaysplenty to do.

But there are days when I can “do”nothing to help Kathy. The trauma sheexperiences can almost be too much –a brutal fight between students in thecommons area, explosive profanity in the hallway, an obstinate student intent on keeping other students from learning.

There are the days she is brokenhearted because a student’s father died from cancer or because a studentis struggling in her class because heworks until the early morning hours to make money to help feed his siblings.

At these times, I can only sit silentlybeside her, not accepting failure because we cannot “do,” but insteadwe wait in our weakness, dependingon God and relying on Him to overcome what we face.

God’s power works best in ourweakness. We are but clay jars. TheApostle Paul writes that he gladly accepts his weakness “so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

After many days, Danny miracu-lously recovered. Kathy rises anotherday and returns to her students. Paultestifies: “This makes it clear that ourgreat power is from God, not fromourselves.”

And He is glorified.

10/17 – Charity & Children – 130/9

1. Western Area Family Services Linda Morgan, Lead Dir. 828-627-9254

2. Central Area Family Services Regina Keener, Dir. 336-474-1200

3.Eastern Area Family Services Brian Baltzell, Dir. 252-522-0811 www.kennedyhome.org

4. Odum Home Kathy Locklear, Resident Mgr.910-521-3433www.odumhome.org

5. Oak Ranch/Family CareLynn Garner, Dir. 336-474-1240

6. Cameron Boys Camp Drew Scott, Dir. 910-245-4034 www.cameronboyscamp.org

7. Camp Duncan for Girls Paul Daley, Dir. 910-944-3077 www.campduncanNC.org

8. Weekday EducationLinda Russo, Dir. 336-474-1201

9. Dev. Disabilities Ministry Peggy Pennington, Dir. 828-964-0731www.hereismyhome.org

10.NC Baptist Aging MinistrySandy Gregory, Dir. 336-474-1221www.ncbam.org

11. Tucker Greater Vision MinistryMartha Surratt, Dir.336-474-1261

12.HOMEBASE at WCUJim Dean, Dir. 828-293-4660

13.Good Shepherd Children’sHome, GuatemalaKeith Henry336-474-1215

Ideas or suggestions, contact: Keith HenryChief Operating Officer 336-474-1215

Can we help?_____________________________________To learn more about BCH’s min-istriy, call 800-476-3669 or go online at www.bchfamily.org.

Edminson writes “Homeword” to encourage readers with personal anecdotes of home life. He is available for preaching and speaking engagements. Email him at wjedminson@bch-family.org or call 800-476-3669, ext. 1217to schedule a date.

[ # H O M E W O R D }

Waiting in weakness____________________________________________________________ ___________

By Jim Edminson, Editor