1- Front Cover 2- Church Mission, Rosters,Table of Contents 3- Pastor’s Page 4- Executive Perspective 5- Schools of Hope Hearing Impaired Announcement 6- Pictorial Highlights: Youth Weekend 7- Youth Weekend, continued 8- Pathways to Education Ministry Update 9- Book Review 10- New Hope Round-Up 11- Senior Mission and Soldiers of Care Sunday Saints Volunteers Needed, 12- Back Cover- Church Anniversary Musical

Mission:The New Hope Baptist Church is a worshipping community

committed to educating, equipping and empowering believers for Christian living in the 21st Century.

CHURCH STAFFDirector of Youth and Children’s Ministry, Quentin Henry

Minister of Music, Lamar JamesChurch Administrator, Tarra Thompson

Office Secretary, Michelle Coleman Custodian: Full-Time, Robert PhillipsCustodian: Part-Time, Ricky Foster

Hope’s Voice, Vol. 6 #5, October- November, 2011

Table of Contents

CHURCH OFFICERSDeacons

Willie Smith, ChairCarl Guy, Vice ChairArthur Weeks, SecretaryMarvin James, Ass’t SecretaryCurtis James, EmeritusDuriel CohenWillie CoxRon GarnerDudley JamesCorey JeffersonFrank LamarMichael LeviGeorge LoweClarence MondyLouis MontgomeryAlexander ThomasBooker ThurmanJamalle WeddleCharles Weekley

TrusteesLarry Love, ChairEndia Weekley, Vice Chair, TreasurerBeverly McDonald, Ass’t SecretaryBooker ThurmanRoma CollinsWilliam GartmonJohn JeffersonAJ JonesEli LikelyLynda McDonaldLouis MontgomeryMaurice SatterfieldWilson TateTena WalkerWilliam Upton

NEWSLETTER TEAM

Rev. Dallas Lenear,Editor

Pat Pulliam, Layout Design

Becky Tezeno&Tarra ThompsonCover Design

Arthur Weeks& Dudley JamesPhotographers

Garrett FoxQuentin HenryLamar JamesChantil SkinnerKrystal SweatShelley SwiftColumnists

Submit information for the newsletter to the church office.

Rev. Howard C. Earle, Jr., Senior PastorRev. Dallas Lenear, Executive Pastor

NHBCMinistries&Leaders–2011

Ministry Servant‐Leader Asst.LeaderCommunity

Investment

LouisMontgomery

ComputerLab ArtWeeks

Deacons WillieSmith CarlGuy

Deaconness GenevaMontgomery

Decorations&

LogisticsLyndaMcDonald RonGarner

FoodBank LouisMontgomery

FoodServices BarbaraSnell(interim)

Health&Wellness EarnestineTolbert ReneeKuiper

Library SophiaBrewer

Marriage Quentin&Krystal

Sweat

Media OscarJames

MenofPurpose GeorgeLowe

Music LamarJames

NewMembers AnnetteMcMillan WillieCox

Outreach KrisJones

Pathwaysto

Education

PatriciaPulliam CharlesWeekley

PersonalFinances ChantilSkinner BillySmith

PraiseDance MaryDeans

Prison FrankLaMar

PublicRelations DareatherGreer

Recreation GeraldSmith

SchoolsofHope KrystalSweat

SeniorMission JuanitaForrest

Seniors LindaBeverly

SoldiersofCare EvoraCockrell MarjorieStevenson

SummerBlast MauriceSatterfield RobbieMcCollum

SundaySchool CarolynTate(interim)

Transportation JosephHenry

Trustee LarryLove EndiaWeekley

Ushers&

Hospitality

BillGartmon VanessaCaston

Women’s BobbiSmith AnnHarris

Youth&Children QuentinHenry

MINISTRIES AND MINISTRY LEADERS - 2011

Dear New Hope Family,Grace and peace be unto you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord who was dead but now lives forever.

Page 3

The leaves are beginning to change colors, the temperatures are cooler, and the days are shorter and football season is here. These are all definite signs that fall is here. Fall is a significant season for us because it is during the month of October that we celebrate our church’s anniversary. For the past 77 years the New Hope Baptist Church has been a force in the city of Grand Rapids. Considering the volume of change that has transpired in our nation and community since 1934, the ability to minister with the strength that we do speaks volumes of the culture of our church. We cannot boast of reaching this milestone as though we arrive in our own strength, but rather it is a testament of the faithfulness of God to His church. By His grace we have been able to minister to thousands through a diverse range of ministry initiatives.

I have often wondered, what is the secret to longevity? Why have we been able to continue to thrive all of these years? In addition to God’s favor, I believe what has benefited us most has been our devotion to doing Christ-centered ministry. Being driven by the heart of Christ has enabled us to be innovative and able to adapt to the cultural shifts over the last several decades. While the times have called for changes in our methods, we have never compromised the message. We have resisted the urge to be trendy or popular by remaining faithful to making disciples.

After some investigation of the ministry of the apostles in the book of Acts, I could not help but notice how magnetic they were. In chapter five the description of their celebrity was nothing short of rock-star status. Their ministry, which was reinforced by the hear t of Christ, possessed a magnetism that drew people from far and wide. Though we do not boast of people laying the afflicted in the streets that they may at least be in our shadow to receive healing, I believe that we continue to thrive at 77 years of age because of a magnetism of our own. There is an infinite amount of gimmicks and games we can play to be attractive, but true magnetism makes people stick. Employing authentic Christlike ministry creates life change in individuals and families and sustains them long term. As we celebrate 77 years, we are celebrating Magnetic Ministry! Just as he did over 2,000 years ago, God continues to add to our numbers. I have said for the last 5 years during this season, we have not yet arrived. While we are grateful for all that we have accomplished, there is still much work to be done. Let’s continue to develop innovative, Christ-centered ministry that will continue to attract people in the future.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Howard C. Earle, Jr.Senior Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church

The Executive Perspective

Page 4

Every Part Of The Body

Which part of your body could you do without? I’m not talking about those “excess” layers we may have amassed through unscrupulous eating habits and scarce exercise regimens. I don’t mean “which parts would you want to reduce or change.” I mean – if you woke one morning missing a finger, an elbow, a thigh, or an internal organ, would you miss it? Of course, you would.

God designed our bodies to function best with all of its parts intact. A body may be able to function even without certain parts, but it does not function at its optimal level in that condition.

So it is with the body of Christ.

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” I Corinthians 12:12

God designed the body of Christ – the Church – to function with all of its many parts in place. Every part of the body is important. If I stub my toe and it causes me pain, I don’t lop it off and discard it. I give it special attention to seek its healing and “reconciliation” with the rest of the body. If a member of the body of Christ is hurting, missing, or even causing pain, we “who are spiritual” (Galatians 6:1) are called to heal and restore.

So it is with New Hope.

As our church grows, we have to be that much more intentional with tracking our members in order to properly give the spiritual care that each part deserves. While we celebrate our union with Christ, which is forever sealed by the Holy Spirit and recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we also seek to solidify our connection with one another through our membership records. Help us by making sure we have current, complete and accurate data for you. Officially join. Update your phone number and email address. Share your birthdate. Give your contributions - in an envelope, regularly, and at a level that reflects how God has blessed you. All of this information is kept confidential. However, it helps us to know on whom we can count and who can count on us.

Every part of the body is important. We want to make sure that no member of New Hope is ever left out from communication from the church and full participation in its activity.

His,

XP

Page 5

A new school year has begun so that means a brand new year of Schools of Hope at New Hope Baptist Church. This is the fourth year New Hope has partnered with the Heart of West Michigan United Way to run this after school literacy program for students in the first through third grades.

Our program this year will provide five days of instruction for 90 minutes each day, focusing on literacy. Monday through Thursday, our new lead teacher, Christal Jackson, and the assistant teacher, Latisha

Hamlet , will provide a balanced literacy approach and will incorporate five components that are critical for literacy development: read alouds, shout out (oral comprehension), writing, vocabulary and independent reading using the 100 Book Challenge. On Fridays, we will have two AmeriCorps volunteers, Ashley Peterson and Leslie Young, who will lead the students in a review of the week and an assortment of fun and educational games. Over the last few years, students who participated for the

full program year achieved an average of over 1.0 years of reading growth.

Schools of Hope vision remains the same: to create a community where all children have an equal chance for academic success, regardless of their race, economic status, or geographic location of their school. With the recent formal adoption of Campau Park Elementary School we know that the members of New Hope believe in this vision too. But you can take it one step further by volunteering your time--just one hour a week. Make a child’s day, let them read to you, so you can encourage them. If you have the time and are willing to make the commitment, please contact me, Krystal Sweat, through the church office at

616-452-4278 or info@newhopegr.org.

We look forward to another BIG year and with the support and love of the New Hope Baptist Church Family it will be the biggest & brightest yet!

By: Krystal Sweat

How many people sit in our congregation week after week after week and can’t clearly hear what is being preached? Many people with impaired hearing are embarrassed to ask for assistance if it is not offered to them.

According to national statistics, 8.4% of Americans are considered hard of hearing. Chances are there are people right here in our NHBC congregation that are dealing with hard of hearing issues, and we don’t realize it.

That’s where the Media Ministry comes in. We are here for you, and we want to help. If you or someone you know has hearing issues, don’t hesitate to let us know. We may be able to help you.

Thank you, and may God Bless you!

Oscar James, Jr.

616-361-1844

Hearing Impaired?

Page 6 2011 YOUTH WEEKENDTime For Fun …

Page 7

… Time For Praise And Worship, September 23-25

Page 8

A Celebration of BIG…Commitments …Accomplishments …Dreams …Sacrif ices

At a special celebration after morning worship, September 25, a group of youth members of New Hope received awards for the

achievement and progress they made during the 2010-2011 school year. Under the theme inspired by James 1:5, the program, “A Celebration of Big Commitments, Accomplishments, Dreams and Sacrifices,” honored 34 students – grades K-12 – with each honoree receiving a certificate and a medallion. The students are participating in a project sponsored by the Pathways To Education Ministry (PTE). PTE encourages New Hope members – youth and adults – in their continued pursuit towards academic achievements and lifelong learning, while recognizing their

accomplishments. The PTE Student Monitoring Committee uses report cards to note the progress that the students make at school and recognizes them for their achievements.

“It’s not all about whether a student has excellent grades,” Charles Weekley, said to the audience of parents. Weekley co-chairs the committee with Jean Pitmon. “We’re not looking for all “A” students. It’s about the student showing progress,” he added. Parents are involved also. They turn in the students’ report cards. When reports suggest that the student is having a problem, the committee consults with parents about what can be done to assist. Other parents that would like for their children get started in the project, can contact Jean Pitmon for elementary school students, Charles “Chuck” Weekley for middle school students and Sandra Jones for high school students. Reminder: Family Gatherings start Sunday, October 16, in the Multi-Purpose Room after morning worship for students in the monitoring project and parents or guardians who signed up.

By Patricia PulliamPTE Ministry Leader

HONOREESElEmENtaRy: Dylan EarleZachary EarleQuentin Henry, Jr.Quiniece HenryMalachi McKinney Amber MitchnerNolan Mitchner, Jr.William MitchnerDominick NovakoskiCamryn Robinson Naomi RobinsonAmarah StevensonTrayana ThurmanSavana WalkerAvery Washington middlE ScHOOl: Marcus FerrellMichael FerrellTianna JamesIshijah JeffersonDaniel KelleyAshley LathamXia PimpletonMaya ThompsonHigH ScHOOl: Latia FerrellKyra HullKendell JeffersonPeyton JeffersonMatthew McKinneyMichael McKinneyPrecious RedmondMurisa RobinsonCameron SweatLexi SweatMarquis Thurman

Page 9

By society’s definition I have a pretty good life—a roof over my head, reliable transportation, a career I love, clothes (and shoes!) in my closet, food in my cupboards, and more TV channels than I could ever watch.

Somehow, it still leaves me asking: Is this all there is?

In his book Radical: Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream author and pastor David Platt challenges me to consider whether I have built my lifestyle around the teachings of Jesus Christ or what is popular in American culture.

In this concise tome I could not help but think that somewhere along the way I’ve missed what is truly radical about being a follower of Jesus and replaced it with what is comfortable. More often than not, I have settled for a Christianity that revolves around catering to my comfort when the central message is actually about surrendering myself fully to Christ. It costs to follow Him. If I am honest if I stop and really look at God in His Word, I will discover He evokes greater awe and demands deeper worship than I am ready to give Him.

Platt concludes his work with a one-year challenge which asks me to engage in five activities: pray for the entire world, read through the Bible, sacrifice my money for a specific purpose, spend my time in another context, and commit my life to multiplying community.

After reading this book I am faced with a choice: I can continue with business as usual in my life enjoying success based on the standards of the culture around me, or I can take an honest look at the Jesus of the Bible and dare to ask what the consequences might be if I really believed Him and really obeyed Him. I might discover satisfaction and success are not found in what the culture deems most important but in a complete abandonment to Jesus.

Now, that’s radical stuff.

By Shelly Swift

Radical: Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream

Book Review

“… author and pastor David Platt challenges me to consider whether I have built my lifestyle around the teachings of Jesus Christ or what is popular in American culture. ”

Page 10

Jehovah Jireh ~ He is our provider.Jehovah Nissi ~ He fights our battles.Jehovah Shalom ~ He gives us peace.Jehovah Rophe ~ He can heal our bodies.Jehovah Tsidhena ~ He is our righteousness.Jehovah Shammah ~ The ever present one.Let us not forget…Jehovah Rohi - He is the good shepherd.He is a heart regulator. He knows and controls our minds.

He is a BIG God!

Keeping all this in mind, the Senior Mission and the Soldiers of Care would like to invite our congregation

Page 11

By Dorothy Jo Butler

Volunteers give of their time and talents. At New Hope, we need volunteers on a very consistent basis to carry out our mission and vision.

At New Hope, we have a Volunteer Cadre, which is a group of individuals giving of their time and talents

HELP YOUR CHURCH BY VOLUNTEERING!to New Hope’s Big Events and Ministry. Your rewards are numerous, such as a Big-Thank You! Also, you are giving of yourself to help someone else. What a great feeling! Some of your duties may be registration, event host, helping to set up games, helping with shoe giveaway, serving during Family Day, Kingdom Life Conference, Ministry Fair and Back to School Activities, etc. Please call the Church Office to Sign Up to be a member of New Hope’s Volunteer Cadre.

to a presentation on Alzheimers and Dementia, presented by our very own, Sis. Jeannette Lochan, RN and will take place on Saturday, October 29th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., in the lower level.

If you have a family member or a friend who is fighting these diseases, come let us pray to this BIG God together and get some insight on this problem. There is no problem too big or too small for Him.

My own testimony: through prayer, exercise, and obedience, I have dismissed my walker and my cane and have lost 15 lbs. What a BIG God we serve. Amen

Evora CockrellSenior Mission Soldiers of Care

The BIG God — What is His name?

Sunday SaintsThe fall of 2011 is upon us. We are gearing up for another edition of Sunday Saints. We of the CREATIVE Youth Ministry are excited and honored that you entrust your children to us during service. Our goal is to engage students on their developmental level and present God to them in a way they understand.

We will be using the Route 52 curriculum to engage your children in the study of God, their faith. We have chosen this curriculum because it encourages understanding of the Bible and its concepts through a variety of interactive methods. We invite you to ask your child about their journey after each service.

There are volunteer opportunities available for those who would like to serve. The opportunities include: teaching, assisting teachers, cleaning, food service, classroom design and greeters. Contact Brother Quentin Henry, Garrett Fox or the church office for more details

Garrett Fox@ghasf on twitter

Sunday, October 16, 2011 5:00pm - 7:00pm

New Hope Baptist Church Presents

Lifting His name in vocal, visual and dance arts

77th Church Anniversary Musical

Special Musical Guest:Special Musical Guest: Gerald Perry and United Voices of Worship Gerald Perry and United Voices of Worship

130 Delaware SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 616.452.4278 Fax: 616.452.0644 Visit us on the web at www.newhopegr.org | info@newhopegr.org

Rev. Howard C. Earle, Jr., Senior Pastor | Rev. Dallas Lenear, Executive Pastor