Harvest Time

Harvest Time

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

September had about as much activity as August. We began the month by traveling to Fort Caswell, NC on the 7th to conduct two workshops for the BSCNC. On Friday evening, we had 29 folks to attend our workshop titled Blueprint of a Leader. Many of these same folks returned Saturday morning for our workshop titled Teaching a Bible Lesson.

This was a very special time for me because my wife Cindy was able to attend this conference. After the conference ended on Saturday the 8th, she and I headed to Myrtle Beach, SC for a time of rest and relaxation with my sister Shirlee and some of her friends. I met my very first Swat team member while on this trip – a very interesting man from Cleveland, Ohio. He was actually a designer for a greeting card company before becoming a police officer.

On Saturday the 15th, we conducted our Teaching a Bible Lesson workshop at Southside Baptist Church in Greensboro. It was very well attended. As a matter of fact, Pastor Fuller even came. Some folks even commented that this was the best workshop they had ever attended.

On Tuesday the 18th, we headed towards the mountains again. This time, our travels took us to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Lincolnton, NC for a Sunday School training conference hosted by the South Fork Baptist Association. The conference was kicked off by an exciting time of worship, led by Reverend Doug McClain from the South Fork Baptist Association. If you want to catch a glimpse of heaven, just get Reverend McClain to sing for you.

On Friday the 21st, we made our way to Camp Caraway in Asheboro, NC for another Sunday School conference hosted by the BSCNC. For the evening, we conducted our Blueprint of a Leader workshop, and then Saturday morning, we led two two-hour sessions of our Teaching a Bible Lesson workshop. We actually had some folks from our Jacksonville workshop to join us at Camp Caraway, which was a real blessing.

The final stop on our fall Sunday School conference schedule with the BSCNC was in Rocky Mount, NC. We arrived on Friday the 5th to set up the room. While eating dinner that evening, Micah and I talked about some ideas on how to take Center Cross to the next level and came up with the idea to offer some on-line training in 2008. We conducted two two-hour sessions of our Teaching a Bible Lesson workshop on Saturday the 6th.

Our winter schedule has already started off well. Two of the attendees from Ridgecrest returned to their home church and recommended that they have us come and conduct a workshop. So, on Saturday, November 17th, we were able to travel to Mint Hill Baptist Church, located in Mint Hill, NC (just below Charlotte) to conduct a four hour workshop titled Teaching a Bible Lesson.

Watch for our online training coming soon!

Back to the Classroom

Back to the Classroom

Things have been pretty much a huge blur since the beginning of August. Not a blur as in unclear, but a blur as in fast-paced, active, tiring.

Just as the kids had to return to school in August, Micah and I also returned to the classroom. As a matter of fact, several classrooms from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina.

Here's a glimpse of our schedule for August:

• 2nd – We began a four week Lunch and Learn series called Living in Your Sweet Spot at our offices in High Point, NC. Micah did a great job of helping attendees determine their individual sweet spots, and Grateful Bread did a great job of providing healthy food each week.
• 8th – We began our second four week workshop at Westchester Baptist Church called Teaching a Bible Lesson. We had conducted an earlier workshop in April, and the pastor asked us to return. It's always good when we are asked to come back.
• 18th – This was to be a very busy day for us. We began our day with a four hour workshop at New Bessemer Baptist Church in McLeansville, NC called Teaching a Bible Lesson. Immediately upon completing this workshop, we headed to College Acres Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC to speak at a Sunday School teachers appreciation banquet. The food and fellowship were absolutely incredible!
• 19th – During the Sunday School hour, we got to speak to the adult Sunday School department about ways to show we care about our learners, and then Micah got to speak during the morning worship time. He challenged the congregation to get behind their pastor based upon the model of leadership shown in the book of Ezra by a common lay person, Shecaniah (we find him in Ezra 10:2-4).
• 20th – We had the privilege to promote our ministry during a meeting conducted by the Piedmont Baptist Association in Greensboro, NC.
• 24th – We headed off to Ridgecrest in Asheville to lead a couple of workshops for the BSCNC. Our first one, conducted Friday evening, was titled Blueprint of a Leader.
• 25th – We conducted two two-hour sessions of our workshop titled Teaching a Bible Lesson before heading for home that afternoon.
• 29th – We finished up our four week workshop at Westchester Baptist Church. This was the highlight of the four week experience, as each of the attendees got to present a five-minute lesson.
• 30th – We were off toward the coast again. This time, our destination was First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, NC where we conducted our Teaching a Bible Lesson workshop for the largest class to date – nearly 50 folks!
  

It was a great feeling to be back in the classroom with these new groups of individuals who were hungry to learn more about how to serve in their various roles. We pray they were somewhat encouraged. We certainly were!

New Blogs of Interest

Recently, we've started a few new blogs that focus on specific topics of interest to us (and hopefully to you!) When you get a moment, check them out and let us know what you think. Leave us a comment if you'd like.

Teaching A Bible Lesson -- articles dedicated to teacher tips and helps

Leadership Principles -- articles about leadership principles from a Biblical perspective

Living In Your Sweet Spot -- articles about our workshop series by the same name; based on the book "Cure For The Common Life" by Max Lucado.

More to come as we expand our vision ...

June Report

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.” - Matthew 16:18 (HCSB)

By James Gunter

Can you believe that summer is here already? The signs are everywhere!

• Kids are out of school.
• People are planning vacations.
• That reminds me....gas prices are up.
• Vacation Bible School signs are everywhere!
• Watermelons have arrived at the supermarket.
• Worship and Sunday School attendance is down.

Yep, summer is definitely here. How have you spent your summer so far?

Micah had the opportunity to participate in a special mission trip to the Dominican Republic from June 11th to the 16th. This was unlike any mission trip our church has participated in before due to a change in our church’s strategy to be more effective in global missions efforts. The purpose of this first trip was simply to scout out some unreached people groups and to pray for God's direction in the future in training leaders who will eventually be instrumental in planting some Baptist churches in these areas. I am sure there will be more to share later.

Well, I've shared a little bit about how Micah spent a portion of his summer and now, I'll share a little bit about how I've spent mine so far. My time has been spent in front of the computer. Not because I'm addicted to video games (I don't care for them at all), and not because I am surfing the web for that next “gadget” offer. No, my computer time for the entire month of June has consisted of gathering information so that we can contact local churches later on this summer and fall.

At this time, I have gathered information for 709 churches within approximately 50 miles of our offices. Now, the real work begins. The next step is to determine which churches we will be contacting directly and which ones we will use alternative methods to reach. The purpose of contacting them is to assist them in getting their Sunday School attendance up considerably. This will be achieved by conducting teacher training workshops designed to encourage and motivate their teachers and lay leaders. We have several themes to choose from, so maybe you'll see us at your church someday. Just in case you're the slightest bit curious, here's just a few of the topics we conduct workshops on:

• Teaching a Bible Lesson – practical tips and techniques to get your class involved in the lesson material during class time (and yes, we use these ourselves).
• Blueprint of a Leader – based upon the life of Jesus and the Old Testament book of Ezra. This study helps define our role as lay leaders within our local church in a very thought-provoking manner. You may just be surprised at one of the unsung heroes found in Ezra.

We covet your prayers regarding future workshops and the fall conference. We want to honor the Lord with our efforts.

May Report

"....for I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

By James Gunter


Well, we're still trying to catch our breath from all of the activity in April. But, we're definitely not complaining. As a matter of fact, we would love to see every month....well, ok, maybe at least 10 months out of the year that busy. Sometimes we actually have to work at the office.

I couldn't help but notice that May 4th marked the second anniversary of when we began teaching Experiencing God at our home church. The classes are still going on, and there have probably been at least 100 people or more to go through this exciting study since it all began in 2005. I have been able to substitute for Russell (the present teacher) a couple of times, and this was really special for me.

You may have noticed that we began making plans for a fall leadership conference just last month. On the 9th of May, we were able to meet with Pastor Jake (our senior pastor) to share our vision for the conference. He is definitely excited about this opportunity and has even suggested that Life Community partner with us in promoting the conference. They will be providing the necessary space and helping us to promote the conference. In addition, Pastor Jake will be giving the initial challenge to the conference attendees before any of the breakout sessions. The conference will end with Pastor Jesse Wilson (Pastor of Assimilation) giving a tremendous message to challenge us as we leave the conference.

On May 10th, we met with Saul Contreras, a friend from our church, who has a background in filmmaking from his earlier years in Peru. He has expressed an interest in producing videos, so we are considering having him help us with some promotional videos in the very near future. God continues to bring very talented people into our path who have a heart to reach the lost with the message of the gospel.

I have already shared about May being special due to a couple of different events, but the most important event of the month was my daughter's wedding. I had the honor of walking Brandi (age 21) down the aisle on May 18th and handing her off to a wonderful gentleman (her modern-day knight) named Brad Terrell. My son Chris (age 19) was an usher and I was so proud of them both. They are incredible young adults (I have to get used to not calling them kids anymore) and I am truly blessed to have them in my life. I know Baptists aren't supposed to do this, and shhhhhhh....don't tell anyone, but I got to dance with Brandi. My wife Cindy and I also shared a very special dance before the evening was over. Treasure your children. They grow up quickly and some even move away.

April Report

“....in days of famine, they will enjoy plenty.” - Psalm 37:19
By James Gunter


April was a very busy month here at CCC. The first Sunday in April found us at Groometown Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC, as we began our four-week workshop Teaching a Bible Lesson. Pastor Phelps and the congregation made us feel right at home from the very first words spoken. He had told us in a previous meeting that his people were anxious to learn more about teaching, and it was obvious from the very start. We had to skip the 8th due to Easter, but finished up on the 29th. The most we had in class at any given time was 15, but we had a consistent 11 each week. Pastor Phelps has plans to use us for some deacon training in the near future.

On April 16th, we conducted a two-hour conference at Holly Hill Baptist Church in Burlington, NC, on behalf of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association and the BSCNC. We had 8 people in attendance, representing 3 area churches. This was our first event as “Specialists” for the BSCNC, and also our first opportunity to spring our little “surprise” box on everyone. Watch for it soon, coming to a church near you.

April 19th found us heading into the mountains of western North Carolina. We had been summoned to the Bat Cave (Bat Cave Baptist Church in Bat Cave, NC, that is). Unfortunately, due to severe weather, the bat cave was out of power and the conference had to be re-located to Fruitland Baptist Church. We had 11 folks in attendance here representing 7 area churches. A couple of gentlemen stated that this was the“best workshop they had ever attended,” and asked when we would be returning to their area. We have their answer - August of 2007 in association with the BSCNC.

On April 21st, we had the pleasure of working in association with the Johnston Baptist Association in leading a four-hour workshop titled Essentials for Growth at Hoods Grove Baptist Church in Newton Grove, NC. This is an absolutely beautiful little white country church with a unique 100-year history. We had 9 folks in attendance, with one of those being a pastor - representing 4 area churches.

On the 24th, we took a gigantic leap of faith by meeting with two couples from our home church (Tom & Brenda Lancaster and Darin & Tami Carr) to discuss plans for a fall leadership conference that we plan to host. Our senior pastor, Jake Thornhill, Jr., and our Pastor of Assimilation, Jesse Wilson, have also committed to work with us on this conference, so it should really be a big hit with all who attend!

We had the pleasure of conducting a four-hour workshop on Teaching a Bible Lesson for Clifton Road Baptist Church of Greensboro, NC on the 28th in our home church. Pastor Don Rumple (Education Minister) and his 9 teachers really seemed to enjoy themselves. I know we did!

Tyson's Creek Workshop

by Micah Ray


James and I were not quite sure what to expect from today's workshop. We had discussed with Pastor Randy and Sam (the Sunday School director) what they believed their teachers and leaders needed. What we designed was a 4-hour workshop that was a mixture of teacher training and growth strategies.

Over the past couple of days, I had taken a bad cold, it was a really busy week for both of us, and we knew we wanted to do our best to help this church with training and motivation for its leaders. We both were wanting to make a good impression and we were feeling the pressure.

However, when we arrived, the church members were so warm and hospitable. And they were truly excited to be there and were ready to learn. They made it so easy for us to do what we do!

Before the workshop began, a gentleman introduced himself and said that he knew someone we knew -- Donna Elmore. In fact, he said he had gotten a copy of our marketing material from her and had given it to his pastor. We had wondered all along how Pastor Randy had received our information because we had never sent him anything. It turns out that God used a good friend of ours to spread the word about our ministry. (Thanks, Donna!)

James kicked things off by talking about the calling of a teacher and the prepared teacher. After each segment of the workshop, we asked everyone to make notes on their Action Plan worksheet and discuss something they had learned that they could put into action. At the end of the workshop, we asked for volunteers to share about a teacher that made a difference in their life. It was a great time of encouragement for us as well as the people of the church. When we had finished all of our prepared workshop material, James and I went to each table and prayed a blessing on each person who had attended. It was a great blessing to do that for them.

When we were finished, the people of Tyson's Creek Baptist Church were so encouraging. In fact, they were already talking about having us to come back again in the near future! We're ready!

Needless to say, it was a great day. God blessed in so many ways. It is just incredible to see how He is working all around us -- in churches and people we've never met before -- in places we didn't even know existed. And He's using us to bless them and to teach them. I feel honored just to be a part of this ministry and to have the ability to invest in people in this way.