Check out this Spring’s Commemorative Edition online
GROW Highlights • Chronicle of God’s Faithfulness pp 4-6 • 150th Celebration Schedule - pp 7 - 10 • God is Faithful - Testimonies - pp 11 - 17 • The Story of the Hartley Knob Crosses - pp 18 & 19
Special Mission RELEASE map pull-out INSIDE!
He’s Been
Faithful “I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:21-24
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Why
AnnivAreerSosImportant arie s
“When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”– Joshua 4:6-8 Some things, like your most embarrassing moments, are meant to be forgotten. Quickly forgotten, never to be spoken of again! But some things are meant to be remembered forever. In Joshua 4, it’s hard to believe that any of the Israelites would forget the undeniable display of God’s power when He made the Jordan river dry up so the Ark of the Covenant could pass over on dry ground. A miracle indeed that should never be forgotten. But Joshua knows all too well our bent toward forgetfulness. He knows that any miracle, any display of God’s grace and glory, could pass from memory and be completely forgotten. And who suffers as the result of such poor memory? The next generation. Notice what Joshua says above: “When your children ask . . .” It’s the curiosity of the next generation that asks, “What do these stones mean?” Anniversaries and memorials give us the answer to their question – which is why we celebrate them! The answer to their question is memorialized by the stones: God has indeed been faithful! These stones represent God’s faithfulness to provide. God’s faithfulness to see His will accomplished. God’s glorious display of his miracle-working power.
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Greg Heisler, Senior Pastor The implication for Mount Vernon is clear. For 150 years now, we have left a trail of “stones” that display God’s faithfulness throughout our history. Some of the stones have been small – small victories celebrated along the way; others have been large, like building a new sanctuary or education building. No matter the size of the stones, one thing has consistently been true: These are “memorials forever,” a reminder to God’s people that God has been faithful to His church and to His promises throughout our 150 years of existence. And if that’s our past, we need not worry about our future – He’s got that covered too! So glad to be celebrating God’s faithfulness with you, church family, — Pastor Greg
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A Chronicle of God’s Faithfulness Highlights 1980-Present | Submitted
by Bud Russell |
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16 NKJV In the early 1980’s, under the leadership of Pastor Don Foster, Mount Vernon witnessed God adding to His church. The number of young families with children and teens attending here grew quickly and from this growth God gave the church a vision to provide additional leadership to minister specifically to youth and families. In October 1984, Mount Vernon called its first full-time minister other than a pastor as Bud Russell began his 30+ years on staff, first serving as Minister of Youth. Mount Vernon flourished with “fruits that remain,” and growing disciples who would, in turn, make disciples. This was the underlying quest throughout these years, as it is today. The late 1980’s and 1990’s saw students trusting Christ and dedicating their lives to serving Him and following His call. Some who came through the Youth Group have shared their hallmarks of faith from those years: l “I thank God for blessing me with my Mt. Vernon family! We are brothers and sisters in Christ.” — Jennifer Miller l“Highlights that stand out to me are my salvation, beginning growth and joy in my walk with Jesus and then His calling me to serve overseas.” — Stephanie Beach l“I accepted Christ and fell in love with him during youth. During RA Basketball, camp outs, Sunday night youth, missions, trips, baptizing Bud over and over in pools to make sure he was saved, and just hanging out, I have built lifelong friendships that encourage and bring me great joy each day.” — Jeff Greene l“Summer camps were unforgettable as a youth. I remember going to camp… and preaching—Ben Greene was the only person listening to me and that’s because he was my roommate and the lights were supposed to be out! I also remember that same camp…Shannon Critcher gathering the group outside... on a hill to pray…I remember the spirit on that hill as we confessed, sought after God to move us toward Him and praising Him for who He was—one of the best nights of prayer in my life.” — Josh Eller
“Fruits that Remain”
growing disciples who would, in turn, make disciples — the underlying quest . . .
Bud Russell: Circa 1985
Additional Sunday School teachers and mission group leaders were needed and the lay leaders who volunteered to help brought a great sense of fun and fellowship along with their deep commitment to the Lord. A variety of activities and trips resulted in mentoring relationships being established in which the Lord brought exponential growth. The development of the High Country Youth Basketball League, growing our work in missions through RAs, Acteens and High School Baptist Young Men provided numerous opportunities for youth to be impacted by the power of the Gospel, and the various retreats and camps resulted in many changed lives. Youth were able to experience missions both at home, regionally and overseas. l“My heart for missions was formed at Mount Vernon as a child. From serving others through RAs on Wednesday nights like Mr. Pete, Mrs. Christine and the nursing home to watching God send our own overseas like Lisa Taylor, the Ellisons and the Normans, to doing MissionFuge with the youth as our summer camp. My heart grew during that time to show and speak the gospel to the ends of the earth.” — Josh Eller
l“Every aspect of my life has been covered assadors
Royal Amb
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by the relationships I have formed at this Church.” — Jeff Greene
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Our Prayer for the Next Generation “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in Him! ” “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 God continued to provide additional needed leadership as Keith Critcher was called to begin serving as our first full-time Minister of Music in 1987. Mount Vernon’s membership and attendance continued to grow rapidly as we entered our present sanctuary in the fall of 1989. Within a short time the new building was filled and we began two worship services. Following Pastor Foster, another beloved pastor, Reverend Richard Ratliff, came and served from 1991-94. During his brief years with us, the Spirit of the Lord brought revival and our buildings, which some felt we might struggle to fill, were bursting and bustling with worshippers, and so we moved to dual Worship Services AND Sunday School hours in 1992. Bud Russell then assumed the role of Minister of Education and Administration during this time as the need to add more staff to serve became evident, and soon Dell Cook came on board to take over the Youth Ministry, followed by Kevin Knight.
RAs Fishing Trip: Buggs Island Lake, VA 1987
l“In November of 1997 after a Luke Garrett concert at the church I gave my life to preach the gospel. I remember sitting on the 3rd row and waiting until the last verse of the invitation to come down and tell Kevin [Knight] what God was doing in my life— it’s exciting every time I think about that night.” — Josh Eller Another large segment of our growth in the late 1980’s and through the 1990’s was the ministry to college students. Many joined the College Sunday School Class and activities led by Roger and Denise Critcher, and we were blessed as a lot of Appalachian State University students participated in Music Ministry here as well. (continued next page)
atliff
ichard R
Pastor R
r
on Foste
Pastor D
oned an are commissi rm No dy Ju & dy An IMB late 1980s to serve with the
Mr. Pete Coffey Mrs. Christine Critcher
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Full Time Ministry Staff
1980-Present Don Foster Senior Pastor 1980-1990
Bud Russell Minister of Youth 1984-1992 and now
Minister of Education and Administration
(continued from previous page) Those who have come through the College and Music Ministry have taken the spirit of Mount Vernon with them as they have gone out, and many have kept ties with us through the years. It has been wonderful to learn of the many who left App State and the Mount Vernon College Class to go on to serve in full time ministry in many areas of the US and around the world. One in particular, Kanöot Midkiff, eventually came back to serve as Mount Vernon’s first Minister of Missions, and now serves as one of our IMB Missionaries.
Kanöot Midkiff Minister of Missions
As we grew, we began having student interns help with our growing ministry needs and many of them, having gained experience in ministry here as college students, would go out to serve in music, missions, and schools around the world to spread the Gospel. One of the interns to serve early was our current Minister of Music, Jimmy Finch!
Cindy Retherford Childhood Education Director
2002-2012
Chuck Cassada Minister of Youth 2004-2009
Judith Martinez Hispanic Ministry Coordinator
1987-1998
Richard Ratliff Interim Pastor
2006-Present
1991-1994
Eric Henderson Recreation Ministry Director
Dell Cook Minister of Youth 1993-1995
2007-Present
Kevin Knight Minister of Youth 1996-2004
Allan Blume Senior Pastor 1994-2011
Linda Moore Children’s Director 1997-1998
Lori Barfield Children’s Director 1998-2002
Terry Smith Minister of Music
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2002-Present
Keith Critcher Minister of Music
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1980-Present
While Kanöot was at App State, he used his talents in music at Mount Vernon. Our choir and music ensembles glorified the Lord among us with amazingly gifted students. Our first ever Easter Drama was led by Keith Critcher with Kanöot taking on the role of Christ. Later, this event grew into a great pageant of praise once Terry Smith answered the call to serve Mount Vernon after Keith’s departure.
1992-Present
1999-2014
Full Time Ministry Staff
Jason Powers Minister of Youth
Top: Mark Baumgardner, Bob Washburn and Bob Ellison as the three Pharisees mid 2000s Bottom: Kevin Knight, Bud Russell,Terry Smith & Kanöot Midkiff singing at Homecoming 2011
Under the leadership of Pastor Allan Blume we continued to see God’s blessings the first of which was the acquisition of additional land for growth. In time, Mount Vernon added additional facilities and gained much needed parking space, entering into our present complement of buildings in 2001. During these years as God led, we built our educational building to house our growth. We added ministry and support staff, and we greatly increased our stewardship in giving, support of missions and our going out in mission service. This account serves but to outline God’s faithfulness to Mount Vernon in recent years by chronicling our growth and expansion. There are of course many, many others—too many to mention all by name—who have served the Lord faithfully among us during these years, as either staff members, Deacons, or lay leadership to help us to grow as the Lord has led. May all praise and glory be to the Faithful One, we all stand amazed at His work here through the years!
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2011-Present
Greg Heisler Senior Pastor 2012-Present
Jimmy Finch Minister of Music 2013-Present
Travis Burt Minister of Missions & Evangelism 2014-Present
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Schedule of Events *Note: Most evening events are at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
April 24th: Official 150th Kick Off! Guest speaker Dr. Milton Hollifield will deliver the message while the Taylors, a southern gospel group, will lead us
in worship. Dr. Hollifield serves as the Executive Treasurer of the North Carolina Baptist Convention. Hollifield’s vision for North Carolina Baptists is clear: “By God’s grace, the BSCNC will become the strongest force in the history of this Convention for reaching people with the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
April 24th Evening: Join us for a great time of worship with the Taylor Family. Dr. Milton Hollifield
The Taylors were voted Favorite New Mixed Group in 2014 by Singing News Magazine. You can visit their website at thetaylorsmusic.com.
May 1st: Guest speaker Dr. Danny Akin of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will deliver the message. Dr. Akin is one of our key
denominational leaders, having served as the Vice President of Southern Seminary and since 2004 the President of Southeastern Seminary. You can learn more about Dr. Akin, including his many publications and helpful articles, by visiting danielakin.com.
May 1st: Evening: Talent Show! The talent show is one of the highlights The Taylor
Family
our church family looks forward to each year. This night is all about having fun, fellowship, and great entertainment! There will be cheesecake for all and a desert auction with the proceeds going towards youth missions . This year our youth are being RELEASED into Romania to share the gospel. Tickets are $5 and donations will be accepted.
ny Akin
Dr. Dan
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Join us as we celebrate 150 years of God’s faithfulness! *Note: Most evening events are at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
May 8th: Mothers Day! Pastor Greg will bring a special anniversary message. Let’s praise God for 150 years of faithful moms (and dads) who lead their families to love Jesus and His Church!
May 15th: College Reunion Weekend! Guest speaker Josh Eller will share God’s Word with us, and our former minister of music Keith Critcher will lead us
in worship. Josh is no stranger to Mount Vernon – he grew up in the church and is the son of Joedy and Peggy Eller. He and his wife Melissa have three energetic boys, Jaxon, Graham & Hunter, and a daughter, Olivia. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his Bachelors Degree from Appalachian State. Keith Critcher, native of Boone, NC, received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Appalachian State University in 1983 and his Master of Music degree from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, 1986. He is an active teacher, accompanist, and choral director throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area.
Pastor Greg Hei
sler
May 15th Evening: Special concert with Keith Critcher and friends.
Join us in the sanctuary for a special evening of music and memories as Keith leads us with some surprise guests!
Mount Vernon College Ministry
Josh Eller
Keith Critcher,
native of Boone, NC, received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Appalchain State University, 1983 and his Master of Music degree from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, 1986. He is an active teacher, accompanist, and choral director throughout Dallas/Fort Worth
Alumni Runion
Saturday, May 14 @ 5:00 p.m. MVBC Gymnasium
We’ll start with a meal, add a little praise and worship, then rehearsal for Sunday morning choir. For more details, please contact Denise Critcher,
[email protected] or look for this event on Facebook MVBC COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION.
Keith Critche
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Join us as we celebrate 150 years of God’s faithfulness! *Note: Most evening events are at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
May 22nd: Former Mount Vernon Senior Pastor, Allan Blume, will deliver the message while former Minister of Music Terry Smith leads
worship! Pastor Blume served Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2011, and now serves as the Editor of the Biblical Recorder. Terry Smith served Mount Vernon from 1999 to 2014. It is great to have Pastor Allan and Pam back along with Terry and Bonnie for a great day of celebration for Mount Vernon and our ministries.
Allan Blume
May 22nd Evening: Join us for delicious BBQ at our church-wide 150th dinner celebration! Specially priced tickets will go on sale May 1-18.
Thanks to Mike Willis and his crew for cooking up some delicious food – come enjoy the fellowship. Club 45, our fifth and six grades, will be sharing some special music this night as well.
150th Celebration Supper Sunday, May 22
Join us as we enjoy an evening of celebration, fellowship and a delicious BBQ supper!
Terry Smith
BBQ prepared by Mike Willis’ crew & fried chicken and fixin’s, and dessert from Dan’l Boone Inn
Tickets on sale May 1-18 Everyone grade 6 - adult – ONLY $5 Children grades K-5 – ONLY $3 Children ages 2-5 – ONLY $2 Immediate family of 5+ maximum cost – ONLY $20 We have reduced the ticket rates for this Celebration Supper as we hope everyone will attend, and we do not want meal cost to be prohibitive. Need a “no cost” ticket option? Please call Angie 828-266-9700 to ask about this.
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Our vision is to see lives changed by the Gospel (Romans 12:1-2)
May 29th: Our Associate Pastor, Bud Russell, will speak during the 1st
and 2nd services and our 3rd service will be a Graduation Service for our youth led by our Youth Pastor, Jason Powers. Bud is the “senior” member on staff, having served Mount Vernon for 31 years! In mathematical terms, Bud has been here for about 20% of the life of the church!
May 29th Evening: Outdoor Family Fun Night:
Hot dogs, chips, and drinks will get us ready to play some corn hole and to watch an Old-Timers Softball Game! Bring a lawn chair, invite your family and friends, and enjoy a night out together.
June 5th: Former Interim Pastor, Dr. Jim Henry, will close out our
150th celebration. Dr. Henry serves as the Pastor of Downtown Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida. In addition to being a pastor, Dr. Henry is a sought-after conference speaker and author.
Bud Russell
Invite your friends and neighbors to enjoy an evening of fun!
Family Fun Night Sunday, May 29 @ 5:00 p.m.
wers
Jason Po
• “Old Timers” Softball Game • Corn Hole • Field Games • Hot Dogs, Chips and Drinks Jim Henry 10 GROW
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He’s Been
Faithful Testimonies
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11
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A LOVE for children . . . and being an extra pair of hands
Dot Gragg, Faye Moody & Ardease Greene I joined Mount Vernon Baptist Church after I married Paul Gragg in February 1969. We were active in Sunday School and both sung in the choir.
After Mitchell, [my son], was born in September 1970 he wouldn’t stay in Sunday School without crying so that is when I started teaching. That was 45 years ago. I first started with Ester and Wanda Critcher. I have been in 10 different classrooms since I started. It has been 2s and 3s but mostly 3s. Mrs. Edna Gragg, [my mother-in-law] played a big part in me teaching so long. We both thought God had a plan for us to do his work to help teach His children about Him. He always provides what we need and when we need it. A.C. Moody and Bud Russell have been a big influence on me along with Don Foster and Richard Ratliff. They make you feel like they appreciate what you do. They taught me how important it is to do what God has for you to do and not to turn Him down. He will help you through it or He wouldn’t have you do it. When a kid comes up to you in a store and says “there is my teacher and I love her,” it really makes you feel good and like you have done something special. We have a party for the [preschool class and their] whole family once a year with horse riding and a cookout. They always enjoy this. If I think about quitting, the Lord lets me know, in His own way, it isn’t time yet. Something will happen about a child in class and how they are so happy or they understand something new about God or do a craft and they get excited and I run out to tell their parents. You can get a blessing from serving God if you try.
Mrs. Dot, Mrs.Faye & Mrs. Ardease My main reason for staying many years in [the] preschool three year old Sunday School Class is my love for children and seeing each one learn about Jesus and how he loves each one of us. [I love] to see small children grow and become workers in the church. Dot Gragg, Ardease Greene and I have had the pleasure of working together for many years. We have seen some become deacons and missionaries. What a blessing to work with small children. —Mrs. Faye [I have been] helping with 3 year olds since Ben [ my oldest child] was 2-3 (1980/81.) I went with Ben [to class] so he would stay. Dot and Faye asked me to be an extra pair of hands. [I am ]still there and probably will be until Dot quits. [I] wanted to work with the children since having Mrs. Edna [Gragg] as a teacher and GA Leader [when I was] 5 years old. She was so good with children and made them feel needed and loved. Dot has followed in her footsteps. Faye also loved the children until she had to leave to care for her mom. I still enjoy being the extra pair of hands. —Mrs. Ardease
“He will help you through it or He wouldn’t have you do it.”
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Blessed by Mentoring OUR Youth Barry Hall I have had the privilege of serving as a volunteer teacher in the Youth Department at Mount Vernon for the past 10 years. One of my key motivations was to help teach biblical truths to my three sons as they went through the Youth Department. It was awesome to see them learn, grow, and serve. All three of them were part of the Youth Worship Team at different times. I’ve served under the leadership of Chuck Cassada and now Jason Powers. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many awesome volunteers who committed their lives to serve and teach our Youth. Tommy Burgess is just one of those special people that comes to mind. Zach, Luke and I really enjoyed the international mission trip to Peru when we went to serve alongside Lisa Taylor, an IMB Missionary from Mount Vernon. Locally, we served together through “Operation In as Much” for several years. We loved the special weekends, like DNOW (Discipleship NOW), when we would house several folks at our house for a long weekend of teaching and fun activities.
Barry with sons, Zack, Luke & Matthew Even though I have only taught at a Home Group once, I’ve enjoyed being part of these groups, hanging out with the Youth. Jason announced March 20th that we had over 100 Youth in Home Groups [off campus Bible studies] the previous week. Wow! That is awesome!
With the kind of growth the Lord is blessing us, we need more adults to step up and commit to playing a part in the Matthew and I enjoyed two straight summers of Deep Impact lives of our Youth. at Fort Caswell: working, learning, worshipping and playing It has been so rewarding to see the guys that have together with other youth from all over the region. “graduated” out of my class to continue in their walk with Because of the special relationship with Neal and Sue the Lord. 3 John 4 says: “I have no greater joy than this, Hatfield and Uplands Reach, all three of my boys invested to hear of my children walking in the truth.” Most of these entire summers learning and serving there. guys are not my actual children, but I have tried my best to treat them as if they were my own. For the past few years, as the Youth Department has grown, and more teachers were added, I have been able to “specialize” and have been teaching the High School boys. For the past two years it has been just the juniors and seniors. During these years, I loved the personal preparation time to make sure I was ready to teach! These guys can tell if you aren’t prepared. I love those High School guys! Even after Matthew graduated, I still felt called to continue teaching.
My oldest son (Zach is now 25) is married to a wonderful, godly woman and he is on staff at Elevation Church in Charlotte. My middle son (Luke is now 24) will graduate from Liberty University this May with a degree in Project Management and plans to work overseas with Samaritan’s Purse. My youngest son (Matthew is now 21) is at school in Raleigh, involved in a local church and CRU at NC State and is hoping to go on a mission trip this summer.
Now, on Sunday mornings, Jason Powers does the teaching. After that teaching, I get together with just the senior guys and we discuss what God’s Word is saying to us and how to apply it to our everyday lives. We also spend a few minutes just catching up to what’s going on in their lives, take prayer requests and pray for each other. 828-266-9700
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How faith, prayer, brick dust, fences & volunteers built . . .
the EQUIP Sports Ministry
Eric Henderson
In March 1999, while visiting family in Miami, Florida, I was a spectator at a youth baseball game run through a program there within a local Jewish Family Recreation Center. God planted a seed in my heart that day that the vehicle of baseball could teach Biblical values and mold boys into godly young men. By using a team coaching concept, I could put God into the center of their sport which reaches into the center of their lives. Not only reaching the boys, but also reaching the men who would volunteer and their entire families at the ballfield. Penetrating a culture that is all-in for their sport to now become all-in for the God of the Universe from whom their physical abilities come. I met with Pastor Allan Blume for spiritual guidance and prayer. I then met with several local business organizations and professionals in search of a space to house this field of dreams. After attending a recreation interest meeting here at Mount Vernon with the Youth Pastor, Chuck Cassada, I met again with Pastor Blume who then confirmed with me the calling into ministry that God had placed on my heart.
me that he had always envisioned a baseball field right there! With no budget, we relied completely on prayer and God showed up in a big and mighty way. EQUIP needed a backstop for the little field, days later one was donated. We needed brick dust, days later a load of brick dust showed up. The outfield needed hydroseed and God sent yet another donation to cover it. Bats, balls, helmets, field hands, you name it and we prayed for it and God provided it! It was some weeks later Chuck called and asked
“Hey, what are you gonna call this thing?” My wife Kim and I searched the scriptures and the act of equipping people came up over and over again. From that day forward EQUIP Sports Ministry was born and we landed on the scripture of Colossians 3:23 & 24 for guidance.
We started our first T-ball and Machine Pitch Clinic Style League just 3 months after ground was broken for the field. We had grass growing, brick dust down and a back stop, a real baseball field in the middle of an old cow pasture.
In 2006 the space that I had secured to put a baseball field on was sold and I was back to the search. That’s when Chuck put me in his little white pick-up and drove me out on the cow pasture on the other side of the MVBC parking lot where he proceeded to ask me if I could put a little baseball infield out there. Less than a week after Chuck and I drove out to the pasture Joe Greene was tearing up topsoil and sharing with
Prayer around
Colossians 3:23 & 24
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” 828-266-9700
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home plate
We had 52 kids sign up and EQUIP baseball was off and running. The players, coaches, and families were hearing the Gospel and praying at home plate all while playing a game that they loved. GROW
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First year EQUIP Team Now the first little field was only 150’ in depth and most little league field depths were a minimum of 200’. Joe Greene told me it would take about 500 loads of dirt to expand the field. So something else to pray about. The next day MVBC’s facilities manager, Terry Beach, received a phone call asking if the church needed dirt, that there were 500 loads of dirt needing a place to be dumped. No Joke, 500 loads of dirt! God is in every detail if we have the faith to hand it over to Him. So MVBC became a licensed dump site for the dirt and Joe Greene got to work again. We now have three baseball fields, two outdoor batting cages and a full size football field. We started with flag football that first fall of EQUIP and by the very next year we were playing full contact football as a result of several MVBC families donating all of the equipment needed. By this time in it’s life span, EQUIP was now sharing the Gospel with other teams from the High Country as our guests as well as teams from off the mountain that wanted to come play! Kids as well as adults were coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus as a result of prayer and God’s mighty hand at work in EQUIP’s volunteers.
Several years ago CrossTrain Sports Ministry for girls became part of the EQUIP family to better reach girls in volleyball, softball, soccer, and basketball. EQUIP has now incorporated golf informational & instructional clinics, wrestling instructional clinics, basketball skills
Sports for boys AND GIRLS!
Beth Satterfield, CrossTrain Director clinics & travel challenge teams, soccer instructional level leagues, football partnership with ASU’s Mighty Mountaineer Program, and is a registered Cal Ripken Baseball League participant with travel challenge baseball teams added. The addition of the baseball travel challenge teams and our partnership with ASU in football enables EQUIP to bring to fruition MVBC’s mission of Reach,Teach, Release as we reach our own players, coaches, families and teach them how to go out and be disciples for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s hard to believe that EQUIP Sports Ministry began it’s 10th baseball season this year with 4 T-ball teams, 6-8U teams, 6-10U teams, and 3-12U teams totaling about 200 kids! Praise be to God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Thanks for playing EQUIP!
Day one of grading the field 828-266-9700
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Surrendering it all to the Lord . . .
Music — a way some of us express our thanks & praise to HIM
Deb Critcher I grew up in a church across town singing in children, youth, and adult choirs all of my life. I began playing piano in church in 6th grade. When I married in 1987 in that same church, I just assumed we would attend there. God and my husband had other ideas. The first Sunday I was here [at Mount Vernon], I was walking out of the sanctuary when Keith Critcher found me and said “Wednesday night choir practice - be there” At Mt Vernon — this was the beginning of serving in the Music Ministry. Children’s choirs, hand bell choir, band, orchestra, and keyboard became things I couldn’t wait to attend. This has connected me to those who love music. Working and perfecting skills happen on a weekly basis but the best part is surrendering it all to the Lord on Sunday and worshiping. What a joy to praise the One who, in His sovereignty, chose music to be the way some of us express our thanks and praise to Him. When our hearts are so full that they are about to burst it is the perfect way to give back to Him in the ever-so-small, human way. “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 104:33
A love to sing and . . . a love for choirs Karen Petrey For as long as I can remember I have been involved in some type of church choir music. Simply stated, I love
church choirs! I have sung in youth choirs, helped lead children’s choirs and sung in adult choirs. When my family came to Mt. Vernon in 1987 the church was meeting in the old rock building and the choir was led by John Payne. I joined the choir soon after we joined Mt. Vernon and a little later Keith Critcher was called to be the Minister of Music. Several years later Keith was called to another area and Terry Smith came to Mt. Vernon as the new Minister of Music. After many years of serving at Mt. Vernon, Terry was called to another church and Jimmy Finch became our worship leader. I have sung under each of these men’s leadership and have been blessed to be part of their ministries here at Mt. Vernon. I am thankful our church still has choirs because this allows many people the opportunity to sing and serve as opposed to just a few. Music has always touched me and draws me closer to the Lord. The Psalms are filled with praise to the Lord and the people singing praises to Him. It is my desire that we as worshippers will always sing to the Lord and praise Him at Mt. Vernon. He alone is worthy of all our praises. “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones . . .” Psalm 149:1 828-266-9700
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A desire to share CHRIST . . . with those who are of a different culture Judith Martinez Years ago Mount Vernon Baptist Church bought a mobile home at Bradford Park and started a new ministry there. In the neighborhood there were many Spanish speaking people and talking with them about Jesus and doing ministry was difficult as they did not understand the message. Among those working on this new mission field Bob & Janet Ellison, Mary Helen Everett as well as Patricia Lee, Bob & Sharon Lee began praying that God would bring a person to share the Gospel with them that could speak their language. Alliance Bible Fellowship and Mount Vernon were partners to start this new Hispanic Ministry. Hal and Martha Frazier, Travis Critcher, Jacky White and Yolanda Adams were part of a committee from both churches. They were looking for a person to lead this Hispanic group. Finally in 2006 God brought Judith Martinez to lead the Hispanic Ministry. Martha, Jacky and Judith were visiting families, sharing the Gospel with them in different ways (translating for them at the hospital, doctors offices, schools, helping children with their homework, etc). These folks also offered English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes at “the Lighthouse” in Bradford Park, the mobile home Mount Vernon had purchased for the purpose of sharing Christ in this neighborhood.
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After five months the Hispanic people started to respond to the Gospel’s message. Then the group grew. People were baptized. God transformed their lives. In 2007, a year later, Mount Vernon formally adopted the Hispanic Ministry and took full responsibility of supporting it. The Rodriguez’s family was one of the first families that God transformed their lives. They returned to Mexico on July 4th, 2014 and now they are sharing the Gospel in their community named La Bolsa. Around 50 people are part of their ministry there. Other members are sharing the message through Facebook, cell phone, telephone, sending Bibles to their countries, etc. Now their extended families are listening to the Gospel message. The Hispanic Ministry feels welcome at Mount Vernon and we are thankful to God for everything that He is doing in lives through this ministry. Mount Vernon has open arms to receive the Spanish speaking people and to minister to them. God is blessing the Hispanic Ministry and adding new families to our fellowship here at Mount Vernon often.
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Celebrating. . .
God’s Faithfulness What is the story behind the three crosses on Hartley Knob behind MVBC?
In 1984 a group of young Royal Ambassadors, led by John Thomas and Mike Willis, decided to erect three crosses in observation of Good Friday. The boys, Scott Cook, Greg Critcher, Shannon Critcher, Thomas Lynn Critcher, Joel Marc Derrick, Junior Gragg, Steven Gragg, Anthony Hester, and Patrick Miller, recall digging three holes, taking turns carrying the heavy crosses and setting them in the ground. The idea came from Pastor Don Foster, who served Mt. Vernon from 1980-1990, after he received permission from the property owners to carry out the plan. Never did these young people imagine what a lifelong effect this spiritual act would have on them personally. John and Mike recount that Pastor Foster thought that the exercise of carrying the crosses up the hill would be an awe-inspiring event and would remind them of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. That turned out to be an accurate prediction. Jimmy Gragg, who was part of the older RAs, remembers going up the hill to the crosses and “goofing off as boys will do,” but they knew that once they reached the pinnacle, it was serious. He vividly recalls his RA leader, R.D. Hodges, teaching him and his friends to “take their burdens and troubles and put them at the foot of the cross.” Jimmy says that he knew it was “the real deal” after having such meaningful prayer times up there. Now fully grown men with families of their own, some of them continue to be involved by serving in various capacities throughout MVBC, while the others are active in a church where they are now living. Not only do the crosses remind everyone around Watauga County of what happened over two thousand years ago when Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world, but they also fulfill a need to have a special place for quiet reflection, a place to give thanks to God, to pray for God’s gracious intervention or to celebrate special occasions. Perhaps some of you have asked the woman of your life to marry you while many others have celebrated an anniversary or other important occasions on that hill. As a six-year old boy, Ethan Rothrock, now fourteen, “felt a stirring” in his young heart to know more about Jesus and to trust Him as his Savior after an evening service at MVBC. Accompanied by his parents, Kevin and Emily, he climbed up to the foot of the middle cross where he gave his life to Jesus. With a smile on his face, Pastor Bud shares how many couples often desire to have their wedding pictures taken at the foot of the crosses. In the days before the newest sanctuary and educational facilities were built, many VBS participants may also remember trekking up that hill for a time of worship, as will youngsters who have participated in the EQUIP Ministries ever since its inception in 2006. Still full of energy after a hard practice on the ball field, they joyfully climb that hill behind the church to get a closer look at the crosses and to have a time of devotion and prayer.
Kenny & Jesse Brown photo by Emily Angle
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lShannon Critcher believes the crosses have been
A few more personal testimonies about the crosses: lJeff Greene, a current deacon of MVBC, remembers going up to pray for his future wife and children as a 10 year-old and now as a father of five children, he continues that tradition. “As I grew up, the crosses were a constant for me,” Jeff admits. These days the subject of his prayers differs slightly as he envisions all that God has in store for his children, grandchildren and all future generations. lThomas Lynn Critcher remembers that it took three or four boys to carry one of the heavy crosses and that he proposed to his wife, Dina, up there as well. He considers the area as “sacred ground” and often climbs the hill for some quiet time of reflection and prayer. lScott Cook likes to recall seeing the crosses from his home and comments that he felt honored to have been part of this project. As a young man he says he “had no idea what it would mean to the community,” adding that “not many people can say they carried a cross up a steep hill like that. While we were carrying the crosses I remember thinking, ‘Can you imagine having to carry this cross all by yourself?’” Scott’s parents, Roger and Margaret, still living within sight of the crosses, love taking care of this symbol so dear to all believers. lJunior Gragg admits “the closer to the top, the harder it got to carry the crosses.” He claims it was “an eye opening experience as they remembered Jesus’ crucifixion and just driving by brings back memories of that day.” Their leaders read Scripture about the crucifixion, which was followed by prayer time.
a lasting legacy, especially when considering how long they have lasted in spite of wind and weather. He has prayed at the foot of the crosses in order to discern God’s will when making big decisions in his life. He has also made the pilgrimage with his wife, Leigh Ann, and their four children. lMike Willis remembers walking up the mountain together with fellow members of his adult couples’ class for intense prayer time. He recalls especially several occasions, during the mid 1980’s, when the class prayed for Barbara Nelson, a young mother of two children, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. lJohn Thomas, who taught this couples’ class (see above), remembers going there with Barbara Nelson and her husband Rocky and Mike Willis and his wife Linda to pray for Barbara’s healing. He also likes to share the memory of driving on the road towards her house one day when he saw Barbara coming towards him. She seemed to be exuding an unbelievable aura, which caused him to exclaim, “Barbara, you’ve been healed, haven’t you?” With certain conviction she replied, “More than you can ever imagine. I know now that God has chosen not to heal me, but that it is meant for me to die soon, and I’m walking to the crosses to thank God for saving my soul.” In the long days of suffering before she passed away, Barbara testified to how much it ministered to her to be able to see the crosses through the window of her home and to plead with God to take care of her family after she was gone. It helped her remember God’s mercy and grace. These three crosses are still standing as a visual reminder to the community of what Jesus did for everyone who seeks forgiveness for their sins. It can even be seen from the Bamboo Gap exit off the Blue Ridge Parkway. People, both locals and visitors, often stop by MVBC or at the houses on Deerfield Road to ask what the story is behind the three crosses on the hill. The panoramic view is a testimony to God’s wonderful creation. It is worth all the effort it takes to make the trek up that mountainside.
— Contributed by: Birgitta McGalliard, Anissa Castle & Denise Critcher
from one generation to the next! 828-266-9700
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Mount Vernon Baptist Church | 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607 | 828-266-9700 | mvbcb.org
Mission Statement: The purpose of Mount Vernon Baptist Church is to glorify God by submitting to the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, exalting Him as Savior, proclaiming the truth of the inerrant Word of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit, equipping one another to serve Him in unity of spirit, and evangelizing the unbeliever both in our community and throughout the whole world.
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