Pastor Shaw, Sunrise Valley Baptist

SAN JOSE, Calif.—What does Sunrise Valley Baptist Church in San Jose, Calif., have in common with the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.? It’s what’s in their steeples.

Both structures house at least one cell phone tower.

Pastor Ron Shaw tells how Sunrise Valley Baptist got theirs: “It started with me. I have Verizon, and about two blocks from my church, my bars would go down, where basically I had no cell service. I knew of a church in our vicinity that had a cell tower in its cross. I called Verizon and said, ‘You know, we’ve got a steeple. Would you consider this?’ And they said no. So I thought it was a dead issue. Then, about a year ago, I got a registered letter from T-Mobile. They were interested in checking out if we had a place for a cell tower and a room they could use.”

The church had an empty room above the pastor’s office, which T-Mobile thought would work great. Pastor Shaw says, “They sent me a contract, and I sent it up to Pacific Justice Institute, and they reviewed it for me. They made some suggestions, and we made some corrections to the contract and sent it back.” The church and T-Mobile then signed a five-year contract.

Early in November 2009 the work began. The company replaced the existing metal-and-wood steeple with a fiberglass steeple at no cost to the church. Pastor Shaw says, “The rest is basically history.”

The National Cathedral reportedly has 12 cell towers. Is that in the works for Sunrise Valley Baptist? Well, no. The church and steeple aren’t that large. But there is room for one more tower . . . so the church is willing to let another cell phone company add one.

Jonathan Strayer, director of student activities at BBC, coordinates for members of the Student Leadership Council executive team, resident directors, and resident assistants. Participants work for a  with the time ending as new students arrive and leaders help them get settled in during Welcome Weekend events.

The BBC student body elects the Student Leadership Council, which governs class and residence hall organizations. Members coordinate student activities, enriching the relationship among students and staff, and cultivating a spirit of cooperation and growth in the BBC community. Members of this year’s executive team include Tim Walker (junior), President, Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor, Mich; Marissa Langenthal (junior), Vice-President, Tabernacle Baptist Church, poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Kasey McGinniss (junior), Secretary,  New life Baptist Church, Scranton, Pa.; Mary Hutek (senior), Treasurer, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Roseville, Mich.; Cody Fraser (junior), Executive Representative, Lisbon Falls Baptist Church, Lisbon Falls, Maine; Tim Walker (junior), President, Heritage Baptist Church, Clarks Summit, Pa.

• Read more about Baptist Bible College at www.bbc.edu or call 570.586.2400.

Ohio Youth Missions Trip

New Life Baptist VBS

LAKE IN THE HILLS, Ill.—Approximately 12 years ago, as a church planter serving with ABWE, Mark Wood had the privilege along with his family of helping to start New Life Baptist Church. VBS has been most effective in developing people into disciples of Christ. During the early years, the church depended on youth groups from other churches to hold VBS, but now at least half of the church family is involved in serving in one way or another.  Almost the whole youth group of about 15-20 teens were involved in the program this August (and in some key leadership roles).  Many of the teens who were serving went through VBS as children and are now giving back to the program.

Jazmin, a teen who is headed off to college in a week, noted, “This whole summer and especially the week of VBS, the prayer on my heart was P.L.U.M. [Please Lord Use Me]. VBS was a week of stretching me beyond my comfort zone. This was my first year as a teacher. The week before VBS, my youth group leader asked me to fill in for puppets because she was short on volunteers. I was not sure I could handle that as well as teaching pre-primary level. In the end, I agreed. Then Pastor Mark approached me and my friend, Layna, and asked us if we would be willing to help out with singing. I can’t sing to save my life. But I decided that I could help teach the kids the motions since I knew them by heart. Despite stage fright, low turnout on some nights, and antsy kids, I was content that I had been pushed outside of my comfort zone, pushed beyond what I thought I was able to do. I was so happy when I heard how one of my kids really took in the salvation message and understood what it meant to sin. After disobeying his mom one evening, he came back later and apologized on his own and acknowledged his actions. I was in awe after I heard this story. God was able to use me to touch someone’s life.”

A number of whole families served during the very busy week.  One of the fathers, Dave, said, “I have always enjoyed working with kids.  Their personalities really show forth at their young ages, before adult stresses and life in general has squelched them.  Their minds are so sharp and impressionable, clean slates, not fully aware or marred with the enormity of sins affects on the entire world.  I teach a Sunday school class for 4^th and 5^th grade kids.  All of them are professing Christians.  We get very deep into some lessons because they are past the easy questions.  I am very proud of them. During VBS, I taught 4^th 5^th and 6^th grade kids.  The class size varied from 10 to 18 kids.  The course of study was on how much God loves us, for the first half of the week, and then for the rest of the week on how we show our love for God.   Most of the kids were professing Christians or had a church background, but I specifically remember one boy who attended only Thursday.  As I began the review I noticed his eyes fixed intensely on me as I was teaching.  That current day’s lesson was about the rich man who stored up treasure for himself and then found the days of his life were over, having shown no gratitude or love for God throughout his life of being blessed by God.” David hopes that he will see this boy come to Awana.

Dave’s wife Sue added, “I did snack time with the kids.  During this more relaxed time of the night I was able to talk to the kids one-on-one. I was able to review their Bible story and was glad to see how kids progress in sharing by the end of the week, being so excited about what they learned.”

Two of their teen boys were both involved with the game time, and enjoyed watching the kids being kids.  They enjoyed playing the games with them and it gave an opportunity for the younger kids to see how the high school kids took an interest in them.

One of the lady helpers, Mary Ellen, said, “As chairperson of crafts, I found it a very gratifying experience working with kids of different age groups.  Even while working on crafts, we had the opportunity to ask questions regarding an event during the opening session, be it a Bible verse or the puppet show delivering a message of God’s Word. I find by helping with VBS I also learn more about God’s Word.”

Director Rodney and his wife Kim noted, “We were delighted to be able to direct VBS this year. It always blesses us in so many ways. First, the chance to have a week-long fellowship with the participants is awesome. We always learn so much about what is happening in each others’ lives.  Second, the occasion to use our skills and resources to spread the gospel is amazing. We always feel so satisfied after the week to know that we used the talents that God gave us for His glory. Third, the opportunity to plant the seeds of His Word in the minds of others is a wonderful task.  Knowing that we shared the Good News to others is gratifying. Vacation Bible School allows us to put our faith to action and that is a magnificent thing. “

One of the men, Kevin said, “I enjoyed it, especially this year!   Debby, my wife, who passed away earlier this year, always enjoyed VBS.  I think she would have liked this year very much.  I really was inspired and had fun with leading the games and doing the skits.”

Marge Taylor, who has had her grandchildren participate in VBS each year, reminisced: “I have some problems seeing at night to drive, but when we have VBS my husband will drive after dark so I can follow him home. I love helping out and seeing all the kids that come back year after year. This year I helped with registration and was able to get caught up in the excitement of friend week, pajama day and crazy hair day. Their excitement is infectious. I have three grandchildren that attend VBS along with a few of their friends. They told me how they really liked the skits. I love our church and the way everyone pulls together to do whatever it takes to see to it that everyone that comes to VBS has a fun learning about the Lord and all the blessings we have. God wants us to love one another, and I see this in every activity the children do and they give freely to the ones that don’t have the things we do. “

A lady helper, Chris said, I look forward to our VBS outreach every year because I enjoy serving alongside with my daughter.  This has been our third year together.  After each night was over, I enjoyed listening to her on the way home how she helped share God’s love with the kids and helped with their crafts.  I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”

The church received a phone call from the mother of one of the children who was invited by a friend.  When she first introduced herself, the fear was that she was going to tell me something bad that had happened.  However, she instead communicated that her daughter “absolutely loved everything about the night.” She was wondering if her daughter could come back again.