But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NLT)

PRAYER FOCUS

Church for this week: (3/30/09) Glenville – Ralph and Mavis Campbell

Church for next week: (4/6/09) Glenwood – Roger and Jean Rhoads

Church for the next week: (4/13/09) Golden Grove – Larry and Marci Burke

• Mrs. Bob Cooley (Norma) has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment beginning this week. Bob is the Music Pastor at United Wesleyan in Easley.
• Dr. John Newby, former President of Southern Wesleyan University, has taken a dramatic turn for the worse and is now under Hospice care.
• Charlotte Bodenhorn had sinus surgery on Tuesday at the Medicus Health Center.
• Rev. Ray Lewis (Retired) is now in rehabilitation following surgery for a broken hip.
• Rev. Wayne Tippey (Retired) is home recovering from surgery during which stents were implanted. Rev. Tippey is the father of Mrs. Dale Link (Cheryl).
• Rev. Michael Stepp (Carlisle) continues to make good progress following his back surgery.
• Mrs. Herbert Taylor (Carolyn) is continuing her chemo for cancer.
• Continue to pray for the physical needs of Rev. Darlene Teague.
• Pray for Mrs. Chet Rowan (Kathy) whose treatment for MS continues.
• The families of Saul Rodriguez, Jimmy Williams, and Beulah Groves.
• Brian Hall, son of Richard and Sharon Hall (Eden) who is in Iraq.
• South Coastal DS Dan Berry and his wife, Shelley http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danshelleyberry.

Congratulations to Rick and Maria Gilbert (Bethany).  Their fourth grandchild, Sara Marie Gilbert, born to Derrick & Sunny Gilbert, arrived on Monday, March 23, at 11:59am.  Sara weighed 7 lb. 14 oz. and measured almost 20 inches in length.

What’s Been Happening

The five inches of rain that fell last week at Table Rock has the nearby stream making sounds I haven’t heard for awhile. I enjoyed some time spent walking/hiking the first of the week and nature’s Spring is certainly coming on strong. In the spiritual realm, Spring can also be the reality as we approach Holy Week with its reminders of the passionate love and powerful faithfulness of our God.

A highlight of last week was a Day Alone with God (spent in a room in the Retreat Center since there was no place to go outside due to the rain). Reflecting, reading and praying while removed from the familiar for an extended time is refreshing. I recommend it.

I met with the district youth nominating committee and cabinet on Monday evening and rejoiced in the commitment and passion of these people who are making a difference. We are certainly blessed to have a corps of quality youth leaders in our district. I also made a trip to Columbia to meet with a prospective pastor, and while there, I was able to spend some time with three very special colleagues . . . Jeff Shipman, Jason Malone and Kyle Estep. Also during the week, I met with a local church nominating committee in addition to some other meetings.

On Friday, Joan and I traveled to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. Joan participated in the district Wesleyan Women Retreat and I had the opportunity to “hang out” with colleagues Dan LeRoy and Ernest Mullins from the NC East District. For the past two years, our SC ladies and the NC East ladies had been having their retreats at the same place at the same time, our districts joined together for this year’s event. Great idea! Approximately 370 attended what has been described as an incredible weekend of inspiration, encouragement and fellowship as speaker Carol Kent shared messages on principles of hope, faith, and spiritual authenticity. Joan and Cynthia LeRoy had the privilege of praying with a young lady who came to their prayer station with some friends and said, “I want to receive Jesus right now!” On behalf of the district, I want to express my sincerest appreciation to Outreach Director Julie Kellett and her committee for their planning, praying and implementation of such a great weekend.

We guys did make an “appearance” on Friday evening, but otherwise enjoyed our own times of fellowship and sharing. These men are precious brothers and cherished friends of mine whose friendship and fellowship is so thoroughly enriching.

On Sunday morning, Jim Townes from the Faith Wesleyan Church picked me up at the hotel for my visit to the church. This visit represented a first for me . . . a visit made with the pastor away. Pastor Scott Smith began revival services at the Old Zion Wesleyan Church in Tabor City that morning, but Lisa and the children were there, which prevented me from straying from my notes too far! This is always such a positive place to worship and share, and this Sunday morning was no exception. The Holy Spirit was present and I sensed that needs were met. It was a special treat to see former pastor Olie Kent and his wife, Elsie, along with several other leftover “snowbirds.” The Kents are precious people and God blessed their ministry in Little River in such a beautiful way. Pastor Scott made it back to the restaurant in time for lunch and an extended sharing/teaching time with the LBA. Joan and I then made our way back to the upstate, visiting briefly with my parents before arriving home and watching a recorded edition of the basketball games played in the afternoon . . . long day and late night!

I do pray that this significant time in the church year will be a blessed season for you and your church. We are looking forward to some sacred times of worship in the upcoming days.

Believing in each other,

Pastor Buddy

News and Information

You are invited to special services at Amistad and Greenville, First during the Easter weekend. These churches have joined together to have special Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday Services. “On Friday we will be at Amistad with a service titled Journey to the Cross, which will be in both languages, from 6:30-7:30. Saturday at 6pm we will be presenting the Jesus Film at the G1 main Sanctuary, and on Sunday Morning we will be having a Sunrise Easter Service at G1 at 7:30am with breakfast following the Sunrise Service. We would love to have you or anyone that is not doing something already come out and join these historic services between the two churches.”

– Frankie Rodriguez, Assistant Pastor, Amistad Cristiana

You are invited by First Haitian Evangelical Wesleyan Church of Mauldin to come and celebrate its first anniversary on April 19, 2009, at 2pm. Two services will be held prior to this date. One on Friday, the 17^th at 6pm and our first service of Christian Baptism on Saturday, the 18^th at 5pm and followed by a regular service at 6pm. You are invited to come and see what God is doing among us. – Pastor Patrick Gué

Human trafficking is the modern-day form of slavery.  Victims of trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.  There are currently over 27 million slaves worldwide, of which over 50% are children.  It is estimated that this 32 billion-dollar industry will soon surpass the use of drugs and alcohol.

Young children, teenagers, men, and women are all victims.  Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 people annually are trafficked across international borders, and thousands are trafficked into the United States.  It is sickening to realize this industry employs people full-time to look for vulnerable victims in North America.

Wesleyan Women announces training to abolish human trafficking:

September 10-12, 2009

The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana

Who should attend?

Individuals, church and community leaders who are willing to learn and serve as trainers and caregivers of trafficking victims

What is the curriculum?

The curriculum uses a community-based holistic approach to addressing the needs of trafficking survivors, and will be taught by professional trainers.

What will the training cover?

· Defining and understanding human trafficking

· Biblical framework for Christian response

· Trafficking in persons community assessment

· Cultural issues in trafficking and trauma

· A holistic approach to aftercare – understanding the spiritual, physical, psychological, and social needs of survivors

· Combating the demand for commercial sex

What is the cost?

$125 (due with the registration form) This fee includes training, curriculum, meals: continental breakfast (Thursday-Saturday), lunch (Thursday–Saturday), and dinner (Thursday and Friday). Transportation and lodging expenses are not included, but lodging in local homes is available for those coming long distances.  Contact the Wesleyan Women office if you want to stay in a local home.

How do I register?

The following link will take you to the registration form:

https://regserv.wesleyan.org/eventmanager/OnlineRegistration.asp?EventCode=A1F

World Hope International announces new CEO

The Board of Directors of World Hope International has appointed Dr. Karl D. Eastlack as its new Chief

Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2009. The Reverend Dr. Eastlack brings a wealth of leadership experience

from his 22‐year tenure at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church, Trusteeship of Houghton College, and prior

service on the Board of World Hope International (WHI).

DS Schedule for April

Quote for the Week

Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by spiritual assemblies. God alone makes them. One does not become a spiritual leader by merely filling an office, taking course work in the subject, or resolving in one’s will to do this task. A person must qualify to be a spiritual leader.

– J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership

Humor for the Week

A preacher said to a farmer, “Do you belong to the Christian family?”
“No,” he said, “I think they live two farms down.”
“No, I mean are you lost?”
“No, I’ve been here thirty years.”
“I mean, are you ready for Judgment Day?”
“When is it?”
“Could be today or tomorrow.”
“Well, when you find out for sure when it is, you let me know.  My wife will probably want to go both days!”

Buddy Rampey
District Superintendent
South Carolina District – The Wesleyan Church
www.scwesleyan.org