New Hope Missionary Baptist Church: Site News

"The Heart That Brought Hope"

2008-07-04T00:00:00-05:00

Miracle man survives seven heart surgeries

Rachel Edwards

On a typical day in 1996, Ronnie Dew got up and went to work, not knowing that he would have a massive heart attack before the day was over. He worked through the morning and went to lunch with a friend. During lunch he noticed a pain had developed in his arm. He commented to his friend that he hoped it would stop hurting. By the time he returned to work and sat down, he began having difficulty breathing. He was soon taken to the hospital.

At the emergency room, they discovered he had suffered an angina attack, and they sent him to Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. At Wake they performed a heart catheterization and inserted a stent. Soon he was sent to recovery where he suffered a massive heart attack caused by a blood clot in the stent.

The family had waited all day to hear from the catheterization. Finally, the nurse came out and told Ronnie’s wife, Donna, that he had experienced a heart attack. The doctor could not say how he would progress. Fortunately, he made it through and was able to return home. After a few months, he was able to return to work as the superintendent of water and wastewater distributions for the City of Wilson, North Carolina, but his heart had been severely damaged.

He lived a few years without major problems until 2002 when he became ill and was sent back to Wake. They did another catheterization, but it did not help. Then the doctor gave Ronnie two options. If he did nothing, he would have a fatal heart attack within a couple of months. The other option was open heart surgery. If he had the surgery, he would have a 50/50 chance of survival. Ronnie felt that the surgery was his only option..

On the day of the surgery the family sat in the waiting area for five hours with no word from the doctors. Finally, a nurse came out and informed Donna that Ronnie had gone into ventricular tachycardia. With a drastically increased heart rate, it could mean sudden death for Ronnie. He had been shocked over 100 times to get his heart beating normally. After calling a Wake doctor, who happened to be in Greensboro, they moved Ronnie into Intensive Care. The rest was a “wait and see” situation. The surgeon sat by Ronnie’s bed all night.

The family continued to wait, and were eventually allowed to see Ronnie. Seeing their anguish, a stranger in the waiting area came and volunteered to pray with them. Ronnie still had a long way to go. “They didn’t sew me up for three days,” said Ronnie. “They kept me packed in ice.”

Eventually, Ronnie started to improve. When he was able, they implanted a dual pacemaker/defibrillator to control his heart, and then he was released to go home.

At home he was walking alone every day. One day, his friend, Bucky Robbins, came by and walked with Ronnie. “No one had ever come to walk with me before,” stated Ronnie, as he described his surprise. They walked through the field behind the church, and then it happened. “I stopped to take a drink of water,” Ronnie said. “I put the bottle back in my pocket, and the defibrillator went off, kicking like a mule. It knocked me flat of my back,” he exclaimed. Fortunately, his friend was there to go get help. The defibrillator would reset itself after four shocks and continue the shock cycle until the heart was back in rhythm or the patient received medical attention. This time Ronnie’s heart stabilized, but Donna took him back to Wake to be checked by his doctor.

Ronnie remained at home as the year passed. On Christmas Eve, he was expecting his family. He and his son were getting ready to cook a pig outside. He looked out the door and told his son, Scott, that it was time to light the grill. Then he sat down in his recliner. Just then, the defibrillator went off. “My son on the couch said it sounded like someone breaking sticks,” said Ronnie. The heart doctor had told Ronnie and his family that he would be available over the holidays if he were needed, so they called the rescue squad to take him to Wilson first. The doctor at Wake called Wilson and told them to send him on up there. God continued to be by his side on that ambulance ride. Every minute counted.

After spending Christmas in the hospital, Ronnie came home in January. Donna felt that her life was always in limbo, not ever wanting to leave Ronnie very long at a time for fear that he would need her.

Sure enough, in January, Ronnie had another attack. On his next visit to Wake Med, he was treated for congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart is not working like it should. He returned home in five days, and the family began coming over to cook and take care of his daily needs. One day, he was taking a shower when the defibrillator went off again. “It went off about twelve times that time, and I passed out,”said Ronnie. As his sons were carrying him to the bed, they, too, were getting shocked. Ronnie was turning blue as he waited for the ambulance from EMS. His daughter-in-law said it was time to do CPR, but he regained consciousness. “I passed out on the way to Wilson,” Ronnie said, “and the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. I’m going to be with you. When you get to a certain point, you will be able to open your eyes and see.’”

Ronnie later told his wife, Donna, about the Lord’s message. She did not know if the Lord meant her husband would be taken care of on Earth or in heaven.

As soon as possible, an ambulance was sent from Wake to pick Ronnie up. When he arrived, the ventricular tachycardia started again. The doctors soon planned to perform an ablation. The surgery lasted four to five hours. The procedure would burn out the scar tissue with nerve endings that caused the irregular heart rhythm.

After the ablation surgery, Ronnie’s condition worsened, and he was sent right back to surgery for six more hours. This time, the old defibrillator was removed, and a new and improved one was implanted. As prayers were answered, Ronnie was able to return home in about two and a half weeks. He spent most of his time in bed, but the new defibrillator helped the shocks to be less frequent.

By July of 2003, Ronnie was able to travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for an assessment for a candidacy for a heart transplant. His name was on the list for a transplant, but it could be a year or more before he could get a heart.

Back home, the church and other friends continued to pray for Ronnie. One friend gave him the book, The Purpose Driven Life, which was of great comfort to Ronnie and his family as he waited for a heart.

Ronnie was getting weaker, and on October 1, 2003, he checked back into the hospital. About six days later, his heart rhythm became irregular again. He was walking with a nurse down the hall when he fell to the floor. Shortly thereafter, two men from the church came to visit. God had sent them, just when they were needed the most. Donna had been told by a social worker that they might need to have a fundraiser because Ronnie might have to go on a heart machine. Ray Joyner, a fellow church member, had already approached her about cooking barbecue chickens for this purpose.

On October 16, things worsened. His rhythm was uncontrollable, and they rushed him into surgery for a balloon pump, which did not work. The doctors then talked to the family about a heart machine. With the support of the church, family, and friends, Ronnie was placed on the machine. “It was the size of a dishwasher,” Donna said. Later, Ronnie was the first patient at Chapel Hill to be switched to the portable version of the machine. Ronnie’s life was now dependent on this machine and God’s healing hand.

As Ronnie waited for his transplant, God provided a good place convenient to everything Donna needed while she was there. Their granddaughter, Samantha, who was now 2 1/2, came to visit her grandfather and walked him down the halls with his machine. When she saw the doctor, she asked him a direct question in her tiny voice. “Will you make my Pa well?” she asked. The doctor said it was a very tall order from a little girl, but he would do his best.

On November 11, 2003, Donna was called to come to the hospital around 12:30 in the morning. Ronnie’s new heart had arrived. She called the family, and they all prayed. “We were both shaking,” Donna said. “We smiled; we cried; and we prayed.”

About lunch the surgery was over. Ronnie was in ICU. The doctor said things were going as well as could be expected.

The next day, Ronnie had to go back to surgery because a blood clot had formed at the site where the defibrillator had been. He became incoherent from the trauma. Then, about five deacons from the church came there at one time. God was providing, once again.

Finally, Ronnie was able to leave ICU, but he had to have sitters. The family prayed every night with the sitters. Ronnie was not even aware of what was going on some of the time. Then he developed an infection. It was not clearing up. More surgery was required.

Since his chest was weak from all the surgeries, the doctors took out part of his sternum and two ribs. They made a muscle flap to close his chest. The doctors said the surgery was successful, but the recovery would be slow.

In four days, Ronnie began losing blood. He was moved back into ICU and given six units. The Lord was with him. Donna called her niece that morning and asked her to request prayer from the church. When the church prayed, the bleeding stopped, and Ronnie was removed from ICU. His mind, however, had been affected by the medication.

Donna was concerned about Ronnie’s confusion because their granddaughter was coming to visit on that Christmas Day. The Lord, once again, answered prayer. When Donna entered the room that morning, Ronnie’s mind was completely clear.

At last, on January 15, Ronnie went home. His doctors called him the “miracle man.” He was taking 53 pills and 6 shots daily when he came home. Today, he is on 23 pills and no shots.

In May, 2004 Ronnie developed a rare fungus infection that could have been fatal if it entered the brain. He went back to Chapel Hill where the doctors taught Donna how to administer an IV at home four hours a day for three weeks. When Ronnie was checked again, there was no infection.

It has been almost five years since Ronnie Dew’s heart transplant. With God’s help, Ronnie can attend church, hunt, do yard work, and enjoy family activities. He is looking forward to taking walks with his granddaughter without the use of a heart machine. He and his family will be forever grateful for the second chance God gave him.

Revival Brings Evangelist Who Has Overcome...

2007-03-16T00:00:00-05:00

Guest Speaker Evangelist Steve Freeman will bring God's message to New Hope, April 1st thru 4th

At an early age, Steve Freeman was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a disease involving muscle stiffness, which can cause problems in balance, walking, speech, swallowing, and many other functions.

Steve was never expected to live a productive life and was made fun of in school by the other children, but at age 9, he realized that God loved him for who he was, so he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart and life!

Evangelism ministry is now a central part of Steve and his wife Lisa's lives. Steve will be ministering @ New Hope - April 1st thru 4th, @ 7:00 PM each evening.

Please make plans to attend this "Event of Hope"!

See this link for more info on Steve Freeman... http://www.crosspoint.ws/freeman.htm

RA Boys Win @ Associational Race Day

2007-03-04T00:00:00-05:00

Our Royal Ambassador Boys won accolades Saturday, March 3rd at the Annual Associational RA Race Day held @ First Baptist Church in Washington, NC.

Tyler Schans won 1st Place in the 5th grade Bible Drill. He also won 3rd place in one of the Car Races.

Nick Schans won 2nd Place in the Mission Project.

A total of 5 RA boys from New Hope attended this years race.

The Challenge Was Met!

2007-02-25T00:00:00-05:00

The Building Fund Challenge has been exceeded!!!

The Building Fund Challenge was met this past Sunday as offerings came in to exceed the initial goal of an additional $10,000 by the end of February. Total Building Construction Fund offerings over the past month now exceed $41,796!

We are well on our way to making this project a reality. Thanks for your support in this effort!

Family Ministry Center Dedication - Doorway to Future Ministry Opportunities

2008-08-24T00:00:00-05:00

A Great Day in the Lord!

A group exceeding 200 folks gathered Sunday, August 24th for the dedication to the Lord of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Family Ministry Center. The new 9,000 sq. ft. facility hosted a great day of fellowship, praise and worship, and a focus on the One that made it all possible, the Lord God!

The service contained a wide variety of musical styles - hymns and praise songs, contemporary christian, and even bluegrass gospel. Music was provided by the Sounds of Hope Choir, led by Cathy Malin, Tom Malin - Soloist, Tracy Mosley and Stephanie Issette - Duet, and the "Kangaroo Gang" with Dennis Vick and Friends.

A financial presentation was given by Gary Issette to update both members and visitors on the great blessing that God has provided thus far to cover the building expenses, and the "opportunities" that are ahead. Two videos were presented, one showing New Hope "saints" from the past who had poured their lives into God's service through the ministries @ New Hope. The second video showed the building being built through a series of photos, as well as the present and future potential of reaching the next generation; reaching Wilson and the World for Jesus Christ!

A great message entitled "God is Good, All the Time" was presented by Pastor Steve Stephenson. This is our "unofficial motto" and was the perfect sermon to describe just how good God has been to New Hope!

A Prayer of dedication was given by Pastor Steve following the invitation, to "give the building back to the Lord" and for His Service!

"God is Good, All the Time" and He has certainly poured out His mighty blessings to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church over the past few years, sending the "seeds" necessary to turn "vision" into reality in the form of a beautiful new Multi-purpose building, dedicated to many years of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

To God be the Glory, and may His name be ever praised at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church!

"Reaping God's Blessing"

2008-04-17T00:00:00-05:00

The Testimony of Meredith Sullivan - written by Rachel Edwards

REAPING GOD’S BLESSING

Rachel W. Edwards

Meredith Sullivan, who suffered from lymphoma and leukemia as a child, is looking forward to graduating from college this year. To look at Meredith now, one would never believe how sick she was. Her beautiful long hair was once non-existent due to huge doses of chemotherapy and radiation.

When Meredith was eight years old, she loved to play outside and climb trees. One day her hip started hurting. Her parents thought at first that she might have injured it playing, but the pain got worse. After going to two doctors, who could find nothing wrong, she was taken to a doctor in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. After performing a biopsy, the doctor there diagnosed her with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She underwent six months of chemotherapy and went into remission.

About a year later, the disease came back. This time the doctors harvested her own stem cells and returned them to her in the form of an IV. She was beginning to lose her hair, and two ladies from the hospital went to her classroom at school to talk to her classmates. The students decided to wear hats in support of Meredith, so that she would not feel conspicuous.The school even bent the rules in the chapel and let all the girls continue to wear their hats during the services.

Since Meredith’s immune system was weakened by the disease, and she was undergoing treatment, she stayed out of school. Her paternal grandmother stayed with her during this time, and she gave Meredith a bell to ring if she needed anything. “It was such a blessing,” said Meredith, “for my grandmother to be so close by.”

About three years later, when Meredith was thirteen years old, the disease returned. By this time she had switched schools and was playing soccer. The symptoms were different. Her gums were bleeding, and she had bruises on her legs and feet. She was tired all the time.

Again she went to Chapel Hill and consulted a doctor there. The new diagnosis was a cross between lymphoma and leukemia. After the chemo and radiation that followed, she was required to have a bone marrow transplant. At first each immediate family member was checked for a possible match, and her father matched the closest. Even he, however, was not a perfect match.

Meredith’s church, New Hope Missionary Baptist, began organizing a community-wide bone marrow registration. It was one of the largest ever done in the state. Several fundraising projects were initiated, and donation jars were placed all over town to generate funds for the transplant. The church also held auctions, raffles, and barbecues to help finance the project.

In the meantime, Meredith was taking chemo and radiation once a month for three months. “I was sick to my stomach,” she said. “It didn’t feel good at all. It made me very tired. I didn’t have a lot of energy.” As a result, she had to stay home from school.

At last she received the good news. “They had found a perfect match in Germany from the bone marrow registry, which was another answer to prayer,” she said. “I knew in my heart others were praying for me and my family,” Meredith said. “Faith in God got us through that difficult period.”

The chemo and radiation had wiped out her diseased bone marrow, but it was replaced in the transplant process with a transfusion that lasted about two hours. God’s care and guidance, and the prayer and concern of her church family were important factors in her improvement.

Meredith had to have special treatment during the transplant period. A week or two prior to the transplant, she had to have more radiation. “I tried to live as normally as I could,” she said. “Having friends, family, and church praying for me really helped.” Meredith could not eat fresh vegetables, fruits, or ground pepper because of the possible contamination in them. “People had to wash their hands, arms, and fingernails to see me,” she recalled. The chemo caused ulcers in her mouth, making it hard to eat or drink.

“The nurses were excellent,” she said. “One nurse was always upbeat. She would play with me and have conversations with me.” Meredith missed out on being carefree, having hair, and being at school with her friends. Those special people kept in touch, however. They called, sent cards, and even visited. People from all over the community were praying for Meredith. “Knowing that was a great comfort to me and my family,” she said.

Meredith still kept up with her schoolwork during her illness. Teachers at the hospital helped her with the work her school sent. The hospital had a student learning center set up for patients to do their work and receive help.

As time passed, Meredith began to improve. She had more energy, and could soon go home. Unfortunately, one night, while she and her father were watching television, Meredith began to be short of breath. She was found to have a pulmonary hemorrhage. The doctors sent her to ICU and induced a coma. They did not want her to be active until she was stabilized. Then they put her on an oscillator, rather than a ventilator, which would allow her lungs to heal properly. After eight days, however, Meredith showed little signs of improvement, and the doctors told her parents that they would soon have to make a decision.

Meredith’s parents, Tommy and Jean Sullivan, were staying in a hospital hotel room. While Meredith’s dad remained by her side, her mom went up to the room to pray. She prayed, “If it be Your will, God, please heal her.” Her mother had a vision of an angel carrying her child to God. God told the angel to turn around. It was not Meredith’s time. The angel turned around.

Meredith’s mother told her husband what she had witnessed, and he also prayed that the Lord’s will be done. “Within twenty-four hours,” said Meredith, “my numbers started improving, and I came out of the coma. The nurse told me what day it was.”

After Meredith was out of the hospital, her parents told her that she had been in a coma. “I was so shocked,” she said, “that it brought tears to my eyes.” They told her that she had been in ICU for two weeks. She had been given so much morphine that she was hot one minute and cold the next. They had given her one of the largest doses of steroids ever given any patient. “While in the coma,” they told me, “I had blown up like a balloon from the steroids. There were tubes in my nose and throat while on the ventilator, and I was moved back to the transplant unit. I also got shingles during this time,” she said.

Even though Meredith was out of the hospital, she still had to remain within thirty minutes of the facility. Fortunately, for Meredith and her family, her biology teacher’s mother-in-law had lived in a house in Durham, North Carolina. The house was empty and available for free to the Sullivan family. She and her parents lived there while Meredith was under treatment, and her parents alternated days of returning to work. Their employers were extremely considerate.

Meredith remembered how special her sister, Amy, had been to her through her illness. “She would make me laugh,” she said. “We would always have a good time.” Meredith is proud of her sister, who is now a dentist.

“The illness made my faith real and showed what a loving God we have,” said Meredith. “It showed me how much He cares for us, and made me realize the kind of God I serve. I ask others if they are saved and if they have God in their lives. I tell them that I have been there, and some days you wonder why, but I remind them not to let it get them down, because they will be stronger in the end.”

This year, in July, it will be nine years since Meredith had lymphoma and leukemia. She is in good health, and she returns for yearly checkups. She has a full mane of beautiful long hair, which will flow from her college graduation cap as she walks across the stage at the North Carolina State University Commencement services on May 10, 2008. She will receive a double degree in Political Science and Public Relations.

"A Mother's Miracle"

2008-03-16T00:00:00-05:00

written by Mrs. Rachel Edwards

A MOTHER’S MIRACLE

Peggy Barnes was told that her unborn child would have no arms, legs, or normal brain function and that she would have to have an abortion. Peggy already had three other children, ages 6, 11, and 13. Ronnie, her oldest son, was a Down’s syndrome child who would climb on top of the house or move the furniture out of the house.

Before knowing she was pregnant again, Peggy underwent a tubal ligation and hernia surgery. At the exact time of the surgeries, her unborn child’s brain cells were forming.

"It’s all in your mind.”

One night, when Peggy lay down, she felt the sensation of a baby doing a double somersault in her stomach! She tried to tell her husband, but he said. “It’s all in your mind.”

On Monday morning, she visited the doctor. “I felt anxious,” Peggy said. “I hadn’t slept all weekend.” The doctor used a stethoscope, which could be heard throughout the room, on her stomach. “The baby’s heartbeat sounded like a big bass drum,” she recalled.

Afterwards, Peggy entered the doctor’s office and saw him sitting there with his head down. “You cannot have this baby,” he said. “Your baby will be born mentally retarded, and because

X rays from surgery destroy cells and body tissue; he will be born without arms and legs. You are already past a legal abortion. You will have to have an illegal one, and I will do it,” he stated. “I want to see you and your husband tonight at 6:00.”

Later that day, the doctor explained why an abortion was necessary. “I will perform the abortion,” the doctor said, “but if you decide to go through with this pregnancy, I will deliver the baby free of charge.”

“I had one week to make up my mind,” said Peggy. “I prayed, and I fasted.”

“I had a war going on inside me.”

The next morning Peggy packed her suitcase for the hospital. “That was my natural mind,” she said, “but my spiritual mind kept saying, ‘You can’t do this.’ I had a war going on inside me,” she explained.

The day before the abortion, Peggy was too upset to attend church. No one there knew. As she watched TV, a former abortion nurse explained, the details of an abortion procedure.

“I sat there, and I cried as I watched those terrible pictures of newborns that never had a chance to live,” Peggy recalled.

In a few minutes Peggy’s doorbell rang. When she went to open the door, she found her pastor standing there. He said, “Peggy, God said to come to your house today.”

“I told him my story,” Peggy recalled, “and he realized what I had been through.”

He asked, “What are you going to do?”

She replied, “The Bible says ‘Out of the mouth of two witnesses, He will fulfill His Word.’” Peggy had considered the television show the first witness, and the pastor’s visit, the second.

The pastor said, “You can’t do this.”

“Can you live with the consequences”?

The next morning Peggy cancelled the abortion. The doctor questioned, “Do you realize what you’re doing? Can you live with the consequences”?

Peggy explained, “God has given me the grace to take care of one handicapped child, and if he is born, He will give me the grace to take care of another.”

In a few days a specialist at Georgetown University performed an amniocentesis and ultrasound on Peggy and said, “Do you realize this baby is meant to be born?” The baby, high up against her diaphragm, had avoided all the areas affected by her recent surgeries; thus, he would not be a Down’s syndrome child. Peggy then chose Jonathan, meaning “God given,” to name her son.

On August 5, 1975, at 5:00 P.M., Peggy was admitted to Fairfax Hospital. The nurse told Peggy, “The baby has not dropped. I want you to get up on your bed and jump up and down.” After a couple of hours, the baby dropped. Peggy went into hard labor at 7:00 P.M.

Finally, the baby began to emerge. The doctor said, “Mrs. Barnes, he has two arms and two legs. He weighs 7 pounds 15 ounces, and it’s a boy.” The time of birth was August 6, 1975, at 1:10 A.M. The baby was normal.

God’s word in Philippians 4:13 guided Peggy through her decision. She recalls it clearly: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” She also found strength in Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

“Through it all,” proclaims Peggy, “I’ve learned to trust in God and depend on His Word.” Jonathan Barnes will reach his 33^rd birthday on August 6, 2008, and he is the “picture of health.”

Rachel W. Edwards

2/14/2008

2008-02-22T00:00:00-05:00

A Testimony from Jerome Vick

Jerome Vick has his life back after an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him it wasn’t his time to go. A successful farmer and businessman, Jerome was always busy, sometimes too busy to serve the Lord. He had several farms and a thriving potato company to manage. His business often involved travel. One trip took him to Mexico, where his life was changed forever.

In 2002, on his return from Mexico, Jerome began to experience weakness in his feet and legs. He went to the doctor, and the doctor told him he had read about a disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but he had never seen a case of it.

“What’s going to happen, if you have this disease,” said the doctor, “is that your muscles are going to shut down, and you will have difficulty breathing.”

“He was trying not to scare me,” recalled Jerome, “but he was scaring me to death. He said, ‘Go home, and if you don’t get any better, we will get you to Duke.’”

Jerome’s wife, Dianne, did not want to go home, however. She was afraid that he would stop breathing during the night, and she would not be able to get him help. She borrowed a car that he could get into and rushed him to Duke Hospital that same night.

Upon arrival at Duke, Jerome saw a doctor who ordered a spinal tap, and he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. “Your breathing is going to get harder and harder,” said the doctor. He then hospitalized Jerome and put him on a ventilator. Later, a surgeon performed a tracheotomy on him to help his breathing.

Ninety days passed. Jerome was still paralyzed, tube fed, and hooked up to a respirator. He couldn’t eat. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t even press the nurse’s call button. To communicate, he could only blink his eyes. Whenever he wanted to speak to his wife, she would start saying the alphabet. When she reached the letter that began the word he wanted, he would blink his eyes. Then she would repeat the process for each remaining letter.

Fear was real for Jerome during this time. “You don’t know what’s going to happen next. It’s like going down a road in the dark at 60 mph. You don’t know where you are going or how long it is going to take to get there. They say you can recover, but how long will it take?”

One night, Jerome dreamed that he was standing in a line of people moving toward a massive throne. A huge man, resembling Abraham Lincoln, was sitting on the throne. As each person approached, he or she would stop at the foot of the man holding the great Book of Life. If the person’s name were in the book, the man would move his foot and let him or her pass into the inner sanctuary. If not, he would motion the supplicant off in the other direction. Jerome heard people at the front of the line crying, begging, and pleading to be admitted, but to no avail.

Then he began to wonder if he would be admitted. If not, would he be able to talk the man into admitting him? He knew he was a “Sunday morning Christian.”

Just before he approached the throne, a woman touched him on the shoulder and said, “It’s not time.” He woke to find a very caring travel nurse standing by his hospital bed. He decided the line at the throne was not the place to worry about whether his name was in the book or not. He knew he was going to be a witness.

Later, he told a friend who visited him about his decision to witness as soon as he got well. The friend replied, “What if you don’t get well?” His friend’s response made Jerome think about the statement and realize that he could witness right where he was, and he did so.

As the days passed, Jerome’s friends, family, and fellow church members came to visit. He discovered that he was not forgotten, and, above all, he was prayed for. He knew he should pray for himself, but he felt too guilty to do that. “I found myself praying for the people in the room next to me,” Jerome remembered. “I found it hard to pray for myself. I told people I felt so insignificant that I felt guilty asking the Lord to heal me.”

After sixty days in the hospital bed without ever looking out the window, Jerome was given the opportunity to go to the ninth floor to view the outside world from a large window. “I was terrified. It absolutely scared me to death. I was afraid to get away from the respirator,” Jerome fearfully recalled. “Getting off the respirator is something you have to will yourself to do.” In time, he was able to breathe on his own.

Before Jerome returned home, he had questions in his mind about his ninety-day experience. “Why did God spare me?” Jerome pondered. “What does He have in mind?” As these and other questions continued to affect Jerome, he made a decision for his life. “I’m going to use my name and my ability to glorify God,” he concluded.

When Jerome was able, he began traveling to churches to give his testimony. Each time, they tried to take up a love offering for him, but he donated the money back to the church. On one occasion, a church gave him $350. He knew the children of the church were going on a mission trip. One girl had only $50 of the $400 she needed for the trip. Jerome gave her the money, and she was able to go.

Jerome was surprised when his doctor wanted to prescribe antidepressants for him. Jerome quickly responded, “I am not depressed. I put my faith in the hands of the Lord. I hand things to Him and quit worrying about it. He will see me through.”

“People have put me on prayer lists all over North Carolina,” Jerome said. “The mission I am on is to thank people for praying for me. It is a fact that when people pray for you, you improve. I have to have confidence in my doctor and faith in the Lord. I trust that the Lord is going to get me through. The next time I get in that line, I’m not going to worry about whether my name is in the Book of Life.”

Rachel W. Edwards

02/04/08

A Thanksgiving Psalm

2007-11-21T00:00:00-05:00

The Psalmist says it best...

During this season when we set aside time to think about the blessings that God sends into our life on a daily basis, listen to the words of the Psalmist:

Psalm 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Are you thankful today? Do you have a grateful heart?
Over the next few days, lift up praise to the only One worthy of it...

Thank You God most of all for sending the Lord Jesus Christ!

A Homecoming To Remember...

2007-10-29T00:00:00-05:00

New Hope Celebrates a Successful Year in Jesus Christ

This years Homecoming Sunday (10/28/07) was definitely one that will be remembered for years to come...

C.F. McDowell with the Baptist Children's Homes was the guest speaker, and he brought a message on Trust from Jeremiah.

Hear Pastor McDowell's message at this link. *

The "Year in Review" was given by Mrs. Teresa Vick, and did she have news to share! Many folks added as Church Members, but most importantly, brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Hear Teresa's "year in review" at the following link. *

Gary Issette gave an update on the status of the Building Project and urged folks to "leave a legacy" for the future by investing in God's House and Facilities.

Hear Gary's update at the following link. *

There was so much great food prepared (including dessert), and it was great seeing those that aren't always around, but love the New Hope Church family, and call New Hope HOME!

Praise the Lord for this great time in Him!

*requires Real Player

Ground Breaking Ceremony "Opens the Door" For Future Ministry

2007-08-19T00:00:00-05:00

Family Life Center Building Project is Officially Underway

Many folks gathered in just an open spot of grass and asphalt for the Ground Breaking Ceremony held Sunday, August 19th. This spot will one day be the foundation for a new family life center and with the foundation of Jesus Christ, the location for many new ministry opportunities here at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

The ceremony started off with prayer from Pastor Steve Stephenson and then Cathy Malin led a chorus of "Holy Ground", as this plot of land was dedicated for the Lord's work and service. Gary Issette, chairman of the Building Finance and Fundraising committee coordinated many group photos, as we documented this great occassion. A great breakfast provided by Chester Little topped off the event with great food and fellowship.

This is such an exciting time in the history of New Hope, and we truly pray that Lord willing, as the building is completed in 2008, it will be used to bring many people in the surrounding area to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Blood Drive @ New Hope A Success!

2007-08-17T00:00:00-05:00

40 Pints were collected in this first time event!

The first blood drive ever sponsored by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was a huge success. 45 potential donors signed in and a total of 40 pints of blood were collected -- 10 more than our 30 pint goal! Donors included 23 of our own church members

More than 15 church member volunteers helped with setting up, registration, serving refreshments, encouragement and assistance to donors and clean up. Special thanks go to Martha Vick for helping to organize this event.

The Red Cross was most appreciative of our first-time effort! We look forward to many more opportunities in the future to give the gift of life . To God be the Glory!

VBS Missions Offering - A Huge Success!!!

2007-07-15T00:00:00-05:00

$1,200 Raised for Missionaries in Serbia

The Kids at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church really took the "Missionary" portion of the name to heart 7/13 thru 7/15 as the 2007 Game Day Central Weekend Vacation Bible School sparked a passion in these children and youth. This years missions offering was for Tim and Jennifer Sharpe and their kids, Caleb & Samantha. The Sharpes are serving in Serbia on a 2 year assignment in which Tim uses sports such as baseball as a channel to build relationships with local folks, and ultimately share the gospel message.

The kids raised $1,200 to support the Sharpes ministry. Tim's parent's stopped in to give the VBS kids some great information about life in Serbia, and how it is very different than in the US.

If you would like to find out more about this ministry go to www.sharpesinserbia.blogspot.com.

Click here to listen to the VBS Cheer (requires Real Player).

New Minister of Youth and Children Called

2007-06-24T00:00:00-05:00

Welcome Joey Chafton and his wife Ashleigh!

Sunday, June 24th, the Youth and Childrens Director Search Committee brought a motion to call Joey Chafton as Minister to Youth and Children.

Joey is currently enrolled at Southeastern College at Wake Forest where he plans to obtain a Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies. He has several years experience teaching Sunday School and planning youth events and activities. Joey also was a Student Ministry Intern for two summers assisting the Youth Pastor in planning and organizing camps, special events, Wednesday night services and preaching. He has also been part of a three-person youth ministry team which coordinated youth visitation programs and neighborhood witnessing events.

His ministry objective is to fulfill the calling that is upon his life to minister and spread the gospel to a dying world. He has a heart for young people and a passion to build a Christ-centered foundation in their lives.

His philosophy is to build a loving relationship with a congregation in order to cultivate and build a solid, lasting foundation in which a person may be all that God has created them to be among a world that attempts to entrap them in sin.

We welcome Joey and Ashleigh to our fellowship!

Click the following link to listen to Joey's testimony from the 6/24 morning service.

Building Project is Officially Underway!

2007-06-10T00:00:00-05:00

Congregation votes to begin building new Family Life Center!

Praise the Lord!

It's official...the building project for the New Hope Family Life Center is now underway. On June 10th, 2007 the congregation here at New Hope voted unanomously to spend up to $900,000 to construct the new "multi-purpose" building.

With God's hand upon it, this new addition to the facilities will greatly enhance the childrens and youth ministries, as well as provide more than enough space for fellowship dinners, local christian concerts, praise and worship, etc.

This new building will be a tool that God can use to reach the New Hope community & Wilson County for Jesus Christ for decades to come!

During this same meeting the Nominating committee brought forth a motion to form a "Building Fund Finance and Fundraising Committee" that will spearhead the fundraising efforts to completely pay off this building in the shortest period of time that God's will allows. Please pray that they will be successful and that this building will be completely covered (we're half way there, praise the LORD!) before we even break ground (tentatively scheduled to begin September 2007).

Click on the following link to view the initial building plan in pdf format

Expectations for Building Fund Challenge Greatly Exceeded!

2007-06-03T00:00:00-05:00

Gods Blessings Pour Out thru His People!

May's building fund challenge was not only met but greatly exceeded! God blessed the Church thru His people by sending thru $72,289.48 (more than doubling the original goal!). So far in 2007 God has added $114, 792.19!

In total, the Building Fund for New Hope Missionary Baptist Church now stands at $432,590.18, (over half way to our total goal). To reach our overall total estimate of constructing and furnishing the new Family Life Center, we will need to raise approximately $368,000 in additional funds.

Please prayerfully consider how God might work through you to help achieve this goal that once seemed a distant dream, but is now taking shape before us (Praise the Lord!).

As mentioned in the 6/3/07 morning service from Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed" (NLT).

Hear Gary Issette's entire presentation (requires Real Player) - Building Fund Challenge Update

Proposed Family Life Center Begins to Take Shape

2007-05-21T00:00:00-05:00

Vote is set for June 10th to move forward with the building project!

On Sunday (5/20) the Property Development Committee unveiled a rendering of the new Family Life Center that will greatly enhance the ministries here at New Hope! The building will seat over 300 people at round tables and up to 690 people in rows of just chairs. It has provisions for a basketball court, an area to construct a stage, a large kitchen, 2 large bathrooms, several nice classrooms and storage areas just to name a few of it's features.

A called conference is scheduled for June 10th @ 6 PM. At that time the Property Development Committee will bring a motion to proceed with the new Family Life Center. A process is now underway to select members for a "building finance committee", which will focus solely on raising money to fully fund this project.

We commend the Property Development committee for their hard work in getting us to the next level! Exciting days are ahead for the Lords work @ New Hope....to God be the Glory!

Building Fund Challenge Made!

2007-01-28T00:00:00-05:00

$10,000 donation comes with challenge...

Just recently, an anonymous donor gave New Hope a love offering of $10,000 toward our building construction fund, and they offered a challenge as well…

This donor has promised to give another $10,000 toward the construction of a new building IF the Church also raises an additional $10,000 for this same fund by February 28^th! Just think…$30,000 at 1/3^rd the price…can’t beat those rates anywhere. God is good, and He’s working through His people!

Are you up for the challenge? If so, consider giving to the building construction fund between now and the end of February as we move forward with the thoughts of a new multi-purpose building in the very near future. This and other like projects will provide the necessary enhancements to support all of the ministries of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for years to come!

Jesus Video Project Follow Up is Underway!

2007-01-22T00:00:00-05:00

Visitation has begun in the neighborhoods surrounding New Hope!

The follow-up phase of the Jesus Video Project has begun at New Hope. Teams are going out each Saturday @ 10:30 AM thru the end of February, not only to gather statistics on the Jesus DVD, but most importantly, to witness to those that may not know Jesus Christ as personal Savior.

Potential neighborhoods for follow-up span from Eagle Crossing all the way to 97 Hwy, and from London Church Road back over to I-95. There are many neighborhoods that need to be covered, so we need your help. If you would like to participate in this ministry to reach our community for Jesus Christ, come out and join us for breakfast each Saturday from 7:00 to 8:00 AM, then meet back with the group @ 10:30 AM to go out and share God's love with our neighbors and friends!

Follow-up officially runs through the end of February. Our final meeting is tentatively set for March 10th.

CD Recording Equipment Installed / Sermons Now Available Online!

2006-12-25T00:00:00-05:00

Now hear the weekly messages online!

We have installed the new CD recording & duplication equipment and we will be recording the services and posting many of the sermons as well as some of the music on the website each week.

Check out the sermon from Pastor Steve entitled "Get Spiritual" from our Sunday Morning service on New Years Eve, 12/31/06. (Note, these audio files are in Real Audio format. If you do not have the latest version of Real Player go to www.real.com for the free download).

The next phase for this equipment will be to record the services and duplicate CD's to distribute to our shut-ins on a weekly basis. We will purchase several extra CD players for use by those folks that do not own a player.