Current News from Mountain Hope
The Nada community is grateful for all the summer missionaries who followed God’s call to come to Nada. Here is a brief list of those groups and individuals who partnered with KBF, FBC Winchester, Paula Settle, and Emilee Causey:
May 11-18: Blacksburg Baptist Church, Blacksburg, Virginia
May 29-June 2: FBC Ashboro, North Carolina
June 2-3: Lexington Avenue Baptist Church, Danville, Kentucky
June 8-11: Hominy Baptist Church, Candler, North Carolina
June 16-17: International Students from Campbellsville University
June 17: Book Buddies from Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
June 21-27: FBC Winchester, Virginia
June 29-July 4: New Hope Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina
July 6-12: FBC Burlington & FBC Wilmington, North Carolina
July 14-18: FBC Four Oaks, North Carolina
July 18-20: FBC Madisonville, Kentucky
July 24: Wanda Kidd (CBF Consultant - Crafting Jewelry)
July 22-26: Providence Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
July 27-August 1: FBC Kannapolis, North Carolina
August 3-8: FBC Herndon & University Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Virginia
August 9-10: Melbourne Heights Baptist Church, Louisville (Distribute School Supplies)
The Third Annual Owsley County Repair Affair hosted by the Owsley County Action Team and Partnership Housing will be held Saturday, September 6th, 8am-3pm at the Emma Quire Mission Center.
Teams and Crew Leaders are forming now, so register to receive your t-shirt and for Owsley County to plan for materials and food. For more information, contact Joshua Speight at 502-426-1931 or email Josh
To register for Repair Affair, click here, print and return the sheet to:
Partnership Housing, Inc
PO Box 997, Booneville, KY 41314
Last weekend, 12 teenagers, 3 adults from Nada and one intern, loaded up and drove to Blacksburg, VA, where we held a retreat courtesy of the members of Blacksburg Baptist Church. This was the culmination of discussions about having a “reverse mission trip.” Groups from the Nada community travel to the towns of those giving their time and resources to further build on the connections between Nada and that particular church. In the winter, some of the Nada women visited the group from Hominy Baptist Church in Asheville, NC, and now the youth visited Blacksburg, VA.
The enthusiasm for this trip to happen was overwhelming at times. At first, we thought there might be 6 or 7 teenagers who would go. But as we discussed it more and the possibility of going became more reality, more people wanted to be involved, both in Nada and in Blacksburg. Everything from our gas to where we stayed to our food to our fun was completely provided for, without which this trip would never have been possible in such a short time span.
The kids had a great time with all the activities we planned, even the ones we didn’t plan, like Twister. The most surprising of all the activities was being on the campus of Virginia Tech; it brought to life the places they had seen on television - they were there. It also spawned some really thought provoking conversations about accepting people, anger and future consequences of present actions. I enjoy any opportunity to hear out loud what my teenagers think about.
I hope this becomes a trend for future trips; it being new, we have the flexibility to explore the possiblities. This trip, the teenagers were able to take the time to look inside themselves, while experiencing an outside world different from their usual one. The members of Blacksburg Baptist Church were able to see the importance of their bonds with the Nada community. In all, the trip was an amazing opportunity to see God at work.
2008 begins my second year in Nada (I am starting to feel like a professional intern) and with this perspective I can look back and see some of the differences from last year. I won’t lie, I get lots of help from the Nada teenagers, who like to reminisce about previous summers and how much fun they were. The thing is, they are older now. Most of them will be in high school this coming year and that changes their perspective on the present because, “it’s just not as fun as it used to be.”
I will say, we anticipated this change and began to encorporate life skills classes in with the regular summer activities. This may be part of the difference the teenagers notice. Mostly, I think they are becoming more aware of themselves, and paying attention to who they are and want to be in this world. And when you’re not quite ready to move forward, you tend to wax a little poetic about the past. They are climbing up their ladders, approaching the diving board, and while that is a tough place to be, I am excited to watch them jump.
The ongoing efforts in Nada continue to inspire hope among the people of the community and those who come seeking partnership with Nada and other Christian communities. The Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, through the local guidance of Paula Settle (Together For Hope - CBF), and the efforts of First Baptist Church Winchester and Dr. John Owen (Pastor) continue to impact Nada. The Helton’s are one family who are benefiting from the ongoing partnerships of many churches coming to Nada to offer volunteer hours and assistance to this community. Recently (May 11-18th), Blacksburg Baptist Church (Blacksburg, Virginia) and Dublin Baptist Church (Dublin, Virginia) spent a week in Nada beginning the construction of a bathroom/shower/bedroom building for the Helton family, indoor facilities the family has never had while in Nada. Due to structural issues with the Helton’s home, the new construction needed to be unattached for possible future construction. What follows is the words of Clark Lentz from Blacksburg Baptist Church:
I was amazed at the work our team was able to accomplish with God’s help this past week!
The framing and roof are complete, the siding is complete except for the top piece of siding on three walls, and except for the top triangle of siding on the wall toward the house. The roof over the stoop needs to be framed up and bolted to the structure before this wall can be covered with siding. The entry door is in place with lock and deadbolt.
I will forward more photos and information in the future. PLUS, I wanted to brag a bit on our team’s accomplishment 
The 1 x 8 fascia and rake boards are primed and backprimed and are stored in the building, ready for installation. The siding is set up with a 3/8″ gap at the top for soffit plywood, which Bill’s group can install. The porch roof, exterior fascia trim, soffits, remaining siding, and the pickets on the porch will just about finish up the exterior. Underpinning will need to be installed after the plumbing drains, electrical wiring, and floor insulation are installed.
The tub/shower unit is stored in the building. We left two studs out of the 2 x 6 wall, so that this unit can be moved from the bedroom into the bathroom when you are ready for final installation. The water line and sewer line are in place. The tap has been made to the sewer line, and it is stubbed up in the crawlspace (you can see it dimly in the photo). The water line is in place to the existing water line at the corner of the house, but it is not connected. It is stubbed up into the plumbing wall in the building, near the water heater.
Please share photos with us as the work progresses. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product!
In Christ’s Love,
Clark
May 3, 2008
Associate Coordinator for Missions Travels to McCreary County
By: Joshua Speight
For the past six months I have read, heard, and studied about McCreary county in preparation for my interview and eventual role with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. Finally, on April 29th I had my first opportunity to visit this county which so many Kentucky Baptists have partnered with during the past few years. A lunch was arranged where I could be introduced to several leaders of key partnerships in the county. Included were John Lepper and myself from KBF, Donna Thrash from McCHDO, Jim Cmolik from Hills and Hollers Ministries, and representatives from the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). While eating a fabulous meal (including some great fried green tomatoes), we discussed ways that all of our various ministries could grow our partnerships to continue with the people of McCreary County. The lunch was a great starting point of discussion for me as I begin my ministry in the county representing the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.
After lunch and an interview session with the next KBF McCreary County Summer Intern (to be introduced very soon), John, Donna and I were able to spend around half an hour discussing ministry philosophies. I became keenly aware of how similar the philosophy of Donna and McCHDO line up with the philosophy of the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. Both of our groups hope to come along side the people of McCreary County to walk with them, embracing the gifts they have within themselves to raise hope in their community. The plan for McCHDO is to build “generational housing,” houses which will go well beyond the present family who receives a home through Extreme Build or any other project in the area and becomes a home passed on to generations of families. By building a home that is comfortable for the family, a home which they (and any of us) could be proud of, and a home which they earn through an affordable mortgage; the people of McCreary County realize that hope for them and their family is attainable just as it is for anyone else. Our role as Fellowship churches is not to give them hope; we can never give something so large to anyone. Instead through our partnerships with one another, our partnerships with organziations like McCHDO, and our partnerships with the very people who live on the other side of poverty in McCreary County - it is through these partnerships that we offer the hope that is present through the love of Christ. Our ministry with our words, our hands, and our lives demonstrates that God is present among the people of McCreary County.
My first trip to McCreary County encouraged me in numerous ways. Yes, there is much work to be done in the county as so many are living in conditions which are hard to imagine. But we have already made such an impact in this community. For two years, Kentucky Baptists have spent a week in the heat of the Kentucky summer building a home for someone who did not have the means to provide such a home. We have shown this community that there are people of Christ across the state who care for those who are on the fringes of society and we will not sit back any longer and let them go on believing there is no reason to hope . Our witness is growing in this community, it is growing because you have been faithful to the vision cast before you to go forth making disciples in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. May we continue to go as God leads us as we partner together in 2008 and beyond.
On March 29, 2008 the Coordinating Council of Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, meeting at Highlands Baptist Church, Louisville, voted to hire Joshua Speight as the new Associate Coordinator for Missions. He begins work April 25, 2008. Speight will coordinate missions efforts on a statewide basis with a focus on Mountain Hope, the rural poverty initiative in Eastern Kentucky.
Joshua Speight, new Associate Coordinator for Missions, and Becky Caswell Speight, visit with John Lepper, Coordinator and Alice Mull, Moderator
John Lepper, Coordinator of Kentucky Baptist Fellowship said: “Josh has the gifts and energy to lead us to sustain the good programs we already have in place. Many of these missions initiatives were begun or enhanced by Rhonda Abbott Blevins, the first Associate Coordinator for Missions of the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. Speight brings with him the ability and vision to take us to the next level as we seek to actively engage Baptist Christians and churches in mission action, education, and support.”
Speight currently serves as Associate Pastor of North Riverside Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia. He has been at this church since 2005. In addition to his role as Associate Pastor, he also served this church as Interim Pastor for nine months. He served two summers with Passport, Inc., one summer as Bible Study Leader and another summer as Missions Project Coordinator.
Speight’s interest in missions began when he was a student at Georgetown College. Although he resisted the call to full-time ministry, several people throughout his college and seminary years recognized his aptitude and talents for ministry and encouraged him to listen for God’s call. Josh studied chemistry and worked as a chemist, but as he worked in this secular field the call would not go away; eventually, he responded to God’s leading to full-time ministry.
In thinking about serving in this new role, Speight said: “Missions participation begins and ends with the local church. It also begins by supporting the foundation already laid by KBF, the work of Rhonda Abbott Blevins, as well as other leadership throughout the state.” In speaking of missions participation and education, Speight said, “It is about leading churches and individuals toward a greater awareness of their surrounding community, to understand their responsibility for this place which God asks each of us to be gracious stewards during our lifetime.”
Josh is a graduate of Georgetown College and Truett Seminary. He and his wife Becky Caswell Speight and their daughter Ainsley will make their home in Louisville.
Formed in 1991, Kentucky Baptist Fellowship is one of 18 state and regional affiliates of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The Kentucky Baptist Fellowship is a fellowship of churches and individuals who share a commitment to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. The mission of the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship is to equip and empower Kentucky Baptist churches and Christians, cultivate partnerships, and engage in missions.
Click here for pictures of Joshua Speight and Council meeting in which he was elected.
See the article about the Mountain Hope conference at Nada.
John’s Coordinator Chat
Make plans now to be part of Extreme Build 2008. The lead team has been hard at work behind the scenes to prepare for another great experience. We have purchased property near the site of last year’s build and the family has been selected.
Join us on July 13 for Registration, Cookout and Rally. We begin building on July 14 and anticipate completing construction on July 19.
We need skilled and unskilled volunteers. A new feature this year is our call for special teams. Charlie Gatton, our construction leader, hopes to utilize the skills of special teams to help us build the house in a week.
Special Teams Needed:
• Concrete finishing
• Roofing
• Drywall finishing
• Laying flooring
• Landscaping
See the updated registration forms and flyer at:
Extreme Build
NOTE: Due to safety issues as well as insurance requirements, we are not allowed to involve children or youth in Extreme Build.
The little things take more attention; it takes more effort (in some cases that’s why we shouldn’t “sweat the small stuff”) to notice the details. In a community such as Nada, where projects change the look of the place all year, and weekly during the summer, it is easy to overlook emotional changes of the people who live here. I am speaking of the youth who live in Nada and their parents.
Triumphs such as having a parent discuss the future of their child’s education and holding Sunday school for a class of 13 youth, two Sundays in a row. That was just last week. Little things have been happening each week to show this community can also motivate toward change from the inside, out. I just had to share that quick thought.
