The Baptist Bridge

By the grace of God, the Philippi Baptist Church shall embrace,

model, and share the love of God through Jesus Christ by the
power of the Holy Spirit.

Philippi Baptist Church, Philippi, WV 26416 November 2010

Inside this issue...

From the Pastor………………......2,3

Remember in Prayer………...….7

Announcements. .…………..… 5

ABW……………………………….4

Letters……………………………5

Getting to know…………………6

Calender………………………..Insert

ABC-USA Connections……....Insert

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107 Church Street Philippi, WV 26416 (304) 457-3206 philippibaptist@frontier.com

Rev. Jon Villers, Pastor
Lisa Dadisman, Secretary
 From the Pastor
Hello Philippi Family,
We find ourselves on the eve of another election and I wanted to share an article, while
dated as to its original purpose, still has lots of food for thought for us as we head into
another time of elections. Dr. Lela Susan Wright first introduced me to Jim Wallis as she
was the oldest by age member of the Ravenswood First Baptist Church. Only 70 years
separated our graduating from the same Seminary! We both got our theological degrees
from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. At 97 years old, I was astounded at the
sharpness of her mind and looked forward to each and every visit to her home. On one of
those many visits, our conversation turned toward politics and she pulled out a book enti-
tled “God’s Politics, Why the Right gets it Wrong and the Left doesn’t get it!” With a title
like that I was intrigued to say the least. May God continue to direct all our decisions as
we seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.
Shalom,
Pastor Jon

My Personal 'Faith Priorities' for this Election

In 2004, several conservative Catholic Bishops and a few megachurch pastors like Rick Warren issued their
list of "non-negotiables," which were intended to be a voter guide for their followers. All of them were rela-
tively the same list of issues: abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc. None of them even included the
word "poverty," only one example of the missing issues which are found quite clearly in the Bible. All of them
were also relatively the same as official Republican Party Web sites of "non-negotiables." The political con-
nections and commitments of the religious non-negotiable writers were quite clear.
I want to suggest a different approach this year and share my personal list of "faith priorities" that will guide
me in making the imperfect choices that always confront us in any election year -- and suggest that each of you
come up with your own list of "faith" or "moral" priorities for this election year and take them into the polling
place with you.
After the last election, I wrote a book titled God's Politics. I was criticized by some for presuming to speak for
God, but that wasn't the point. I was trying to explore what issues might be closest to the heart of God and
how they may be quite different from what many strident religious voices were then saying. I was also saying
that "God's Politics" will often turn our partisan politics upside down, transcend our ideological categories of
Left and Right, and challenge the core values and priorities of our political culture. I was also trying to say that
there is certainly no easy jump from God's politics to either the Republicans or Democrats. God is neither. In
any election, we face imperfect choices, but our choices should reflect the things we believe God cares about if
we are people of faith, and our own moral sensibilities if we are not people of faith. Therefore, people of faith,
and all of us, should be "values voters" but vote all our values, not just a few that can be easily manipulated for
the benefit of one party or another.
In 2008, the kingdom of God is not on the ballot in any of the 50 states as far as I can see. So we can't vote for
that this year. But there are important choices in this year's election -- very important choices -- which will dra-
matically impact what many in the religious community and outside of it call "the common good," and the out-
come could be very important, perhaps even more so than in many recent electoral contests.
I am in no position to tell anyone what is "non-negotiable," and neither is any Bishop or megachurch pastor,
but let me tell you the "faith priorities" and values I will be voting on this year:
1. With more than 2,000 verses in the Bible about how we treat the poor and oppressed, I will examine the
record, plans, policies, and promises made by the candidates on what they will do to overcome the scandal of
2
extreme global poverty and the shame of such unnecessary domestic poverty in the richest nation in the world.
Such a central theme of the Bible simply cannot be ignored at election time, as too many Christians have done
for years. And any solution to the economic crisis that simply bails out the rich, and even the middle class, but
ignores those at the bottom should simply be unacceptable to people of faith.
2. From the biblical prophets to Jesus, there is, at least, a biblical presumption against war and the hope of
beating our swords into instruments of peace. So I will choose the candidates who will be least likely to lead us
into more disastrous wars and find better ways to resolve the inevitable conflicts in the world and make us all
safer. I will choose the candidates who seem to best understand that our security depends upon other people's
security (everyone having "their own vine and fig tree, so no one can make them afraid," as the prophets say)
more than upon how high we can build walls or a stockpile of weapons. Christians should never expect a paci-
fist president, but we can insist on one who views military force only as a very last resort, when all other diplo-
matic and economic measures have failed, and never as a preferred or habitual response to conflict.
3. "Choosing life" is a constant biblical theme, so I will choose candidates who have the most consistent ethic
of life, addressing all the threats to human life and dignity that we face -- not just one. 30,000 children dying
globally each day of preventable hunger and disease is a life issue. The genocide in Darfur is a life issue.
Health care is a life issue. War is a life issue. The death penalty is a life issue. And on abortion, I will choose
candidates who have the best chance to pursue the practical and proven policies which could dramatically re-
duce the number of abortions in America and therefore save precious unborn lives, rather than those who
simply repeat the polarized legal debates and "pro-choice" and "pro-life" mantras from either side.
4. God's fragile creation is clearly under assault, and I will choose the candidates who will likely be most
faithful in our care of the environment. In particular, I will choose the candidates who will most clearly take on
the growing threat of climate change, and who have the strongest commitment to the conversion of our econo-
my and way of life to a cleaner, safer, and more renewable energy future. And that choice could accomplish
other key moral priorities like the redemption of a dangerous foreign policy built on Middle East oil depend-
ence, and the great prospects of job creation and economic renewal from a new "green" economy built on
more spiritual values of conservation, stewardship, sustainability, respect, responsibility, co-dependence, mod-
esty, and even humility.
5. Every human being is made in the image of God, so I will choose the candidates who are most likely to
protect human rights and human dignity. Sexual and economic slavery is on the rise around the world, and an
end to human trafficking must become a top priority. As many religious leaders have now said, torture is com-
pletely morally unacceptable, under any circumstances, and I will choose the candidates who are most commit-
ted to reversing American policy on the treatment of prisoners. And I will choose the candidates who under-
stand that the immigration system is totally broken and needs comprehensive reform, but must be changed in
ways that are compassionate, fair, just, and consistent with the biblical command to "welcome the stranger."
Healthy families are the foundation of our community life, and nothing is more important than how we are
raising up the next generation. As the father of two young boys, I am deeply concerned about the values our
leaders model in the midst of the cultural degeneracy assaulting our children. Which candidates will best ex-
emplify and articulate strong family values, using the White House and other offices as bully pulpits to speak
of sexual restraint and integrity, marital fidelity, strong parenting, and putting family values over economic
values? And I will choose the candidates who promise to really deal with the enormous economic and cultural
pressures that have made parenting such a "countercultural activity" in America today, rather than those who
merely scapegoat gay people for the serious problems of heterosexual family breakdown.

That is my list of personal "faith priorities" for the election year of 2008, but they are not "non-negotiables" for
anyone else. It's time for each of us to make up our own list in these next 12 days. Make your list and send this
on to your friends and family members, inviting them to do the same thing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/my-personal-faith-priorit_b_137530.html

Jim Wallis
Founder of Sojourners, speaker, author, activist
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 All Ladies from PBC are
Women of Faith Invited to a
Columbus, Ohio Baby Shower
April 29-30, 2011
Time: 12:00-3:00
When: November 14, 2010
All area women are invited to join a group
Where: Philippi Baptist Church
going to Women of Faith in April. It is a What : A Baby Shower for Mary Wilkins-
non-denominational event with wonderful McCullough
music and motivational speakers. Given By: Cheryl Blankenship
If you get your tickets with us you will Please RSVP: 304-457-3314
receive the group rate of $89.00 which
includes tickets for Friday and Saturday,
and lunch both days. You can come and
go as you please, but the whole event
Baptist Women’s Day of Prayer
is worth experiencing!
Come join us for
November 2, 2010
a great time at Women of Faith! For more
12:00-1:00
information ask Linda Long for paperwork.
PBC Fellowship Hall
Last year’s Women of Faith that was held
in Columbus included singers Sandi
Patty, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Mandisa
and the Women of Faith Praise and Worship
singers. Speakers included Andy Andrews,
Patsy Clairmont, Anita Renfroe, Lisa
Whelchel, Marilyn Meberg, and Nicole
Johnson. Women of Faith has a web site:
www.womenoffaith.com
Columbus, Ohio will be hosting “Imagine”
for 2011.
November 22
From 6:00-8:00
Pizza will follow
Come join us!!!

4
 Thank You Philippi Baptist
Church!
Dear Church Friends: With many people
already struggling in these difficult eco-
nomic times, the loss of a job, an unex-
pected medical expense, or rising utility
costs can significantly overtax the family
budget and result in a crisis situation.
Your donation of $525.00 really does
make a difference and enables us to con-
tinue providing help and encouragement
at such times.
Sincerely, Brenda Hunt
Executive Director, Heart and Hand
House, Inc.
On behalf of Alderson-Broaddus College
students, faculty and administration, I
want to express my heartfelt appreciation,
to the members of the Philippi Baptist
Church congregation for their gift of
$812.50.
Sincerely,
Dr. J. Michael Clyburn
President
PBC, I want to thank you for your
contribution. It has helped students like
me receive a college education. I am a
sophomore, this is my first year at
Bacone College
Muskogee, Ok
Thank you and God bless, Haley Beir
PBC Family,
Thanks so much for remembering me
on my 20th birthday!
Love, Trisha Denniston
5
Dear Friends at PBC;
A special Thank You for your prayer sup-
port over the years for our mom, Dorris.
To the ladies of the Mary Martha class,
Thanks so much for all of the cards and
notes you faithfully sent to mom and es-
pecially the prayer quilt! And thanks for
the beautiful flower arrangement at the
funeral home along with providing PBC’s
Fellowship Hall for our fellowship recep-
tion after mom’s funeral! We appreciate
all of you at PBC!
Our Love,
The Byrer Family
THANKS(FOR)GIVING
In collaboration with Heart and
Hand, Philippi Baptist Church will
be having a November food drive to
help feed those who are less fortu-
nate. Please lets try and circle the
sanctuary with canned food and then
circle it again. Lets give to those who
are in need. So
Thanks (for) giving!!!!
We will collect and display until
November 21.

Born to Teach
Before coming to Alderson-Broaddus and
to Philippi and to Philippi Baptist Church,
John Hicks spent seven years on the staff of
the West Virginia Humanities Council.
Before that, he worked for the West Virgin-
ia State Archives, and before that, he went
to school—Marshall University for a mas-
ter’s degree in history, and Alderson-
Broaddus for his bachelor’s degree in histo-
ry and Christian Studies. Before that, he
was born and raised in Logan.
John’s two children have been and are stu-
dents—Brian, who was born in Huntington,
is now at West Virginia University working
on his master’s degree in social work. Sa-
rah, born in Charleston, is a senior at A-B,
majoring in accounting and marketing.
John’s one sibling, a younger brother, lives
on the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
6
Rebecca, John’s wife, is originally from Mor-
gantown. Having completed the Physician
Assistant program at A-B, she now works for
a cardiologist in private practice in Clarks-
burg. She and John, he reports, walk a lot for
recreation and exercise, usually in the compa-
ny of their dog.
John has twice served on the Diaconate at
Philippi Baptist Church, and he has taken his
turn at teaching the Special Topics Sunday
School class. Members of the congregation
will also remember John preaching a few
times.
―I must admit,‖ he says, ―that I was skeptical
about the combined class we’re now in, just
as I was skeptical about all the changes that
the church has been going through. We still
may have some difficulties ahead of us, but
I’m very optimistic, and so is Rebecca. It’s a
matter, I believe, of realizing that this is not
MY church or even OUR church but GOD’S
church—like the woman in our book said.‖
As for the future, John plans to go back to
school—to complete course work at WVU
for a doctorate in history. His special interest
is, he says, is in ―the crossroads of religion
and politics.‖
―I love teaching,‖ John smiles. ―That’s what
I was put on earth for. My favorite course so
far was one I taught last spring on genocide.
It’s a privilege to teach at A-B—freedom of
speech, freedom of many kinds—and some
really great colleagues. Overall, with my
family and my job and the church and this
community—it’s a good, good life.‖
 Please Remember in Prayer...
A-B College faculty, staff and students,
Albert Carman,Blaine Corder,Kathleen Eye,
Jim Friend, Otilia Franke, Carl Gant,
Harmony Grogan, Jeremy Hunt, The Klaus
Family, Steve Lessor, Derek Marsh,Don Mil-
ler Greg Mouser, Kasey Mouser, Vio-
letMouser, Brenda & Gary Price, Brittney
Parsons, Joe Shipton, Stan Peterson, Mary
Reynolds, Don Schierling,Rev. John and Pat
Cain’s Grandson and Family,
Vangie Shaffer, Steve Shaw,
Dr. Richard Shearer, Ronni Walters,
Cindy Wannamaker
————————————————–—
Unspoken requests for family members,
unsaved, person and community
concerns, those with job and home loss,
financial difficulties. Our national,
state, and country leaders and officials.
Victims, the families and friends of
crime, war and violence throughout our
country. Military personnel and their
families throughout the world. Rela-
tives and friends of those serving our
country: Amanda Howard, Tim Jen-
kins, Chris Mossburg and Taylor Smith.
————————————————
Our Deepest Condolences go out to the families who
have lost loved ones.
The Family of Dorris Byrer
The Family of Leonard LoBello
& grateful for all of you.
The Family of Kaydence Sandy
7
Happy Birthday
Bill Mozley, Dorothy Hayhurst, Bob Boyer,
Blaine Corder, Grandson’s of Judi Funk
(Twins Andrew and Jack Funk)
Samuel Ferguson, Phyllis Martin, Megan
Sandy, Kendra Waddell Blake,
David Runion, Stephen Redd, Don Smith,
Ross Campbell, Jon Wright, Kathy Lind, Do-
novan Price, Priscilla Wonkka, Kathy McBee,
Linda Howell,Garry Tenney,
Betty Luff, Steve Markwood, Michael Wolfe,
Gerald Fogg, Morgan Franke.
Happy Anniversary
Chris and Jean Irvine
To all of you at PBC
Thank you so much for the beautiful
mums, for the wonderful food and for
our choir music. Thank you Michele
for her marvelous rendition of the
Lord’s Prayer. Don and Bob for their
tributes to Len which were ―dead on‖.
Thank you Jon for all you’ve done to
make this event bearable. Leonard was
a man full of love for his fellow man
and he always wanted to help people in
need. I was honored to be his wife.
Thank all of you church members for
your expressions of sympathy. I am so
With Love,
Sue LoBello
Philippi Baptist Church
107 Church Street Nonprofit Organization
Philippi, West Virginia 26416 U.S. POSTAGE
Permit NO. 36
Philippi, WV 26416