May 2007 graduation at New Orleans Seminary
NEW ORLEANS – Gregory Cole from Colorado , received the doctor of education ministry on May 19 at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Cole , associate professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif., is married to Cheryl Cole of Colorado. He is the son of Henry and Reta Cole of Republic, Mo.
One of the world’s largest accredited seminaries, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees in biblical studies, theology, pastoral ministry, church history, Christian education, counseling, and music. It is owned and supported by the Southern Baptist Convention.
Cole’s home church is First Baptist Church, San Francisco, Calif. He holds the bachelor of science in civil engineering in University of Missouri, Rolla, and a masters in religious education from Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City. DR volunteers needed in July for shower unit
TIPTON – Four to six volunteers are needed to help man Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief shower units in Tipton (July 14-21), Charleston (July 23-28), Festus (July 30-3) and Little Sturges, Ky. (July 19-21). For more information, call Danny Decker at 1-800-736-6227
ODESSA – The Bible Drillers from First Baptist Church in Odessa were recently recognized for their skills in learning and locating various passages of scripture and two will soon drill for even higher honors.
Katie Poggemeier received top honors as Missouri Youth Division finalist while Krystal Weigum came out on top as the Missouri High School Division finalist. Both will travel to Raleigh, N.C., as Missouri’s representatives to compete in the National Bible Drill competition June 8.
First Springfield’s river bluff satellite launched
OZARK – The first satellite church in Missouri recently began meeting in their new building. River Bluff Fellowship is a satellite of First Baptist, Springfield. They have been meeting since June 2003 in the Stained Glass Theater facility in Ozark.
The new building is located on Evans Road, near the dividing line between Springfield and Ozark. Scott Watson serves as pastor of this satellite, along with his responsibilities for ministry to college students.
Attendance for this first service was 410. In the theater building the average attendance was 200, near capacity for that building.
SPRINGFIELD – First Springfield voted to call David Alan Nolte to become their Pastor of Music and Administration. David has been serving as Minister of Worship and Administration at the South County Baptist Church in St. Louis since 2001.
Nolte received his bachelor of church music with an emphasis in voice and a minor in piano from Oklahoma Baptist University. He has completed all course work for a master in church music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri since 1988.
Nolte’s wife, Sheila, holds a bachelor of church music from Oklahoma Baptist University with an emphasis in piano.
IRONTON – Bethany Baptist Church voted to call Jim Denbow as their bi-vocational pastor. His wife is Cheryl.
Army Chaplain loses battle with cancer
ST. LOUIS, – Chaplain (Col.) John E. Armitstead, a Southern Baptist Convention-endorsed chaplain in the
U.S. Army since 1984, died May 29 at St. Louis’ Barnes-Jewish Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was 50.
A native of Norfolk, Va., he is survived by his wife, Beverly; their three children, Stephanie, Johnathon and Natalie; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Armitstead, Norfolk, Va.
Armitstead’s final assignment was as command chaplain, Human Resources Command, in St. Louis from May 2004 to May 2007. As command chaplain, he advised the commander on all matters related to the structure, resources, training and management of Army Reserve chaplains and chaplain assistants.
He entered the Active Guard Reserve Chaplaincy in January 1996, when he was assigned as the full-time support staff chaplain at the 81st Regional Support Command, United States Army Reserve, Birmingham, Ala.
Commissioned as a chaplain in June 1986, Armitstead served in the 2174 United States Army Garrison, troop program unit, in Virginia. Prior to entering the Army Chaplaincy, he served seven years as a transportation corps officer. He was first commissioned as an officer in November 1979, and assigned to various transportation units until he entered Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C. He graduated from Southeastern with a master of divinity degree in 1985.
Prior to entering full-time chaplaincy service as an Active Guard Reserve chaplain, Armitstead served as pastor of the historic Fincastle Baptist Church, Fincastle, Va. – established in the 1700’s – which flourished under his 10 years of ministry there.
Bethany Baptist Church celebrates AWANA year
Cape Girardeau – Bethany Baptist Church celebrated another good year in the AWANA program, teaching young children about Jesus Christ.
This year saw 62 club members enrolled and 37 workers, with an average weekly attendance of 52 for the 2006-2007 year. The Club members completed 1,000 of sections!
End of year awards presented to 49 children for outstanding achievement included: 7 Cubbie Bear 1st Book Awards, 1 Cubbie Ribbon 2nd Book Award, 2 Sparky Award Plaques, 12 1st Book Completion Ribbons,4 2nd Book Completion Awards, 5 Skipper Review Patches, 1 Climber Review Patch, 1 Skipper Workbook pin, 6 Truth in Training Book 1 Patches, 4 Truth in Training Book 2 Patches, and 4 Truth in Training Excellence Plaques
Three workers received their 14 year pins: Jerry Huskey, Donna Johnson, and Patricia Krueger. These three people have worked in the Bethany AWANA club since the club started 14 years ago.
In a legislative roundup story, it was reported that Senate Bill 577 included language that allows unborn children to be written into the Missouri Health Improvement Act of 2007. The language was added into a House Committee draft of the bill but never did make it into the final product.