WOW! Woman of the Week ~ Linda King

My name is Linda Vinsant King. I grew up in Dalton, GA. I am from a large family. There were 7 of us. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, whom I love very much. My brothers grew up playing baseball. My dad coached their teams until they reached high school. I spent many summers at ball fields while growing up.

I met my husband Chuck when I had finished 1 year of college. He was a former teacher and coach. We met in December 1974, became engaged in May 1975 and married in August 1975. I have been married most of my life! 

Prior to having children, I obtained my degree as a Registered Nurse. Our daughter Jennifer was born after completing my degree. A job change for Chuck took us to Glen Burnie, MD for a couple of years. We had a chance to move to Bristol, TN, with another job change for Chuck. The best part of coming to Bristol was that it was where Chuck’s family lived.  Greg was born when we had been in Bristol for 2 years.

In 1989 we had a home built in Indian Springs. With that move, we started attending Indian Springs Baptist Church. It was at ISBC that our children made their professions of faith in Christ. Those years were very special for our family, as we all grew in our faith, serving the Lord together. We left ISBC for a few years after moving back to Bristol, attending the church Chuck grew up in. It was there that we were able to share the many things we learned at ISBC.  After being away for a few years, we made the decision to return to ISBC. We love being back “home”.

Our daughter Jennifer is married and has 2 children, Jake who is 5 and Emma who is 2 ½. We love to keep them as often as their parents will allow! Jake and Emma love coming to ISBC with us!

Greg played baseball from the time he was 5 years of age until he was 22, playing the game while in college. We found ourselves at the ball field…again and again. Greg recently married Amber Morrell. He became an instant dad to Amber’s son Jack, so we have another grandchild. We are so excited to see what the Lord has in store for Greg, Amber, and Jack.

I left my position as a nurse in 2001. I currently substitute teach in the Sullivan County school system. This satisfies a longing I’ve always had to be a teacher.

Having been around baseball most of my life I suppose is the reason why I love the sport. There are so many places to witness to the lost and encourage those who are wavering in their walk with the Lord. One of our mission fields has been at the ball park. If you’re faith gets stronger and you encourage others while witnessing to them, then it’s not a bad place to be.

~  Submited by Kathy Neal

    ISBC Women's Ministry

    Communications Coordinator

WMW June 13

Pottery Painting Party:
Come join us for a night of creativity and fellowship on Thursday, June 28th from 6-8 p.m. Brushstrokes n' More (3432 Ft. Henry Drive) is a paint-your-own pottery studio and provides hundreds of choices of pottery and all the supplies you need to create your own masterpiece! Cost is $5 per person plus your pottery choice (rates start at $6 per piece). Feel free to also bring your favorite appetizer to share with the group. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided.
Sign up with Jessica Poff by calling (423) 534-1616 or emailing JessicaCPoff@gmail.com by Tuesday, June 26th. Space is limited to 40 people.

Ladies Bible Study Conference

A Ladies’ Bible Study Conference featuring the DVD series by Priscilla Shirer, JONAH: Navigating an Interrupted Life, is planned for August 24-25.

Priscilla Shirer is a dynamic Bible teacher who will take you on an incredible journey of self-reflection and challenge.

Dates:  August 24-25, 2012

Place:  ISBC  SAC

Time and Format:            Friday, August 24             6:00-9:15pm

                                                6:00pm                 Pizza and Drinks

                                                6:15- 9:15             DVDs 1, 2, 3

                                                Saturday, August 25        8:45am-noon

                                                8:45am                 Bagels and Muffins

                                                9:00-Noon           DVDs 4, 5, 6

Sign Up in the front lobby of the sanctuary by August 19.  

Bring a friend!!

Bible study books that accompany the DVD series are available at Lifeway for $11.99 for anyone who wants to purchase one.

Contact Susie Toomey  sktoomey@king.edu with any questions.                       

Ladies’ Small Group Leaders Needed

Would you like to lead a small group of ladies in a weekly Bible study, book discussion, or prayer group?

Morning or evening.  In a home or in another venue.  Groups will begin in the fall and will run for six to seven weeks. 

You could be instrumental in helping a small group of ladies grow spiritually and build closer connections!

If interested in leading a group, please contact Susie Toomey.    sktoomey@king.edu

Discipleship Opportunities

A number of women’s conferences that are within a comfortable driving distance of Kingsport are coming up.  Gather a few friends and take the opportunity to join with hundreds of other ladies in studying God’s Word with Beth Moore and other outstanding Bible teachers.

Beth Moore Living Proof Events:

a.       August 10-11, 2012 Knoxville, TN  Thompson Boling Arena 

b.      August 24-25, North Charleston, SC    North Charleston Coliseum  

c.       Registration online or by phone 800-254-2022 or fax 615-251-3730

d.      Friday 7:00-9:30pm and Saturday 8:30am-noon

e.       Registration is $65.00

Women of Faith Conferences-

a.       June 23, 2012 Greensboro, NC ,  War Memorial Auditorium, 1921 W. Lee St

b.      Registration is $59.00; Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm

 October 19-20, 2012,  Charlotte, NC  

a.       Time Warner Cable Arena;  333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC

b.      Friday 7:00-10:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

c.        Registration is $99.00

Women of Joy Conferences-

a.  March 22-24, 2013,  Pigeon Forge, TN  (Registration $99.00)

b.   April 12-14, 2013; Sevierville, TN   (Registration -$99.00)

Precepts Conferences

Precept Ministries Women's Conferences in Chattanooga:  Speakers Kay Arthur and staff.  Worship Leader: Alicia Williamson Garcia.

 a. Fall Conference 2012: October 19-21,

    Friday evening 5 pm through Sunday 1 pm.

 b. Spring Conference 2013: April 12-14

    Friday evening 5 pm through Sunday 1 pm.

Cost : $195 per conference which includes conference, materials and 6 full meals.

Go to www.precept.org and click on events. OR call 1-800-763-8280 to register.

Missions Opportunity

Socks & Shoe Drive
As you do your spring cleaning, set aside those gently used shoes.  We will be collecting new socks and gently used or new shoes of all sizes to be distributed to children up to age 14 at Gibsontown Ministries at a date yet to be determined this fall.  Shoes need to be closed toed only.  New shoe laces, please.  We will begin the collection in August.  This will be a joint effort of Women’s Ministry and Captivated Girls (Youth girls of Glenwood Campus)  The distribution date will be on a Saturday.  Volunteers will be needed to help sort and set-up prior to distribution and also to fit children on the distribution day.  Watch for date and volunteer sign-up.   We would also like to have a few volunteers to purchase a pair of shoes for kids we cannot fit, just in case they are needed.  Last year 300+ pairs were needed!

WOW!

This week's WOW found her mission field on the baseball field!  Check out her story this Friday at http://www.isbcwm.blogspot.com


Health & Wellness

Angie Dishner submitted this list of the classes available in June at the HRC:

Wed 6/13: Free hearing screening from 8-12
Wed 6/13: "Love and Logic": Learn techniques to help encourage self development while also teaching accountability.
Thurs 6/21: 6pm- "Ask the foot doctor" and foot screening- Dr. Chatelain will be talking about the most common foot problems and then will be following it up with an optional foot screening after the presentation.
Mon 6/25, 6pm- Hawaiian Hula class
Tues 6/26, 1pm- learn how to safely can foods to enjoy all year long!
These are only a few of the classes offered this month. Call 857-7981 for more information.
Call 1-800-888-5551 to register.

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities for ministry and fellowship in Women's Ministry.  I invite you to get involved.

Serving Him with You,

Pam Archer, Director
ISBC Women's Ministry

ISBC Woman of the Week ~ Susie Toomey

I was born and raised in Big Orange Country (Knoxville).  I was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where I was actively involved in GAs, youth group, choir, Sunday School, Training Union (old term!) and anything else going on!  I asked Jesus to be Lord of my life during VBS when I was eleven years old.  I graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS degree in physical education and recreation.  While at UT, I played on the UT volleyball team,  the UT badminton team,  and was actively involved in the Baptist Student Union (BSU), through which I served as a student summer missionary.  Following graduation, I was hired as the head volleyball coach at ETSU, where I coached for three years while working on my MA Degree.

Over the next eight or ten years, we moved a number of times, finally landing back in the Tri-Cities.  We joined ISBC around 1985. Since that time, it has been my joy to be a part of a number of ministries, including teaching Sunday School in the youth department and college department for over eighteen years, directing the youth mime, drama, and clown troupe, singing in the choir, serving on the women’s ministry team, serving on the building committee, and going on fifteen mission tours  and numerous youth conferences.

I have taught and coached at King College in Bristol since 1985, and was inducted into the King College Hall of Fame in 2012.  Besides coaching and teaching at King, I also had the opportunity to serve as the Director of Mission Outreach, the Interim Dean of Students, the Senior Woman Administrator, and the Interim Athletic Director. One of my most rewarding opportunities at King, however, has been taking King students on twenty two spring break and May term mission trips.  I think my early involvement in GAs as a child gave me a real desire to be involved in mission outreach.

Besides teaching and coaching for over thirty years, I also served as the Director of Christian Activities in two churches, was a BSU Director, was an activities director at a nursing home, have had three books on clowning and mime ministry published, and have led over twenty-five clowning  and mime seminars through the years.

The real joys of my life are my daughter Kelly, who teaches and coaches at Union University;  my son Chris who teaches and coaches at King College;  my two grand children, Isaac (almost 14) and Anna (11); and my son-in-law Michael who is the Minister to Families and Children at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN.

One of my favorite scripture verses is Ephesians 3:20, “Now glory be to God  who by His mighty power within us is able to do far more than we ever dare to ask or dream of- infinitely beyond our highest thoughts, desires, hopes, or prayers.”

~ Submitted by Kathy Neal

   ISBC Women's Ministry

   Communications Coordinator

How to Handle Unforgiveness

 Six Ways to Find Unforgiveness and Remove It

by Joyce Meyer

Most all of us like getting promoted, and there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes we fail tests in certain areas that keep us from getting promoted.

Areas like forgiveness.

If someone has hurt you, don't spend the next 10 years of your life hurting yourself by hanging on to that offense. Most likely, that other person isn't even thinking about you, while you dwell on the incident for years. That only hurts one person—you.

You see, when you forgive someone, you are helping yourself.

To help you understand the importance of forgiveness, here are six ways to detect unforgiveness in your own heart. Once exposed, you'll be one step closer to your personal promotion from God.

1) Unforgiveness always keeps score.

In Luke 15:29, the elder brother of the prodigal son said, "Look! These many years I have served you." Peter wanted to know how many times he had to forgive someone. Unforgiveness is always looking at the score. But 1 Corinthians 13:5 says, Love takes no account…. It doesn't count up the evil done to it.

Back in the early days of our marriage, when Dave and I were fussing and fuming at each other, I would bring up stuff that happened years before and Dave would say, "Where do you keep all that stuff?" Well, I had a place, and it was all in there eating at me. And every new thing Dave did wrong would get added to this list, and it kept growing until it became a bitter giant in my heart.

2) Unforgiveness always boasts of its own record.

In Luke 15:29, the older brother of the prodigal son says "These many years I have never done wrong." Judgment always says that I always do good and others do bad. An unforgiving spirit keeps us from God's best for us.

3) Unforgiveness always complains.

"You never do anything for me." Ever catch yourself thinking that about someone? This attitude only sees what others aren't doing and doesn't see what they are doing. God's Word clearly shows that we're not supposed to complain. And if you're continuously using your mouth to complain about some incident of offense, you won't get past it. Don't waste time by complaining.

4) Unforgiveness has a martyr syndrome.

"I do all the work." Workaholics are particularly susceptible to this one. Sometimes people who work all the time and don't know how to enjoy their life get jealous when other people are enjoying life. Is there someone who aggravates you when you see them having a good time? If yes, you could have unforgiveness toward them.

5) Unforgiveness always alienates, divides and separates.

When the kids are acting up, we say "my husband's kids" or maybe something like, "What are you going to do about your son?" Those are divisive statements. Maybe you have a coworker who you stay away from as much as possible or a sibling you don't talk to much…why do you separate yourself from them? Maybe you need to forgive that person.

6) Unforgiveness is always envious and jealous when angry at someone who gets blessed.

If someone who has hurt you gets a blessing, it grates on you…at least it did for me until I learned how to forgive. Forgiveness is a decision—not a feeling.

When you pray for people who have hurt you, it's a choice. But there's healing in that for you. Bless and do not curse them means to speak well and not evil of them when that person is not around. And be good to them in various ways as wisdom allows.

Improve Your Life

I want to encourage you today to make a decision to start living a lifestyle of forgiveness and refuse to be offended.

A forgiving lifestyle helps you become more like Christ. As you learn the importance of forgiveness and begin to practice forgiving others, your heart will heal from bitterness, and your personal growth will lead you to the promotions God has planned for you.

Joyce Meyer

~ Beth Dishman
   ISBC Women's Ministry
   Publicity Coordinator

WOW! ISBC Woman of the Week - Alice Culberson

This week's WOW! is long-time ISBC member, Alice Culberson.  Read below for Alice's testimony in her own words.....

Seashells, tide pools, and snorkeling – favorite things of a girl who grew up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia?  That’s what happens when the Lord puts together a country girl with a guy from Miami.   

I grew up on a farm where I learned to love the Lord and His creation through the influence of my parents and others. Accepting Christ at age 11, it wasn’t until my teens that I learned the importance of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life and really began to grow spiritually.   

After college and working as a librarian for several years, Wayne and I met in church.  We began our married life together 31 years ago.  We’ve been blessed with sons Taylor and Austin.  Taylor, along with wife Cayla and our precious granddaughter Sophie, live in San Diego where Taylor serves in the Navy.  Austin is a sophomore at Clemson, majoring in mechanical engineering.

Our family has been blessed to be a part of ISBC for almost 20 years.  My involvement at ISBC has spanned a wide range of activities from working with toddlers and children, teaching Vacation Bible School and adult women, to being active in WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union).  Through all this, my real passion is learning about, supporting and sharing with others the importance of missions.  Jesus calls all Christians to be on mission wherever we are, as we go about our lives wherever the Lord has placed us.  Specifically, He has called some to devote their life’s work to the mission field at home and abroad.  It is exciting to be a part of their work through prayer, knowing the challenges they face and sometimes, even coming alongside them to work.

I am so thankful to the Lord Jesus for his mercy and grace in my life.  Of the many things I have been taught by the Lord through the years, two things really stand out today:  

1) The importance and power of prayer in a Christian’s life.  “Pray without ceasing” and let others know you are praying for them.   

2) “Being” who God wants me to be is much more important than “doing” all the many things I could be a part of.  Being too busy often gets in the way of truly seeking the Lord and being obedient to His guidance in my daily life.

Thanks for letting me share and I look forward to getting to know many more WOWs' over the coming weeks. 

Get Over Yourself!!

Do You Need to Get Over Yourself?

by Joyce Meyer

I want to love God and help people. That’s my goal in life each day. And when people ask me, “What’s your dream? What’s your vision?” I have one answer: I just want to help people.

If helping someone means teaching them the Word of God, then I want to teach the Word. If someone needs a hug, I want to give them a hug. If I can help someone by paying their rent for a month, I want to do that. Or if I can help people in India by going there and sharing the love of God, I want to go to India.

That’s what it means to walk in love—the God-kind of love. It’s about letting God use us however He wants to use us and knowing it’s all about Him. It’s about getting over ourselves and getting on with what God is calling us to do. Walking in love should be the number one goal of every Christian.

Deception That Can Trip You

There’s a deceptive sin that can keep us from walking in love: pride. It’s deceptive because when you have pride, you’re usually too proud to admit it. I know this because I used to have teachings on pride and they didn’t sell well.

We need to take this issue of pride seriously. Proverbs 16:5 (AMP) says, “Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord….”

Pride is an independent, me-oriented spirit. It makes people arrogant, rude and hard to get along with. When our heart is prideful, we don’t give God the credit and we mistreat people, looking down on them and thinking we deserve what we have.

It’s Not About Us 

Walking in love should be the number one goal of every Christian.”Sadly, the truth is, there aren’t many people who can be put in high positions who won’t start thinking highly of themselves.
 

God wants us to be dependent on Him rather than thinking we can do things ourselves and then take the credit when good things happen. It’s foolish for us to do this because the reality is our gifts, talents and abilities come from God (see John 3:27). We can’t take credit for them.

My ability to communicate is a gift from God. I thank Him for it and want to use it for His service. Whatever you do well, realize that it’s not because of you – it’s because God has enabled you to do it well. It’s all about Him, not us.

Check Your Heart for Pride

I realize this is a hard message to hear. But we need to be honest about pride in our lives because if we aren’t, we will create a separation between us and God. And that’s the worst condition we can be in.

If you want to check your heart to see if you’re proud in an ungodly way, ask yourself:

• How am I treating people?
• How do I think about others?
• Do I talk about myself more than I talk about God and what He’s done?

The good news is, we can humble ourselves and turn a bad situation around. Give God the glory for the good things in your life and show His righteousness by helping others—the poor, needy and oppressed. Make it all about Jesus.

Choose godly humility. With every success you have, tell the Lord, “I know I’m nothing without You. I can do nothing without You and I’m successful because of You.” When people compliment you, thank them and give them back to God. That’s where the glory really belongs. It’s all about Him.

This article is taken from Joyce's four-CD series, Guard Your Heart.

~ Beth Dishman
   ISBC Women's Ministry

   Publicity Coordinator

WOW! ISBC's Woman of the Week - Kathy Tilley

This week's WOW! is Kathy Tilley. Kathy is a 43 year member of ISBC and has a wonderful story. Read below in her own words:

"I was born in Kingsport, TN but was raised in Big Stone Gap,VA, where my parents and my 4 siblings lived with my maternal grandmother. I was 14 years old when my father died, and also, I accepted Christ at age 14. My daddy always went to church with us but he had never joined until the summer I was saved, and we joined the same Sunday. I was always very involved in my church, especially during my teenage years. I have always felt the Lord had his hand on me, directing my life. When I graduated high school, I had a Civil Service job offer in Washington, DC with the Agriculture Dept. but, my pastor at the time took me to visit Hiwassee College in Madisonville, TN. I had no hope of being able to go to college, never dreamed I could afford it. But God made a way for me to be able to attend. Amazing!! I met my future husband, Sterling, there and this October will be 47 years we have been married.

We began our life’s journey together in Elizabethton, TN where I worked as secretary for the First Methodist Church there. Sterling was with Beaunit Fibers until Uncle Sam’s US Army called him up in the spring of 1966. I was able to go with him for a short tour in Missouri, but then he was sent to Vietnam in 1967-68. I returned to Kingsport and worked for Holston Defense Corp. When Sterling’s tour was up, we moved to Indian Springs in the spring of 1969 and joined Indian Springs Baptist Church that same year. Our first child was born in 1970. He was premature, living only 3 days. But God is so good, he carried us through that terrible season and over the years has graced us with three healthy children and 5 wonderful grandchildren. I have worked part time for the last 19 years as secretary to Indian Springs Christian Church.

I have been so blessed over the years to be a part of this body and bring our children up in the ISBC family, and we all have benefited from the preaching and teaching of several godly pastors. I have taught just about every age of children from Mission Friends through 7th and 8th grade girls in Sunday School and VBS. Also, this church has instilled in me a love for missions and I am active in the WMU here.

What’s next? Only God knows, but wherever, I know He will go before me, leading the way."

Submitted by Kathy Neal
WM Communications Coordinator