Back in 1989, God spoke to my heart when I was living in McDowell County. I was led to start a place where both the young and old could go to have their mind, body and soul restored… a community center. I even obtained a business license and started a small group out of my home called “New Horizons Family Development.”

After many meetings and struggles, the dream was buried deep inside of me — the dream of child care, after-school programs, training programs, educational programs, etc. In the meantime, I returned to college to get my bachelor’s degree and again to get my master’s degree. Along with my husband, I also raised my three children and two foster children (for seven years).

Just as a seed must die in order for a flower or fruit to bloom, so has my dream died only to resurface as an opportunity to see that, though the vision tarry, it will surely come.

Habakkuk 2:2-3: “Then the LORD replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’ “

I was flabbergasted to discover that there was a vacancy at the Wade Center. My grandson had attended it a couple of years ago.

At every interview, I felt like I was destined to fulfill the job. Now that I am actually sitting at the desk, maintaining daily operations and planning and dreaming for the future of this great center, I have a greater appreciation for God who, in His infinite wisdom, ordained me to fulfill this mission.

When Joshua followed Moses as leader, God assured him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:5-6). Similarly, I feel God’s presence walking, talking, leading and guiding me each and every day. No matter what difficulty I face as executive director, I love my job because God placed me here. And as the great Frederick Douglas said, “Where there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

I am here to take the Wade Center to the next level. My assignment might be for one year, five years, ten or twenty. I really do not know. But while I am here, I will bring order and excellence to the Wade Center while providing quality care and opportunities for learning and enhancement of life to both the youth and, through a rippling effect, their families.

When I was growing up in McDowell County, we were never bored! We had summers filled with hopscotch, blockcan,jumprope, jackrocks and foursquares. And no, it did not stop there! We had positive role models in our community who trained us to memorize speeches for the Easter program and the Christmas program at church. My Aunt Maggie Kellum was my best friend.

She spent quality time with me in her flower garden and gave me beautiful samples that were placed in pop bottles and water for an instant flower vase. I had role models like Bishop Arnie Joyce who had a big green bus and opened his doors and his heart to young people. We traveled all over West Virginia singing in a community choir. The choir had young people who went on in life to become missionaries, preachers, teachers, and musicians….now their children are following in those some paths. Bishop is a man of great wisdom but always found time to help and to incourage young people, one of which I was. I always have and always will love and respect him for all that he had invested and planted in me. If I go on to be great in life, it will be greatly because of his early contribution of training and sewing seeds into my life.

The Late Dr. Margaret C. Mills was a mentor and role model to me in the education and leadership area. I cannot count the lectures she has given me on integrity, patience, and importance of service. She worked along with the Late Ernest C. Moore to help establish the birthday holiday for Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.. She also stressed the importance of multiculturalism in our schools, churches, and community. I have embraced those principles and will really use them in my new appointment at the Wade Center.

My parents were my first teachers. My Mom (Nannie Brogdon) still resides in Thorpe (Turnhole) WV and I have inherited her sense of humor. She is the greatest recordkeeper/secretary I ever met! When faced with difficult experiences in life , she always told me “baby you just run your business, while they run their mouths” I am in the process of writing a book about her entitled, “Grandma’s Porch.” It seems that both children and adults would find their way to her front porch where they would talk and she would listen or sometimes she was not even home and they would just sit out there and swing. There is so much comfort just to be around someone like her. She is a virtuous woman and I desire to walk in her footsteps.

My father (The Late Benjamin P. Brogdon, Jr. ) was a great influence in my life. He incouraged me to keep my grades up by promising me a new car. I kept my bargain and he rewarded me with a 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. He gave me life lessons about the importance of education, independence, and self-sufficiency. I have used those lessons more than probably any others that I have been taught by mentors. He also stressed that you should not give up so easily. I guess that is where I get my will to fight. The great thing is I now get to fight for the best interest of the youth in Mercer County. What a privilege and an honor!

I am so blessed to have a spiritual Mother, Elder Yvonne Law of Beckley WV (Pastor of Living Waters Apostolic Tabernacle, Inc.) who has been so supportive of my talents and callings. She also has and continues to give me counsel and spiritual wisdom which hones the raw resources that are within. She supports my Hearts-2-Heal Ministry in every way (as I minister to the mind, body, and soul of hurting singles and couples) as well as my teaching, preaching, praise team/worship, and musical gifts. I am so glad to have her in my life!

The word “evangelism” strikes terror in many of our hearts.  Somehow we’ve been misguided to believe that we need a black belt in theologyto share the gospel.  Yet one way we simple way share the good news of Jesus is that we share our testimony.  Like the man born blind we say, “One thing I do know.  I was blind, but now I see!” (John 9:25).

In his book, Just Walk Across the Room:  Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith, Bill Hybels shares a simple pattern for sharing our testimony.   He calls it the “before and after” pattern.  It’s so simple!

• BEFORE – First, think of one word or theme that characterized your life before coming to Christ.  For example:  lonely, clueless, afraid, arrogant, complacent, angry, dirty, rebellious, etc…  After you choose this key word (or theme), then briefly explain how your life was characterized by this one word.
• CHRIST – Secondly, state the fact that you came to Christ.   You may do this by referencing someone sharing the gospel with you, hearing a sermon, reading the Bible, reading a book, etc…
• AFTER – Lastly,  choose one word or theme that now characterizes your life with Christ.  For example:  forgiven, clean, accepted, loved, patient, etc…  Then, briefly describe how your life with Christ is defined by this new one word (or theme).

What does this look like? I’ve posted below two examples of how I could share my “before and after” story.  Notice that they are both under 100 words.  I could share this simple story with someone in under a minute:

“I used to be obsessed with Michael Jackson.  I wanted to dress, sing, and dance just like him.  I wanted to be Michael Jackson!  Life was just about having fun and doing whatever I wanted.  When I heard about Jesus, my life was blindsided with this question, “What does God want?”  That question had never entered my mind.  God wants us to love His Son, Jesus.  Now, my new obsession is wanting to learn more about Jesus and love Jesus more.”  (81 words)

“I’ve always been a perfectionist.  I’ve always counted my worth by what I can accomplish.  But no matter how hard I try, I’ve never felt good enough.  I can never do enough!  When I learned about Jesus, I learned that I could never be perfect.  I could never do anything to earn God’s love.  I still struggle with perfectionism, but I’m learning what matters.  Jesus is perfect!  What matters is what Jesus has accomplished with His life, death, and resurrection.  His life gives my life worth, and His love is a free gift.”  (93 words)

Remember:  1) Be brief and clear  2) Be humble and honest  3) Use everyday language.

Now, share your testimony!  Fill out our PDF form and bring it to worship next week!

Ever wonder how we pick songs for worship@wade?  Check out this post from my personal blog for a little behind-the-scenes insight!

by Creative Arts & Media Dir. Bill Whitt

Just wanted to let you all know that I’m giving away a copy of my book, God All Around.  To enter, hop on over to my personal blog, where you can also read a chapter a day until the giveaway!

I’m also very excited to announce that this book is now available from Amazon.com and other select retailers.  What a blessing it has been to be a part of this work!

Christian band Sevenglory is coming to the Wade Center!  Their concert is scheduled for April 25 at 7 p.m. in our auditorium.  The cost is only $5!

You’ll probably recognize them from their radio hit, “Just Me.”  For more info, check out sevenglory.com and myspace.com/sevenglory!

This Sunday was one of those days (for me, at least) that you wake up to the shock of snow-covered roads.  Maybe it wouldn’t be such a shock if I watched the weather more often, but they’re wrong at least half of the time.  (And I can say that because one of my best friends is the weather guy.)

Anyway, after the shock subsides, the first thought in my head is… I wonder if any band members are going to show up.  This week, only three could make it, but we worked a little magic to make us sound like a bigger band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB6juStxJPM&fmt=22

P.S. If you missed Sunday, like most of our band did, you can listen to the sermon online in our message archive!

This video was from 2008 and shows how we used a morphing of traditional art in the background to tell the Christmas story, while a dulcimer-led song called us to worship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6b37ghSTI&fmt=18

Welcome to Wade’s new blog!  You may be wondering why we have a blog when we already have a Website?  Two reasons, really:

• Faster Content Updates – Blogs allow people with no Web design experience to easily put content online.  Now, staff can directly post about anything, anytime!
• Interactivity – Now you have a voice too!  Our staff may be writing the articles, but you can leave comments and engage in discussion — with us and with one another.

We’re very excited about making this blog a big part of our Website.  In the Web 2.0 revolution, it’s all about creating community — no longer a one-way flow of information.  How cool!  That’s what our ministry is about too!