Washington Baptist Church Holds Lay Renewal Weekend

Written by Georgia Herod

“The Devil’s not going to win today,” declared Buddy Russell, as he pulled his pickup into the parking lot.   Determined he was not going to miss what God had for him, he had driven for at least five miles with a flat tire in order to get to the Saturday morning session of the “Made to Count” spiritual renewal weekend at Washington Baptist Church, Washington, VT, held May 14-16. 

A year ago, shortly after becoming a Christian, Russell attended his first renewal weekend.  During that time God made it clear to him that he was to participate in an upcoming missions trip to North Carolina.  He was confident God had something for him this year too.

For the third year in a row, Washington Baptist Church has conducted a spiritual renewal weekend.  The first year emphasis was on the individual’s spiritual journey inward, as well as being connected to the Body of Christ.  The second renewal weekend focused on believers understanding and identifying their spiritual gifts for ministry.

This year the theme was “Made to Count”—God intends for believers to lead lives of significance and make an impact in their individual spheres of influence.  God calls His people to be on mission 24/7.  The Christian life is not “church”; it is a personal relationship with the Living Lord, all day, every day, whether at home, school, work, play, or in the marketplace.  For some believers, that is a radical idea!

Throughout the weekend, which began with a meal on Friday night, about 30 members of WBC were challenged to discern how God had gifted and called them to be missionaries where they are.  On Saturday evening members were asked if they were willing to be committed to the mission where God was calling.

Some of those who responded shared their specific areas of ministry.  Mary Lou Moore, administrative assistant at an elementary school, knows that God has placed her in that school to pray for the children and their families. Buddy Russell, a roofer, believes God has called him to participate in mission teams and to be sensitive and aware of the lost men who daily work alongside him.   Donna Vermette, who substitute teaches, senses a deeper call to minister in the local schools.  Donna Edson, a new member of WBC, declared that her place of ministry was the senior housing unit in which she lives.  On Sunday morning at the end of the service, 26 members were commissioned as missionaries of Washington Baptist Church. 

Ken Kennedy led the WBC leadership team comprised of Penny McLaughlin, Sue Gardner, Linda Fleurrey, Pastor Jim Herod, Carolyn Black, and Georgia Herod.  Henry and Robin Bass, from NC, have served as lay team leaders for each of the three renewal weekends WBC has experienced.  Serving with them were T.C. and Brenda Carter and Rebecca Kiker (youth leader), who had also participated in previous weekends. 

New to the team were North Carolinians Stacy Curtis, Babs Lloyd, Frances McGee, Ginger Chappell, and Alicia Williams, who shared testimonies and led small groups.  C.L. Chappell served as the teacher.  Bob and Gail Zalcek, from Connecticut, taught the children’s sessions. 

As significant as the teaching times and small groups are, spending time together around the tables for five meals provides opportunities for relationships to grow in a different way than by just attending worship.

Each renewal weekend concludes with a time for reflection and evaluation.  For nearly two hours on Sunday, May 16, participants asked questions to better understand the focus of the weekend, while others encouraged and affirmed one another.  After Pastor Herod asked what was the most significant part of the weekend, Helen Russell, a believer for just over a year, said that the most important part for her came as the result of the children’s teaching time. 

The Zalceks, using the models of babies developing in the mother’s womb, had shared that even before we were born, God knew all about us and had a plan for us.  Russell’s daughter, Destiny Miller, had “fallen in love” with the babies and hastened to show them to her mother.  Russell was deeply moved by her daughter’s tender fascination—and then Russell, tearfully shared the greater significance: “Sixteen years ago, I had an abortion, not really understanding what I was doing.” In that moment, like laminin, the cell adhesion molecule, which holds every part of our bodies together, transparency and candor bound together the hearts and lives of those present. They experienced what it means to be the Body of Christ in a fresh, deeper way.   

Later, nearly everyone who participated agreed with Sue Gardner, who said, “The most valuable part of the weekend was the Sunday evening sharing of people’s hearts.  Testimonies are probably the most meaningful interaction Christians have.”   

As the weekend drew to a close, Ken Kennedy, the chairman of the planning committee, asked if we should schedule another renewal weekend next year.  In spite of the work and the time commitment, everyone strongly encouraged him to proceed. 

In the meantime, WBC members are setting about living out their commitments to be missionaries where God has placed them.  They are choosing to be intentional in living lives that are “made to count.”  Like Buddy Russell, no one wants to miss out on what God has for them each day.