Mission Minded Second Baptist Church Hosts Singing to Benefit Rose Hill Christian School
By Sonya Newman
Ashland Beacon
Many times, when we think of missions we think of areas out of our country or out of our region, but not all mission fields are on foreign soil. Some missionaries never leave the area, and some mission fields are in our own backyard. The Women on Missions from Second Baptist Church in Ashland recognize the incredibly valuable mission field in the hearts, minds, and most importantly souls of the students of Rose Hill Christian School. Saturday, April 29th the church will host its regular ‘Fifth Saturday Singing’, but this time the missionary recipient will be the school that shares the desire to infiltrate the heart, mind, and soul of its students.
“Rose Hill being a Christian School gets no funding from the federal or state government. It operates partially from the tuition it collects and the rest comes from donations and fundraisers,” Rose Hill Christian School Principal Lonnie Laney declared, “Second Baptist Church has adopted Rose Hill Christian School as their mission project. The church just wants to help the school.”
“Having led a church in the past with a Christian School ministry and then having two of my own children graduate from Rose Hill,” Rock Dearfield, Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Ashland explained, “We believe in the ministry and wanted to partner with them to produce strong believers and followers of Christ.” Given the financial constraint on a private Christian school, a fundraiser seemed to be a unique and fun way to raise money and demonstrate the missionary principles to the students. “We believe it is vital to expose our children to a Christian worldview through a solid Bible-centric education,” Dearfield concluded.
The Women on Missions President, Dina Griffith shared that the regular ‘Fifth Saturday Sing’ at Second Baptist Church in Ashland always has a missions recipient, and this installment will benefit Rose Hill Christian School. The line-up includes Bill Lightner, Beverly Sturgill, Brian Wheeler, Waldo Wilburn, Grace Harmonies, Mark Sluss with Lynn Dearfield, and performances by music students from Rose Hill Christian School. A light refreshment fellowship will follow in the church Life Center. The fundraising will be a part of a ‘love offering’ taken up during the sing. “The ladies (W.O.M) at Second Baptist Church are serious about sponsoring missions,” Griffith compels, adding “Anyone interested in sending a donation, can send their donation/offering to Second Baptist Church at 4950 Williams Ave.; Ashland, KY 41101 and mark on the memo of their check: for Rose Hill Christian School.”
Rose Hill Baptist Church Pastor Matt Shamblin expounded, “Although Rose Hill Christian School is a ministry of our church, it requires the support of community partners in seeing it flourish. We are thankful for so many wonderful community partners that are committed to Christ-centered education.” His reference to many partners just emphasizes the willingness of a faithful community to the values Rose Hill teaches daily. “Our world needs young people taught from a biblical worldview more now than ever before. These students are taught to put Jesus Christ first, family values and to be committed citizens,” Shamblin explained, “I am so thankful for this fundraiser of Second Baptist Church and their partnership in Christian education.”
Fifth Saturday Singing at Second Baptist Church starts at 6 p.m. and will be held at the church at 4950 Williams Ave. in Ashland.