Six PVCA students had the privilege of participating in grass-roots activism at the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia yesterday, February 13. Ethan Bryson, Adam Raynes, Sarah Hedgpeth, Amber Lemmons, Natalie Raynes, and David Viers were accompanied by Pastor Shiflett and Mr. Raynes to the rally held in support of school choice legislation currently being debated by the senate and house.

Governor Sanford spoke in favor of the legislation as did Lt. Governor Bauer and other key lawmakers. In addition, SCACS Executive Director, Edward Earwood, made a powerful case for the importance of insuring that any legislation passed protected the schools' right to operate without government interference. 

We were able to speak with our Representative, Mr. Philip Shoopman, and our Senator, Mr. Lewis Vaughn. Both are ardent supporters of school choice, and we appreciate their leadership. Also, a reporter from The Greenville News interviewed Pastor Shiflett, and his remarks were included in the paper's article on February 14 about the rally.

A highlight of the rally was a speech given by a sixteen-year-old student at Capers Prep on John's Island. Labeled as a "behavioral and learning disabled" child, he believed that only one teacher at his school cared enough to help him learn. In middle school, he learned about a private, Christian school in his town. His curiosity turned to commitment when he learned that his favorite teacher had chosen to take a pay cut and move to Capers Prep where she had the freedom to teach children her Christian values along with her passion for academic excellence. This young man got a job at Subway to pay his own way. He has overcome every conceivable obstacle to reach for a future foreign to his own family and his peers.

The exciting day was capped off by an invitation to enjoy lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Earwood and Chad Connely from South Carolinians for Responsible Government.  

Bro. Jerry Sexton with Bearing Precious Seed (Bible publications) brought a tremendous message this morning on "Removing the Dross from the Silver." What a challenge to search our hearts and make sure that we haven't allowed carnality to tarnish the beautiful gift God has given to us. Then after our hearts were stirred by the good congregational and choir music, Bro. Shiflett preached with ALL he had from Revelation 3 on the "Open Door." Praise God for the opportunity to serve God in these perilous days. May God give us the grace to walk through every door of opportunity He sets before us!

Then in the evening service, Bro. Sexton presented his burden for the ministry of Bearing Precious Seed Bible publications. The church was touched by his passion and clear presentation of the power of the Word of God and gave a generous offering for Bible publishing. Following Bro. Sexton's challenge to the church, Bro. Shiflett brought a tremendous message on purpose  from Daniel chapter 1.

Just around mid-day today, Sister Dora Townsend was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord! We tend to view death as a sad thing, but God's Word declares that the death of one of His saints is PRECIOUS to Him.

The viewing will be Wednesday (2/14/07) at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Taylors, SC at 1:00 PM, and the funeral will be at 2:00 PM.  The church will be providing a meal for the entire Townsend family in the Raynes Building immediatly after the graveside service.  All food items may be dropped off prior to the funeral or just afterwards.

Dr. Larry K. Raynes and Pastor Stacey Shiflett will be preaching and the music will be done by the Townsend family and an assortment of musicians and singers from PVBC.

Bro. Max Alderman has brought four tremendous messages in our first-ever Stewardship Revival. On Monday night he preached on the tragedy of the church at Sardis having a name that they were living, yet were dead. What a tremendous response to the message as the people of God heeded the warning and begged God to keep us from such an awful fate. Pastor Shiflett's heartfelt prayer as the church family gathered in the altar at the end of the service was reminiscent of the Old Testament prophets interceding for their people.

Then on Tuesday, Bro. Alderman used Malachi and Deuteronomy to preach another message of warning. This message focused on the heart, and God is certainly doing some spiritual heart surgery here this week.

Wednesday night, the message dealt with Consecration.  Not just in quality, but also in quantitiy.  The example of David consecrating to God the materials for the Temple illustrated a willing heart; the secret to true consecration.

On Thursday night, the topic was on the principles of sowing and reaping, found in John 6 with the story of the lad with the lunch.  Understanding God's promise to bless the give is a difficult thing for some people, but once we realize that we cannot outgive God, we are in a position to receive tremendous blessing.  The hand that gives is the hand that gleans!  AMEN!

The junior high Life Science students are excited about their current hands-on learning experience, FROG DISSECTIONS! This week the students are applying what they have learned in their current chapter on the vertebrates by dissecting their frogs piece by piece. They will study the integumentary system, respiratory system, digestive system, muscular and skeletal systems. 

Lab groups are:

Team 1 - Lamour Ault, Joshua Barnett, and Kimberly Brown

Team 2 - Luke Johnson, Nathaniel Ogle, and Cody Quinn

Team 3 - Jessica Backer, Jesse Jordan, and Emily Raynes

Team 4 - Josh Bishop and Israel Thomas 

What a wonderful time in the house of God today! The Lord met with His people and gave liberty in the service this morning. The congregation lifted their voices in song as we praised the Lord for salvation with, "I'm Redeemed" and "Hallelujah, What a Saviour!" Then, God just "showed out" as the choir sang and testified through "He Never Gave Up", "O, For a Thousand Tongues", and "I'll Live Forevermore!"

Then, Pastor Shiflett preached a powerful message on, "The Horrors of Hell" from Luke 16. The altars were filled as folks prayed for lost family and left with a renewed burden for those around us. 

God added a precious family to our fellowship today, and it was a blessing to be in the house of the Lord!

In the evening service the adult choir sang two new songs, the congregation enjoyed "What a Day That will Be" and Brother Shiflett brought a tremendous message on the importance of preparing our hearts to receive what God has for us. He used the book of Ezra for his text and told WHY the hand of God was so good upon this man. You'll enjoy this outline here on the website.