| 1: Beth Helsel |
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| Years at the Center/Youthtime |
I was involved with the Center/Youthtime in the late 50s and early 60s rallies and roller skating parties. Then in the late 90's I came to work for the Center with David Grainge.
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| What was your best Memory? |
My best memory of my growing up days at the Center were the once a month Monday night roller skating parties. Back then the Christian Center didn't have a roller rink like we do now. We had to go to other skating rinks. We first started out at the roller rink on Main and Amherst Street then we switched to the rink on Abbot road. I'm not sure if either of them is still going. We would all pile into the car and head out there, there were lots of other kids from our youth group that also went.
We also met other kids from other Churches. We paid $2.00 to get in. I had my own skates. Everyone would skate around, and then we'd have skating for girls only, for guys only, couple skate and my favorite the Kentucky steal. I am not sure how or why they called it that. Maybe because of the way the skate is done; you would pick your friend to skate with and then pick 2 guys any two, it didn't matter who. You would start skating and someone would blow a whistle and the guys would move up to the next set of girls. It was fun and a good way to meet other young people.
Around 8:45pm Rev. Alan Forbes would come and he would give a Salvation message and then end with an invitation. We would then close with singing Just as I am. He would ask anyone who wanted to accept Jesus to go over to the side. There were youth leaders and older teens that would be there for the young people to talk with. They would explain the plan of salvation to them.
A little after 9:00 pm. we would do what was called the moonlight skate. That was that last skate for the evening. I am thankful to the Lord and the Center for providing an event like this.
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| Did you meet your spouse here? |
No
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| Testimony |
I don't have a great earth shattering testimony like some people do. the Lord blessed me with a very loving and Godly grandmother. She made sure that all of her girls (7 of them) and as much as possible her grandchildren were in Church and heard the gospel.
I was saved when I was in fourth grade during the release time classes that they held at my church (Prospect Avenue Baptist Church) back in the 50's. Release time was early dismissal from school on Wednesday afternoon to go to a Church or your church for Religious Instruction. The teacher gave a story, not sure what it was but after she finished she asked if anyone wanted to receive Jesus and I raised my hand (along with another boy) and stayed after to talk with her. She explained to me how I was a sinner and needed Jesus as my savior in order to get to Heaven. I feel that it wasn't until my married years in life that I became fully committed to serving the Lord and realizing just how much He controls everything that happens good and/or bad.
I have several favorite Bible verses. I think the one that speaks the most to me now is Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." things go better when you give God full control. Amen.
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| 2: Russ Bishop |
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| What was your best Memory? |
Alan and Jane have had a major impact on my life. I remember well their arrival some time in the "40's to begin ministry at my home church, Prospect Baptist. I can still see them in the large round sanctuary singing " Oh I'm Going to that Happy Jubilee " and " I'm Moving Up Home Today ", among other tunes that were new and exciting to a stuffy Baptist. They brought a touch of Pinebrook into our midst. And then the opportunity to launch Youthtime.
I was blessed in becoming a part of the musical team as a quartet member and sometime pianist, and what fun and joy as we ministered in Canada and western New York or put on the often zany annual banquets. It was a great crew and many have now " Moved Up Home " but their memory is still with me. There were sometimes tears as well, but our experience confirms that there is joy in following Jesus.
Lots of memories of Alan and Jane. Jane's raucous laughter ( especially following one of her own jokes ). Alan one night having to excuse himself in the middle of his sermon in order to heave ho and then returning as if this was a normal sort of occurrence. Jane orchestrating the music in the Saturday rallies so that it was one seamless flow as we slid off and on to the piano bench so there would be no break ( this was mercifully before the advent of the guitar ). And the gleam in Alan's eye when he got a hit off of me in the church softball league. I could go on.
But the thing that has always stood out for me is their tremendous faith -- that God would bring in the money for the various ministries and that he would supply their personal needs. I have never seen anything like it. I've told their story to many people--especial secular friends in the academic world who can't fathom that sort of existence. I'm so happy that God has blessed them in the geritol years with a large loving family and a touch of the comforts of life that they so richly deserve and I cherish their friendship through all of these years.
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