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BCC Legacy Stories |
1:
Beth Helsel
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Years at
the Center/Youthtime |
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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? |
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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? |
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NO
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Testimony |
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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? |
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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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