Frost Heave Revival

Our last recorded conversation with Rev. Dale Edwards took place on March 20, 2020 – just as the COVID-19 pandemic was landing. Of course, back then we really could not tell what the shape of the next 6 months would look like. But now, looking back on the last 6 months, Dale shares both some encouragement, but also some warnings to those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus in this time and place in history.

Camp Sentinel has a deep history with the American Baptist Churches of VT and NH. So many people in our congregations have vivid memories of days and nights spent on these 629 acres on the ridge of the Ossipee range, friendships forged, hearts awakened to the love of Jesus. This summer of 2020 Camp Sentinel was one of very few summer camps that stayed open. They certainly had to modify their approach, but with careful planning, hard work, and lots of trust in God, the camp was able to open and minister to hundreds of children and their families this summer. It's an amazing story and so we have the Director of Camp Sentinel, Kevin Van Brunt, with us today to tell us about what ti was like and how God was at work in spite of everything. 

If you want to know more about Camp Sentinel, you can check the website at www.campsentinel.org. If you would like to participate in the ministry, click on the DONATE button on the website, and follow the instructions. 

Kathleen Blackey is co-pastor, with her husband Chris, of the First Baptist Church of South Londonderry Vermont. For several years now, she has been practicing this quiet, beautiful, under the radar way of loving her neighbors. It is tangible. It is real, and it is tasty. 

Would you like to know what she has been doing? Would you like to hear how God has been using this to open doors for Kathleen to love her neighbors as well as doors within her own heart? Press the play button and listen to this episode of Frost Heave Revival. 

In this episode we talk with Chris Dunaway about what is going on at the Middle Street Baptist Church in Porstmouth NH. On their website, Middle Street says, "Life and faith can be messy, and we don’t run from that. But through it  all we trust that God is good, and through his son Jesus Christ and the  Holy Spirit he’s in the business of making everything right again."

That's a nice summary of Chris's philosophy of ministry. As Chris describes things at Middle Street, listen to how he avoids cliches about target audiences and marketing metrics. You will hear someone who isn't trying to be a CEO or an entrepreneur. You will hear a pastor with a shepherd's heart.

It used to be known as the IFL. Now it is LifeTree School of Ministry. What is all that about and why is it important for the ABCVNH? 

This episode we will talk with Ron Bouthillette, the new Associate Minister for Leadership and Discipleship for the American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire. Part of his "portfolio" for that role is working as the Director of LifeTree. We'll talk about what LifeTree is, the changes we are making, why it matters, and what you should do if you think God may be calling you into ministry or church leadership. 

To contact Ron, email him at ron.bouthillette@abcvnh.org. 

We talk with Regional Executive Minister Dale Edwards, and our new Associate Executive Minister of Discipleship Ron Bouthillette about the Annual Gathering that was postponed due to COVID-19. There were many great things planned, and now they are being postponed until November of 2020. We also talk about the spiritual state of the Region, the signs of hope, and the movement of the Holy Spirit that is turning a loose scattering of churches into a movement of discipleship of Jesus Christ. 

There are about 150 American Baptist Congregations in Vermont and New Hampshire.  We are for the most part, pretty old, pretty small, and we don't have much money. You could say things look bleak. 

Nevertheless, we have good reason to believe that God is not finished with New England yet. In the words of C.S. Lewis, Aslan is on the move.

That’s why we call this this podcast, Frost Heave Revival.

When Spring comes to New England, it means the road gets bumpy but it also means that maple syrup is flowing. And most important it means that it won’t be long before the leaves pop out and full summer is upon us. So we want to tell you true stories about the spiritual spring we believe is coming to New England. 

So hit that subscribe button, pull up your chair, and we will fill you in on all the good stories of what God is doing among the American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire.