Rutherford Weekly

N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com SALES SERVICE PARTS PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! GREAT SELECTION SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS ISSUE NO. 35 •September 3, ISSUE NO. 35 •September 3, 2020 • 2020 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 28 th Year IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! ©Community First Media Community First Media 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE MASK REQUIRED FACE MASK REQUIRED 828-229-3123 828-229-3123 12-6PM MON-SAT 12-6PM MON-SAT WE HAVE CBD FLOWERS WE HAVE CBD FLOWERS (NEW STRAINS) (NEW STRAINS) PUFF BAR, BIDI STICKS PUFF BAR, BIDI STICKS & SKATEBOARDS & SKATEBOARDS It's a thrift store. It's a golf tournament. It's a ministry to men getting out of prison. It's a long drive straight down the fairway for Jesus. Pilgrim's Pathway House Of Refuge will host another golf tournament October 24 at Cleghorn, but the ministry's most recent victory heard wedding bells. Joe Rogers spent six months living in the House of Refuge. He got out and began attending Rev. Wayne Staff ord's church, Pilgrim's Pathway Baptist Church in Green Hill. Staff ord is also the director of the House of Refuge. Since living on his own and working full time for a local plumbing company, Rogers met one of the church members and married Heather just a few days ago. "That's the kind of change Jesus can make in these men's lives," Staff ord said last week as he also celebrated the hiring of a new night manager, Daniel Behney. The new manager has a background in prison ministry and looks forward to working with the men at the House of Refuge. The thrift store is on Main Street, Spindale, just a few blocks from the House of Refuge. Support for the ministry comes from at least ten local churches, dozens of individuals, and churches from places like Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi. "The Lord called me; and the Lord has provided," Staff ord said of the ministry which began April 1, 2019. One of the most important provisions has come from two local churches who come in and serve dinner to the residents, all of whom have recently been released from prison. Rev. Paul White serves Mt. Lebanon Baptist and Rev. Chris Fox is at Bethany. Between them, these two churches feed on Tuesday and Thursday nights. "This is not only a great service to our men, but it saves us money for our food budget," Staff ord said. If you'd like to help with volunteering, donating, cooking dinner, prayer requests or just learn more, call the Refuge House at 828-202-5543. There's also a Facebook page and donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 216, Spindale, 28160. Staff ord said the ministry's current needs are: prayer, monthly fi nancial support or a one time love gift, a website designer, thrift store volunteers, golfers, hole sponsors, door prizes (gift certifi cates, etc) for the benefi t tournament Oct 24 at Cleghorn, a grant writer, paper products, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent. But most importantly Staff ord stressed, "Please let people know we are truly thankful and honored to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and to see these men give their lives to Him. That makes it all worthwhile! We defi nitely could not do it without the support of the people, churches and businesses of Rutherford County who are standing alongside of us on this journey! Thank God for answering prayers!" Golf Tournament, Thrift Store, Ministry All Need Support Living For Jesus Rescues Former Prisoners Story by Pat Jobe Story by Pat Jobe These golfers ponied up for Pilgrims Pathway House of Refuge last fall at Cleghorn. This year's tournament will be October 24. For more info, go the house's Facebook page or call 828-202-5543. Bond Prescribes The Tie That Binds COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY OFFERS A DEEPER EXPERIENCE OF THE WORD Dr. Chip Bond wants to fi x more than your bones. The local orthopedic surgeon hopes you'll let Jesus doctor your life. He has helped lead Community Bible Study in Rutherford County for 10 years. The group involves hundreds of local folks who are looking for a deeper and more transformative understanding of the Bible. New gatherings are set to begin in a few days here, both a night class and a day class, all online. The Evening Coed class is taught on Monday evenings at 7 pm starting Sept. 14. More details can be found here https://rutherfordeve.cbsclass.org/ The Day class is taught on Wednesday mornings 9:30 am starting Sept. 9 and can be found here https://rutherfordton. cbsclass.org/ What's the appeal? Bond said personal change has been tremendous for him. "I'm more empathetic with my patients," he said. "Things that used to frustrate me just don't any more." Community Bible Study, or CBS as they call it, gives participants the opportunity to "drill down," as Bond put it and get to know the Jesus/God, especially as found in John's Gospel. The course this year is in John's Gospel. One plug for the study says, "John was transformed by the years of close friendship he spent with Jesus and he wanted everyone (including YOU) to experience that same joy." The course includes small group discussions on Zoom, a large group teaching that usually lasts 15 minutes, also on Zoom, and material prepared by a professional which appears in a workbook. Other local folks who are involved: Greg and Hannah Poe, Cinda Fischer, Laurie Furse, Sheena Gabbard, Sherry Henderson and others. Bond said the study is no substitute for Sunday School and church. "In fact, we require everybody to be active in a local church." But the study is for people who want more than can be found on Sunday mornings. Story continued on page 3. Story by Pat Jobe Rev. Wayne Staff ord, left, poses here with Joe Rogers and his bride, Heather. The couple was married recently after Rogers graduated from the House of Refuge program. Rogers has lived independently for six months, is employed full time, and met Heather at the church where Staff ord is the minister.

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