Rising Star prepares to host state convention

By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Rising Star Baptist Church has the distinction of being the first predominantly black church in the region to host the annual session of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
The SCBO is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest denominations in the United States.
"Its significance can't be underestimated," said the Rev. Terry S. Bolds, senior pastor at Rising Star, 2943 Wardle Ave., "and we're thoroughly excited about it."
A majority of Southern Baptists are Caucasian, the Rev. Mr. Bolds said. "The conference will allow us to share the African-American experience."
Rising Star is a plant church of the Southern Baptists, he said, and has flourished locally. Its growth has been such that it has attained the level to be able to host such an event.
When
Mr. Bolds said the state convention will attract some 600 people from across Ohio and will take place Wednesday through Friday.
Location played a part in the choice. According to the official Web site, www.scbo.org, one of the associations making up the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio is designated as the Impact Association and special emphasis is placed on God's work in that geographic region of Ohio throughout the year.
Special events and mission opportunities are made available in churches that are part of the Impact Association. This year, the Steel Valley Baptist Association, of which Rising Star is a member, was designated. Rising Star is one of 31 churches in the association, with some 250 families.
Mr. Bolds said the church prepared for the convention through another major celebration -- its 25th anniversary that was observed in July. The four-day anniversary conference required a lot of planning and helped lay the groundwork for the state event.
Rising Star learned it would be the site of the state convention last year. "They are really efficient," Mr. Bolds said of the state planning group.
Looking forward
Mr. Bolds said the local church is especially looking forward to one of the speakers, the Rev. Gary L. Frost, former Rising Star pastor and former president of the State Convention of Baptists of Ohio.
"Leadership tasks and various roles were assigned within the church," Mr. Bolds said. Rising Star's grounds crew and trustee board is coordinating transportation, parking and security; the music department has various presentations; the kitchen crew will be serving lunches and dinners; and administrative assistant Tracy Rhodes also has helped with the planning, Mr. Bolds said.
The convention's theme is "Empowering Kingdom Growth -- Acts (of the Apostles) 1:8." The biblical verse, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."
Mr. Bolds said the New Testament verse refers to the spreading the word of God -- first at home, in the neighborhood, hometown and beyond.
Speakers
Speakers will include:
UJack P. Kwok, executive director-treasurer of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, who will speak on "Through the Power of the Spirit" Wednesday.
UJim Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, "Jerusalem," Wednesday.
UGary Jackson, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in the Ohio Valley Association, "Judea," Thursday.
UGary L. Frost, director of the Metro New York Baptist Association, "Samaria," Thursday.
UCliff Coleman, president of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, "President's Address," Thursday.
UDr. Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board, "Ends of the Earth," Thursday. He also will speak at the International Mission Board dinner Friday.
For more information, call Rising Star at (330) 746-5890.