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Pastor Mike Anderson and Courtesy of Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson isn't new to the Roanoke area, but he is new to Haran Baptist Church. Anderson began his pastoral duties in Southwest Roanoke County officially on September 1.

Anderson said he grew up in the Roanoke area and raised his kids, Nicole (Anderson) Thrasher, Jason Anderson and Chris Anderson. He has been married for over 25 years to his wife, Sandy. He also has two grandchildren, Ashlynn and Camden.

"I got involved in church late in life," Anderson said.

In the fall of 2000 Anderson began working on his undergraduate degree which he received in 2005. He then received his Master's from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School in Louisville. He completed that in May of this year.

Anderson said that he found out that Haran Baptist Church was looking for a new pastor from an acquaintance. And the timing was perfect- he was finished with seminary and ready to start his walk with Christ.

"It felt like the right fit for the church and right for me, so I moved to Roanoke about six weeks ago. I'm just grateful to move back here."

Prior to becoming a pastor, Anderson was a car salesman and worked in the restaurant business.

"My wife got involved in church and I saw the change it made in her. So I went and I took on leadership roles and one thing led to the other. Christ got a hold of me," Anderson said about his journey to Christ.

"I really felt that God was drawing me into full-time ministry. I just felt like if I got my Bachelor's and went to seminary to get my masters it would equip me to serve God better. I felt it would put us in a better position to serve Him full-time."

Anderson said that his experience thus far at Haran Baptist has been great and very welcoming.

"I'm still getting adjusted and meeting people and learning their names. Everybody has been very warm. It's a very loving church. It's been great."

Anderson also said that the church has a passion for the community.

"We are trying our best to see how we can impact the community for Christ," he said.

Upcoming events at the church include Trunk or Treat which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31. They are also holding a yard sale for Ashley Weeks of Goodview who is battling cancer. The yard sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Haran Baptist Church, 7539 Old Bent Mountain Road. The church will also be holding Christmas programs, youth programs, and an Adult Cantata.

"We are considering things they (the church) haven't done in the past and continuing things they've always done," he said.

Sunday School begins at 9:45 in the morning on Sunday's at Haran Baptist and Worship is at 11 a.m. They also have bible study, youth group, and a children's program every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

"We are a warm and accepting fellowship," Anderson said. "Bottom line is we're all sinners and no one is perfect. We hope people will come worship with us. I think we have a great future ahead of us. It's good to be back in the area."

Do you have news from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

ROANOKE, VA:    On Saturday, November 7, Cave Spring United Methodist Church will hold its annual church bazaar to usher in the fall and this year’s holiday season.  The hours this year are 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

This event, sponsored annually by the United Methodist Women of the church, will feature a wide range of church bazaar items, and is the culmination of weeks of work by the men and women of the congregation.

The selection of home made merchandise includes crafts of all kinds for fall and the holidays, baked goods, jams and jellies, and much more.  The “White Elephant” Rummage Sale, always a popular attraction with shoppers, will be repeated again this year.  And, food and drinks will be available for hungry shoppers in the “Bazaar Café”.

“The gifted ladies of the church have been working hard for weeks making many original crafts for holiday decorating and entertaining”, explained Bobbie Rust, Bazaar Chairman.  She added, There will be lots of wonderful gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, co-workers and shut-ins”.

Proceeds from this sale go towards mission work locally, nationally and globally...plus other projects sponsored by the United Methodist Women.  There is plenty of free parking at the church located at 4505 Hazel Drive, SW, just off Colonial Avenue between Routes 419 and 221.  For additional information, contact the church office.

Submitted by Al Colgrove

In its 24th year, Church of the Holy Spirit will dedicate its second, new sanctuary at 10 a.m. this coming Sunday. Anglican Mission in America bishop, The Rt. Rev. Terrell Glenn of Pawley’s Island, will be the guest preacher.
The new sanctuary has a huge sweeping view of Masons Knob and a state of the art sound and light system and a gently sloped floor.
A reception and time of fellowship will follow.
Please bring a dish and try to car pool due to limited parking at this service.
Families and friends can park at Penn Forest Elementary School and car pool over if the lot fills up.
For more information, e-mail Kim Worrell at Kimw@coths.org

Submitted by the Church of the Holy Spirit

You can view photos of the new sanctuary in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have news from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

Who: Haran Baptist Church located at 7539 Old Bent Mountain Road

What: Yard Sale and Bake Sale

When: Saturday, October 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activities will include: Yard Sale/ Bake Sale, Hotdogs, Chips, Drinks, Ice Cream

Gospel Music by: The Oyler Family (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)

All proceeds from the yard sale/bake sale will benefit Ashley Weeks and family. She is fighting a battle with breast cancer.

Members of Colonial Presbyterian Church enjoyed the afternoon hiking to the top of Flat Top Mountain (Peaks of Otter) on Sunday, October 4th.

Submitted by Kim Roe.

Do you have photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Dusty and Bob Fiedler celebrate 30 years with Covenant Presbyterian Church. Courtesy of Kitty Mortara

On Sunday, September 20th, the members and friends of Covenant Presbyterian Church celebrated with Co-pastors, Bob and Dusty Fiedler, the 30th anniversary of their ordinations into the ministry.  The Fiedlers graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1979 and, following a year of work in Richmond, were called by Second Presbyterian in Roanoke to serve as Associate Pastors.  They subsequently moved to Clemmons, NC to become Co-pastors of Clemmons Presbyterian Church.  In August, 1996, Bob and Dusty were called to serve as Co-pastors at Covenant.  After worship, led by Rev. Bill Klein, Pastor Emeritus at Second Presbyterian, the congregation enjoyed fellowship with the Fiedlers at a special luncheon.

-Kitty Mortara

"Colonial Avenue Baptist members Trevor and Melinda Ruble, Ric and Melissa Scott, Tim and Renee Thornhill and Kris and Jena Willis went to check out the U2 concert last week in Charlottesville. Our church has extensively supported and visited missionaries and a young man in Kenya for 6 years and appreciate the massive support U2 raises for the hungry in Africa. We recently sent members Martha Crockett and Jeannie Duddy there as our third mission team to Africa. All thought it was one of the best concerts they had ever been too. The huge,elaborate stage set seemed to devour Scott Stadium in Charlottesville as we expect the Hokies to do to the Cavaliers in November! The night with friends and 60,000 others there was a wonderful 50th birthday gift from wife Renee to Tim."

-Submitted by Tim Thornhill

She is fighting a battle with breast cancer. She is a strong and courageous, 27 year old wife and mother of two young girls that needs our LOVE and SUPPORT.

Where: HARAN BAPTIST CHURCH (7539 Old Bent Mtn. Rd.)
When: October 17, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Activities will include: Yard Sale/ Bake Sale, Hotdogs, Chips, Drinks, Ice Cream
Gospel Music by: The Oyler Family (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)

Take a chance on special items

On Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. students, parents, and faculty gathered together for a Convocation Service at Faith Christian School, something they do each year. Although the service is usually held at the beginning of the school year, this year it was postponed a bit.

The service was full of hymns, prayers, and celebration. Mr. Rhett Adams, Class of 2010 and SGA President gave the invocation and Miss Sarah Graninger, also Class of 2010 gave the scripture reading on I Thessalonians 1:2-10.

John Seel, Ph.D and President of TRI Core Entertainment, a good friend of Head of School, Mr. Samuel P. Cox, served as the guest speaker and gave the message

"It's a good time to assess the big picture," Seel said. "This school is built on every noble vision, a mind for truth, a heart for Christ, and a will to serve- an impossible mission apart from God. For this school to be successful, prayer has to be at the heart."

"We need each other. We are made to be in community," he said during his message.

Seel spoke of two different parents, those that are hands off parents and those that are hands on.

"The goal," he said, "is to embrace both simultaneously."

"Life is so demanding. It's hard. Studying is hard. We invite you into the pain and suffering of learning," he told the students. "Welcome to reality. If you are distracted all the time you won't appreciate reality. We need to be reality based and respect based."

Guests, Rev. David Blugerman a pastor at Wellspring Presbyterian Church, Mr. Corey Paxton, youth and young adult minister at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Rev. Tim McClymonds pastor at Garst Mill Presbyterian Church prayed on behalf of the faulty, staff and board, the students, and parents and the home respectively.

The service ended with a benediction by Mr. Thomas Mann, head of Middle and Upper School.

To view photos, click on the slideshow above or click here for a more traditional view.

Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, 2138 McVitty Road, off 419 across from Allstate, will hold their annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, October 17, from 8:00 until 3:00 in the Fellowship Hall. We will have seasonal and home decorating crafts, flower arrangements and wreaths, a country store with canned vegetables, jellies and fresh produce, a bake sale, and SERRV handmade crafts from artisans in other countries, as well as fair trade coffees and candy bars. Our chuck wagon will be in the parking lot with homemade breakfast biscuits, and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch. The funds raised will support our Samaritan Fund, an outreach ministry to the community helping individuals with utility bills, rent and groceries. Please come and join us on Saturday, October 17. We look forward to a day of fun and fellowship.

Submitted by Martha Gregory

Do you have news or photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.