HJ260: Commending Battlefield Baptist Church on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

WHEREAS, Battlefield Baptist Church, located south of Vint Hill and known as a "lighthouse on a hill,"  celebrated its 25th anniversary during the weekend of November 19-20, 2005, with speakers, music, tributes, and special services; and

WHEREAS, founding pastor K. G. Skinner describes Battlefield Baptist Church as "a hospital for the weary soul—a place where folks come who are hurting, to get mended, build strong families and deeper relationships"; and

WHEREAS, in 1980 the first services of Battlefield Baptist Church were held in a former Seventh-Day Adventist church building; the congregation very soon outgrew the facility, purchased the old Huntingwood Motel in Gainesville, and in the mid-1980s, a new 500-seat auditorium was built and dedicated; and

WHEREAS, after a mere year and a half, a small tornado hit the new sanctuary, causing $50,000 in damage, and the congregation rallied to repair the damage, as well as add a new foyer, which doubled the sanctuary seating to 1,000; and

WHEREAS, the Battlefield Baptist family continually reaches out to the community and its neighbors; the church owns 31 acres and a complex of 33,000 square feet, completely debt-free and built by members, with plans underway to renovate the administrative offices and Sunday school; and

WHEREAS, under pastor K. G. Skinner's leadership, Battlefield Baptist has grown to offer 10 adult Sunday school classes, an active singles ministry, and a Spanish ministry; and

WHEREAS, Battlefield Baptist Church's diverse music department continues to grow, providing music from numerous gifted groups, including the adult and teen choirs and the King’s Kids choir and orchestra; and

WHEREAS, Battlefield Baptist Church is an exciting and nurturing place for young people, offering activities such as the new drama team, Xtreme Vision Teens, and the Upward Basketball and Cheerleading program; and

WHEREAS, the dedicated congregation of Battlefield Baptist Church generously supports 100 missionary families and projects throughout the year, and 42 members have been called into full-time Christian service as missionaries, pastors, youth directors, and schoolteachers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Battlefield Baptist Church on the occasion of its 25th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Battlefield Baptist Church as an expression of the General Assembly’s best wishes for continued success in its ministry.