vvvvvvvv
VOTING "NO" ON VIDEO
POKER
NOVEMBER 2, 1999
Gambling is not a political issuethere are no candidates. It is a
moral issue. There are people who will try to lead us to believe that gambling is okay if
it somehow will contribute even the smallest amount of money to education. These people do
not realize the grave damage that gambling does to the individual, the family, and the
community. Gambling is responsible for many broken marriages and a host of children going
to bed hungry at night. Think of all the tax dollars we pay out each year to support the
families who are on government assistance. Most of us are getting tired of keeping up the
healthy able-bodied people who are too lazy to work. And now to expect us to take on an
additional tax burden of keeping up those who will throw away their money on video
gambling is just too much. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NKJV) "For even when we
were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat."
We must always stand ready to help anyone who is unable to work because
of health problems or other circumstances beyond their control. We must be ministers of
the gospel in every situation. May we never lose our compassion for those who are in need.
(James 2:15-16 NKJV) {15} If a brother or sister is naked and
destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be
warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the
body, what does it profit?
However, we must sometimes be "our brothers keeper" to help
him see the error of his way, and video poker is one of the biggest. Video poker is the
"crack cocaine" of gambling, and we simply must put an end to this hazard.
Pastors, we are counting on you to lead the congregation you serve to
see the truth of what video gambling does to people and get your people to vote November
2,1999. Our churches are very much pastor driven. If the pastor gets a burden and carries
it to the pulpit, the people in the pew will move into action. Therefore, pastors, we must
join together and pray and preach the truth about the moral issues of video gambling.
Sunday, September 19,1999, has been set by the SBC as "Gambling Awareness Day."
This will be a good day to start preaching on this subject. Pastors, you will be receiving
action pack guides from the state convention. Please make full use of this and all
materials which are available for you. I am also accessible to help any way I can.
We must get all our people registered to vote. Registration can be done
until October 1,1999, but do not put if off--register now. Regardless of how strongly you
believe, it will not count if you do not vote.
Pickens was one of 12 counties that voted to ban video poker within its
borders years ago only to have those mandates tossed out by the Supreme Court. According
to what we are told by our elected officials, this vote will be a decree by the people and
it will stand. Therefore, this is a winner take all vote. Our no vote will stop the
payouts on video poker statewide.
If we win this vote, we can move on to other moral issues like
abortion. If we lose this vote, then our voice as a Christian community will lose its
effectiveness, and the enemy will move on to open our state to many other forms of
gambling.
Let each of us do our part. It is time to summons our people to
service.
May I make another plea to you. Will you pray and seek Gods will
about increasing your gifts to your association. Think of what we could do if all our
churches gave at least 3% of their undesignated gifts to the association. If you are
already giving 3% or more, would you continue to be a leader and consider increasing your
giving. As a pastor, I saw the gifts to the church grow as we grew in our gifts to
missions.
Public Morals & Ethics
Committee
Keith Davis

News Briefs
Brushy Creek: POWER Conference is coming up soon.
The dates are Sept. 26-30. Dont miss E V. Hill, Jerry Falwell, Johnny Hunt and
Bailey Smith.
Georges Creek: Eric Batson has begun his duties as full-time
Minister of Music & Youth. We welcome Eric and Kristen to PBA.
Mt. Carmel has opened their Christian School for grades K4 - 6th
grade plus afterschool care. For more information call 246-8834.
Mt. Pisgah: Jim Upton has resigned as Minister of Youth/children
to accept a similar position at Northside in Anderson.
Powdersville First: Jack Hester is celebrating his 50th
year in gospel ministry with "Jubilee Celebration" Sept. 12-15 with Jr. Hill,
Michael Hamlet and Johnny Hunt.
Brad Kelley was ordained to the ministry and David Bagwell was licensed to preach the
gospel in services on August 15th which was the 16th anniversary of
the church.
Release Time program of Anderson County needs a van. Please call
Billy Ausburn at 269-1328 or 269-4845.

September Prayer Calendar
Birthdays:
2 Linville Miller, Pastor, Hunts Memorial
7 Robert Fowler, Pastor, Elljean
9 Darlene Allgood, Wife of Min. of Youth, Mt. Carmel
15 Pat Case, Wife of Pastor, Georges Creek
17 Anita Williams Wife of Summit Heights Webmaster
21 David Gallamore, Pastor, Rock Springs
22 Rick Baumgarner, Minister of Music, Easley First
22 Sue Ellen Hicks, Wife of Pastor, Corinth Two
26 Allen Moore, Pastor, Cateechee
28 Mike Williams Summit Heights Webmaster http://members.tripod.com/summitheights
29 Troy Sudduth, Husband of Office Manager, PBA
Wedding Anniversaries:
7 Rick & Carol Jo Baumgarner, Min. of Music, Easley First
16 Richard & Amy Fuller, Min. of Music, Brushy Creek
22 Gary & Cathy James, Pastor, Faith
Staff Anniversaries:
1983 - Calvin Bryant, Pastor, Crosswell First
1983 - David Gallamore, Pastor, Rock Springs
1988 - Steve Ellis, Min. of Music, Siloam
1988 - Jim Tippins, Pastor, Summit Heights
1994 - Greg Russ, Pastor, Enon
1998 - Mike Reid, Pastor, DayStar
2-11 Upper State Fair Ministry
4 USC Game & Youth Rally, Columbia
6 PBA Office Closed for Labor Day
7 AMDC, PBA Office, 7:00 p.m.
18 Mens Ministries Prayer Breakfast, PBMC cafeteria, 7:30 a.m.
12 Single Adult Day
14 Disaster Relief Meeting, PBA, 7:00 p.m.
14 Parents Prayer Rally, Easley First, 7:00 p.m.
15 Support Our Schools & See You at the Pole
12-19 Season of Prayer for State Missions & Offering
19 Anti-Gambling Day
20 New Staff "Jump Start" Conference, SCBC
25 Stop Violence Seminar