This month we hosted our 5th Annual National Old Paths Bible Conference.  The theme was “Breaking Barriers.”  This year’s conference was dynamic.  We experienced a 40% attendance increase over the 2009 conference.  Pastor Owens and Evangelist Allen Domelle co-host this tremendous event.  The speakers this year were Dr. Darrell Cox, Dr. Gary Berry and several men from our church staff.  The ladies’ sessions were filled and over flowing. The music was delightful and the skits were hilarious.  

This month we kicked off our new Grade School Intramural Volleyball and Indoor Soccer League.  These first-class programs have been an excellent addition to our Martinsburg Christian Academy ministry.

We started our Spring Attendance-Building Program with the theme “Breaking Barriers.”  On the first week, our bus ministry broke their all-time attendance barrier.  This week we also hosted a Baby Dedication Service where parents promised to rear their children for the Lord.  Each child received a New Testament from Pastor Owens.  We dedicated 103 children, 3 years old and under, during that special service.  On week two, we broke our all-time Sunday night church attendance barrier.  On week 3 we broke our adult Sunday school attendance barrier.  Many of our Sunday school teachers, bus captains and ministries have broken the barrier of their all-time attendance records.  We have virtually seen hundreds walk the aisle making public their salvation. 

February was very eventful.  Martinsburg Christian Academy hosted its annual High School Basketball Tournament. 

We also experienced an outrageous amount of snow that paralyzed our area.  Our Nation’s capital, Washington DC, was shut down due to snow.  Praise God the Shenandoah Bible Baptist Church didn’t cancel one service due to weather.

Our church hosted its annual Adult Valentine’s Banquet.  Pastor Owens spoke on the subject of love.  The banquet facility was filled to capacity with adults. We honored our Assistant Pastor, Dr. Mike Bageant at the banquet.  It was a sweet time as we watched Bro. Bageant and his wife, June, renew their wedding vows. Please pray for him as he is facing a battle with cancer.

Martinsburg Christian Academy had a week-long school revival that was a tremendous success. 

Our Bible College offered a second semester of courses.

We have had a fantastic start to the year 2010.  In January, we hosted our annual Faith Promise Missions Conference.  This year’s theme was “So Many Souls, So Little Time.”  Our Missions Director, Dr. Steve Heidenreich, was the keynote speaker.  He hit a homerun with bases loaded.  We had a higher level of financial promise made by our people this year than in any previous years.  Each night we honored Missionary Byron Willis of Panama.  Bro. Willis has been fighting a severe bout of throat cancer.  Our Youth Department gave Bro. Willis’ ministry 3,000 copies of Gospels.  It was an incredible conference.

Our church’s new website was made available to the public on Sunday, February 28, 2010.