Captain Eugene McDaniel, Navy pilot and recipient of the Navy Cross, the second highest award given by the Navy, will be the guest speaker at the Event Center on Webb Road at 11 a.m. next Sunday, June 26.
On May 19, 1967, while on his 81st combat mission over North Vietnam, Eugene ěRedî McDaniel was shot down while flying his A-6 Intruder. He was listed as ěmissing in actionî until 1970, when the North Vietnamese acknowledged that he was being held prisoner. He was held for 2,116 days and released March 4, 1973. He served as chaplain to other POWs, giving them spirital guidance. Captain McDaniel was one of the most beaten prisoners during his six years in captivity.
His Navy Cross medal reads in part: ěDue to an unsuccessful escape attempt by two of his fellow prisoners, his captors launched a vicious round of torture to single out the senior POWs who were to blame for the breakout. During these torture sessions a confession led to exposing him as the communications link between the senior ranking officer of the main prison camp and the adjacent annex detachment. He accepted the responsibility for the escape and fabricated a story of his own planned escape. After interrogation, the enemy severely tortured him in their attempt to obtain information about the organization and policies of the American POWs in the camp. Under the most adverse of conditions, he heroically resisted these cruelties and never divulged the information demanded by the North Vietnamese.î
In addition to the Navy Cross, Captain McDaniel also earned two Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars with Combat V, and 2 Purple Hearts. He is also author of the book ěBefore Honorî and also ěScars and Stripes,î which tells about his captivity. His wife, Dorothy, wrote ěAfter The Hero’s Welcome.î She also leads the movement across America to have the POWs returned home.
This is the eighth year Cornerstone Church and the Event Center has honored our military and local emergency personnel. Last year U.S. Senator Richard Burr was the guest speaker. Captain McDaniel will be available also after the event for a book signing.
World of Faith program clarification
Some changes have been made to the roster of summer activities at World of Faith Outreach Ministries. Although the ministries had hoped to provide all programs at no expense, due to recent increases in the price of goods and transportation, some of the activities will require a fee. The church will also be accepting donations to cover the expense of other programs. All donations are tax deductible, with receipts provided. All are still welcome to participate in the summer activities. For further information, contact the church at 704-754-1240.
World Outreach is located at 2600 Cottage Street.
Woodleaf UMC
WOODLEAF ó On Sunday, from 4-6 p.m., there will be an antique car, truck and tractor show at Woodleaf United Methodist Church (across from Woodleaf Elementary). Anyone wishing to enter a car, truck, motorcycle or tractor is welcome to bring them.There is no entrance fee for vehicles. Hotdogs, chips and drinks will be for sale. People Choice Trophies will be awarded at 6 p.m., followed by a concert by Valor II.
Proceeds go toward the Woodleaf UMC Health Ministries Program.
Bolivian mission program
Luther’s Lutheran Church is hosting missionaries from Bolivia Justin and Karrie Eller today during their vacation Bible school program at 10 a.m. today. The Ellers grew up in East Rowan and are home for furlough. Justin and Karrie will share information about their ministry and the ways God is touching the lives of Bolivian Lutherans. A love offering will be accepted. The VBS program will also include teaching and activities that focus on God’s Creation and our Stewardship of it. The program includes music, lunch, crafts and a balloon release. All ages are welcome.
On Sunday Luther’s will honor our fathers during worship and also host Gideon Bob Jones as he shares about the Gideonsí ministry in East Rowan. Sunday school begins at 10 am and worship starts at 11 am.
Youth conference
EAST SPENCER ó Love Christian Centerís annual Youth Conference will be Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. and will offer special music and fellowship. At 3 p.m. Sunday June 26, Pastor Glenn Usry, pastor of Christian Outreach of the Piedmont will be the guest speaker. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation. Love Christian Center is located at 102 N. Long St. For more information, contact 704-433-1341.
Cruise-in
CLEVELAND ó There will be a cruise-in at Knox Chapel United Methodist Church, 3520 Amity Hill Road, Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
There will be antique cars, motorcycles and hot rods, plus food and music. Donations are welcome.
For information, call 704-872-9262 or 704-528-3154.
ëMen Who Cook
The annual ěMen Who Cookî fundraiser at Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church will be held today at 5 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Other area men are welcomed to participate by bringing their special dish. Donation of $6 can be paid at the door. The church is located at 500 Partee Street.
Pastor appreciation
Providence AME Zion Church, 2415 Providence Road, will have a pastor appreciation service Sunday at 3 p.m. to honor the Rev. Tamica L. Robinson. A meal will be served at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
Oakdale Baptist
SPENCER ó The worship service on Fatherís Day at Oakdale Baptist Church, 200 Charles Street, will be at 10 a.m. The service will be a vacation Bible school kick-off event featuring children and leaders presenting the new music for Bible school next week.
Union Lutheran
Union Lutheran Church, 4470 Bringle Ferry Road, will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity this Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be the focus of the service.
Vacation Bible school is June 20-24. School begins at 5:30 p.m. with a meal. Classes are from 6-8 p.m. nightly. The theme for the week is ěBig Jungle Adventure,î a faith journey with Jesus. The school is open to all children and youth. Each year VBS adopts a project to aid our fellowman. This year, Heifer Project has been chosen.
Solid Rock Church of God
Sunday at 11 a.m., Anthony McCullough, associate minister at The Park Ministries, Charlotte, under Bishop Claude R. Alexander, Jr., will be the guest preacher at Solid Rock Church of God, 1002 Locke St., Sunday at 11 a.m. Dinner will be served immediately following the morning worship.
Potterís House Outreach
The United Ministerial Alliance will host its third Sunday service at the Potter’s House Outreach Ministries located at 119 A & B Clancy St. on Sunday at 7 p.m. The guest preacher will be Rev. Olen Bruner, Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Salisbury.
New Beginning
CONCORD ó At 3 p.m. June 26, Norman Lee Goodes and Sylvia Roseman Goodes of Salisbury will present their initial sermons at New Beginning Church of God, 5717 Alexander Road.
Menís day program
Rose of Sharon Church of God will be observing its menís day program on Sunday at 3 p.m. The speaker will be Pastor James I. Smith of Oak Grove Baptist Church, who will bring his menís choir and congregation.
The 11 a.m. speaker is Dr. Lewis Walker. Area churches are invited. For more information, call 704-637-8087 or Addie N. Belton at 704-633-4655.
Program for the deaf
The Jehovahís Witnesses invite those interested to several upcoming district conventions held at the Assembly Hall of Jehovahís Witnesses, 3401 Old Concord Road. The theme is ěLet Godís Kingdom Come!î
The first convention, June 24-26, will be in American Sign Language. The following week, July 1-3, the convention will be in French.
The program will begin at 9:20 a.m. The daily themes are based on passages of Scripture including Matthew 4:17, Matthew 6:33, and 2 Peter 1:11. There is no admission fee.
Locally, all of the areaís 68 congregations of Jehovahís Witnesses will be supporting the activity of distributing printed invitations to the convention. An estimated 2,600 will come to Salisbury Assembly Hall over two successive weekends for the Bible-based programs.
Throughout the continental United States there will be 381 conventions in 98 cities. Worldwide, there are more than 7 million Witnesses in more than 107,000 congregations.
Fathers Day at Cornerstone
This Sunday, at 9 and 11 a.m., Cornerstone Church will be honoring all men in celebration of Fatherís Day. Every man in attendance will receive a small token gift.
The church will also honor its high school and college graduates.
Gethsemane Baptist
Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church will have a guest speaker, the Rev. Marvin T. Clowney Sr., at its 10:45 a.m. worship service. Clowney is pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Clinton.
Rev. Clowney is the husband of Tonda S. Clowney and he is the father of three children and six grandchildren.
He was ordained in October 1980 by the Lane Creek Missionary Baptist Association. In 1991 he received his Bachelor of Theology from Sugar Creek School of Religion in Charlotte and in2000 & 2004 he received his Bachelor of Religion and Philosophy and his Master of Divinity from Campbell University, Buies Creek.
Calvary VBS
KANNAPOLIS ó Calvary Baptist Church, 703 Buick Ave., will hold Vacation Bible School June 26-30 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. for children ages 3 through sixth grade. For information, call 704-938-4691.
Stallings Memorial VBS
Stallings Memorial Baptist Church is hosting ěThe Big Apple Adventureî vacation Bible school June 19-June 23, from 6-8:30 p.m. The commencement program will be held on Friday, June 24 at 6 p.m. To register for VBS please call 704-209-3909.
First Baptist China Grove VBS
The Big Apple Adventure vacation Bible school is coming to First Baptist Church in China Grove June 20-24 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Children age 3 to rising 7th graders are welcome free of charge. Visit www.chinagrovefbc.com for more information and to pre-register online.
First Presbyterian VBS dedication
On Sunday, First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury will have a dedication of vacation Bible school teachers and leaders during the 8:50 and 11 a.m. worship services. A Brazil Mission 2011 report will be presented by Dr. Jim C. Dunkin during his sermon time.
First Calvary VBS
First Calvary Baptist Church, 400 S. Long Street, will host vacation Bible school June 20-24, 5:30-8:30 p.m., ages 4-adult. Pre-registration will be held Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. – noon in the church annex. For more information, call 704-633-2818.
Emmanuel Baptist VBS
Emmanuel Baptist, 2300 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, will have a week of Vacation Bible school starting June 20-24 from 6-8 p.m. nightly.
The theme is ěBEACH BLAST!î
Faith news deadline
The Post welcomes your Faith briefs. Please e-mail information about your special events to faith@salisburypost.com by noon Thursday.