Little Leaders at Phelps

Submitted photo

These students were chosen as “Little Leaders” at Phelps Elementary in January for their outstanding leadership skills, academic performance, and their motivated attitudes. Pictured from left: front row, Ryan Charles, Kyndra Fields, Collin Darnell, Keaton Hurley, Logan Layne, Daniella Prater, Angel Gross, Mackensi Lester; second row, Trey Francis, Kayci Dotson, Sydney Compton, Katie Pugh, Jayla Layne, Jeanna Fletcher, Timothy

Maggard, Keegan Bentley; third row, Lena Casey, Kim Casey, Hunter Plymale, Lakyn Dotson, Karlie Sincell, Elizabeth Gross, Travis Wolford; back row, Mrs. Lester (program sponsor), Chelsea Hatfield, Megan Charles, Ethan Coleman, Charles Dawson, Nathan Scott, and Andrew Lester. 

Of the students pictured above, five attend Cornerstone Apostolic Church at Jamboree, Kentucky.  They are: Keaton Hurley, Angel Gross, Karlie Sincell, Elizabeth Gross, and Megan Charles.  Congratulations on being chosen as Little Leaders. 

Justice auditions for ‘Jeopardy’ (Kids Week)

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-EXPRESS

Mason Justice, a fifth-grader at Mullins Elementary, had the most amazing experience this past weekend. He auditioned in Chicago to be on the popular quiz show “Jeopardy” (Kids Week). Justice began the application process by taking the “Jeopardy” on-line test. After passing that, he was chosen for an audition. “Mason did very well!” said Sheila West, Mason’s mom. “He met with the contestant coordinators, was interviewed, took another general knowledge test and played a mock game of ‘Jeopardy.’ He was very personable and they seemed to enjoy him.” Sheila said over 10,000 students from across the country took the test on-line and only 400 were chosen for an audition. Out of those, 15 will be picked for the show. “I hope he is one of them,” she said. “If chosen for the show, the taping will take place March 30, in Culver City, Calif. We should know something by the middle of March!” An all-A student, Justice is on the academic team at Mullins, a member of the Student Technology Leadership Program, plays the saxophone in the fifth grade band, and was a member of the Mullins Little League football team. Justice was nominated by Mrs. Stephanie Frazier to be a part of the National Young  Scholars Program for the nation’s highest achieving elementary students, and was also Mullins’ Student of the Month for August. He says he loves to read, play games and of course, watch “Jeopardy.” He loves any kind of trivia and his favorite subject is social studies. Justice hopes to someday attend law school and eventually go into politics with a dream of being on the Supreme Court. He is the son of Sheila and Michael West of Pikeville and David and Heather Justice of Phelps.

Mason attends Cornerstone Apostolic Church with his Dad, David Justice, and was the first child dedicated at Cornerstone.  Congrats Mason on a job well done!

SPELLING BEE CHAMPS

THE NEWS-EXPRESS

Winners of the Pike County Grade School Spelling Bee pose with their trophies: from  left, champion, Emily Keaton of Christ Central School; first runner-up, Cassie Gearles of Phelps Elementary; and second runner-up, Karlie Sincell, also of Phelps Elementary.

With the spelling of the word “typhoid,” 9-year-old Emily  Keaton of Christ Central Schoolbecame the champion of the 2009 Pike County Grade School Spelling Bee. The daughter of Andy and Jill Keaton of Quail Walk and a fourth-grader, Emily will now advance to statewide competition at the Kentucky Derby Festival. First runner-up this year was 12-year-old Cassie Gearles, a sixth-grader at Phelps Elementary. Second runner-up was Karlie Sincell, 10, a fifth-grader at Phelps. Keaton and Gearles also took top place in their grade levels. Glen Smith of Phelps Elementary was named the Coach of the Year for having the most winners in the spelling bee. Other grade level winners were: Cameron Bartley of Dorton, fourth- rade runner-up; Trisha Hurley of Kimper, fifthgrade winner; Mariah Stewart of Virgie Middle School, sixthgrade runner-up; Katlin Preston of Mullins, seventh-grade winner; Heather May of Johns Creek, seventh-grade runnerup; Drew Burke of Johns Creek, eighth-grade winner; and Jerod Workman of Belfry Middle, eighth-grade runner-up. Teresa Lockhart was the director and Bob Ford was the pronouncer. Judges were Judy Branham, Tonia Hopson and Rosalind Stanley. Susie Johnson is the coordinator of the bee. Others who assisted were: Kelli Thompson, Carlette Harris and Judy Dotson. “Every year I think our spellers can't get any better, but every year they continue to amaze me,” Lockhart said. “I think this was the smartest and best behaved group of students I have ever seen at a spelling bee. We appreciate so much the time and effort that the teachers, students, principals, and parents put into helping these kids be successful.” 

Karlie Sincell attends Cornerstone Apostolic Church, along with her parents Kevin and Lisa Sincell, and grandparents Larry and Racine Sincell.  Congratulations Karlie on your accomplishment as 5th grade county spelling bee champ and 2nd runner up countywide!

NEW PROPERTY PURCHASED BY CORNERSTONE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Sunday, July 13, 2008 Cornerstone Apostolic Church gathered to celebrate their 11th Anniversary.  One year ago, on our 10th Anniversary, we celebrated paying off the debt we owed on the building and the house we purchased for visiting evangelists.  This year there was another surprise announced by Pastor McKinney; we were able to purchase the land beside the church for a price of $50, 000.00.  This land is connected directly to the property the church now owns and will give us the ability to expand our parking and facilities.  We are excited about this new acquisition and we dedicated it to Lord during our Anniversary Service.

After we had a message by Pastor McKinney, the congregation then went out on the land and participated in the Dedication Service.  The service was broadcast live on our webcast. You can watch and listen to the service by clicking here or going to our Video Ministry link and click the Anniversary Service.  We ended the service with the song, On Time God, and a powerful testimony by Sis. Gracie Fields.  Sis. Gracie testified of how she had longed for the Church to purchase that property and how disappointed she was when it was sold to someone else.  (Actually, it changed hands twice before we purchased it) But by faith she trusted that if it was the Lord's Will for us to have that land, that we would one day own it.  As the power of the Lord was present and Sis. Gracie's testimony went from testifying to prophesying, she told of a vision that the Lord gave her concerning Cornerstone Apostolic Church.  Sis. Gracie said that Lord showed her, "faces she had never seen" and we rejoiced together in faith and anticipation that the Lord is going to do something great at Cornerstone Apostolic Church.

We appreciate all of the hard work that Dave Justice, Community Trust Phelps Branch Manager did in securing the deed and closing the deal in time for us to celebrate this at our 11th Anniversary Service.  Banker Dave worked tirelessly and efficiently to help us on this project.  From all at Cornerstone Apostolic Church, Thanks Dave and Community Trust Bank for helping in the vision of Cornerstone Apostolic Church.

Below are some pictures of the Dedication Service.  Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Two Pike County Teachers Honored

Sis. Connie McKinney and Sis. Bonnie Harris received certificates at Gov. Mansion for their work in education.

Click on Pictures below for larger view

Click on Picture for Larger View

12/23/07  Cornerstone Apostolic Church is excited to announce the addition of our new Internet Radio Station!  CAC Radio "Power From Above" is on the air!  As most of the folks in this area of eastern Kentucky know, it is difficult to find any Gospel Radio Stations, and understanding this dilemma, we are thrilled to be the first 100% Gospel Internet Radio Station in the Phelps, Freeburn, Jamboree, Majestic, and Stopover area!  We hope to be up and running 24/7 in the near future.  We plan on bringing you all genres of music, sermons, interviews, prayer requests, praise reports, local talent, local news, and announcements.  If you have a favorite CD or singer, announcements or upcoming events, contact us at cacradio@bellsouth.net and we will get your information on the air! We have live broadcasts from time to time, so tune in and check us out!  Be sure to tell your family, co-workers, and friends about CAC Radio Power From Above!

CHURCH PICS

Railroad Bridge Collapse In Phelps, Kentucky

Appalachian NewsExpress Article

 James McKinney Gets His High School Diploma At Age 81

Ashcamp veteran earns diploma at 81

BY MARY MUSIC

STAFF WRITER

Ashcamp resident James McKinney has experienced many things in his 81 years of living, but getting his high school diploma was one of his toughest challenges.

“The hardest road I ever traveled in my life was trying to get that diploma,” he said. “I walked a mile, and, boy, it was rough.”

He remembers how difficult life was for him and his family when he went to school. He said he couldn't finish school because he had to support his family.

“It was hard to make a living back then,” he said. “I had a rough time going to school. When I got home, my dad would take me out to saw mining timbers with a cross saw. Sometimes we'd be out there until midnight, then I'd come home and go to sleep and go to school the next day.”

McKinney dropped out of high school to join the Navy when he was 18 and he didn't sign back up for school when he returned home after the conclusion of WWII. He got married and raised a family with his wife, who died in 1970. He raised five children on his own for five years until he got married to Mabel McKinney, now a Mountain View Health Care Center Alzheimer's patient. McKinney, who still drives, visits the nursing home twice every day to feed his wife.

Seventeen family members - sons, daughters and grandchildren - attended a Pike County Board of Education meeting Tuesday to watch McKinney receive his diploma. He said he was going to frame the document so all of his family can see it.

McKinney, who worked in the school district's adult literacy program for about two years, didn't need to get a diploma for a job. He just wanted to see if he could do it. Wednesday, McKinney showed the diploma to at least one of his friends and told her, “I got promoted.”

“I am so proud of him,” said Shawna Crum, an instructor for the Pike County Adult Education and Family Literacy program. “He was so dedicated. He was always ready when he came through the door and he worked so hard. It sets such a good example for families, shows them that education is important even when 70 or 80.”

After studying for about two years, McKinney never completed the G.E.D. program. He received a high school diploma after Crum gave him information about the Veteran Diploma program, which helps veterans who dropped out of school to serve the country during war.

Elkhorn City Elementary guidance counselor Roxanne Blankenship, McKinney's daughter, said he is in excellent health. He quilts, does woodworking, makes furniture and helps with other Mountain View Health Care residents, she said.

McKinney is the second Pike County veteran that recently received a high school diploma. A diploma was awarded to Elkhorn Creek resident Gordan Potter last month.

Officials with the Pike County Adult Education and Family Literacy program work with adults to help them get a G.E.D., sign up for college or learn computer skills. Crum said there are about 2,000 Pike County participants this year. For more information, call Judith Branham at (606) 433-9245.

NANCY M. GOSS

EVERYDAY LIVING EDITOR

JAMBOREE — Thelma Hurley of Hurley, Va., spends a lot of her time at Cornerstone Apostolic Church in Jamboree. Besides being a Sunday school teacher, pianist (she plays by ear) and choir director, she writes a column, “Thoughts from Thelma,” for the church’s monthly newsletter, “The Apostolic Voice of Jamboree.”

Hurley says her writing began in a church when God told her to get a pen and write.

“Anytime God wants to give me something special, he’ll say, ‘Get a pen and write,’” Hurley says.

She says she knows it’s God because in high school when she had big assignments to write, she would have her sister write them for her because she just couldn’t do it.

She sends cards to people in the church and all around the area. If she knows the person, she may just say, “I’m sending you a hug. From Thelma.” If she doesn’t know the person, she just signs it “Cornerstone Apostolic Church.”

“Sometimes I’ll go to sleep and be awakened and a person’s name will come to my mind and I’ll ask, ‘Well, God, what do you want me to say to them?’”

According to Cornerstone Apostolic Church Pastor Richard McKinney, 150 cards are mailed each month, and at least once a year, over 3,000 people in the area receive at least one card from the church.

“Thelma is such an asset to our church,” McKinney said. “When we mail out those mailings (the invitations, cards that invite folks to come to church), she uses her own money to pay for the postage. All the church does is provide the cards and materials. We’ve been doing this for about three years.”

“I feel like, if you send them (cards), they will come,” Hurley says. “What is the church for? For souls to be saved!”

Hurley joined the church when she was 11.

“When I was just a little girl,” she said, “I’d ask my mother, ‘When can I be a Christian?’

“She would say, ‘Whenever you think you won’t be a reproach on the church, that you can live the life that it takes to live it, and not be a hypocrite or hurt somebody. When you feel like you’re at that age, then you can join the church.’

“So when I was 11, I joined the church. I say joined because then you don’t really realize about being born again, salvation or any of that. I was baptized at 12 at the Church of God in Jesus’ Name at Phelps, where Opie Harris is pastor. I grew up in that church. I’ve been a member here for nine years.”

Hurley says she was “sidetracked” for about 10 years but still felt God’s presence.

“A lot of people get sidetracked because of what man is telling them,” she says, “but we’ve got to be ordered by God’s direction. When I rise every morning, I say, ‘God, what are my orders for today?’

“Bro. Richard preached last night that many people have knowledge but they don’t have the divine direction; that’s what’s lacking in the world. And I don’t want that. I don’t want just knowledge. I want the divine inspiration that comes from God because that’s all that matters.”

Thelma says a trip to Old Mexico made a big impression on her life.

“Because I was the only one at home after my sisters got married, I was pampered and got anything I wanted. This trip was 100 miles down into old Mexico, to Matehuala I think it was called, and there’s a big water hole and the animals go down there and unload their waste, the people bathe in it, they wash their clothes in it, they drink it.

“We got stuck in a village one night and had to stay and they brought us their very best. The mattresses were this thick (holding up fingers about an inch apart), and the pillows were like that, too. But those people were so grateful for anything. Their happiness wasn’t in material things.

“Material things don’t bring you happiness,” Hurley said. “It’s God. It’s what you do with God in your life that brings happiness. And that taught me a real lesson. I was real miserable while I was there because I was so pampered, but when we entered back into the United States I just cried and wept and thanked God that I didn’t live there and for me to never take that lightly.”

Hurley’s life wasn’t always easy. There were many times when she had to do without material things.

“What brought me to the place I am today is everything I went through,” she says. “We were living in a little house next to a church, had no food, no furniture, and I was pregnant with my first baby, and they gave us a basket of fruit and there was one orange. I was crying and I said, ‘God, what am I going to do? What if my baby were here?’ And he said, ‘Well, you’d just squeeze the juice from the orange for your child and you’d eat the rest.’

“So that taught me whatever state you find yourself in, be ye content. So maybe I was a person who needed to be taught a real lesson.”

Thelma is married to Eugene Hurley, a retired coal miner.

“He’s my soulmate,” she says. “We dated 10 years before we were married. We wanted to make sure — we both had had bad marriages — we wanted to make sure it was right this time. And now we feel like we wasted that time.”

She has two sons, Adam Lee Gross of Freeburn and Paul Brent Gross of Lancaster; three stepchildren, Dana Bevins, Selena Young and Bryan Hurley; and nine grandchildren.

Born and raised at Freeburn, Thelma is the daughter of Gracie Fields of Freeburn and the late Buster Fields, who died in April 2006. She attended Freeburn Elementary and Phelps High School. Her siblings are Brenda Wolford and Joan Dotson, both of Jamboree, and Nelson Fields of Freeburn. Wolford and Dotson are both retired postmasters (Phelps Post Office) and Fields is a retired coal miner, formerly employed by Chisholm Coal Company.

Before she retired, Thelma was a supply house clerk at Chisholm.

Besides writing for the newsletter and sending out cards, Thelma wrote a story, “The Magic Forest,” for her grandson in Lexington and e-mailed him a chapter at a time. Both of her sons wrote for the church newsletter at one time, and Adam writes music and has made two or three tapes and CDs.

“Thelma does an excellent job writing articles,” says Pastor Richard McKinney.

“It’s God,” she says. “I will never be boastful in myself, because I know it is God in me. I’ve been trying to encourage others in the church to write, too. It’s not that they picked me out to do it, it’s for everybody. I mean it’s just like salvation is for everybody!”

The newsletter can be accessed at www.cornerstoneapostolic.org.

Everyday Living editor Nancy M. Goss can be reached via e-mail at ngoss@setel.com.