Bethel Bible Village Names New Executive Director

Charles S. “Chuck” Baker

The Board of Trustees names Charles S. “Chuck” Baker as Bethel’s fourth executive director. Mr. Baker will assume his role in January.

Bethel Bible Village, a home for children of families in crisis, had its beginning on Signal Mountain in 1954 moving to Hixson in 1969. Ike Keay was named the first executive director followed by Bob McFarland and most recently Myron Wilkins.

Bethel’s mission is to provide safe, nurturing and Christ-centered homes for children of families in crisis, and equip and inspire them to live productive Christian lives.

The following responses describe Baker’s personal spiritual journey and calling to Bethel Bible Village.

Q: How did you first come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior?

I grew up in a Christian home and learned the truths of God’s Word at an early age. I placed my faith in Christ and trusted Him to be my Savior and Lord as a young boy in a revival service at First Baptist Church in Seaford, Delaware. My life was forever changed at that moment through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.

Q: Tell us about your background, family, and interests.

Originally from Delaware, my Dad (now retired from DuPont) was transferred to Chattanooga when I was in the 9th grade. I graduated from Red Bank High School in 1971 and Carson Newman College in 1975 with a BA degree in Math. I met my wife Cynthia in high school. We will celebrate 36 years of marriage in December. We have one son, Jonathan, a graduate of McCallie School and Auburn University. Jonathan and his wife Amy both work for Unum…we are proud of them both. I enjoy reading, golf, spending time at the lake, and studying God’s Word as I prepare each week to teach a Sunday School class at Hixson First Baptist. I also enjoy college football, attending most Auburn home games (War Eagle!).

Q: You have spent 35 years in business…tell us about your background.

My career, which spans across three companies and five cities, began in 1975 with Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company. I moved to Memphis in 1980 to work for First Tennessee Bank and, in 1982, God provided an opportunity for me to join AT&T in Knoxville. In subsequent years with AT&T, I was transferred to Kingsport and Nashville. I returned to Chattanooga and Provident (now Unum) in 1989 and will complete almost 22 years of service at the end of this year. I have held several different senior operational management positions with Unum including my current position of Vice President, Voluntary Benefits Client Services. I have truly been blessed during my business career. I can clearly see God’s sovereign work in every career move to prepare me for my call to Bethel.

Q: You refer to this as a “call” to Bethel…tell us a little about your journey.

The journey started about five years ago when God began to stir my heart about life after business…what I refer to as the second half of my life. I strongly sensed that God would one day change my focus and direction and call me to some type of ministry, but was not sure where, how, or when. I’ve served on the Bethel Board for four years. In December, 2009, the Board asked me to lead the search committee to find a new Executive Director. After a six-month, nationwide search with over 200 resumes submitted for the position, God had a different plan for Bethel and for my life. Concurrent with the search process, God was stirring my heart and preparing me for His “call”. Through an incredible series of God-ordained events, the search committee asked me to consider the Executive Director position. After seeking God’s direction through prayer, His Word, and counsel from my spiritual mentors, I surrendered to God’s plan and accepted the call. Although not the place or timing that I expected, God worked through our search committee in a special way to confirm His direction and will for my life. I plan to retire from Unum on December 31st and begin my new responsibilities at Bethel on January 1st.

Q: What excites you most about becoming part of the ministry at Bethel?

I’m excited about this change of direction in my life and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children. I’m excited to be active in a ministry whose mission is to “provide safe, nurturing and Christ-centered homes for children of families in crisis.” For over 56 years, God has blessed Bethel and accomplished great things through the Board and staff, but I believe greater things are still to come and I’m excited to be part of God’s future plans for the ministry. Finally, I’m excited to be part of the Bethel “family”…to work with our staff, Board, volunteers, and partners to see “children transformed by the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and empowered to fulfill all of their God-given potential.”

Some Villages Have Been Promoted as Village Tourism

Trekking in Nepal’s terrains are not the way to observed mountain views and sceneries only but visitors can also learn about the culture, tradition and lifestyle of the local community too. There are numerous others route that have potentials but they are yet to be explored well. One among them is trekking to Siurung of Lamjung district on the west Nepal.

Very rich in natural resources, Siurung is one of the ideal destinations for mountain viewing. From Siurung one can enjoy the view of almost all peaks of the magnificent Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. The pioneer destinations in village tourism, the Siurung Village is also developing itself as a destination for village tourism.

Visitors come to the village, sit in their homes as paying guests and consume the locally grown products. By this, they also happen to experience the daily activities of the locals and also know about their culture and tradition.

Siurung Village can be reached after a trek of about six or seven hours from Khudi Bazaar of Lamjung district. A bus ride from Kathmandu will take us to Khudi. It is advised that you spend your night here before heading towards Siurung. Khudi is a beautiful village and various hotels and lodges are established in Khudi these days to serve visitors. After spending one night in Khudi, trekking to Siurung begins. The trekking route is not so difficult and during trekking one will be enthralled by chirping of birds and the cries of wild animals. In the route, the Gurung people will greet the visitors in their own traditional way. In addition, visitors will experience the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the area.

Siurung is very beautiful and it is not less in beauty and attractions as compared with other tourist destinations. Apart from these one can enjoy the unobstructed views of mountain peaks of the Annapurna range from Siurung village. Similarly the clustered houses in the Gurung village are another attraction is Siurung. Above of them all is the simplicity and hospitability of the local people who treat visitors like their own family members. Similarly, the White Mountains, beautiful falls and inclined terraces are other attractions in the trekking route.

Bridim
One among such is the beautiful Bridim village, lying in the Rasuwa district. Bridim is a beautiful village mostly inhabited by the Tamangs. The village is very rich in terms of natural and cultural heritage. Bridim village has been identified by Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (TRPAP) as one of its pilot tourism destinations and is promoting the village and developing infrastructures accordingly. Because of its cultural resemblance with the locals of Tibet, this village has been often termed as Mini Tibet.

Nestled in the lap of the majestic Mt. Langtang, Bridim village is very rich in its culture, tradition and lifestyle. The cultural, tradition and lifestyle of the locals of Bridim resemble with that of Tibet. No hotels and lodges as such are available in Bridim village. While in Bridim, visitors will have to stay in the home of locals as home stay. During their home stay, visitors can have the insights of the rural community and enjoy their warm hospitality. Visitors have been staying in 19 of the 42 houses of the villages as paying guest.

Bridim village can be reached after a trek of three hours from Syafrubensi, the nearest motorable village. A bus ride from Kathmandu will bring the visitors to Syafrubensi via Trishuli. On reaching the Bridim village, visitors will be accorded warm welcome in traditional way. While their stay in Bridim, visitors would be able to experience the Tamang cultural attractions like Khamb, Tabu and Yal dances. Similarly, visitors would be treated with special tea (made using salt and butter), Tibetan bread, apple wine, Bridim Raksi (locally brewed hard drink) and other ethnic cuisines.

While in Bridim, visitors can visit many centuries old monasteries and learn about Buddhism. They can also get an insight of the daily activities and lifestyle of the people residing in high altitudes. The mountain views that can be enjoyed from Bridim village are very magnificent. One can enjoy the view of mountains like Ganesh Himal, the Langtang range, Sangzen, Kerung and others.

The forefathers of the locals of Bridim are believed to have migrated from Lhasa centuries ago. According to the elders, their forefathers had come with bull and yaks. In Tibetan, bulls and yaks were called Lango and Bhrim respectively. Then, Bridim was called by the name Bhrim Thim. Later on, that Bhrim Thim changed into Bridim.

Village Life

Medieval villages consisted of a population comprised of mostly of farmers. Houses, barns sheds, and animal pens clustered around the center of the village, which was surrounded by plowed fields and pastures. Medieval society depended on the village for protection and a majority of people during these centuries called a village home. Most were born, toiled, married, had children and later died within the village, rarely venturing beyond its boundaries.

Common enterprise was the key to a village's survival. Some villages were temporary, and the society would move on if the land proved infertile or weather made life too difficult. Other villages continued to exist for centuries. Every village had a lord, even if he didn't make it his permanent residence, and after the 1100's castles often dominated the village landscape. Medieval Europeans may have been unclear of their country's boundaries, but they knew every stone, tree, road and stream of their village. Neighboring villages would parley to set boundaries that would be set out in village charters.

Medieval peasants were either classified as free men or as "villeins," those who owed heavy labor service to a lord, were bound to the land, and subject to feudal dues. Village life was busy for both classes, and for women as well as men. Much of this harsh life was lived outdoors, wearing simple dress and subsisting on a meager diet.

Village life would change from outside influences with market pressures and new landlords. As the centuries passed, more and more found themselves drawn to larger cities. Yet modern Europe owes much to these early medieval villages.