1st Explorers will be having a fundraiser at Mad Batter on November 19th. They will be having showings of Finding Dory at 2:00, 4:00, 6:30 and 8:30 PM. 10% of the proceeds will go toward our 1st Explorers Ministry. Please come out for a night of family fun!
1st Explorers Fundraiser at Zaxby's
1st Explorers is having a Family Night Fundraiser at Zaxbys on November 14th from 5-10 PM. 10% of the proceeds will go to our 1st Explorers Ministry! Please come out and support us if you can!
Staff Spotlight
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Jose Martinez!
Jose works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from? I was born in the Dominican Republic, and moved to Statesville, NC when I was 10.
If you are in school, what year are you in and what is your major? I am a sophomore/Junior and I am majoring in Engineering of Technology.
When you were in Kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up? An architect
Now, today, what kind of a career do you want to have? Either designing or testing products for companies.
Favorite Bible verse or story (and why?): Nehemiah 4: The Wall Defended Against Enemies.
Trust in God to help you. If you let him, he will help you make your weaknesses your strengths and your strengths become even stronger.
"I spend a lot of my free time doing...": Crossfit and learning new things.
"One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is...": the Mountains and the fresh air.
"One thing I want to do before graduating is...": Hike 365 miles.
Staff Spotlight
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Heather Odom!
Heather works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from? Maiden, North Carolina
If you are in school, what year are you in and what is your major? I’m a senior, and my major is Psychology.
When you were in Kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up? A cowgirl
Now, today, what kind of a career do you want to have? Child or School Psychologist
Favorite Bible verse or story (and why?): Proverbs 19:21 “You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.” This is my favorite verse, because it is a reminder that God is in control, and no matter how much I stress or worry about my future, I know I will be okay because God's got me.
"I spend a lot of my free time doing...": Hanging out with my friends and Watching One Tree Hill
"One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is...": the Mountains, and it being a relatively small school
"One thing I want to do before graduating is...": Leave my mark
Staff Spotlight
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Marcus Tayloe!
Marcus works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from: I am from Rome, Georgia but currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What year are you in school: I am a sophomore, and I am double major in History and Philosophy and Religion
What did you want to be when you grow up: I wanted to be an archaeologist or a professional baseball player
Now, today what kind of career do you want to have: I want to teach high school history or philosophy. I am also considering some form of ministry as a career option as well.
My favorite Bible verse is John 3:30 which is “May He become greater, and I become less.” This is my favorite verse because it simply and effectively states a central doctrine of Christianity, and also is something that I try to focus on doing every day.
I spend a lot of my free time playing sports, fishing, and playing guitar.
One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is the mountains and streams.
One thing I want to do before I graduate is take a road trip out to the Midwest.
Staff Spotlight
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Geoffrey Mace!
Geoffrey works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from: I am from Indian Trail, North Carolina
What year are you in school: I am a sophomore and my major is History Education.
What did you want to be when you grow up: I wanted to play baseball for the Boston Redsox.
Now, today what kind of career do you want to have: I would like to either be a youth pastor at a church or a high school history teacher and coach.
My favorite Bible verse or story is 1 Timothy 4:12- "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
I spend a lot of my time outside, reading, or playing sports with friends.
One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is there are a lot of pretty places to do your quiet time and to be in touch with God through nature.
One thing I want to do before I graduate is hike the top 100 trails in North Carolina.
Staff Spotlight
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Cassandra Talabi!
Cassandra works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from? Florida
If you are in school, what year are you in and what is your major? Junior, Elementary Education
When you were in Kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor
Now, today, what kind of a career do you want to have? A successful one
Favorite Bible verse or story (and why?): Luke 15:4, I like the parable of the lost sheep
"I spend a lot of my free time doing...": making videos, playing volleyball
"One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is...": the mountains!!!
"One thing I want to do before graduating is...": get a puppy or go to Yosemite national park!!
1st Explorers Fundraisers
Mad Batter Food & Film will show Finding Dory on November 19th at 2:00, 4:00, 6:30 and 8:30 10% of the proceeds that day will go to 1st Explorers Programs.
Zaxby's Fundraisers
10% of proceeds between 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM will go to the 1st Explorers programs on these dates:
November 14, 2016
February 13, 2017
April 17, 2017
Staff Spotlight!
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Alyssa Montgomery!
Alyssa works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from? Polk County, North Carolina
If you are in school, what year are you in and what is your major? Senior at Western Carolina, Sociology Major with Minor in Psychology
When you were in Kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be Santa when I grew up.
Now, today, what kind of a career do you want to have? I’m still looking for ideas of what career I want, but as of now my plan is School Counseling and hope to Coach Volleyball, Basketball, or Softball
Favorite Bible verse or story (and why?): “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2” Sometimes I get overwhelmed with everyday life things; whether it’s making the best grades, staying organized, wondering if I am making the right career choices, or if I’m really being the best version of myself I can be. This verse reminds me that thankfully, we have a God that will see us through it all, he is our ROCK.
"I spend a lot of my free time doing...": I spend a lot of my free time outside, puzzling, exercising, and spending time with my friends and family.
"One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is...": getting to experience all four seasons. We have all four seasons, and we get to watch the seasonal changes of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and it doesn’t get much better than that!
"One thing I want to do before graduating is...": start a blog or website, because as I get older, I want to be able to look back and read and remember all the precious memories that I’ve made!
1st Explorers Receives Grant
The 1st Explorers Ministry at First Baptist Church of Sylva has received a Grassroots Arts Program Sponsorship Grant for $1,000. This grant will provide art supplies for students in our Wee Explorers and After School Ministry to learn about art from Ann Melton, a former Art Teacher and School Administrator. Periodically we will post pictures in our Newsletter an on Social Media showcasing student’s art work and what they are learning. For more information about this project please contact Kelly Brown, 1st Explorers Director.
