Editor’s note: We were saddened to learn that Mac Lawton passed away on Jan. 13, just a few days after this story went to press for our Jan. 17 print edition. We offer our condolences to his family and give thanks for his legacy of service to others.
Eight years ago, Mac Lawton was given only six months to live after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Mac LawtonThere were many things he could have done in those six months – travel, enjoy hobbies, or just spend time relaxing and focusing on his health. Instead, he chose to look beyond himself and to reach out to others in need. Because of his service to others, Lawton recently received the Order of the Silver Crescent, the State of South Carolina’s highest award for volunteerism and community service.
John Adams, pastor of Easley First Baptist Church, where Lawton is a member, said Lawton has lived a life of furthering the kingdom of God, and his diagnosis has only added fuel to that passion.
“Mac has done a lot of transformational living in that time. He has a fierce commitment for missions,” Adams said. “He wants to facilitate being a part of helping people find their passion in Jesus Christ.”
One of Lawton’s passions is the 567 Club, which he founded about 15 years ago for young boys who lack a father figure and are headed in the wrong direction.
“We take the kids who are on the edge and see if we can pull them back,” Lawton said.
Club members meet on Tuesday nights to share a meal, play basketball, study and have a devotional. He and other men serve as father figures to the boys.
“It’s amazing what a little bit of caring can do,” Lawton said. “We’ve had some really amazing turnarounds. It’s an opportunity to change lives, and I’ve been blessed to be a part of it.”
Even through his illness and treatments, Lawton could be found nearly every Tuesday at the 567 Club, mentoring boys. Now that treatment has been discontinued and hospice has been called in, everyone knows where he will be on Tuesday nights if he is physically able to do so.
“Mac is basically a daddy to them. These are guys society says to throw away, and Mac says, ‘No way,’?” Adams said. “Young men have hope today because of Mac Lawton. It’s powerful. The man is for real.”
Two other causes close to Lawton’s heart are funded in part by the Ride for M.A.C. (Mission Action Challenge) bicycle ride. The annual bicycle ride added a 5K this year, raising more than $17,000. Proceeds are divided between Easley First Baptist Church’s new shoes fund and Hope Unlimited.
Last year, every child at Ambler Elementary School was fitted with a new pair of shoes, and Lawton hopes to continue the tradition at other schools.
“A new pair of quality shoes for these kids has been quite a big thing,” Lawton said. “That’s become a real cool thing.”
Hope Unlimited is an organization that helps to get homeless children in Brazil off the streets.
“They are just working miracles with them, introducing them to Jesus,” Lawton said.
Lawton’s sister, Nell Cox, said he has always been a giving person, but his illness seems to have fueled his fire.
“I think it’s a sense of urgency to move forward with this. He calls it his passion,” she said. “He said, ‘I’ve seen so much good come out of this cancer, I wouldn’t want to go back and change it.’ It’s just been a real sweet thing.”