I trust you are reveling in the magnificence of this spring season here in our beautiful state of South Carolina. We must never take our blessings for granted.
I continue to thoroughly enjoy the privilege of serving as your president this year. It certainly is a busy time, and there is so much to do and so many places and faces to see and love, but how grateful I am for each one of you.
The Executive Committee meets regularly in Columbia, accompanied by numerous committee gatherings. Each time I sit in on one of these meetings, I thank the Lord for the scores of our lay people who are so involved at every level. Many of them travel many miles and devote precious time and energy to do the Lord’s work.
Those of us who serve as pastors and ministers love you so much. I do not know what I would do without the scores of godly, faithful and loving people who surround me on a daily basis at First Baptist, Spartanburg. And I constantly hear the same sentiments expressed by hundreds of my pastor friends around our state.
Many of our lay leaders have tremendous commitments at work and most have huge responsibilities at home, and yet they are always faithful. You are making a huge difference. Thank you for being encouragers. Thank you for your financial giving. Thank you for supporting and undergirding the leadership of your pastors, who have been called as shepherds of the flock. Thank you for being prayer warriors. Thank you for standing up and being counted. Thank you for your ministry, which is expressed in so many ways. And, while I am on the subject, how can we ever thank our senior adults, who have led the way and have built the foundation on which we stand today? But the love and joy of your lives and testimonies will never be forgotten.
And is it not too wonderful to hear and see the incredible things happening through our Ministries for the Aging. President Richard McLawhorn is doing an incredible work, our people are praying and giving, and the Lord Jesus is being glorified.
It’s amazing what happens when we “Give It Away”!