“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness” is the heart’s cry of the psalmist. We are living in an era where an “Attitude of Gratitude” is rarely seen by those who have been blessed by God and by His chosen people. God has been so good to me in these past few weeks that I not only want to express my gratitude to Him, but also to those He has used to be the source of so many blessings in my life.
AtkinsLet me begin by saying thank you to the pastors and messengers of the 2011 South Carolina Baptist Convention for allowing me the privilege to serve as your president this coming year. I would have never dreamed that God would allow me to serve on this level, and I count it as an honor to be selected by the men and women at our convention this year to do so. The spirit that was demonstrated during our meetings this year was truly a blessing from the Lord.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the South Carolina Baptist Convention staff for the tremendous job that they did at our annual meeting. Being behind the scenes, God allowed me to see firsthand just how many people help to make our meeting run so smoothly. From those who help lead and orchestrate this time, to those who help set up chairs, and all that falls in between, each of you are greatly appreciated for all that you did. We are blessed in our state to have such a wonderful group of people working at our state convention building.
To the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force members, chairman Ralph Carter, and the presidents and CEOs of our institutions and partners in ministry here in South Carolina, thank you for sharing your vision for the future and expressing to us all your willingness to see God do even greater things in the coming days. South Carolina is truly blessed to serve the kingdom of God alongside each of you and with the people who make up your staffs.
I would also like to thank our 2011 president Sonny Holmes and his wife Harriet for their sacrifice and service this past year for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Your grace and wisdom were a blessing to us all, and we continue to pray for your family during this time in your lives.
It has been said that behind every successful man there is a good woman. My friends, behind this man there is not only a good woman, but a godly woman, and I am so blessed to have her by my side. I give God thanks for His goodness in giving me my wife Hayley, my daughter Annie Laurie and my son Will, my family and friends, and the church family at Powdersville First Baptist Church as the supporting network in my life. I ask that you pray for me and our state as we seek to bring honor to Him in the coming days.
-Atkins is pastor of Powdersville First Baptist Church and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.