GCS Alumni Weekend Events (Nov 09, 2009)
This weekend Grace Christian School celebrated its annual homecoming festivities. Alumni from around the region returned to the campus of Grace Baptist Church and Christian School for a wonderful time of fellowship and friendship renewal.
The activities began on Friday evening when the Varsity Crusaders opened the defense of their state championship with a scrimmage against Fayette Christian School. The crusaders won very handily, and we were honored to crown this year's homecoming queen during an impressive half-time ceremony. This year's winner was Brittany Atkinson. We thank the Lord for the marvelous testimony of this godly Christian girl.
The Varsity Crusaders returned to the floor on Saturday morning, along with the Lady Crusaders, to play the alumni who had come home for the weekend. The Lady Crusaders were defeated by the alumni girls, but the Varsity Crusaders took care of the alumni men. During the half time festivities, all the alumni who had returned to Columbus for the occasion were honored at center court. In addition, we were proud to present the "Alumnus of the Year" award to Pastor Thomas Pope, from the class of 91. Thomas pastors the Central Baptist Church here in Columbus and is a great preacher of the Word of God. We were honored to add him as the newest member to the Mama Jo Bowers Crusader Hall of Fame.
On Sunday morning, during the morning worship service, Gayle Edmondson was honored for her thirty years of teaching service at Grace Christian School. Mrs. Edmondson, "the consummate educator," was honored with a clock, a cash gift, and flowers. We were also privileged to name our education building in her honor. The Gayle Edmondson Education Center was officially dedicated yesterday with a magnificent portrait of Mrs. Edmondson being unveiled which will hang in the main lobby. The portrait was done by our artist in residence, Pastor Mark Liedtke. We thank the Lord for Mrs. Edmondson, who will be the longest tenured employee in the history of our ministry before the conclusion of this school year.
During the morning worship service, several good decisions were made as four new converts walked the aisle to follow the Lord in believer's baptism. We thank the Lord for these new believers. Following the Lord in this special ordinance were Bryan Cooke (manager of our local Penney's store) and his son Tyler, Eric Henry (saved during our recent Ron Comfort revival), and DeWitt Williams. In addition to these we were privileged to welcome into membership Sonja Byrd and Dyamond Thornton.
During the evening service, our alumnus of the year, Thomas Pope, delivered the message. It was a great sermon on the grace of God. Several decisions were made at the altar, and Thomas was able to baptize his niece at the conclusion of the service. We thank the Lord that Thomas was able to do this for Brianna, who attends our church. Also during the evening service, Annette Byrd made her profession of faith after being led to the Lord by her daugther last week. And Phil and Katie Shuler dedicated their new son Thaddeus to the Lord. It was a great day!
We thank the Lord that he is continuing to use this ministry to see people saved on a weekly basis. Another five bus kids prayed to receive Christ yesterday in the counseling center of bus church, and another twenty-one soldiers stood to receive Christ yesterday at Fort Benning. Amen!
Don't forget that Christmas at Grace will take place in just a couple of weeks. Uncle Charlie, Evangelist Bryan Samms, and the Daybreak Quartet will be with us for a wonderful weekend. Plan to be attendance!
Right now we are on schedule to conclude the year with our highest Sunday School average ever. We have broken attendance records the last two years, and it appears as if we are on target to do it for a third consecutive year. Let's be sure to end the year on a high note to make this possible.
Your continued prayers and support of this ministry mean much to us.