Honoring James Lyons (Jun 01, 2009)
Yesterday, we were able to celebrate the calling of James Lyons to be the senior pastor of Camp Creek Baptist Church in Cornelia, Georgia. Brother Lyons has been at Grace for 25 years and over that period of time has served as a Christian school teacher, Master club director, discipleship director, training union teacher, comptroller, and deacon. The Lyons' departure will leave a great hole in our ministry and they will be severely missed, but we are thankful for this wonderful door of opportunity the Lord has opened for them.
Our Christian school was able to present the Lyons with a gift so that they could take some time away. The church presented Pastor Lyons with a sizeable gift to begin his pastoral library, and a grand reception was held after church last night to bid them God's best. Pray for the Lyons as they finish packing this week and look for housing in Northeast Georgia.
We are thankful for the new people that God has sent to replace the responsibilities held by Brother Lyons. Sara Hasty will serve as our new comptroller. You can read her bio on our church web page. Her husband Dennis, who is an assistant warden in Lumpkin, will take over the responsibilities of our discipleship director. Mike Ratliff will become our new Master Club director, and John Rogers was voted in as the corporate secretary of our deacon board. We praise the Lord for the willingness of these people to serve.
What a privilege it is to see people want to serve God. Today, I travel to BIMI for the screening committee meeting for Seth and Melissa Acree. Seth, who was raised at Grace Baptist Church and graduated from Ambassador Baptist College, is headed for the field of Ghana. Pray for him and his sweet wife as they meet before the board of BIMI. Grace Baptist Church will serve as their sending church.
We are also prepared to assume responsibility to be the sending church of Mark and Brenda Liedtke, who are headed to Belize. They also were scheduled to have their screening committee meeting today with BIMI. Last week, however, Pastor Mark broke his foot and is unable to travel. Lord willing, the Liedtkes will be approved by BIMI in January.
We had a good week on base with our Fort Benning Bible studies. We once again ministered to over a hundred soldiers will several standing to receive Christ as personal Savior. Amen!
The buses were also over a hundred this week. One of our bus riders prayed to receive Christ in the counseling center. Praise the Lord!
During the worship service, one lady came forward to receive Christ as Savior. She did not completely understand. Pray for us as we follow up with her this week.
Don't forget that Vacation Bible School starts one week from tonight. Be sure to pray that God will give us many souls as our auditorium is filled with hundreds of kids.
This Wednesday night, we are privileged to have a touring group from Pensacola Christian College. Pray that God will give the team safety in travel and that we will be able to be a blessing to them.
Your prayers mean much to us. Please continue to keep them up.