The following address was shared tonight, Monday July 20th, to the messengers of the Waccamaw Baptist Association's Executive Meeting...
Tonight, you will find my report about the summer ministry on page 6 of the book of reports you received this evening on your way in. I can not do any better giving an oral report of the WBA’S resort ministry Intracoastal Outreach than our summer missionaries shared with us during the meal tonight. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to serve alongside them this summer and I want to thank this association for the continued opportunity to have summer missionaries serve alongside us each year. I hope that your hearts tonight have been filled by the stories and conversations across the table you shared in with them tonight.
This month marks 4 summers with Intracoastal Outreach, and it has been an incredible faith journey for me personally in my walk with the Lord. As I look beyond the month of September I wonder where Almighty God will have me serve and minister in Kingdom work. I want you to know that place, position, ministry field, and the ones whom I will work will be grateful for the opportunities and experiences you have shared with me to work and minister in this county for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
Many of you have asked the question: What’s next? What I know at this point is that this fall, I will begin pursuing my Research Doctoral Degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Christian Education with the desire to train future student ministry leaders to reach students with the Gospel and Love of Jesus Christ. I am prayerfully seeking a position in which to be involved in ministry while obtaining this degree, as well.
As I look over the audience tonight, I see faces that have encouraged me along the way. There have been pastors who have given me the opportunity to break open the Bread of Life to their churches, while others have prayed for me and the work I have had the opportunity to do serving on your behalf in this county. Tonight I am thankful for Brother Rick, Todd Wood, Marty Minto, Diane Hutto, and Lugene Hammond in their service to me, the help they have given along the way, and the weekly prayers lifted up on my behalf.
I have received hugs from you here and those who are unable to be here for whatever the reason, that have brought compassion and care to a sometimes run-down and tired body. I have received notes of kindness from you that have lifted me up along the way both my e-mails and snail mails. And as I remember the way you have reached out to me, a single middle-twenty something year-old seminary graduate, I resonate in the words which the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” You have showered your love and appreciation for me in the past two and half years serving as your US/C2 resort missionary, and for all of your support I will be eternally grateful.
Just this afternoon as I looked outside my office window to 17 Business / Kings Highway just near First Baptist Church downtown Myrtle Beach, I am reminded that still to this day -- our field is ripe unto harvest. Over my time here, I have urgently and passionately tried to equip you, the churches of our association, and the myriad of ministry teams from all across our country each year, to empower-equip-excite local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment. It is with this same urgency and passion that I leave Waccamaw Baptist Association walking, trusting, believing, and worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So continuing in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 I say thanks tonight, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
