It is helpful that Christmas is placed near the end of the year. We are reminded that no matter how much we have “messed up” during the year, God still loves us. He sent His Son into a world of sinners. At Christmas we have a renewed hope for the new year.
A recent worship service in Montgomery provided good thoughts all Christians can use in 2002. The occasion was Ridgecrest Baptist Church’s ordination of David Eanes, the church’s new minister to children. David grew up at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham and spent many hours in our home.
Although the words spoken at the service were directed toward David and the members of Ridgecrest, those thoughts can help all of us as we approach the new year.
The “charge to the candidate (David)” was delivered by Rod Marshall, David’s brother-in-law and member of Riverchase Baptist Church, Hoover. Rod works with the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries and oversees counseling centers throughout the state. He offered four challenges to David, but we can take them personally as well.
1) Do good — and then do better. Rod noted that when we welcome children we welcome Jesus and the One who sent Him.
2) Be true to the calling God has placed upon you.
3) Be transformed that you may be an agent of transformation for others — “be salt and light.”
4) Love people as Christ loves the church.
Ridgecrest Pastor Keith Warden challenged the church members to help David as he ministers.
After reading Exodus 17:8–16, Bro. Keith noted that Moses, Joshua, Aaron and Hur helped one another as Israel went into battle.
“We need one another,” the pastor noted. He identified three ways church members can help a minister — and every fellow Christian.
1) As Moses interceded for Joshua, be intercessors for the minister. He needs to be pure and holy in thought and in action. Pray that his marriage will be strong and his family will be protected, that he will serve others with a heart of compassion. “Great churches are filled with great intercessors, prayer warriors,” Bro. Keith said.
2) The minister also needs soldiers. Like Joshua, spiritual warriors put feet to the prayers. We need to fight alongside ministers and fellow Christians in the trenches, as Bro. Keith urged.
3) Ministers and all Christians need encouragers, people who will help them to not be disheartened or distracted. We need to love one another sacrificially, ready to do whatever is necessary.
David and his wife, the former Cammie Bryant, met in the Baptist Student Center at The University of Alabama. They were married at First Baptist, Trussville, in 1998. Their son, Jacob, is 10 months old.
Another Alabama minister with new hope for 2002 is Bro. Rickey Lowery of Limestone County.
Until last month he had served nine years as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, about four miles from Athens. He received a kidney transplant Nov. 26. For the first time in five years, he doesn’t need dialysis treatments four times a day at home. He resigned just before the operation because, with his immune system so low now, it is best for him to stay away from big crowds for several months.
His wife Mickie says, “He is looking forward to having a normal life again.”
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