Forks clanked and conversation flowed as educators from all walks of life gathered at Samford University in Birmingham for the 25th anniversary celebration dinner of the Fellowship of Baptist Educators (FBE) on July 26.
FBE is a service organization of more than 700 Baptist educators across North America who use their educational skills to fulfill the Great Commission by “teaching them to obey everything I (God) have taught you” (Matt. 28:20).
Attendees enjoyed both the food and fellowship while listening to the soothing strings of a harp played by Jan Hill, a retired missionary to Southeast Asia.
Throughout the dinner various FBE members approached the podium to share about their experiences as participants of the organization.
Charter member June Rose Garrott spoke about the beginnings of FBE and the dream each member shared. Looking over the audience of FBE members, Garrott smiled sweetly.
“Each one of you can tell a story of how grateful you are that the Lord let you swim around the great Baptist pond,” said Garrott, who was FBE president from 1999 to 2001.
Emeritus editor of Educomis, FBE’s quarterly newsletter, Sylvester Moorhead then approached the podium, detailing the journey the publication has taken since its inception.
Today Educomis consists of FBE news reports and updates, opportunities for members to serve through the International Mission Board and testimonials from FBE members.
FBE Executive Director Emeritus John Carter discussed the growth of FBE, including its Universal Pen Pals program that links Christian young people with students overseas who want to practice their English. At its peak FBE had 2,400 pairs of pen pals, Carter said.
“The major thrust of our education program is to encourage members to be involved in short-term missions projects,” Carter said.
James Hastings, FBE vice president/president-elect, echoed Carter’s statements and shared about his hopes for the future of FBE.
“We hope to touch more lives so we can help others come to know the love of our Christ,” Hastings said. “You need to ask yourselves what God’s doing for you and how is He using your skills.”
Taking a moment to reminisce, Sadie Buchanan recalled how her father-in-law, Hal Buchanan, worked tirelessly with FBE to start and sustain the program’s Book-Link ministry. Book-Link collects and ships Bible and Christian study materials to missionaries, national pastors and school libraries all over the world.
“It was exciting to see their vision become a reality,” she said. “Hal once wrote in a letter: ‘God is at work. Let us glorify Him through this worldwide effort.’”
Phil and Wilda Perrin then detailed their experiences through FBE with a slideshow presentation and videos of their travels.
“I can’t possibly describe the blessing it has been to teach students from so many different pathways of life,” said Phil, who has taught numerous subjects of music in China, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Tanzania.
The Perrins often involved Book-Link in their travels and found them to be very much appreciated and needed, Wilda said, sharing a story of a book she found.
Muslim militants once raided an unnamed village, killing many and burning all the books they could find. Following the attack, Wilda found a book stained with the blood of a fallen seminary student.
“Sometimes a book has a story to tell that goes beyond the words on the page,” she said.
FBE Executive Director Bob Lamb concluded the dinner by expressing the urgent need of good teachers to be involved in their global teaching initiative.
“We are here to plug teachers, both active and retired, into where they’re needed,” Lamb said.
FBE membership is free and “inclusive,” Lamb said, encouraging current members to seek out more new recruits.For more information about FBE or to join, contact Lamb at 704-434-9392 or email rlamb12@carolina.rr.com.
The Book-Link address to ship books is Book-Link International, Inc., 100 Book-Link Way, Eubank, KY 42567.
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