First Baptist Church, Slocomb
Geneva Baptist Association
Favorite Verses: John 3:16; Isaiah 1:16–17
Favorite Hymn: “I Can Only Imagine”
Hobbies: Doing yard work and church work; leading an exercise class for seniors
Family Status: Wife of 50 years to husband, Bobby; daughters, Kim Woodham and Kay Battle; son, Bart Peel; six grandchildren; two great-grandsons
When I see a need, I feel God wooing me toward that need,” said Sandra Peel, 70, of Slocomb. As a result, Peel through the years has served as Sunday School superintendent, Vacation Bible School director and nursery coordinator. When it became apparent in 1988 that a children’s church was needed, she started one and led it for 20 years. Right now she is the GROW (“God Rewards Our Work”) outreach leader, which she has done since 2003, Operation Christmas Child coordinator and a Sunday School teacher with 35 years to her credit. She also serves with a ministry that rearranges the live sanctuary flowers into individual vases and delivers them on Mondays to homebound people and nursing home residents. In 2010 she was named the city’s “Woman of the Year.”
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: Starting as a Sunday School teacher, really getting into the Bible. Dan Raley, our pastor (now deceased), was a godly man. He knew how to seek out people to serve. When he came to the church, my service grew. God just gave him a special knack for knowing who would fit well into an area of service. When I accepted the call to children’s church, my friend, Sharon Lee, stayed with me for 19 years.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: Planning, praying, being organized, knowing what you’ve got and when. Managing your time. It’s got to be a matter of the heart. You’ve got to serve the way God has called you to serve.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: It is a satisfaction. It is a great feeling of helping people.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: As long as God gives me the strength of body and strength of mind to do it, I hope, to the day that I die, that I’m doing something for the Lord.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: I think it is going to make me a stronger Christian. I think it will touch many people’s lives. It will keep me close to God and in His obedience.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: Oh, it’s unreal at the difference. It changes you. You are just a changed person. You just strive to be whatever He wants you to be every day when before you didn’t. It is the change He brings into our lives and our hearts. He brings a fire that wasn’t there before. It makes you feel responsible to do what God would have you to do.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: Very, very well. One-hundred percent. I have many friends who say they’re praying for me and encourage me. That helps.
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