Brenda Cantrell Baeder, 81, of Hazel Green is the mother of two and grandmother of four. She has been at the same church for 75 of that church’s 100 years. She worked 23 years at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, retiring as budget analyst for the U.S. Army Missile Command. For four years after that, she was an entrepreneur in Fayetteville, Tennessee. She has survived cancer four times and currently is in her fifth battle, yet she says she has never felt unfortunate about it. “Cancer has taught me a lot” — the preciousness of life, for example. Her mission is to “let others know how the Lord has blessed me. No matter what you’re going through, He is there.”
Ministry description: Life group support
Church: Bethlehem Baptist Church, Hazel Green, in Madison Baptist Association
Life Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5–6).
Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts. A little more than 20 years ago, my husband, Jimmy, was asked to start a new Sunday School class for “median adults.” Now, the class has aged into the “senior life group.” Three of the people in our class today were part of that original group. My role is to support Jimmy through prayer and to coordinate ministry for those in the life group. We stay in contact with group members, and we all pray for each other. When there are special needs, I contact our church’s benevolence committee, women’s ministry group, senior pastor or others.
Q: What was a turning point in your life and how was God involved?
A: In September of 2001, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This cancer was discovered early and surgery was successful. At first, it appeared that this cancer had spread, but surgery confirmed it had not. I am blessed to be a part of a church that practices James 5:14. I knew the Lord had touched my body, and I resolved — from that day forward with the Lord’s help — not to take a day for granted.
In December 2007, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer, requiring surgery and chemotherapy for a year. Again, with prayers from my church and by trusting in the Lord daily, I was a survivor and life became even more precious.
My third cancer was lung (cancer) in 2013. Surgery to remove part of my left lung was required, but no chemo or radiation.
In 2014 and 2015, I had surgery for skin cancer on my nose and lip.
In May of 2017, I received my fifth cancer diagnosis — stage four metastatic liver cancer — treatable but not curable. This has been my most challenging (battle) and, at the same time, the most faith-building. This has been a tough but rewarding journey, which I still am in today. Proverbs 3:5–6 is a powerful verse that helps me daily.
On this journey, I have been blessed with the support of Jimmy, my family, my church family and my life group. They are such an integral part of my life.
I have had many amazing experiences of God’s amazing grace and the power of prayer on this journey as I strive to make the best of each day and to share God’s love with those I meet.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: My mother was a strong influence in my faith life. She faced many challenges in the 70 years she lived and taught me a lot about faith and perseverance. I have attended Bethlehem since I was very young, except for two years (1995–1997) when my husband’s job took us to Pensacola, Florida. When I was about 12 years old, I had a Sunday School teacher, Jennie Jean, who was a gifted Bible teacher whose husband, Floyd, was a deacon and a true servant. This couple is representative of others in this little church where I grew up, who were so dedicated to the Lord and just served Him to the very best of their ability. I am now blessed to have an amazing pastor, Lon Ostrzycki, who … leads our congregation in “loving God, loving people, loving ministry.”
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: A few months ago, I was experiencing a tough time in my battle with this liver cancer. It seemed we were out of options on treatments. Then my oncologist of 14 years retired and his replacement had a new perspective and sought help from Vanderbilt University. After some treatments, I have been given many good days, and I was reminded that God is still in control.
My husband and I were given a fresh breath of air when asked to participate in the 17th annual marriage retreat of our church in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a few weeks ago. Four couples representing the four seasons of marriage — spring, summer, fall, winter — were asked to share their stories. Turned out to be such a blessing as we were able to share how the Lord has blessed us in our 58 years of marriage.
Q: If there were one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: Whatever we face in this life, no matter how difficult, the answer can be found by seeking the Lord through prayer and the Holy Bible. And to follow Proverbs 3:5-6 very early in life.
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