By Leigh Pritchett
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
For 48 years, Dorotha Turner served as treasurer of her church. The 84-year-old Vernon woman gave up that post in June. She also has taught Sunday School, was involved in Woman’s Missionary Union and volunteered in Vacation Bible School.
Ministry description: Long-time church treasurer
Church name: Academy Baptist Church, Sulligent, in Lamar Baptist Association
Life verse: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)
Q: Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts.
A: Staying involved in church and encouraging others; praying for others as they lead and guide people to Christ.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: One of our wonderful pastors, Don Baggett, encouraged me. I was not one to speak out. He encouraged me to teach a Sunday School class. I told him I couldn’t. He said to ask God and He would help. I took the class and it was a real blessing. I taught about 15 years.
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: More patience and to wait on God. He works on His timeline. When I get impatient I’m reminded that I need to wait on God’s time.
Q: If there was one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: You can really do anything if you have faith in God and trust Him. It’s not really the amount of faith but the object of your faith — God.
Q: Have you ever read a book or heard a song that changed the way you think about God and faith? What was it and what did you learn from it?
A: One of them was the Billy Graham book “Peace with God.” I was going through a really rough time and it meant a lot to me.
Q: Does your church have any special traditions that mean a lot to you? What are they?
A: We have always had an all-day singing the second Sunday in August. It has been a tradition as long as the church has been there. A lot of people who attended earlier come back for that. It’s an occasion to fellowship with old friends.
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