Eleanor Bush’s mission is this: Tell people about Jesus, pray for those who are sick or on mission and encourage everyone to understand Scripture and use it daily. The 86-year-old Tuscaloosa woman has been a Sunday School teacher for about 45 years. She also directs the women’s missions group, serves as hospitality chair, teaches a quilting class and assists with other church programs. An alumna of the University of Alabama, Eleanor worked at UA’s library and taught in a private school.
Ministry description: Sunday School teacher, women’s missions director
Church name: Taylorville Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, in Tuscaloosa 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. Teaching, praying, exhorting.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: It was my father, Elmo Riley. From the time I was very small, he taught us about God and took us to church. He was very faithful in leading us. He was a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He would go to visit members who were sick or in the hospital. That made an impression on me, and I try to do that too. I visit shut-ins too.
Q: Tell about a turning point in your life and how God was involved.
A: About 16 years ago, I decided that I was going to quit teaching Sunday School. I just thought it was time. One day, a minister came and preached … and God (was) speaking through him to me that I needed to go back to teaching Sunday School. I feel like that is what I was called to do.
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: I need to be more aware of people around me who need Christ, who need a visit. I just need to be more aware of the world.
Q: If there were one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: Never doubt God. He is always true and faithful, through the good times and the bad times.
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