Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster
Shelby Baptist Association
Favorite Verses: I Corinthians 4:1–2 and Isaiah 40:31
Favorite Hymn: “The Longer I Serve Him”
Hobbies: Reading Bible commentaries and cooking
Family Status: Widow for 11 years after 43 years of marriage to husband, John; son, Greg Wadsworth; daughters, Denise Trimm and Ginger Manakides; four grandchildren and five step-grandchildren
Marilyn Wadsworth, of Alabaster, is a “can do” kind of person. For more than 50 years she has canned 500 to 1,000 quarts of vegetables nearly every summer to share with people who are sick or need food. Wadsworth, 74, also prepares food for the Sunday School and Wednesday night classes she teaches. She spent 2,200 hours preparing for the Wednesday class on Revelation, compiling a verse-by-verse study guide for participants. A member of the choir, music director search committee and other committees, Wadsworth said she tries to show interest in people so they know Jesus loves them. What she does is for the Lord, “not to get praise,” she said. “What greater joy than to serve the Lord, who suffered and died on Calvary to save me from my sins.”
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: When I was 10 years old we lived in Ensley. My mom and dad were not active in church at that time. There was a tent revival set up on the corner near our house. I heard the singing one night and I love to sing so that drew my attention. When the preacher had the altar call I went down and asked Jesus to come into my heart. (Through the years) Dr. Ron Herrod, Brother T.A. Duke, Brother Gary Jones and Dr. Michael Brooks have influenced me very much. Not only the pastors, but each pastor’s wife has been a great influence.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: I guess I started at Fairfield Highlands Baptist Church, Midfield, when I was 21 or 22 years old. I used to be known as the “soup lady” because I’d put a soup together to take to someone who was sick.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: Many people call me wanting me to pray with them. We’ll pray over the telephone. I send cards to people. I try to check on people who weren’t in church on Sunday. That’s part of my ministry — to show love to people. To me, this is what God would want me to do. What is important is getting as many people into heaven as I can.
Q: What do you get from the ministry work?
A: The blessings, the blessings, the blessings. And the excitement of knowing I’ve done what the Lord wanted me to do. That’s the joy of it all. What you do for the Lord, you never lose because you are blessed. It is a joy and a pleasure to serve the Lord any way you can.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: In every way. Anything they know I need for the ministry, they are willing to help.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: ’Til the day I die.
Q: What difference will this ministry make for you in the future?
A: I just know that I want to do what I do and to represent not myself, but the Lord. This is what God requires of me.
Share with others: