In these days of busy schedules and short attention spans it is helpful to note that numerous Baptists serve faithfully for years.
Last Friday evening Westmeade Baptist Church, Decatur, honored Junior Hill for 35 years in evangelism. Time flew by during the -two-hour celebration that appropriately included history, humor, inspiration, testimonies and worship.
Two former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, Jim Henry and Bailey Smith, came to tell of their appreciation for him, and a third, Jerry Vines, spoke by way of a taped message.
Although the service was held to show appreciation for Bro. Hill, as always he directed attention to others, primarily the Lord whom he serves so well. Members of church choirs throughout the area sang some of Bro. Hill’s favorite songs, all pointing to salvation through Jesus alone.
Brother Hill had been asked to make a list of the 10 people besides the Lord who had helped make his ministry what it is today. The list started with number 10, his wife, Carole. As the other nine were read, they were all the same — Carole, whom he met at Samford and married after dating for one month. Brother Hill said she is his “best friend and a constant source of help and encouragement to me.” He called her “the most patient person I have ever met.”
She must take after her late father, Hoye “Gamps” Splawn. A member of Hoover’s Green Valley Baptist Church, a veteran scoutmaster and patience personified, he joined my family to serve as staff members for an Indian youth camp in South Dakota 23 years ago. He was a real treasure.
Another treasure serves as Sunday School director at First Baptist Church, Ala-baster. When Bro. Wayne Crumpton came as pastor in 1980, he recognized the church’s Sunday School director right away. Brother Willie Langner had already served 18 years as Sunday School director at Powderly Baptist Church, where Bro. Crumpton grew up.
Brother Langner, who turned 89 on July 6, has now served the Alabaster church as Sunday School director for 30 years. His wife, Catherine, has been Sunday School secretary for some 25 years. They have been a part of Campers on Mission since 1977, traveling to “almost every state in the Union.”
Mrs. Langner said, “We have always been active in church. We wouldn’t feel right if we weren’t doing something.”
Brother Langner leads a “Glory Band” at the church that takes its ukeleles, harmonicas and guitars to perform at nursing homes.
Serving the Lord runs in the family. Their daughter, Nancy Speer, is organist at Maytown Baptist Church, and their daughter-in-law, Charlotte Langner, is organist at First Baptist Church, Oneonta. Their nephew, Eugene Langner, is pastor of First Baptist Church, Phenix City, and their grandson, Keith Langner, just became pastor of a church in Harrisburg, Va.
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