Zack McElrath  
Minister of the Month for May

Once he gave his life over to Jesus, Zack McElrath went full speed ahead!  Zack is our May Minister of the Month because of his involvement in many areas of our church, working with a servant's heart. Prior to giving his life to the Lord Zack had studied the occult for many years. He says that after asking Jesus into his heart, "it was like a fog was lifted from his mind and he could see clearly and understand things that hadn't made sense to him before".

Now Zack has a zeal to share the gospel message and is currently doing so with the adults in the Friends of Jesus Sunday School class. Actually, according to Pastor Terry, Zack shares the gospel with anyone he encounters and that will listen to him! Christ made such a difference in his life that he wants everyone to know about Him.

Zack is also active in Pole Creek's TV ministry, the C.A.R.E. ministry, as well as the Drama Team.  Zack also serves in the rotation as an assistant teacher to Pastor Terry's Sunday School class The Study (this is a group of singles under 40  that meet at 8:30 in the Educational Wing).

A lot of people might not know it, but Zack is a student at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. He attends Fruitland full time and currently works at K-Mart. Pole Creek assists with his schooling, but he has to work to supplement himself and to help his grandmother, with whom he lives.

Any spare time that he has is spent with his grandmother, his friends, and his girlfriend, Khari. During this time he enjoys reading, drawing and writing.

Zack's life is an example of what God can do in a life fully given over to Him.  Pole Creek needs more servants like Zack McElrath, who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the gospel to as many people as possible.

Our March Minister of the Month, Christy Wilson, grew up in Pole Creek and loves the church and serving the Lord.

Henry and Wanda Wilson, Christy's mom and dad, raised their daughters, Angela and Christy in Pole Creek. Her mom and dad, and her sister and brother-in-law, Angela and Mark Ledford and their daughter, Sidney are active members here. It was as a child that Christy was saved, and later, at the age of 19 during a church revival she rededicated her life to the Lord.

Christy was recognized for her activity as a member of the projection ministry team, a very important part of Pole Creek's ministry. One of the greatest joys Christy has received as a part of the ministry has been the opportunity to get to know Jim and Jerri Harding. She has learned so much from them and not just about the projection ministry.

Christy makes the slides that are shown on our video screens on Sunday mornings, and tell of the various events scheduled to take
place at our church. She, also, takes turns running the slides as they show during the service, whether it is the words to the songs we are singing, or the outline for the Pastor's sermon. This is a very important part of the service.

Christy's work at Pole Creek isn't confined to the Projection Ministry. She helped with compiling the new directory we just received. She's a member of the Angel Food ministry, and helps distribute the food every other month. She also comes once a month and writes cards for the Care Ministry.

When asked about her service to the church she said, "I've found that getting involved in various activities has been the best way for me personally to get to know other people and really feel like a part of our church family."

Christy's lifelong commitment to Pole Creek and her dedication to serve her Lord in any way possible is what makes Christy Wilson our March Minister of the Month.

Ministers of the Month for February 2009 Jay and Betty Laird

Loving the Lord and being able to worship Him as they choose are two things that Jay and Betty Laird don't take for granted.

Betty remembers attending Bible School at her childhood church where her mother would teach the class.  To this day the smell of Kool-Aid brings back the fond memories of sitting under the trees and having their snack of cookies and Kool-Aid. Her Aunt Gertrude Harding, Jim Harding's Mother, was her first Sunday school class teacher and used felt art to help teach. How wonderful those times were. The lasting  impressions  from  those  days, and  learning  about  Jesus, are  some of  her sweetest memories...something she keeps in mind  while helping  to teach  the three-year old Sunday School class at Pole Creek.  

Betty was taken to church as a child always, and when she was 16 years old she attended a crusade with a girl friend. At that time she accepted the Lord as her Savior. She says she will forever be grateful and thankful for the peace and love God has continued to show her throughout her life. Without Him, Betty says, she can do nothing!                                                                        

She has been Pole Creek's Prayer Team Coordinator for the past two years, a position she takes very seriously.  She has always been involved in the church whether working in the library, leading the Barnabas ministry, or working on the passport team to help keep our children safe. The former media director said that Betty was a committed worker who was an asset to the ministry for her knowledge, ability, and willingness to work. It is evident that she is committed in whatever she does.

One  of  the  most difficult times in their lives came  in  2004  when  Betty  and  Jay  went through the huge loss of their son, Kelley, who  went home to be with the Lord.  But, they are blessed to have a daughter, Aundrea, a son and his wife, Deric and Kristy, who are active members here at Pole Creek, and three wonderful grandsons: Gordon, Hunter and Evan, who are active here, also. 

Jay remembers going to Sunday school between the ages of 4 and 5 years old with his grandmother.  It was years later when he remembers the peace that came with being saved. 

Jay, also, has been very involved in the church as a member of the Evangelism Team in the past.  Presently, he is a Yokefellow, a prayer team member and, very importantly, he meets and prays with the Pastor each Sunday morning for his ministry. He is active in the Faith program, The Men's Sunday school class and the Friends of Jesus class.

Jay is a big fisherman...something that gives him immense pleasure. He also enjoys yard work and gardening. Betty's hobbies are cooking and reading, and if you've every eaten anything she's brought to a church function you'll know why cooking is a hobby!

Jay and Betty love Pole Creek and the freedoms that allow us to be able to attend our church in safety, worshiping our Savior.  Jay says that Pole Creek is a great, giving, Bible believing, teaching, and preaching church. The best he has ever been a part of. And with Satan lurking around every corner we need more prayer warriors in this world, praying for our church and members.

Debbie & Larry Rogers    January Ministers of the Month

Jesus said to let the little children come to Him, so that they may learn about Him and the gift of life He has to offer.  Our January Ministers of the Month take that statement to heart.  Larry and Debbie Rogers work with the little children in our children's ministry making sure they know about Jesus at a young age.  Debbie, currently, is our Nursery Captain for birth through  younger three year olds, and is the Sunday School Director for birth through two year olds.   She is the Secretary/Leader for T N T's in Awana's, and has been a Sunday School teacher.  Larry helps in the nursery when Debbie needs him, and he has worked in Awana as a leader as well.  Larry has been on several mission trips to help in building homes for people.  Larry and Debbie work as volunteers for the Parent's Night Out Ministry and have volunteered for Vacation Bible School.

One of the greatest joys for them is to see the young children learn about Jesus.  When you hear one of the children that have just begun to talk say "Jesus" it makes your heart soar.  You know that they are listening and soaking in everything you say to them.  Debbie says it is also a joy to listen to 3rd to 6th graders recite Bible verses and be able to apply the teachings to their lives.

Larry grew up at Pole Creek.  Debbie came during her teenage years.  They met in the Singles/College Sunday School class and were married in 1983.  They left Pole Creek for a few years and began attending New Morgan Hill Baptist Church.  But Pole Creek drew them back into the fold in 1999.  They have two boys, Josh and Jacob.  Josh is 15 and has cerebral palsy.  Jacob is 10.  Both boys love to come to church and love to learn about Jesus.

Debbie was 9 years old when she responded to God's call on Mother's Day.  Both Larry and Debbie were raised in Christian homes, always going to church- - - proof that a loving home and church home help shape and mold the lives of our children from the time they are born.

We need more people like Larry and Debbie willing to answer God's call and help mold our little ones in the ways of our Lord.  In this day and time, our children need all the support and love they can get to help them to make the right choices and to follow God's will for their lives.