Some people can always find an excuse for not serving the Lord through His church. In fact, there are times we all have legitimate reasons for not serving in certain areas--maybe we're not gifted in those ways, we may not be able physically to do what's required, we may already be serving in another area and there isn't enough time to do one more thing. Life happens. But, then, there are excuse makers--and plenty of them.
What you love to do is find people who look for a reason to serve! They will work at the drop of the hat--and will drop the hat, if need be! When I think of that type person, I think of Leroy and Susan Campbell. We are very thankful for their commitment to serve and for that reason we recognize them as our Ministers of the Month at Pole Creek, for December 2010.
What do they do? Let me give you an example. This summer, Leroy had surgery, and not many days after that, I came by and saw him on a ladder working on the side of the church building. The sun was baking down and he's perspiring profusely. He's cutting out metal, and putting it up to cover some deteriorating wood on the structure to preserve it. I am sure that his doctor would not have been happy to see him doing this--and his wife, Susan, certainly didn't think he should. He did it anyway! That's not the first time. He often uses his carpentry skills in fixing up things around the church. Susan is very involved in our music ministry, both choir and handbells. She also has had surgery and other health issues.
They have both gone on mission trips in other states, and are active in mission efforts in our own community. I can think of a gentleman who is sick and has no family--where they have cleaned house and built a ramp--ministering to him in Jesus' name. All that and they have their own family, including aging parents to care for. But they press on, always managing to find an excuse--TO SERVE!
NOVEMBER MINISTERS OF THE MONTH
He doesn't say much, but you sure hear him! I've never heard him sing, yet his role in music ministry is very important! Who is it?
Daniel Page--who plays guitar in our band! Daniel is so dependable--steady as a rock--the kind of person you appreciate--that just goes about the task without fanfare, but with faithfulness. Along with his wife, Martha, they are serving the Lord with smiles at Pole Creek. Often, Martha will be one of the first faces you'll see when you come on campus. She works as a greeter and her pleasant disposition and cheerful countenance communicate the warm welcome we want to extend to all that attend on Sunday. Then, you will see them side by side, wiping down tables after one of our Pole Creek feasts. If there is a job in the church that is less glamorous than that one--swabbing up spills and sweeping up crumbs--I am not sure what it is! Yet, it has to be done, and they do it without complaint! How grateful we are to those who like Daniel and Martha serve the Lord with gladness each week. It gives us great joy to honor them as our Ministers of the Month for November at Pole Creek.
Mary Kepner is Minister of the Month for October 2010
If you look closely at Mary Kepner's hands, you will notice something unusual--A GREEN THUMB! Perhaps, some dirt under the finger nails, also. The two go together, because Mary loves landscaping and the plants love her and seem to flourish at her touch. Recently she was in the hospital, but decided to exchange her hospital gown for some blue jeans and get out of the hospital bed and into a flower bed. Mary has worked so hard beautifying the grounds around the church. Roses, and shrubs, flowers and trees--all kinds of ornamental additions to make things appealing as you step onto the church property. She has labored under the hot sun and in the wet mud. Mary has taken the "bull by the horns" or we might say, the tree by the roots, and that's why we recognize her as our Minister of the Month for October, 2010. A bouquet of blessings to you, Mary!
Derek and Kimberly Chosen In September Derek and Kimberly Hooks are such a blessing to Pole Creek! Kimberly has helped in Children's Ministry for some time now--very demanding, yet very needful work. Derek is our computer technician, helping keep all our ministry systems up and going. It seems you can't do anything without computers any more, and those computers don't work without human beings to keep them operational. Additionally, Derek finds time for our music ministry and has done some solo efforts as well. After hearing him recently, one middle-school student thought he should be on American Idol! We can't award him with that, but we can recognize the Hooks as our Ministers of the Month of September at Pole Creek!
The Conards Were Chosen for August
We had a great Vacation Bible School! One of the best ever! As John Maxwell says, "Everything rises and falls on leadership," and the leadership of our VBS was outstanding! Dawn Conard served in this capacity for the first time and at her initial at-bat, hit it out of the park. She invested so much time and energy, and put together a winning team. We appreciate all those who partnered with her in the work. No one did it from a closer, more important position than her partner in life, husband Robert. Though Robert is a successful businessman, he found time to give Dawn the support she needed. Robert is a key leader in his own right--one of our young deacons, who is doing a tremendous job. I think you can understand why Robert and Dawn Conard were selected to be our Ministers of the Month for August, 2010!
Jeff and Melba Powell Chosen in July
At Pole Creek, we love to eat! We enjoy gathering around the table with good friends, good fellowship and good food. Our Kitchen Ministry does a superior job in this--and one who has been so faithful in serving and providing wonderful leadership in that is Jeff Powell. He labors long hours as a volunteer, providing a ministry that we could never repay. His wife, Melba, is a leader also. She heads up our Media Center. Melba and her staff offer outstanding Christian resources to check out: books, DVD's, music CD's and more. They do so with energy and excellence. Neither of these folks are spotlight seekers. They are not the loud, rah-rah kind of folks. While there is certainly a place for extroverts, we could not do what we do without the solid support of those who lead by example and quietly go about their task for the glory of God alone. These are the kind of folks we delight to highlight and so we honor Jeff and Melba Powell as our Ministers of the Month for July 2010!
The Lancasters Chosen for June's Ministers of the Month
Todd & Kathy Lancaster has been making strides forward in stepping up to help in the ministries at Pole Creek. Both Todd and Kathy have helped in our kitchen ministry, always looking to serve others in this most vital ministry, after all we love to meet and eat! Todd has also made great efforts in helping Steve Schultz, our new Associate Pastor of Music, in getting settled into his new role here at Pole Creek. Todd has literally moved from the back row to the front row in the choir and has been there to hand out music and helping new folks find their way in the choir. It is with gratefulness that we recognize Todd & Kathy Lancaster as Ministers of the Month for June 2010.
Senoir Adult Singers Ministers of the Month for May 2010
Our Senior Adult singers enjoy their Southern Gospel music. We have, likewise, been able to share their joy, as they sing for the church periodically. While not minimizing these blessings we have known, several months ago, these faithful servants decided they needed to get outside the church building and be the church in the community. On a regular basis, this choir travels to nursing homes, singing and sharing the Gospel through music ministry. We have seen a precious soul come to Christ and helped lonely saints find encouragement through the loving commitment of these faithful senior adults. Conley West has organized this ministry, Kathy Pressley plays the piano, Howard Lovin leads the singing and around forty singers participate. For this kind of vision, dedication and service we recognize the Senior Adult Choir as our Ministers of the Month for May 2010.
MINISTERS OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL 2010 TOM LEATHERWOOD & DONALD ANDERSON
With the beautiful spring weather we are having, it is hard to imagine that only a few short weeks ago, we were suffering through one of our worst winters in a long time. Constantly, we were asking, "Can we have church? Do we need to cancel the service?" vexing questions brought by ice and snow. Though we had to cancel and modify some of our meetings, most took place on schedule because of the efforts of two men: Tom Leatherwood and Donald Anderson. They volunteered their time and equipment to clear our parking lot. Sometimes the snow was piled up in mounds that seemed to take forever to melt! Had it not been for their initiative and hard work, many services would have had to be cancelled. Most took place without a hitch because these men were ready to hitch up their snow plows! For this effort, we acknowledge Tom Leatherwood and Donald Anderson as our Ministers of the Month at Pole Creek for March, 2010.
MARCH 2010 MINISTERS OF THE MONTH
Mike and Arlene Eubank have rolled up their sleeves, jumped right in and got to work. They didn't sit back; didn't make excuses--their attitude was, "We're here and ready to serve." As newer members, it is easier to have sensitivity to what it is like to be in a different place and meeting new people. One of the daunting tasks we have at Pole Creek is to help these first-time guests feel welcome and comfortable in strange surroundings. That's what Mike and Arlene are helping us do. Each week, they take a look at the registration cards and when they find first-time guests, they follow up and contact them, inviting them back again. The feed-back we receive through these contacts enables us to do a better job at meeting and greeting people effectively. In addition, Mike serves as an usher and Arlene teaches 3 year olds. We are so grateful God sent this couple to us, and for their service in Jesus' name, we have named them Ministers of the Month for March 2010.
FEBRUARY'S MINISTER OF THE MONTH
Harold Sloan has been a blessing to Pole Creek Baptist Church for many years and in many ways. He has been a Christian businessman in the best sense of the word, providing an example of hard work and integrity. In his church work, he has been a model of faithfulness. Harold has served in so many areas, it would be virtually impossible to list all the offices he has held. Harold has been a deacon, headed up building projects, served on finance committees, to name a few, and most recently has had to step down from serving as the President of the Auditorium Sunday School class, due to health issues. Though Harold Sloan has demonstrated much ability in the Lord's work, he has displayed the greatest ability-dependability. For these reasons, Harold Sloan is our Minister of the Month for February 2010.
MINISTER OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY 2010
Julie Parham has a heart for people--especially those who are lost and left out. She has repeatedly been involved in the outreach of our church to the community. She has participated in FAITH teams, going out and sharing the Gospel. Julie, more recently, has been active in CARE--following up on prospects and members needing ministry in her Single Adult Sunday School class. One of her most important ministries at church is with the Friends of Jesus--a class for special needs students. Her love and kindness shine through in her work with these special friends. Picture someone exemplifying the love of Christ and you will visualize Julie Parham and know why we have chosen her to be our Minister of the Month for January 2010.
...to meet people where they are and to lead them to become like Jesus...
Pole Creek Baptist Church 96 Snow Hill Church Road | Candler, NC 28715 | PH: 828-667-4053
